LETTER DCCXLIII.
To Mr. B.
Dear Billy, London, March 10, 1749.
I Have just now heard, that a ship will sail for Philadelphia in a day or two. I cannot therefore miss the opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your last kind letter. I am sorry it brought me such bad news concerning the state of religion in your parts. My constant prayer for you, and my other Philadelphia friends is this, "Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years." Notwithstanding so wide a door is opened here, and a prospect of doing much good lies before me, yet I have settled thoughts of embarking for America in the fall. But future things belong to God. His I am, and I desire to be entirely at his alwise disposal. My wife is not yet arrived; I hear she is yet upon the water. May the Lord Jesus be her convoy! I am just returned from an excursion of about six hundred miles in the west, where I had the pleasure of seeing, that the seed sown before I embarked last for America, had been blessed abundantly. Glory be to Him, who alone has given the increase. The news you have had of my preaching to some great ones, is true; I have done it for some time twice a week, and thanks be to the blessed Redeemer, it has already produced good effects. Lady H is a mirror of piety indeed. In time, I trust of the honourable women there will not be a few, who dare to confess the Lord Jesus before men. You must remember me to all. I have scarce time to write this, so can only send one general salutation. The Lord Jesus be with all your spirits, Amen and Amen! The bearer, Mr. H, seems to be well recommended as an honest man. He is an entire stranger to every body in America, and I believe has a mind to settle in Philadelphia. I am desired to write a line in his behalf. You will do what you can for him, because he is a stranger. I could write much more, but am interrupted. Adieu, my dear man, for the present. Pray keep near the ever-blessed Redeemer, and fail not to pray for and write to
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
