_To Mr. P――――._
_Gloucester, November 16, 1753._
_My dear P――――_,
I THANK you for your kind letter; it found me just returned from
another tour in the north, which, like the former, I trust hath been
owned and blessed to many precious and immortal souls. At _Liverpool_,
_Chester_, _Dudley_, _Wednesbury_, _Birmingham_, _Coventry_,
_Northampton_, and various other places, the gospel report was believed,
and the arm of the LORD was revealed. At _Nantwich_ and _Wrexham_, I
met with a little rough treatment; but what have pilgrims to expect
better, in their journeying through the wide howling wilderness of this
noisy and troublesome world? At _London_, we had blessed seasons; and
here, in my native country, the LORD of all Lords hath repeatedly made
us cry out, “how dreadful is this place!” After Lord’s day, I am bound
for _Bristol_ and _Plymouth_, and hope to get into my winter quarters
some time before _Christmas_. Glad should I be to travel for JESUS all
the year round. It is more to me than my necessary food. Thank you,
thank you my dear singing friends, for praying for me. I am persuaded,
you help to hold up my weak hands. O continue to pray, that I may
at length begin to be a pilgrim indeed. No other honour do I desire,
whilst on this side eternity. I hope to send you some new tunes ere
long. And what is better, infinitely better, I hope to join with you
in singing the song of _Moses_ and the Lamb ere long in the kingdom of
heaven. Till then, though as yet we are embodied spirits,
We’ll strive to sing as loud as they,
Who shine above in brighter day.
Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon you all. But a word or two
concerning _Jenks on the righteousness of CHRIST_. It is a precious
book, and I think your extracting Mr. _Hervey_’s recommendation, and
putting it by way of preface, to a new edition, will be sufficient.
This I know is all he would consent to have done some time ago, when
applied to by a _London_ bookseller. GOD prosper this work of your
hands upon you. Pray remember me to all my never to be forgotten
friends, and assure them, that not want of love but leisure prevents
their hearing more frequently from, my dear Sir,
Theirs and yours most affectionately in our common LORD,
_G. W._