_To Mr. and Mrs. D――――n._
_Boston, April 20, 1764._
_My very dear Friends_,
I WISH you much joy. Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon you
both! It will, it will. Your match was certainly made in heaven. How do
I long to see you! I have been at my _ne plus ultra_ northward, and am
now more free and capable of settling my affairs southward. When that
is done, how chearfully, with a CHRIST in my heart instead of my arms,
could I sing, “LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace!”
I hope you are not offended at my giving a power of attorney to Mr.
_H――――m_. The Redeemer knows it was not owing to a distrust of any of
you, but only in _case of my death_, that he might testify to the world
the integrity of your actions, and the veracity of your accounts. I am
persuaded he will not desire to interfere, but act and consult jointly,
as occasion offers; and you will go on in your old way. O that I was
assured of your stay at _Bethesda_! Of this I am satisfied, that you
will not distress me by leaving the place destitute of proper help.
And I assure you, if I thought we should have the _least demur_, I
would not come at all. My tottering tabernacle will not bear grief,
especially from those whom I so dearly love, and who have served the
institution so faithfully and disinterestedly for so many years. Verily
you shall in no wise lose your reward. What I have in my view for
_Bethesda_, may be better spoke of when me meet, than by letter. LORD
JESUS, hasten the wished-for time! At present, by my late excursions I
am brought low; but rest and care may brace me up again for some little
further service for our glorious _Emmanuel_. A most blessed influence
hath attended the word in various places, and many have been made
to cry out, “What shall we do to be saved?” O for such a cry at the
southward! Abba, Father, all things are possible with thee! To his
tender and never-failing mercy do I commit you, as being, my very dear
friends,
Yours most affectionately in the blessed JESUS,
_G. W._