LETTER CCCLXXVI.
To Mr. J H.
London, Dec. 7, 1741.
My very dear Friend and Brother,
I Came hither last Friday, and received a packet of letters from Bethesda; but wonder to find none from you. When I read brother Grant's account of the circumstances of the family, I remember what the Lord pressed upon my soul on ship-board, "The bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast in those days." However, be not discouraged; professor F's students were once obliged to sell their cloaths to buy candles. The work of God advances here greatly. We have a large society, consisting of several hundreds, and a noble place to meet in: I have called it a Tabernacle, because, perhaps, we may be called to move our tents. In Wiltshire, and at Kingswood, there are many good souls, and two new houses built. In Wales the door is opened wider than ever. From thence (Abergavenny) the Lord has given me a wife. Her name was James, a widow, between thirty and forty years of age. She has been a housekeeper many years. Once gay; but, for three years last past, a despised follower of the Lamb of God. I left her about three weeks ago, and am going to-morrow to settle affairs, and to bring her up to London. I thank your dear wife for her letter: had I freedom I would answer it: but I have essayed several times before I could finish this. My sister G is dead: I trust she slept in Jesus. God is pleased to let me feel more of his power than ever. O that his whole mind was in me! I hunger and thirst after righteousness: blessed be God, there is a promise that such shall be filled. By the letters sent with this, my dear family will see that I have not forgotten them. No: I pray for them continually. I cannot certainly tell when I shall leave England. Providence detains me here. The work is very extraordinary in Scotland. I hear daily accounts of its continuance and increase. The door is opened in all places. The Lords see through Mr. G's enmity, and will have nothing to do with my appeal: so that a hook is put into the leviathan's jaws. I believe we shall see
