_To Mr. S――――._
_Chester in the street, near Newcastle, Aug. 28, 1752._
_My very dear Mr. S――――_,
THUS far hath a good and gracious GOD brought a poor and worthless
pilgrim on his way towards _Edinburgh_. Last Lord’s day I preached
twice at _Lutterworth_, the famous _John Wicliffe_’s parish, and have
since received a letter giving me an account of the Redeemer’s blessing
my poor labours. On the _Monday_, I began in the name of the almighty
husbandman, to plow up some fallow ground at _Leicester_; several
thousands attended, and some endeavoured to disturb us, but the
opposition was nothing like what I expected. In the evening all was
hushed, and I trust our LORD left a blessing behind us. In my way to
_Lutterworth_, my heart was encouraged by the coming of a young man,
who had been awakened under my preaching about four years ago at
_Oulney_. He was before that time a bitter scoffer, but hath now been
a student for a year and a half under Doctor _Doddridge_, and I believe
will be admitted into the _London_ academy. You may know more of him
hereafter. Is not this as much as to say, “Go forwards.――In the morning
sow thy seed, and in the evening with-hold not thy hand, since though
knowest not which may prosper, this or that.” Yes, my blessed JESUS,
through thy grace strengthening me, I will continue to go out into the
highways and hedges; only vouchsafe to uphold me with thy right hand,
and keep me from flagging in the latter stages of my road. I know you
will say, _Amen_ and _Amen_. This will increase my obligations, which
are already more than I can express. GOD will reward both you and yours
for them, a thousand fold. Accept repeated thanks for repeated favours,
and depend on hearing as often as possible, how the ever-lovely,
ever-loving JESUS is pleased to deal with, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._