_To John R――――, an Orphan, at the Orphan-house._
_On board the Mary and Ann, July 27, 1741._ _Dear John_,
I Remember you once wanted to go away from _Bethesda_. Adore the free grace and mercy of that GOD, who has kept you there. I trust, it will prove the saving of your precious and immortal soul. To see oneself lost and condemned by nature, is the first step to conversion. I hope before this time you have found yourself saved by grace: for “by grace alone you are to be saved, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of GOD.” The LORD JESUS hath indeed been knocking at the door of your heart. I trust, now he will break the door open, and give himself admission. Dear _John_, you may well wonder, that the LORD hath not sent you to hell. I trust, that you feel you deserve it. O that GOD may pluck you as a brand out of the burning. This was my only view in bringing you to _Bethesda_. This is the only desire of the dear friends who have the rule over you; they watch for your soul, &c. The devil (as you observe) watches to destroy it: and, therefore, my dear boy, away to JESUS CHRIST. He can take away the heart of stone: he can give you an heart of flesh. All things are possible with Him. That GOD may give you grace to take the kingdom of heaven with a holy violence, is the hearty prayer of, dear _John_,
Your sincere friend,