_To Mr. H._
_Gloucester, June 30, 1736._
_My Dear Friend_,
GLORY! glory! glory! be ascribed to an almighty triune GOD.――Last
_Sunday_ in the afternoon, I preached my first sermon in the church
of St. _Mary De Crypt_, where I was baptized, and also first received
the sacrament of the LORD’s supper. Curiosity, as you may easily guess,
drew a large congregation together upon the occasion. The sight at
first a little awed me; but I was comforted with a heart-felt sense
of the divine presence, and soon found the unspeakable advantage of
having been accustomed to public speaking when a boy at school, and of
exhorting and teaching the prisoners and poor people at their private
houses, whilst at the university. By these means I was kept from being
daunted over much. As I proceeded, I perceived the fire kindled, till
at last, though so young, and amidst a croud of those, who knew me
in my infant childish days, I trust, I was enabled to speak with some
degree of gospel authority. Some few mocked, but most for the present
seemed struck; and I have since heard, that a complaint had been made
to the bishop, that I drove fifteen mad the first sermon. The worthy
prelate, as I am informed, wished that the madness might not be
forgotten before next _Sunday_. Before then, I hope, my sermon upon
_He that is in CHRIST, is a new creature_, will be compleated. Blessed
be GOD, I now find freedom in writing. Glorious JESUS,
_Unloose my stamm’ring tongue to tell
Thy love immense, unsearchable._
Being thus engaged, I must hasten to subscribe myself, my dear Sir,
Your’s, &c.
_G. W._