_To Mr. John W――――r._
_The Downs, on board the Friendship,
September 18, 1769._
_My dear Friend_,
I MUST not forget you and your dear yoke-fellow, whom I cannot but
number amongst my old first friends and children. I hope this will find
bodily pain subsided, or grace given to make it more than tolerable.
Little do we know what trials await the declines of life. But these
are like the finishing strokes of a limner’s hand before the picture
is sent for home. Yet a little while, and it shall be hung up in GOD’s
house above, as a trophy of the Redeemer’s blood and Spirit, to be
admired for ever and ever.
O heights of grace!
O depths of love!
LORD, fit us for
This house above!
Adieu! GOD bless you and yours and all your connections. The post-boat
is come. Though detained in the _Downs_, yet I hope we are sailing to
heaven. _Hallelujah!_ Cease not to pray for, my dear friends,
Less than the least of all,
_G. W._