_To the Reverend Mr. G――――._
_London, Jan. 2, 1750._
_Reverend and very dear Sir_,
WITH great pleasure did I receive yesterday a letter from Mr. _N――――_, informing me of your boldness and success in the glorious gospel of the ever-blessed GOD. It came just as I was going to read an account of the LORD’s doings in our parts to multitudes of souls. These lines were sung for you,
_Thanks to the LORD, our souls give praise,_ _Because he makes his vineyard thrive;_ _Ten thousand thanks that still he rears,_ _In answer to our daily prayers,_ _Some faithful servants bold for GOD:_ _Uphold them by thy chearing blood!_
GOD will hear our prayer; our cry shall come unto him. Go on, my dear Mr. _G――――_. The more you do, the more you may do for the ever-blessed JESUS. Be instant in season and out of season, and boldly say,
_For this let men revile my name,_ _No cross I’ll shun, I’ll fear no shame;_ _All ♦hail reproach, and welcome pain,_ _Only thy terrors, LORD, restrain._
May GOD bless you among the students! Their names are _Legion_. He that catches one of them, catches many at once. We have blessed seasons here. I have good news from _Virginia_. I hear every day of fresh persons lately brought under conviction. A learned gospel minister, who was lately turned out for the sake of JESUS, I believe will be up here soon. Grace! grace! The more we are cast out, the more will JESUS come in unto us. You must remember me to all. Want of leisure, not of love, prevents my writing. I have frequently scarce time to eat bread: and little of that serves me. But JESUS is the bread of life. Whilst his servants feed others, he feasts them. Do you not find this true by happy experience? I know you do. Go on, press forward, dear Sir, and you shall find it more and more. Excuse this hasty scribble. I hope to answer Mr. _N――――_ shortly. My wife joins in cordial salutations to all, with, reverend and dear Sir,
Yours, &c. _G. W._
♦ “bail” replaced with “hail”