_To Mr. ――――._
_On board the Whitaker, April 17, 1738._
_Dear Mr. ――――_,
TO assure you I do not forget you, I write to you, as yet, eight
hundred miles off shore. Your honest heart has won my affections. I
make mention of you and your’s continually at the throne of grace in
my prayers, and shall have no greater pleasure than to hear you walk
in the truth. In your last, I think you said, you would desist from
frequenting any other societies, but what immediately tended to the
promoting of true religion, and ere now, I doubt not but you have seen
the benefit of it. I have often pleased myself with the hopes, that
you, dear Mr. ――――, had set up another society among yourselves, and
often have I thought, I felt the benefit of your prayers; for GOD
hath blessed me exceedingly, and brought us on our way rejoicing; and
has shewn me, that he doth not send me abroad in vain.――How GOD will
deal with me at _Savannah_, I know not; however, let my friends be
always lifting up their hands in intercession, and then our spiritual
_Amalek_ will not prevail. Hitherto I have been made to go on from
conquering to conquer. GOD gives me a chearful spirit, and crowns
my feeble labours with success. And why should I despair of future
assistance? Are not these earnests of future mercies? And may I not
expect, when I am duly prepared, to see greater things than these?
Cry therefore mightily unto the LORD, that I may be humble, and that
I may tremble at his word, and then he will delight to honour me. I
live in hopes of seeing you and your wife again (growing in grace)
in _England_. You told me, she desired I would draw her picture; but
alas! she has applied to an improper limner. However, though I cannot
describe what she is, I can tell what she ought to be.――Meek, patient,
long-suffering, obedient in all things, not self-willed, not soon
angry, no brawler, swift to hear, slow to speak, and ready to every
good word and work. But I can no more, I dare not go on in telling
another what she ought to be, when I want so much myself; only this
I know, when possessed of those good qualities before-mentioned, she
will then be as happy as her heart can wish, and afford great reason
of thanksgiving to, dear Mr. ――――,
Your and Mrs. ――――’s affectionate friend,
_G. W._