_To Mrs. B――――._
_Wicoacommoco, (Maryland) May 16, 1747._
_Dear Mrs. B――――_,
HEARING by Captain _Adams_ that the glorious _Emmanuel_ holds your soul
in life, I cannot help letting you know, past kindnesses are not yet
forgotten, and that I wish you much spiritual and temporal prosperity.
How does your soul prosper in these hard, dull and afflicting times?
Has tribulation produced patience, patience experience, and experience
hope; and do you find thereby the love of GOD shed abroad in your
heart by the Holy Ghost? Happy then, unspeakably happy are you in being
afflicted. With exultation of heart may you sing,
_O happy rod!_
_That brought me nearer to my GOD._
I think I can say, it is good to bear the yoke of affliction in
youth. It teaches one to keep silence, and weans us from a too great
attachment to all sublunary enjoyments. I have a few strokes of my
father’s rod from time to time, as well as you. But I find that his rod
as well as his staff do comfort. I am a naughty child, and want much
correction; but he that wounds, heals also, and in glory we shall find,
that his loving correction hath made us great. O glory! It is yonder in
view; JESUS stands at the top of the ladder to receive us into it. Look
to him, dear Mrs. _B――――_, for surely he is your never-dying husband.
――Death itself shall not, death cannot part him and you. Had I strength
equal to my will, I should write much of the Redeemer’s everlasting
love; but my body is weak through continued journeyings and preaching.
However, CHRIST’s strength is in some degree magnified in my weakness,
and my preaching is blessed to poor souls. Amazing love! _Maryland_ is
yielding converts to the blessed JESUS. The gospel seems to be moving
southward. Pray for me, that I may be unwearied in well doing, and
follow the Lamb whithersoever he shall be pleased to lead me. Pray
remember me in the kindest manner to your aged declining pastor, the
other minister who lives about five miles from you, to Mr. _J――――_, and
all my kind nurses, and dear _York_ friends. I find death and sickness
have made great havock and alterations among them. May JESUS sanctify
all events to the furtherance of his grace, in all their hearts, and
give us to meet where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary
are at rest! I salute you and all, and once more praying that you and
yours may be watered by the blessed JESUS every ♦moment, I subscribe
myself, dear Mrs. _B――――_,
Your most affectionate, obliged servant in JESUS CHRIST,
_G. W._
♦ “momoment” replaced with “moment”