From His Laying the Foundation of His Orphan-House in Georgia to His Arrival in England, 1741

Mr. Whitefield again set off in a sloop for Newcastle, in Delaware, where he arrived in ten days, extremely weak in body, and his spirits much depressed; yet, as he afterwards observed. Providence was infinitely better to him than his fears, and exceeded his most sanguine expectations; for his strength was surprisingly increased, insomuch, that during the space of two months, he was enabled to preach two or three times a day.

At Philadelphia the churches were now denied him. He therefore preached in the fields, and large collections were made for the Orphan-house; once, one hundred and ten pounds sterling. Societies for praying and singing were set on foot, and in every part of the town, many were concerned about their salvation.f “Many negroes came,” says Mr. Whitefield, “some inquiring, have I a soul?”

Long after this he writes, “Blessed be God, I have not been disappointed in the hope, that it would be a house and place of mercy to many, both in respect to body and soul.”

t A church was formed by the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, out of those who were denominated the followers and converts of Mr. Whitefield. No less than 140 individuals were received at first, after a strict examination, as members of

At New York, New Brunswick, Stateu Island, Baskcnridge, Whitely Creek, Frog’s Manor, and Reedy Island, there was great concern upon the minds both of the preacher and hearers.

Sometimes he was almost dead with heat and fatigue. Thrice a day he was lifted upon his horse, unable to mount otherwise; then rode and preached, and came in and laid himself along upon two or three chairs. He did not doubt that such a course would soon take him to his desired rest. Yet he had many delightful hours with Messrs. Tennents, Blair, (fcc. “Night,” says he, “was as it were turned into day, when we roJe singing through the woods. I could not help recommending these men, wherever I went, in the strongest manner, because I saw they gloried in the cross of Christ.”

In a Journal written by Mr. William Seward, (Mr. Whitefield’s companion in traveling,) we have the following particulars relating to this period.

“April 9, 1740. Mr. Whitefield proposed my going to England upon several important affairs, particularly to bring over Mr. Hutchins to take care of the Orphan-house in his absence — to acquaint the trustees of Georgia with the state of the colony, and the means under God, for the better establishment thereof, it being now upheld almost wholly by the soldiery and Orphan-house, most of the people who are unconcerned in either, being gone or about to go. The proper means are principally three: 1. An allowance of negroes. 2. A free title to the lands. 3. An independent magistracy, viz. such as are able and willing to serve without fee or reward. My business with the trustees will be farther, to bring over the money lodged in their hands for building the church at Savarmah. I am, moreover, to collect subscriptions for a negro school in Pennsylvania, where Mr. Whitefield proposes to take up land, in order to settle a town for the reception of those English friends, whose hearts God shall incline to come and settle there.

“April 13. Mr. Tennent informed us of the great success which had attended Mr. Whitefield’s preaching when here last. For some time a general silence was fixed by the Lord on the people’s minds, and many began seriously to think on what foundation they stood. A general outward reformation has been visible. Many ministers have been quickened in their zeal to preach the word in season and out of season. Congregathis newly constituted church. The admission of a large number more ias delayed, only because their exercises and spiritual state had not yet attained such maturity as to afford satisfaction to themselves, or to the officers of the church. — See Memoirs of Mrs. H. Hodge.

48 MEMOIRS OF VH1TEFI£LD.

tions are increased, and some few, it is hoped, will be brought through their convictions, into a sound and saving conversion.

“April 14. Mr. Jones, the Baptist minister, told us of two other ministers, Mr. Treat and Mr. Morgan, who were so affected with Mr. Whitefield’s spirit, that the latter had gone forth preaching the glad tidings of salvation towards the sea coast in New Jersey, and many other places which lay in darlaiess and the shadow of death. The former told his congregation that he had been hitherto deceiving himself and them, and he could not preach to them at present, but desired they would join in prayer with him.

“April 15. We were informed that an Indian trader was so affected with Mr. Whitefield’s doctrine, that he was gone to teach the Indians, with whom he used to trade.

“April 18. This day was pubHshed, Mr. Whitefield’s letter to the inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, about the abuse of the poor negroes.

“Heard of a drinking club that had a negro boy attending them, who used to mimic people for their diversion. The gentlemen bid him mimic Mr. Whitefield, which he was unwilling to do: but they insisting upon it, he stood up and said, ‘/ speak the truth in Christ, I lie not; unless you repent, you will all he darnned? This unexpected speech broke up the club, which has not met since.

“Notice was given of a new lecture at Germantown every Thursday, by four ministers.

“April 22. Agreed with Mr. Allen for five thousand acres of land on the forks of Delaware, at 2,200Z. sterling, the conveyance to be made to Mr. Whitefield, and after that assigned to me, as security for my advancing the money. Mr. Whitefield proposes to give orders for building the negro school on the purchased land, before he leaves the province.

“April 24. Came to Christopher Wigner’s plantation in Skippack, where many Dutch people are settled, and where the famous Mr. Spalemburg lately resided. It was surprising to see such a multitude of people gathered together in such a wilderness country, thirty miles distant from Philadelphia. Mr. Whitefield was exceedingly carried out, in his sermon, to press poor sinners to come to Christ by faith, and claim all their privileges; viz. not only rig?iteousness and peace, but joy in the Holy Ghost; and after he had done, our dear friend, Peter Bohler, preached in Dutch, to those who could not understand Mr. Whitefield in English.

“Before Mr. Whitefield left Philadelphia, he was desired to visit one who was under a deep sense of sin. from hearing him preach. In praying with this person, he was so carried beyond himself, that the whole company (which were about twenty) seemed to be filled with the Holy Ghost, and magnified the God of heaven.

“April 25. Arose at 3 o’clock; and though Mr. Whitefield was very weak hi body, yet the Lord enabled him to ride nearly fifty miles, and to preach to about five thousand people at Amwell, with the same power as usual. Mr. Gilbert Tennent, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Wales, and Mr. Campbell, four godly ministers, met us here.

“April 26. Came to New Brunswick. Met Mr. Noble from New York, a zealous promoter of our Lord’s kingdom. He said their society at New York was increased from seventy, to one hundred and seventy, and was daily increasing; and that Messrs. Gilbert and William Tennent, Mr. Rowland, and several others, were hard laborers in our Lord’s vineyard.

“April 28. Had a most affectionate parting with our dear Mr. Whitefield, and our other brethren.”

The rest of Mr. Seward’s journal was written mostly during his passage to England, where he arrived June 19, and with which it concludes. Mr. AVliitefield, in the new edition of his Journals, 1756, observes, “April 28, 1740. This was the last time I saw my worthy friend; for before my return to England, he was entered into his rest, having left behind, a glorious testimony of the transforming efiicacy of everlasting grace. This hath also been the happy case of his brother Benjamin, who lately finished his course with joy.”

With great joy Mr. Whitefield again arrived at Savannah, June 5, bringing in money and provisions more than five hundred pounds sterling; and to his great encouragement, the minds of many were wonderfully impressed, and there evidently appeared the strongest marks of the divine blessing on the undertaking. His family was now increased to one hundred and fifty, and his friends believing the work to be of God, continued cheerfully to assist hun.

Though he was now very weak in body, yet the cry from various quarters for more preaching, and the necessity of supplying so large a family, made him go again to Charleston, where, as well as at many other towns, the people thronged. Charleston was the place of his greatest success, and of the greatest ojjposition. The conmiissary thundered anathemas, and wrote against him, but all in vain; for his followers and success still more and more increased. He preached twice almost every day to great crowds, in the Independent and Baptist meeting house; besides expounding in the evening in merchants’ houses. Thus he went on successfully, though often ready to die with excessive heat.

50 MEMOIllS OF WlllTEFlELD.

At the end of August, having received letters of invitation from the Rev. Dr. Cohiian and Mr. Cooper, ministers in Boston; and longing to see the descendants of the stern old Puritans, and their seats of learning, he sailed in the Orphan-house sloop for New England, in company with several Charleston friends, and arrived in Rhode Island, September 14. Here he was visited (among others) by the Rev. Mr. Clap, a very venerable and aged dissenting minister, (in whom he thought he saw what manner of men the old Puritans were) who procured him the church, in which he preached twice a day, to numerous and deeply aifecled auditories.

This was a good entrance into Nev, England, and before he reached Boston his encouragement increased; for being met ten miles from that city by the governor’s son, and a train of the clergy and principal inhabitants, they conducted him to Mr. St — nf — rd’s, brother-in-law to Dr. Colman, who with Mr. Cooper and others came and joined in prayer.

Jonathan Belcher, Esq. was then governor of the Massachusetts colony, and Josiah Willard, secretary. Both these gentlemen v.’^ere his sincere friends: so were the ministers, Messrs. Webb, Foxcraft, Prince, Dr. Sewall, Gee, &c. To avoid, however, giving any just offense, he went to the English church; but not being permitted to preach there, he began at Dr. Colman’s meeting-house, and then preached in all the rest, and sometimes on the conmion.

The governor, the secretary, and several of the council generally attended, treating him with the greatest respect. Old Mr. Walter, successor to Mr. Elliot, commonly called the apostle of the Indians, at Roxbury, said, “it was Puritanism revived.” And Dr. Colman said, ‘■ that it was the happiest day he ever saw in his life.”

He preached also at many other places, to great multitudes of people. Gentlemen of the greatest repute had their houses open in every place: collections were readily made for the orphans: and in about a week, having preached sixteen times, and rode one hundred and seventy miles, he returned to Boston, October 6.

Here the congregations still increased, and his labors were crowned with increasing success. At his farewell sermon, it was supposed there were about twenty thousand people. He received a great number of letters, and could have spent whole days m conversing with those that came to him under soul concern. Ministers and students attended, and even little children were impressed. The contributions for the orphans amounted to nearly five hundred pounds sterling.

He next went to Northampton; having an earnest desire to

see the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, and to receive from the mouth of that eminent divine, an account of a remarkable conversion there. At every place on the road pulpits were open, and a divine unction attended his prcachintj.

At Northampton, when he came to remind them of what God had formerly done for them, it was like putting fire to tinder. Both minister and people were much moved; as were the children of the family, at an exhortation which their father desired Mr. Whitefield to give them.

After leaving Northampton, he preached in every town to large and aflected congregations. October 23, he reached New Haven.* where he was affectionately received by Mr. Pierpont, brother-in-law to Mr. Jonathan Edwards, and had the pleasure of seeing his friend Mr. Noble, of New York, who brought lam letters from Georgia. It being assembly time, and the governor and burgesses then sitting, he stayed till the Sabbath and had the pleasure to see numbers impressed. The good old governor was affected in a particular maimer, and at a private visit which Mr. Whitefield paid him, said, “thanks be to God for such refreshings in our way to heaven.”

On Monday morning he set forward and preached with unusual success at Milford, Stratford, Fairfield, Norwalk, and Stamford, where he was visited by some ministers under deep concern.

This was on the borders of New York province, into which he now again entered, and preached at Rye and Kingsbridge, on his way to the city of New York, where he arrived October 30. Here for three days successively, and afterwards at Staten Island, Newark, Baskenridge, his preaching appeared to be attended with more success than ever. At Trenton he had a long conference with some ministers, about Mr. Gilbert Tennent’s complying with an invitation to go and preach in New England. After prayer, and considering the arguments, both

* “The attention of the people in general was greatly awakened upon hearing the fame of him, that there was a remarkable preai;!ier from England, traveling through the country. The people flocked to hear him when he came to New Haven. Some traveled twenty miles out of the country to hear him. The assemblies were crowded, and remarkably attentive; people appeared generally to approve, and their conversation turned chiefly upon him and his preaching. Some disapproved of several things which occasioned considerable disputes. I heard him when he preached m public, and when he expounded in private in the evening, and highly approved of him, and was somewhat impressed by what he said in public and in private. He preached against mixed dancing and the frolicking of males and females together; which practice wa.s then very common m New England. This offended some, especially yotmg people. But I remember I justified him in this in my own mind, and in conversation with those who were disposed to condenm him. This was in October, 1740, when I had entered on my last year in college.” — See Memoirs of Dr. Savivl Hopkins.

for and against this proposal, they thought it best he should go; which, however diffident of himself, he was persuaded to do. And his ministrations were attended with an extraordinary blessing to multitudes, as is particularly narrated elsewhere.*

What sort of reception Mr. Whitefield had in New England, will farther appear from the following letters of some eminent ministers of Boston, and the adjacent towns, published by the Rev. Josiah Smith, of Charleston, in the South Carolina Gazette,

“October 1,1740.
” Rev. and dear Sir,

“Your kind letter by Mr. Whitefield, and your other, are both now before me. You raised our expectations of him very much, as did his Journals more, and Mr. P. of New York, concurred with them; but we own, now that we have seen and heard him, that our expectations are all answered, and exceeded, not only in his zealous and fervent abounding labors, but in his command of the hearts and affections of his hearers. He has been received here as an angel of God, and a servant of Jesus Christ. I hope this visit to us will be of very great use and benefit to ministers and people. He has found his heart and mouth much open to speak freely and boldly to us, and he finds it received with joy.”

By the same gentleman:

“November 29, 1740. “Rev. and dear Sir, “Mr. Whitefield left us seven weeks ago; the last week we heard of him in Philadelphia. I hear that much of the presence of God is with him. He has left a blessing behind him, we hope with us. Our people, high and low, old and young, are very swift to hear. The excellent meekness of Mr. Whitefield’s Answer to the Querists, will honor him to you.”

Another writes thus:

“October 22, 1740.

“Though it is always a singular pleasure to me to hear from you, yet your two letters by Mr. Whitefield, had a new circumstance of pleasure from the dear hand that presented them. I perceive you were impatient to know what sort of introduction he had among us. We (ministers, rulers, and people)

See Prince’s Christian History, or, Historical Collections of the Success of the Gospel, Vol. II. where the facts are set down in the order of time.

About lliis time Mr. Wliitefickl wrote his letter to some church members of the Presbyterian persuasion, in answer to certain scruples and queries which they had proposed.

generally received him as an angel of God. When he preached his farewell sermon in our common, there were twenty-three THOUSAND, at a moderate computation. We are abundantly convinced, that you spoke the words of truth and soberness in your sermon relating to him. Such a power and presence of God with a preacher, and in religious assemblies, 1 never saw before; but I would not limit the Holy One of Israel. The prejudices of many are quite conquered, and the expectations of others vastly outdone, as they freely own. A cousiderablc number are awakened, and many christians seem to be greatly quickened. He has preached twice at Cambridge;

he has one warm friend there, Mr., the tutor, who lias

followed him to Northampton, and will, for aught I know, to Georgia. But Mr. Whitefield has not a warmer friend any where, than the first man among us. Our governor has showed him the highest respect, carried him in his coach from place to place, and could not help following him fifty miles out of town. I hope the religion of the country will fare the better for the impressions left on him,”

The same gentleman writes,

“December 2, 1740. “The man greatly beloved, I suppose, may be with you before now. That his visit here will be esteemed a distinguished mercy of heaven by many, I am well satisfied. Every day gives me fresh proofs of Christ’s speaking in him. A small set of gentlemen amongst us, when they saw the affections of the people so moved under his preaching, would attribute it only to his force of voice and gesture. But the impressions on many are so lasting, and have been so transforming, as to carry plain signatures of a divine hand going along with him.”

Another gentleman writes,

“November 1, 1740.

“I received yours by the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, with whom I coveted a great deal more private conversation than I had opportunity for, by reason of the throngs of people almost perpetually with him. But he appears to be full of the love of God, and fired with an extraordinary zeal for the cause of Christ, and applies himself with the most indefatigable diligence, that ever was seen among us, for the promoting the good of souls. His head, his heart, his hands, seem to be full of his Master’s business. His discourses, especially when he goes into the expository way, are very entertaining. Every eye is fixed upon him, and every ear chained to his lips. Most

54 MEMOIRS OF WniTRFIELD.

are very much affected; many awakened and convinced, and a general seriousness excited. His address, more especially to the passions, is wonderful, and bej/ond what I have ever seen. I think I can truly say, that his preaching has quickened me, and I believe it has many others besides, as well as the people. Several of my flock, especially the younger sort, have been brought under convictions by his preaching; and there is this remarkable thing showing the good effect of his preaching, that the word preached now by us, seems more precious to them, and comes with more power upon them. My prayer for him is, that his precious life may be lengthened out, and that he may be an instrument of reviving dying religion in all places whithersoever he comes, who seems to be wonderfully fitted for, as well as spirited in it.”

Saturday, November 8, Mr. Whitefield came back to Philadelphia, and on the next day preached to several thousands in a house built for that purpose since his last departure. Here he both heard of and saw many, who were the fruits of his former ministrations; and continued among them till November 17, preaching twice a day. Afterwards he preached in Gloucester, Greenwich, Pilesgrove, Cohansie, Salem, Newcastle, Whiteley Creek, Frog’s Manor, Nottingham; in many or most of which places the congregations were numerous, and deeply affected.

November 22, he reached Bohemia in Maryland, and from thence he went to Reedy Island. At both places his preaching was attended with great influence. And at the last (their sloop being detained by contrary winds near a week) he preached frequently. All the captains and crews of the ships that were wind-bound constantly attended, and great numbers crowded out of the country, some as far as from Philadelphia; and as great concern as ever came upon their minds.

December 1, he set sail from Reedy Island for Charleston in South Carolina, and here he makes the following remark: •’ It is now the seventy-fifth day since I arrived in Reedy Island, My body was then weak, but the Lord has much renewed its strength. I have been enabled to preach, I think, a hundred and seventy-five times in public, besides exhorting fi’equently in private. I have traveled upwards of eight hundred miles, and gotten upwards of seven hundred pounds sterling, in goods, provisions, and money, for the Georgia orphans. Never did I perform my journeys with so little fatigue, or see such a continuance of the divine presence in the congregations to which I have preached. ‘Praise the Lord, O my soul.’”

After a pleasant passage of eight or nine days, and preaching again at Charleston and Savannah, he arrived on the 14th of December at the Orphan-house, where he found his family comfortably settled. At Rhode Island he had providentially met with Mr. Jonathan Barber, whose heart was very much knit to him, and who was willing to help him at the Orplian-house. Him, therefore, he left snperintendant of the spiritual, and Mr. Habersham of the temporal aflairs; and having spent a very comfortable Christmas with his Orphan family, he set ott’ agam for Charleston, were he arrived January 3, 1741, and preached twice every day as usual, to most affectionate auditories, till the 16th of January, when he went on board tor England. He arrived the 11th of March at Falmouth, rode past to London, and preached at Kennington common the Sunday following.