_To ――――._
_New-York, June 29, 1747._
_My very dear, dear Brother_,
IT is with much pleasure I now sit down to answer your kind and
welcome letters, dated _April_ 11th and 13th. And to keep you no longer
in suspence, I would inform you, that they have had such an effect
upon me, that, GOD willing, I am determined to embark for _England_
or _Scotland_ early next Spring.――’Till _Christmas_ I am already
under indissoluble engagements, and am making a strong effort, in
dependance on the great Head of the church, to get free from my outward
embarrassments.――I thank my dear _English_ friends for what they have
done for me in this respect, and must beg you, my dear and faithful
brother, still to do what you can further. The LORD JESUS seems _to
assure me_ that the time of my deliverance is at hand.――I hope before
this year is out, to stock my new plantation in _South-Carolina_ as
a _visible fund_ for the _Orphan-house_, and upon news of something
more being done in _England_, (so that my poor heart may no more be
oppressed as it has been for many years by outward difficulties,) my
answer shall be, Lo! I come once more to see my dear, very dear friends
on the other side of the mighty waters. ’Till then, I shall as it
were count the hours, and long for them to glide away a-pace. My dear
yoke-fellow now at _Philadelphia_ is like-minded, being exceedingly
desirous to see her dear friends once more. May JESUS grant it, if it
be agreeable to his holy will! Indeed, I have lately thought I should
never see you any more. For some weeks past, I have been exceedingly
indisposed. GOD has been pleased to bring my body to the very brink of
the grave by convulsions, gravel, a nervous cholic, and a violent fever.
But as pain and afflictions abounded, consolations much more abounded,
and my soul longed to take its flight to JESUS. For this week past I
have not preached; but since my leaving _Philadelphia_, about three
days ago, I seemed to have gathered strength, and hope once more,
to-morrow, to proclaim amongst poor sinners the unsearchable riches
of JESUS CHRIST. From hence I purpose to go to _Boston_, and return by
land so as to reach _Charles-Town_ by _November_.――Glad shall I be to
receive an answer to this, about that time there.――For upon that in a
great measure will depend my coming to you, or staying longer in these
parts. Blessed be the LORD of all Lords, the door is yet open here,
and I am exceedingly rejoiced to find it is kept so sweetly open at
home. I can easily guess how my dear man has been tried. I find more
and more that through much tribulation we must enter into glory, and
by sufferings be prepared for farther usefulness here below.――O that
patience may have its perfect work in our hearts. O that underneath
thee may be the everlasting arms, and that by happy experience thou
mayst daily prove the strength of JESUS to be thine. I intend, GOD
willing, to write to brother _J――――_, &c. I rejoice that brother
_E――――_ still continues in his place.――It is a token for good. You
will return my most humble and dutiful respects to good Lady _H――g――n_,
the Marquiss, and Mrs. _E――――n_. If possible I will write to them.――I
sent letters to the Marquiss, Lord _L――――n_, and Lord _R――――a_, about
_October_ last, but suppose they have miscarried.――I leave my affairs
to you, and depend on you, under GOD, to transact them all.――The
trouble is great, but JESUS will support and reward thee.――Near forty
pounds yearly were subscribed in _England_ to the _Orphan-house_, but
I have not received I think above five.――I have rather more confidence
in you, if possible, my very dear Man, than ever. May JESUS reward
thee for all thy works of faith, and labours which have proceeded of
love!――I wish you joy of your little one, and most heartily salute your
dear wife, and all the lovers of the blessed JESUS every where. I wrote
to you about a month ago in extreme weakness, and shall neglect no
opportunity of sending to you.――I beseech you to continue to pray me
over, and assure yourself none of you are forgotten by, my very dear
Brother,
Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,
_G. W._