_To Mr. S――――._
_Gloucester, March 29, 1743._
_My dear Sir_,
I Now sit down to fulfil my promise made to you last night.――I think
in a former letter I gave you an account of what the LORD had done for
and by me since I left _London_, though indeed I cannot tell you the
hundredth part. On _Tuesday_ evening I preached at _Gloucester_ with as
convincing, soul-edifying power, as ever I felt in my life. The barn,
though made more commodious, was and is generally quite crouded. On
_Friday_ morning I preached again; and afterwards went to _Hampton_;
the snow falling and freezing on us all the way. In the evening I
preached at _Chalford_, upon “walking with GOD:” he was with me and
the auditory. On _Saturday_ I preached at _Ruscom_ in the morning,
and at _King-stanley_ in the afternoon. In the evening, I visited
brother _C――――_’s gracious society; and afterwards rode to _Hampton_,
which made about twenty miles. The congregations on account of the
weather were not so great, but our Saviour most richly fed us. The
word distilled like the dew; and at _Stanley_ I think I was in the
very suburbs of heaven. O free grace! On _Sunday_ morning I preached
at _Dursley_, about seven miles from _Hampton_, where our dear brother
_A――――_ had been taken down the _Sunday_ before; but no one was
permitted to touch or molest us. The congregation consisted of some
thousands, and the word came with a most gloriously convincing power.
I came away rejoicing, and in the afternoon preached to about ten
thousand on _Hampton_ common, at what the people now call _Whitefield’s
Tump_, because I preached there first. I cannot tell you what a solemn
occasion that was. I perceive a great alteration in the people since
I was in these parts last. They did indeed hang on me to hear the
word. It ran and was glorified. In the evening, we had a most precious
meeting with the two united societies in the new house at _Hampton_.
Surely many thereabouts will walk with GOD. Last night and this morning
I preached again with great power; preaching in _Gloucestershire_ is
now like preaching at the tabernacle at _London_. This evening I am to
preach again; and after that to hold our first love-feast.――What our
LORD does for us hereafter, you shall hear in my next. And now, my dear
Sir, help me to be thankful, and bless the LORD for all his mercies
conferred on
Your unworthy friend, and his worthless servant,
_G. W._