_To Lady H――――n._
_Newby-Cote, June 16, 1750._
_Honoured Madam_,
IT is late, and I am somewhat fatigued, but I cannot rest without
finishing my week’s work in writing to your Ladyship. Blessed be GOD,
I have still good news to send to your Ladyship. All was quiet at
_Manchester_; and I humbly hope the Redeemer will gather to himself
a people there. Kind Captain _G――――_ and his lady will acquaint your
Ladyship with particulars. I hope he will prove a good soldier of JESUS
CHRIST. I advised him to send your Ladyship word of their coming to
_Ashby_, that they might be directed the best road from _Derby_. We had
sweet seasons at the places adjacent to _Manchester_. Only at _♦Bolton_
a drunkard stood up to preach behind me, and a woman attempted twice to
stab the person that was putting up a stand for me to preach on, in her
husband’s field. However, the LORD got himself the victory. Since that,
we have had very large and powerful meetings, where formerly were the
most violent outrages. Perhaps within these three weeks, sixty-thousand
souls or upwards have heard the gospel. I am now in Mr. _J――――_’s
circuit, and purpose being at _Kendal_ next _Thursday_. I hope that
there, or at _Whitehaven_, where I am to preach to-morrow se’nnight,
I shall hear from Mr. _B――――_ concerning your Ladyship’s welfare.――His
letter I received to-night, and will answer it the first opportunity.
Nature now calls for rest. I shall retire, praying that your Ladyship
and honoured relations may be blessed with all spiritual blessings. I
am a sink of sin and corruption; but JESUS comforts and supports me,
and, I believe, will hear your Ladyship’s prayers in behalf of one,
who, next to being a poor despised minister of the glorious _Emmanuel_,
thinks it his highest honour to subscribe himself,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and very
ready servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._
♦ “Balton” replaced with “Bolton”
_June 17th, seven in the morning. _
_Honored Madam_,
THIS last night Satan hath shewed his teeth. Some persons got into the
barn and stable, and have cut my chaise, and one of the horse’s tails.
What would men do, if they could? The LORD be with your spirit. _Amen._