_To Lady H――――._
_Glasgow, July 12, 1751._
_Ever-honoured Madam_,
I Think it long ere I send your Ladyship another letter.――My last was
from _Belfast_, where I preached twice on yesterday sevennight, and
immediately after took shipping and arrived the next evening at _Erwin_.
On _Wednesday_ morning, at the desire of the magistrates, I preached
to a great congregation, and ever since have been preaching twice every
day in this city. Thousands attend every morning and evening. They seem
never to be weary, and I am more followed than ever. Though I preached
near eighty times in _Ireland_, and GOD was pleased to bless his word,
yet _Scotland_ seems to be a new world to me. To see the people bring
so many bibles, turn to every passage, when I am expounding, and hang
as it were upon me to hear every word, is very encouraging. I feel
uncommon freedom of heart here, and talking with the winter, as well
as summer saints, feeds and delights my heart. My body is kept pretty
healthy, and my voice greatly strengthened, so that I think GOD is
preparing me for more work, or that some trial is at hand. This I
suppose will find your Ladyship yet in the furnace, but CHRIST is in
the midst of the bush, and in the fiery furnace too; he will quench the
violence of the flames, or cause the fire of his love to burn higher.
I could enlarge, but am straitened. Some ministers wait for me. Your
Ladyship would be delighted with our morning and evening auditories.
This day in the church we have had a blessed feast. To-morrow I take
my leave, and then for _Edinburgh_. There I expect to stay near a
fortnight. Glad shall I be to hear of your Ladyship’s welfare. You
have always my poor prayers, and my poor, but hearty thanks; being,
ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready
servant, for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._