_To the Reverend Mr. G――――._
_London, April 25, 1766._
_Reverend and very dear Sir_,
NOT want of love, but of leisure and better health, hath prevented
your hearing from me more frequently. I find I cannot do as I have
done. But, through infinite, free, and sovereign mercy, I am enabled
to ascend my gospel throne three or four times a week, and a glorious
influence attends the word. People have indeed a hearing ear, but we
want more preachers. I know the continual cry of your heart is, “LORD,
let thy kingdom come.” The prospect of a large and effectual door
opening among the heathen, blessed be GOD, is very promising. Mr.
_Occum_, the _Indian_ preacher, is a settled humble christian. The
good and great, with a multitude of a lower degree, heard him preach
last week at _Tottenham-Court_ chapel, and felt much of the power and
presence of our common LORD. Mr. _R――――n_ hath preached, and collected
a hundred pounds, and I believe seven or eight hundred pounds more
are subscribed. The truly noble Lord _D――――h_ espouses the cause most
heartily, and his Majesty is become a contributor. The King of kings
and LORD of all lords will bless them for it. O what an honour to be
permitted to do or suffer any thing for JESUS of _Nazareth_! Indeed
and indeed, I want to begin to begin: for hitherto, alas! I have done
nothing.
Whene’er you see a barren tree,
Then, O my friend, pray think of me.
LORD JESUS, make me willing to be made willing that thou shouldst dig
and dung around me, that I may at length bring forth some fruit unto
thee. However it may be with unprofitable, ill, and hell-deserving me,
I trust your whole self and all my other dear _G――――_ friends are so
grown as to become tall cedars in the spiritual _Lebanon_. I pray for,
though I cannot write to them. Hearty, special love attend my dear host,
and his yoke-fellow. If possible they shall hear from me soon. I hope
all is well at _Cambuslang_. Blessed be GOD, all will be well in heaven.
Yet a little while and we shall enter into perfect rest. He that cometh
will come, and will not tarry.
We soon shall hear th’ archangel’s voice;
The trump of GOD shall sound, Rejoice!
I will not interrupt you. You want to say, _Amen! Hallelujah!_ I only
add, when upon the mount, put in a word for an old friend, who retains
his old name, the chief of sinners, less than the least of all saints,
but for JESUS CHRIST’s sake, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your willing servant,
_G. W._