_To Mrs. D――――._
_On board the Success, May 10, 1754._
_My dear sister in CHRIST_,
IT really hath given me much concern since I have been on the mighty waters, that it was not in my power to write to you more frequently when on shore. I therefore send you a few lines from the great deep, which I hope will find you magnifying the LORD, and rejoicing in GOD your Saviour. For his great name’s sake, I am once more going to _Georgia_, and after a short tour through some parts of _America_, I hope to see my native country, and begin to begin to ramble after poor sinners again. In our way we touched at _Lisbon_, which I hope hath been blessed to me, so far as to make me prize protestant liberty and simplicity more than ever. Fain would I be one of CHRIST’s bees, and learn to extract honey from every flower. But alas! I am a drone, and deserve to be stung out of GOD’s hive. But he is gracious and long suffering. O eternity! How do I long to praise my GOD there! We are within a few hundred miles of our earthly, but when I shall arrive at my heavenly port GOD only knows. Strange! that I should be kept out at sea so long. I am now near forty. Father, thy will be done! Only vouchsafe to employ me, and then――――I can no more. The Redeemer is pleased to fill my soul. Help me to cry Grace! Grace! and believe me to be,
Your most assured friend, and ready servant, for CHRIST’s sake,