Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/362

 knows, how often you are remembered and wrestled for, by, my Lord,

Your Lordship's most obliged humble servant, G. W.    LETTER CCCLXXX. To the Right Honourable Lady Mary H.

Abergavenny, Dec. 24, 1741.

Honoured Madam,

THIS morning I received your Ladyship's kind letter; when perused, I laid it before the of all Lords, and prayed for you and yours with all my power. My dear wife and Mr. S joined heartily with me, and by this send their most humble respects. We do not despair of waiting upon your Ladyship next Spring: but ere that time, we may be all launched into the world of spirits, where we shall sing glory to him that sitteth upon the throne for ever. Does not your Ladyship long for that happy hour? Methinks I hear you ready to say

I.

How long, great ! how long must I, Immers'd in this dark prison lie? When shall I leave this dusky sphere, And be all mind, all eye, all ear?

II.

I long to see that excellence, Which at such distance strikes my sense; My soul attempts to disengage Her wings from this her earthly cage.

III.

Wouldst thou, Great Love, once set her free, Hast'ning she'd quick unite to thee; She'd for no guardian angels stay, But fly and love thro' all the way.

This, I believe, was the language of your honoured mother's heart, who is now joined with the heavenly choir above. Methinks I hear her say, "Daughter, follow me as I followed more holy you are, the nearer shall you sit to the -Man
 * aspire after the highest degrees of holiness, for the