_To Mr. T――――._
_Ashby, Oct. 13, 1750._
_My very dear Mr. T――――_,
YOUR kind letter did not reach me till about two days ago. I embrace
the first opportunity of answering it. If you write often, GOD willing,
you shall hear oftener from me. You are peculiarly dear to me, and
therefore I heartily wish you was thrust out into our LORD’s harvest.
_Vox populi_, much more _vox amicorum_, is frequently _vox Dei_. I say
to you, as a good old minister did to one whom you know, and who was
as unwilling to go into the vineyard, as you can be, “I believe if St.
_Paul_ was alive, he would ordain you.” You have a moderate share of
learning, an agreeable address, a good elocution, a little knowledge
of mankind, and of yourself, and above all an experimental acquaintance
with the LORD JESUS CHRIST, with a door of usefulness immediately
opening; and what would you more? I wish some latent pride may not
be at the bottom. Lose no more time, my dear man. The voice of CHRIST
to you now is, “Follow me, and I will make thee a fisher of men.” The
harvest is great, the labourers are few. Thousands are perishing for
lack of that knowledge, which you have already. The world wants more
heat than light. _Crescit eundo, crescit agendo_, is a young minister’s
motto. I think the Itinerancy abroad would suit you well. By travelling
before you take on you a settled charge, you will get a deeper insight
into the world and the church; you will insensibly acquire larger and
more sublime thoughts of GOD’s providence and grace, and consequently
be more fit to serve whatever flock the Holy Ghost shall hereafter
place you over. I believe that your honoured father loves CHRIST too
well, to stand out long against a rational scheme for the extensive
usefulness of his son. He is a dear man, whom I love in the bowels of
JESUS CHRIST. Pray remember me to him in the kindest manner, and tell
him I purpose writing to him as soon as possible. This leaves me at
_Ashby_, at good Lady _H――――n_’s, whose house is indeed a _Bethel_
to those who are willing to follow her, as she follows JESUS CHRIST.
One of high rank, I really believe, was converted lately on a dying
bed, and her death I trust hath proved the life of one or two more.
One of the _Kendal_ converts is gone off in flying colours, and our
blessed LORD has given us sweet seasons at _Portsmouth_, _Chatham_,
_Gloucestershire_, _Birmingham_, _Eversham_, _Wednesbury_, _Nottingham_,
&c. Next _Monday_, GOD willing, I go for _London_, in order to put
into winter quarters. The LORD prepare me for a fresh campaign! Do you
know any one fit for a Tutor at _Georgia_? I am glad that _New Jersey_
college succeeds. I had lately a letter from Governor _Belcher_, which
I suppose you have seen; it was sent to Mr. _N――――_. Colonel _W――――_
proposes that Mr. _P――――_ shall come over with one of the _Indians_;
I wish he may. I am sorry to hear that Mr. ―――― is likely to destroy
himself by hard study. I had rather he would kill himself with hard
working, and going about to do good. Mr. _G――――_ seems to me to have
chosen the better part. How is dear Mr. _R―――― W――――_? I hope he
is like a flame of fire. Pray salute him and all my dear, very dear
friends in the tenderest manner. I could live and die with them. In
heaven we shall live together. There we shall see our dear Mr. _L――――_.
I hope your little choir are every day learning more and more of the
new song, in order to join him in the realms above.――You have all my
hearty love and prayers. Accept the same yourself in a very particular
manner from, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in a precious CHRIST,
_G. W._