_To Mr. H――――._
_Melvill, October 5, 1741._
_My very dear Friend and Brother_,
I Have, by the ship that brings you this, sent you 70 _l._ worth
of different sorts of goods to be disposed of, and the money to be
applied for the use of the _Orphan-house_. You are to let Mr. _B――――_
have 20 _l._ I have also sent 600 yards of cloth, a present of my own,
to make the boys and girls gowns and coats, some whereof I have had
made up here. The other things were given by various persons. Amongst
these, you will find some damask table-cloths, which I desire you
will sell, they being too good, in my opinion, for our use. O my dear
friend, how faithful is the LORD JESUS! He has now enabled me to pay
my brother, and Mr. _N――――_’s bill of three hundred pounds sterling.
There is yet 200 _l._ to be paid, which I borrowed since my arrival
in _England_; but very shortly I hope to discharge that also. I have
been in _Scotland_ about two months, and think to be here about a
fortnight longer. GOD is pleased to give me health, and to bless
my ministrations in an abundant manner. The little children in the
hospitals, are much wrought upon. Saints have been stirred up and
edified, and many others, I believe, are translated from darkness
to light, and from the kingdom of satan to the kingdom of GOD’s dear
Son. The good that has been done, is inexpressible. I am intimate
with three noblemen, and several ladies of quality, who have a great
liking for the things of GOD. I am now writing in an earl’s house,
surrounded with fine furniture; but glory be to free grace! my soul is
in love only with JESUS: he helps me more and more. I feel but little
straitness in preaching, and we have often sweet appearances of the
divine presence in our large assemblies. As to my own soul, it is
very comfortable and composed; I feel the power of JESUS more, and
the power of indwelling sin less. I am daily waiting for the coming of
the Son of GOD. I fear I am too impatient to be gone; but what can the
soul do, when sick of love? I have some thoughts of visiting _Ireland_.
Whether I shall do that, or come to _America_ in the Spring, GOD only
knows. I pray for, and long to see you and the rest of my dear family.
I trust, I then shall behold, what I long to behold, a houshold of
faith, a company of poor sinners walking in the simplicity and love
of the meek and lowly JESUS. O that you may so live, that whosoever
comes amongst you may say, “Surely GOD is in this place.” Thousands
of prayers are put up for us, and thousands of lies are spread abroad
against us. But JESUS enables me to fight my way through all, and I
am persuaded he will make me more than conqueror through his love. In
_England_, the work goes on well. Brother _C――――_ is much blessed in
_Wiltshire_; and brother _H――――_ wrote me word some time ago, that he
had examined about three hundred souls of our society, most of which
had been wrought upon since my return from _Georgia_. Help me to cry,
Grace! grace! My dear friend and brother, for the present adieu! I
love you in the bowels of a crucified JESUS. Brethren, pray for us.