_To Lady Fanny S――――._
_Newcastle, Oct. 1, 1749._
_Honoured Madam_,
SOME time last week, my wife sent me the letter your Ladyship was
pleased to favour me with about three weeks ago. Though I was sorry
it did not reach me before I left town, yet I rejoiced to find that it
bespoke your Ladyship’s attachment to the ever-loving ever-lovely JESUS,
and a desire to partake of the sacred symbols of his most blessed body
and blood. I doubt not but your Ladyship, with full purpose of heart,
will cleave unto him, and in spite of men and devils go on in that
narrow way which leads to life eternal. GOD’s grace will be sufficient
for you. He hath promised, and he is faithful who hath promised, never
to leave nor forsake those that put their trust in him. He is in the
burning bush, he is in the fiery furnace. He can and will make us more
than conquerors over all. With what courage then may your Ladyship
go on through this howling wilderness, whilst leaning on your beloved
Saviour? In him alone is all your strength found. Honoured Madam, look
to him, consider him, and thereby you will be kept from being weary
and faint in your mind. I doubt not but you meet with daily crosses.
Persons that stand alone, and in high places, must expect storms. But
JESUS is able and willing to uphold you. Thanks be to his great name
for giving your Ladyship such a share of prudence and courage. May the
glorious _Emmanuel_ increase both; and without being attached to any
party, may you be preserved unspotted from the world, and be a common
friend to all!――Since I saw your Ladyship, I have disengaged myself
from the immediate care of the societies, and am now still more at
liberty to preach the gospel of the blessed GOD. A series of unforeseen
providences brought me down this way. In _Yorkshire_ many, many
thousands have attended the word, and here at _Newcastle_ thousands
also hear the gospel gladly. To-morrow I am returning back, and hope
to be in town some time this month. I fear it is now too late to embark
for _America_ this winter; but, thanks be to GOD, I hear my family
is well, and that the LORD hath given them a plentiful crop. If your
Ladyship lives, I believe you will hear of some souls being educated
at _Georgia_ for GOD. Honoured Madam, my heart’s desire and constant
prayer is, that you may go on from strength to strength, and be
continually growing in the knowledge of yourself and CHRIST JESUS
your LORD. I must now add no more, but my repeated thanks for all your
Ladyship’s favours, and my repeated assurances of being, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient, and ready
servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._