_To Mr. T――――._
_London, Nov. 30, 1750._
_My dear Mr. T――――_,
AS I love you in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST, and look upon you as an
aged friend of the blessed Bridegroom, and my friend for his great
name’s sake, I cannot help dropping you a few lines. They are lines of
gratitude; lines of thanks for all favours conferred upon me when in
_Scotland_. They leave me pleasantly sojourning in my Winter quarters,
and longing for the Spring that I may enter upon a fresh campaign. Now
and then I make little excursions, and can inform you, that there is a
sweet work begun and carrying on at _Canterbury_ and _Chatham_. I long
to hear that your son _John_ has put his hand to the gospel plough,
and am not without hopes that his lot will be to itinerate, at least
for a while. He seems to be qualified for such an employ. I shall be
glad to see him on the other side of the water. Had I the management
of a thousand youths, if circumstances would allow, they should travel
for one year at least, before they took upon them a settled charge.
Methinks I hear you say, “What! will you take my _Benjamin_ away?” This
was old _Jacob_’s infirmity. You love CHRIST too well to refuse giving
up the young lad, if it should appear in providence that the LORD hath
need of him either at home or abroad. I pray GOD to direct and bless
you both, and to establish his covenant with you and your seed for ever.
You are now on the decline of life. I have been just reading about the
year of jubilee. How joyful were the prisoners when they heard of the
approach of that wish’d-for day! How much more joyful may those be, who
having an interest in JESUS CHRIST, are waiting for the last trump, to
proclaim our eternal jubilee in heaven! This, my dear friend, is your
happy lot. Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice. The day of our complete
redemption draweth nigh. Let us then lift up our heads, and let us
lift up our hearts to praise him, from whom alone cometh our salvation.
I could enlarge, but am called away. My hearty love to all enquiring
friends. I think to write to your son soon. We had a happy day
yesterday among the Great Ones. I am, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our dear LORD,
_G. W._