_To Mr. H――――._
_Exeter, April 11, 1751._
_My very dear Mr. H――――_,
I Was pleased last night to find by my wife’s letters, that your sister
was delivered, and more so, because my wife wrote as though you was
again under my roof. This I count a great honour, and such a privilege,
that I wish to have the favour conferred on me as long as I live.
These my hands (could they work, and was there occasion for it,) should
readily minister to your necessities. If my wife should come down to
_Bristol_, pray let not my dear Mr. _H――――_ move. If _Molly_ stays in
_London_, she will take care of you; if not, _Polly_ and Mr. _D――――n_
will gladly wait upon you. As I have been under some trying exercises
for this month past, I have often wished to see you. But my blessed
master hath given me access to himself, and he will make me more then
conqueror through his love. I find _Luther_’s words truly applicable to
myself, “He was never employed about any fresh work, but he was either
visited with a fit of sickness or some violent temptations.” Some good
I trust is to be done this Spring to many souls. This Western circuit
I believe hath been blessed already. I have preached about forty
times since I left _London_, and have been enabled several times to
ride forty miles in a day. I find that this sensibly refreshes me. I
wish you could say so too;――your _Biddeford_ friends would then see
you.――They hold on their way, and long to have a line from you. Old Mr.
_W――――_ is dead. I providentially met Mr. _T――――_ at his son’s house.
At _Plymouth_ we had sweet seasons, and on _Tuesday_ last I met with a
young clergyman who was awakened under my preaching seven years ago. He
hath been at _Cambridge_, and was ordained last Lent by the bishop of
_Exeter_. He is followed much, and I suppose will soon be reproached
for his master’s sake. What cannot JESUS do? I hope you find that he
gives you strength to proceed in your book. It is enquired much after.
The LORD be with you, and bless your pen, and your heart. I send my
hearty love to your brother and whole houshold, and am, very dear Mr.
_H――――_,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._