November 14, 1770

My very dear Friend: — Since last Thursday I have been in your service, heartily in it. I cannot charge myself with any neglect; and I went on more cheerfully because I thought it was my dear Master’s work, which made it pleasant. But when I heard the living was last night given to a

Mr., judge what a blow this was; I

felt exceedingly for you. I thought of Mr. M, and the poor people at K, deprived of the greatest blessing short of heaven. O my friend! indeed I was grieved sore, and began to complain and murmur —” Why could not the Lord have given his people a pastor after his own heart? Would it not have been for his glory? Are there not many precious souls in and about K

who will now want their daily bread?” Thus my heart was grieved; and it went even through my reins: so foolish was I, and ignorant. But I am recovered, and got into my right mind. Now I confess the Lord reigneth. He can make no mistake in his government. He does all things well, both for his own glory, and for his people’s good.

Mr. B -’s removal, a poor dead stick in

his room, the joyful sound heard no more in

K, the mourners going about wringing

their hands in the streets, &c. &c, &c. — put as many more complaints as you please — yet every one of them shall be made to work together for good. He has said it, and shall he not do it? yes, he will do it; and you shall know it, too. This very visitation shall be overruled, to bring about many gracious purposes, perhaps such as these:

First, a submission to his sovereign will; that you may say, all is well.

Secondly, self-examination: was it not for my fault, my not valuing, not being thankful for, not improving the blessed Gospel, that the Lord has removed our candlestick?

Thirdly, living upon Jesus more. When the streams dry up, then people are forced to go to the fountain-head: so the means failing, his people must live upon the Lord of all means.

Fourthly, living more upon the Word. If it cannot be heard, blessed be God, it may be read: prize it, meditate on it, lay it near your heart. May it be as sweet as honey, and as precious as gold, yea, as much fine gold. One single sermon to a hungry soul will be as blessed as ten thousand to one who has no appetite.

Fifthly, trust the Lord for making an opening for the Gospel, even at K ■, in his

own way. You cannot see how; why, then, that’s the time to trust, pi’ay, believe, wait. For,

Sixthly, If the shepherd has any of his

flock at K, which I cannot doubt, then

they cannot perish for lack of knowledge. He will either send the Gospel to them, or them to it.

I own it is a trying time. If I was in your circumstances, I should want all that can be said to make me think the Lord was doing right; and, therefore, my dear friend, I would lead you to some comfortable view of this matter. The blessed God enable you to give it up to him, and in patience to possess your soul! If your private loss be very distressing, try to divert the grief, and look at the public loss. Oh, what has the Church suffered in the setting of that bright star which has shone so gloriously in our hemisphere! Mr. Whitefield’s preaching is over; now he is praising. We have none left to succeed him: none of his gifts, none anything like him in usefulness. But the same glorious Jesus who gave him to us has taken him away. If he wants another such, he can make him out of a stone. Well, then, let us submit: let him alone, let him alone.

His interest at K, his interest in England,

is as dear to him as the apple of his eye. He is managing all for the best. May you and I bow the knee, and say. Thy will be done.

I have no more time but to follow this letter with my prayers, that the great Head of the Church may teach you practically what I have been mentioning; and depend upon it, a day will come when you will see this was right. Only wait; blessed are they that wait for him. Farewell, my good friend, and believe me to be yours in that dearest, sweetest Jesus,

W. R.