_Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739._
_Dear Sir_,
TO think, that you should be engaged publickly to pray for me, hath
often given me much satisfaction, and now excites me to send you this
letter of thanks: help me still, help me, dear Sir, by your prayers.
They will be a means of lifting up my hands when they hang down,
and of strengthning my feeble knees. Though in all things we do not,
yet in essentials we both think and speak the same things. I wish
all names among the saints of GOD were swallowed up in that one of
_Christian_.――I long for professors to leave off placing religion in
saying “I am a Churchman,” “I am a Dissenter.” My language to such
is, “Are you of CHRIST? If so, I love you with all my heart:” for this
reason chiefly, dear Sir, my heart is drawn out towards you. On this
account, though so long in CHRIST before me, I make bold to call you
brother, and to wish you GOD speed: blessed be his name, you have
little reason to cry out; “My leanness, my leanness.” Many gracious
souls are among your flock, they love to be fed with the sincere milk
of the word. I hope they will be your joy and crown of rejoicing
in the day of the LORD JESUS. I often think of them with pleasure;
pray salute them most affectionately in my name, and exhort them to
entreat the LORD that I may make full proof of my ministry. In about
a twelvemonth, GOD willing, I intend returning to _England_; I wish it
may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace. I think
you are happy in the acquaintance of Mr. _B―――― S――――_. I trust he
will be as good as he is great, and after he is made perfect through
manifold temptations and trials, sit down with you, and all the other
spirits of just men made perfect, in heaven. This is the hearty prayer
of, dear Sir,
Your affectionate brother and fellow labourer
in our LORD’s vineyard,
_G. W._