_On board the Elizabeth, August 14, 1739._
_My dear Mr. ――――_,
AT length we are embarked; our ship is now going to the _Downs_.――Yet
a little while, and, GOD willing, I shall see you once more in the
flesh. My family consists of more than twelve, besides two children;
I hope all are desirous to know CHRIST. GOD strengthens me mightily
in the inner man. The sermon I have sent you is one of my extempore
sermons.――The journal will acquaint you with particulars.――My brother,
the captain, hath been with me this last week.――If he leaves off
disputing, and will come to CHRIST as a poor lost sinner, he will do
well.――The bishop of _London_ has lately wrote against me; I trust GOD
hath assisted me in writing an answer.――It is now in the press.――All
the self-righteous are up in arms.――My Master makes me more than a
conqueror through his love. Mr. ―――― has about forty societies in
_Yorkshire_. Both the Mr. _Wesley_’s go on well.――Go where you will,
religion (either for or against it) is the talk.――Probably a suffering
time will come. You will not be ashamed of me, though I should be a
prisoner. Perhaps you will be put to the trial: But how does my dear
friend’s heart? Have you found CHRIST? Does he live in you, so as to
be the alpha and omega, the beginning and end of all your actions?
Are you enlightened to see the exceeding great riches and fulness of
his grace? Oh how will it rejoice my soul to see you a proficient in
the school of CHRIST? How will it delight me to see your little flock
pressing towards the mark.――Soon after this reaches _Georgia_, I hope
to see you.――My stay will be as short as possible at _Philadelphia_.
I must not delay coming to my dear, though poor charge.――I expect
to find _Savannah_ almost desolate; but our extremity is GOD’s
opportunity. I believe it will lift up its drooping head.――For the
present, my dear friend, farewell.
Your’s most affectionately in CHRIST,
_G. W._