_To Mr. H――――, in Georgia._
_Cambuslang, Aug. 17, 1742._ _My very dear Friend and Brother_,
WITH a great deal of pleasure I received your letters dated _May 14th_, _26th_, _29th_, and _June 1st_. Blessed be GOD! for all his goodness, in providing for my dear family in that wilderness, by such various unexpected ways. It caused my heart to leap for joy. I find you have been wrongfully imprisoned. I should have been glad (if time had permitted) that you had wrote me word, how it has been with your soul under such a circumstance. I hope the spirit of CHRIST and of glory rested upon you. Glad should I have been to have sung and prayed with you; but my hour is not yet come. I have just now wrote to the trustees, and intend waiting upon them as soon as I come to _London_. I am persuaded the LORD will influence their hearts to do us justice. I am glad you wrote so properly to the General, and that GOD hath given you favour in his sight. “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes his very enemies to be at peace with him.” I intend sending him and Mr. _Jones_ a letter of thanks. I owe Mr. _S――――_ only about ninety pounds, and about a hundred and fifty more in all, upon the Orphan-house account in _England_. I am just publishing a further account, which I am persuaded the LORD will bless. I would not have you to undertake any business you do not like. I think the LORD has fitted you for your present station. Professor _Franck_ held it dangerous to change persons frequently, who were entrusted with the care of the orphans. I am of your opinion as to hiring servants.――It is impossible to tell you, my dear man, what I have seen, heard, and felt since I came last to _Scotland_. The glorious _Emmanuel_ rides daily on in the chariot of his gospel, from conquering and to conquer. The congregations are just like that at _Fogg-Manor_.――I am opposed on all sides. Dear Mr. _E――――_’s people have lately kept a fast upon my account. The kirk presbyters also, now they see the Seceders splitting, notwithstanding I have been instrumental in GOD’s hands, in some degree, in stopping the secession, begin to call some of their ministers to account for employing me: but who can stand before envy? In the midst of all, my dear Master keeps me leaning upon himself, and causes me to walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghost from morning to night. I wish time would have allowed you to have wrote a little about his love, and to have abounded more in thanks for the opportune supplies which he sent you. But I am sure that my dear Mr. _H――――_ is not wanting in either of these. I think that I see you grow in grace. I assure you, you are dearer to me than ever. My wife readily excuses your not writing, knowing what it is to be in a hurry of business. O pray that we may have a prosperous voyage to you, by the will of GOD. By this time I suppose you are a father. May GOD teach you and your wife how to order the child! I have much to say to you both, when I see you. My dear old friend, and first fellow-traveller, GOD has yet great blessings in store for us. He will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he with-hold from them that lead a godly life. Methinks I am conversing with you now. May GOD give us a happy meeting! He will, he will! For the present I must bid my dear man good night. I stole this day from public preaching, to dispatch my private affairs. All join in hearty love to, and prayers for you. Accept of the same in the most tender manner, from, my dear Mr. _H――――_,
Your most affectionate friend, brother, and servant till death,