_To Governor B――――._
_Ashby, Oct. 13, 1750._
_Honoured Sir_,
I Had the favour of your Excellency’s letter, and took the liberty
of communicating it to good Lady _H――――n_, who shines in the church
of CHRIST on this side the water, as a star of the first magnitude.
Her Ladyship will be very glad to open a correspondence with your
Excellency; and seems to speak of _New-Jersey_ College with great
satisfaction. I rejoice to hear that it is in a prosperous situation.
If Mr. _P――――_ or Mr. _B――――_ can be prevailed on to come over, I am
persuaded liberal contributions will be raised both in _England_ and
_Scotland_. All was ready, if dear Mr. _A――――_ had not been taken off
by death; but even this our blessed LORD can and will over-rule for
good. I think it forebodes good for _America_, that such a spirit is
excited in so many provinces for promoting a learned and religious
education. GOD only knows how much my heart is on that side the water.
I should certainly have embarked about this time, did not my wife daily
expect an hour of travail. I can only say, “It is the LORD; let him do
what seemeth him good.” Blessed be his name, fresh doors for usefulness
are opened every week. We had a blessed scene this Summer in _Scotland_,
and ever since I have been ranging about, to see who will believe
the gospel report. O that I may die in the field! I am now at my good
Lady’s with three clergymen that love and preach JESUS CHRIST. Several
souls have been awakened here. One of high birth was lately converted
on her dying bed; and by that means I trust one or two more are put
upon securing the one thing needful. On _Monday_ I shall leave her
Ladyship, to go for _London_, which is to be my Winter quarters. I
shall long for _Spring_, that I may enter upon a fresh campaign. O that
my soul may begin to spring indeed! spring for Him who was stretched
upon the accursed tree to save my wretched soul. Blessed be his name,
that your Excellency has got such a sweet retreat in the decline of
life; where, free from noise and hurry, you and your consort may ripen
for heaven, and consequently be more and more fitted for your last
great change. That will now shortly come. Your Excellency is arrived to
a good old age. You have by faith seen the LORD CHRIST. You have been
instrumental in founding a christian college. Let death come when it
will, with good old _Simeon_, you may say, “LORD, now lettest thou thy
servant depart in peace,” for my soul hath experienced thy great
salvation! This I believe, honoured Sir, is all your desire. Our LORD
will grant it to you. O that when you are near his throne, you may have
a petition upon your heart for unworthy, ill-deserving, hell-deserving
me! Your Excellency hath laid me under many obligations; let me entreat
you by the mercies of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, to add to them by not
ceasing to pray for me, that as I have had much forgiven me, I may,
with _Magdalen_, love much; and being a brand plucked out of the
burning, I may, in GOD’s own time and way, be translated to dwell with
JESUS in his kingdom. As our LORD enables, the favour shall constantly
be returned in behalf of you and yours, by, honoured Sir,
Your Excellency’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready
servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._