_To Mr. J―――― H――――, in London._
_Savannah, June 7, 1740._
_My dear, dear Brother_,
WITH great comfort I received your long wished-for letter. It warmed
my heart, and knit my soul to you much more than ever. Whenever I
see the child-like simplicity and love of JESUS, it quite melts me
down. Let all former misunderstandings between me and your friends be
entirely forgotten. I always pitied your parents, and most earnestly
prayed for them and you. Blessed be GOD that you are come home. You
are now, I believe, as I always did believe, in your proper station.
May GOD give you a settled habit of devotion, and so fill you with
his spirit, that whilst you are working for GOD on earth, you may be
like those blessed angels, who, though ministring to us, yet do always
behold the face of our Father who is in heaven. My dear brother, let
the love of JESUS constrain you to love him with all your soul. A
sense of his divine love now melts down my heart, and draws tears from
my eyes. O what wonderful things is GOD doing in _America_! _Savannah_
also, _my dear Savannah_, especially my little orphans, now begin to
feel the love of JESUS CHRIST. I arrived here but about two days ago,
in an hour quite unexpected by my friends. How did we weep over one
another for joy! Perhaps I may never feel the like again, till I meet
with the sons of GOD in glory: But oh what a scene was to be seen last
night in the congregation! How did the stately steps of our glorious
Emmanuel appear! His glory shone with exceeding brightness. The power
seemed to be coming on all the day. My soul has been much carried out
in behalf of this place, and now the LORD is about to answer my prayer.
_T―――― D――――_ was yesterday in a glorious agony. I prayed with three
of the girls before I went to church, and their hearts were ready to
break: I prayed also, with strong cryings and tears, with my other
dear friends, and GOD was much with us then; but when we came to
church, oh what was to be seen, and heard, and felt there! The power
of the LORD came as it were upon all. Most of the children, both boys
and girls, cried bitterly, and most of the congregation were drowned
in tears, and mourned as a woman mourneth for her first-born. Expence
of spirits made my body weak, but my soul still wrestled earnestly
with GOD. When I came home, I lay upon my bed; but seeing the children
and people come home crying, I went to prayer again, and a greater
power than ever still attended it. O how was my soul carried out, and
how did the Holy Ghost fill the room! At last I thought proper to
dismiss them; but it would have charmed your heart to hear the little
ones in different parts of the house praying, and begging of JESUS to
take full possession of their hearts. The same power continues to-day:
For near two hours, four or five of the girls have been before the
LORD weeping most bitterly, and under such agonies, as gives me hope
our LORD will soon send them deliverance. I have not yet talked with
the boys, who also have been under great concern, and one especially
in great agonies. I believe two or three will be truly gracious. I
have brought with me a Latin master, and on _Monday_ laid a foundation
in the name of our dear JESUS for an _university_ in _Georgia_. GOD
blesses me (O free and sovereign grace) in every thing I undertake.
Our Orphan-house comes under better regulations every day, and I am
persuaded, in the end, will produce some true followers of JESUS
CHRIST. I am now looking for fresh attacks from the enemy, after such
inroads. He has been busy since my departure, but the LORD hath
vouchsafed to rebuke and disappoint him. My dear brother, may the LORD
be with you! For CHRIST’s sake desire dear Brother _W――――_ to avoid
disputing with me. I think I had rather die, than to see a division
between us; and yet, how can we walk together, if we oppose each
other? Adieu. Dear _James_, with much tenderness I subscribe myself
Ever yours,
_G. W._