_To Lady H――――n._
_London, January 3, 1754._
_Ever-honoured Madam_,
ERE now, I hope your Ladyship is delivered from suspense, and that the
danger concerning little master is entirely over. The concern I was in
for your Ladyship when I wrote last, made me forget to speak about Mrs.
_H――――_. And indeed I cannot tell where she lodges. I could wish she
was bettered by affliction.――But alas! though, why do I speak of others,
when another new year is come, and I am bettered so little by all the
LORD hath done for and in me? O that he may dig and dung round this
barren fig-tree, that it may at length begin to bring forth some fruit
unto GOD! But who can tell what this digging and dunging means? What
temptations, afflictions and trials of every kind doth it include? And
all little enough to keep these hearts in any tolerable order. Out of
darkness he can and will bring light. That your Ladyship may experience
this more and more every day, is and shall be the earnest prayer of,
ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged,
and ready servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._