"NEW YORK, _November 16, 1739_.
"HONOURED MOTHER,--New friends are raised up every day,
whithersoever we go. The people of Philadelphia have used me
most courteously, and many, I believe, have been pricked to
the heart.... Oh, my honoured mother, my soul is in distress
for you. Flee, flee, I beseech you, to Jesus Christ, by faith.
Lay hold on Him, and do not let Him go. God has given you
convictions. Arise, arise, and never rest till they end in sound
conversion. Dare to deny yourself. My honoured mother, I beseech
you, by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, dare to take up your
cross, and follow Christ."
These are beautiful exhibitions of humbleness, simplicity,
earnestness, and love. Let us follow Whitefield in his return to
Philadelphia.
"Monday, Nov. 19, Took boat about five in the morning, and
reached Elizabeth Town at seven. Dined with Mr. Dickinson,[295]
a worthy Dissenting minister, who had sent a letter of
invitation to New York, and offered me the use of his
meeting-house. About twelve, I preached in it, according to
appointment, to upwards of seven hundred people. God was pleased
to open my mouth against both ministers and people, among all
denominations, who imprison the truth in unrighteousness.
[295] The Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, for thirty-nine years
minister of the first Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth Town,
New Jersey, and also first president of New Jersey College. He
likewise was a practising physician of considerable reputation.
He was much celebrated as a preacher; and his publications were
creditable to his head and heart. He died, universally lamented,
in 1747, aged 59.
"Tuesday, Nov. 20. Reached New Brunswick about six last night;
and preached to-day, at noon, for near two hours, in Mr.
Tennent's meeting-house, to a large assembly gathered together
from all parts. About three in the afternoon, I preached again;
and, at seven, I baptized two children, and preached a third
time. Among others who came to hear the word, were several
ministers, whom the Lord has been pleased to honour, in making
them instruments of bringing many sons to glory.[296]
[296] One of these was the Rev. Theodore James Frelinghuysen,
minister of the Reformed Dutch Church at Raritan, New Jersey. He
was an able, evangelical, and eminently successful preacher. He
died in 1754.
"Wednesday, Nov. 21. Set out early, with about a score in
company, for Maidenhead, a little more than twenty miles from
New Brunswick, where, at Mr. Tennent's request, I had appointed
to preach to-day. At noon, I preached from a waggon to about
fifteen hundred persons. Here one Mr. Rowland,[297] another
faithful minister of Jesus Christ, gave us the meeting. He has
been a preacher about two years, has gone about doing good,
and has had many seals to his ministry. Much of the simplicity
of Christ was discernible in his behaviour. After sermon, in
company with above thirty horse, I went to Trent Town, ten
miles from Maidenhead, and preached, in the Court House, in the
evening.
[297] Mr. Rowland was a remarkable man. He was a Presbyterian
in doctrine and practice, but, on account of some irregularity
in his being called to the ministry, the Presbytery refused to
recognise him. He, accordingly, began to preach in barns and
other unconsecrated places. In the spring of 1739, numbers of
persons, in Lawrence, Hopewell, and Amwell, three contiguous
towns in New Jersey, were powerfully affected by his preaching,
and their convictions of sin were attended with great horror,
trembling, and weeping. John Rowland was an irregular
revivalist, exceedingly effective and useful. (Hodge's "History
of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.")
"Thursday, Nov. 22. Set out for Neshaminy (twenty miles from
Trent Town), where old Mr. Tennent lives, and keeps an academy,
and where I was to preach to-day, according to appointment. We
came thither about twelve, and found above three thousand people
gathered together in the meeting-house yard, and Mr. William
Tennent preaching to them, because we were beyond the appointed
time. When I came up, he stopped, and sung a psalm, and then I
began to speak. At first, the people seemed unaffected, but, in
the midst of my discourse, the hearers began to be melted down,
and cried much. After I had finished, Mr. Gilbert Tennent gave
a word of exhortation. At the end of his discourse, we sung a
psalm, and then dismissed the people with a blessing. After our
exercises were over, we went to old Mr. Tennent, who entertained
us like one of the ancient patriarchs. His wife seemed to me
like Elizabeth, and he like Zacharias; both, as far as I can
find, walk in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord
blameless. We had sweet communion with each other, and spent
the evening in concerting measures for promoting our Lord's
kingdom. It happens very providentially that Mr. Tennent and his
brethren are appointed to be a presbytery by the synod, so that
they intend breeding up gracious youths, and sending them out
into our Lord's vineyard. The place wherein the young men study
now is, in contempt, called _the College_. It is a log-house,
about twenty feet long, and nearly as many broad; and, to me,
it seemed to resemble the school of the old prophets. From this
despised place, seven or eight worthy ministers of Jesus have
lately been sent forth; more are almost ready to be sent; and
a foundation is now laying for the instruction of many others.
The devil will certainly rage against them; but the work, I
am persuaded, is of God, and will not come to nought. Carnal
ministers oppose them strongly; and, because people, when
awakened by Mr. Tennent or his brethren, see through them, and
therefore leave their ministry, the poor gentlemen are loaded
with contempt, and looked upon as persons who turn the world
upside-down.
"Friday, Nov. 23. Parted with dear Mr. Tennent and his
worthy fellow-labourers; but promised to remember each other
_publicly_ in our prayers. Rode to Abingdon, about ten miles
from Neshaminy, and preached to above two thousand people from
a porch-window belonging to the meeting-house. It is surprising
how such bodies of people, so scattered abroad, can be gathered
at so short a warning. At Neshaminy, I believe, there were
nearly a thousand horses. The people, however, did not sit upon
them to hear the sermon, as in England, but tied them to the
hedges; and thereby much disorder was prevented. Though it was
cold, the congregation stood very patiently in the open air,
and seemed in no hurry to return home after the discourses were
ended. As soon as I had finished at Abingdon, I hastened to
Philadelphia, where I found my family in good order, and all
things carried on according to my desire. Oh, how can I express
my thankfulness for this little excursion!"
This was a new kind of life to Whitefield. In England, he had
preached, when he was permitted, in churches, and when not
permitted, in Moorfields and places similar. Here he was preaching
in Presbyterian, or, as he regarded them, Dissenting meeting-houses,
or in open spaces surrounded by the grand old forests, through
which he and his companions joyously pursued their sylvan journeys.
Professedly, he was a Church of England clergyman, but practically
a Dissenting minister. Of course, his action was ecclesiastically
irregular, but it occasioned him no anxiety or uneasiness. He was
preaching the gospel, and that to him was quite enough. When he got
back to Philadelphia, he wrote quite a batch of letters, all bearing
the same date, November 28; but extracts from two only must suffice.
To the Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton, he says, perhaps with more lowliness
than was decorous:--
"I have been much concerned since I saw you, lest I behaved not
with that humility toward you, which is due from a babe to a
father in Christ; but you know, reverend sir, how difficult it
is to meet with success, and not be puffed up with it. If any
such thing was discernible in my conduct, oh pity me, and pray
to the Lord to heal my pride. Alas! who can hope to be justified
by his works? My preaching, praying, etc., are only _splendida
peccata_. The blood of Christ, applied to my soul by a living
faith, is the only thing that can render them acceptable."
He was not only in close communion with the Presbyterians of
America, but he wrote as follows to the Rev. Ralph Erskine, the
Presbyterian Reformer, in Scotland:--
"I bless the Lord, from my soul, for raising you and several
other burning and shining lights to appear for Him in this
midnight of the Church. My heart has been much warmed by
reading some of your sermons, especially that preached before
the Associate Presbytery. I long more and more to hear of the
rise and progress of your proceedings, and how far you would
willingly carry the reformation of the Church of Scotland. My
ignorance of the constitution of the Scotch Church is the cause
of my writing after this manner. I should be obliged to you, if
you would recommend to me some useful books, especially such
as open the holy sacrament. I like Boston's 'Fourfold State of
Man' exceedingly. Under God, it has been of much service to my
soul. I believe I agree with you and him in the essential truths
of Christianity. I bless God, His Spirit has convinced me of
our eternal election by the Father through the Son; of our free
justification through faith in His blood; of our sanctification
as the consequence of that; and of our final perseverance and
glorification as the result of all. These, I am persuaded, God
has joined together; these neither men nor devils shall ever be
able to put asunder. My only scruple at present is, 'whether
you approve of taking the sword in defence of your religious
rights?' One of our English bishops, when I was with him, called
you _Cameronians_. They, I think, took up arms, which I think
to be contrary to the Spirit of Jesus Christ and His apostles.
Some few passages in your sermon before the Presbytery, I
thought, were a little suspicious of favouring that principle.
I pray God your next may inform me that I am mistaken; for
when zeal carries us to such a length, I think it ceases to be
zeal according to knowledge. Dearest sir, be not angry at my
writing thus freely. I wish you good luck in all your pious
undertakings. I pray God to prosper the work of your hands, and
to make you a noble instrument in bringing many sons to glory."
There can be no question that Whitefield's intercourse with the
Presbyterians of America powerfully affected him.[298] This was not
surprising; for, apart from the fact that the clergy of his own
Church generally disdained him, these Presbyterian ministers were
men of kindred spirits to his own, intensely earnest, and blessed
with the highest enjoyments of religion. The following letter
addressed to Whitefield will shew "what manner of men they were." As
will be seen, it was written immediately after Whitefield's first
visit to New York.
[298] It was not without reason, that, thirty-eight years after
this, Wesley said: "Mr. Whitefield, by conversing with the
Dissenters, chiefly the Presbyterians in New England, contracted
strong prejudices against the Established Church." (Wesley's Answer
to Rowland Hill's "Imposture Detected," p. 4.)
"NEW BRUNSWICK, _December 1, 1739_.
"VERY REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I think I never found such
a strong and passionate affection to any stranger as to you,
when I saw your courage and labour for God at New York. I found
a willingness in my heart to die with you, or to die for you.
The reason why I spoke so little, for the most part of the
time while I was with you, was a shameful sense I had of my
ignorance and barrenness, after such a multitude of waterings
and sealings as God had given me. Though I am as a brute
beast before God, one of the meanest and vilest worms that
ever crawled on the creation of God, yet I must say, to His
praise, and my own shame, that I have had, in time past, such
discoveries of my great Father's dear affection as have overcome
me. For months together, my soul has been so ravished with
divine objects, that my animal spirits have been wasted, and my
sleep much broken. I have been made to loathe my food, because
of the superior sweetness I have found in Christ. I could not
refrain my soul from a secret longing for reproach, poverty,
imprisonment, and death, for a glorious Christ, that, thereby,
I might testify a grateful regard to His unspeakably dear and
venerable majesty. I could not refrain wishing that every hair
of my head was a life, that I might lay it down freely for my
Lord Jesus. The fear of bringing any reproach on His religion
has many times brought bitter tears from my eyes and heart.
Sometimes, when travelling on the road, when I beheld the canopy
of heaven, my heart has been suddenly ravished with love to God
as my Father; so that I could not forbear crying out, in the
pleasing transports of a childlike affection, 'Father! Father!'
with a full and sweet assurance that He was my Father, and my
God. In the night season, when I awoke, my soul was still with
God. The passion of my soul for Christ was so vehement, that my
dreams were full of Him. Thus it was for a long tract of time,
But, alas! when the great God wisely withdrew His quickening
presence, and let Satan loose upon me, O what terrible havoc
did he make in my soul! and that, alas! too much with my will.
I thought myself a monster in iniquity, and that there was some
peculiar brutishness in my heart, that none had but myself. This
made me often wish for death to get clear of it. This has often
enraged my soul so against sin and myself for it, that I have
thought, if it were lawful, I could freely try to pluck my heart
out, and tear it in pieces.
"Since you were here, I have been among my people, dealing with
them plainly about their souls, in their houses; examining them
one by one as to their experiences; telling natural people the
danger of their state; exhorting them that were totally secure,
to seek convictions, and those that were convinced, to seek
Jesus; and reproving pious people for their faults. Blessed be
God! I have seen hopeful appearances of concern.
"I am, etc.,
"GILBERT TENNENT."[299]
[299] _Glasgow Weekly History_, No. 3.
To return to Whitefield. In New York, he was not allowed to preach
in the Church of England; but his preaching in the Presbyterian
meeting-house received the sanction of his Divine Master. A few days
after his departure, the Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton wrote to him as
follows:--
"REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,--You left New York under a deep and
universal concern. Many were greatly affected, and I hope
abiding impressions are left upon some. Some, who were before
very loose and profligate, look back with shame upon their
past lives and conversation, and seem resolved upon a thorough
reformation. I mention these things to strengthen you in the
blessed cause you are engaged in, and to support you in your
abundant labours. When I heard so many were concerned for their
eternal welfare, I appointed a lecture on Wednesday evening,
though it was not the usual season; and, though the warning was
short, we had a numerous and attentive audience. In short, I
cannot but hope that your coming among us has been the means of
awakening some to a serious sense of practical religion, and may
be the beginning of a good work in this sinful place. I pray
God to take you under His gracious protection, to sustain you
under your many trials, and make you gloriously successful in
converting sinners from the error of their ways. My wife joins
me in affectionate regards to you, Mr. Seward, and your other
friends, whom we love in sincerity.
"I am, your affectionate brother and very humble servant,
"E. PEMBERTON."
Whitefield returned to Philadelphia on Friday, November 23. On
Saturday, November 24, he preached, morning and afternoon, to "a
vast concourse of all denominations," in the English Episcopal
Church. The next day, a scene occurred within the consecrated
building. Whitefield writes:--
"Sunday, Nov. 25. Was somewhat alarmed this morning by one,[300]
who, after my sermon, told the congregation in the church,
with a loud voice, 'That there was no such term as _imputed
righteousness_ in Holy Scripture; that such a doctrine put
a stop to all goodness; and that we were to be judged for
our good works and obedience, and were commanded _to do and
live_.' When he had ended, I denied his first proposition,
and brought a text to prove that 'imputed righteousness' was
a scriptural expression; but, thinking the church an improper
place for disputation, I said no more at that time. In the
afternoon, however, I discoursed upon the words, 'The Lord
our righteousness,' and shewed how the Lord Jesus was to be
_our whole righteousness_. I proved how the contrary doctrine
overthrew all divine revelation, and endeavoured to answer
objections. I produced the Articles of our Church, and concluded
with an exhortation to lay aside reasoning infidelity, and
to submit to Jesus Christ, who is the end of the law for
_righteousness_, to every one that believeth. The church was
thronged within and without; all were wonderfully attentive; and
many, as I was informed, were convinced that the Lord Christ was
_our righteousness_.
[300] This was "a young gentleman, once a minister of the Church
of England, but now secretary to Mr. Penn."
"Monday, Nov. 26. Read prayers and preached twice in the church,
to very large and attentive congregations. The word came with
great power; and people now apply to me so fast for advice under
convictions, and so continually crowd in upon me, that I have
not time to write to my English friends.
"Tuesday, Nov. 27. According to appointment, I preached at
German Town,[301] seven miles from Philadelphia, from a balcony,
to above six thousand people. I spoke nearly two hours. Great
numbers continued weeping for a considerable time. A German most
kindly entertained me. I think there are not less than fifteen
denominations of Christians in German Town, and yet all agree
in one thing, that is, to hold Jesus Christ as their head, and
to worship Him in spirit and in truth. The Germans are about
to translate my Journals into High Dutch. About eight in the
evening we reached Philadelphia.
[301] Oldmixon, in his "British Empire in America," published
in 1708, says, "_German Town_, a corporation of high and low
Dutch. There are above 200 houses in it. Peach trees are planted
all along before the doors, which, in the time of bloom, make a
beautiful road for a mile together. The town is very pleasant
and airy, being wonderfully cleared from trees."
"Wednesday, Nov. 28. Read prayers and preached, as usual, to a
thronged congregation. Heard of more who were under convictions.
In the morning, notice had been given that I would preach my
farewell sermon in the afternoon. But the church, (though as
large as most of our London churches,) being not large enough to
contain a fourth part of the people, we adjourned to the fields,
and I preached for an hour and a half from a balcony, to upwards
of ten thousand hearers, very attentive and much affected.
"Blessed be God for such success at New York and Philadelphia.
One of the printers has told me he has taken above two hundred
subscriptions for printing my Sermons and Journals. Numbers of
letters have been sent me from persons under convictions. As I
have sown spiritual things, the people were willing I should
reap carnal things. They have, therefore, sent me butter, sugar,
chocolate, pickles, cheese, and flour, for my poor orphans.
"Thursday, Nov. 29. Had the satisfaction of settling all my
family affairs, and gave orders for my family to set sail
immediately after my leaving Philadelphia. From seven in the
morning, the people thronged round the door, and, when we
parted, oh, how bitterly did they weep! Nearly twenty gentlemen
accompanied me on horseback out of the town. About seven miles
off, another company was waiting to meet us, so that, at last,
we were nearly two hundred horse. By three, we reached Chester,
and I preached to about five thousand people from a balcony. It
being court-day, the justices sent word they would defer their
meeting till mine was over; and the minister of the parish,
because the church would not contain the people, provided the
place from which I spoke. I was told that near a thousand of the
congregation came from Philadelphia."
For the present, Whitefield had left Pennsylvania, and was on his
way, through Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina, to Georgia. Before
attending him, the following must be added respecting his first
visit to Philadelphia.
A _printer_ has just been mentioned. There can be no doubt that this
was the celebrated Benjamin Franklin.[302] This remarkable man was
now in the thirty-third year of his age. Some nineteen years before,
he had entered Philadelphia, hungry, tired, and dirty; his pockets
filled with shirts and stockings, and the whole of his worldly
wealth consisting of a Dutch dollar. He was now an industrious
printer; for several years had published "Poor Richard's Almanack;"
had filled the office of clerk to the General Assembly; and had
recently been appointed postmaster. He was also an alderman and a
magistrate, but took no part in the business of the bench, commonly
employing himself while sitting there "in contriving magic squares
and circles." Of his subsequent career, and of the high honours
conferred upon him, it is not necessary here to speak.
[302] In the _Pennsylvania Gazette_, a newspaper published by
Franklin, appeared the following notice, November 15, 1739:--
"The Rev. George Whitefield having given me copies of his Journals
and Sermons, with leave to print the same, I propose to publish
them with all expedition, if I find sufficient encouragement. The
Sermons will make two volumes, and the Journals two more, which
will be delivered to subscribers at two shillings for each volume,
bound. Those, therefore, who are inclined to encourage this work
are desired speedily to send in their names to me, that I may take
measures accordingly."
Of course, Whitefield attracted the attention of Franklin. The
latter writes:--
"In 1739, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield arrived among us. He was,
at first, permitted to preach in some of our churches; but
the clergy, taking a dislike to him, soon refused him[303]
their pulpits, and he was obliged to preach in the fields. The
multitudes, of all sects and denominations, that attended his
sermons, were enormous, and it was a matter of speculation to
me (who was one of the number) to observe the extraordinary
influence of his oratory on his hearers, and how much they
admired and respected him, notwithstanding his common abuse of
them, by assuring them they were naturally _half beasts and
half devils_. It was wonderful to see the change soon made in
the manners of our inhabitants. From being thoughtless and
indifferent about religion, it seemed as if all the world
were growing religious, so that one could not walk through
Philadelphia in the evening without hearing psalms sung in
different families of every street.
[303] This occurred in the spring of 1740.
"Mr. Whitefield, on leaving us, went preaching all the way
through the colonies to Georgia. The settlement of that province
had lately been begun; but, instead of its being made with
hardy, industrious husbandmen, accustomed to labour, the only
people fitted for such an enterprise, it consisted of families
of broken shopkeepers, and other insolvent debtors, and many of
indolent habits, taken out of the jails, who, being set down in
the woods, unqualified for clearing land, and unable to endure
the hardness of a new settlement, perished in numbers, leaving
many helpless children unprovided for. The sight of these
inspired Mr. Whitefield with the idea of building an Orphan
House there, in which they might be supported and educated."[304]
[304] "Memoirs of Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin," vol. i.
4to. London, 1818.
So much from America's great printer, electrician, statesman,
and diplomatist, Benjamin Franklin. The reader is now invited
to accompany Whitefield through the three colonies of Maryland,
Virginia, and Carolina. Whitefield writes:--
"Friday, November 30. Preached at noon, and again at three
in the afternoon, at Wilmington. Spent the evening in sweet
conversation with Mr. William Tennent, brother to Mr. Gilbert
Tennent, a faithful minister of Jesus Christ, and with several
Germans, whose hearts God has been pleased to knit to me in a
close and intimate union.
"Saturday, December 1. Reached Newcastle by ten in the morning,
and preached to about two thousand people from a balcony.
Preached, at four o'clock, at Christian Bridge, to about the
same number as at Newcastle. Near two hundred horse came on the
road with us.
"Sunday, December 2. Returned last night to Newcastle, that
I might see my dear family, who came thither in the sloop
just after I had left. This morning, went on board, prayed,
sung psalms, gave a word of exhortation, and rejoiced much
to see all things in such excellent order. My dear friend,
Captain Gladman, told me how kind the people of Philadelphia
had been to my family after my departure. One brought them
butter, another beer, etc., and the collector would not take
his perquisite for clearing the sloop. About ten, we came to
Christian Bridge again, and by twelve reached Whiteclay Creek,
the place appointed for my preaching. The weather was rainy,
but upwards of ten thousand people were assembled. There were
several hundreds of horses. I preached from a tent, erected for
me by order of Mr. William Tennent, whose meeting-house was near
the place. I continued in my first discourse an hour and a half,
after which we went into a log-house, took a morsel of bread,
and warmed ourselves. I preached a second time from the same
place. God caused His power to be known in the congregation.
Many souls were melted down.[305]
[305] Benjamin Franklin's newspaper, of this date, contains the
following:--"On Thursday last, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield left this
city" (Philadelphia), "and was accompanied to Chester by about
one hundred and fifty horse, and preached there to about seven
thousand people. On Friday, he preached twice at Wilmington,
to about five thousand; on Saturday, at Newcastle, to about
two thousand five hundred; and the same evening, at Christiana
Bridge, to about three thousand; on Sunday, at Whiteclay Creek,
he preached twice, resting about half an hour between the
sermons, to about eight thousand, of whom three thousand, it is
computed, came on horseback. It rained most of the time, and yet
they stood in the open air."
"Monday, December 3. Came to North East in Maryland, where I
had appointed to preach to-day. Little notice having been given,
there were not above fifteen hundred people; but God was with
us, and many were deeply affected. Immediately after sermon, we
passed over Susquehannah ferry, about a mile broad, and were
received at a gentleman's house. The gentleman told us he had
been a little melancholy, and had sent for some friends to help
him to drive it away. I found the bottle and the bowl were the
means to be employed; but, blessed be God, the design was, in
a good measure, prevented by our coming. All joined in family
prayer; and I went to bed pitying the miserable condition of
those who live a life of luxury and self-indulgence. They are
afraid to look into themselves; and, if their consciences are at
any time awakened, they must be lulled asleep again by drinking
and evil company.
"Tuesday, December 4. Baited at Joppa, a little town about
fifteen miles from the place where we lay. I gave a word of
exhortation to about forty people in the church.
"Wednesday, December 5. Lay last night at Newtown, fifteen
miles from Joppa; ate what was set before us; joined in family
prayer; and, as opportunity offered, put in a word for God.
In the morning, we sung and prayed. By four in the afternoon,
we reached Annapolis, a little town, but the metropolis of
Maryland. The house where we lodged was very commodious, but the
people of it seemed to be surprised when they heard us talk of
God and Christ.
"Thursday, December 6. Waited on the governor, and was received
with much civility. Went to pay my respects to the minister
of the parish, who happened not to be within; but, whilst we
were at dinner, he came, and offered me his pulpit, his house,
or anything he could supply me with. About four, he came and
introduced me and my friends to a gentleman's house, where we
had some useful conversation. Our conversation ran chiefly on
the new birth, and the folly and sinfulness of those amusements,
whereby the polite part of the world are so fatally diverted
from the pursuit of the one thing needful.
"Friday, December 7. Preached in the morning and evening to
small polite auditories. The governor came to the morning
service, and, at noon, I and my friends dined with him.
"Saturday, December 8. Came to Upper Marlborough, and wrote
letters to some under convictions at Philadelphia."
Here let us pause. Besides his letters to penitents at Philadelphia,
Whitefield wrote the two following--the first to the Rev. Ebenezer
Pemberton, and the second to Mr. Noble, his host at New York:--
"UPPER MARLBOROUGH, _December 8, 1739_.
"REV. AND DEAR SIR,--Till now, I have neither had leisure nor
freedom to answer your kind letter. Blessed be God, who has
opened the hearts of some of His people at New York to receive
the word. May He enable you to water what His own right hand
hath planted! I wish you good luck in the name of the Lord.
I wish all His servants were prophets. Oh that He would be
pleased to send forth experimental labourers into His harvest!
I fear that, amongst you, as well as in other places, there
are many who are well versed in the doctrines of grace (having
learned them at the university); but, notwithstanding, are
heart-hypocrites, and enemies to the power of godliness. Dear
sir, I use this freedom, because I love simplicity. Pardon
me, for out of the fulness and sincerity of my heart, my pen
writeth. Oh, entreat the God of all grace to give me humility,
so shall success not prove my ruin. Mr. Noble's letter, and my
next Journal, will acquaint you how the Lord Jesus has been
getting Himself the victory since I left New York. There has
been such little opposition, that I have been almost tempted to
cry out, 'Satan, why sleepest thou?' Oh, dear sir, thank God on
my behalf; for, indeed, He deals most lovingly with, rev. sir,
your most unworthy brother and fellow-labourer,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
* * * * *
"UPPER MARLBOROUGH, _December 8, 1739_.
"DEAR SIR,--I cannot defer writing to dear Mr. Noble any longer.
This afternoon God brought us hither. Some are solicitous
for my staying here to-morrow. As it seems to be a call from
Providence, I have complied with their request. Oh that I may
be enabled to lift up my voice like a trumpet, and to speak
with the demonstration of the Spirit and with power! These
parts are in a dead sleep. At Annapolis, I preached twice, and
spoke home to some ladies concerning the vanity of their false
politeness. But, alas; they are wedded to their quadrille and
ombre. The minister of the place was under convictions. He wept
twice, and earnestly begged my prayers. He will not frighten
people, I believe, with harsh doctrine. He loves to prophesy
smooth things. God blessed the word wonderfully at Philadelphia.
I have great reason to think many are brought home to God. Oh,
help me, help me, dearest Mr. Noble, help me to be thankful; and
accept my thanks, though late, for all favours received when
at New York. Salute your dear wife, my kind hostess. Exhort
her to be severely kind to her little boy. I am your weak, but
affectionate friend, brother, and servant in Christ,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
In Pennsylvania and the Jerseys, Whitefield had been in the midst
of a great revival. In Maryland, he felt himself in a moral and
religious desert. His Journal continues:--
"Sunday, December 9. Preached at Upper Marlborough, to a small,
polite, and seemingly very curious audience. There being no
sermon in the afternoon, we took horse, and went a Sabbath-day's
journey as far as Piscataway, where I wrote some letters to our
English friends.
"Monday, December 10. Reached Potomac by three in the afternoon.
Potomac is a river which parts the two provinces of Maryland
and Virginia. It is six miles broad. We attempted to go over
it; but, after we had rowed about a mile, the wind blew so
violently, and night was coming on so fast, that we were obliged
to go back and lie in the person's house who kept the ferry,
where they brought out such things as they had.
"Tuesday, December 11. Had a delightful passage over the river
this morning. Observed the country to be much more open, and the
roads better, than in Maryland. Passed over two more ferries in
the day's journey, and were put to some little inconvenience for
want of finding a public-house in the way. However, at last, we
met a poor woman, who was going to sell cakes to the trained
bands, of which we bought some; and, a few miles farther, a
planter let us have some provender for our beasts, and a little
milk and small beer for ourselves. At six at night, we got to
a place called Seals Church, twenty-nine miles from Potomac.
Here we called at a person's house to whom we were recommended;
but the mistress of it was not at home, and the overseer of the
slaves, at first, was unwilling to receive us. However, finding
we were wet and strangers, he was at last prevailed upon to let
us abide there all night; and furnished us with a good fire,
with some little meat, and milk, and a cake baked on the hearth,
which was exceedingly refreshing, and afforded us no small
matter for praise and thanksgiving.
"Wednesday, December 12. We came to Piscataway ferry, where the
man of the house spared us some corn and sheaves for our horses,
but had neither milk nor bread in the house for ourselves.
However, I endeavoured to feed him with spiritual bread; but he
seriously asked one of us if I was not a Quaker. At four in the
afternoon, we reached an ordinary, and were refreshed with what
meat they had. In the evening, some gentlemen came disordered
in liquor; but the woman of the house kept them from us, and
we slept very comfortably on the bed that she made us in the
kitchen.[306] I talked to her of religion, and told her that we
were to be born again. She said that was true, but it was to be
done _after death_.
[306] These references to hunger, and kitchen accommodation, may
appear strange, but are sufficiently explained by the following
extract from a letter which Whitefield wrote to Gilbert Tennent:
"In these parts, Satan seems to lead people captive at his will.
The distance of the plantations prevents people assembling
together. Here are no great towns, as in other provinces, and
the commonalty is made up of negroes and convicts; and if they
pretend to serve God, their masters, Pharaoh-like, cry out, 'Ye
are idle, ye are idle.'"
"Thursday, December, 13. Set out just as the sun rose; got to
an ordinary by noon; ate what was set before us with some
degree of thankfulness; and reached the house of Colonel Whiting
long before night. Here God spread a plentiful table for us.
"Friday, December 14. Reached Williamsburg, the metropolis of
Virginia, by the evening.
"Saturday, December 15. Dined with the governor, who received me
most courteously. Paid my respects to the Rev. Mr. Blair, the
Commissary of Virginia. He received me with joy, and asked me to
preach. He has been chiefly instrumental in raising a beautiful
college at Williamsburg, in which is a foundation for about
eight scholars, a president, two masters, and professors in the
several sciences. Here the gentlemen of Virginia send their
children. The present masters came from Oxford. Two of them were
my contemporaries there. I rejoiced in seeing such a place in
America.[307]
[307] A college was erected at Williamsburg as early as the
year 1700, mostly at the charge of King William and Queen Mary,
who gave £2000 towards it, also twenty thousand acres of land,
and the duty of a penny a pound on all tobacco exported, from
Virginia and Maryland, to the plantations. It was soon entirely
destroyed by fire. (Oldmixon's "British Empire in America," vol.
i., p. 301.)
"Sunday, December 16. Preached in the morning. Several gentlemen
came from York, fourteen miles off. There being no sermon
customarily in the afternoon, I left Williamsburg, promising, if
possible, to visit these parts again in the summer.
"Monday, December 17. Got over a ferry three miles broad last
night, and met with a young man who shewed us the way to Captain
R----n's, who entertained us with much generosity, and was so
kind as to accompany us fourteen miles this morning. We came to
an ordinary about thirty miles from the place where we lay last
night. Here we met with what some would call very indifferent
entertainment. Bashfulness, and a fear of being troublesome,
have kept us from embracing offers of gentlemen's houses; but
we have heard a good report of the generosity of the Virginia
gentlemen. I find they are so willing, and accustomed to
entertain strangers, that few think it worth their while to keep
public ordinaries.
"Tuesday, December 18. Being indisposed with fever, and one of
our horses being foundered, it was thought desirable to stay at
the ordinary the whole day.
"Wednesday, December 19. We took a short day's journey of about
twenty-six miles, and were most affectionately received by
Colonel O----n, in North Carolina.
"Thursday, December 20. Took leave of our kind host, and
travelled cheerfully onwards. About noon, we alighted in the
woods, to give our horses provender, and to take a little
refreshment ourselves, which we have done every day this week,
because there are no ordinaries in the way. By four in the
afternoon, we reached Eden Town, a little place, beautifully
situated by the water-side. Here we were well entertained at a
public-house.
"Friday, December 21. We went in a pettiagua over the sound,
and were nearly seven hours in our passage. It was about twelve
miles over. We met with a convenient ordinary on the other side.
"Saturday, December 22. We came to Bath-Town, a distance of
nearly fifty miles. It is by far the longest stage, and the
roads are the worst we have had, since we began our journey.
The ground, most part of the way, was swampy, and the country
uninhabited. It was as hot as it is at Midsummer in England; but
we had a sweet breeze, which made our riding through the woods
exceeding pleasant. About midway, we met with an ordinary, where
we refreshed ourselves and beasts. We observed a variety of
birds; and, in the evening, heard wolves howling like a kennel
of hounds.
"Sunday, December 23. Sent to the minister of the place, and had
some conversation with him last night. Preached, at noon, to
nearly a hundred people, which, I found, was an extraordinary
congregation, there being seldom more than twenty at church.
"Monday, December 24. Crossed Pamplico river, about five miles
wide, yesterday morning. Lay at an ordinary at the water-side.
Reached Newborn Town, thirty miles from Bath Town, by six at
night.
"Tuesday, December 25. Went to public worship, and received the
holy sacrament, which was celebrated in the Court House. In the
afternoon, the people were uncommonly attentive. One told me I
had given him a home stroke. The woman where we lodged would
take nothing for our Christmas dinner, and wished we could stay
with them longer.
"Wednesday, December 26. Met with comfortable refreshment at an
ordinary on the road, and lodged at a little house in the woods,
about thirty-five miles from where we lay last night. I baptized
two children. I believe there may be hundreds of children in
this province unbaptized, for want of a minister.
"Thursday, December 27. Set out about eight in the morning, and
got to an ordinary, about thirty-three miles distant, before
six at night. I went, as my usual custom is, among the negroes
belonging to the house. One man was sick in bed, and two of his
children said their prayers after me very well.
"Friday, December 28. After about fifteen miles' ride, we
comfortably refreshed both ourselves and beasts at a poor
widow's ordinary, who, a few days ago, had buried her husband.
After dinner, we had a pleasant ride to New Town on Cape Fear
River, nearly eighteen miles from the place where we baited.
We rejoiced greatly that the Lord had brought us so far on our
journey, and had not suffered us to go out of our way, through
so many almost uninhabited woods.
"Sunday, December 30. Wrote letters to my friends in England.
Read prayers, and preached, both morning and evening, in
the Court House. There being many of the Scotch amongst the
congregation, who lately came over to settle in North Carolina,
I was led to make a particular application to them, and to
remind them of the necessity of living holy lives, and giving
proof of their zeal for those truths which they had heard
preached to them, with great purity and clearness, in their
native country. About five in the evening, I and my friends
passed the ferry, and lay at the house of the High Sheriff of
the county.
"Monday, December 31. Set out early, and met with more perils
by land than we have been exposed to yet. The swamps and creeks
which lay in the way were filled with water; and the bridges,
being out of repair, rendered travelling very dangerous. In
one place, we were obliged to swim our horses; in many, the
waters were very high, and were not to be passed without much
difficulty. But we met with two good guides, by whose assistance
we were brought, at night, to a little house, where with
pleasure we reflected on the dangers and deliverances of the day.
1740. Tuesday, January 1. About sunset, we came to a tavern,
five miles within the province of South Carolina. I believe the
people of the house, at first, wished I had not come to be their
guest; for, it being New Year's Day, several of the neighbours
were met together to divert themselves by dancing country
dances. By the advice of my companions, I went in amongst them.
All were soon put to silence, and were, for some time, so
overawed, that, after I had discoursed with them on the nature
of baptism, and the necessity of being born again, in order to
enjoy the kingdom of heaven, I baptized, at their entreaty,
one of their children, and prayed as I was enabled, and as the
circumstances of the company required.
"Wednesday, January 2. Rose early, prayed, sung a hymn, gave
another word of exhortation to the dancers; and, at break of
day, we mounted our horses. For nearly twenty miles, we rode
over a beautiful bay, and were wonderfully delighted to see
the porpoises taking their pastime. We intended to call at a
gentleman's house, about forty miles distant from our last
night's lodging, but we missed the way, and came to a hut full
of negroes. We enquired after the gentleman's house whither we
were directed; but the negroes said they knew no such man, and
that they were but new-comers. From these circumstances, we
inferred that they might be some of those who had lately made
an insurrection in the province, and had run away from their
masters. We, therefore, thought it best to mend our pace, and,
soon after, we saw another nest of negroes dancing round about
a fire. When we had gone about a dozen miles, we came to a
plantation, the master of which gave us lodging, and our beasts
provender. During the day, we had ridden nearly three-score
miles, and, as we thought, in great peril of our lives.
"Thursday, January 3. Had a hospitable breakfast; set out late
in the morning; and, for the ease of our beasts, rode not above
nineteen miles the whole day. 'A good man,' says Solomon, 'is
merciful to his beast.'
"Friday, January 4. About eight in the evening, after riding
forty-three miles, we came to a tavern, five miles from
Charleston.
"Saturday, January 5. Left our lodging before daylight, and,
after we had passed over a three-mile ferry, we reached
Charleston about ten in the morning.
"Sunday, January 6. Went to public service in the morning,
but did not preach, because the curate had not a commission
to lend the pulpit, unless the commissary (then out of town)
were present. Most of the town, however, being eager to hear
me, I preached, in the afternoon, in one of the Dissenting
meeting-houses, but was grieved to find so little concern in
the congregation. The auditory was large, but very polite. I
question whether the court-end of London could exceed them in
affected finery, gaiety of dress, and a deportment ill-becoming
persons who have had such Divine judgments lately sent amongst
them. I reminded them of this in my sermon; but I seemed to them
as one that mocked.
"Monday, January 7. Finding the inhabitants desirous to hear
me a second time, I preached, in the morning, in the French
church. The audience was so great, that many stood without the
door. I felt much more freedom than I did yesterday. Many were
melted into tears. One of the town, most remarkably gay, was
observed to weep. Instead of the people going out (as they did
yesterday) in a light, unthinking manner, a visible concern was
in most of their faces. After sermon, I and my friends dined
at a merchant's; and, as I was passing along, a letter was put
into my hands, wherein were these words: 'Remember me in your
prayers, for Christ's sake, who died for me a sinner.' Many
of the inhabitants, with full hearts, entreated me to give
them one more sermon, and, though I was just about to take the
boat, I thought it my duty to comply with their request. Notice
was immediately given, and, in about half an hour, a large
congregation was assembled in the Dissenting meeting-house. In
the evening, I supped at another merchant's house, and had an
opportunity, for nearly two hours, to converse of the things of
God with a large company.
"Tuesday, January 8. Left our horses in Charleston, and set out
for Georgia, in an open canoe, having five negroes to row and
steer us. The poor slaves were very civil, and laborious. We lay
one night on the water; and, about five on Wednesday evening,
arrived at Beaufort in Port Royal, one hundred miles from
Charleston.
"Wednesday, January 9. The wind being high, and sailing
impracticable, we stayed at Beaufort all the morning, and dined
with kind Mr. Jones, the minister of the place, who received us
with great civility. Afterwards, the weather being fair, and
the tide serving, we again took boat. In the night, we made a
fire on the shore. A little after midnight, we prayed with the
negroes; took boat again; and reached Savannah the next day,
where I had a joyful meeting with my dear friends, who had
arrived three weeks ago."
Thus, after a journey of five months' duration, Whitefield once
more reached his parish in America. If it be asked, what induced
him and his friends to leave their ship, at Capen Lopen, on October
30th, and to spend ten weeks in travelling to Georgia by land,
through the four provinces of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and
Carolina? the best and, indeed, the only answer is, we cannot tell.
It seemed a strange freak for Whitefield to send what he called his
"family" to Savannah by water, and for himself and William Seward
and others to travel to the same place, a distance of at least six
or seven hundred miles, through primeval forests, uncultivated
plains, and miasmal swamps. But even out of this curious vagary came
great results; for, in these colonial wanderings, Whitefield became
acquainted with the Tennents and other Presbyterian ministers; and
this affected the whole of his future life.
When Whitefield sailed to America in 1739, he intended to return to
England in about a twelve-month. His principal object was to erect
and institute his Orphan House in Georgia. As will be seen shortly,
he did much more than this; but his other labours were not included
in his first design. His own account of the commencement of the
Orphan House is as follows:--
"Some have thought that the erecting of such a building was
only the produce of my own brain; but they are much mistaken.
It was first proposed to me by my dear friend, the Rev. Mr.
Charles Wesley, who, with his Excellency General Oglethorpe,
had concerted a scheme for carrying on such a design before
I had any thoughts of going abroad myself. It was natural to
think, that, as the government intended this province for the
refuge and support of many of our poor countrymen, numbers of
such adventurers must necessarily be taken off, by being exposed
to the hardships which unavoidably attend a new settlement.
I thought it, therefore, a noble design to erect a house for
fatherless children, and was resolved, in the strength of God,
to prosecute it with all my might. This was mentioned to the
Honourable the Trustees. They took it kindly at my hands; and,
as I then began to be pretty popular at Bristol and elsewhere,
they wrote to the Bishop of Bath and Wells, asking leave for
me to preach a charity sermon on this occasion in the Abbey
Church. This was granted, and I, accordingly, began immediately
to compose a suitable discourse; but, knowing my first stay in
Georgia would be but short, on account of my returning to take
priest's orders, I thought it most prudent, first, to go and see
for myself, and defer prosecuting the scheme till I returned, to
England.
"When I came to Georgia, I found many poor orphans, who, though
taken notice of by the Honourable Trustees, yet, through the
neglect of persons that acted under them, were in miserable
circumstances. For want of a house to breed them up in, the poor
little ones were tabled out here and there, and, besides the
hurt they received by bad examples, forgot at home what they
learnt at school. Others were at hard services, and likely to
have no education at all. Upon seeing this, I thought I could
not better shew my regard to God and my country, than by getting
a house and land for these children, where they might learn to
labour, read, and write, and, at the same time, be brought up in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
"Accordingly, at my return to England in the year 1738, to take
priest's orders, I applied to the Honourable Society for a
grant of five hundred acres of land, and laid myself under an
obligation to build a house upon it, and to receive, from time
to time, as many orphans as the land and stock would maintain.
"As I had always acted like a clergyman of the Church of
England, and had preached in many of the London churches,--and
as I had but a few months before collected nearly £1000 for
the children belonging to the charity schools in London and
Westminster,--it was natural to think that I might now have the
use of some of these churches to preach in, for the orphans
of Georgia. But, by the time I had taken priest's orders, the
clergy began to be much embittered. Churches were gradually
denied to me; and I must let this good design drop, or preach
in the fields. Indeed, two churches, one in Spitalfields and
one in Bristol, were lent me upon this occasion; but these
were all.[308] However, God kept me from being discouraged.
I collected for the Orphan House in Moorfields £52, one
Sabbath-day morning, £22 of which were in copper. The people
offered willingly, and took more pains to come through the crowd
to put their contributions into my hat, than some would to have
gotten them. In the afternoon, I collected again at Kennington
Common;[309] and continued to do so at most of the places where
I preached. Besides this, two or three bishops and several
persons of distinction contributed; till, at length, having
about £1010, I gave over collecting, and went with what I had to
Georgia. Multitudes offered to go with me; but I chose to take
only a surgeon and a few more of both sexes, who I thought would
be useful in carrying on my design. These cheerfully embarked
with me, desiring nothing for their pains, but food and raiment.
My dear fellow-traveller, William Seward, Esq., also joined with
them, and was particularly useful to me. Our first voyage was to
Philadelphia, where I was willing to go for the sake of laying
in provision. In January, 1739, I met my family in Georgia;
and, being unwilling to lose any time, I hired a large house,
and took in all the orphans I could find in the colony. Most of
the orphans were in poor case; and three or four were almost
eaten up with lice. About the month of March, I began the great
house, having only about £150 in cash. I called it Bethesda,
because I hoped it would be a house of mercy to many souls."[310]
[308] This account was written in 1746; but, through forgetfulness
on Whitefield's part, it is not correct. On February 2, 1739, he
preached in Islington Church, and made a collection amounting to
£22 11s.; and, two days afterwards, he preached and made another
collection, in the Church of St. George's in the East, which
amounted to £18. ("Account of Money received and disbursed for the
Orphan House in Georgia. By George Whitefield. London: 1741.")
[309] Altogether, Whitefield made three collections in Moorfields,
making an aggregate sum of £112 14s.; and six on Kennington Common,
amounting to £173 10s. 4d. (Ibid.)
[310] Whitefield's Works, vol. iii., p. 466.
In the above extract, Whitefield says certain bishops and persons
of distinction contributed to his Orphan House in Georgia. The
bishops who contributed were, Dr. Benson, Bishop of Gloucester, £10
10s.; and Dr. Butler, Bishop of Bristol, £5 5s. The "persons of
distinction" included Lady Cox, £5 5s. Her sister, Madam Bridget
Bethel £5 5s.; Lady Betty Hastings, £10; the Rev. Mr. Kinchin, £2
2s.; Rev. Mr. Broughton, £1 1s.; Rev. Westley Hall, £5 5s.; Rev.
Benjamin Ingham, £1 1s.; (the four last mentioned were Oxford
Methodists.) Whitefield himself, £80 10s.; William Seward, Esq.,
£100; Benjamin Seward, Esq., £50; the Honourable Dixey Windsor, £5
5s.; Rev. Mr. Radliff, Master of Pembroke College, £1 1s.; Rev. Dr.
Doddridge, £1 1s.; John Thorold, Esq., £5 5s.; Mr. James Hutton, £2
2s.; Howell Harris, £1 1s.; the Countess of Egmont, £5 5s.; Rev.
Henry Piers, 10s. 6d.
Whitefield's Report, published in 1741, contains other interesting
items. For instance, besides those already mentioned, collections
were made by Whitefield in other places, amounting to £227 4s.
9d.; and to these must be added "a collection by the Rev. Mr.
Cole, Dissenting minister at Gloucester, £12 10s.;" and also the
collections and subscriptions raised in America, making a total of
£2530 2s. 9d. And even this was not all. William Seward contributed
four horses; Mr. Hugh Bryan, of South Carolina, gave a canoe, eleven
barrels of rice, five barrels of beef, and six sheep; Mr. Hazelton,
of the same province, five sheep, six geese, and four turkeys;
divers friends at Charleston gave him linen, china, a hogshead of
molasses, 250 lb. of wool, a cow, five sugar-loaves, nine hams, and
a bag of coffee; and friends in Pennsylvania contributed cheeses,
hams, hung beef, children's stays, shirts, about ten thousand
bricks, and "a large folio Turkey-leather Bible." Among the items
of expenditure were the following:--Sarah Greenhough, of London,
for eighty-four pairs of shoes, £5 1s. 6d.; John Bray, for mortars,
stills, etc., £20 1s. 10d.; James Hutton, for surgery books, £3
4s. 8d.; Isaac Burton, for two wigs, £2 6s.; Robert Norman, for
gunpowder, £19; Mr. Day, for drawing a plan for the Orphan House, £2
10s.; passage for eleven persons to Georgia, £87 5s. 6d:; Mr. Hugh
Bryan, for twenty-one cows, twenty-one calves, a bull, two horses,
a mare, a colt, and ten sows, £65 18s. 6-1/4d.; for two servants
_bought_ of Mr. George Cuthbert, £12; Captain Mackay, for 15,700
shingles, £7 17s.; Isaac Young, for cartage of 28,000 bricks, a
mare, and two drawing steers, £23 6s.; Hugh Wire, for 1365 lb. of
pork, £9 3s.; ten cows and calves, £30; eighteen cows, £36; one
bull, £1; forty-eight hogs and eight sheep, £20; Hugh Ross, for
fencing the gardens, £41 12s. 8d.; several labourers, for fencing
the whole 500 acres, £37 3s. "The total of cash paid for the Orphan
House since it was settled December, 1739, £3,358 7s. 5-1/4d.;"
leaving a deficiency in December, 1741, of £828 4s. 8-1/4d.
Almost all the building materials used in the erection of the Orphan
House had to be conveyed from Savannah, a distance of about a dozen
miles; and, there being no road between Bethesda and Savannah, one
of the items of expenditure in Whitefield's financial statement is,
"Paid labourers who are employed in clearing land, going in boats,
tending on carpenters and bricklayers, and in making a cart road,
near twelve miles, from Savannah to Bethesda, £258 14s. 4-1/2d.,
besides their provisions." For thirty years, Bethesda was the
object of Whitefield's constant solicitude. "It compelled him to
travel, and inspired him to preach." James Habersham, one of those
who went out with him in 1738, was his factotum, and, for many
years, rendered most valuable service. This comparatively humble
man afterwards rose to considerable distinction. He became governor
of the province of Georgia; he was the father of Joseph Habersham,
the distinguished patriot whom Washington, in 1795, appointed
Post-Master General of the United States; and he was also one of the
executors of Whitefield's will. The _Honourable_ James Habersham
will be often mentioned in the succeeding pages. It is now time,
however, to return to Whitefield's diary and letters. He reached
Savannah on January 10, 1740, and the next day went to Bethesda. He
writes:--
"1740. Friday, January 11. Went this morning, with some friends,
to view a tract of land, consisting of five hundred acres,
which Mr. Habersham, whom I left schoolmaster of Savannah, was
directed, I hope by Providence, to make choice of for the Orphan
House. It is situated on the northern part of the colony, about
ten miles from Savannah, and has various kinds of soil in it;
a part of it very good. Some acres, through the diligence of
my friend, are cleared. He has also stocked it with cattle and
poultry. He has begun the fence, and built a hut. I choose to
have it so far off the town, because the children will be more
free from bad examples. It is my design to have each of the
children taught to labour, so as to be qualified to get their
own living."
Oddly enough, there is here a break in Whitefield's Journal, the
next entry being dated January 24th; but the following extracts will
help to fill the chasm. William Stephens, Esq., in his "Journal of
the Proceedings in Georgia," published in 1742, writes:--
"1740. January 11. Mr. Whitefield, accompanied by three or four
others, arrived at Savannah. Mr. Norris quietly gave up the
church to Mr. Whitefield. Mr. Whitefield gave to me a document
relating to the land on which to build his Orphan House. I
told him that Mr. Habersham had already applied to General
Oglethorpe, when he was at Savannah, and that the general had
ordered five hundred acres to be run out, and had signed a
warrant for this; and that, accordingly, Mr. Habersham had taken
possession of the five hundred acres, and begun fencing and
clearing it.
"January 13. Mr. Whitefield's name, which of late has made so
much noise in England, could not fail in drawing all sorts
of people to the church. Both morning and evening, he made
justification by faith only the subject of his discourse; which
he pressed home with great energy, denouncing anathemas on all
such as taught otherwise.
"January 15. Mr. Norris goes as clergyman to Frederica. Mr.
Whitefield has employed nearly all the sawyers, carpenters, and
bricklayers in Savannah, to build his Orphan House, on the five
hundred acres, which Mr. Habersham selected, about ten miles
from Savannah.
"January 20. Mr. Whitefield read prayers at seven; again at
ten, with a sermon; again at three, with a sermon; a lecture at
seven; besides the sacrament after the second morning service,
when he administered to between thirty and forty. Both the
sermons were on Justification and Regeneration. I hope for one
on Good Works before long."
During the thirteen days omitted in his Journal, Whitefield was
not only preaching and looking after the affairs of Bethesda,
but writing letters, some of which were of great interest and
importance. To the Rev. Ralph Erskine he wrote as follows:--
"SAVANNAH, _January 16, 1740_.
"REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,--You may depend on my not being
prejudiced against you or your brethren, by any evil report.
They only endear you to me more and more; and were your
enemies to represent you as black as hell, I should think you
the more glorious in the sight of heaven. I assure you, dear
sir, I am fully convinced of the doctrine of election, free
justification, and final perseverance. My observations on the
Quakers were only intended for those particular persons with
whom I then conversed. The tenets of the Quakers in general,
about justification, I take to be false and unscriptural. Your
adversaries need take no advantage against you by anything I
have written; for I think it every minister's duty to declare
against the corruptions of that church to which he belongs.
This is your case in Scotland, and ours in England. I see no
other way for us to act at present, than to go on preaching
the truth as it is in Jesus; and then, if our brethren cast us
out, God will direct us to take that course which is the most
conducive to His glory and His people's good. I think I have
but one objection against your proceedings,--your insisting
only on _Presbyterian government_, exclusive of all other
ways of worshipping God. Will not this necessarily lead you
(whenever you get the upper hand) to oppose and persecute all
that differ from you in their church government, or outward
way of worshipping God? Our dear brother and fellow-labourer,
Mr. Gilbert Tennent, thinks this will be the consequence, and
said he would write to you about it. For my own part, though I
profess myself a minister of the Church of England, I am of a
catholic spirit; and, if I see any man who loves the Lord Jesus
in sincerity, I am not very solicitous to what outward communion
he belongs.
"God is doing great things in America. My Journal, which I send
with this, will shew you what He has done already. Affairs of
the Orphan House go on well. Some few, even here, love the Lord
Jesus. Oh, dear sir, pray for us, and especially for your weak,
unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in Christ,,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."[311]
[311] Whitefield's Works, vol. i., p. 141, and "Life and Diary of
Rev. R. Erskine," p. 310.