_To Mr. S―――― W――――._
_Edinburgh, Sept. 19, 1748._
_My very dear Mr. W――――_,
SHALL I promise, and not perform? GOD forbid! Glad am I, yea very glad
to open a fresh correspondence with a dear old friend, with whom I
have often taken such sweet counsel. O my dear man, how patient, how
long-suffering has the blessed JESUS been towards us! Ought not his
love to constrain us to obedience? Ought we not to confess him, who
endured such contradiction of sinners against himself for us? For my
part, when I think that the glorious _Emmanuel_ endured the pain, and
despised the shame of dying upon a cursed tree for me, I cannot help
saying,
_For this let men revile my name,_
_No cross I’d shun, I’d fear no shame;_
_All hail reproach, and welcome pain,_
_Only thy terrors, LORD, restrain_.
Glory be to GOD, I have hitherto found that the cross of JESUS has
been lined with love. This has made it easy; this even now makes it
exceeding light. I fear prosperity more than affliction; and though
there is but little danger perhaps of my being exalted in this world,
yet the language of my soul is, “In all time of my wealth, good LORD
deliver me.” May the LORD keep you, my dear friend, by his mighty power
through faith! He has entrusted you with many talents; may you occupy
them till he come! I hope he will bless your conversation to those who
are yet but weak in the faith, and who cannot, through love of the
world, or fear of man, as yet bear much contempt. My service to Messrs.
_B――――_ and _M――――_, when you see them. My prayer for you all is, that
you may be good soldiers of JESUS CHRIST. I am fighting for him here.
Vast multitudes come to hear; but what good is done, cannot yet be
determined. Many of my dear friends are gone to glory, I purpose being
in town about the time appointed. I know you will pray for me. Whether
absent or present, assure yourself you are never forgotten by, my very
dear friend,
Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,
_G. W._