_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._
_On board the Friendship, off New-Romney,
September 26, 1769._
_My very dear Friend_,
MAN appoints, but an all-wise, all-gracious GOD disappoints. Dear Mr.
_H――――y_ guessed right. This day sevennight we weighed anchor, and
sailed, though very slowly, as far as _Fair-Lee_. But for near five
days we have been tossed by violent gales, and last night, through
infinite mercy, cast anchor off _Dungenness_ and _New-Romney_. The new
sailors have been quite sick, but are now almost recovered. I have felt
very little, comparatively speaking, and have been able to read, &c.
&c. Had I known of having such a handy Steward, I might have spared
one hand; but what is, is best. In GOD’s due time, the winds will have
a commission to carry us on. Satan doth not like this voyage. Pray on,
pray on, my very dear friends, and never fear. All shall work together
for good to those who love GOD. I wish you had advertised against the
publisher of my last sermon. It is not _verbatim_ as I delivered it.
In some places, he makes me to speak false concord, and even nonsense.
In others, the sense and connection are destroyed, by the injudicious
disjointed paragraphs; and the whole is entirely unfit for the public
review¹. But we must suffer by the false zeal of professing friends,
as well as by the inveterate malice of public avowed enemies. If one
sentence is blessed to the conviction and edification of any single
individual, I care not what becomes of my character, though there is
no occasion of bringing ourselves into needless contempt. I write this
at a venture; we see a boat approaching, and hope it will reach us. We
have put back: O that it may quicken friends to pray us forwards. We
are like a man of war that hath been out on a short cruise, and then
returned into harbour. What awaits us we know not. It is not fit we
should. GOD bless you all, my dear, very dear friends. I remember your
times of meeting at both ends of the town. Sea is sea, land is land.
The GOD whom we serve, is GOD of both. To his never-failing mercy I
commend you. Continue to do the same for, my very dear friend,
Less than the least of all,
_G. W._
_Off New-Romney, September 28._
STILL we are prisoners. But blessed be GOD, prisoners of hope! In GOD’s
due time, the word of command will be, _Go forward_. I am sadly off
for want of white biscuit. But GOD will supply every want. The boat
is going, that came off with some eatables. Adieu. Tender love to all.
Blessed be GOD, all is well! Cease not to pray for, my very dear friend,
Less than the least of all,
_G. W._
¹ The very same censures are too justly applicable to the
volume of sermons, now published by Mr. _Gurney_, as
Mr. _Whitefield_’s.――――Relying on the accuracy of the
shorthand-writer, and on the fidelity of the reverend
gentleman who was to revise the sermons, and on their joint
regard for the memory of Mr. _Whitefield_, his executors
did agree to recommend the intended publication, and promote
its sale; for which, a consideration was to be paid by Mr.
_Gurney_, to be applied by them, according to the tenor of
Mr. _Whitefield_’s Will. But on their receiving nine of the
sermons, (worked off) to their great surprise, they found
themselves, after perusal, unable to authenticate them,
either as to language or sentiments; therefore judged them
utterly unfit for publication, and told Mr. _Gurney_, that
on no consideration whatever, could they recommend them to
the public. The executors are extremely concerned on Mr.
_Gurney_’s account, as well as for the character of their
late worthy friend; and now wish that they had not rested
with the hearing only _one half-sheet_ read to them, but
had insisted on seeing the whole Manuscript, and every sheet
from the press. However, though Mr. _Gurney_ ought to have
stopped the press when first applied to, and although the
agreement was never signed by either of the parties, the
executors have repeatedly offered, that, besides chearfully
renouncing all advantages, they will pay whatever expences
Mr. _Gurney_ hath been at in the affair, and so take and
burn the whole impression; as otherwise the purchasers must
be deceived, and the name of the deceased sorely wounded.