_To Mr. J―――― H――――, at Bethesda._
_On board the Minerva, Feb. 18, 1741._
_My dear Friend and Brother_,
YESTERDAY we humbled ourselves before GOD, and by prayer and fasting
sought for a blessing, and direction in all our affairs. I wish I
had kept family fasts at _Savannah_. Suppose you had one monthly at
_Bethesda_? You will see, by dear Brother _B――――_’s letter, the frame
of my mind. Since that, I have been a little in the valley, but the
LORD is my comforter. I hope I grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
myself, and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. My heart is much united to Messrs.
_W――――s_, tho’ we differ in some particulars. May GOD make us of
one mind, as well as heart. I shall make all possible haste back,
and remit money to you as often as I can. Mr. _P――――_ tells me, his
brother is to send you upwards of a hundred pounds, and I suppose
other supplies will be sent from the _Northward_. I have also wrote
to _Charles-Town_. I am persuaded GOD will not let you want. I would
not have any thing left undone, that is necessary for the family’s
comfortable subsistence. The LORD is our Shepherd, therefore we
shall not lack. I shall long to hear how the blessed JESUS deals with
you. He is wonderfully gracious unto me, and hath made this voyage
profitable to my soul. O my friend, my friend, the LORD be with you.
My love is firm to you at the bottom, tho’ sometimes it hath ebbed and
flowed; in heaven it will not be so. On earth it is needful it should;
otherwise, how should we learn to cease from man? But I am a worm
and no man, and deserve to be the outcast of all people. My eyes are
now ready to gush out with water. O the sovereign love of CHRIST in
chusing me! My dear friend, let us study to be holy even as he is holy,
and walk even as he also walked. Let these be your daily questions,
“Am I more like CHRIST? Am I more meek and patient? Does my practice
correspond with my knowledge, and am I a light to enlighten and
enflame all that are around me?” I could say more, but I think to
write again when I get on shore. GOD bless you and yours. I suppose
you have heard that Mr. _P――――_ sails with
Your affectionate friend, brother and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._