Chapter XXIV: Letter DCCCCLXXXVIII: To Mr. B―――― S――――

_Newcastle, August 13, 1753._

_My very dear Friend_,

MY rout is now fixed. After having preached here and hereabouts three times each day, I am to leave this place on _Thursday_, to be at _Stockton_ on _Sunday_, at _Osmotherly_ on _Monday_ noon, lie at _Topcliff_, and reach _York_, GOD willing, by way of _Burrough-bridge_, on _Tuesday_ next, and then come forwards to _Leeds_. I trust that our meeting will be like that of _Jonathan_ and _David_. Only sometimes I must change names; where it is said “_David_ exceeded,” there I will be _David_, and you _Jonathan_. Where _Jonathan_ exceeds, there I will be _Jonathan_ and you _David_. But more of this hereafter.――I must now tell you good news. I could not finish this letter last night, it is now _Tuesday_ morning. But surely heaven came down amongst us, under the last evening preaching: it was almost too much for my body. O that the prison door was set open, and the bird suffered to fly out of the cage! Then would I fly to heaven, and upon one of the boughs of free grace sing the praises of redeeming love for ever and for ever. Till then, may we be employed in singing here on earth! But I must away to _Horsey_ to preach, from whence I am to return to preach again in the evening. Thrice a day tries me, but in the LORD have I righteousness and strength. If you hear of a mob’s being raised by my preaching at _Glasgow_, assure all your friends that there was none, but Satan owes me a grudge for speaking against the playhouse. Particulars expect when we meet. In the mean while, give my tender love to all, and forget not to pray for, my dear friend.

Yours in our precious CHRIST,

_G. W._

LETTER ♦DCCCCLXXXIX.

_To Lady H――――._

_Newcastle, August 13, 1753._

_Ever-honoured Madam_,

NOT want of respect, but leisure, hath prevented my writing to your Ladyship. Since my last, I have been travelling and preaching twice or thrice, and once five times a day. I cannot tell your Ladyship of one thousandth part of what we have seen and felt. In _Scotland_ the congregations were larger than ever. At _Glasgow_, the man who owned the playhouse was made so uneasy by the word preached, that he took down the roof himself. For this Satan owes me a grudge, and therefore it is put in the paper, that a mob was raised. But there was not the least appearance of any such thing. Our weapons are not carnal, but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of Satan’s strong-holds. At _Newcastle_ our LORD fills his people with new wine. Last night much of heaven was let down into the congregation. I am now going into the country, and am to return in the evening to preach. Thrice a day is almost too much for this weak tabernacle, but in the LORD have I righteousness and strength. Next week I am to be at _York_; the word I find fastens. On _Sunday_ I hope to see Mr. _H――――_. Ere long I hope to see our common LORD in glory. O that I may be one day lifted up from the pulpit to the throne. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit; deal with me as seemeth good in thy sight! I doubt not but he deals bountifully with your Ladyship; that you and yours may greatly increase with all the increase of GOD, is the earnest prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged, dutiful and ready servant,

_G. W._

♦ “DCCCCLXXXX” replaced with “DCCCCLXXXIX”