_To Mr. S―――― C――――._
_Charles-Town, Feb. 5, 1752._
AS I love you most tenderly in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST, you may
easily guess, what great pleasure both your kind letters gave me. They
came attended with a great blessing, and knit my heart, if possible,
nearer to you than ever. Part of the first, indeed, I mean that which
respected the Tabernacle-house, gave me uneasiness; but your last
removed it, and made me thankful to our common Redeemer, who in spite
of all opposition, I find will cause his word to run and be glorified.
Poor Mr. _W――――_ is striving against the stream; strong assertions will
not go for proofs, with those who are acquainted with the divine life,
and are sealed by the Holy Spirit even to the day of redemption. They
know, that their stock is now put into safe hands; that the covenant of
grace is not built upon the faithfulness of a poor fallible, changeable
creature, but upon the never-failing faithfulness of an unchangeable
GOD. This is the foundation whereon I build. “LORD JESUS, I believe,
help my unbelief! Having once loved me, thou wilt love me to the end;
thou wilt keep that safe, which I have committed unto thee: establish
thy people more and more in this glorious truth; and grant that it may
have this blessed effect upon us all, that we may love thee more, and
serve thee better!” All truths, unless productive of holiness and love,
are of no avail. They may float upon the surface of the understanding;
but this is to no purpose, unless they transform the heart. This, I
trust, the dear Tabernacle preachers and people will always have deeply
impressed upon their minds. Let us not dispute, but love. Truth is
great, and will prevail. I am quite willing that all our hearers shall
hear for themselves. The Spirit of CHRIST is a Spirit of liberty.
You remember what I have often told you about _Calvin_. He was turned
out of _Geneva_ for several years; but in less than twelve years
time they wished for their _Calvin_ again. But what is _Calvin_, or
what is _Luther_? Let us look above names and parties; let JESUS, the
ever-loving, the ever-lovely JESUS, be our all in all.――So that he be
preached, and his divine image stamped more and more upon people’s
souls, I care not who is uppermost. I know my place, (LORD JESUS enable
me to keep it!) even to be the servant of all. I want not to have a
people called after my name, and therefore I act as I do. The cause is
CHRIST’s, and he will take care of it. I rejoice that you go on so well
at the Tabernacle. May the shout of a king be always in the midst of
you, and the glory of GOD be your reward. I am apt to believe you will
pray me over. But future things belong to him, whose I am, and whom I
endeavour to serve. After one more trip to the Orphan-house, I purpose
going to the _Northward_, where I expect more letters by Captain
_Grant_. Thanks be to GOD, all is well at _Bethesda_. A most excellent
tract of land is granted to me very near the house, which in a few
years I hope will make a sufficient provision for it. Pray give my
tenderest and most hearty love to all your dear family, and all the
Tabernacle people, and all enquiring friends. Entreat them, I pray you,
to be mindful of a poor pilgrim, who night and day is never unmindful
of you or them. Doctor _Doddridge_ I find is gone; LORD JESUS prepare
me to follow after!――With real and great affection, I subscribe myself,
very dear _Jemmy_,
Yours, &c.
_G. W._