_To Mr. B――――._
_Lisbon, April 9, 1754._
_Reverend and dear Sir_,
THE time of our departure hence is just at hand. I cannot move without
sending you a few lines; I remember your unmerited love, I remember
our affectionate parting, and I trust feel the benefit of your distant
prayers. Though called to part with what is dearer to me than life, yet
my heavenly Father hath not left me comfortless. True, it is a silent,
but I hope an instructive period of life. One must be all eye and ear
at _Lisbon_:――and indeed, I would not but have seen and heard what
hath passed here, since our arrival, upon any account. It surpasseth
all description. Surely _England_, and _English_ privileges civil and
religious, will be dearer to me than ever. The preachers here have also
taught me something; their action is graceful. _Vividi oculi,――vividæ
manus,――omnia vivida._ Surely our _English_ preachers would do well,
to be a little more fervent in their address. They have truth on their
side, why should superstition and falshood run away with all that is
pathetic and affecting? But my dear friend needs not this note. Blessed
be GOD for making you fervent in spirit. Go on, my dear Sir, in the
name and strength of JESUS. _Sequar, etsi non passibus æquis.――Nil
desperandum Christo duce._ Pray remember me to all that love him, and
are so kind as to enquire after a worthless worm for his great name’s
sake. It will be an act of the greatest charity to intercede in my
behalf. Alas! alas! I am a dwarf indeed. My dear Sir, pray that I may
grow, I cannot bear to live at this dying rate. I want to be a flame of
fire. That this may be your happy lot, is and shall be, through CHRIST
strengthening me, the earnest request of, my very dear Sir,
Your most unworthy, though affectionate friend,
brother, and fellow-labourer in our common LORD,
_G. W._