From His Arrival at Bermudas to His Return to London, July 1748
Whitefield met with the kindest reception at the Bermudas, and for about a month he preached generally twice a day, traversing the island from one end to the other; but his activity, treatment, success, will best appear from the following extracts from his manuscript journal of that period.
“The simplicity and plainness of the people, together with the pleasant situation of the island, much delighted me. The Rev. Mr. Holiday, minister of Spanish Point, received me in a most aflectionate, christian manner; and begged I would make his house my home. In the evening I expounded at the house of Mr. Savage, at Port Royal, which was very commodious; and which also he would have me make my home. I went
with Ml’. Savage, in a boat lent us Ijy Captain, to the
town of St. GeorgCj in order to pay our respects to the governor. All along we had a most pleasant prospect of the other part of the island; a more pleasant one I never saw. One Mrs. Smith, of St. George, for whom I had a letter of recommendation from my dear old friend, Mr. Smith, of Charleston, received mc into her house. Alout noon, with one of the council, and Mr. Savage, I waited upon the governor. He received us courteously, and invited us to dine with him and the council at a tavern. We accepted the invitation, and all behaved with great civility and respect. After the governor rose from the table, he desired, if I staid in town on Stmday, that I would dine with him eit his house.
“Smiday, March 20. Read prayers and preached twice this day, to what were esteemed here large auditories — in the morning at Spanish Point church, and in the evening at Brackish Pond chmch, about two miles distant from each other. In the afternoon I spoke with greater freedom than in the morning; and I trust not altogether in vain. All were attentive — some wept. I dined with Colonel Butterfield, one of the countil; and received several invitations to other gentlemen’s houses. May God bless and reward them, and incline them to open their hearts to receive the Lord Jesus! Amen and Amen!
“Wednesday, March 23. Dined with Captain Gibbs, and went from thence and expounded at the house of Captain
F le, at Hunbay, about two miles distant. The company
was here also large, attentive, and affected. Our Lord gave me utterance. I expoinided on the first part of the eighth chapter of Jeremiah. After Iccturo, Mr. Riddle, a counsellor, invited me to his house; as did Mr. Paul, an ajred Presbyterian minister, to his pulpit: which I complied with, upon condition the report was true, that the governor had served the ministers with an injunction that I should not preach in the churches.
“Friday, March 25. Was prevented from preaching yesterday by the rain, which continued from morning till night; but this afternoon, God gave me another opportunity of declaring his eternal truths to a large company at the house of one Mr. B s, who last night sent me a letter of invitation.
“Sunday, March 27. Glory be to God! I hope this has been a profitable Sabbath to many souls: it has been a pleasant one to mine. Both morning and afternoon I preached to a large auditory, for the Bermudas, in Mr. Paul’s meeting house, which I suppose contains about four hundred. Abundance of negroes, and many others, were in the porch, and about the house. The word seemed to be clothed with a convincing power, and to make its way into the hearts of the hearers. Between sermons, I was entertained very civilly in a neighboring house. Judge Bascom, and three more of the council, came thither, and each gave me an invitation to his house. How does the Lord make way for a poor stranger in a strange land! After the second sermon I dined with Mr. Paul; and in the eA’”ening expounded to a very large company at Counsellor Riddle’s. My body was somewhat weak; but the Lord carried me through, and caused me to go to rest rejoicing. May I thus go to my grave, when my ceaseless and uninterrupted rest shall begin!
“Monday, March 28. Dined this day at Mrs. Dorrel’s, mother-in-law to my dear friend the Rev. Mr. Smith; and afterwards preached to more than a large house full of people, on Matthew ix. 12. Towards the conclusion of the sermon, the hearers began to be more affected than I have yet seen them. Surely the Lord Jesus will give me some seals in this island! Grant this, O Redeemer for thy infinite mercy’s sake!
“Thursday, March 31. Dined on Tuesday, at Colonel Corbusier’s; and on Wednesday, at Colonel Gilbert’s, both of the council; and found, by what I could hear, that some good had been done, and many prejudices removed. Who shall hinder, if God will work? Went to an island this afternoon, called Ireland, upon which live a few families; and to my surprise, found a great many gentlemen, and other people, with my friend, Mr.” Holiday, who came from diiferent quarters to hear me. Before I began preaching, I went round to see a most remarkable cave, which very much displayed the exquisite workmanship of Him, who in his strength setteth fast the niountains, and is o-irded about with power. While 1 was in the cave, quite nncxpcctedly I turned and saw Counsellor Riddle, who with his son, came to hear me: and while we were in the boat, told me, that he had been with the crovernor, who declared he had no personal prejudice against me — and wondered I did not come to town, and preach there, for it was the desire of the people; and that any house in the town, the court house not excepted, shoidd be at my service. Thanks be to God for so much favor! If his cause requires it, I shall have more. He knows my heart: I value the favor of man no farther, than as it makes room for the gospel, and gives me a larger scope to promote the glory of God. There being no capacious house upon the island, I preached for the first time here in the open air. All heard very attentively; and it was very pleasant after sermon to see so many boats full of people returning from the worship of God. I talked seriously to some in our own boat, and sung a psalm, in which they readily joined.
“Simday, April 3. Preached twice this day at Mr. Paul’s meeting house, as on the last Sabbath, but with greater freedom and power, esy)ecially in the morning; and I think to as great, if not greater auditories. Dined with Colonel Harvy, another of the council — visited a sick woman, where many came to hear and expounded afterwards, to a great company, at Gaptain John Dorrel’s, Mrs. Dorrel’s son, who with his wife, courteously entertained me, and desired me to make his house my home. So true is that promise of our Lord, ’ that whosoever leaves father and mother, houses or lands, shall have in this life a hundred fold with persecution, and in the woild to come, life everlasting.’ Lord, I have experienced the one: in thy good time grant that I may experience the other also!
“Wednesday, April 6. Preached yesterday at the house of Mr. Anthony Smith, of Baylis Bay, with a considerable degree of warmth; and rode afterwards to St. George, the only town on the Island. The gentlemen of the town had sent me an invitation by Judge Bascom; and he, with several others, came to visit me at my lodgings; and informed me, that the governor desired to see me. About ten I waited upon his excellency, who received me with great civility, and told me he had no objection against my person, or my principles, having never yet heard me; and he knew nothing in respect to my conduct in moral life, that might prejudice him against me; but his intentions were, to let none preach in the island, unless he had a written license to preach somewhere in America, or the West Indies: at the same time he acknowledged that it was but a matter of mere form. I informed his excellency that I had been regularly inducted into the parish of Savannah; that I
MEMOIRS OF whiti;field. Ill
was ordained priest by letters dismissary from my lord of liOndon, and under no church censure from his lordship; and would always read the church prayers, if thocleri2:y M’ould J^ive me the use of their churches. I added (artlier, that a minister’s pulpit was looked upon as his freehold, and that 1 knew one clergyman who had denied his own diocesan the use of his pulpit. But I told his excellency, I was satisfied with the liberty he allowed me, and would not act contrary to his injunction. I then begged leave to be dismissed, lecause I was obliged to preach at eleven o’clock. His excellency said he intended to do himself the pleasure to hear me; at eleven the church bell rung. The church bible, prayer book, and cushion, were sent to the town house. The governor, several of the council, the minister of the parish, and assembly-men, with a great mmiber of the town’s people, assembled in great order. I was very sick, through a cold I caught last night; but read the church prayers. The first lesson was the 15th chapter of the 1st book of Samuel. I preached on those words, ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation,’ Being weak and faint and afflicted much with the head-ache, I did not do that justice to my subject, which I sometimes am enabled to do; but the Lord so helped me, that, as I found afterwards, the governor and the other gentlemen expressed their approbation, and acknowledged they did not expect to be so well entertained. Not unto me, Lord! not unto me! but unto thy free grace be all the glory!
“After sermon, Dr. F bs, and Mr. P 1, the collector,
came to me, and desired me to favor them and the gentlemen of the town with my company at dinner. I accepted the invitation. The governor and the president, and Judge Bascom were there. All wondered at my speaking so freely and fluently, without notes. The governor asked, whether 1 used minutes? I answered no. He said it was a great gift. At table, his excellency introduced something of religion, by asking me the meaning of the word hades? Several other things were started about free will, Adam’s fall, predestination, dec, to all which God enabled me to answer so pertinently, and taught me to mix the utile and dulce so together, that all at table seemed highly pleased, shook me by the hand, and invited me to their respective houses. The governor, in particular, asked
me to dine with him om the morrow; and Dr. F bs, one of
his particular intimates, invited me to drink tea in the afternoon. I thanked all, returned proper respects, and went to my lodgings with some degree of thankfulness for the assistance vouchsafed me, and abased before God at the consideration of my unspeakable imworthiness. In the afternoon, about five o’clock, I expounded the parable of the prodigal son to many people at a private house; and in the evening had liberty to speak freely and closely to those that supped with me. Oh that this may be the beginninaf of good gospel times to the inhuljitants of this town! Lord, teach me to deal prudently with them, and cause them to melt under thy word!
“Friday, April 8. Preached yesterday with great clearness and freedom, to about fourscore people, at a house on David’s Island, over against the town of St. George- — went and lay at Mr. Holiday’s, who came in a boat to fetch me — and this day I heard him preach and read prayers; after which I took the sacrament from him. Honest man! he would have made me administer and officiate; but I chose not to do it, lest I should bring him into trouble after my departure. However, in the afternoon, I preached at Mr. Todd’s, in the same parish, to a veiy large company indeed. The Lord was with me. My heart was warm — and what went from the heart, I trust went to the heart; for many were affected. Oh that they may be converted also! Then will it be a good Friday, indeed, to their souls.
“Sunday, April 10. Dined and conversed yesterday very agreeably with Judge Bascom, who seems to have the greatest insight into the difference between Arminian and Calvinistic schemes, of any one I have met with upon the island. In the afternoon, I visited a paralytic; and this day preached twice agaui at Mr. Paul’s meeting house. The congregations were rather larger than ever, and the power of God seemed to be more among them. I think I see visible alteration for the better every Lord’s day. Blessed be God! In the evening I expounded at Mr. Joseph Dorrel’s, where I dined, to a very large company: then went to his kinsman’s, my usual lodging on Saturday and Sunday evenings; who with his wife and other friends, seemed Idnder and kinder daily. Good measure pressed down, and running over, may the Lord, both as to spirituals and temporals, return into all their bosoms!
“Saturday, April 16. Preached since Lord’s day, at five different parts of the island; but was more indisposed one night after going to bed, than I had been for some time. On two of the days of this week, I dined with the president, and Captain Spafford, one of the council, both of whom entertained me with the utmost civility.
“Sunday, April 17. Still God magnifies his power and goodness more and more. This morning we had a pleasing sight at Mr. Paul’s meeting house. 1 began to preach, and the people to hear mid be aflected as in days of old at home. Indeed, the prospect is encouraging. Praise the Lord, O my soul! After preaching twice to a large congregation in the meeting house, I, at the desire of the parents, preached in the evening a sermon at the funtiral of a little boy, about five years of age. A great number ol’ people attended, and the Lord enabled me so to speak, as to aflect many of the hearers. Blessed be the Lord for this day’s work! Not unto me, O Lord! not unto me, but unto thy free grace be all the glory!
“Sunday, April 24. The last week being rainy, I preached only five times in private houses; and this day but once in the meeting house; but I hope neither time without effect. This evening expounded at Counsellor Riddle’s, who with the other gentlemen treat me with great respect every day. Colonel Gilbert, one of the council, has lent me his horse, during my stay; and Mr. Dorrel, this morning, informed me of a design the gentleman had, to raise a contribution to help me to discharge my arrears, and support my orphan family. Thanks be given to thy name, O God! Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I want to owe no man any thing, but love; and provide for Bethesda, after my decease. Thou hast promised Thou wilt fulfil the desire of them that fear thee. I believe, Lord help my unbelief, that thou wilt fulfil this desire of my soul. Even so. Amen!
“Saturday, April 30. Preached since Lord’s day, two flmeral sermons, and at five difierent houses in difierent parts of the island, to still larger and larger auditories, and perceived the people to be afi’ected more and more. Twice or thrice I preached without doors. Riding in the sun, and preaching very earnestly, a little fatigued me; so that this evening I was obliged to lie down for some time. Faint, yet pursuing, must be my motto still.
“Sunday, May 1. This morning was a little sick; but I trust God gave us a happy beginning of the new month. I preached twice with power, especially in the morning, to a very great consrreg’ation in the meeting: house; and in the evening-, havino given previous notice, I preached about four miles distant, in the fields, to a large company of negroes, and a number of white people who came to hear what I had to say to them. I believe in all, there were nearly fifteen hundred people. As the sennon was intended for the negroes, I gave the auditoiy warning, that my discourse would be chiefly directed to them, and that I should endeavor to imitate the example of Elijah, who, when he was about to raise the child, contracted himself to its length. The negi’oes seemed very sensible, and attentive. When I asked, if “they all did not desire to go to heaven, one of them, with a very audible voice said, ‘Yes, sir.’ This caused a little smiling; but in general every thing was carried on with great decency; and 1 believe the Lord enabled me so to discourse, as to touch the negroes, and yet not to give them the least umbrage to shght, or behave imperiously to their masters. If ever a minister in preaching, needs the wisdom of the serpent to be joined with the harmlessness of the dove, it must be when discoursing to negroes. Vouchsafe me this favor, O God, for thy dear Son’s sake!
“Monday, May 2. Upon incjidry, I found that some of the negroes did not like my preaching l)ccause 1 told them of their cursing, swearing, thieving, and lying. One or two of the worst of them, as I was informed, went away. Some said, they
would not go any more. They liked Mr. M r better, for
he never told them of these things; and I said, their hearts were as black as their faces. They expected, they, said to hear me speak against their masters. Blessed be God, that I was dn-ected not to say any thing, this first time, to the masters at all, though my text led me to it. It might have been of bad consequence, to tell them their duty, or charge them too roundly with the neglect of it, before their slaves. They would mind cJl I said to their masters, and, perhaps, nothing that I said to them. Every thing is beautiful in its season. Lord, teach me always that due season, wherever I am called, to give either black or white a portion of thy word! However, others of the poor creatures, I hear were very thankful, and came home to their masters’ houses, saying, that they would strive to sin no more. Poor hearts! These dillercnt accounts affected me; and upon the whole, I could not help rejoicing, to find that their consciences were so far awake.
“Saturday, May 7. In my conversation these two days, with some of my friends, I was diverted much, in hearing several things that passed among the j)oor negroes, since my preaching to them last Sunday. One of the women, it seems, said, ’ that if the book I preached out of, was the best book that was ever bought at London, she was sure it had never all that in it, which I spoke to the negroes.’ The old man, who spoke out loud last Sunday, and said, ‘yes,’ when I asked them whether all the negroes would not go to heaven, being questioned by somebody, why he spoke out so, answered, ’ that the gentleman put the question once or twice to them, and the other fools had not the manners to make me any answer; till, at last, I seemed to point at him, and he was ashamed that nobody should answer me, and therefore he did.’ Another, wondering why I said negroes had black hearts; was answered by his “black brother thus: ‘Ah, thou fool! dost thou not understand it? He means bkick with sin.’ Two more girls were overheard by their mistress, talking about religion; and they said, ’ they knew, if they did not repent, they must be damned.’ Prom all which I infer, that those necjroes on the Bermudas are more awake than I supposed; that their consciences are awake, and consequently prepared in a good measure, for hearing the gospel preached unto them.
“Sunday, May 8. This also, I trust, has been a good Sabbath, In the morning I was helped to preach powerfully to a melting, and rather a larger congregation than ever, in Mr. Paul’s meeting house; and in the evening, to almost as large a congregation of blacks and whites as last Sunday in the fields, near iny hearty friend, Mr. Holiday’s house. To see so many black faces was affecting. They heard very attentively, and some of them now began to weep. May God grant them a godly sorrow that worketh repentance not to be repented of!
“Friday, May 13. This afternoon preached over the corpse of Mr. Paul’s eldest son, about twenty four years of age; and by all I could hear, and judge of by conversing with him, he did hideed die in the Lord. I visited him twice last Lord’s day, and was quite satisfied with what he said, though he had not much of the sensible presence of God. I find he was a preacher upon his death bed: for he exhorted all his companions to love Christ in sincerity; and blessed his brother and sister, and, I think, his father and mother, just before his departure. A great many people attended the funeral. I preached on Luke vii. 13. ‘And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said urrto her, weep not.’ Many were affected in the application of my discourse, and, I trust, some will be induced, by this young man’s good example, to remember their Redeemer m the days of their youth. Grant it, O Lord, for thy dear Son’s sake.
“Sunday, May 15. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise his holy name! This morning I preached my farewell sermon at Mr. Paul’s meeting house — it was quite full; and, as the president said, above one hundred and fifty whites, besides blacks, were around the house. Attention sat on every face; and when I came to take my leave. Oh! what a sweet, unaffected weeping was there to be seen every where. I believe there were few dry eyes. The negroes, likewise, without doors, I heard weep plentifully. My own heart was affected; and though I have parted with friends so oftep, yet I find every fresh parting almost unmans me, and very much affects my heart. Surely, a great work is begun in some souls at the Bermudas. Carry it on, O Lord! and if it be thy will, send me to this dear people again. Even so. Lord Jesus. Amen!” After sermon, I dined with three of the council, and other gentlemen and ladies, at Captain Bascom’s; and from thence went to a funeral, at which Mr. M r preached: and after that, I expounded on our Lord’s transfiguration, at llie house of one Mrs. Harvey, sister to dear Mr. Smith, of Charleston. The house was exceedingly full, and it was supposed above three hundred stood in the yard. The Lord enabled me to lift up my voice like a trumpet. Many wept. Mr. M r returned from the funeral with me, and attended the lecture; as did the three counsellors, with whom I conversed freely. May God reward them, and all the dear people of the island, for those many favors conferred on me, who am the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints!
“Sunday, May 22. Blessed be God! the little leven thrown into the three measures of meal, begins to ferment, and work almost every day for the week past. I have conversed with souls loaded with a sense of their sins; and, as far as I can judge, really pricked to the heart. I preached only three times, but to almost three times larger auditories than usual. Indeed the fields are white ready unto harvest. God has been pleased to bless private visits. Go where I will, upon the least notice, houses are crowded, and the poor souls that follow, are soon drenched in tears. This day I took, as it were, another farewell. As the ship did not sail, I preached at Somerset in the morning to a large congregation in the fields; and expounded in the evening, at Mr. Harvey’s house, around which stood many hundreds of people. But in the morning and evening, how did the poor souls weep! Abundance of prayers and blessings were put up for my safe passage to England, and speedy return to the Bermudas again. May they enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth! With all humility and thankfulness of heart, will I here, O Lord, set up my Ehenezer: for hitherto surely thou hast helped me! Thanks be to the Lord for sending me hither. 1 have been received in a manner I dared not expect; and have met with little, very little opposition, indeed. The inhabitants seem to be plain and open hearted. They have loaded me with provisions for my sea store; and in the several parishes, by a private voluntary contribution, have raised me upwards of one hundred pounds sterling. This will pay a little of Bethesda’s debt, and enable me to make such a remittance to my dear yoke fellow, as may keep her from being embarrassed, or too much beholden in my absence. Blessed be God, for bringing me out of my embarrassments by degrees! May the Lord reward all my benefactors a thousand fold! I I hear that what was given, was given exceedingly heartily; and people only lamented that they could do no more.”*
* Bermudas is placed by itself in almost the middle of the Atlantic ocean. It has been justly celebrated by Waller the Poet, and the late Bishop Berkeley, who resided there for some time.
After having transmitted to Georgia what was given to him for the Orphan-house, and dreading to go l)ack to America in that season of heat, for fear of relapsing, and having pressing calls to England, he took the o])portnnity of saihng in a ])rig, and in twenty-eight days arrived at Deal.* The next evening, July 6, 1748, he reached London, after an absence of nearly four years.