_To the Reverend Mr. H――――n._
_London, July 25, 1755._
_My dear Friend_,
I RECEIVED your kind letter, and have since heard of your removal
from _Indian_ land. I cannot help commending you for it, since I know
various places, where you might do as much good in a week, as in those
parts for years. Poor _Indian_ land! I fear thou hast had thy call!
May JESUS secure the remaining few, and be their refuge from every
impending storm! O my dear friend, you and I shall find more and more,
that we must be made perfect by sufferings. If we do not meet them
in our younger days, we shall certainly have them in the decline of
life. Trials, at such a season, are like the finishing strokes of
the Limner’s pencil. They serve, in the hands of the holy Spirit, to
compleat the new creature, and make it fit for heaven. Happy they who
can say, “He knoweth the way that I take:” when they are tried, they
shall come forth like gold. GOD only knows what a trying season lies
before us. It is to be feared, that we are upon the eve of a bloody
war. O that the war between _Michael_ and the _Dragon_ may go on! The
prospect is promising. Several ministers preach CHRIST boldly; and as
for my own poor feeble labours, the blessed JESUS vouchsafes to crown
them with success. So many paths lie open, that I can scarce tell
which to take first. Through frequent preaching and travelling, and a
multiplicity of business, I have been so weakened, that I am obliged
to retire for a little relaxation, and to get leisure to write you
these few lines. May they find you and yours rejoicing in tribulation,
and increasing with all the increase of GOD! I commend you, and all
enquiring friends, to the care of Him, who never faileth those who
trust in him, and entreat the continuance of your prayers in behalf of,
my dear friend,
Yours, &c. in our common LORD,
_G. W._