_To the Reverend Mr. D――――._
_Savannah, August 15, 1740._
_My dear Brother D――――_,
OUR dear LORD (after being pleased to bring me low by bodily sickness)
now gives me liberty to write to you. Whilst I am writing, I find
my heart united with yours. I hope we have both drank into the same
spirit, and are both instances of the same sovereign, distinguishing,
everlasting love. O let us extol it! O let us improve daily! And
since GOD sees fit that we shall not die, but live, let us lay
ourselves out to declare the works of the LORD. I am ashamed of my
past unfruitfulness. Had others received the stock, that hath been
intrusted to me, how would they have improved it? Indeed I am an
unprofitable servant. In the righteousness of JESUS my LORD, is my
only refuge. Well may GOD afflict me; I richly deserve it; and when he
brings me low, nothing grieves me so much, as to think that I should
be so froward as to oblige the GOD of love to strike me with his rod.
But oh the goodness of the LORD! His rod, as well as staff, do comfort
and build up my soul. I would not but be tried for ten thousand
worlds. Blessed be GOD, I am enabled to clasp the cross, and desire
to glory in nothing more. Dear brother, help me with your prayers. Our
victorious JESUS makes his power to be known; many have I seen struck
quite down by the power of the word. The holy Ghost hath often come
like a mighty rushing wind. Satan has desired to sift us as wheat. But
our LORD still shews me, that the orphan-house will go on and flourish.
It is often a great weight upon my soul; but through your and my dear
friends prayers, the LORD I am persuaded will still support it.
Yours eternally in CHRIST JESUS,
_G. W._