_To Mr. Z――――._
_Sunderland, August 14, 1756._
_Honoured and very dear Sir_,
HOW swiftly doth my precious time fly away! It is now a fortnight since
I came to _Leeds_ in _Yorkshire_, where the gospel had indeed free
course, did run, and was glorified. On the _Sunday_ evening, a few
hours after my arrival, many thousands were gathered in the fields, to
whom, I trust, JESUS enabled me to speak with some degree of power. The
following week I preached in and about _Leeds_, thrice almost every day,
to thronged and affected auditories; and on _Sunday_ last the fields
were indeed white ready unto harvest. At _Bradford_, about seven in the
morning, the auditory consisted of about ten thousand; at noon, and in
the evening at _Burstall_, to near double the number. Though hoarse,
the Redeemer helped me to speak, so that all heard. Upon every account
it was a high-day. In the evening several hundreds of us rode about
eight miles, singing and praising GOD. Indeed it was a night much to
be remembered. The next morning I took a sorrowful leave of _Leeds_,
preached at _Tadcaster_ at noon, and at _York_ the same night. GOD was
with us. On _Tuesday_ I preached twice at _York_ (delightful seasons!);
on _Wednesday_ at _Warstall_, about fifty miles off; on _Thursday_
twice at _Yarm_, and last night and this morning here. All the way I
have heard of a great concern since I was in these parts last year, and
of many glorious trophies of the power of redeeming love. In heaven,
honoured Sir, you will know all. There I shall throw my crown before
the Lamb, and there you shall be rewarded for strengthening the hands
of the most unworthy creature that ever was employed by GOD. After
spending my sabbath here, and visiting _Shields_, _Newcastle_, and
some adjacent places, I purpose to go on to _Scotland_. From thence
I hope to have the honour of writing to you again. This is the first
time I have had a proper opportunity of refreshing myself in that way.
Praying that you may increase with all the increase of GOD, and begging
your acceptance of repeated thanks for repeated unmerited favours, I
subscribe myself, honoured and very dear Sir,
Your most dutiful, though most unworthy son
in the glorious gospel,
_G. W._