"Last Saturday" (January 10) "I was taken up, for being
concerned in correcting the enclosed printed letter, written by
Mr. Hugh Bryan.[415] I am bound over to appear next sessions, as
well as Mr. Bryan: he, I believe, for libelling the king, and I
for libelling the clergy, in saying they break the canons daily.
These are earnests of what I must expect to meet in my native
country; but our Lord will be our refuge in every storm. I
expect my family will be like the burning bush. I find, I am in
debt for them upwards of £600; but the Lord will provide. I wish
to sink exceeding low, and cry out, 'Grace! grace! O the love of
God! the sovereignty of Christ! the unchangeable loving-kindness
of our heavenly Father!' Excuse me, dear Mr. Cooper; my heart
is full. I want all men to love the Lord Jesus. It greatly
rejoices me, to hear so many are coming to Him. I cannot but
think that He will let His Word run, and be abundantly glorified
in America. Boston people are much upon my heart. The memory of
their forefathers is precious to me. May you live to see the
spirit of scriptural _Puritanism_ universally prevail! I hope
you will write every opportunity. If I am in prison, to hear
that Boston people are alive to Christ will make me arise at
midnight to sing praises to God."
[415] Whitefield speaks of Mr. Bryan as "a wealthy, moral, civilised
planter, of South Carolina."