_To the Reverend Mr. C――――, at Bath._
_Gloucester, Feb. 5, 1742._
_My dear Friend and Brother_,
TO shew you how willing I am to comply with your request, and make
dear Mr. _C――――_ one of my close correspondents, I sit down this
evening to write an answer to your kind letter. What has been doing
lately, the transcript on the other side will shew you. Since the
writing of that, the blessed JESUS hath been wondrous kind. Yesterday
I preached three times, and visited a private society in the evening.
To-day I was enabled to preach three times, with great power. Here
is such an awakening in this country, as I never heard of, or saw in
these parts before: “The fields are white already unto harvest.” It is
pleasant to hear the people come and tell how GOD wrought upon them by
my unworthy ministry two years ago. The fruits of the Spirit are now
apparent in their lives and conversations. Letters from _Scotland_
bring blessed tidings, as also from _Philadelphia_. O the blessed
effects of field-preaching! O that I was humble, that I was thankful!
Help me, my dear friend, to entreat the Redeemer to make me as a
little, _a very little child_. The beginning of next week I hope to
be at _Bath_; but cannot tell exactly the day. I thank my friends for
their kind intention to meet me, but I had rather avoid it: the less
parade the better. Let us stand still, and we shall see the salvation
of GOD. He will not bless what doth not come from himself. May the
LORD make me an _Israelite_ indeed, in whom is no allowed guile! I
am glad dear Mr. _T――――_ is coming. My hearty love to him. O that our
meeting may be blessed, and all three of us be made a flame of fire!
Dear Mr. _C――――_, I love you unfeignedly. I wish, above all things,
your soul may prosper. Good night. My soul is filled with JESUS’s love.
I am going to pray for you and yours, being, dear Mr. _C――――_, without
dissimulation,
Yours most affectionately in JESUS CHRIST,
_G. W._