_To Lady Fanny S――――._
_Bristol, Aug. 1, 1749._
_Honoured Madam_,
THOUGH I had the pleasure of hearing of your welfare, by your last to
good Lady _H――――n_, yet I cannot help taking the freedom of sending
your Ladyship a few lines. They come to inform you, that you never are,
and, by divine assistance, never shall be forgotten by me at the throne
of grace. To that, I trust, your Ladyship finds free access every day,
and every hour, through the blood of the Lamb, who was slain to take
away the sins of the world. Your Ladyship’s present situation, I hope,
will be sanctified to this end. It is in the school of affliction
that we must learn the way to, and reap benefit from the cross.――Happy
they who come purified out of the furnace, and, like the burning bush,
flourish unconsumed in fire. This, Madam, is the privilege of all
believers. Trials, which harden others, purify and soften them. The
love of GOD turns every thing into what is more valuable than gold. It
brings light out of darkness, and causes others blindness to increase
our spiritual sight. O glorious privilege! happy change! How much are
you indebted, honoured Madam, to free grace, for making you in any
degree a partaker of it! Alas! alas! but few of your Ladyship’s station
in life choose to strive to enter into that strait gate which leadeth
unto life eternal. The noise of coaches, and the continual attention
to what they call innocent diversions, drowns the small still voice of
GOD’s blessed Spirit speaking in their hearts. Since I have been here,
many in high life have attended; whether to any valuable purpose, the
great day will discover. Good Lady _H――――n_ still continues to abound
in the work of the LORD, and is brightening her crown every day and
hour. She is quite well, and intends staying some days longer for the
benefit of the waters. Your Ladyship is remembered when we are feasting
at the Redeemer’s table. In a few days I shall move hence; and it may
be, that I shall go to _Georgia_ this fall. May the LORD direct me, and
bless all those who are the orphan’s friends! That your Ladyship may be
blessed with all the blessings of the everlasting gospel, is the hearty
prayer of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient humble servant,
_G. W._