258. Letter Cclvii.
LETTER CCLVII.
T o the Rev. Mr. D――, at Edinburgh.
On board the Minerva, Feb. 16, 1741.
Reverend and dear Sir, IF I mistake not, Mr. M. informed me, that you was entered into the ministry; I pray God to enable you to make full proof of it. O dear Sir, how holy ought we to be, who are called to stand before the Lord.—When I consider the greatness of the office and my own unworthiness, I am sometimes quite abashed. This promise, "Lo I am with you always," is my daily support. Blessed be God, I find it fulfilled in my soul. A great work is begun in America, at Georgia, South-Carolina, New-York, Philadelphia, and New-England. God has confirmed the word by spiritual miracles and signs. You will see what I have wrote to dear Mr. T――. Your assistance in respect to the Orphan-house will be very acceptable. I am several hundreds of pounds in debt on that account. The God whom I serve is able to discharge it. You have heard of the liberality of the New-England people; dear Mr. D―― God's goodness astonishes me. What! can I think any thing
too much to do, or to suffer for so dear a Master? I was lately bound over at Charles-Town in South-Carolina, for libelling the clergy. The libel, falsely so called, I shall soon send you after my arrival. Thus opposition is coming on gradually: pray that the Lord may cover me with all his armour. I am a weak defenceless creature in myself; Jesus alone is my strength and my
Redeemer. I write this on board, that you may know, you are not forgotten; no, tho' I never saw you in the flesh, you are much beloved by, dear Sir,
Your affectionate brother and fellow-labourer in our dear Lord's vineyard, G. W.