397. Letter Mccclx.
LETTER MCCCLX.
L ondon, July 21, 1767.
My dear Sir, I HOPE, ere this comes to hand, you will have taken your second degree.
A good degree indeed: to be a preacher, a young preacher, a mobbed, perhaps a stoned preacher—O what an honour! How many prayers will you get when I read your letter at Tabernacle; and the prayers of so many dear children of God will do you no hurt, I assure you. When we are fighting with Amalek below, it is good to have a Joshua praying for us above. Jesus is our Joshua, Jesus is our intercessor; he liveth, he ever liveth to make intercession, especially for his young soldiers. Yonder, yonder he sits: whilst praying he reaches out a crown: at this distance you may see written in capital letters, Vincenti dabo. All a gift, a free gift, though purchased by his precious blood. Tell churchmen, tell meetingers, tell the wounded, tell all of this: tell them when you are young; you may not live to be old: tell them whilst you are an under graduate; you may be dead, buried, glorified, before you take a college degree: tell those who would have you spare
yourself, that time is short, that eternity is endless, that the Judge is before the door: but I can no more,—the thought overwhelms: but with what? with joy, joy unspeakable and full of glory. Good night! I long to hear particulars from ――. If you send me word that young ―― is there, I will answer his letter that hath lain by me some time. My poor prayers await you all. God bless you! God bless you!
Yours, &c. &c. in Jesus, G. W.