_Deal, Jan. 25, 1738._
_Dear Sir_,
I Am ashamed of my ingratitude in not writing to you before; but
you’ll not wonder I am ungrateful to my friends, when I tell you I
am ungrateful to my GOD. However, as I always remark’d you for your
charity, I know you will imitate Him you so resemble, and upon my
promise of amendment for the future, will pardon what is past. Oh
dear Sir, how shall I express my gratitude to dear ――――? But above
all, what return shall I make to my ever-blessed REDEEMER for all the
favours he hath bestowed upon me? Help, I entreat you, help me to be
thankful, and as you abound in prayer, abound in praises. I find my
heart too backward to this divine exercise. I am ready enough to ask
for mercies, but alas! how slow to return thanks! Indeed sometimes
GOD touches me from above, and my heart, hard as it is, is melted down
and quite overcome with the sense of his free grace in CHRIST JESUS
towards me. But I want always to go on my way rejoicing; I want the
heart of a seraphim;
_I want to sing as loud as they,
Who shine above in endless day._
I could almost say more than they, and why should I not return angelic
thanks? But my heart is as yet unhumbled, I see not what I am, what
I deserve, and therefore set not a due value on the divine mercies.
Pray therefore, _dear Mr. ――――_, that I may receive my sight, that my
eyes may be opened, and that seeing what GOD hath done for me, I may
break out into songs of praise, and by such heart-transforming divine
exercises be gradually trained up for eternal uninterrupted communion
with that heavenly choir, who cease not chanting forth day and night
hallelujahs to Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb for
ever. _Dear Mr. ――――_, I can relate to you fresh matter for praise and
thanksgiving; a divine fire seems to be kindling in _Deal_. I preached
on _Sunday_, and this day. The inhabitants are quite affectionate, and
so desirous to hear the word, at my private lodgings, as well as at
public churches, that I am obliged to divide them into two companies.
And GOD, blessed be his free grace in CHRIST JESUS, helps me through.
I suppose my dear friend has heard how affairs go on shipboard. I need
only add, that GOD makes his power to be known among those that sail
with me, and there are great hopes of the captain’s conversion. O pray,
that he may not be an almost, but an altogether christian. Dear Mr.
――――, farewell. It’s late, and many other friends must have a line
to-night. May GOD reward you for all kindnesses, and keep you stedfast
unto the end. Pray return my hearty thanks to all your Brethren; tell
them I sincerely pray for their growth and perseverance in holiness,
and am, dear Mr. ――――,
Your affectionate, tho’ unworthy friend
and servant in CHRIST JESUS,
_G. W._