"Our ship is now going to the Downs. God strengthens me mightily
in the inner man. The sermon I have sent you is one of my
extempore sermons. My brother, the captain, has been with me
this last week. If he leaves off disputing, and will come to
Christ as a poor lost sinner, he will do well. The Bishop of
London has lately written against me. I trust God has assisted
me in writing an answer. It is now (August 14) in the press.
All the self-righteous are up in arms. My Master makes me more
than a conqueror through His love. Mr. Ingham has about forty
Societies in Yorkshire. Both the Mr. Wesleys go on well. Go
where you will, religion (either for or against it) is the talk.
Probably a suffering time will come. You will not be ashamed
of me, though I should be a prisoner. Soon after this reaches
Georgia, I hope to see you. My stay will be as short as possible
at Philadelphia. I must not delay coming to my dear, though
poor, charge. I expect to find Savannah almost desolate;[272]
but our extremity is God's opportunity. I believe it will lift
up its drooping head."
[272] This letter was evidently written to some one at Savannah;
probably the clergyman. The reference is to the war then raging
in Georgia between Spain and England.
"I thank God for His goodness to brother Howell Harris. The
storm is diverted for a while, but I expect it to break upon
my head one time or another. God has, for a while, prepared me
a place of refuge in the ship from whence I write this. I have
almost forgotten that I was in the world. My family on board
is quite settled, and we live and love like Christians. I am
now reading the 'Book of Martyrs.' They make me blush to think
how little I suffer for Christ's sake. They warm my heart, and
make me think the time long till I am called to resist even unto
blood. But I fear the treachery of this heart of mine."
"Since my retirement from the world, I have seen more and
more how full I am of corruption. Nothing could possibly
support my soul under the many agonies which oppress me, but a
consideration of the freeness, eternity, and unchangeableness of
God's love to me, the chief of sinners. In about a twelvemonth,
probably, I shall return again to my native country. Satan, no
doubt, will endeavour to stir up all his forces against me. By
the help of my God, I will once more come forth with my sling
and my stone. I shall wait with impatience to hear how the work
goes on in my absence. I trust God, by this time (Nov. 10),
has sent more labourers into His harvest. I verily believe the
right hand of the Lord will bring mighty things to pass. O how
do I long to see bigotry and party-zeal taken away, and all the
Lord's servants more knit together!"
"REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,--When with you last, I thought you
spoke too favourably of horse-races and such things. But what
diversion ought a Christian or a clergyman to know, or speak of,
but that of doing good? Many who are right in their principles,
are worse than I could wish in their practice. O for a revival
of true and undefiled religion in all sects whatsoever! I long
to see a catholic spirit overspread the world. May God vouchsafe
to make me an instrument in promoting it! Methinks, I care not
what I do or suffer, so that I may see my Lord's kingdom come
with power."
The following is taken from a letter to the Erskines and their
confederates in Scotland:--
"Though I know none of you in person, yet, from the time I heard
of your faith and love towards our dear Lord Jesus, I have been
acquainted with you in spirit, and have constantly mentioned
you in my poor prayers. I find the good pleasure of the Lord
prospers in your hands; and I pray God to increase you more and
more. Scotland, like England, has been so much settled upon
its lees for some time, that I fear our late days may properly
be called the midnight of the Church. I cannot but think a
winnowing time will come after this ingathering of souls. O that
we may suffer only as Christians, and then the Spirit of Christ
and of glory will rest upon us. In patience possess your souls.
I will leave my cause to God. The eternal God will be your
perpetual refuge. He who employs will protect. As your day is,
so shall your strength be."[273]
[273] To shew the malignant feeling of the public press against
Whitefield, and the falsehoods used to injure him, the following
is extracted from _Read's Weekly Journal_, of October 20,
1739:--"Edinburgh, October 9. It is said that the Rev. Mr.
Whitefield, whose savoury Journals used to be quoted with applause
by our Scot seceders, has of late addressed himself to one of
these champions, in a letter which contains his opinions of their
principles; and, in the strongest terms, condemns them as the
authors of a detestable schism, endeavours to persuade them to
return to their duty, and to leave off their divisive courses. This
letter has given great offence; and Mr. Whitefield, from being a
reformer, a saint, and a shining light, is degenerated, in their
discourses, into one whose heart is corrupted, who will not lift up
a testimony against the corruptions of the Church: in short, as one
(oh horrid!) who will not rebel against an authority which he swore
to maintain."