_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 greater things than ever. My dear friend, salute all most tenderly in my name; I am exceedingly engaged, or each of them should hear particularly from,
Ever, ever yours in CHRIST,