Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/95

 to England, you may expect a visit from, dear and reverend Sir,

Your most obliged friend and servant, G. W.

LETTER LXXXVI.

My Rev. and very dear Brother,     ''Philadelphia, Nov. 10. 1739.''

EVER since since I was favoured with your last most endearing letter, you have been upon my heart more and more. As I wish all the 's servants were prophets, so it gives me uncommon pleasure, when the raises up one of our own church. Believe me, dear Sir, when I look upon her desolations, I can scarce forbear weeping over her. But blessed be, who has been pleas'd to visit her in this our day. Henceforward, I trust she will be a joyful mother of spiritual children. Many of late, under, have been begotten by some of her sons through the gospel, amongst whom I may reckon : He has been I believe, and trust will still be the ghostly father of many souls. May he increase with all the increase of, and appear before his redeemer at the last day, saying, "Behold me, O, and the children which thou hast given me." Oh dear Sir, words cannot express how affectionately I desire to esteem and love you. None but the all-seeing knows how earnestly I pray and desire to labour for the prosperity of Jerusalem. Had we a thousand hands and tongues, there is employment enough for them all: people are every where ready to perish for lack of knowledge. As the has been pleased to reveal his dear Son in us, Oh let us stir up that gift of, and with all boldness preach him to others. Freely we have received, freely let us give; what tells us by his spirit in our closets, that let us proclaim on the house top. He who sends, will protect us. All the devils in hell shall not hurt us, till we have finished our testimony. And then, if we should seal it with imprisonment or death, well will it be with us, and happy shall we be evermore! But the proof of our sincerity, will be when we come to the trial. I fear for no one so much as myself. Dear Sir, pray that you never may have reason to be ashamed of the

Most unprofitable of our 's servants, G. W.