_To the Reverend Mr. M――――._
_Ashby, May 14, 1750._
_Reverend and very dear Sir_,
I Have desired to write you a long letter for a considerable time, but
was so hurried when at _London_, that I could not be so explicit as the
affair I wanted to write about, necessarily required. It is concerning
the Presbyterian College in the _New Jersies_; the importance and
extensive usefulness of which, I suppose you have long since been
apprized of. Mr. _A――――_, a friend of Governor _B――――_, is come over
with a commission to negotiate this matter; he hath brought with him
a copy of a letter, which Mr. _P――――_ sent to you some months past.
This letter hath been shewn to Doctor _D――――_ and several of the
_London_ ministers, who all approve of the thing, and promise their
assistance. Last week I preached at _Northampton_, and conversed with
Doctor _D――――_ concerning it. The scheme that was then judged most
practicable was this, “That Mr. _P――――_’s letter should be printed, and
a recommendation of the affair, subscribed by Doctor _D――――_ and others,
be annexed; that a subscription and collections should be then set
on foot in _England_, and afterwards that Mr. _A――――_ should go to
_Scotland_.” I think it is an affair that requires dispatch. Governor
_B――――_ is old, but a most hearty man for promoting GOD’s glory, and
the good of mankind. He looks upon the college as his own daughter,
and will do all he can to endow her with proper privileges. The present
President Mr. _B――――_, and most of the Trustees, I am well acquainted
with. They are friends to vital piety, and I trust this work of the
LORD will prosper in their hands. The spreading of the gospel in
_Maryland_ and _Virginia_ in a great measure depends upon it, and
therefore I wish them much success in the name of the LORD. But more
of this when we meet. As I am going further northward, I know not but
I may go as far as _Glasgow_. Indeed there are so many doors opened
in _England_, that I know not well where to go first. I have lately
been in _Cornwall_, at _Portsmouth_, and _London_.――Since that I have
preached at _Oulney_, _Northampton_ and _Kettering_. For a few days I
have been at good Lady _H――――n_’s, who though weak in body, is always
abounding in the work of the LORD. She sends you her kind compliments,
and ordered me to beg the favour of you to acquaint Mr. _R――――_, that
she will answer his kind letter as soon as ever her strength will
permit. I preach daily at her Ladyship’s, and this week, GOD willing, I
shall preach in two or three churches. My bodily health is better than
usual, and I long to be on the stretch for Him, who was stretched upon
a cursed tree for ill and hell-deserving me. I beg a continued interest
in your prayers. I salute you and yours, Mr. _G――――_ and his wife, and
all dear friends, in the heartiest manner, and am, reverend and very
dear Sir,
Your most affectionate brother, &c.
_G. W._