_To Mrs. Ann D――――, at great Gransden._
_Aberdeen, October 9, 1741._
_My dear Sister_,
THIS evening your letter came to hand. Though it is past eleven at
night, and I have rode many miles this day, yet I cannot go to-bed
without sending you a line. I fear, by your manner of writing, you are
offended with me for my last letter. I knew very well, it would be a
trial to you; but I wrote out of pure love, and am glad it is now in
your power to clear your husband, which I much desired to do. I have
too many aspersions of the same nature cast upon me, not to sympathize
with you both. But JESUS is our advocate, and ere long we shall see
all the accusers of the brethren cast down. In spite of all, JESUS has
been, and is getting himself the victory in many sinners hearts. I am
yet carried on day by day, strengthened in body, and much refreshed
and comforted in soul. Your letter gives me a little present pain,
lest my last should have pained you. But GOD permits these things to
happen among ourselves, to teach us to look off from all creatures,
and to centre all our happiness in himself. Glory be to GOD for his
almighty love! At my first coming here, things looked a little gloomy;
for the magistrates had been so prejudiced by one Mr. _B――――_, that
when applied to, they refused me the use of the kirk-yard to preach in.
This Mr. _B――――_ is collegue with one Mr. _O――――_, at whose repeated
invitation I came hither. Though collegues of the same congregation,
they are very different in their natural tempers. The one is what they
call in _Scotland_, of a _sweet blooded_, the other, of a choleric
disposition. Mr. _B――――_ is neither a Seceder, nor quite a Kirk-man,
having great fault to find with both. Soon after my arrival, dear
Mr. _O――――_ took me to pay my respects to him; he was prepared for
it, and immediately pulled out a paper, containing a great number of
insignificant queries, which I had neither time near inclination to
answer. The next morning, it being Mr. _O――――_’s turn, I lectured and
preached; the magistrates were present. The congregation very large,
and light and life fled all around. In the afternoon Mr. _B――――_
officiated; I attended. He began his prayers as usual; but in the
midst of them naming me by name, he intreated the LORD to forgive the
dishonour that had been put upon him, by my being suffered to preach
in that pulpit; and that all might know what reason he had to put up
such a petition, about the middle of his sermon, he not only urged
that “I was a curate of the church of _England_,” but also quoted a
passage or two out of my first printed sermons, which he said were
grossly _Arminian_. Most of the congregation seemed surprized and
chagrined, especially his good-natured collegue Mr. _O――――_, who
immediately after sermon, without consulting me in the least, stood
up and gave notice, that Mr. _Whitefield_ would preach in about half
an hour. The interval being so short, the magistrates returned into
the session’s-house, and the congregation patiently waited, big with
expectation of hearing my resentment. At the time appointed, I went
up, and took no other notice of the good man’s ill-timed zeal, than to
observe in some part of my discourse, that if the good old gentleman
had seen some of my later writings, wherein I had corrected several of
my former mistakes, he would not have expressed himself in such strong
terms. The people being thus diverted from controversy with man,
were deeply impressed with what they heard from the word of GOD. All
was hushed! and more than solemn! and on the morrow the magistrates
sent for me, expressed themselves quite concerned at the treatment I
had met with, and begg’d I would accept of the freedom of the city.
But of this enough. The LORD, my dear sister, my support; let us both
continually fly to him, and then let men or devils do their worst.
CHRIST will by and by take away our reproach. Into his hands I commend
your spirit. Good night; the LORD be with you and yours! I hope to set
out for _England_ soon. Pray write when you hear of my arrival there,
and so convince me, that you are not angry with
Your affectionate tho’ unworthy brother and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._