_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._
_New-York, July 29, 1770._
_My very dear Friend_,
SINCE my last, and during this month, I have been above a five hundred
miles circuit, and have been enabled to preach and travel through the
heat every day. The congregations have been very large, attentive, and
affected, particularly at _Albany_, _Schenecdady_, _Great Barrington_,
_Norfolk_, _Salisbury_, _Sharon_, _Smithfield_, _Powkeepsy_, _Fishkill_,
_New Rumburt_, _New Windsor_, and _Peckshill_. Last night I returned
hither, and hope to set out for _Boston_ in two or three days. O what a
new scene of usefulness is opening in various parts of this new world!
All fresh work, where I have been. The divine influence hath been as
at the first. Invitations croud upon me both from ministers and people,
from many, many quarters. A very peculiar providence led me lately to a
place, where a horse-stealer was executed. Thousands attended. The poor
criminal had sent me several letters, hearing I was in the country.
The Sheriff allowed him to come and hear a sermon under an adjacent
tree. Solemn, solemn! After being by himself about an hour, I walked
half a mile with him to the gallows. His heart had been softened
before my first visit. He seemed full of solid divine consolations.
An instructive walk. I went up with him into the cart. He gave a short
exhortation. I then stood upon the coffin, added, I trust, a word in
season, prayed, gave the blessing, and took my leave. Effectual good,
I hope, was done to the hearers and spectators. Grace! grace! But I
must not enlarge. The Ship is going, and I keep at home to write this.
O that you had only dropped a line by the _New-York_ packet! That is
convenient for all parts of the continent. My next may be from _Boston_.
Pray excuse me to all; for travelling and preaching entirely prevent my
writing as I would. All are continually remembered by, my very dear
friend,
Less than the least of all,
_G. W._