_To Mr. B――――._
_London, March 10, 1749._
_Dear Billy_,
I Have just now heard, that a ship will sail for _Philadelphia_ in a
day or two. I cannot therefore miss the opportunity of acknowledging
the receipt of your last kind letter. I am sorry it brought me such bad
news concerning the state of religion in your parts. My constant prayer
for you, and my other _Philadelphia_ friends is this, “LORD, revive
thy work in the midst of the years.” Notwithstanding so wide a door
is opened here, and a prospect of doing much good lies before me, yet
I have settled thoughts of embarking for _America_ in the fall. But
future things belong to GOD. His I am, and I desire to be entirely at
his alwise disposal. My wife is not yet arrived; I hear she is yet
upon the water. May the LORD JESUS be her convoy! I am just returned
from an excursion of about six hundred miles in the west, where I had
the pleasure of seeing, that the seed sown before I embarked last for
_America_, had been blessed abundantly. Glory be to Him, who alone has
given the increase. The news you have had of my preaching to some great
ones, is true; I have done it for some time twice a week, and thanks
be to the blessed Redeemer, it has already produced good effects. Lady
_H――――_ is a mirror of piety indeed. In time, I trust of the honourable
women there will not be a few, who dare to confess the LORD JESUS
before men. You must remember me to all. I have scarce time to write
this, so can only send one general salutation. The LORD JESUS be with
all your spirits, Amen and Amen! The bearer, Mr. _H――――_, seems to be
well recommended as an honest man. He is an entire stranger to every
body in _America_, and I believe has a mind to settle in _Philadelphia_.
I am desired to write a line in his behalf. You will do what you can
for him, because he is a stranger. I could write much more, but am
interrupted. Adieu, my dear man, for the present. Pray keep near the
ever-blessed Redeemer, and fail not to pray for and write to
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._