_To Mr. J―――― W――――._
_London, Sept. 1, 1748._
_My very dear Brother_,
YOUR kind letter I received with great satisfaction. I chearfully
sit down to answer it before I set out for _Scotland_. I have been
a mile or two upon the road, but turned back because my chaise was
not registered. My hands have been full of work, and I have been
among great company. A privy counsellor of the king of _Denmark_,
and others, with one of the Prince of _Wales_’s favourites, dined and
drank tea with me on _Monday_. On _Tuesday_ I preached twice at Lady
_Huntingdon_’s to several of the nobility. In the morning the Earl of
_Chesterfield_ was present. In the evening Lord _B――――_. All behaved
quite well, and were in some degree affected. Lord _C――――_ thanked me,
and said, “Sir, I will not tell you what I shall tell others, how I
approve of you,” or words to this purpose. He conversed with me freely
afterwards. Lord _B――――_ was much moved, and desired I would come and
see him the next morning. I did; and his Lordship behaved with great
candour and frankness. All accepted of my sermons, and seemed surprized
but pleased. Thus, my dear brother, the world turns round. “In all time
of my wealth, good LORD deliver me!” Glad am I, for his own sake, that
dear Mr. _C――――_ begins to resolve to play the man. Alas! a ♦trimming
conduct is uncomfortable to one’s self, displeasing to CHRIST, and
ridiculous in the sight of the world. CHRIST is worth all, or he is
worth nothing. May the LORD enable me to be simple, and honest, and
open in all my dealings, and to trust him with the consequences. I have
ever yet found, that honesty is the best policy in the end. O that dear
Mr. _L――――_ may at length show himself a man too! My dear, very dear
brother, may you lose no more time, but join in confessing a crucified
Saviour. Glad am I to find that Mr. _C――――_’s conversation is blest to
you. I wish you had always a christian _fidus achates_ at your side.
Pardon me, dear brother, this freedom. My love is so great to you,
and I have put up so many prayers for you, that I cannot rest till you
improve those excellent parts GOD has given you, for the glory of his
church and the good of his people. I am glad you will send something
to our mother. I need not tell you, that the wisest of men has bid us
“not to despise one’s mother, when she is old.” I thank you for the
pictures; I have made free with some of them already. I shall not be
sorry, if you do not go to _Gloucester_. Alas, so much money spent at
music-meetings will make but a poor article at the day of judgment.
But where does my affection carry me? My dear brother, good night. GOD
willing, you shall hear from me soon again; if you do not answer me
immediately, I will impute it to any thing rather than want of love;
that, I am sure, is strong towards me, however unworthy of it. GOD has
blessed me much in _London_. Congregations are very large. On _Sunday_
I was enabled to preach four times: but this body――Well! thanks be to
GOD, it is soon to be put off. Once more good night. My love to all
friends. I am
Yours most affectionately,
_G. W._
♦ “triming” replaced with “trimming”