_To Lady H――――n._
_London, June 4, 1756._
_Ever-honoured Madam_,
MAN appoints, but GOD disappoints. In hopes of seeing your Ladyship,
I hastened to _Bristol_, but found your Ladyship had been in _London_
whilst I was there. Sorry was I for the occasion of your Ladyship’s
journey, and yet glad to hear that Master _H――――_ was so well recovered.
At _Bristol_ the Redeemer caused us to triumph, and likewise in
_Gloucestershire_, at _Bradford_, _Frome_, _Warminster_, and at
_Portsmouth_, whither I have been these three weeks last past. I am
now come up for about ten days to keep Pentecost; I trust it will be a
Pentecost to many souls at _Long-Acre_. Blessed be GOD, a new building
is now erecting at _Tottenham-Court Road_: Mr. _J――――_ promises to
assist me. We have consulted the Commons, about putting it under your
Ladyship’s protection. This is the answer: “No nobleman can licence a
chapel, or in any manner have one put in his dwelling house; that the
chapel must be a private one, and not with doors to the street for any
persons to resort to at pleasure, for then it becomes a public one;
that a chapel cannot be built and used as such, without the consent
of the parson of the parish, and when it is done with his consent,
no minister can preach therein, without licence of the Bishop of the
diocese.” There seems then to be but one way,――to licence it as our
other houses are: and thanks be to JESUS for that liberty which we
have. O that I could begin to work while it is day. My GOD! half the
year gone, and so little, yea very little done for thee! I have need
of being purged, that I may at length bring forth some fruit unto GOD.
Glory be to his great name, he doth not say, “Let him alone.” Outward
and inward trials frequently surround me; but, by the help of my GOD,
I shall leap over every wall. I know your Ladyship will not forget to
pray for me. My poor prayers are always offered up for your Ladyship
and honoured family. That is the only pepper-corn of acknowledgment
that can be made by, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and
ready servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._