_To John R――――, an Orphan, at the Orphan-house._
_On board the Mary and Ann, July 27, 1741._
_Dear John_,
I Remember you once wanted to go away from _Bethesda_. Adore the free
grace and mercy of that GOD, who has kept you there. I trust, it will
prove the saving of your precious and immortal soul. To see oneself
lost and condemned by nature, is the first step to conversion. I hope
before this time you have found yourself saved by grace: for “by grace
alone you are to be saved, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift
of GOD.” The LORD JESUS hath indeed been knocking at the door of your
heart. I trust, now he will break the door open, and give himself
admission. Dear _John_, you may well wonder, that the LORD hath not
sent you to hell. I trust, that you feel you deserve it. O that GOD
may pluck you as a brand out of the burning. This was my only view
in bringing you to _Bethesda_. This is the only desire of the dear
friends who have the rule over you; they watch for your soul, &c. The
devil (as you observe) watches to destroy it: and, therefore, my dear
boy, away to JESUS CHRIST. He can take away the heart of stone: he can
give you an heart of flesh. All things are possible with Him. That GOD
may give you grace to take the kingdom of heaven with a holy violence,
is the hearty prayer of, dear _John_,
Your sincere friend,
_G. W._