_To Lady H――――n._
_London, Jan. 13, 1753._
_Ever-honoured Madam_,
YOUR Ladyship’s very kind and christian letter, I have read over and
over again. It drew my heart towards the Redeemer, and caused me to
pray, that your present retirement, may be a glorious preparative for
further, and yet more public usefulness in his mystical body. To have
one’s hands or tongue tied from acting or speaking for GOD, is, to a
new and heaven-born soul, one of the greatest pieces of self-denial in
the world. But this hath been the lot of many of the most choice and
holy souls under heaven. It is a mercy, that where there is a willing
mind, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, and not
according to that which he hath not. I beg that your Ladyship would not
have the least thought about my concerns, otherwise than at a throne
of grace. Your Ladyship wants a bridle, rather than a spur. My highest
ambition is to spend and be spent for JESUS, and to be not the head,
but servant of all. When your Ladyship mentioned the word _ambition_,
I could not help thinking of the saying of the _Eunuch_, “Speaketh the
prophet this of himself, or of some other man?” But we know not what
is in our hearts. LORD, keep me from being led into, and falling by
temptation. I wish your Ladyship much success with _B――――_, but worldly
wise men, serpent-like, so turn and wind, that they have many ways to
slip through and creep out at, which simple-hearted single-eyed souls
know nothing of, and if they did, could not follow after them. Honesty
is the best policy, and will in the end (whether we seek it or not) get
the better of all. Your Ladyship’s intended letter to Governor _B――――_,
will be very acceptable. I hope the inclosed will give your Ladyship
pleasure. O that I may be enabled to give the LORD JESUS all the glory!
To me nought belongs, but confusion of face. Surely I am the chief of
sinners, less than the least of all saints, but for CHRIST’s sake,
ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and very
ready servant,
_G. W._