_To Mr. and Mrs. D._
_On board the Savannah, bound to Philadelphia from Georgia,
April 4, 1740._
_My dear friends_,
SINCE I wrote last, we have buried our Sister _L――――_. _Rachel_ I
left at _Philadelphia_, and sister _T――――_ seems to be in a declining
state; so that sister _A――――_ alone is like to be left of all the
women which came over with me from _England_. I find by experience,
that a mistress is absolutely necessary for the due management of my
increasing family, and to take off some of that care, which at present
lies upon me. Besides, I shall in all probability, at my next return
from _England_, bring more women with me: and I find, unless they are
all truly gracious (or indeed if they are) without a superior, matters
cannot be carried on as becometh the gospel of JESUS CHRIST. It hath
been therefore much impressed upon my heart, that I should marry,
in order to have a help meet for me in the work whereunto our dear
LORD JESUS hath called me. This comes (like _Abraham_’s servant to
_Rebekah_’s relations) to know whether you think your daughter, _Miss
E――――_, is a proper person to engage in such an undertaking? If so;
whether you will be pleased to give me leave to propose marriage unto
her? You need not be afraid of sending me a refusal. For, I bless
GOD, if I know any thing of my own heart, I am free from that foolish
passion, which the world calls LOVE. I write, only because I believe
it is the will of GOD, that I should alter my state; but your denial
will fully convince me, that your daughter is not the person appointed
by GOD for me. He knows my heart; I would not marry but for him, and
in him, for ten thousand worlds.――But I have sometimes thought _Miss
E――――_ would be my help-mate; for she has often been impressed upon my
heart. I should think myself safer in your family, because so many of
you love the LORD JESUS, and consequently would be more watchful over
my precious and immortal soul. After strong crying and tears at the
throne of grace for direction, and after unspeakable troubles with my
own heart, I write this. Be pleased to spread the letter before the
LORD; and if you think this motion to be of him, be pleased to deliver
the inclosed to your daughter――If not, say nothing, only let me know
you disapprove of it, and that shall satisfy, dear Sir and Madam,
Your obliged friend and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._