Preached before the Governor, and Council,
and the House of Assembly, in, _Georgia_, on January 28, 1770.
ZECHARIAH iv. 10.
_For who hath despised the Day of Small Things?_
MEN, brethren, and fathers, at sundry times and in divers manners, GOD
spake to the fathers by the prophets, before he spoke to us in these
last days by his Son. And as GOD is a sovereign agent, and his sacred
Spirit bloweth when and where it listeth, surely he may reveal and make
known his will to his creatures, when, where, and how he pleaseth; “and
who shall say unto him, what doest thou?” Indeed, this seems to be one
reason, to display his sovereignty, why he chose, before the canon of
scripture was settled, to make known his mind in such various methods,
and to such a variety of his servants and messengers.
Hence it is, that we hear, he talked with _Abraham_ as “a man talketh
with a friend.” To _Moses_ he spoke “face to face.” To others by
“dreams in the night,” or by “visions” impressed strongly on their
imaginations. This seems to be frequently the happy lot of the
favourite evangelical prophet _Zechariah_, I call him _evangelical
prophet_, because his predictions, however they pointed at some
approaching or immediate event, ultimately terminated in Him, who
is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of all the lively
oracles of GOD. The chapter from which our text is selected, among many
other passages, is a striking proof of this: An angel, that had been
more than once sent to him on former occasions, appears again to him,
and by way of vision, and “waked him, (to use his own words) as a man
that is wakened out of his sleep.” Prophets, and the greatest servants
of GOD, need waking sometimes out of their drowsy frames.
Methinks I see this man of GOD darting out of his sleep, and being
all attention: the angel asked him, “what seeth thou?” He answers, “I
have looked, and behold, a candlestick all of gold,” an emblem of the
church of GOD, “with a bowl upon the top of it, and seven lamps thereon,
and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which were upon the top thereof;”
implying, that the church, however reduced to the lowest ebb, should
be preserved, be kept supplied, and shining, through the invisible,
but not less real, because invisible aids and operations of the blessed
Spirit of GOD. The occasion of such an extraordinary vision, if we
compare this passage with the second chapter of the Prophecy of the
prophet _Haggai_, seems to be this: It was now near eighteen years
since the _Jewish_ people had been delivered from their long and
grievous _Babylonish_ captivity; and being so long deprived of their
temple and its worship, which fabric had been rased even to the ground,
one would have imagined, that immediately upon their return, they
should have postponed all private works, and with their united strength
have first set about rebuilding that once stately and magnificent
structure. But they, like too many christians of a like lukewarm stamp,
though all acknowledged that this church-work was a necessary work, yet
put themselves and others off, with this godly pretence, “The time is
not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built.” The time is
not come! what, not in eighteen years! for so long had they now been
returned from their state of bondage: and pray, why was not the time
come? The prophet _Haggai_ tells them; their whole time was so taken up
in building for themselves cieled houses, that they had no time left to
build an habitation for their great and glorious Benefactor, the mighty
GOD of _Jacob_.
This ingratitude must not be passed by unpunished. Omniscience observes;
Omnipotence resents it! And that they might read their sin in their
punishment, as they thought it best to get rich, and secure houses and
lands and estates for themselves, before they set about unnecessary
church-work, the prophet tells them, “You have sown much, but bring
in little: ye eat, but ye have not enough: ye drink, but ye are not
filled with drink: ye clothe you, but there is none warm: and he that
earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.” Still
he goes on thundering and lightening, “Ye looked for much, and lo it
came to little: and when ye brought it home, (pleasing yourselves with
your fine crops) I did blow upon it: why? saith the LORD of Hosts;
because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his
own house.” A thundering sermon this! delivered not only to the common
people, but also unto, and in the presence of “_Zerubbabel_, the son
of _Shaealtiel_, governor of _Judah_, and to _Joshua_, the son of
_Josedech_ the high-priest. The prophet’s report is believed; and the
arm of the LORD was revealed. _Zerubbabel_, the son of _Shaealtiel_,
and _Joshua_, the Son of _Josedech_, (O happy times when church and
state are thus combined) with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the
voice of the LORD their GOD, and the words of _Haggai_ the prophet.”
The spirit of _Zerubbabel_, and of _Joshua_, and the spirits of
all the remnant of the people were stirred up, and they immediately
came, disregarding, as it were, their own private buildings, “and
did work in the house of the LORD of Hosts their GOD.” For a while,
they proceeded with vigour; the foundation of the house is laid, and
the superstructure raised to some considerable height: but whether
this fit of hot zeal soon cooled, as is too common, or the people
were discouraged by the false representations of their enemies, which
perhaps met with too favourable a reception at the court of _Darius_;
it so happened, that the hearts of the magistrates and ministers of
the people waxed faint; and an awful chasm intervened, between the
finishing and laying the foundation of this promising and glorious work.
Upon this, another prophet, even _Zechariah_, (who with _Haggai_ had
been joint sufferer in the captivity) is sent to lift up the hands
that hang down, to strengthen the feeble knees, and by the foregoing
instructive vision, to reanimate _Joshua_ and the people in general,
and the heart of _Zerubbabel_, the son of _Shealtiel_, in particular,
maugre all discouragements, either from inveterate enemies, or from
timid unstable friends, or all other obstacles whatsoever. If _Haggai_
thunders, _Zechariah_’s message is as lightening. “This is the word
of the LORD unto _Zerubbabel_, saying, Not by might, nor by power,
(not by barely human power or policy) but by my spirit, saith the
LORD of Hosts: Who art thou, O great mountain? (thou _Sanballat_ and
thy associates, who have been so long crying out, what mean these
feeble _Jews_? however great, formidable, and seemingly insurmountable)
before _Zerubbabel_ thou shalt (not only be lowered and rendered more
accessible, but) become a plain;” thy very opposition shall, in the end,
promote the work, and help to expedite that very building, which thou
intendest to put a stop to, and destroy.
And lest _Zerubbabel_, through unbelief and outward opposition, or for
want of more bodily strength, should think this would be a work of time,
and that he should not live to see it compleated in his days, “The
word of the LORD came to _Zechariah_, saying, The hands of _Zerubbabel_
have laid the foundation of this house; his hands also shall finish it,
and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying,
Grace, grace unto it.” Grace! grace! unto it: a double acclamation, to
shew, that out of the abundance of their hearts, their mouth spake; and
this with shoutings and crying from all quarters. Even their enemies
should see the hand and providence of GOD in the beginning, continuance,
and ending of this seemingly improbable and impracticable work; so that
they should be constrained to cry, “Grace unto it,” and wish both the
work and the builders much prosperity: But as for its friends, they
should be so transported with heart-felt joy in the reflection upon the
signal providences which had attended them through the whole process,
that they would shout and cry, “Grace, grace unto it:” or, This is
nothing but the LORD’s doing; GOD prosper and bless this work more
and more, and make it a place where his free grace and glory may be
abundantly displayed. Then by a beautiful and pungent sarcasm, turning
to the insulting enemies, he utters the spirited interrogation in my
text, “Who hath despised the day of small things?” Who are you, that
vauntingly said, what can these feeble _Jews_ do, pretending to lay the
foundation of a house which they never will have money, or strength, or
power to finish? Or, who are you, O timorous, short-sighted, doubting,
though well-meaning people, who, through unbelief, were discouraged
at the small beginnings and feebleness of the attempt to build a
second temple? And, because you thought it could not come up to the
magnificence of the first, therefore were discouraged from so much as
beginning to build a second at all?
A close instructive question this; a question, implying, that whenever
GOD intends to bring about any great thing, he generally begins with a
day of small things.
As a proof of this, I will not lead you so far back, as to the
beginning of time, when the Everlasting “I AM” spoke all things
into existence, by his almighty _fiat_; and out of a confused chaos,
“without form and void,” produced a world worthy of a GOD to create,
and of his favourite creature man, his vicegerent and representative
here below, to inhabit, and enjoy in it both himself and his GOD. And
yet, though the heavens declare his glory, and the firmament sheweth
his handy work, though there is no speech nor language where their
voice is not heard, and their line is gone out through all the earth;
and by a dumb, yet persuasive language, proves the hand that made them
to be divine; yet there have been, and are now, such fools in the world,
as to “say in their hearts, There is no GOD;” or so wise, as by their
wisdom, not to know GOD, or own his divine image to be stamped on that
book, wherein these grand things are recorded, and that in such legible
characters, that he who runs may read.
Neither will I divert your attention, honoured fathers, to the
histories of _Greece_ and _Rome_, or any of the great kingdoms and
renowned monarchies, which constitute so great a part of ancient
history; but whose beginnings were very small, (witness _Romulus_’s
ditch) their progress as remarkably great, and their declension and
downfal, when arrived at their appointed zenith, as sudden, unexpected,
and marvellous. These make the chief subjects of the learning of our
schools; though they make but a mean figure in sacred history, and
would not perhaps have been mentioned at all, had they not been, in
some measure, connected with the history of GOD’s people, which is
the grand subject of that much despised book, emphatically called, The
Scriptures. Whoever hath a mind to inform himself of the one, may read
_Rollin_’s Ancient History, and whoever would see the connection with
the other, may consult the learned _Prideaux_’s admirable and judicious
connection. Books which, I hope, will be strenuously recommended,
and carefully studied, when this present infant institution gathers
more strength, and grows up into a seat of learning. I can hardly
forbear mentioning the small beginnings of _Great Britain_, now so
distinguished for liberty, opulence and renown; and the rise and rapid
progress of the _American_ colonies, which promises to be one of the
most opulent and powerful empires in the world. But my present views,
and the honours done this infant institution this day, and the words
of my text, as well as the feelings of my own heart, and I trust, of
the hearts of all that hear me, lead me to confine your meditations
to the history of GOD’s own peculiar people, which for the simplicity
and sublimity of its language, the veracity of its author, and the
importance and wonders of the facts therein recorded, if weighed in a
proper balance, hath not its equal under the sun. And yet, though GOD
himself hath become an author among us, we will not condescend to give
his book one thorough reading. Be astonished, O heavens, at this!
Who would have thought that from one, even from _Abraham_, and from so
small a beginning, as the emigration of a single private family, called
out of a land wholly given to idolatry, to be sojourners and pilgrims
in a strange land; who would have thought, that from a man, who for a
long season was written _childless_, a man whose first possession in
this strange land, was by purchasing a burying place for his wife, and
in whose grave one might have imagined he would have buried all future
expectations; who would have thought, that from this very man and woman,
according to the course of nature, both as good as dead, should descend
a numerous offspring like unto the stars of heaven for multitude,
and as the sand which is upon the sea shore innumerable? Nay, who
would have imagined, that against all probability, and in all human
appearance impossible, a kingdom should arise? Behold a poor captive
slave, even _Joseph_, who was cruelly separated from his brethren,
became second in _Pharaoh_’s kingdom: he was sent before to work out
a great deliverance, and to introduce a family which should take root,
deep root downwards and bear fruit upwards, and fill the land. How
could it enter into the heart of man to conceive, that when oppressed
by a king, who knew not _Joseph_, though they were the best, most loyal,
industrious subjects this king had, when an edict was issued forth
as impolitic as cruel, (since the safety and glory of all kingdoms
chiefly consist in the number of its inhabitants) that an outcast,
helpless infant should be taken, and bred up in all the learning of the
_Egyptians_, and in that very court from which, and by that very tyrant
from whom the edict came, and that the deliverer should be nurtured to
be king in _Jeshurun_?
But time as well as strength would fail me, was I to give you a detail
of all the important particulars respecting GOD’s peculiar people; as
their miraculous support in the wilderness, the events which took place
while they were under a divine theocracy, and during their settlement
in _Canaan_ to the time of their return from _Babylon_, and from thence
to the destruction of their second temple, &c. by the _Romans_. Indeed,
considering to whom I am speaking, persons conversant in the sacred and
profane history, I have mentioned these things only to stir up your
minds by way of remembrance.
But if we descend from the _Jewish_, to the Christian æra, we shall
find, that its commencement was, in the eyes of the world, a “day of
small things” indeed. Our blessed LORD compares the beginning of its
progress in the world, to a grain of mustard-seed, which though the
smallest of all seeds when sown, soon becomes a great tree, and so
spread, that the “birds of the air,” or a multitude of every nation,
language and tongue, came and lodged in its branches: and its inward
progress in the believers heart, CHRIST likens to a little leaven
which a woman hid in three measures of meal. How both the _Jewish_
and Christian dispensations have been, and even to this day are
despised, by the wise disputers of this world, on this very account, is
manifest to all who read the lively oracles with a becoming attention.
What ridicule, obloquy, and inveterate opposition christianity meets
with, in this our day, not only from the open deist, but from formal
professors, is too evident to every truly pious soul.
And what opposition the kingdom of grace meets with in the heart, is
well known by all those who are experimentally acquainted with their
hearts: they know, to their sorrow, what the great apostle of the
_Gentiles_ means, by “the Spirit striving against the flesh, and the
flesh against the Spirit.”
But the sacred Oracles, and the histories of all ages acquaint us, that
GOD brings about the greatest thing, not only by small and unlikely
means, but by ways and means directly opposite to the carnal reasonings
of unthinking men: he chuses things that be not, to bring to nought
those which are. How did christianity spread and flourish, by one,
who was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted
with grief, and who expired on a cross? he was despised and rejected,
not merely by the vulgar and illiterate, but the Rabbies and Masters
of _Israel_, the Scribes and Pharisees, who by the _Jewish_ churchmen
were held too in so high a reputation for their outward sanctity,
that it became a common proverb, “If only two went to heaven, the
one would be a Scribe, and the other a Pharisee.” Yet there were they
who endeavoured to silence the voice of all his miracles and heavenly
doctrine with, “Is not this the Carpenter’s son?” Nay, “He is mad, why
hear you him? he hath a devil, and calleth out devils by _Beelzebub_
the prince of the devils.” And their despite not only followed him
to, but after death, and when in his grave. “We remember (said they)
that this deceiver said, after three days I will rise again; command
therefore that the sepulchre be made sure;” but, maugre all your
impotent precautions, in sealing the stone, and setting a watch,
he burst the bars of death asunder, and, according to his repeated
predictions, proved himself to be the Son of GOD with power, by rising
the third day from the dead. And afterwards, in presence of great
multitudes, was he received up into glory; as a proof thereof, he sent
down the Holy Ghost, (on the mission of whom he pawned all his credit
with his disciples) in such an instantaneous, amazing manner, as one
would imagine, should have forced and compelled all who saw it to own,
that this was indeed the finger of GOD.
And yet how was this grand transaction treated? with the utmost
contempt: when instantaneously the apostles commenced orators and
linguists, and with a divine profusion spoke of the wonderful things of
GOD; “these men (said some) are full of new wine.” And yet by these men,
mean fishermen, illiterate men, idiots, in the opinion of the Scribes
and Pharisees, and notwithstanding all the opposition of earth and hell,
and that too only by the foolishness of preaching, did this grain of
mustard-seed grow up, till thousands, ten thousands of thousands, a
multitude which no man can number, out of every nation, language and
people, came and lodged under the branches of it.
Neither shall it rest here; whatever dark parenthesis may intervene,
we are assured, that being still watered by the same divine hand, it
shall take deeper and deeper root downward, and bear more and more
fruit upward, till the whole earth be filled with the knowledge of the
LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Who shall live when GOD doth this?
Hasten O LORD that blessed time! O let this thy kingdom come! Come,
not only by the external preaching of the gospel in the world, but by
its renovating, heart-renewing, soul-transforming power, to awakened
sinners! For want of this, alas! alas! though we understood all
mysteries, could speak with the tongues of men and angels, we should
be only like sounding brass, or so many tinkling cymbals.
And yet, what a “day of small things” is the first implantation of
the seed of divine life in the soul of man? Well might our LORD, who
alone is the author and finisher of our faith, compare it to a little
leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the
whole was leavened. Low similies, mean comparisons these, in the eyes
of those, who having eyes, see not; who having ears, hear not; whose
heart, being waxed gross, cannot, will not understand! To such, it is
despicable, mysterious, and unintelligible in its description; and,
if possible, infinitely more so, when made effectual by the power of
GOD, to the salvation of any individual soul. For the wisdom of GOD
will always be foolishness to natural men. As it was formerly, so it
is now; they who are born after the flesh, will persecute those that
are born after the spirit: the disciple must be as his master: they
that will live godly in him; they that live _most godly_ in him, must,
shall suffer persecution. This is so interwoven in the very nature
and existence of the gospel, that our LORD makes it one part of the
beatitudes, in that blessed sermon which he preached, when, to use the
words of my old familiar friend the seraphic _Hervey_, a mount was his
pulpit, and the heavens his sounding board. A part, which, like others
of the same nature, I believe, will be little relished by such who are
always clamouring against those few highly favoured souls, who dare
stand up and preach the doctrine of _justification by faith alone_
in the imputed righteousness of JESUS CHRIST, and are reproached with
not preaching, like their master, _Morality_, as they term it, in his
glorious sermon on the mount: for did we more preach, and more live it,
we should soon find all manner of evil would be spoken against us for
CHRIST’s sake.
But shall this hinder the progress, the growth, and consummation? and
shall the christian therefore be dismayed and discouraged? GOD forbid!
On the contrary, the weakest believer may, and ought, to rejoice and
be exceeding glad. And why? for a very good reason; because, he that
hath begun the good work, hath engaged also to finish it; though CHRIST
found him as black as hell, he shall present him, and every individual
purchased with his blood, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing,
before the Divine Presence. O glorious prospect! how will the saints
triumph, and the sons of GOD then shout for joy? If they shouted when
GOD said, “Let there be light, and there was light;” and if there
is joy in heaven over one sinner only that repenteth, how will the
heavenly arches echo and rebound with praise, when all the redeemed
of the LORD shall appear together, and the Son of GOD shall say, “of
all these that thou hast given to me, have I lost nothing.” On the
contrary, what weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth will there be,
not only amongst the devil and his angels, but amongst the fearful and
unbelieving, when they see that all the hellish temptations and devices,
instead of destroying, were over-ruled to the furtherance of the gospel
in general, and to the increase and growth of grace in every individual
believer in particular. And how will despisers then behold and wonder
and perish, when they shall be obliged to say, “we fools counted their
lives madness, and their end to be without honour; but how are they
numbered among the children of GOD, and how happy is their lot among
the saints!”
But whither am I going? Pardon me, my dear hearers, if you think this
to be a digression from my main point. It is true, whilst I am musing,
the fire begins to kindle: I am flying, but not so high, I trust, as
to lose sight of my main subject. And yet, after meditating and talking
of the rise and progress of the gospel of the kingdom, I shall find
it somewhat difficult to descend so low, as to entertain you with
the small beginnings of this infant colony, and of the Orphan-house,
in which I am now preaching. But I should judge myself inexcusable
on this occasion, if I did not detain you a little longer, in taking
a transient view of the traces of divine Providence, in the rise
and progress of the colony in general, and the institution of this
Orphan-house in particular. Children yet unborn, I trust, will have
occasion to bless GOD for both.
The very design of this settlement, as charity inclines us to hope all
things, was, that it might be an Asylum, and a place of business, for
as many as were in distress; for foreigners, as well as natives; for
_Jews_ and _Gentiles_. On _February_ 1, a day, the memory of which, I
think, should still be perpetuated, the first embarkation was made with
forty-five _English_ families; men, who had once lived well in their
native country, and who, with many persecuted _Saltzburghers_, headed
by a good old soldier of JESUS lately deceased, the Rev. Mr. _Boltzius_,
came to find a refuge here. They came, they saw, they laboured, and
endeavoured to settle; but by an essential, though well-meant defect,
in the very beginning of the settlement, too well known by some now
present, and too long, and too much felt to bear repeating, prohibiting
the importation and use of negroes, &c. their numbers gradually
diminished, and matters were brought to so low an ebb, that the whole
colony became a proverb of reproach.
About this time, in the year 1737, being previously stirred up
thereto by a strong impulse, which I could by no means resist, I
came here, after the example of my worthy and reverend friends,
Messieurs _John_ and _Charles Wesley_, and Mr. _Ingham_, who, with
the most disinterested views, had come hither to serve the colony,
by endeavouring to convert the _Indians_. I came rejoicing to serve
the colony also, and to become your willing servant for CHRIST’s sake.
My friend and father, good Bishop _Benson_, encouraged me, though my
brethren and kinsmen after the flesh, as well as religious friends,
opposed it. I came, and I saw (you will not be offended with me to
speak the truth) the nakedness of the land. Gladly did I distribute
about the four hundred pounds sterling, which I had collected in
_England_, among my poor parishioners. The necessity and propriety of
erecting an Orphan-house, was mentioned and recommended before my first
embarkation. But thinking it a matter of too great importance to be
set about unwarily, I deferred the farther prosecution of this laudable
design till my return to _England_ in the year 1738, for to have
priests orders.
Miserable was the condition of many grown persons, as well as children,
whom I left behind. Their cause I endeavoured to plead, immediately
upon my arrival; but being denied the churches, in which I had the
year before collected many hundreds for the _London_ charity-schools,
I endeavoured to plead their cause in the fields. The people threw in
their mites most willingly; once or twice, I think, twenty-two pounds
were collected in copper; the alms were accompanied with many prayers,
and which, as I told them, laid, I am persuaded, a blessed foundation
to the future charitable superstructure. In a short time, though
plucked as it were out of the fire, the collections and charitable
contributions amounted to more than a one thousand pounds sterling.
With that I reimbarked, taking _Philadelphia_ in my way, and upon my
second arrival, found the spot fixed upon; but, alas! who can describe
the low estate to which it was reduced! the whole country almost was
left desolate, and the metropolis Savannah, was but like a cottage
in a vineyard, or as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers. Many orphans,
whose parents had been taken from them by the distresses that naturally
attend new settlements, were dispersed here and there in a very forlorn
helpless condition; my bowels yearned towards them, and, animated by
the example of the great Professor _Franck_, previous to bringing them
here, I hired a house, furnished an infirmary, employed all that were
capable of employment, and in a few weeks walked to the house of GOD
with a large family of above sixty orphans, and others in as bad a
condition.
On _March 25, 1740_, in full assurance of faith, I laid the foundation
of this house; and in the year following, brought in my orphan family,
who, with the workmen, now made up the number of one hundred and fifty:
by the money which was expended on these, the remaining few were kept
in the colony, and were enabled to pay the debts they owed; so that
in a representation made to the House of Commons, by some, who for
very good reasons wanted the constitution of the colony altered; they
declared, that the very existence of the colony was in a great measure,
if not totally, owing to the building and supporting of the Orphan
House.
Finding the care of such a family, incompatible with the care due
to a parish, upon giving previous warning to the then trustees, I
gave up the living of _Savannah_, which without fee or reward I had
voluntarily taken upon me: I then ranged through the northern colonies,
and afterwards once more returned home. What calumny, what loads of
reproach, I for many years was called to undergo, in thus turning
beggar for a family, few here present need to be informed; a family,
utterly unconnected by any ties of nature; a family, not only to be
maintained with food, but cloathed and educated also, and that too in
the dearest part of his Majesty’s dominions, on a pine barren, and in
a colony where the use of negroes was totally denied; this appeared so
very improbable, that all beholders looked daily for its decline and
annihilation.
But, blessed be GOD, the building advanced and flourished, and the
wished-for period is now come; after having supported the family
for thirty-two years, by a change of constitution and the smiles of
government, with liberal donations from the northern, and especially
the adjacent provinces, the same hands that laid the foundation, are
now called to finish it, by making an addition of a seat of learning,
the whole products and profits of which, are to go towards the increase
of the fund, as at the beginning, for destitute orphans, or such youths
as may be called of GOD to the sacred ministry of his gospel. I need
not call on any here, to cry, “Grace, grace, unto it.” For on the
utmost scrutiny of the intention of those employed, and considering the
various exercises they have been called to undergo, and the opposition
the building hath every where met with, we may justly say, “not by
might, nor by power, but by thy Spirit, O LORD,” hath this work been
carried on thus far; it is his doing, let it be marvellous in our eyes.
With humble gratitude, therefore, would we now set up our _Ebenezer_,
and say, “Hitherto thou, LORD, hast helped us;” and wherefore should
we doubt, but that he, who hath thus far helped, will continue to help,
when the weary heads of the first founders and present helpers, are
laid in the silent grave.
I am very well aware, what an invidious task it must be to a person
in my circumstances, thus to speak on an affair in which he hath been
so much concerned. Some may perhaps think, I am become a fool in thus
glorying. But as I am now, blessed be GOD, in the decline of life, and
as, in all probability, I shall never be present to celebrate another
anniversary, I thought it best to be a little more explicit, that if
I have spoken any thing but truth, I may be confronted; and if not,
that future ages, and future successors, may see with what a purity of
intention, and what various interpositions of Providence, the work was
begun, and hath been carried on to its _present height_.
It was the reading of a like account, written by the late Professor
_Franck_, that encouraged me: who knows but hereafter, the reading
something of a similar nature, may encourage others to begin and carry
on a like work elsewhere? I have said its _present height_, for I
would humbly hope, that this is, comparatively speaking, only a “day
of small things,” only the dawn of brighter scenes. Private genius’s
and individuals, as well as collective bodies, have, like the human
body, the nonage, puerile, juvenile estate, before they arrive at their
zenith, and their lives as gradually they decline. But yet I would
hope, that both the province and _Bethesda_ are but in their puerile
or juvenile state. And long, long may they increase, and make large
strides, till they arrive at a glorious zenith! I mean not merely in
trade, merchandise, and opulence, (though I would be far from secluding
them from the province, and would be thankful for the advances it hath
already made) but a zenith of glorious gospel blessings, without which,
all outward emoluments are less than nothing, or as the small dust
of the balance: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the
whole world and lose his own soul.”
Who can imagine, that the prophet _Zechariah_ would be sent to
strengthen the hands of _Zerubbabel_, in building and laying the
foundation of the temple, if that temple was not to be frequented with
worshippers that worshipped the Father in spirit and in truth. The
most gaudy fabrics, stately temples, new moon sabbaths, and solemn
assemblies, are only solemn mockeries GOD cannot away with. This GOD
hath shewn by the destruction of both the first and second temples.
What is become of the seven churches of _Asia_? How are all their
golden candlesticks overthrown? “GOD is a Spirit, and they who worship
him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” And no longer do I expect
that this house will flourish, than when the power of religion is
encouraged and promoted, and the persons educated here, prosecute their
studies, not only to be great scholars, but good saints.
Blessed be GOD! I can say with Professor _Franck_, that it is
in a great measure owing to the disinterested spirit of my first
fellow-helpers, as well as those who are now employed, that the
building hath reached to its present height. This I am bound to speak,
not only in honour to those who are now with GOD, but those at present
before me. Nor dare I conclude, without offering to
Your Excellency, our pepper corn of acknowledgment for the countenance
you have always shewn _Bethesda_’s institution, and the honour you did
us last year, in laying the first brick of yonder wings: in thus doing,
you have honoured _Bethesda_’s GOD. May he long delight to honour you
here on earth! and after a life spent to his glory, and your country’s
good, may he honour you to all eternity, in placing you at CHRIST’s
right-hand in the kingdom above!
Next to your Excellency, my dear Mr. President, I must beg your
acceptance both of thanks and congratulation on the annual return of
this festival. For you was not only my dear familiar friend, and first
fellow-traveller in this infant province; but you was directed by
Providence to this spot, laid the second brick of this house, watched,
prayed, and wrought for the family’s good: A witness of innumerable
trials, partner of my joys and griefs; you will have now the pleasure
of seeing the Orphan-house a fruitful bough, its branches running
over the wall. For this, no doubt, GOD hath smiled upon and blessed
you, in a manner we could not expect, much less design; and may he
continue to bless you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places
in CHRIST JESUS. Look to the rock from whence you have been hewn, and
may your children never be ashamed, that their father left his native
country, and married a real christian, born again under this roof. May
_Bethesda_’s GOD grant this may be the happy portion of your children,
and children’s children!
Gentlemen of his Majesty’s council,
Mr. Speaker, and you members of the General Assembly, many thanks are
owing to you, for your late address to his Excellency in favour of
_Bethesda_. Your joint recommendation of it, when I was last here,
which, though in some measure through the bigotry of some, for the
present is rendered abortive, by their wanting to have it confined
to a party, yet I trust the event will prove that every thing shall
be over-ruled to the furtherance of the work. Here I repeat, what
I have often declared, that as far as lies in my power before and
after my decease, _Bethesda_ shall be always on a _broad bottom_. All
denominations have freely given; all denominations, all the continent,
GOD being my helper, shall receive benefit from it. May _Bethesda_’s
GOD bless you all! in your private as well as public capacity; and
as you are honoured to be the representatives of a now flourishing
increasing people: may you be directed in all your ways! May truth,
justice, religion, and piety be established amongst you through all
generations!
_Lastly_, My reverend brethren, and you inhabitants of the colony,
accept unfeigned thanks for the honour done me, in letting us see you
at _Bethesda_ this day. You, Sir, for the sermon preached here last
year. Tell it in _Germany_, tell my great, good friend, Professor
_Franck_, that _Bethesda_’s GOD, is a GOD whose mercy endureth for
ever. O let us have your earnest prayers! encourage your people not
to “despise the day of small things.” What hath GOD wrought? From
its infancy, this colony hath been blessed with many faithful gospel
ministers: O that this may be a nursery to many more! This hath been
the case of the _New England_ College for almost a century, and why not
the Orphan-house Academy at _Georgia_?
Men, brethren, fathers, as many of you, whether inhabitants or
strangers, who have honoured this day with your presence, give us the
additional blessings of your prayers. And O that _Bethesda_’s GOD may
make this day, though but a day of small things, productive of great
things to the souls of all amongst whom I have been now preaching the
kingdom of GOD. A great and good day will it be indeed, if JESUS CHRIST,
our great _Zerubbabel_, should, by the power of the eternal Spirit,
bless any thing that hath now been said, to cause every mountain of
difficulty, that lies in the way of your conversion, to become a plain.
And what art thou, O great mountain, whether the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eye, or the pride of life, sin, or self-righteousness?
Before our _Bethesda_’s GOD, thou shalt become a plain.
Brethren, my heart is enlarged towards you: it is written, blessed
be GOD that it is written, “In the name of JESUS every knee shall
bow, whether things in heaven, or things in earth, or things under the
earth.” O that we may be made a willing people in the day of his power!
Look, look unto him, all ye that are placed in these ends of the earth.
This house hath often been an house of GOD, a gate of heaven, to some
of your fathers. May it be a house of GOD, a gate of heaven, to the
children also! Come unto him, all ye that are weary and heavy laden,
he will give you rest; rest from the guilt, rest from the power, rest
from the punishment of sin; rest from the fear of divine judgments here,
rest with himself eternally hereafter. Fear not, though the beginnings
are but small, CHRIST will not despise the day of small things. A
bruised reed will he not break, and the smoaking flax will he not
quench, until he bring forth judgment unto victory. His hands that
laid the foundation, also shall finish it: yet a little while and the
top-stone shall be brought forth with shouting, and men and angels
join in crying “Grace! Grace! unto it.” That all present may be in this
happy number, may GOD of his infinite mercy grant, through JESUS our
LORD.