_To Mr. S―――― S――――._
_At Sea, July 15, 1763._
_My very dear Friend_,
I HOPE that this will find you and yours prospering both in soul and
body. It leaves me looking towards _Virginia_ but only as an harbour
in my way to an infinitely better port, from whence I shall never put
out to sea again. Through mercy I have been surprizingly kept up during
the voyage, long but not tedious. JESUS hath made the ship a _Bethel_,
and I enjoyed that quietness which I have in vain sought after for some
years on shore. Not an oath to be heard even in the greatest hurry.
All hath been harmony and love. But my breath is short, and I have
little hopes, since my late relapse, of much further public usefulness.
A few exertions, like the last struggles of a dying man, or glimmering
flashes of a taper just burning out, is all that can be expected from
me. But blessed be GOD, the taper will be lighted up again in heaven.
The sun, when setting here, only sets to rise in another clime. Such is
the death of all GOD’s saints. Why then should we be afraid? Why should
we not rather by faith be looking through the windows of mortality,
and daily crying, “Why are his chariot wheels so long in coming?” We
had need of patience, especially when the evil days of sickness and
declining age come. But we serve a Master who will not forsake his
servants when grey headed. When heart and flesh fail, GOD, even our GOD
in CHRIST, will be our portion and confidence for ever. Does my dear
Mr. _S――――_ repent that he served and worked for Him when young? Is
dear Mrs. _S――――_ sorrowful that he was the GOD of her youth? Or is
Miss now thinking that she hath lately made a wrong choice? No, no:
I will venture to answer for them all. Let us, therefore, love our
Master, and not go from him. Who knows but our latter end may yet
increase? If not in public usefulness, LORD JESUS, let it be in inward
heart-holiness, that we may daily ripen for the full enjoyment of
thyself in heaven! I know who says, _Amen_; I add _Amen_, and _Amen_!
and so subscribe myself, with ten thousand thanks for all favours, my
dear friends,
Yours, &c. &c. in our JESUS,
_G. W._
_August 24._
_P. S._ Since writing the above, we have been exercised by contrary
winds, thunders, lightenings, &c. but out of all the LORD hath brought
us, and we came within the _Cape_ last night. Help me to praise him, O
my friends.