_To the Rev. Mr. S――――._
_On board the Betsy, June 24, 1748._
_Rev. and very dear Sir_,
THOUGH we are about two hundred leagues from land, yet lest hurry of
business should prevent me when we get a shore, I think proper to
write you a few lines whilst I am on board.――Long before this reaches
you, I suppose you will have heard of what the LORD of all Lords was
pleased to do for me and his people at, and also when we sailed from,
_Bermudas_. We sailed from thence just twenty-one days this morning,
and have lived, as to the conveniencies of eating and drinking, like
people that came from the continent, rather than one of the islands;
so bountiful were our friends, whom we left behind us. Hitherto we have
met with no storms or contrary winds, only it begins to head us now.
But GOD, in his own time, I trust will carry us to our desired port.
The first day we came out we were chased, and yesterday a large French
vessel shot thrice at and bore down upon us. We gave up all for gone.
I was dressing myself in order to receive our expected visitors. In
the mean while, our Captain cries, “the danger is over.” The Frenchman
turned about and left us. He was quite near, and we almost defenceless.
Now we are so near the channel, we expect such alarms daily. If any
thing happens extraordinary, I shall be particular. As for other
things, I cannot say much. The Captain is exceeding civil, and I have
my passage free; but all I have been able to do in the great ♦cabin in
respect to religious duties, is to read the church prayers once every
evening, and twice on the LORD’s day. I have not preached yet; this may
spare my lungs, but it grieves my heart. I long to be ashore, if it was
for no other reason. Besides, I can do but little in respect to my
writing. You may guess how it is, when we have four gentlewomen in the
cabin. However, they have been, and are very civil, and I believe my
being on board has been somewhat serviceable. My health I think is
improved, and I have finished my abridgment of Mr. _Law_’s serious
call, which I have endeavoured to gospelize. Yesterday I likewise made
an end of revising all my journals. Blessed be GOD, for letting me
have leisure to do it. I purpose to have a new edition before I see
_America_. Alas! alas! In how many things have I judged and acted
wrong.――I have been too rash and hasty in giving characters, both of
places and persons. Being fond of scripture language, I have often used
a style too apostolical, and at the same time I have been too bitter in
my zeal. Wild-fire has been mixed with it, and I find that I frequently
wrote and spoke in my own spirit, when I thought I was writing and
speaking by the assistance of the spirit of GOD. I have likewise too
much made inward impressions my rule of acting, and too soon and too
explicitly published what had been better kept in longer, or told after
my death. By these things I have given some wrong touches to GOD’s
ark, and hurt the blessed cause I would defend, and also stirred up
needless opposition. This has humbled me much since I have been on
board, and made me think of a saying of Mr. _Henry_’s, “_Joseph_ had
more _honesty_ than he had _policy_, or he never would have told his
dreams.” At the same time, I cannot but bless, and praise, and magnify
that good and gracious GOD, who filled me with so much of his holy
fire, and carried me, a poor weak youth, through such a torrent both
of popularity and contempt, and set so many seals to my unworthy
ministrations. I bless him for ripening my judgment a little more, for
giving me to see and confess, and I hope in some degree to correct and
amend, some of my mistakes. I thank GOD for giving me grace to embark
in such a blessed cause, and pray him to give me strength to hold
on and increase in zeal and love to the end. Thus, dear Sir, have I
unburdened my heart to you. I look upon you to be my _fidus achates_,
and therefore deal thus freely. If I have time and freedom before we
land, I think to write a short account of what has happened for these
seven years last past; and when I get on shore, GOD willing, I purpose
to revise and correct the first part of my life. I know you will pray
that I may be directed and owned in every thing. I think often of, and
pray for you, and as I intend writing to you again when I send this, I
shall content myself at present with subscribing myself, Reverend and
very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate obliged though unworthy brother and
servant,
_G. W._
♦ “cabbin” replaced with “cabin”