_To Mr. W―――― L――――._
_London, Dec. 9, 1749._
_My dear Mr. L――――_,
I Find by your last kind letter that the king’s business requires haste.
I therefore immediately dispatched it to good Lady _H――――_, who I am
persuaded will think it her highest privilege to serve the dear people
of _Cork_. Whether your account of their sufferings has reached her
Ladyship I cannot tell, but you will know soon. However this we know,
that they have reached the ears of the blessed JESUS, who sitteth in
heaven, and laughs all his enemies to scorn. He will take care that
the bush, though burning, shall not be consumed, nay he will take
care that it shall flourish even when in the midst of fire. In all our
afflictions he is afflicted, and though the under shepherds be smitten,
and his poor sheep for a while scattered, yet even this scattering
shall be over-ruled for the propagation of the glorious gospel. It
will be melancholy to have any preachers transported; but really the
thoughts do not affect me so much, because I know what a field of
action there is for them abroad. It has been my settled opinion for a
long time, that CHRIST’s labourers (at least some of them,) love home
too much, and do not care enough for those thousands of precious souls,
that are ready to perish for lack of knowledge in yonder wilderness. We
propose having an academy or college at the Orphan-house in _Georgia_.
Supposing the worst, hundreds may find a sweet retreat there. The house
is large; it will hold an hundred. I trust my heart is larger, and will
hold ten thousand. Be who or what they will, if they belong to JESUS,
the language of my heart shall be, “Come in, ye blessed of the LORD.”
But perhaps this may not be the issue. The threatning storm may blow
over, and all may be at peace again. It is always darkest before break
of day. May the glorious _Emmanuel_ lighten the darkness of our minds!
then we need not fear what men or devils can say of, or do unto us.
Adored be his free grace for enabling you, dear Sir, to confess him
before men, and to make _Moses_’s choice your choice. Great shall be
your reward of grace, though not of debt: he will confess you before
his Father and his holy angels in heaven. When you write, be pleased
to salute the dear confessors at _Cork_. I love them in the bowels of
JESUS CHRIST, and pray the LORD of all lords to give them grace to quit
themselves like men, and be strong. If any of my poor writings might be
useful, I will send some to _Ireland_ at any time. O free grace, that
the adorable JESUS should ever make use of such a wretch as I am! This
is free grace indeed. Help me, dear Sir, to adore it; and if at any
time I can be serviceable, make no apologies, but write frequently, and
command as well as pray for, my dear friend,
Your very affectionate brother and chearful servant,
_G. W._