_To Mr. J―――― C――――, at Kingswood._
_London, June 8, 1741._
_My dear Brother_,
HOW sweetly does providence order all
things for us! Just before yours came, I was resolved to send you
20 _l._ to begin the society-room at
_Kingswood_. Mrs. _C――――_ gives it, and I
believe will make it up fifty. This gentlewoman hath been made happily
instrumental in relieving me out of my late distress. You know how I
was threatened to be arrested, soon after my arrival, for above three
hundred pounds, due on account of the Orphan-house in _Georgia_, and I
do not know but a writ was actually taken out. This drove me to my
knees. GOD gave me to wrestle, with strong
cryings and many tears, both before and after I went to rest――I could
plead with him that it was not for myself but his poor. The example of
_Professor Frank_ encouraged me to pray, tho’ I found he ventured only
week by week; but my situation in such a foreign climate constrained
me to run upon larger arrears.――GOD was pleased to give me an answer
of peace. Having as I thought a full assurance of immediate help
from some quarter or another, I went to sleep most comfortably. Early
the next morning a friend came to me to enquire, if I knew where a
gentlewoman of his acquaintance might put out three or four hundred
pounds. I replied, let her lend it to me, and in a few months, GOD
willing, she shall have it again.――Upon being acquainted with my
circumstances, she most chearfully sent me the sum I wanted, and thus
my enemies were disappointed of their hope. Praise the LORD, O my
soul!――But to return. I would have you lay the foundation immediately,
but take care of building too large or too handsome. Notwithstanding
my present embarrassments, who knows, but it may be in my power
to discharge my Orphan-house debt, and make collections here for
_Kingswood-school_ too? When I could get no assistance at all from my
old friends and spiritual (prejudiced) children, and was almost quite
pennyless, and left to sit alone like a sparrow upon the house-top, a
serious person, whom I never saw or ♦heard of, came the other day and
put a guinea into my hand. At receiving it, something as it were said
to me, “Cannot that GOD who sent this person to give thee this guinea,
make it up fifteen hundred?” As I told a friend immediately, to whom I
ran down, so I shall tell you; I doubt not but this will be the case.
My debt is all for GOD, and contracted in providing for the fatherless
and widow. As to the work here, though perhaps I may be blamed by some
for venturing so far, blessed be GOD, it goes on sweetly. All things
happen for the furtherance of the gospel. I have wrote brother _S――――_
to let you have twenty pounds.
Yours eternally in CHRIST JESUS,
_G. W._
♦ ‘heared’ replaced with ‘heard’