_To Mr. S――――._
_Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748._
_My very Dear Sir_,
I Have been in pain because your kind letter has lain by me so long
unanswered.――Nothing but a variety of other necessary business has been
the cause. My hands are full, and I trust the pleasure of the LORD will
prosper in them. Very great multitudes have flocked to hear; and in
_Glasgow_ the prospect of doing good is rather more promising than in
_Edinburgh_. In a fortnight I purpose, GOD willing, to leave _Scotland_,
and to preach at _Oundle_ in my way to _London_. Glad shall I be to
see two such friends as you and Mr. _H――――_, though incog. I will
endeavour to send you timely notice. I would have neither of you expose
yourselves to needless contempt upon my account. I think I can say,
that I am willing to be forgotten even by my friends, if JESUS CHRIST
may thereby be exalted. But then, I would not have my friends act an
inconsistent part towards that friend of all, that friend of sinners,
the glorious _Emmanuel_. You know, my dear Sir, what an inspired
apostle hath asserted: “A double-minded man is unstable in all his
ways.” Whilst you are afraid of men, you will expose yourself to a
thousand inconveniences. Your polite company, (unless you converse with
them more as their physician, than as their companion) will prevail on
you to such compliances, as will make you smart when you retire into
your closet, and reflect on the part you have acted. Before I shook off
the world, often have I come out of company, shorn of all my strength,
like poor _Sampson_ when he had lost his locks! But this is a tender
point. Go on, dear Sir, and prove the strength of JESUS to be yours.
Continue instant in prayer, and you shall see and feel infinitely
greater things than you have seen or felt yet. I am of your opinion,
that there is seed sown in _England_, which will in time grow up into
a great tree. GOD’s giving some of the mighty and noble a hearing ear,
forebodes future good. I do not despair, if I live, of seeing you a
proclaimer of the unsearchable riches of JESUS CHRIST. GOD be praised,
that Mr. _H――――_ is so bold an advocate for his blessed LORD. I send
him my most affectionate respects, and entreat him to remember me in
his prayers. I wrote to Mr. _H――――_ lately. I herewith send you an
extract of a letter I wrote on ship-board to my dear invaluable friend
Mr. _S――――_, of _South-Carolina_. If it was judged proper, I would put
it in the preface of a new edition of my Journals. I would not have
any of my mistakes remain uncensured, uncorrected. I thank you for your
hint about my way of preaching. I shall take care to observe it. And
now, dear Sir, for the present, adieu. I am afraid I have tired you. I
shall be fond of seeing you at _London_. Rejoicing in the prospect of
seeing you in the kingdom of heaven, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,
_G. W._