_To Mr. A――――._
_Bethesda, Dec. 29, 1746._
_My very dear Brother A――――_,
SINCE I wrote to you from _Maryland_, I have received two or three kind
letters from you, in which I have had a particular account how affairs
stand in _England_.――I bless GOD for the gracious assistance he has
been pleased to afford you, and pray for a continuance and increase
of it to your dear soul ever more and more――O my very dear brother, it
is no small favour to be kept steady and humbly bold for the glorious
_Emmanuel_ in a cloudy dark day.――This honour the LORD JESUS has
conferred on you――May his past goodness strengthen your faith, and
encourage you to trust in him amidst all future trials!――I say future
trials――for we must never expect an entire cessation of arms, till we
bow down our heads and give up the ghost――Our trials will be changed
in order to discover to us the remainder of corruption in the heart;
but they will not, they must not be entirely removed――The captain
or our salvation was made perfect through sufferings, and so must
we――Be strong therefore, my brother, in the grace which is in CHRIST
JESUS――Endure afflictions――make full proof of thy ministry――Truth is
great, and will prevail――Fail not writing――Other letters will acquaint
you with particulars about me.――Continue in prayer, and it may be,
sooner than your expectations, you may see
Your very unworthy, but affectionate brother and servant in
JESUS CHRIST,
_G. W._
_P. S._ My dear yoke-fellow joins in sending most cordial salutations
to you, yours, and all that love the precious CHRIST.
_Charles-Town, Jan. 21, 1747._
Since I wrote the above I have had some sweet seasons at _Bethesda_: I
intend staying here some days, and will redeem what time I can to write
to friends――May grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon them all:
Amen and Amen.――My dear wife and family are well――GOD willing, we move
northward in the beginning of _March_.