_To Mr. T―――― A――――ms._
_On board the Friendship, Captain Ball,
September 5, 1769. Six in the Morning._
_My very dear Tommy_,
ALTHOUGH I could not write to you whilst ashore, yet I must drop you a
few lines now I am come aboard. Just now we have taken up the anchor:
and I trust my anchor is cast within the veil, where the ground will
never give way, otherwise, how should I have stood the shock of parting,
and put to sea at this time, or rather at this decline of life? But our
GOD can, and our GOD does renew both bodily and spiritual strength. I
have not been in better spirits for some years; and I am persuaded this
voyage will be for the Redeemer’s glory, and the welfare of precious
and immortal souls. I am assured I fare the better for the prayers of
my dear very dear _Gloucestershire_ friends. Our parting solemnities
have been exceedingly awful; and I thank GOD for giving me the honour
of taking my leave on _Sunday_ afternoon at _Gravesend_ market-place.
O for this rambling way of preaching till I die! If Mrs. _H――――ker_
gets into harbour before me, she will be well off. Cordial respects
await her, your wife, Mrs. _R――――ts_, and all the friends of _Zion_. O
_England! England!_ GOD preserve thee from and divert every threatening
storm! Follow, follow with your prayers, and assure yourselves of not
being forgotten by, my very dear friends,
Less than the least of all,
_G. W._