_To the Rev. Mr. T._
_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._
_Reverend and dear Sir_,
SHALL I promise and not perform? GOD forbid. When I saw you first at
_Cardiff_, it rejoiced my heart to hear what GOD had done for your
soul. You was then under some displeasure of your rector, if I mistake
not, for speaking the truth as it is in JESUS. Ere now, I hope dear
Mr. _T._ has had the honour of being quite thrust out. Rejoice, my
dear brother, and be exceeding glad, for thus was our LORD and SAVIOUR
served before you. Naked therefore follow a naked CHRIST. Freely you
have received, freely give. If you preach the gospel, you shall live
of the gospel. Though you go out without scrip or shoe, yet shall you
lack nothing. Rather than you shall want, ravens, those birds of prey,
shall be commanded to feed you. It is a blessed thing to live upon GOD.
Did ever any trust in him and was forsaken? No; search the generations
of old, climb up into heaven if you can, and all with one consent will
declare,
_The LORD their pasture did prepare,
And fed them with a shepherd’s care._
I, though hell-deserving, am a living witness of his good providence;
having nothing, I possess all things; he has fed me with the
kidneys of wheat, and commanded some one or another to sustain me
whithersoever I was sent on his errand. JESUS is the same yesterday,
to-day, and for ever. If we go forth in the spirit of the first
apostles, we shall meet with apostolical success. And never was there
more occasion for the revival of such a primitive spirit. Alas, the
life, the power of religion is almost lost amongst us. Stir up then,
dear Sir, the gift of GOD, which is in you. Be instant in season and
out of season. Debase man and exalt JESUS. Self-righteousness overturn,
overturn. The people of _Wales_, the common people at least, will
receive you gladly. The LORD shall fight all battles for you here, and
reward you with a crown that never fadeth hereafter. If I have but the
lowest place in your affections, it will abundantly satisfy
Your most affectionate brother,
_G. W._