Chapter V: Letter DCCCCLXVIII: To C―――― W――――

_London, March 3, 1753._

_My dear Friend_,

I THANK you and your brother most heartily for the loan of the chapel. Blessed be GOD, the work goes on well.――On _Thursday_ morning, the first brick of our new tabernacle was laid with awful solemnity. I preached from _Exodus_ the twentieth, and the latter part of the twenty-fourth verse; “In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee and bless thee.” Afterwards we sung, and prayed for GOD’s blessing in all places, where his glorious name is recorded. The wall is now about a yard high. The building is to be eighty feet square. It is upon the old spot. We have purchased the house, and if we finish what we have begun, shall be rent-free for forty-six years. We have above eleven hundred pounds in hands. This I think is the best way to build. Mr. _Steward_’s death so affected me, that when I met the workman that night to contract about the building, I could scarce bear to think of building tabernacles. Strange! that so many should be so soon discharged, and we continued! Eighteen years have I been waiting for the coming of the son of GOD; but I find we are immortal till our work is done. O that we may never live to be ministered unto, but to minister! Mr. _Steward_ spoke for his LORD as long as he could speak at all. He had no clouds nor darkness. I was with him, till a few minutes before he slept in JESUS. I have good news from several parts; a door is opening at _Winchester_. Surely the little leaven will ferment, till the whole kingdom be leavened. Even so, LORD JESUS, Amen! Pray how does our elect Lady? I hope to write to her Ladyship next post. Joint love attends you and yours, and your brother and his houshold.――That all may increase with all the increase of GOD, is still the earnest prayer of, my dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,

_G. W._

LETTER ♦DCCCCLXIX.

_To Mr. M――――._

_London, March 10, 1753._

_My dear Mr. M――――_,

I AM glad you have had such good times. I was grieved that Mr. _E――――_ was taken from _London_, because Mr. _M――――_ was taken ill, and a carnal preacher put up in his room. But GOD’s thoughts are not as our thoughts. Let this consideration reconcile you to my not preaching at Mr. _B――――_’s. I went as far as Mrs. _S――――_’s, but so many things occurred, that I went no further. You may hear more when we meet again. I have preached at _Spitalfields_ chapel twice. Both the Mr. _W――――_s are agreed, as the younger brother writes me word, in answer to my letter. Let brotherly love continue! I do not like writing against any body, but I think, that wisdom which dwells with prudence, should direct you not to fill Mr. _W――――s_ people (who expect you will serve them) with needless jealousies. He that believeth doth not make haste.――I therefore wait, being assured of this, that every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted out. I hope to see the time, when you will talk less of persons and things, and more of Him, who is the common head of his whole mystical body. This, and this alone can make and keep you steady in yourself, and extensively useful to others. I am glad you know when persons are justified. It is a lesson I have not yet learnt. There are so many stony-ground hearers that receive the word with joy, that I have determined to suspend my judgment, till I know the tree by its fruits. You will excuse this freedom. I love you with a disinterested love, I only wish you may be happy in JESUS. This will make you see things with new eyes, and give you such a freedom of heart as is unspeakable, and full of glory. For the present I must bid you adieu. That the LORD of all Lords may confirm, strengthen, stablish, and settle you in his love, is the earnest prayer of, my dear Mr. _M――――_,

Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,

_G. W._

♦ “DCCLXIX.” replaced with “DCCCCLXIX.”