_To Mr. W――――t._
_Boston, September 17, 1770._
_Dear Mr. W――――t_,
I AM afraid, as Mr. _E――――n_ mentioned your writing, that your letter hath miscarried. But, blessed be GOD! I find all was well; only I want to know what things are wanted, that I might order them from _Philadelphia_, by Captain _Souder_. Fain would I contrive to come by him, but people are so importunate for my stay in these parts, that I fear it will be impracticable. LORD JESUS, direct my goings in thy way! He will, he will! My GOD will supply all my wants, according to the riches of his grace in CHRIST JESUS. By a letter, received last night from Mr. _W――――y_, of _July 5_, I find that Mr. _D――――n_ was arrived, _Anderson_ sailed, and that all orders would be immediately complied with. Two or three evenings ago, I was taken in the night with a violent lax, attended with reaching and shivering, so that I was obliged to return from _Newbury_, &c. &c.; but, through infinite mercy, I am restored, and to-morrow morning hope to begin to begin again. Never was the word received with greater eagerness than now. All opposition seems as it were for a while to cease. I find GOD’s time is the best. The season is critical as to outward circumstances. But when forts are given up, the LORD JESUS can appoint salvation for walls and for bulwarks; he hath promised to be a wall of fire round about his people. This comforts me concerning _Bethesda_, though we should have a _Spanish_ war. You will be pleased to hear I never was carried through the summer’s heat so well; I hope it hath been so with you, and all my family. Hoping, ere long, to see you, I must hasten to subscribe myself, my dear Mr. _W――――t_,
Yours, &c. &c. &c.