_To Mr. A――――._
_Bethesda, Dec. 29, 1746._
_My very dear Brother A――――_,
SINCE I wrote to you from _Maryland_, I have received two or three kind letters from you, in which I have had a particular account how affairs stand in _England_.――I bless GOD for the gracious assistance he has been pleased to afford you, and pray for a continuance and increase of it to your dear soul ever more and more――O my very dear brother, it is no small favour to be kept steady and humbly bold for the glorious _Emmanuel_ in a cloudy dark day.――This honour the LORD JESUS has conferred on you――May his past goodness strengthen your faith, and encourage you to trust in him amidst all future trials!――I say future trials――for we must never expect an entire cessation of arms, till we bow down our heads and give up the ghost――Our trials will be changed in order to discover to us the remainder of corruption in the heart; but they will not, they must not be entirely removed――The captain or our salvation was made perfect through sufferings, and so must we――Be strong therefore, my brother, in the grace which is in CHRIST JESUS――Endure afflictions――make full proof of thy ministry――Truth is great, and will prevail――Fail not writing――Other letters will acquaint you with particulars about me.――Continue in prayer, and it may be, sooner than your expectations, you may see
Your very unworthy, but affectionate brother and servant in JESUS CHRIST, _G. W._
_P. S._ My dear yoke-fellow joins in sending most cordial salutations to you, yours, and all that love the precious CHRIST.
_Charles-Town, Jan. 21, 1747._
Since I wrote the above I have had some sweet seasons at _Bethesda_: I intend staying here some days, and will redeem what time I can to write to friends――May grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon them all: Amen and Amen.――My dear wife and family are well――GOD willing, we move northward in the beginning of _March_.