_To Mrs. H._
_London, Dec. 23, 1737._
_Dear Mrs. H._,
ONCE more I send you a line. Nothing but an excess of business, should
have prevented me writing to you oftner. Your favours, I hope, will
never be forgotten, and never cease to be mentioned before the throne
of grace, GOD only knows, how earnestly I have recommended you and
your’s to his never-failing mercy. On _Wednesday_ night eighteen of
us continued all night in praises, and praying for you and our other
friends. I know, that passion is the sin, which most easily besets
you, and therefore I always pray that you may have grace given you to
conquer it, and to learn of JESUS CHRIST to be meek and lowly in heart.
Then, and not till then, you will find rest to your soul. Pardon me,
_dear Mrs. H._ for being thus free. Your kindness compels me to it.
Had I not a sincere regard for you, I should not express myself thus.
Besides, it’s the last time, perhaps, I shall write to you in this
world, and therefore would have this letter contain some instructive
hints. We sail, GOD willing, next week. Great things have been done
for us here. Perhaps upwards of a thousand pounds have been collected
for the poor, and the charity schools, and I have preached above an
hundred times, since I have been here. A visible alteration is made
also in hundreds. Last _Sunday_ at six in the morning, when I gave my
farewell, the whole church was drowned in tears: they wept and cried
aloud, as a mother weepeth for her first born. Since that, there is
no end of persons coming and weeping, telling me what GOD has done
for their souls: others again beg little books, and desire me to
write their names in them. The time would fail me, was I to relate
how many have been awakened, and how many pray for me. The great day
will discover all. In the mean while, I beseech you Mrs. _H._ by the
mercies of GOD to pray, that the goodness of GOD may make me humble.
As yet the divine strength has been magnified in my weakness. Many
have opposed, but in vain. GOD’s power conquers all. I am now going
as _Abraham_ did, not knowing whither I go; but I commit myself to the
guidance of GOD’s good providence and spirit. He that has and doth,
will deliver me out of all my troubles. I only wish, I could debase
myself low enough, that I might be more fitted for the high and lofty
one who inhabiteth eternity, to work by. I am a proud, imperious,
sinful worm; but GOD, I hope, in time, will conform me to the image
of his dear Son. He has begun (for ever adored be his free grace),
and I trust, he will finish his good work in me. Out of the money
that GOD has sent me, I will pay all the debts I can. I have sent some
of it to Mrs. _Wells_, with particular orders how to be disposed of;
two guineas are for Mrs. _Farmer_ towards the debt due to her from
my mother. My farewell sermon will be published shortly, with two or
three more. Dear Mrs. _H._ farewell. GOD reward you and your’s for all
your works of faith and labours of love, and grant we may so believe,
and so live here, as to meet in eternal glory hereafter,
Ever your’s,
_G. W._