_To Mr. E――――._
_Plymouth, August 4, 1744._
_My very dear Brother E――――_,
I Thank you for your last kind and loving letter, and as a token of
my unfeigned love to you, I send you these few lines by way of answer,
before I embark. Our convoy is now come, and in all probability we
shall sail this day or tomorrow. I need not stir up my dear brother,
and other dear souls with you, to pray for me and mine. I am quite easy
about trust, having put all things into the hands of the LORD JESUS,
upon whose shoulders the government of all is placed. He will, he does
order all things well: I bless him for it, and for what he has, and is
doing among the soldiers. I desire you all to bless him for what he is
doing in these parts; for preaching at the _Dock_ is now like preaching
at the _tabernacle_. It would delight your dear soul, my brother, to be
a spectator of the people’s seriousness. Last night we had a most awful
and solemn parting; many wept sorely. After sermon we walked pleasantly
over the fields, blessing and praising GOD. Our morning lectures
are very delightful. O the thousands that flock to the preaching of
Christ’s gospel! If brother _C――――_ is in _London_, pray salute him
in my name, and all the dear dear brethren and sisters, wishing you
all thousands and millions of blessings, and earnestly intreating
an interest in your prayers for me the chief of sinners. I subscribe
myself, my dear brother _E――――_,
Yours most affectionately in the most adorable Redeemer,
_G. W._
_Postscript._ I must tell you one thing more. There is a ferry over to
_Plymouth_; and the ferrymen, which were like _Levi_ the publican at
the receipt of custom, are now so much my friends, that they will take
nothing of the multitude that come to hear me preach, saying, “GOD
forbid that we should sell the word of GOD.” O! the hearts of all men
are in the hand of the LORD!