_To Lady H――――._
_London, Sept. 1, 1748._
_Honoured Madam_,
ALTHOUGH it is time for me to be setting out, yet I dare not leave
town without dropping a few lines, gratefully to acknowledge the many
favours I have received from your Ladyship, especially the honour you
have done me in making me one of your Ladyship’s chaplains. A sense
of it humbles me, and makes me to pray more intensely for more grace,
to walk more worthy of that GOD, who has called me to his kingdom and
glory. As your Ladyship hath been pleased to confer on me the honour
before mentioned, I shall think it my duty to send you weekly accounts
of what the LORD JESUS is pleased to do for and by me. Glory be to
his great Name, the prospect is promising. My Lord _Bath_ received me
yesterday morning very cordially, and would give me five guineas for
the orphans, though I refused taking any thing for the books. I send
your Ladyship (by the hands of faithful and honest _Betty W――――_) a
little box of my sermons, and the last account of GOD’s dealing with
me, and of the money expended for the Orphan-house, with my oath before
the magistrates of _Savannah_. The little book in marble paper is for
Madam _P――――_: I have folded down where I would have her begin to read.
What a lovely christian will she make, when grace hath once refined
her heart? I hope GOD intends to honour your Ladyship in making you
instrumental of doing good to the nobility. His providence, his
peculiar providence hath placed your Ladyship at _Chelsea_. I am
persuaded your Ladyship will not quit that post, till he that hath
placed you there, plainly gives you a dismission. I have good news
to-day from _Bristol_. Mr. _C――――_ intends to be fettered no longer
with the fear of man. O that there may be always in him such a mind! Mr.
_L――――_, he informs me too, is coming from under the cloud. He begs his
dutiful respects may be presented to your Ladyship, and is much obliged
to your Ladyship for being so much concerned for him. I hope he will
fix by and by: But whither am I running? Pardon me, honoured madam, I
fear I am too bold and too long. Upon the road, I propose writing your
Ladyship my thoughts of what scheme seems to be most practicable, in
order to carry on the work of GOD, both here and in _America_. I dare
add no more but my hearty prayers for the temporal and eternal welfare
of your Ladyship, and whole houshold, and subscribe myself, honoured
madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
_G. W._