_To J―――― B――――._
_Good Hope, (South-Carolina) July 2, 1740._
_My dear Brother B――――_,
IS it true, that one night whilst you was expounding, you told your
hearers, from your own experience, that “they could not go on without
throwing aside the means of grace?” or words to that purpose? If
so, I pity you; for you are not only misled yourself, but are also
misguiding others. But this is no more than I expected. I think you
begun to teach too soon, and before you had a commission given you
from above. Brother _J――――_ was of the same opinion, before I left
_England_. For that reason, I would not take you to _Georgia_. Blessed
be GOD, I have no such over-forward spirits there. My dear _B――――_, I
write in love. For CHRIST’s sake try your spirit: I fear you was never
yet truly humbled. I know you have had joy; but I always thought it
was joy floating on the surface of an unmortified heart. From such
a joy, good LORD deliver us! O that you had been in the wilderness a
little longer! then you might have been an experienced teacher; but
I fear you are now only a novice. May the LORD keep you from falling
into the condemnation of the devil. I write not this to damp, but to
regulate your spirit; if you are humble, you will take it kind. GOD
knows, I wish all the LORD’s servants were prophets; but I would not
have my Master’s work suffer by a too heady way of proceeding. Why
should you dishonour him by acting above your sphere; whereas you
might honour him by acting in it. Every one is not fit to be a public
expounder. To build up awakened sinners in private, is what is more
wanted at present than young unexperienced preachers. But I have done;
I fear I have offended my brother: forgive me this wrong. As GOD was
pleased first to work upon you by my ministry, you must always expect
to be watched over by
Your affectionate friend, brother and servant,
_G. W._