_To Mr. E――――s._
_London, August 3, 1765._
_Dear Mr. E――――s_,
I AM very weak in body, but gratitude constrains me to send you a few lines of love unfeigned, for your labours of love during my absence abroad. I rejoice to hear they were blessed. Our friends tell me, that the sound of your Master’s feet was certainly heard behind you. To Him, and Him alone, be all the glory! Is not this encouragement, my dear brother, to go on, and to be instant in season and out of season? If GOD will work, who shall hinder?
Give us thy strength, O GOD of power, Then let winds blow and thunders roar: Thy faithful witnesses we’ll be; ’Tis fix’d! we can do all through thee.
Thanks be to GOD, we do not go a warfare on our own charges; the Captain of our salvation will conquer for and in us. Let us but acknowledge him in all our ways, and He hath given us his royal word, that “He will direct and prosper all our paths.”
Fix on his work our stedfast eye, So shall our work be done.――――
Our enemies shall be at peace with us, and the very ravens, birds of prey, shall be obliged to come and feed us. O for an increase of faith! I hope you have refreshing times from the presence of the LORD, among your own flock. May grace, mercy, and peace, be multiplied amongst you! If the common interest of the Redeemer be promoted, I rejoice, yea and will rejoice. My earnest prayer is, that you, and all that labour in our LORD’s vineyard, may more and more be taught to give every one their portion of meat in due season; and may your rod blossom more and more! O to end life well. Methinks I have now but one more river to pass over, _Jordan_. And we know of one that can carry us over, without being ankle deep. How are Messrs. _G――――th, A――――ge_, &c. &c. _S――――k_ and his wife send cordial salutations. I left them labouring on their _Bethesda_ plan, till the intended college is established. Yet a little while, and all true labourers shall enter into the joy of their LORD. Amen! _Hallelujah!_ Cease not to pray for, dear Mr. _E――――s_,
Yours, &c. in the blessed JESUS,