_To the Rev. Mr. P――――._
_Upper Marlborough (Mary Land) Dec. 8, 1739_. _Rev. and dear Sir_,
TILL now, I have neither had leisure nor freedom to answer your kind letter. Blessed be GOD, who has opened the hearts of some of his people at _New York_ to receive the word. May he enable you to water what his own right hand hath planted, and grant to your labours a divine increase! Indeed I wish you good luck in the name of the LORD. I wish all his servants were prophets. Oh that he would be pleased to send forth experimental labourers into his harvest:――for I fear amongst you, as well as in other places, there are many who are well versed in the doctrines of grace, having learned them at the university, but notwithstanding are heart-hypocrites, and enemies to the power of godliness.――_Dear Sir_, I use this freedom, because I love simplicity. I confess I am but a child in grace, as well as years. Pardon this freedom, for out of the fulness and sincerity of my heart my pen writeth.――I thank your son and _dear Mr. S――――_ for what they did on my account. Alas, I fear they think too highly of me. Oh dear Sir, entreat the GOD of all grace to give me humility, so shall success not prove my ruin. My most cordial respects and hearty thanks attend dear _Mrs. P――――_, I pray GOD in all things to make her a help meet for you――As fast as I can snatch a few moments from public business, more _New York friends_ may expect to hear from me――A sense of their favours is still upon my heart――I would willingly remember them, whenever I go in and out before the LORD. Mr. _N――――_’s letter, and my next journal, will acquaint you, how the LORD JESUS has been getting himself the victory, since I left _New York_――There has been such little opposition, that I have been tempted almost to cry out, “Satan, why sleepest thou?” But GOD pities my weakness. Oh, dear Sir, thank him in my behalf, for indeed he deals most lovingly with, Rev. Sir,
Your most unworthy brother and fellow-labourer,