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