_To the Reverend Mr. H――――._
_London, Jan. 8, 1750._
_My very dear Mr. H――――_,
YOUR letter must not any longer lie by unanswered. It is a pleasure
to me to steal a few minutes to keep up a correspondence with one
I so dearly love, and with whom I am persuaded I shall live in the
regions of peace and joy, through the endless ages of eternity. This
the glorious _Emmanuel_ hath purchased for us, and of this, (for ever
adored be his free grace) he hath given us an earnest! Supported with
this, I am still enabled to pursue my delightful work of preaching to
poor sinners the unsearchable riches of redeeming love. Thousands and
thousands flock to hear, and we have had a blessed Christmas and new
year’s season indeed. In the midst of all, I want more retirement. I
want to read, meditate, and write. But I despair of getting much time
for these things, till I get upon the mighty waters. In the mean while,
I thank the Redeemer for letting my hands be full of work. These words
lately have followed me, “Dwell in the land, be doing good, and verily
thou shalt be fed.” These words embolden me to inform you of two that
love CHRIST, and therefore I believe you love them, and I think they
want assistance; _G―――― F――――_ and _I―――― H――――_. The former I think
has about eleven children, and scarce a crown a week to maintain them;
and the latter writes me word, “He is about a guinea behind hand.” I am
doing what I can for them, and if you would send them a small token, or
now and then let me have a little to give to the many christian objects
that apply to me, I know not how your generous heart could lay out a
little to more advantage. You know the pleasure of doing for CHRIST’s
disciples. I labour to contract every expence, and to save all I can
for the good of others. Ought I not to do so, to express my gratitude
to him, who for my sake had not where to lay his head, and though he
was rich, yet he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made
rich. Much, yea very much of his divine unction do I pray may be given
to my dear Mr. _H――――_ in his present plan. May the LORD make your pen
the pen of a ready writer, and after death may your writings be blest
to thousands yet unborn! I believe they will. O my dear friend, whilst
I am writing the fire kindles. Blessed be GOD for JESUS CHRIST! Blessed
be GOD for all the mercies he hath conferred upon us! O that this new
year may be filled with good works, flowing from a principle of love
and a new nature! That the LORD may bless and keep you, and fill you
with all his divine fulness, is the continual earnest prayer of, my
dear, dear old friend,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._