Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/316

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LETTER CCCXXXVI.

To Mr. H——, at the Orphan-house.


On board the Mary and Ann, July 30, 1741.

My very dear Friend and Brother,

I Have been five days on board, and am now just at our desired haven. God's presence has sweetened the passage, and I have had freedom to write many letters besides those sent to Bethesda. If you, and dear brother B——, think proper, the little ones may be called, and the letters read before you. A word of exhortation, and a short prayer, may not be unseasonable. I thank you all for the tender care you take of the dear lambs. You serve a master, who will richly reward all your pains. I hope there will come a time, when I shall embrace and weep over you all with tears of love! At present, I feel myself a poor sinner, and stand amazed at God's goodness and patience extended towards me. I am less than the least of his mercies. You may expect to hear from me again shortly. O do not forget to pray for me. My dear friends, for the present, adieu! The Lord be with your spirit.

 Ever, ever yours, G. W.

LETTER CCCXXXVII. To Mr. J—— C——.


My very dear Brother, Edinburgh, Aug. 1, 1741.

THE Lord was very gracious to me on board. He gave us a pleasant passage. As you know that the Messrs. Erskines gave me the first invitation to Scotland, and hath been praying for me in the most public, explicit, I could almost say extravagant manner, for near two years last past, I was determined to give them the first offer of my poor ministrations. Accordingly, I went yesterday to Dumfermling, where dear Mr. R—— E—— hath got a large and separate, or, as it is commonly termed, seceding meeting-house. He received me very lovingly. I preached to his and the town's