_On board the Elizabeth, Gravesend, August 14, 1739._ _Dear Madam_,
YOUR affectionate parting, and the tears I observed you to shed, even when I was at a distance from you, made me almost ready to cry out “What mean you to weep and to break my heart?” Oh may our dear LORD put your tears into his bottle, and reward you a thousand fold for all the kindnesses you have shewn to me! Indeed I am less than the least of his servants. But yet, so loving is my dear Master, that he will not let a cup of cold water given in his name, to pass by unobserved or unrewarded. When partaking of your bounty of flour, I hope I shall pray that you and your’s may eat bread in the kingdom of GOD. You have all good desires; I hope you are not far from the kingdom of GOD.――Oh let there not be any thing lacking. Give GOD your hearts, your whole hearts; let JESUS CHRIST’s be your whole wisdom, your whole righteousness; and then he will be your whole sanctification and eternal redemption. I write this from my floating habitation, to assure you how sincerely I am
Your most obliged friend and affectionate humble servant,