Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/43

 or seventy pounds are collected weekly for the poor children. Thousands would come in to hear, but cannot. This night I preached a funeral sermon before a most crouded audience, and, I believe, worked upon the people's hearts. O pray for me still, dear Sir, that I may renew my strength, that I may walk and not be weary, run and not be faint. Admire 's free grace in, and let his goodness to me, the worst of sinners, strengthen your faith, and make you never to despair of mercy. Farewell. My love to all, and am, Dear Sir, in sincerity, Your friend, &c. G. W.    LETTER XXIX. To Mrs. H.

Dear Mrs. H.                 London, Dec. 23, 1737.

ONCE more I send you a line. Nothing but an excess of business, should have prevented me writing to you oftner. Your favours, I hope, will never be forgotten, and never cease to be mentioned before the throne of grace, only knows, how earnestly I have recommended you and your's to his never-failing mercy. On Wednesday night eighteen of us continued all night in praises, and praying for you and our other friends. I know, that passion is the sin, which most easily besets you, and therefore I always pray that you may have grace given you to conquer it, and to learn of to be meek and lowly in heart. Then, and not till then, you will find rest to your soul. Pardon me, dear Mrs. H. for being thus free. Your kindness compels me to it. Had I not a sincere regard for you, I should not express myself thus. Besides, it's the last time, perhaps, I shall write to you in this world, and therefore would have this letter contain some instructive hints. We sail, willing, next week. Great things have been done for us here. Perhaps upwards of a thousand pounds have been collected for the poor, and the charity schools, and I have preached above an hundred times, since I have been here. A visible alteration is made also in hundreds. Last Sunday at six in the morning, when I gave my farewell, the whole church was drowned in tears: they wept and cried aloud, as a mother