_To the Rev. Mr. H――――._
_Bristol, March 1, 1749._
_Reverend and dear Sir_,
I Am much obliged to you for your last kind letter. It was so agreeable,
that I sent it to good Lady _H――――_. Her Ladyship writes me word “that
it was a letter after her own heart.” She loves a Catholic spirit, and
I trust you are not deceived in your thoughts concerning me in this
respect. If I know any thing of my desperately wicked and deceitful
heart, I truly love all that love the glorious _Emmanuel_, and though I
cannot depart from the principles which I believe are clearly revealed
in the book of GOD, yet I can chearfully associate with those that
differ from me, if I have reason to think they are united to our common
head. This induced me to call upon good Mr. _L――――_, whose books many
years ago were blessed to my soul, when the work that is now spreading,
was then only in embryo. I am just come from the west, where I have
had the pleasure of seeing the seed sown just before I last embarked
for _America_, sprung up and bearing much fruit. All glory be to Him
who alone giveth the increase. I have also had two letters from some
honourable women, who I trust have received the grace of GOD in truth;
and Lady _H――――n_ writes me word, that “the prospect of doing good at
my return to _London_ is very encouraging.” Thither I am now bound. I
go with fear and trembling, knowing how difficult it is to speak to the
great, so as to win them to JESUS CHRIST. I sometimes am ready to say,
“LORD, I pray thee have me excused, and send by whom thou wilt send.”
But divine grace is sufficient for me. I can do all things through
CHRIST strengthening me. My dear brother, fail not to pray for me, that
I may hold on and hold out to the end, and in prosperity and adversity
press forward with an even, chearful, meek and lowly mind towards the
mark, for the prize of our high calling in CHRIST JESUS. I am glad
to hear that doctor _S――――_ goes on so well. I guess he will not be
suffered long to halt. It is no matter how soon all worldly shackles
are knocked off, and persons set at liberty (supposing they have a
proper call) to range for GOD. I find there is no hopes of compromising
matters. Nobody can be ordained that is a Methodist. Well! the time may
come, when many of the priests also shall be obedient to the word.
They come last; but then many of them come together. I know you will
say, Amen! let me hear from you shortly again. You shall have as quick
returns as can be given you by, my dear brother,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._