_To Lady H――――n._
_Bristol, Jan. 28, 1749._
_Honoured Madam_,
I Think it is now high time for me to trouble your Ladyship with a
few lines. They come to thank your Ladyship ten thousand times for
all favours, and to inform you that our glorious Redeemer orders all
things well. On _Wednesday_, through winds, rain and frost, I reached
_Gloucester_, and preached there the same evening. The next day we held
out association, and, thanks be to GOD, affairs turned out better than
expectation. I came hither this evening, where I found my brother in
the very temper I could wish, “seemingly quite fixed to leave the world
for GOD.” He tells me of a Colonel, who heard me once in the Summer,
that now wants to know if his sins are forgiven. My brother’s visit to
town has been greatly blessed to him. Surely your Ladyship will never
know, till the day of judgment, the great ends GOD had in view in
calling your Ladyship to _London_. I rejoice in the prospect of seeing
your Ladyship happy amidst a crowd of your spiritual children, who
will come to you from time to time to be built up in their most holy
faith. You will suffer many pangs for them; but all shall work for your
Ladyship’s present and eternal good. I suffer much in my bodily health
for preaching to the nobility; but, thanks be to GOD, that some seem to
have an hearing ear, and an understanding heart. My warmest prayers are
continually ascending to the throne of grace for your Ladyship, and for
all those who have heard the word, especially those honourable women
that used to join with your Ladyship in receiving the sacred symbols
of the Redeemer’s blessed body and blood. My cry to our LORD in their
behalf is this,
_Take their poor hearts, and let them be_
_For ever clos’d to all but thee._
I forgot to tell your Ladyship, that the _Welch_ justices have ordered
the twenty pounds, exacted of the Methodists by Sir _W――――_, to be
returned. I can add up more, but my most grateful acknowledgments for
all kindnesses, and subscribe myself, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful and willing servant for
CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._