_To Mr. Samuel M――――, in London._
_Bristol, Dec. 28, 1741._
_Dear Mr. M――――_,
BOTH my wife and I received your letters. I send this, to thank you
for them. I came from _Abergavenny_ on _Saturday_ night. My dear wife
was pretty well; I expect her here on _Friday_. We shall bring no
more goods to _London_, than we shall use; but I know not what to
say about coming to your house, for brother _S――――_ tells me, you
and your family are dilatory, and that you do not rise sometimes till
nine or ten in the morning. This, dear Mr. _M――――_, will never do for
me; and I am persuaded such a conduct tends much to the dishonour of
GOD, and to the prejudice of your own precious soul. Sometimes I have
looked upon you with grief; you have busied yourself about the outward
affairs of religion in respect to others, and all the while I fear
neglected to look into, and study the improvement of your own heart.
I think you go backwards instead of forwards. I fear your present
business will not answer, and I am sure you will have no solid comfort,
till you look less abroad and more at home. Somebody said, you was
like the _Athenians_, who desired to hear some new-thing. I thought
the observation was too just. You are jealous about principles, (which
is right) but all the while your own practice is not sufficiently
watched over. I have heard that you spend much time in coffee-houses,
and from your own house. I hope these things are not so; and it is
with grief and out of tender love that I now mention them to you. For
some time I felt my heart quite locked up from writing to you. Mr.
_M――――_ will not be offended with me for this plain dealing. You know
I love you, and I am sure this letter proceeds from love. I know too
much of my own weakness and infirmities to insult others; and when a
brother is overtaken in a fault, I desire to restore him in the spirit
of meekness. But I know how much the glory of GOD is concerned in our
walk. The eyes of the world are now in an especial manner upon you.
How holy ought you and I, dear Mr. _M――――_, to be, in all manner of
conversation and godliness! Labour therefore, my dear brother, to get
an abiding presence of GOD in your heart. Be willing to be searched.
Pray that you may feel the full power of the Redeemer’s blood; and
walk in the continued comforts of the holy ghost. Be not slothful in
business. Go to bed seasonably, and rise early. Redeem your precious
time: pick up the fragments of it, that not one moment may be lost.
Be much in secret prayer. Converse less with man, and more with GOD.
Accept this advice, given in great love. I purpose staying here about
a fortnight. Dear Mr. _M――――_, I am
Your affectionate though unworthy brother,
and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._