Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., late of Pembroke-College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon (1771 Volume 2).djvu/333

 preparing for, and labouring to prepare others for, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." My heart at present echoes back, ", help me to do or suffer thy will; only let me be kept by thy mighty power, and when thou seest me in danger of nestling, in pity, tenderest pity, put a thorn in my nest to preserve me from it." Hitherto he has in mercy answered my prayer; and though sometimes painful to the flesh, I thank him for it with my inmost Spirit. But surely no one's heart requires so much pains to be taken with it, as doth mine. Surprizing, that the friend of sinners should yet regard me! I must still cry, "Grace! grace!" At present, honoured Madam, I am lost in wonder. May the be with your spirit, and with the spirit of your honoured sisters, whom I always remember. I doubt not but they were much concerned at your Ladyship's illness. May they long live with you, to be fellow-helpers of each others faith, and to shine as lights in the world! I hope the work goes on at Ashby. How matters go on here, your Ladyship shall know hereafter. I purpose continuing at Bristol till Monday next. I believe my brother thinks it best to have your little orphan-boy as soon as possible. May the blessing of many ready to perish descend on your Ladyship! I must now add no more, but my most dutiful respects, and my sincere acknowledgements of being, honoured Madam,  Your Ladyship's most dutiful and ready servant, G. W.     LETTER DCCCXVII.  To Mr. W.

My dear Mr. W,     Bristol, Feb. 15, 1750.

WHAT shall I say? Really I can scarce tell what to say, because I have been so long silent to my dear New-England friends. But indeed were they to know my circumstances, they would pity me; for my hands have been continually so full of work, and my removes from place to place so frequent, that I often had scarce time to eat bread. However, I must now break through all restraints, and snatch a few moments to inform my dear Mr. W, that I can set up my Ebenezer, and say, "Hitherto hath my