_To Mr. S――――._
_London, March 21, 1753._
_My very dear friend_,
BY last _Monday_’s waggon there was sent a box of books. May the
Redeemer own and bless what is sent in it! Then all will be well. I
know your prayers will not be wanting. I am glad you have found out
another thief, that lay hid in the chambers of imagery, which are in
your heart. Time and temptation will draw out ten thousand more, which
as yet, you know nothing of. Happy they, who can discover, pluck out,
and cut off their right hand and right eye corruptions. This must be
done, or we shall only take up with the bare semblance of holiness.
The Redeemer must sit as a refiner’s fire upon our hearts, or we shall
never be purified as gold or silver. This is our comfort, when we are
tried we shall come forth like gold. The offences that we meet with
in the church, are most trying;――therefore they are permitted to come.
I wish my dear Mr. _G――――_, as well as yourself, may learn experience
from what hath happened, and never run yourselves into needless
difficulties. What is happening to the _Moravians_ is no more than
I have long expected, and spoken of to many friends. Their scheme is
so _antichristian_ in almost every respect, that I am amazed the eyes
of the _English_ brethren have not long since been opened, and the
_Babel_ stopt at the first. But the glorious GOD generally suffers such
buildings to go high, that their fall may be more conspicuous. May the
builders rise (I mean as to spirituals) by their falls, and gain by
their losses! That is all the harm I wish them. My dear man, what a
blessed thing it is to live and walk in the simplicity of the gospel!
How happy is that man, who being neither fond of money, numbers, nor
power, goes on day by day without any other scheme, than a general
intention to promote the common salvation amongst people of all
denominations. Will you pray that I may be thus minded? I cease not
to pray for you and yours, and my other dear friends at _Leeds_; and
I would set out immediately for the north, was I not obliged to be
here in about two months, to attend and give further orders about our
building. But some time in the summer――What?――I hope to see the fields
white, ready unto harvest again, and to rejoice together with you in
our common LORD.――In the mean while, let us be busy for so blessed a
Master, and be continually pressing forward towards the mark for the
prize of our high calling. The LORD JESUS say Amen! Adieu. With joint
love to all, I subscribe myself, my dear friend,
Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,
_G. W._