_To Mr. W――――, at Edinburgh._
_Aberdeen, October 10, 1741._
_Dear Sir_,
I Just snatch a few moments to answer your letter. Want of leisure
prevented my doing it before. I have not as yet seen your mother’s
memoirs. Happy are you in having such a parent. No doubt many prayers
are in store for you. As for your entering upon the ministry, I cannot
advise you, ’till you have gotten full satisfaction that you are
born again of GOD. I know more than one, who are ready to give up
their ministry for want of this; and as for my own part, I could not
feelingly press the love of GOD to others, unless I was sure of his
love to myself. I know not what may have passed between GOD and your
soul. You can tell, I suppose, whether or not GOD’s spirit witnesseth
with your spirit, that you are a child of GOD? For he that believeth,
hath the witness in himself. If you have got this with a moderate
share of learning, a good elocution and a burning love for precious
souls, then, I think you may do service in a public station. If godly,
and real experienced friends are for your entering into the ministry,
their advice is somewhat to be regarded. If their advice proceeds
from worldly motives, do not mind them at all. The discouragements you
meet with from some, are not worth your notice. If GOD loves you, he
will try you every way. Prayer, meditation, and temptation, are three
necessary qualifications for a gospel minister. I know not what to
say about your going to _Georgia_. In _Pensylvania_, and other places,
there are most noble opportunities of preaching the gospel of JESUS.
But I hope to be in _Edinburgh_ in about ten days, and then shall be
glad to converse with you. In the mean time, dear Sir, I commend you
to GOD, and desire you would not forget the unworthy creature, who now
subscribes himself
Yours in CHRIST JESUS,
_G. W._