_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._
_Portsmouth, New Hampshire, September 23, 1770._
_My very dear Friend_,
YOUR letters, of _May 2_ and _22_, came to hand. _New-York_ packet
is always the surest and most centrical medium of conveyance. Before
I left _Boston_, on _Friday_ afternoon, I left a large packet in the
hands of a young man, who promised to deliver it to you safely. You
and Mr. _H――――y_ may peruse all, and communicate what you think proper.
By this time I thought to be moving southward. But never was greater
importunity used to detain me longer in these northern parts. Poor
_New-England_ is much to be pitied; _Boston_ people most of all. How
falsely misrepresented! What a mercy, that our _christian charter_
cannot be dissolved! Blessed be GOD for an unchangeable JESUS! You will
see, by the many invitations, what a door is opened for preaching his
everlasting gospel. I was so ill on _Friday_, that I could not preach,
though thousands were waiting to hear. Well, the day of release will
shortly come,¹ but it does not seem yet; for, by riding sixty miles,
I am better, and hope to preach here to-morrow. I trust, my blessed
Master will accept of these poor efforts to serve him. O for a warm
heart; O to stand fast in the faith, to quit ourselves like men, and
be strong! May this be the happy experience of you and yours! I suppose
letters are gone for me, in _Anderson_, to _Georgia_. If spared so long,
I expect to see it about _Christmas_. Still pray and praise. I am so
poorly, and so engaged when able to preach, that this must apologize
for not writing to more friends. It is quite impracticable. Hoping to
see all dear friends about the time proposed, and earnestly desiring
a continued interest in all your prayers, I must hasten to subscribe
myself, my dear, very dear Sir,
Less than the least of all,
_G. W._
¹ Mr. _Whitefield_ died the 30th.
END _of the_ LETTERS.
* * * * *
The following Letters, addressed by Mr. _Whitefield_ to the
inhabitants of _Savannah_, as they display his affections
to the people, among whom he went to minister, so will be no
unsuitable introduction to the Account of the Orphan-house.
It may not be improper to observe, that Mr. _Whitefield_’s
first arrival at _Savannah_, was _May 7, 1738_; he laboured
assiduously in that place,¹ and the neighbouring settlements,
till _August 28_ following, and then went to _South Carolina_,
and embarked on board the _Mary_, Captain _Cae_, for _England_,
that he might receive priest’s orders, for his further service
to that people, and raise contributions for erecting an
Orphan-house in the new colony at _Georgia_, which he saw was
greatly wanted.
¹ See his letter from _Savannah_, dated _June 10, 1738_.
Vol. I. p. 44.
_To the Inhabitants of Savannah._
_From on board the Mary, October 2, 1738._
_My good Friends_,
AS GOD has been pleased to place you more especially under my care;
so whether absent or present, I think it my duty to contribute my
utmost endeavours towards promoting the salvation of your precious and
immortal souls. For this end, and this only, GOD is my judge, came I
amongst you; for this end am I now parted from you for a season; and
for this end do I send you this general epistle. I love, I pray for,
therefore do I write to you all without exception. But what shall I
write to you about? Why, of our common salvation, of that one thing
needful, of that new birth in CHRIST JESUS, that ineffable change which
must pass upon our hearts, before we can see GOD, and of which you have
heard me discourse so often. Let this, this, my dear friends, be the
end of all your actions. Have this continually in view, and you will
never do amiss. The author of this blessed change, is the Holy Ghost,
the third person in the ever-blessed Trinity. The Father made, the Son
redeemed, and the Holy Spirit is to sanctify, and so apply CHRIST’s
redemption to our hearts. The means to attain this Holy Spirit, you
know, and the way you know; _Self-denial_, and the _way of the Cross_.
“If any man will come after me (says JESUS CHRIST) let him deny himself,
and, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” And, I cannot but think
it a particular blessing, which you enjoy above others; because you
are in a new colony, where daily crosses must necessarily fall in your
way. O then, I beseech you by the mercies of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, make
a virtue of necessity, and take up your daily crosses with resignation
and thanksgiving. Another means to attain the Holy Spirit, is _public
worship_: for CHRIST has promised, “where two or three are gathered
together in his name, there will he, by his Spirit, be in the midst
of them.” For your zeal in this particular, I have often blessed GOD
within myself, and made mention of it to others. O continue like-minded,
and as in my presence, so in my absence, do not forsake the assembling
yourselves together in the house of GOD; for there you will have the
scriptures read, though not expounded; and the Holy Spirit, if you
apply to him, will open your understandings, and guide you into all
truth. Many other means there are of attaining the Holy Ghost, such
as, _reading the scriptures,――secret prayer,――self-examination_, and
_receiving the blessed Sacrament_;――all which I would insist on, could
they be comprised in a letter. But this must be deferred till I see you
in person, and am qualified to administer unto you the sacred symbols
of CHRIST’s blessed body and blood. In the mean while, think not that
I shall forget you in my prayers; no, I remember my promise, and whilst
the winds and storms are blowing over me, I make supplication to GOD in
your behalf. Though absent in body, I am present in spirit, and joy in
hopes of hearing of your zeal for the LORD. Remember, my dear friends,
that for the space of near four months, I ceased not, day and night,
warning every one of you to repent and turn to GOD, and bring forth
fruits meet for repentance. Repent you therefore, and walk in all
things as becometh the gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and then, and
then only, shall your sins be blotted out. Finally, my brethren, be all
of one mind. Let there be no divisions among you; for a kingdom divided
against itself cannot stand. Be over careful for nothing, but in every
thing, with supplications and thanksgiving make your wants known unto
GOD. Speak not evil one of another, brethren, but live at peace among
yourselves; and the GOD of peace shall in all things direct and rule
your hearts. Brethren, pray for us, that GOD would prosper the works of
his hands upon me, and restore me to you as soon as possible. In about
eight months, GOD willing, I hope to see you; in the mean while, you
shall not be forgotten by
Your affectionate, though unworthy minister
in CHRIST JESUS,
_G. W._
_To the Inhabitants of Savannah._
_London, January 19, 1739._
_My dear Friends_,
THOUGH a woman may as soon forget her sucking child, yet, I fear,
you have before this time thought, that I have forgotten you. But GOD
forbid! As I have told you often, so I tell you again; You are upon my
heart, so that I am ready to live and die with you; and, GOD willing,
as soon as my affairs are finished in _England_, I shall return to
you again. The Trustees have now appointed me minister of _Savannah_,
and granted all I desired of them, so that I have nothing to do, but
to watch over your souls, that I may present you blameless at the
coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Be stedfast therefore, my brethren,
be unmoveable. Carefully attend to the words spoken by your present
Pastor, and strive to enter in at the strait gate. Let love be without
dissimulation. Let not slander so much as be named amongst you, as
becometh saints. Be not slothful in business; yet take heed that you
are fervent in spirit, serving the LORD. Pray without ceasing. In every
thing give thanks; and assure yourselves, you are continually
remembered by
Your most affectionate Pastor,
_G. W._
_P. S._ My business in _England_ detaining me longer than I expected,
I have therefore written this to assure you, that I will return as soon
as possible.¹
¹ Mr. _Whitefield_ embarked for _America_, the ―――― of _August_
following.