_To the same._
_Gloucester, June 21, 1743._
ON _Saturday_ I answered your two last letters. Our Saviour sent me to _Gloucester_ for wise ends. Much substantial good has been done to several of the society. My mouth and heart were greatly opened in preaching. _Saturday_ evening was a time much to be remembered. _Sunday_, was a great day of the Son of Man. I preached at _Gloucester_ in the morning, and near _Stroud_ in the evening. The word was clothed with much power, both for sinners and saints. I think the congregation at _Hampton_ was rather greater than ever. At night we had a precious meeting in _Hampton-house_ garden; the house itself being too small to hold the people without almost stifling them. The simplicity, sweetness, and broken-heartedness of the poor souls would have melted your heart. Indeed, much grace was upon them, and many, I believe, to their unspeakable consolation, heard the voice of the LORD GOD in the trees of the garden in the cool of the day. On _Monday_ morning I preached again, and came away rejoicing. Whilst I was at _Hampton_, _J. C――――_ told me, how he and the people had been abused. My coming at this time, I believe, has much strengthened the persecuted. Indeed there is a glorious work in _Gloucestershire_. Brother _C――――_ is truly a great soul! one of the weak things that GOD has chosen to confound the strong. In my journey from _Hampton_ hither, our dear Master was graciously with us. We have blessed news from _Scotland_. Brave news also from _Pembrokeshire_. Surely the kingdom of the LORD and his CHRIST is coming on apace. I know you say, “Come, LORD JESUS, come quickly.”
Ever, ever yours, _G. W._
_P. S._ I must acquaint you, by way of postscript, of the following anecdote of the old Mr. _Cole_, a most venerable dissenting minister; whom I was always taught to ridicule, and (with shame I write it) used, when a boy, to run into his meeting-house, and cry, _Old Cole! old Cole! old Cole!_ Being asked once by one of his congregation, what business I would be of? I said, “a minister, but I would take care never to tell stories in the pulpit, like the old _Cole_.” About twelve years afterwards, the old man heard me preach in one of the churches at _Gloucester_; and on my telling some story to illustrate the subject I was upon, having been informed what I had before said, made this remark to one of his elders, “I find that young _Whitefield_ can now tell stories, as well as old _Cole_.” Being affected much with my preaching, he was as it were become young again, and used to say, when coming to and returning from _Barn_, “These are days of the Son of Man indeed!” nay, he was so animated, and so humbled, that he used to subscribe himself _my Curate_, and went about preaching after me in the country, from place to place. But one evening, whilst preaching, he was struck with death, and then asked for a chair to lean on ’till he concluded his sermon, when he was carried up stairs and died. O blessed GOD! if it be thy holy will, may my exit be like his!