_To Mr. W―――― D――――._
_Savannah, June 28, 1740._
_My dear Brother_,
I Thank you for your kind letters and friendly cautions; and trust
shall always reckon those my choicest friends, who, in simplicity and
meekness, tell me the corruptions of my heart. It is that faithfulness
which hath endeared _J―――― S――――_ to me. I think I never was obliged
to any one so much before: for that reason also I find my heart knit
to you. O my dear brother, still continue faithful to my soul: do not
hate me in your heart; in any wise reprove me. Exhort all my dear
brethren to forgive my past (I fear) too imperious carriage; and let
them pray that I may know myself to be what I really am, less than
the least of them all. I have abundant reason to bless GOD for sending
me abroad. I cannot say I have improved my retirement as I ought; but
I can say it hath been highly beneficial to my soul. I have a garden
near at hand, where I go particularly to meet and talk with my GOD,
at the cool of every day. I often sit in silence, offering my soul as
so much clay, to be stamped just as my heavenly potter pleases: and
whilst I am musing, I am often filled as it were with the fulness of
GOD. I am frequently at _Calvary_, and frequently on _Mount Tabor_;
but always assured of my LORD’s everlasting love. O continue to pray
for me, that I may know myself even as I am known. I want to have a
proper mixture of the lion and the lamb, of the serpent and the dove.
I do not despair of attaining it. JESUS is love; JESUS willeth my
perfection; JESUS hath died for me; JESUS can deny me nothing. He hath
given me himself; will he not then freely give me all things besides?
I wait for thy compleat salvation, O LORD! My dear brother, my heart
is now enlarged. Your prayer is answered. The whole Godhead now fills
my soul. O grace, grace! O Jesu, Jesu! was ever love like thine! LORD,
I abhor myself in dust and ashes. O that I could praise thee! that
I could love thee as I ought! My dear brother, I hear you have been
zealous for the LORD your GOD since my departure. You have done well:
you never can be zealous for a better master: but why, silent? why
withdrawn? Did you go before you was called or qualified? If so,
you have done right: but I suspend my judgment; for I find there is
no judging at a distance. I only pray GOD that you may always feel
yourself a very poor sinner, and find refuge in the wounds and blood
of the Lamb. I rejoice to hear the work of GOD goes on, and heartily
wish you may not be divided among yourselves. Our dear LORD is with us
here: I only want a few more gracious, solid assistants. The LORD will
send them in his due time to
Your affectionate brother and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._