_To the Reverend Mr. O――――, at Aberdeen._
_Bristol, Dec. 30, 1741._
_Reverend and dear Sir_,
I Long to write you a line, to testify the undissembled love my
soul bears towards you. I also long to hear what JESUS hath done at
_Aberdeen_. I believe he sent me thither, and I am persuaded he did
not send me there in vain. I have experienced fresh wonders of mercy,
since I saw you. The LORD has blessed my ministry in _England_, and in
_Wales_, where I trust I was married _in the_ LORD; and as I married
for him, I trust I shall thereby not be hindered, but rather forwarded
in my work. O for that blessed time when we shall neither marry nor
be given in marriage, but be as the angels of GOD! My soul longs
for that glorious season. Perhaps, sometimes I am too impatient. But
who that has tasted of JESUS ’s love, can forbear longing to be with
him? I long to see him as he is, and my soul will never be compleatly
satisfied till I arise after his divine likeness. This, I believe, is
the desire, and frequently the frame of dear Mr. _O――――_’s soul. But
I believe we both have crosses to take up, and many trials to undergo,
before we shall be admitted to the beatific vision. Alas! What a
stranger am I to the meekness which was in JESUS? How much acrimony
is there in my temper, that wants to be taken away? Blessed be GOD,
my Saviour is omnipotent. He can, he will deliver me. He can, he will
conform me to himself. I think I can sing these lines,――
_My root of holiness thou art,
For faith hath made thee mine:
With all thy fulness fill my heart,
Till all I have be thine._
Dear Sir, what a fulness is there in JESUS? What a pity is it, that we
should not draw largely out of it? Why should we be content with low
degrees of holiness? Why should we be always dwarfs in religion? I am
quite ashamed of my low stature. I am an unprofitable servant. O dear
Mr. _O――――_, pray for me, that the LORD may purge me, and that I may
bring forth more fruit. I have lately been at _London_, _Gloucester_,
_Wilts_, and _Wales_. The work of the LORD prospers. I preach here
twice every day. That GOD may bless and reward you all, is the earnest
prayer of, dear Mr. _O――――_,
Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,
_G. W._