_London, July 21, 1767._
_My dear Sir_,
I HOPE, ere this comes to hand, you will have taken your second degree.
A good degree indeed: to be a preacher, a young preacher, a mobbed,
perhaps a stoned preacher――O what an honour! How many prayers will you
get when I read your letter at Tabernacle; and the prayers of so many
dear children of GOD will do you no hurt, I assure you. When we are
fighting with _Amalek_ below, it is good to have a _Joshua_ praying for
us above. JESUS is our _Joshua_, JESUS is our intercessor; he liveth,
he ever liveth to make intercession, especially for his young soldiers.
Yonder, yonder he sits: whilst praying he reaches out a crown: at
this distance you may see written in capital letters, _Vincenti dabo_.
All a gift, a free gift, though purchased by his precious blood. Tell
churchmen, tell meetingers, tell the wounded, tell all of this: tell
them when you are young; you may not live to be old: tell them whilst
you are an under graduate; you may be dead, buried, glorified, before
you take a college degree: tell those who would have you spare yourself,
that time is short, that eternity is endless, that the Judge is before
the door: but I can no more,――the thought overwhelms: but with what?
with joy, joy unspeakable and full of glory. Good night! I long to hear
particulars from ――――. If you send me word that young ―――― is there, I
will answer his letter that hath lain by me some time. My poor prayers
await you all. GOD bless you! GOD bless you!
Yours, &c. &c. in JESUS,
_G. W._