_To the Rev. Mr. J―――― B――――, at New-York._
_Savannah, June 13, 1740._
_Reverend and dear Brother_,
I Have just been reading the three letters you sent some time ago to
our dear brother _N――――_, and find my heart much inclined to write
you a line. Whatever others may do, yet I am far from judging you on
account of GOD’s dealings with your soul. I rather rejoice in them,
having myself been blessed with many experiences of the like nature.
But, my dear brother, if GOD works upon us in an extraordinary manner,
we must prepare for temptation, even from our christian brethren.
Most judge of others from what has passed within themselves; and many
of the dear children of GOD are too apt to confine GOD to this or
that particular way of acting; whereas he is a sovereign agent: his
sacred spirit bloweth when, and where, and how it listeth; and when
an uncommon work is to be done, no doubt he will work upon his chosen
instruments in an uncommon manner. What the event of the present
general awakening will be, I know not. I desire to follow my dear
LORD blindfold, whithersoever he is pleased to lead me; and to do just
so much, and no more, as his providence points out to me. Wonderful
things have been done ever since my arrival at _Savannah_: Such an
awakening among little children, I never saw before. Our dear brother
_N――――_’s letter will acquaint you with particulars. O my dear brother,
how ought such manifestations of GOD’s glory, to quicken our souls,
and excite us to lay out ourselves more and more in the service of
the best of Masters, JESUS CHRIST! Every day he fills me with himself,
and sometimes brings me even upon the confines of eternity. Methinks
I often stand upon _Mount Pisgah_, and take a view of the heavenly
_Canaan_, and then long to be gathered to my people: but, my dear
brother, both you and I must suffer, and that great things, before we
enter into glory. My work is scarce begun; my trials are yet to come.
What is a little scourge of the tongue? What is a thrusting out of the
synagogues? The time of temptation will be, when we are thrust into
an inner prison, and feel the iron entering even into our souls. Then,
perhaps, even GOD’s people may be permitted to forsake us for a while,
and none but the LORD JESUS to stand by us. “But if thou, O dearest
Redeemer! wilt strengthen me in the inner man, let enemies plunge
me into a fiery furnace, or throw me into a den of lions.” My dear
brother, my heart is enlarged towards you: though I never saw, yet
I love you most tenderly. How does dear brother _D――――_? Does he yet
walk in the light of GOD’s countenance? Pray salute him lovingly in
my name. In the fall, I hope to see you in _Long Island_, and to be
somewhat filled with your company. In the mean while, let us all keep
a close walk with JESUS; and be pleased, in an especial manner, to
remember
Your unworthy, though affectionate brother, fellow-labourer,
and servant in our common LORD,
_G. W._