Marvellous were the scenes which Whitefield had witnessed during the
last few months. If ministerial success were a proof that the man
thus honoured ought to remain where he is, Whitefield ought to have
remained in England. He had, however, formally accepted the distant
living of Savannah. The Trustees of Georgia had cheerfully acceded
to all his wishes. He had collected considerable sums of money for
the erection of his contemplated Orphanage. He had promised the
people of Savannah that he would return to them. People on both
sides the Atlantic expected this. On the other hand, and despite the
ribald persecutions to which he had been subjected, he had strong
inducements to stay at home. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, during
the last half-year, had been converted by his ministry, and needed
pastoral attention. The crowds that flocked to hear him had not at
all diminished, but were as great as ever. Multitudes wished to keep
him. To fill his place was extremely difficult, perhaps impossible.
But solemn promises had been made; and, in accordance with these,
public, as well as private, arrangements had taken place; all
rendering a return to Georgia an imperative necessity. No doubt,
Whitefield was anxious that the great work, which had been begun in
London and elsewhere, should be conserved, and be carried on; and he
seems to have requested Charles Wesley to act as his successor. At
all events, Charles wrote as follows:--
_"August 10, 1739._
DEAR GEORGE,--I forgot to mention the most material occurrence
at Plaistow; namely, that a clergyman was there convinced of
sin. He stood under me, and appeared, throughout my discourse,
under the strongest perturbation of mind. In our return, we
were much delighted with an old spiritual Quaker, who is clear
in justification by faith only. At Marylebone, a footman was
convinced of more than sin; and now waits with confidence for
all the power of faith. Friend Keen seems to have experience,
and is right in the foundation.
"I cannot preach out on the week-days, for the expense of coach;
nor accept of dear Mr. Seward's offer; to which I should be less
backward, would he take my advice. But while he is so lavish of
his Lord's goods, I cannot consent that this ruin should, in any
degree, _seem_ to be under my hand.
"I am continually tempted to leave off preaching, and hide
myself like J. Hutchins. I should then be freer from temptation,
and at leisure to attend to my own improvement. God continues
to work _by_ me, but not _in_ me, that I can perceive. Do not
reckon upon me, my brother, in the work God is doing: for I
cannot expect He should long employ one who is ever longing and
murmuring to be discharged. I rejoice in your success, and pray
for its increase a thousand-fold."[268]
[268] C. Wesley's Journal, vol. i., p. 159.
Four days after the date of this letter, Whitefield embarked for
America. His party consisted of seventeen persons, including Mr.
Seward and himself.[269] One of these was Joseph Periam, whom
Whitefield had rescued from a madhouse. Another was Mr. Gladman, a
captain, whose ship, during Whitefield's first visit to America, had
been thrown upon a sandbank, near the Gulf of Florida, where he and
his crew had to exist, as they best could, for thirty days, when
they launched a raft; and, after floating about a hundred and forty
leagues, came to Tybee Island, near Savannah. Whitefield shewed the
captain kindness. They returned to England in the same ship. The man
was converted. Many situations were offered him; but he declined
them all, gave himself to the work of God, and was now one of
Whitefield's companions to Georgia.
[269] See "An Account of Money received and disbursed for the Orphan
House in Georgia. By George Whitefield. 1741." Only eleven, however,
had their expenses paid out of the public subscriptions. Whitefield
and Seward paid the passage-money for themselves and four others.
The voyage was of eleven weeks' continuance; but was not marked by
any notable occurrence. Whitefield had public prayers twice a day.
On Sundays, he preached and administered the sacrament. Sometimes,
he and his friends held a love-feast; and, on several occasions,
he allowed a Quaker to preach in his cabin. Often he suffered
deep depression, and was profoundly humbled by revelations of his
sinfulness in the sight of God. A large portion of his time was
spent in writing letters, so that, when he landed, he had more than
sixty ready for the post.
One of these, now for the first time published, was addressed to Mr.
Blackwell, the Lombard Street banker:--[270]
"ON BOARD THE 'ELIZABETH,' GOING TO THE DOWNS,
"_August 16, 1739._
"DEAR MR. BLACKWELL,--I must write you, though so lately parted
from you. I know the temptations which surround you. If I love
you, I must watch over your soul. Perhaps, ere now, your father
is launched into eternity. Yet a little while, you and I must
follow. Oh, let us live the life of the righteous, that our
future state may be like his. Nothing but a living faith in
Jesus Christ can support us in a dying hour. What would the
self-righteous Pharisees of this generation give for this pearl
of inestimable price when God takes away their souls? Oh, my
dear friend, it is worth being laughed at. It is worth ten
thousand worlds. You will not think much then of renouncing
one world for it. You have put your hand to the plough: I know
you will scorn to look back. Your carnal relatives will do
their utmost to make you ashamed of the cross of Christ; but be
not ashamed of it, for it is the power of God unto salvation.
Neither be ashamed of His disciples, though men of low degree,
and accounted fools for His sake. No, rather choose to suffer
affliction with His people; for, if we suffer, we shall also
reign with Him. Oh, let your delight be with the saints that
are in the earth, and with them that excel in virtue. You are
blessed with many such. I beseech you, by the mercies of God in
Christ Jesus our Lord, forsake not the assembling of yourselves
together. And, as in my presence, so in my absence, see that
you work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Let Jesus
Christ be the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of all
your thoughts, words, and actions. Suffer Him to work His whole
will in, by, and upon you. And fail not writing to, and praying
for,
"Ever, ever yours,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
[270] Kindly furnished by Mr. George Stampe, of Grimsby.
Extracts from a few other letters, written during the voyage to
America, may be useful. The first was addressed to Charles Wesley:--
"HONOURED AND DEAR SIR,--God has been pleased to send us a
comfortable passage. The Orphan House accounts come right within
£10.
I have great assurances given me that it will be a Pietas
Georgiensis, equally remarkable with the Pietas Hallensis. I
shall continue in Georgia above six months. If Mr. Hutchins
would come to supply my place, I would keep the parsonage of
Savannah. Otherwise, I will resign all but the Orphan House. I
have read Guise and Doddridge on the Evangelists, and written
to both. The former I think excellent; the latter, ingenious,
elaborate, but too superficial. Neal's 'Lives of the Puritans'
have been of use. I think they held the truth as it is in
Jesus. The Quakers have set us an example of patient, resolute
suffering, as the best means to weary our enemies. I want the
Lives of Luther and Calvin, to get some short account of the
history of the Reformation. At my return, I trust I shall speak
boldly, as I ought to speak. The account of my infant years was
written by the will of God. Pray, let it be published, without
any material diminution or addition. He who hideth his sins
shall not prosper. My Letter to the Religious Societies I give
to the schools at Bristol. The Lord prosper the work of your
hands upon you! I have written to the Bishop of Gloucester, and
have delivered my soul, by meekly telling him of his faults.
I long to hear how affairs go on in England. Are you yet the
Lord's prisoner? If they make any laws whatsoever, I trust
notwithstanding I shall preach with all boldness. Oh, dear sir,
pray publicly, as well as in private, for your unworthy, loving
servant,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."[271]
[271] _Arminian Magazine_, 1778, p. 179.