bless the orphan-house. I have reason to think, God will bring great good out of it. Oh that I may be prepared for future favours! Oh that pride and self-love may thoroughly be subdued! Brethren, I beseech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, to pray for me, whilst winds and storms are blowing over me. You are not forgotten by him, who, though the most unworthy of his Lord's servants, desires to subscribe himself,
Your affectionate brother, and fellow-pilgrim and labourer in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER LXXI.
My dear Friend, Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1739.
BECAUSE I will not forget you, I begin to write before we get on shore. How is dear Mr. 's heart? Has he yet recovered his first love? And is that prophecy, "This child is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel," as yet fulfilled in him. I cannot but think a good work was once wrought upon your soul. I cannot but think, God will yet fulfil his whole will in you. But let not my dear friend linger any longer. If there is mercy with God, let him be feared, not disobeyed. If he has promised to heal our back-*slidings, and love us freely, let his goodness lead us to repentance. Prosperity hath been a snare to you; every day I see the excellency of that part of Agur's, prayer, "Give me not riches, lest I be full and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord." And that petition in our liturgy, "In all time of our wealth, good Lord deliver us." I always take particular notice of it. I believe you will not be at all richer this year, than you was the last.—For as riches increase, our wants increase with them.—I write not this to have you desert your station, but to excite a holy jealousy in your heart.—Oh, what would I give to see my dear friend, as formerly, "Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." If God sends me to England again, I shall try my friends. However that be, I am persuaded, that suffering for righteousness sake, is the best, the greatest preferment in the church of Christ. But how does your little—I would not willingly say, your great idol. Pray accept a quarto bible for
