_To Mr. S――――._
_Newcastle, July 14, 1753._
_My very dear Sir_,
BEING, through the goodness of a never-failing Redeemer, just come
hither, I sit down to perform my promise by writing to you. But where
shall I begin, or where shall I end? Surely the goodness of the LORD to
such a wretch as I am, is unspeakable. I will inform you of a little.
After leaving _Leicester_, I went to _Nottingham_, where a great
multitude came to hear, and I trust good was done, though a son of
_Belial_ endeavoured to disturb us. From thence I went to _Sheffield_,
where we had two good meetings. The congregation in the afternoon
consisted of several thousands. Here some dear friends from _Leeds_ met
me, two of which were my spiritual children, and all had been blessed
under the word. The next morning we set out for _Leeds_, and in our way
preached at _Rotheram_ and _Wakefield_. At the former place, I had been
disturbed twice or thrice, and was almost determined to preach there
no more. But we are poor judges. A person told me, ♦“That GOD had made
me instrumental in converting his wife and brother,” who had both been
bitter persecutors, but now gladly received me under their roof. After
preaching, a young man was set at liberty, who had been groaning under
the spirit of bondage four years; and whilst I was baptizing a child,
the Holy Spirit was pleased to baptize several, one in particular with
a holy fire. What we saw, and felt, and heard at _Leeds_, cannot well
be expressed. Thousands attended daily; and on the Lord’s-day it was
computed that near twenty thousand heard at once. I preached thrice,
and the next day at ♠_Burstall_ and _Bradford_, where many thousands
flocked also. Many were filled as with new wine; and as for myself, I
scarce knew whether I was in heaven or on earth. On _Tuesday_ morning,
though we had drank plentifully before, yet our LORD kept the good wine
till the last. We had a glorious parting-blessing. At _York_ I preached
four times. Twice we were disturbed, and twice we had sweet seasons.
There is a good work begun there. The prospect all around is so
glorious, I almost repent that I have engaged to go to _Scotland_. GOD
willing, I shall come back as fast as possible. What a pity is it that
I have but one body, and that a very weak one too. LORD, magnify thy
strength in my weakness, and send me where thou wilt. Here I am most
kindly received. How the LORD will be pleased to deal with me, you may
know hereafter. I can now only entreat the continuance of the prayers
of you and yours; and with repeated thanks for repeated favours, beg
leave to subscribe myself, my very dear friend,
Yours, &c.
_G. W._
♦ Ending quote not shown in original text. Transcriber added
it at his best guess.
♠ “Bunstall” replaced with “Burstall”