_To Mr. P――――ks._
_Within Virginia-Cape, August 24, 1763._
_My dear Mr. P――――ks_,
I FULLY purposed to write to you before my embarkation for _America_, but sickness prevented. However, I dearly love you, and often remember you before his throne, who I am persuaded hath loved and given himself for you. This he hath told you, and assured you of again and again by his blessed word and Spirit. Be not therefore faithless, but believing. O that this may find you rejoicing with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. It leaves me longing for that blissful state, where sorrow and sighing will flee away. There, there shall we meet, and in spite of all the suggestions of Satan, and the desperate wickedness of our own deceitful hearts, ere long join in singing the song of _Moses_ and the Lamb. Faithful is he that hath promised, who also will do it. Last night, but not till then, we cast anchor after near a twelve weeks passage. The last six weeks were very trying to my shattered bark. But JESUS is All in All. Help, help to praise him. To his infinite and never-failing mercy do I commend you, as being, for his great name’s sake, my dear Mr. _P――――ks_,
Yours most affectionately,