_To Captain G――――._
_London, Dec. 20, 1752._
_My dear Captain_,
ONE would imagine, that you and I were never to meet any more on
this side eternity. I often, often think of you, and long to see and
converse with you; but GOD only knows when. We are now about to erect
a _new Tabernacle_ eighty foot square, which I fear will detain me in
_England_ the ensuing Summer. Pen cannot well describe, how white the
fields have been, and how ready to harvest, in _Wales_, _Scotland_, and
the _North_ of _England_. I could sometimes scarce tell, whether I was
in or out of the body. Grace! grace! I am now in Winter quarters, where
our LORD gives us fresh conquests, gained by his word every day. We do
not dispute, but love. I find more and more that truth is great; and
however seemingly crush’d for a while, will in the end prevail. But
there must be a kind of death upon every promise, and upon every thing
that is done for GOD. Thus hath it been with _Georgia_ and _Bethesda_.
O that we may learn to wait! Then shall we certainly see the salvation
of GOD. I pity our dear friends in _Charles-Town_. O GOD, how great
are thy judgments, as well as thy mercies! May they hear the rod, and
who hath appointed it! My soul is distressed for them. May this severe
correction make them truly great! When you send any thing to _Savannah_,
I should be obliged to you, if you would send a few things to
_Bethesda_. Our LORD will bless you for it. I hope there are now above
twenty negroes at work upon the new plantation. May the LORD JESUS
convert them, and every other member of my family! And O that I may be
converted myself more and more every day and hour! I am ashamed of my
being such a dwarf in religion, and of my having so little of the mind
of CHRIST. I hope you, my dear old friend, do find his grace sufficient
for you, to keep your heart above the world, and continually alive to
GOD. My prayer for you is, that you may have power to get wealth, and
grace to improve it for the Redeemer’s glory, and his people’s good:
then you will be rich for both worlds, and GOD, even your own GOD,
will give you and yours his blessing. Why do you not write to dear
Mr. _S――――_? He is a heavenly-minded man indeed, and my bosom friend.
I suppose Mr. _D――――_ will acquaint you of my having been at his house;
we are kind friends still: he and his very much regard you. What cannot
GOD do? How faithful is he to those, who “seek first his kingdom,
and the righteousness thereof.” Let these words be written over your
store-house door; or rather let them be written on the table of your
heart. I can add no more. A variety of business demands my attention.
My dear man, farewel. Had I wings, I would fly and see you, and my
other never to be forgotten _Philadelphia_ friends. Continue to pray,
and perhaps I may yet come sooner than expectation. My wife joins in
sending love to you and your houshold. Accept the same in the most
endearing manner, from one that loves you more than a brother, even
Yours, &c.
_G. W._