195. Letter Cxciv.
LETTER CXCIV.
T o Mr. J―― H――, in London.
Savannah, June 7, 1740.
My dear, dear Brother, WITH great comfort I received your long wished-for letter. It warmed my heart, and knit my soul to you much more than ever. Whenever I see the child-like simplicity and love of Jesus, it quite melts me down. Let all former misunderstandings between me and your friends be entirely forgotten. I always pitied your parents, and most earnestly prayed for them and you. Blessed be God that you are come home. You are now, I believe, as I always did believe, in your proper station. May God give you a settled habit of devotion, and so fill you with his spirit, that whilst you are working for God on earth, you may be like those blessed angels, who, though ministring to us, yet do always behold the face of our Father who is in heaven. My dear brother, let the love of Jesus constrain you to love him with all your soul. A sense of his divine love now melts down my heart, and draws tears from my eyes. O what wonderful things is God doing in
America! Savannah also, my dear Savannah, especially my little orphans, now begin to feel the love of Jesus Christ. I arrived here but about two days ago, in an hour quite unexpected by my friends. How did we weep over one another for joy! Perhaps I may never feel the like again, till I meet with the sons of God in glory: But oh what a scene was to be seen last night in the congregation! How did the stately steps of our glorious Emmanuel appear!
His glory shone with exceeding brightness. The power seemed to be coming on all the day. My soul has been much carried out in behalf of this place, and now the Lord is about to answer my prayer. T―― D―― was yesterday in a glorious agony. I prayed with three of the girls before I went to church, and their hearts were ready to break: I prayed also, with strong cryings and tears, with my other dear friends, and God was much with us then; but when we came to church, oh what was to be seen, and heard, and felt there! The power of the Lord came as it were upon all. Most of the children, both boys and girls, cried bitterly, and most of the congregation were drowned in tears, and mourned as a woman mourneth for her firstborn. Expence of spirits made my body weak, but my soul still wrestled earnestly with God. When I came home, I lay upon my bed; but seeing the children and people come home crying, I went to prayer again, and a greater power than ever still attended it. O how was my soul carried out, and how did the Holy Ghost fill the room! At last I thought proper to dismiss them; but it would have charmed your heart to hear the little ones in different parts of the house praying, and begging of Jesus to take full possession of their hearts. The same power continues to-day: For near two hours, four or five of the girls have been before the Lord weeping most bitterly, and under such agonies, as gives me hope our Lord will soon send them deliverance. I have not yet talked with the boys, who also have been under great concern,
and one especially in great agonies. I believe two or three will be truly gracious. I have brought with me a Latin master, and on Monday laid a foundation in the name of our dear Jesus for an university in Georgia. God blesses me (O free and sovereign grace) in every thing I undertake. Our
Orphan-house comes under better regulations every day, and I am persuaded, in the end, will produce some true followers of Jesus Christ. I am now looking for fresh attacks from the enemy, after such inroads. He has been busy since my departure, but the Lord hath vouchsafed to rebuke and disappoint him. My dear brother, may the Lord be with you! For Christ's sake desire dear Brother W―― to avoid disputing with me. I think
I had rather die, than to see a division between us; and yet, how can we walk together, if we oppose each other? Adieu. Dear James, with much tenderness I subscribe myself Ever yours, G. W.