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Probability and Statistics
Fourth Edition
This page intentionally left blank
 Probability and Statistics
Fourth Edition

Morris H. DeGroot
Carnegie Mellon University

Mark J. Schervish
Carnegie Mellon University

Addison-Wesley
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

DeGroot, Morris H., 1931–1989.
Probability and statistics / Morris H. DeGroot, Mark J. Schervish.—4th ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-321-50046-5
1. Probabilities—Textbooks. 2. Mathematical statistics—Textbooks.
I. Schervish, Mark J. II. Title.
QA273.D35 2012
519.2—dc22
2010001486

Copyright © 2012, 2002 Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United
States of America. For information on obtaining permission for use of material in this work,
please submit a written request to Pearson Education, Inc., Rights and Contracts Department,
75 Arlington Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02116, fax your request to 617-848-7047, or e-mail
at http://www.pearsoned.com/legal/permissions.htm.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10—EB—14 13 12 11 10

ISBN 10: 0-321-50046-6

www.pearsonhighered.com ISBN 13: 978-0-321-50046-5
To the memory of Morrie DeGroot.
MJS
This page intentionally left blank
Contents

Preface xi

1 Introduction to Probability 1
1.1 The History of Probability 1
1.2 Interpretations of Probability 2
1.3 Experiments and Events 5
1.4 Set Theory 6
1.5 The Definition of Probability 16
1.6 Finite Sample Spaces 22
1.7 Counting Methods 25
1.8 Combinatorial Methods 32
1.9 Multinomial Coefficients 42
1.10 The Probability of a Union of Events 46
1.11 Statistical Swindles 51
1.12 Supplementary Exercises 53

2 Conditional Probability 55
2.1 The Definition of Conditional Probability 55
2.2 Independent Events 66
2.3 Bayes’ Theorem 76
 2.4 The Gambler’s Ruin Problem 86
2.5 Supplementary Exercises 90

3 Random Variables and Distributions 93

3.1 Random Variables and Discrete Distributions 93
3.2 Continuous Distributions 100
3.3 The Cumulative Distribution Function 107
3.4 Bivariate Distributions 118
3.5 Marginal Distributions 130
3.6 Conditional Distributions 141
3.7 Multivariate Distributions 152
3.8 Functions of a Random Variable 167
3.9 Functions of Two or More Random Variables 175
 3.10 Markov Chains 188
3.11 Supplementary Exercises 202

vii
viii Contents

4 Expectation 207
4.1 The Expectation of a Random Variable 207
4.2 Properties of Expectations 217
4.3 Variance 225
4.4 Moments 234
4.5 The Mean and the Median 241
4.6 Covariance and Correlation 248
4.7 Conditional Expectation 256
 4.8 Utility 265
4.9 Supplementary Exercises 272

5 Special Distributions 275

5.1 Introduction 275
5.2 The Bernoulli and Binomial Distributions 275
5.3 The Hypergeometric Distributions 281
5.4 The Poisson Distributions 287
5.5 The Negative Binomial Distributions 297
5.6 The Normal Distributions 302
5.7 The Gamma Distributions 316
5.8 The Beta Distributions 327
5.9 The Multinomial Distributions 333
5.10 The Bivariate Normal Distributions 337
5.11 Supplementary Exercises 345

6 Large Random Samples 347

6.1 Introduction 347
6.2 The Law of Large Numbers 348
6.3 The Central Limit Theorem 360
6.4 The Correction for Continuity 371
6.5 Supplementary Exercises 375

7 Estimation 376
7.1 Statistical Inference 376
7.2 Prior and Posterior Distributions 385
7.3 Conjugate Prior Distributions 394
7.4 Bayes Estimators 408
 Contents ix

7.5 Maximum Likelihood Estimators 417

7.6 Properties of Maximum Likelihood Estimators 426
 7.7 Sufficient Statistics 443
 7.8 Jointly Sufficient Statistics 449
 7.9 Improving an Estimator 455
7.10 Supplementary Exercises 461

8 Sampling Distributions of Estimators 464

8.1 The Sampling Distribution of a Statistic 464
8.2 The Chi-Square Distributions 469
8.3 Joint Distribution of the Sample Mean and Sample Variance 473
8.4 The t Distributions 480
8.5 Confidence Intervals 485
 8.6 Bayesian Analysis of Samples from a Normal Distribution 495
8.7 Unbiased Estimators 506
 8.8 Fisher Information 514
8.9 Supplementary Exercises 528

9 Testing Hypotheses 530

9.1 Problems of Testing Hypotheses 530
 9.2 Testing Simple Hypotheses 550
 9.3 Uniformly Most Powerful Tests 559
 9.4 Two-Sided Alternatives 567
9.5 The t Test 576
9.6 Comparing the Means of Two Normal Distributions 587
9.7 The F Distributions 597
 9.8 Bayes Test Procedures 605
 9.9 Foundational Issues 617
9.10 Supplementary Exercises 621

10 Categorical Data and Nonparametric Methods 624

10.1 Tests of Goodness-of-Fit 624
10.2 Goodness-of-Fit for Composite Hypotheses 633
10.3 Contingency Tables 641
10.4 Tests of Homogeneity 647
10.5 Simpson’s Paradox 653
 10.6 Kolmogorov-Smirnov Tests 657
x Contents

 10.7 Robust Estimation 666

 10.8 Sign and Rank Tests 678
10.9 Supplementary Exercises 686

11 Linear Statistical Models 689

11.1 The Method of Least Squares 689
11.2 Regression 698
11.3 Statistical Inference in Simple Linear Regression 707
 11.4 Bayesian Inference in Simple Linear Regression 729
11.5 The General Linear Model and Multiple Regression 736
11.6 Analysis of Variance 754
 11.7 The Two-Way Layout 763
 11.8 The Two-Way Layout with Replications 772
11.9 Supplementary Exercises 783

12 Simulation 787
12.1 What Is Simulation? 787
12.2 Why Is Simulation Useful? 791
12.3 Simulating Specific Distributions 804
12.4 Importance Sampling 816
 12.5 Markov Chain Monte Carlo 823
12.6 The Bootstrap 839
12.7 Supplementary Exercises 850

Tables 853
Answers to Odd-Numbered Exercises 865
References 879
Index 885
Preface

Changes to the Fourth Edition

.
I have reorganized many main results that were included in the body of the
text by labeling them as theorems in order to facilitate students in finding and
referencing these results.
.
I have pulled the important defintions and assumptions out of the body of the
text and labeled them as such so that they stand out better.
.
When a new topic is introduced, I introduce it with a motivating example before
delving into the mathematical formalities. Then I return to the example to
illustrate the newly introduced material.
.
I moved the material on the law of large numbers and the central limit theorem
to a new Chapter 6. It seemed more natural to deal with the main large-sample
results together.
.
I moved the section on Markov chains into Chapter 3. Every time I cover this
material with my own students, I stumble over not being able to refer to random
variables, distributions, and conditional distributions. I have actually postponed
this material until after introducing distributions, and then gone back to cover
Markov chains. I feel that the time has come to place it in a more natural
location. I also added some material on stationary distributions of Markov
chains.
.
I have moved the lengthy proofs of several theorems to the ends of their
respective sections in order to improve the flow of the presentation of ideas.
.
I rewrote Section 7.1 to make the introduction to inference clearer.
.
I rewrote Section 9.1 as a more complete introduction to hypothesis testing,
including likelihood ratio tests. For instructors not interested in the more math-
ematical theory of hypothesis testing, it should now be easier to skip from
Section 9.1 directly to Section 9.5.

Some other changes that readers will notice:

.
I have replaced the notation in which the intersection of two sets A and B had
been represented AB with the more popular A ∩ B. The old notation, although
mathematically sound, seemed a bit arcane for a text at this level.
.
I added the statements of Stirling’s formula and Jensen’s inequality.
.
I moved the law of total probability and the discussion of partitions of a sample
space from Section 2.3 to Section 2.1.
.
I define the cumulative distribution function (c.d.f.) as the prefered name of
what used to be called only the distribution function (d.f.).
.
I added some discussion of histograms in Chapters 3 and 6.
.
I rearranged the topics in Sections 3.8 and 3.9 so that simple functions of random
variables appear first and the general formulations appear at the end to make
it easier for instructors who want to avoid some of the more mathematically
challenging parts.
.
I emphasized the closeness of a hypergeometric distribution with a large num-
ber of available items to a binomial distribution.

xi
xii Preface

.
I gave a brief introduction to Chernoff bounds. These are becoming increasingly
important in computer science, and their derivation requires only material that
is already in the text.
.
I changed the definition of confidence interval to refer to the random interval
rather than the observed interval. This makes statements less cumbersome, and
it corresponds to more modern usage.
.
I added a brief discussion of the method of moments in Section 7.6.
.
I added brief introductions to Newton’s method and the EM algorithm in
Chapter 7.
.
I introduced the concept of pivotal quantity to facilitate construction of confi-
dence intervals in general.
.
I added the statement of the large-sample distribution of the likelihood ratio
test statistic. I then used this as an alternative way to test the null hypothesis
that two normal means are equal when it is not assumed that the variances are
equal.
.
I moved the Bonferroni inequality into the main text (Chapter 1) and later
(Chapter 11) used it as a way to construct simultaneous tests and confidence
intervals.

How to Use This Book

The text is somewhat long for complete coverage in a one-year course at the under-
graduate level and is designed so that instructors can make choices about which topics
are most important to cover and which can be left for more in-depth study. As an ex-
ample, many instructors wish to deemphasize the classical counting arguments that
are detailed in Sections 1.7–1.9. An instructor who only wants enough information
to be able to cover the binomial and/or multinomial distributions can safely dis-
cuss only the definitions and theorems on permutations, combinations, and possibly
multinomial coefficients. Just make sure that the students realize what these values
count, otherwise the associated distributions will make no sense. The various exam-
ples in these sections are helpful, but not necessary, for understanding the important
distributions. Another example is Section 3.9 on functions of two or more random
variables. The use of Jacobians for general multivariate transformations might be
more mathematics than the instructors of some undergraduate courses are willing
to cover. The entire section could be skipped without causing problems later in the
course, but some of the more straightforward cases early in the section (such as con-
volution) might be worth introducing. The material in Sections 9.2–9.4 on optimal
tests in one-parameter families is pretty mathematics, but it is of interest primarily
to graduate students who require a very deep understanding of hypothesis testing
theory. The rest of Chapter 9 covers everything that an undergraduate course really
needs.
In addition to the text, the publisher has an Instructor’s Solutions Manual, avail-
able for download from the Instructor Resource Center at www.pearsonhighered
.com/irc, which includes some specific advice about many of the sections of the text.
I have taught a year-long probability and statistics sequence from earlier editions of
this text for a group of mathematically well-trained juniors and seniors. In the first
semester, I covered what was in the earlier edition but is now in the first five chap-
ters (including the material on Markov chains) and parts of Chapter 6. In the second
semester, I covered the rest of the new Chapter 6, Chapters 7–9, Sections 11.1–11.5,
and Chapter 12. I have also taught a one-semester probability and random processes
 Preface xiii

course for engineers and computer scientists. I covered what was in the old edition
and is now in Chapters 1–6 and 12, including Markov chains, but not Jacobians. This
latter course did not emphasize mathematical derivation to the same extent as the
course for mathematics students.
A number of sections are designated with an asterisk (*). This indicates that
later sections do not rely materially on the material in that section. This designation
is not intended to suggest that instructors skip these sections. Skipping one of these
sections will not cause the students to miss definitions or results that they will need
later. The sections are 2.4, 3.10, 4.8, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.6, 8.8, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.8, 9.9, 10.6,
10.7, 10.8, 11.4, 11.7, 11.8, and 12.5. Aside from cross-references between sections
within this list, occasional material from elsewhere in the text does refer back to
some of the sections in this list. Each of the dependencies is quite minor, however.
Most of the dependencies involve references from Chapter 12 back to one of the
optional sections. The reason for this is that the optional sections address some of
the more difficult material, and simulation is most useful for solving those difficult
problems that cannot be solved analytically. Except for passing references that help
put material into context, the dependencies are as follows:
.
The sample distribution function (Section 10.6) is reintroduced during the
discussion of the bootstrap in Section 12.6. The sample distribution function
is also a useful tool for displaying simulation results. It could be introduced as
early as Example 12.3.7 simply by covering the first subsection of Section 10.6.
.
The material on robust estimation (Section 10.7) is revisited in some simulation
exercises in Section 12.2 (Exercises 4, 5, 7, and 8).
.
Example 12.3.4 makes reference to the material on two-way analysis of variance
(Sections 11.7 and 11.8).

Supplements
The text is accompanied by the following supplementary material:
.
Instructor’s Solutions Manual contains fully worked solutions to all exercises
in the text. Available for download from the Instructor Resource Center at
www.pearsonhighered.com/irc.
.
Student Solutions Manual contains fully worked solutions to all odd exercises in
the text. Available for purchase from MyPearsonStore at www.mypearsonstore
.com. (ISBN-13: 978-0-321-71598-2; ISBN-10: 0-321-71598-5)

Acknowledgments
There are many people that I want to thank for their help and encouragement during
this revision. First and foremost, I want to thank Marilyn DeGroot and Morrie’s
children for giving me the chance to revise Morrie’s masterpiece.
I am indebted to the many readers, reviewers, colleagues, staff, and people
at Addison-Wesley whose help and comments have strengthened this edition. The
reviewers were:
Andre Adler, Illinois Institute of Technology; E. N. Barron, Loyola University; Brian
Blank, Washington University in St. Louis; Indranil Chakraborty, University of Ok-
lahoma; Daniel Chambers, Boston College; Rita Chattopadhyay, Eastern Michigan
University; Stephen A. Chiappari, Santa Clara University; Sheng-Kai Chang, Wayne
State University; Justin Corvino, Lafayette College; Michael Evans, University of
xiv Preface

Toronto; Doug Frank, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Anda Gadidov, Ken-

nesaw State University; Lyn Geisler, Randolph–Macon College; Prem Goel, Ohio
State University; Susan Herring, Sonoma State University; Pawel Hitczenko, Drexel
University; Lifang Hsu, Le Moyne College; Wei-Min Huang, Lehigh University;
Syed Kirmani, University of Northern Iowa; Michael Lavine, Duke University; Rich
Levine, San Diego State University; John Liukkonen, Tulane University; Sergio
Loch, Grand View College; Rosa Matzkin, Northwestern University; Terry Mc-
Connell, Syracuse University; Hans-Georg Mueller, University of California–Davis;
Robert Myers, Bethel College; Mario Peruggia, The Ohio State University; Stefan
Ralescu, Queens University; Krishnamurthi Ravishankar, SUNY New Paltz; Diane
Saphire, Trinity University; Steven Sepanski, Saginaw Valley State University; Hen-
Siong Tan, Pennsylvania University; Kanapathi Thiru, University of Alaska; Ken-
neth Troske, Johns Hopkins University; John Van Ness, University of Texas at Dal-
las; Yehuda Vardi, Rutgers University; Yelena Vaynberg, Wayne State University;
Joseph Verducci, Ohio State University; Mahbobeh Vezveai, Kent State University;
Brani Vidakovic, Duke University; Karin Vorwerk, Westfield State College; Bette
Warren, Eastern Michigan University; Calvin L. Williams, Clemson University; Lori
Wolff, University of Mississippi.
The person who checked the accuracy of the book was Anda Gadidov, Kenne-
saw State University. I would also like to thank my colleagues at Carnegie Mellon
University, especially Anthony Brockwell, Joel Greenhouse, John Lehoczky, Heidi
Sestrich, and Valerie Ventura.
The people at Addison-Wesley and other organizations that helped produce
the book were Paul Anagnostopoulos, Patty Bergin, Dana Jones Bettez, Chris
Cummings, Kathleen DeChavez, Alex Gay, Leah Goldberg, Karen Hartpence, and
Christina Lepre.
If I left anyone out, it was unintentional, and I apologize. Errors inevitably arise
in any project like this (meaning a project in which I am involved). For this reason,
I shall post information about the book, including a list of corrections, on my Web
page, http://www.stat.cmu.edu/~mark/, as soon as the book is published. Readers are
encouraged to send me any errors that they discover.

Mark J. Schervish
October 2010
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
and prayer to God, that the labours of the dear servants of Jesus,
who are called to preach amongst you, may be so blessed and
owned from above, that I may not be missed a single moment. May
they, may you increase with all the increase, till you are all filled with
all the fulness of God. When near his throne, if there be any
consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the
Spirit, if any bowels of mercies, pray that the same blessing may be
conferred, my dear fellow-labourers, my dear Tottenham-Court
hearers, on

Your most affectionate friend, and ready servant for Christ’s

sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCCXCII.
To Mr. A――.

Virginia, September 7, 1763.

My very dear Mr. A――,

M ANY more letters did I intend to write to you and other dear
friends, had I not been prevented by storms, &c. for some
weeks before our arrival. If enabled, I shall take care to pay them as
I move from place to place. We are now on dry land. Christian
friends, whom I never before heard of, were prepared to receive me:
and I have preached four times. This leaves me in my way to
Philadelphia, still visited with my old disorder, which I now never
expect to drop, till I drop for good and all this body of clay, this body
of sin and death. I suppose you are in like circumstances, as well as
thousands besides, who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. Well: He that
cometh will come, and will not tarry. Blessed are all they that wait
for him. I hope you are favoured with precious gales of divine
influence. Tender love to all our dear fellow-labourers, and to all our
dear hearers of every denomination, in every place. You will not
forget a poor pilgrim, who, though absent in body is present in spirit.
Hoping to write in a few days to dear Mr. Middleton, &c. and wishing
you and yours all that a blessed never-failing God can give you in
time and eternity, I subscribe myself, my very dear old friend,

Ever yours, &c. in our precious Emmanuel,

G. W.

LETTER MCCXCIII.
To Mr. W――y.

Philadelphia, September. 29, 1763.

My dear Mr. W――y,

E BENEZER! Hitherto the Lord hath helped! I have been here above
a week; but still an invalid.

Strange, that a harp of thousand strings

Should keep in tune so long!

Poor Wright is taking his American seasoning. He hath the ague and
fever. This prevents his writing. Inform his relations of it. He wants
for nothing. When you write, mention nothing but what relates to
the eternal world. I have no thoughts to throw away on the trifling
things of time. Tender love to all that are travelling to the New-
Jerusalem. There, if no sooner, we shall meet and praise the never-
failing Emmanuel, for whose great name’s sake I subscribe myself,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCCXCIV.
To Mr. R―― K――n.

Philadelphia, October 21, 1763.

My very dear Mr. K――n,

T HE bearer, Mr. R――d, is a young sober gentleman, intended for

the temple, and will be very glad to see and hear Mr. Romaine,
and other gospel ministers. I hope all are flaming for God, even a
God in Christ. Here are some young bright witnesses rising up in the
church. Perhaps I have already conversed with forty new-creature
ministers of various denominations. Sixteen hopeful students, I am
credibly informed, were converted at New-Jersey college, last year.
What an open door, if I had strength! But—Father, thy will be done!
blessed be His name, I can preach now and then. Last Tuesday we
had a remarkable season among the Lutherans. Children and grown
people were much impressed. Grace! grace! If possible, I intend
returning with Mr. H――m (now here) to Georgia. You will hear the
determination by the next ship, that goes very soon. I wrote to dear
Mr. H――y very lately, by way of Bristol. Tender, tender love to him,
and to all. I have scarce time to beg the continued interest of all
your prayers, in behalf of, my dear steady old friend,

Yours, &c. in our Jesus,

 G. W.

LETTER MCCXCV.
To Mr. D――, &c.

Philadelphia, November 8, 1763.

My very dear Friends,

M AN appoints, God for wise reasons disappoints. All was ready for
my coming by land to you at Bethesda, with Mr. H――m; but
several things concurred to prevent me, and the physicians all agree,
that the only chance I have for growing better, is to stay and see
what the cold weather will do for me. Fain would I say, however it
may cross my will, Father, thy will be done! At present, I make a
shift to preach twice a week. But alas, my strength is perfect
weakness. What a mercy that Jesus is all in all! You will let me hear
from you very particularly, by Captain Bolitha, or any other
opportunity, either to this place or New-York. I want to know the
present state of all your affairs in every respect. Surely the blessed
Emmanuel, who hath brought me thus far, will give us an interview
by and by. That it may be a very happy one here below, and a
prelude to an infinitely more happy and never-ceasing one above, is
the hearty prayer of, my very dear friends,

Yours, &c. &c. in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCCXCVI.
 To Mr. R―― K――n.

Philadelphia, November 14, 1763.

My dear old Friend,

T HIS comes by one Mr. R――, reputed to be a real christian and

an expert tradesman, but greatly afflicted with a nervous head-
ach. He will be glad of some spiritual acquaintance. Fain would he
have had me under his roof. I wish he may get help, but I think we
have got our life warrant. Mr. Cruttenden I find is released; and a
dear minister of New-York got free on Saturday. I am here yet, left
behind, and now about to make my first excursion to the New-Jersey
college. Twice a week preaching, is my present allowance. Many of
various ranks seem to be brought under real concern. Physicians are
absolutely against my going to Georgia, till I get more strength.
Besides, it is doubtful whether the southern Indians will not break
out, and therefore a little stay in these parts may on that account be
most prudent. Lord Jesus, direct my goings in thy way! Accept my
wonted general salutation; tender love to all. You and yours will not
cease to pray for, my dear steady friend,

Yours, &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCXCVII.
To Mr. D――n, &c.

Elizabeth-Town, November 26, 1763.

My very dear Friends,

H OW is this? Am I come four thousand miles to winter with you,
and like to be disappointed at last? I fear so; for alas, only by
travelling thus far from Philadelphia in my way to New-York, I am
quite fatigued. But I do not despair yet, if God gives me any
strength. Pray hard, and who knows what a God may do? Dear Mr.
H――m will best acquaint you with northern particulars. He leaves
me this morning, but I hope to see him at New-York the beginning
of the week, and to write more. O that I may come with him! Abba,
Father, all things are possible with thee! Adieu! My dear friend is
going. Cease not to pray for, and write to,

Yours, &c. &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCXCVIII.
New-York, December 1, 1763.

My dear Sir,

H OW thankful should I be to the adorable Jesus, and to all that

love me for his great name’s sake, for the blessed contents of
your last, dated September 10. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all
that is within me praise his holy name! May this be only an earnest
of good things to come, both in England and Wales. Ere now, I
suppose dear Mr. Davis is crying Gogunniant in London. We are
essaying to echo it back from America. Some very good impressions
have been made in Philadelphia, and we had four sweet seasons at
New-Jersey college, and two at Elizabeth-Town, in my way hither.
Some said they resembled old times. My spirits grow better. But
thrice a week is as often as I can preach. To-day I begin here, and
have thoughts of returning with Mr. H――m to Georgia, but am
fearful of relapsing by such a fatiguing passage or journey. The Lord
will direct. Mr. Cruttenden is got above these infirmities; God be
praised that he went off so comfortably! may our expiring hour be
like his! Surprized am I indeed to find that you have a little one
coming into this world which others are leaving. Lord Jesus, spare
root and branch, for thy own glory, and thy people’s good! Lord
Jesus, convert us all more and more, and make us all like little
children! Tender, tender love to all that love him in sincerity. I would
write to many more, but company, low state of health, and
travelling, render more frequent writing impracticable to, my dear
steady friend,

Yours, theirs, &c. &c. in our Jesus,

G. W.

New-York, December 4.

S INCE writing the above, blessed be God, I have preached.

Persons of all denominations seem to be athirst. Grace! grace!
Desire dear Mr. H――y to look into the Universal History of Arts and
Sciences, volume the second, page 436, for an account of
Methodism, by a papist. God bless you all. Amen and Amen. I am
just now told that the ship is going. Several other opportunities of
writing will soon offer, which, God willing, shall be embraced by, my
dear steady friend,

Ever yours, &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCXCIX.
To Mr. D――n, &c.
 New-York, December 7, 1763.

My very dear Friends,

W HAT a mortification do you think it must be to me, to part thus

from, and not to accompany my dear Mr. H――m to
Bethesda? Thus it was near twenty years ago, and yet I came,
though he left me so ill at New-England. Assure yourselves, I shall
come as soon as possible. In the mean while, I have desired Mr.
H――m to assist in supervising and settling the accompts, and to
give his advice in respect to the house, plantation, &c. &c. I beg you
will be so good as to let me have an inventory of every individual
thing, the names and number of the negroes, and what you think is
necessary to be done every way. I would only observe in general,
that I would have the family lessened as much as may be, and all
things contracted into as small a compass as possible. And now once
more adieu, though I trust but for a short season. My heart is too
full to enlarge. I have not got the account of the children taken in
since the first institution; it is left I believe in New-England. I
purpose going thither now from the southward. But it will be better
to go to heaven. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! Dear Mr. H――m
will inform you of all particulars concerning the gospel ministrations
of, my very dear friends,

Yours, ever yours, &c. &c. in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER MCCC.
To Mr. H――y.

New-York, December 8, 1763.

 Dear Sir,

B LESSED be God, I am enabled to preach thrice a week. But such

a flocking of all ranks, I never before saw at New-York. A great
number have been to see me, and several come to me in the
evening, as it should seem, to hear something of the kingdom of
God. My stay here is undetermined. Perhaps it may be till Christmas.
Many thanks are due to my London friends, for their kind assistance,
from time to time, in carrying on outward matters, and particularly
to those who were so ready to assist in compleating the tabernacle
job in such an honourable way. All with you will continue to pray for
me. I would write more, but amidst such a throng of company and
bodily weakness, it is indeed impracticable. I now repeatedly send all
my tender love; and still praying that all may be filled with all the
fulness of God, I beg leave to subscribe myself,

Yours, &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCCI.
To Mr. S―― S――.

New-York, December 16, 1763.

My very dear Friend,

I SEE by what you have done lately for the tabernacle, that you do
not forget absent friends. I think you and yours are not forgotten
by them, neither I believe are forgotten by the Friend of all. He
remembers us, though he is advanced to so great a kingdom;
remembers us in our low estate, and remembers that we are but
dust. What a blessing this to worthless, ill and hell-deserving me!
What a mercy, to meet with such a friend in the latter stages of our
road! Surely he is altogether lovely. Having loved his own, he loves
them to the end; witness his yet continuing to own the feeble
labours of an almost worn out pilgrim. Every day the thirst for
hearing the word increases, and the better sort come home to hear
more of it. I must now go soon to New-England. Cold weather and a
warm heart suit my tottering tabernacle best. The ship is going. God
bless you and yours! I hope that all related, and all who are near
and dear to you, are alive for God,—a God,—a God in Christ; in
whose great name, I beg leave to subscribe myself, my very dear
friend,

Yours, &c. &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCCCII.
To the Reverend Mr. G――.

New-York, Deuteronomy 18, 1763.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

B LESSED be God, I am better in health than when I wrote last.

Preaching thrice a week agrees pretty well with me this cold
season of the year. I am apt to believe my disorder will be periodical.
It was so with Mr. Postwick, who is now with God. Our turn must
come by and by. Who would have thought Mr. Robert Scot would
have went off so soon? Lord, what is man? O to be always ready! O
for thousands to go forth to alarm a drowsy world! New-Jersey
college is a blessed nursery; one of the purest perhaps in the
universe. The worthy President and three tutors, are all bent upon
making the students both saints and scholars. I was lately there for
a week. The Redeemer vouchsafed to own the word preached. Some
said it was like old times. Prejudices in this place have most
strangely subsided. The better sort flock as eagerly as the common
people, and are fond of coming for private gospel conversation. This
is all of grace. O for an humble and thankful heart! Perhaps I may
soon go to Boston. I know you will pray that the glorious Emmanuel
may accompany me in all my removes. That this may be the happy
lot of your whole self, and of all dear enquiring friends, is the hearty
prayer of, reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours, theirs, &c. &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

P. S. I wrote to Mr. Niven last week.

LETTER MCCCIII.
To Mr. D――n, &c.

New-York, January 12, 1764.

My very dear Friends,

C APTAIN Bolitho is returned, and not one line from Bethesda!

Surely you were not informed of his sailing, or you expected to
see me with Mr. H――m. That which lets will surely by and by be
taken out of the way. Blessed be God, the cold braces me up a little.
I am enabled to preach twice or thrice a week. Congregations
continue very large, and I trust saving impressions are made upon
many. Some students also in Philadelphia and New Jersey colleges, I
hear are much awakened. O for a blessed gale of divine influences
when we meet at Bethesda! From thence, or Charles-Town, I
purpose to embark for England. But future things belong to Him,
who (whatever may be our thoughts) always orders all things well.
To his never-failing guidance and most tender mercy do I commit
you all, as being, for his great name’s sake, my very dear friends,

Yours, &c. &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCCCIV.
To Mr. R―― K――n.

Boston, March 3, 1764.

My very dear Friend,

A S I find by letters from my wife and Mr. T―― C――, dated in

October and November, and by another from Mr. D――t, dated
in December, that my friends had heard from me more than once, I
was in hopes of receiving a few lines from you by the last New-York
packet. But I suppose you thought I was gone to the southward.
Providence shut up my way: I believe for wise reasons. The inclosed
will let you see how matters went at New-York. Since leaving that
place, a sweet influence hath attended the word at Easthampton,
Bridgehampton, and South-hold upon Long-Island, at Shelter-Island
also, and at New-London, Norwich, and ♦ Providence on the main
land. At Boston I have been received with the usual warmth of
affection. Twice have we seen the Redeemer’s stately steps in the
great congregation. But as the small-pox is likely to take an universal
spread through the town, I purpose making my country tour, and
then return to Boston in my way to the southward. Invitations come
so thick and fast from every quarter, that I know not what to do. I
cannot boast of acquiring much additional bodily strength, any
otherwise than as the cool season of the year helps to keep me up.
Twice a week is as often as I can with comfort ascend my throne.
The Redeemer vouchsafes to speak for himself there, and private
conversation is greatly blessed. Thus the taper keeps burning a little
longer: when extinguished on earth, it will be removed where it shall
burn with uninterrupted lustre in the kingdom of heaven. Till I hear
from you, and see what is determined concerning Bethesda, I
cannot think of undertaking a long voyage. Sometimes I fear my
weakness will never allow me to go on ship-board any more. But I
will wait. I will endeavour to watch and pray, and doubt not but I
shall hear a voice behind me saying, “This is the way, walk thou in
it.” In the mean while, I rejoice to find that dear Mr. Davis is come to
his winter quarters, and do earnestly pray night and day, that he and
all my dear fellow-labourers and hearers may increase with all the
increase of God. Perhaps they may pray me over once more.
Whenever the way is clear, I am ready to say, “Lord Jesus, lo I come.”
Tender, most tender love awaits you all. I must not enlarge, lest my
affections should overpower this feeble frame. In heaven it will be
otherwise. My very dear Sir, farewel. I must away to preach at
Charles-Town, a neighbouring town to Boston. Hoping ere long to
join with you all in praising God for evermore, I beg leave to
subscribe myself,

Yours, &c. &c. in our glorious Head,

G. W.

♦ “Provividence” replaced with “Providence”

LETTER MCCCV.
 To Mr. S―― S――.

Concord, 20 miles from Boston,

March 10, 1764.

My very dear Friend,

S INCE my last I suppose you have heard one way or another of

my being in this dying world, and in some measure improved
for propagating the glorious gospel. New York was New-York indeed.
We saw blessed days of the Son of Man there. Since that, in my way
to these parts, a divine influence attended the word preached in
various places. And how would you have been delighted to have
seen Mr. Wheelock’s Indians? Such a promising nursery of future
missionaries, I believe was never seen in New-England before: pray
encourage it with all your might. I also wish you could give some
useful puritanical books to Harvard-college library, lately burnt down.
Few perhaps will give such; and yet a collection of that kind is
absolutely necessary for future students and poor neighbouring
ministers, to whom I find the books belonging to the library are
freely lent out from time to time. You will not be angry with me for
these hints. I know your ambitious greedy soul: you want to grow
richer and richer towards God. O that there may be in me such a
mind! But my wings are clipped. I can only preach twice or thrice a
week with comfort. And yet a wider door than ever is opened all
along the continent. A beginning is made in Boston. But as the
small-pox is spreading there, I purpose preaching for a while in
adjacent places. With what success, you may know hereafter. I send
you and yours these few lines as a token of gratitude, respect, and
love unfeigned; but must still beg you to add to my obligations, by
continuing to pray for, my very dear friends,

Yours, &c. &c. in our glorious Head,

G. W.
 LETTER MCCCVI.
To C―― H――y, Esq.

Portsmouth, March 23, 1764.

Very dear Sir,

H OW was my heart eased by receiving yesterday your kind letter,

dated October 22d? If you and dear Mr. K――n will continue to
manage when I am present, as well as when I am absent, it may
give another turn to my mind. Who knows what a never-failing God
may do in a few months! At present, my way is clear to go on
preaching till I can journey southward. The inclosed will inform you
what hath been done by one sermon at Providence, formerly a most
ungodly place, forty miles south of Boston. At Newbury, which I left
yesterday, is a stir indeed. On Lord’s-day I shall begin here. O for
daily fresh gales! That they may every day more and more increase
with you and all your dear relations, and all dear friends, is the
hearty prayer of, very dear Sir, in great haste, but greater love,

Yours, &c. &c. &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCCVII.
To Mrs. M――h.

Portsmouth, March 30, 1764.

Dear Mrs. M――h,

I HAVE just now heard of your loss. Accept a few sympathizing
lines. I hope those that are dead, died in the Lord: if so, we had
need weep only for ourselves and for children that are left behind.
You are now more at liberty for the Redeemer’s work. I need wish
you no greater honour than that you may be a widow indeed.
Though desolate, she puts her trust in the Lord, and she continues
in prayer night and day. This hath been your old employ. By and by
you shall have nothing to do but praise.

O glorious seat! Our God our king,

Us thither bring, to kiss thy feet.

I hope ere now, that many more in the neighbouring market have
thus begun their heaven upon earth. I hear God is with you at the
chapel. Praise the Lord, O my soul! You will know from others, what
cheer the Redeemer gives us in America. Good cheer, Mrs. M――h,
good cheer. He rains down righteousness; he rains down bread from
heaven on the congregations. This supports (and at times
overcomes) my tottering tabernacle. In heaven we shall have a
glorious body. Hoping and believing that yourself and sister, Mr. and
Mrs. K――g, and Mr. and Mrs. W――, with many others, will speedily
meet there, I subscribe myself, dear Mrs. M――h,

Yours, theirs, &c. in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCCCVIII.
To Mr. and Mrs. D――n.

Boston, April 20, 1764.

 My very dear Friends,

I WISH you much joy. Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon
you both! It will, it will. Your match was certainly made in
heaven. How do I long to see you! I have been at my ne plus ultra
northward, and am now more free and capable of settling my affairs
southward. When that is done, how chearfully, with a Christ in my
heart instead of my arms, could I sing, “Lord, now lettest thou thy
servant depart in peace!” I hope you are not offended at my giving a
power of attorney to Mr. H――m. The Redeemer knows it was not
owing to a distrust of any of you, but only in case of my death, that
he might testify to the world the integrity of your actions, and the
veracity of your accounts. I am persuaded he will not desire to
interfere, but act and consult jointly, as occasion offers; and you will
go on in your old way. O that I was assured of your stay at
Bethesda! Of this I am satisfied, that you will not distress me by
leaving the place destitute of proper help. And I assure you, if I
thought we should have the least demur, I would not come at all.
My tottering tabernacle will not bear grief, especially from those
whom I so dearly love, and who have served the institution so
faithfully and disinterestedly for so many years. Verily you shall in no
wise lose your reward. What I have in my view for Bethesda, may be
better spoke of when me meet, than by letter. Lord Jesus, hasten the
wished-for time! At present, by my late excursions I am brought low;
but rest and care may brace me up again for some little further
service for our glorious Emmanuel. A most blessed influence hath
attended the word in various places, and many have been made to
cry out, “What shall we do to be saved?” O for such a cry at the
southward! Abba, Father, all things are possible with thee! To his
tender and never-failing mercy do I commit you, as being, my very
dear friends,

Yours most affectionately in the blessed Jesus,

G. W.
 LETTER MCCCIX.
To Mr. R―― K――n.

Boston, April 25, 1764.

My very dear Mr. K――n,

Y OU are a friend indeed. The Friend of sinners, the King of saints,

will bless and reward you for all your works of faith and
unfeigned labours of love. Nay, he will bless both you and your
children. God grant, that roots and branches may all increase with all
the increase of God. I find I can do but little for him, and by a late
return of my disorder, was in danger of doing less. But, blessed be
his name, I am recovered, and yesterday got upon my throne again.
Words cannot well express the eagerness of the people to hear. I
was meditating an escape to the southward last week; but Boston
people sent a gospel hue and cry after me, and really brought me
back. Lord Jesus, let it be for thy glory, and thy people’s good!
Blessed be his name for giving you so much prudence in the
management of the Chapel and Tabernacle affairs, and for
countenancing the ministerial labours at both ends of the town. The
burning bush may still be our coat of arms. By a ship that will soon
be going for London, I purpose to write to you and dear Mr. H――y
more particularly. I have very little time allowed to write this, lest the
vessel should be gone. Adieu. Tender love to all. Ten thousand
thanks, and most affectionate love await all mentioned in your last,
and all who are so kind as to enquire after, and pray for, dear Mr.
K――n,

Theirs, yours, &c. in our glorious Emmanuel,

G. W.
 LETTER MCCCXI.
To C―― H――y, Esq.

Boston, June 1, 1764.

Very dear Sir,

I HOPE this will find you safe returned from your summer tour, and
laden with the fruit of God’s everlasting love. You see where this
leaves me. Friends have even constrained me to stay here, for fear
of running into the Summer’s heat. Hitherto I find the benefit of it.
Whatever it is owing to, through mercy, I am much better in health,
than I was this time twelvemonth, and can now preach thrice a
week to very large auditories without hurt. Every day I hear of some
brought under concern; and I trust, whenever I remove, a blessing
will be left behind. This is all of grace. To the glorious giver,
purchaser, and applier of it, be all the glory. All was well at Georgia
in April, and I hope to be carried comfortably through the southern
journey that lies before me.

Christ’s presence shall my pains beguile,

And make each wilderness to smile.

In about a fortnight, God willing, I purpose to set forward. It will be

hard parting. But heaven will make amends for all. Blessed be God
that matters go on so well at London. If I get more bodily strength, I
shall think of another voyage with more comfort. But future things
belong to Him, who orders all things for the best. I would trust him
for the present day, and not be over solicitous for the morrow. Lord,
I believe, help thou my unbelief! Perhaps we may meet once more
on this side eternity. They tell me, that the Summers in these
northern parts have of late years been very cool. The event will
shew. Let it suffice that eternal truth hath assured us, that as our
day is so our strength shall be. I know I shall not want your prayers,
or the prayers of your dear relatives. Most cordial respects and ten
thousand thanks await them all; for indeed none are forgotten by,
my very dear Sir,

Yours, &c. &c. in the blessed Jesus,

G. W.

June 7.

Parting here hath been heart breaking: I cannot stand it. I must
away for the southward. Mr. T―― C―― hath a packet that will be
delivered by a friend. O for heaven! There all will be together with
the Lord. Hallelujah!

LETTER MCCCXII.
To Mr. R―― K――n.

New-York, June 25, 1764.

My very dear Friend,

H ITHERTO the Lord hath helped me. The New-England winter

campaign is over, and I am thus far on my way to Georgia. Mr.
Smith, my faithful host, writes thus: “Your departure hence never
before so deeply wounded us, and the most of this people; and they
are injudicious enough to propose sending a book full of names to
call you back. Your enemies are very few, and even they seem to be
almost at peace with you. I inclose five prints, which shew what is
said of you publicly; but as to private discourse, and secret
intercessions, you will willingly and modestly remain ignorant of the
one, and, I doubt not, feel sweetly the influences of the other.” I
add, even so, Lord Jesus, Amen! To crown the expedition, after
preaching at New-Haven college, the President came to me, as I was
going off in the chaise, and informed me that the students were so
deeply impressed by the sermon, that they were gone into the
chapel, and earnestly entreated me to give them one more quarter
of an hour’s exhortation. Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but
unto thy free and unmerited grace be all the glory! At present my
health is better than usual, and as yet I have felt no inconvenience
from the summer’s heat. Praise the Lord, O my soul! I write this in
great haste, but with greater love to you and yours, and to all. I beg
leave to subscribe myself, my very dear friend,

Ever yours, &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCCXIII.
To Mr. W――.

New-York, August 8, 1764.

Dear Sir,

Y OUR last, I find, left you soaring aloft. I fancy you like being a
Hebrew of the Hebrews. This, I hope, will meet you sitting low
at the feet of Jesus, and hearing his words. That is the safest place.
He continues good to me, a worthless worm, during this summer
season. I have preached twice lately in the fields, and we sat under
the blessed Redeemer’s shadow with great delight. Let every thing
that hath breath praise the Lord! In a short time I move southward.
Perhaps in Spring I may embark for England. But future things
belong to him who orders all things well. The New-Jerusalem is the
place I have in view.

There sin and strife and sorrow cease,

And all is love and joy and peace.

Hearty love to your wife and all dear friends as they come in your
way. God bless you all! In Him, who is all in all, I am, dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCCCXIV.
To Mr. D――n, &c.

New-York, August 19, 1764.

My very dear Friends,

I HAVE waited with eagerness for another letter. I want a particular

account of the necessaries you stand in need of. They might be
procured with advantage here or at Philadelphia. I hope you have
received the things. Something more will be sent by Schemerron to
the care of Mr. H――m. I hear another vessel is expected from
Georgia soon. Surely I shall have a line then. I fear it will be the
middle of October before I can leave Philadelphia; but, God willing,
you shall hear more particularly soon. A never-failing Jesus continues
to smile upon my feeble labours, and hath hitherto carried me
comfortably through the summer’s heat. Help, O help me to praise
him. Pray for us. Tender love to all. Hoping to join with you quickly
on earth, and in full assurance of joining with you eternally in
heaven, in very great haste, but greater love, I subscribe myself, my
very dear friends,

Ever yours, &c. &c. &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCCXV.
To Mr. R―― K――n.

New-York, August 25, 1764.

My very dear Friend,

S TILL am I kept as it were a prisoner in these parts, by the heat

of the weather. All dissuade me from proceeding southward till
the latter end of September. My late excursions upon Long-Island, I
trust have been blessed. It would surprize you to see above a
hundred carriages at every sermon in this new world. I am, through
infinite mercy, still kept up. Dear Mr. H――y’s packet is not yet come
to hand. I wrote to him and my dear wife very lately by a friend in
the packet, and I have sent many letters for a letter-day to the care
of Mr. E――s in Bristol. I thank dear Mr. L――d for his last by the
packet. I wrote to him just before his came to hand. Tender, tender
love to your whole self and to all.

Ever theirs, ever yours, &c. &c. in our Jesus,

G. W.
 LETTER MCCCXVI.
To Mr. R―― K――n.

Philadelphia, September 21, 1764.

My very dear Friend,

Y ESTERDAY I had the pleasure of yours by the New-York packet,

and can only in return send my repeated thanks for so many
repeated favours. After a most solemn and heart-breaking parting at
New-York, I am come thus far in my way to Georgia. There I hope to
be about Christmas; and in Spring, God willing, to embark for
England. Hitherto the Lord hath helped. However, let what will
become of the substance, in the mean while I send you my shadow.
The painter, who gave it me, having now the ague and fever, and
living a hundred miles off, I must get you to have the drapery
finished, and then, if judged proper, let it be put up in the
Tabernacle parlour. One Captain B―― brings it in the Philadelphia
packet, and would most gladly have brought the original over. If you
see him, take a little notice of him. I have only preached twice here,
but the influence was deep indeed. Grace! grace! Before my further
removal hence, I hope for an opportunity of writing to dear Mr.
H――y. Two such friends surely could not be picked out, for the
London affairs. Tender, most tender love awaits him and all of you.
God bless you! God bless you! I am really better in health than I
have been these three years. Excuse my not writing to other dear
friends; the ship is going, my hands full of business, and I have little
more time allowed me than to return you ten thousand thanks, and
subscribe myself,

Ever yours, &c. &c. in Jesus,

G. W.
 September 23.

Within a few days, but not before, I received the hymn books,
and hope to write to other friends in a few days by way of
Londonderry. This day has been a good day indeed. Grace! grace!

LETTER MCCCXVII.
To Mr. S―― S――.

Nassau-Hall, September 25, 1764.

My very dear Friend,

A T length I am broke loose from my summer’s retreat, and have

preached twice at Philadelphia. Many could say, “This was no
other than the house of God, the gate of heaven.” Yesterday I came
here, to preach at the commencement to-morrow. Surely it is one of
the best regulated institutions in the world. But most importunate
calls come from every quarter. So large is the range, that although I
have been a twelvemonth in America, I have scarce begun to begin.
At present I can only go strait forward, and preach in my way to
Georgia. There I hope to be about Christmas. God knows how I am
to be disposed of afterwards: whether to England, or to take another
tour on the continent, is best known to Him who orders all things
well.

To feel his power, to hear his voice,

To taste his love, be all my choice.

Through infinite mercy my bodily health is somewhat improved.

Perhaps a few more months itinerating might improve it more.
Father, thy will be done! You and yours, I trust, prosper both in soul
and body. Tender love and hearty thanks await you, and all
enquiring friends. If the person in Mr. D――t’s compting-house,
would go over to New-York, he might get a very handsome
maintenance in teaching young gentlemen and ladies to read well. O
what new scenes open in this new world. In every place the word
hath run and been glorified. I could enlarge, but am interrupted. You
and yours will continue to pray for me. I retain my old name. I am
the chief of sinners, less than the least of all saints, but for Christ’s
sake, my very dear friends,

Yours, &c. &c. &c.

G. W.

October 3.

Since writing the above I have received your kind letter. Blessed
be God that you and yours are so well in the best sense. The books
may be committed to the care of Mr. Mauduit, agent for New-
England. That will give you least trouble. It is a good charity. Lord
Jesus, accept and bless it. Amen, and Amen!

LETTER MCCCXVIII.
To Mr. R―― K――n.

Philadelphia, October 19, 1764.

My very dear Friend,

A CCEPT a few more lines before I set off for my southern tour. My
last, in which was a letter for my wife, left New-York last
Sunday. The enclosed will inform you a little of my late motions.
Pray tell dear Mr. H――y that Dr. S――, the Provost of the
Philadelphia college, read prayers for me, and attended me
backwards and forwards. Both the present and late Governor, with
the head gentlemen of the city, were present, and cordial thanks
were sent to me from all the Trustees, for speaking for the children,
and countenancing the institution. This is all of God. To me nothing
belongs but shame and confusion of face. O for a truly guileless and
Israelitish heart! It will be found to be the best policy at the great
day. More good news await you in a packet of letters directed to
you, and committed to the care of Captain Sparks, of the Elizabeth
and Mary. I believe he will deliver them himself; if not, you may
send for them. On the reading, I am apt to believe you will think it is
almost sinful not to take another tour. Lord Jesus, do thou direct my
goings in thy way! He will, he will. But what is become of T――
C――? Mr. R―― my worthy host wrote to him many months ago,
about being admitted a member of the society for distributing books
among the poor. Not a word of answer yet. Many more want to be
members. In a day or two, God willing, I set off for my beloved
Bethesda. O what blessings have we received in this place. You will
join in crying, Hallelujah, the Lord reigneth, and blessed be the God
of our salvation! To his never-failing mercy do I commend you, as
being, my very dear friend,

Ever yours, &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCCXIX.
To C―― H――y, Esq.

New-Brunswick, North-Carolina,
November 22, 1764.
 My very dear Sir,

T HROUGH the tender mercy of a never-failing Redeemer, I am

thus far advanced from Philadelphia through Virginia, in my
way southward. At Newburn last Sunday, good impressions were
made. Several gentlemen after sermon escorted me out of town.
From that place to this, I have met with what they call New-lights
almost every stage. At Lockwood’s-Folly (an unlikely place as Rome
itself) there is to be a general rendezvous of them. This is grace
indeed. I am to call to-morrow on a wealthy planter that seems to
lead the van. There I shall enquire more particulars. I have the
names of six or eight of their preachers. This, with every other
place, being open and exceedingly desirous to hear the gospel,
makes me almost determine to come back early in the spring. Surely
the Londoners, who are fed to the full, will not envy the poor souls
in these parts, who scarce know the right hand from the left. As to
spiritual things, a few gospel crumbs in journeying, upon the whole,
agrees with me. In less than a week I hope to reach Charles-Town;
from thence I purpose to write again. Tender love to Mr. and Mrs.
B――, and to your whole connections, and all dear dear friends who
pray for, and enquire after, my very dear Sir,

Yours, &c. &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCCXX.
To Mr. J――.

Charles-Town, December 2, 1764.

My dear Mr. J――,

T HOUGH I have not had a line from you, since I wrote to you
from on board ship, yet I do not forget our old friendship, and
therefore was glad to hear by my wife’s letter, that you kept your
place in the despised tabernacle, where you and yours have so often
met with God. Ere long we shall meet in an upper world,

Where sin and strife and sorrow cease,

And all is calm and joy and peace.

I hope you both enjoy large anticipations of this approaching,

uninterrupted, everlasting bliss. Ill and hell-deserving as I am, a
never-failing Emmanuel continues kind to me,

His presence doth my pains beguile,

And makes the wilderness to smile.

In a little above a month we came by land from Philadelphia. This

morning I am to preach, and to-morrow, God willing, shall set
forwards for Georgia. Fain would I be a pilgrim to my last gasp.
Continue to pray for me, and remember me most kindly to all
friends, as they come in your way, and assure yourselves, my dear
Mr. and Mrs. J――, that neither of you are forgotten by,

Yours, &c. &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCCXXI.
To C―― H――y, Esq.
 Savannah, December 19, 1764.

My very dear Sir,

T HIS leaves me sitting, where I would be glad dear Mr. H――y,

K――n, B――n, &c. were for some moments. They would say,
never was a place more commodiously situated for a college. The
enclosed will shew you what providential steps have been taken
towards it. All done without the least hesitation. The colony is rising
very fast, nothing but plenty at Bethesda, and all arrears, I trust, will
be paid off before I leave it; so that in a short time I hope to be free
from these outward incumbrances. Lord Jesus, shew me whether I
must go directly to England, or make another northern excursion. I
wish, if I do come over, that Mr. D――n was engaged to stay always
in town. Mr. D――s seems to come, only because I am not in
London. My spirits will not bear the usual care. I hope your dear
relations are better than when you wrote last. Most cordial respects
await them, and all dear, very dear friends. I am obliged to Mr.
L――d for his favour dated September 24. It came to hand
yesterday. I wish the voyage may produce a volume of sermons; but
I cannot write when I will. Lord Jesus, do thou rule both heart and
hand! Great favour is here given me, in the sight of all. This is the
Lord’s doing. In my next you may expect many more particulars. Mr.
D――n hath chartered a ship, and sent orders for my having a
passage gratis. Thus the great God continues his unmerited
goodness to, my very dear Sir,

Ever yours, &c. &c. in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCCCXXII.