_To Lady F―――― S――――._
_Leeds, August 23, 1753._
_Honoured Madam_,
HITHERTO the LORD hath helped me. Blessed be his glorious name, the
fields have been every where white, ready unto harvest. I have been of
late generally enabled to preach thrice a day, and in all appearance
the word never was attended with more success. Satan rages and belies
me, about the taking down the _Glasgow_ play-houses; but I hope my
letter lately published in the _Newcastle_ journal, will set all
things right. Thanks be to GOD, without the assistance of mobs and
riots, (which my soul abhors) the christian’s weapons, through divine
assistance, are mighty to the pulling down of Satan’s strong-holds.
Alas! how many of these hath he gotten in every unregenerate person’s
heart! Blessed be his holy name for any begun conquests there; surely
his name is wonderful that hath done it. What a miracle of grace is it,
honoured Madam, that a spark of fire should be kept in, amidst an ocean
of corruption! that the bush should burn, and yet not be consumed!
Such a standing miracle I trust your Ladyship will be. To be a martyr,
a living witness for JESUS, amidst the tip-top allurements of high
life――by this we prove the strength of JESUS to be ours indeed. May the
LORD of all Lords help you, honoured Madam, to hold on and hold out. My
prayer to him for you is, “That your progress may be made known to all
men, and that you may increase with all the increase of GOD.” Glory be
to free grace, I find the happiness of the divine life an increasing
happiness indeed.――Lately our common LORD hath taken his people into
the banqueting house, and caused their cup of consolation to run over.
Surely we have been in the suburbs of heaven: ere long we shall enter
into the city itself. Our LORD is gone before to prepare the way. To
the tender and never-failing mercy of this gracious forerunner, do I
humbly and heartily recommend your Ladyship, as being, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged,
and ready servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._