_To Mr. J―――― C――――, in London._
_New-Kilpatrick, July 15, 1742._
_My dear Brother_,
OF all my fellow-labourers letters, I think yours come the sweetest
to my soul. You do not forget the rock from whence you was hewn, and
therefore the LORD will honour you more and more. Though I have so
small a degree of humility myself, I can see and admire it in others.
It is the queen of graces. O beg of the exalted JESUS to make me
humble. Indeed I have need of humility, for I am honoured more and
more. What I have sent you already, does not near come up to what I
have seen since. Last _Thursday_ night, and _Friday_ morning, there
was such a shock in _Edinburgh_ as I never felt before. O what a
melting and weeping was there! I have heard blessed effects of it
since. All glory be to GOD through CHRIST. On _Friday_ night I came to
_Cambuslang_, to assist at the blessed sacrament. On _Saturday_ I
preached to above twenty thousand people. In my prayer the power
of GOD came down and was greatly felt. In my two sermons, there was
yet more power. On sabbath day, scarce ever was such a sight seen in
_Scotland_. There were undoubtedly upwards of twenty thousand people.
Two tents were set up, and the holy sacrament was administered in
the fields. When I began to serve a table, the power of GOD was felt
by numbers; but the people crouded so upon me, that I was obliged
to desist and go to preach at one of the tents, whilst the ministers
served the rest of the tables. GOD was with them, and with his people.
There was preaching all day by one or another, and in the evening,
when the sacrament was over, at the request of the ministers I
preached to the whole congregation. I preached about an hour and a
half. Surely it was a time much to be remembered. On _Monday_ morning,
I preached again to near as many; but such an universal stir I never
saw before. The motion fled as swift as lightning from one end of the
auditory to another. You might have seen thousands bathed in tears.
Some at the same time wringing their hands, others almost swooning,
and others crying out, and mourning over a pierced Saviour. But I must
not attempt to describe it. In the afternoon, the concern again was
very great. Much prayer had been previously put up to the LORD. All
night in different companies, you might have heard persons praying to,
and praising GOD. The children of GOD came from all quarters. It was
like the passover in _Josiah_’s time. We are to have another in about
two or three months, if the LORD will. One Mr. _W――――_, a minister,
who has great popular gifts, was as well as others much owned and
helped at this time. On _Tuesday_ morning I preached at _Glasgow_, (it
was a most glorious time) and in the afternoon twice at _Inchannon_.
The LORD gave a blow to many. Yesterday morning I preached there
again, and here twice. Every time there was a great stir, especially
at this place. A great company of awakened souls is within the compass
of twenty miles, and the work seems to be spreading apace. I am
exceedingly strengthened, O unmerited mercy! both in soul and body,
and cannot now do well without preaching three times a day. The LORD
gives me great confidence about the Orphan-house, and assures me that
he will provide for me and mine. O help me to thank him. Call upon all
to bless his holy name. I know you will not be slack to praise him. I
rejoice, my dear brother, to find that you enjoy so much of GOD. May
he fill you with all his fulness. The trials you meet with, will only
make you a more able minister of the New Testament. I am of your mind
with respect to ――――. He will not prosper. The LORD hates sectarian
zeal. Dear brother, adieu. Expect to hear every opportunity from
Yours most affectionately and eternally in the blessed JESUS,
_G. W._