_To Mr. G――――, at Glasgow._
_Newcastle, August 12, 1753._
_My very dear Sir_,
I WOULD have answered your kind letter before I left _Edinburgh_, but
I had not a moment’s leisure. With great difficulty I got away, after a
heart-breaking parting on _Tuesday_ about noon. On _Wednesday_ evening,
and the _Thursday_ morning, I preached at _Berwick_, and on _Thursday_
evening at _Alnwick_, in the street. It being the time of the races,
I discoursed on these words, “So run that ye may obtain.” Whilst I was
discoursing, the gentlemen came down from the race, and surrounded the
congregation, and heard very attentively. The next morning at five I
preached again, and about noon at a place called _Placy_, and in the
evening about nine at _Newcastle_, where a great number expected me.
My text was “At midnight a cry was made, behold the bridegroom cometh.”
The next morning I received the following note, “Dearly beloved in
the LORD, I write to you good news. Your labour was not in vain last
night, for my wife answered to the midnight cry, and received CHRIST
into her soul.” O that we may all praise the Three in One! Last night
I prepared for, and this morning I opened the gospel fair from these
words, “Ho! every one that thirsteth.” Much of the divine presence was
in the congregation, and I believe many tasted of CHRIST’s wine. I am
to preach three times almost every day this week. This promise supports
me. “As thy day is, so shall thy strength be.” By the inclosed, you
will see the devil owes me a grudge for what was done at _Glasgow_.
Would it not be proper to insert a paragraph to contradict it?
Thousands and thousands come to hear notwithstanding. LORD, what am I?
A poor hell-deserving creature; and yet the LORD makes use of such to
thresh the mountains with. May the LORD help me so to do, and then let
him deal with me as seemeth good in his sight. Please to remember us in
the kindest manner to dear Mr. _M――――n_, our kind host and hostess, and
all friends. I shall not forget you and yours, or your undertaking. The
LORD prosper this, and every other work of your hands upon you! My lot
is to be a pilgrim, a run-about for CHRIST. Commend me to Him who gives
strength to the weak, and for whose sake I am,
Yours most affectionately,
_G. W._