_To Mr. W――――hy._
_On board the Friendship, September 8, 1769._
_Dear Mr. W――――hy_,
O THESE partings! Without a divine support they would be intolerable. But with that, we can even do this and every thing besides, which we are called to do or suffer. You will be glad to hear that every thing turns out beyond expectation, as to bodily health, ship accommodation, civility of passengers, &c. I only want somebody that hath a little more brains about me: but we must have our _buts_ in this trying imperfect state. Say what we will, without these things we could not have our graces kept in exercise. GOD preserve you and all my religious friends, amidst the exercises that I fear await them. Nothing less than an almighty power can preserve and keep them in a proper temper. Land-storms are often most dangerous. Tell all as they come in your way, that their prayers are heard. I serve a GOD whose mercy endureth for ever. Particular respects to Mr. _H――――s_, Mr. _B――――n_, Mr. _S――――s_, Mr. _W――――e_, and all that accounted it their privilege to assist an unworthy worm: not forgetting poor mother _E――――s_. You would all be pleased to see how well I am. Grace! grace! O the privilege and honour of leaving a little All, for a great unfailing All the ever-blessed GOD! May you be kept unspotted, that are called to abide by the stuff. You are surprizingly improved as to politeness of behaviour: may the inward man be more than equally improved, and increase with all the increase of GOD day by day! You will not fail to pray, that this may be also the happy case of, my dear Mr. _W――――y_,
Less than the least of all,