_To Mr. James B――――._
_London, Dec. 14, 1749._
_My dear Friend_,
IF you was rejoiced in hearing from me, I can assure you, I was
delighted, when I received letters from my dear _Maryland_ and
_Bohemia_ friends. Upon reading them, I hoped that our LORD was purging
you, that you might bring forth more fruit to his glory. I hope you
have found it a sanctifying rod, and that it hath only whipped you so
much nearer to the ever-blessed Lamb of GOD. Now, my dear Sir, now is
the time to shew your gratitude; now is the time to begin steadily to
pursue the one thing needful. What avail the many things of this poor
transitory world, in a sick and dying hour? Alas! they are nothing, and
less than nothing. JESUS alone is all in all. He is the pearl of great
price, which a wise merchant will gladly sell all to purchase. It is
worth all, or worth nothing. O when shall it once be, that the children
of this world shall not be wiser in their generations than the children
of light! I trust my dear Mr. _B――――_ will labour to fulfil this wish,
and with full purpose of heart cleave unto his once dying, but now
risen, ascended, and interceding LORD. When shall I love him more;
when shall unworthy I serve him better? My obligations to do so, are
increasing every moment. This last fall has been a glorious seed-time
indeed. I have been in six or seven _Northern_ counties, and thousands
and ten thousands flocked to hear the word. I am now in my Winter
quarters. Our LORD is pleased to bow the heavens, and come down amongst
his people. His glory fills the Tabernacle, and the shout of a king
is heard in our camp. I wish I could hear of the revival of GOD’s work
among you. Let us pray, and not faint. You know who has commanded us
to let him have no rest till _Jerusalem_ be made a praise through the
earth. Methinks I wish the months may fly away, wherein I am detained
from coming to my dear _America_ again. I entreat you to pray me over,
and then I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of
peace. The glorious JESUS deals bountifully with me here. I am better
in health, than I have been some years.――My wife hath much improved in
hers, since her arrival in her native country. She joins in sending
most affectionate respects. Pray remember us to all in the tenderest,
and most endearing manner; and believe me to be, my very dear Mr.
_B――――_,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._