From His Embarking for Georgia to His Re-Embarking for England, 1738

In the latter end of December, 1737, he embarked for Georgia. This was to him a new, and at first apyearance, a very unpromising scene. The ship was full of soldiers, and there were near twenty women among them. The captain of the ship, and the officers of the regiment, with the surgeon, and a young cadet, gave him to understand, that they looked upon him as an impostor; and for awhile treated him as such. On the first Lord’s day one of them played on the hautboy; and nothing was to be seen but cards, and little heard but cursing and blasphemy. This was a very disagreeable situation; but it is worth while to observe, with what prudence he was enabled to behave among them; and how God was pleased to bless his patient and persevering endeavors to do them good.

He began with the officers in the cabin, in the way of mild and gentle reproof; but this had little effect.* He therefore

*” I could do no more for a season, than whilst I was writing, now and then to turn my head, by way of reproof, to a lieutenant of the soldiers, who swore, as though he was born of a swearing constitution. St)nietimes he would take tried what might be done between decks, amons the soldiers. And though the place was not very commodious, he read prayers and expounded twice a day. At first he could not see any fruit of his labor, yet it was encouraging to find it so kindly received by his new red coat parishioners, (as he calls them) many of whom submitted cheerfully to be catechised about the lessons they had heard expounded.

In this situation things continued for some time. But all this while, he had no place for retirement; and there was no divine service in the great cabin, both which he greatly desired. At last he obtained his wish: one day finding the ship captain a little inclined to favor him, he asked him to sufl’er him now and then to retire into the round-house, where the captain slept, and offered him money for the loan of it. The captain would not take the money, but readily granted his request. Soon afterwards, the military captain, having invited him to dish of coffee, he took the liberty to tell him, “that though he was a volunteer on board, yet as he was on board, he looked upon himself as his chaplain, and as such, he thought it a little odd to pray and preach to the servants, and not to the master;” and added, “that if he thought proper, he would make use of a short collect now and then to him, and the other gentlemen in the great cabin.” After pausing awhile, and shaking his head, he answered, “I think we may, when we have nothing else to do.” This awkward hint was all he got for the present; yet he was encouraged thereby to hope that the desired point would be soon gained.

They were detained in the Downs by contrary winds for near a month; the soldiers, by this time, became more and more civilized, and the people at Deal heard him gladly. There he preached thrice, at the invitation of the ministers, and often expounded in the house whore he lodged. This work was very delightful to him; but he was suddenly called away by a fair wind, about the end of January, 1738, just after he had preached in Upper Deal church.

Whitefield sailed from the Downs for Georgia a few hours only before the the vessel which brought Wesley back from thence cast anchor there. The ships passed in sight of each other, but neither of these remarkable men knew that so dear a friend was on the deck at which he was gazing. But when Wesley landed he learned that his coadjutor was on board the vessel in the offing: it was still possible to communicate with him; and Whitefield was not a little surprised at receiving a letter which contained these words:” When I saw God by the

the hint, return my nod, with a ’ doctor, I ask your pardon,’ and then to his cards and swearing again.” MS.

wind which was carrying you out brought me in, I asked counsel of God. His answer you have inclosed.” The inclosure was a slip of paper with this sentence, “Let him return to Ijondon.” Wesley doubting, from his own experience, whether his friend could be so usefully employed in America as in England, had referred the question to chance, in which at that time he had great confidence, and this was the lot* wliicli he had drawn. But Whitefield, who never seems to have fallen into this superstition, was persuaded that he was called to Georgia; and even if he had not felt that impression upon his muid, the inconsistency of returning to London in obedience to a lot, which had been drawn without his consent or knowledge, and breaking the engagements which he had formed, would have been glaring, and the inconvenience not inconsiderable. He betook himself to prayer: the story of the prophet in the book of Kings came forcibly to his recollection, how he turned back from his appointed course, because another prophet told him it was the will of the Lord that he should do so, and for that reason a lion met him by the way. So he proceeded on his voyage.

Being again on board, he was much comforted with the hope of doing good in the great cabin. Having no better place, he generally every night retired with his friend, the honorable Mr. Habersham, and his brother, and two servants, behind the round-house, for prayer and other religious exercises; sometimes he observed Captain Whiting hearkening within. One day, finding on the captain’s pillow. The Independent Whig, he exchanged it for a book entitled. The Self Deceiver. Next morning, the captain came smiling, and inquired who made the exchange. Mr Whitefield confessed the charge, and begged his acceptance of the book, which he said he had

* This remarkable instance of Wesley’s predilection for the practice of sortilege, is not noticed by either of his biographers. Whitefield himself relates it, in a letter published at the time of their separation. “We sailed immediately,” he adds. “Some months after, I received a letter from yon at Georgia, wherein you wrote words to this affect: ’ though God never before gave me a wrong lot, yet perhaps he suffered me to make such a lot at that time, to try what was in your heart.’ I should never,” says Whitefield, “have published this private transaction to the world, did not the glory of God call me to it. It is plain you had a wrong lot given you here, and justly, because you tempted God in drawing one.” Whitefield afterwards, in his remarks upon Bishop Lavington’s book, refers to this subject in a manner which does him honor. “My mentioning,” he says, “Mr Wesley’s casting a lot on a private occasion, known only to God and ourselves, has put me to great pain. It was wrong in me to publish a private transaction to the world; and very ill-judged to think the glory of God could be promoted by unnecessarily exposing my friend. Forlhis I have asked both God and him pardon years ago. And though I believe both have forgiven me, yet I believe I shall never forgive myself. As it was a public fault, I think it should be publicly acknowledged; and I thank a kind Providence for giving me this opportunity of doing it.”

read, and liked very well. From thenceforward, a visible alteration was seen in him. The other captain also, about the same time, met him as he was coming from between decks, and desired, “that they might have public service, and expounding twice a day.” In April following, he thus mentions the happy effect of their very slow passage: — “Blessed be God, we now live very comfortably in the great cabin. We talk of little else but God and Christ; and scarce a word is heard among us, when together, but what has reference to our fall in the first, and our new birth in the second Adam.”

In about a fortnight, they reached Gibralter, whither they were bound to take in more soldiers. There, a Major Sinclair had been so kind as to provide a lodging for him unasked, who, with the other military gentlemen, even Governor Sabine, and General Columbine, received him most courteously. Being apprehensive, that at a public military table, he might be more than hospitality entertained; by way of prevention, he begged leave to remind his excellency of an observation made in the book of Esther, on the court of the great Ahasuerus — “that none did compel.’’ He took the hint, and genteelly replied, “that no compulsion of any kind should be used at his table.” And every thing was carried on with great decorum. The officers attended at public worship with order and gravity; the ministers also behaved with great civility; and all concurred to give him invitations to preach, which he did twice or thrice in a week ;* and in the evenings and mornings, when not on board, he expounded, conversed, and prayed with a religious society of soldiers, who had liberty from the governor to assemble at any time in the church. His evening expositions were attended, not only by the soldiers, but by officers, ministers, and town’s people; and from all that could be judged, his labors were not without the divine blessing.

Finding another society of religious soldiers there, belonging to the church of Scotland, he sent them as well as the former, some proper books — talked with several of them, and endeavored to unite both societies together; urging in them the necessity of a catholic, disinterested love, and of joining in prayer for the advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom. This exhortation also, by the blessing of God, had a good effect; and two or three of the latter society, being drafted out for Georgia,

* “Strange and unusual was the scene, both with respect to the place and people. The adjacent promontories, and the largeness of the rock of Gibraltar, nelped me to enlarge my ideas of him, who in his strength setteth fast the mountains, and is girded about with power. And the place being, as it were, a. public rendezvous for all nations, I thought I saw the world in epitome.” — Manuscript.

desired leave to go into the ship with Mr. Whiteficld, which was readily allowed them.

Before the embarkation of the soldiers, by the general’s consent, he gave them a parting discourse in the church: and afterwards, from time to time, as the weather permitted, he preached to them on board their respective ships. Colonel Cochran who commanded, was extremely civil; and soon after setting sail, there was such a change in Captain Mackay, that he desired Mr. Whitefield would not give himself the trouble of expounding and praying in the cabin, and between decks, for he would order a drum to beat morning and evening, and he himself would attend with the soldiers on the deck. This produced a very agreeable alteration — they were now as regular as in the church, Mr. Whitefield preached with a captain on each side of him, and soldiers all around; and the two other ships’ companies, bein;^ now in the trade winds, drew near and joined in the worship of God. The great cabin now became a Bethel — both captains were daily more and more affected — a crucified Savior, and the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, were the usual topics of their conversation. Once, after sermon, Captain Mackay desired the soldiers to stop, whilst he informed them, that to his great shame, he had been a notorious swearer, but by the instrumentality of Mr, Whitefield’s preaching he had now left it off — and exhorted them, for Christ’s sake, to go and do likewise. The children were catechised, and there was a reformation throughout the whole soldiery. The women cried, “what a change in our captain!” The bad books and packs of cards, which Mr. Whitefield exchanged for bibles and other religious books, (abundance of which were given him to disperse by the society foi’ promoting Christian Knowledge,) were now thrown overboard; and a fever, that prevailed in general through the whole ship, helped to make the impressions sink deeper. For many days and nights he visited between twenty and thirty sick persons, crawling between decks upon his knees, administering medicines or cordials to them, and such advice as seemed suitable to their circumstances. The sailors did not escape the fever; and Captain Whiting gladly went with him to visit them. One of them, in particular, who had been a notorious scoffer, sent for him in a bitter agony, crying out upon and lamenting his wicked life. The cadet, who was a cabin passenger, being also seized, was wounded deeply — told Mr. Whitefield the history of his life, and informed Captain Mackay of his desire to leave the army, and return to his original intention (having had a university education) of devoting himself to the service of God, Mr. Whitefield was also himself seized, but through the divine

30 MEMOIRS or WITITEFIELD.

blessinor recovered, and was soon able to perform llie burial service over the shi])’s cook who had lately said, “he would be wicked till two years before he died, and then he would be good.” But, alas! this l)oaster was cut oif in about six hours. They landed the beginning of May, 1738. After preaching his farewell sermon, he arrived at Savannah on the seventh of that month.

Upon this voyage (many years after) he made the following reflection: — “A long, and I trust, not altogether unprofitable voyage. What shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies? Besides being strengthened to go through my public work, I was enabled to write letters, and compose sermons, as though I had been on land. Even at this distance of time, the remembrance of the happy hours I enjoyed in religious exercise on the deck, is refreshing to my soul, and though nature sometimes relented at being taken from my friends, and little accustomed to the inconvenience of a sea life; yet, a conciousness that I had in view the glory of God, and the good of souls, from time to time, afforded me unspeakable satisfaction.”

One Mr. Delamot, whom Mr. John Wesley* had left as a

* The “Rev. John Wesley was of inferior size, his visage marked with intelligence, singularly neat and plain in his dress, a little cast in his eye, observal)le on particular occasions; npright, graceful, and remarkably active. His uiiilerslanding, natuj’ally excellent and acute, was highly stored with the attainments of literature; and he possessed a fnnd of anecdote and history, that rendered his company as entertaining as instructive. His mode of address in public was chaste and solemn, though not illuminated with those coruscations of eloquence, which marked, if we may use that expression, the discourses of his rival George Whitefield; but there was a divine simplicity, a zeal, a venerableness in his manner, which commanded attention, and never forsook him in his latest years; when at fourscore he retained still all the liveliness of vigorous old age. His health was remarkably preserved amidst a scene of labor and perpetual exertions of mind and body, to which few men would have been equal. Never man possessed greater personal influence over the people connected with him. Nor was it an easy task to direct so vast a machine, where, amidst so many hundred wheels in motion, some moved eccentrically, and hardly yielded to the impulse of the main spring. We need not speak of the exemplariness of his life: too many eyes were upon him to admit of his halting; nor could his weight have been maintained a moment longer, than the fullest conviction impressed his people, that he was an eminently favored saint of God, and as distinguished for his holy walk, as for his vast abilities, indefatigable labor, and singular usefulness.

His enemies reviled him, and would, if possible, rob him of the meed of well deserved honor, by imputing to him objects below the prize he had in view. Never was there a more disinterested character; but he was a man, and he must have been more than man, if, with the consciousness of his own devotedness, the divine blessing on his labors, and the high admiration, in which he was held by his followers, he had not sometimes thought of himself more highly than he ought to think. We exhibit no faultless monsters. Elias was a man of like passions as ourselves. Mr. Wesley is gone to give an account of himself to his proper Judge, by M’hom doubtless all his iniquity is

Eardoned, and his infirmities covered. And now that envy and enmity have een some time laid asleep in his grave, his character rises in general estimation, and is most highly respected by those who knew him: and, it will now

MEMOIRS OB’ WIllTEFlELD. 31

schoolmaster at Savannah, received Mr. Whitefield at the parsonage-house, which he found much better than lie expected. Havinr met some of Mr. Wesley’s converts here, he on the morrow read prayers, expounded in the court-house, and waited on tJie majristrates; but being taken ill of an ague and fever, he was confined for a week.

When he recovered, he found every part bore the aspect of an infant colony; and, what was more discouraging still, it appeared likely to continue so, by the nature of its constitution. “The people,” he says,” were denied the use of both rum and slaves. The lands were allotted them according to a particular plan, whether good or bad; and the female heirs prohibited from inheriting. So that in reality, to place people there on such a footing, was little better than to tie their legs and bid them walk. The scheme was well meant at home; but, as too many years experience evidently proved, was absolutely impracticable in so hot a country abroad. However, that rendered what I had brought over from my friends, more acceptable to the poor inhabitants; and gave me an ocular demonstration, which was what I wanted, when the hint was given* of the great necessity and promising utility of a future Orphan-house, which I now determined, by the divine assistance, to get about in earnest. The Saltzburghers, at Ebenezer, I found had one; and having heared and read of what Professor Franck had done in that way in Germany, I confidently hoped that something of the like nature might be owned, and succeed in Georgia. Many poor orphans were there already, and the number was likely soon to be increased. As opportunity offered, I visited Frederica, and the adjacent villages, and often admired, considering the circumstances and disposition of the first settlers, that so much was really done. The settlers were chiefly broken and decayed tradesmen from London and other

hardly be a question with any man, whether he would not rather have been John Wesley, who died worth ten pounds, than Lavington, bishop of Exeter, who so bitterly reviled him.

“As a man, as a christian, as a minister, we shall not, it is to be feared, look upon his like again speedily. After passing through evil report and good report, during more than sixty years of incessant labor, he entered into his rest in the 87th year of his age. “Whatever ignorance of his real character, the fatuity of prejudice, or the insolence of pride may have suggested, the day is coming, when his great and adorable Master will condemn every tongue that hath risen up in jifdgment against him, and say in the presence of men and angels, ‘Well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!’” See an impartial and, succinct History of the Church of Christ, <f-c. Vol. III. page 274. By the Rev. T. Haweis, LL.D. and M.D. Rector of all Saints, Aldahinckle, J^orthamptonshire; Chaplain to the late Countess Dowager of Huntingdon; and Chaplain to the Right Hon. the Earl of Peterborough.

* “It was first proposed to me by my dear friend, Mr. Charles Wesley, who, with General Oglethorpe, had concerted a scheme for carrying on such a design, before I had any thought of going abroad myself.”

parts of England, and several Scotch adventurers, (highlanders) who had a worthy minister, named Macleod; a few Moravians, and the Saltzburgers, who were by far the most industrious of the whole. With the worthy ministers of Ebenezer, Messrs. Grenaw and Bolkius, I contracted an intimacy. Many praying people were in the congregation, which, with the consideration that so many charitable people in England had been stirred up to contribute to Georgia, and such faithful laborers as Messrs. Wesleys and Ingham had been sent, gave me hopes, that, unpromising as the aspect might be, the colony might emerge in time out of its infant state. Some small advances Mr, Ingham had made towards converting the Indians, who were at a small settlement about four miles from Savannah. He went and lived among them for a few months, and began to compose an Indian grammar; but he was soon called away to England; and the Indians, (who were only some run-away Creeks) were in a few years scattered or dead. Mr. Charles Wesley had chiefly acted as secretary to General Oglethorpe; but he went to England to engage more laborers; and not long after, his brother, Mr. John Wesley, having met with unworthy treatment, both at Frederica and Georgia, soon followed. All this I was apprised of; but think it most prudent not to repeat grievances. Through divine mercy, I met with respectful treatment from magistrates, officers, and people. The fii’st I visited now and then; the others, besides preaching twice a day and four times on the Lord’s day, I visited from house to house. I was in general most cordially received; but from time to time found, that c(Blmti non cumnmn ‘mutant qui trans mare cnrrunt — though lowered in their circumstances, a sense of what they formerly were in their native country, remained. It was plain to be seen, that coming over was not so much out of choice, as constraint; choosing rather to be poor in an unknown country abroad, than beholden to relations, or live among those who knew them in more affluent circumstances at home. Among some of these, the event, however, proved, that the word took effectual root. I was really happy in my little foreign cure, and could have cheerfully remained among them, had 1 not been obliged -to return to England, to receive priest’s orders, and make a beginning towards laying a foundation to the Orphan-house. And thus the place I intended to hide myself in, became, through my being obliged to return for these purposes, a means of increasing that popularity which was already begun; but which by me, was absohitely unforeseen, and as absolutely undesigned.”*

♦” During my stay here, the weather was most intensely hot, sometimes burning me almost through my shoes. Seeing others do it who wore as unable,

111 August, he settled a schoolmaster in an adjacent village; leaving Mr. Habersham at Savannah, and parting affectionately with his flock, he went to South Carolina. At Charleston, he paid a visit to Commissary Garden, and at his entreaty preached the next Sabbath morning and evening, in a grand church resembling one of the new churches in London. The people at first despised his youth; but his engaging address soon gained their general esteem. Mr. Garden thanked him most cordially, and apprised him of the ill treatment Mr. Wesley had met with in Georgia, and assured him, that were the same arbitrary proceedings to commence against him, he would defend him with his life and fortune. He also said something about the colony of Georgia, that much encouraged him, as if he thought its flourishing was not very far off; and. that Charleston was fifteen times larger now, than when he (Mr. Garden) first came there.

It had been his practice in Georgia, especially at Savannah, to read prayers and expound, and visit the sick, twice a day. On Sunday he expounded at five in the morning; at ten read prayers and preached, and at three in the afternoon: and at seven in the evening expounded the church catechism. How much easier was it for the clergy in England, Scotland, or America, to find “fault with such a faithful brother in the ministry, than to follow his example!