_To the Rev. Mr. O――――, at Leominster._
_On board the Mary and Ann, May 27, 1742._
_My dear Brother_,
I Have not till now had time to answer your kind letter. I rejoice
abundantly in the use our dear LORD is beginning to make of you. May
he use and bless you ever more and more. Our LORD loves to encourage
faith. They that trust in him, shall find now as well as formerly,
that “it shall be given them in that hour what they shall speak.”
This I find true by happy experience, and am persuaded shall prove the
truth of it more and more. Since my last, the captain of our salvation
has carried me on to fresh conquest, and caused his people to rejoice
exceedingly in his great salvation. Our society is in great order. If
the LORD gives us a true catholic spirit, free from a party sectarian
zeal, we shall do well. I am sorry to hear that there is so much
narrowness among some of the brethren in _Wales_. Brother _H――――_
complains sadly of it. I hope dear Mr. _O――――_ will be kept free, and
not fall into disputing about _Baptism_ or other non-essentials; for I
am persuaded, unless we all are content to preach CHRIST, and to keep
off from disputable things, wherein we differ, GOD will not bless us
long. If we act otherwise, however we may talk of a catholic spirit,
we shall only be bringing people over to our own party, and there
fetter them. I pray the LORD to keep dear Mr. _O――――_ and me from such
a spirit. Dear Sir, may the LORD be with you! Remember us poor but
willing pilgrims, especially him who is less than the least of all,
but
Your affectionate brother and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._