Staten Island and Newark

Tuesday, November 4. Preached from a wagon on Staten Island, to about 3 or 400 people. The Lord came among them. One dear young man, in particular, as though his very heartstrings would break, came to me after the sermon, with strong cryings and tears, beseeching me to pray that he might be converted. Many others wept also, and several of God's children felt the presence of the dear Lord Jesus in their hearts. Many of them rejoiced to see me again. One gray-headed man came and told me how God had brought him from darkness to light, when I was here last. My soul was also much refreshed with the sight of dear Mr. Gilbert Tennent and Mr. Cross. The former has lately lost his wife, and though dear to him, yet he was enabled with great calmness to preach her funeral sermon, while the corpse was lying before him. This put me in mind of Melancthon, who, at the news of his wife's death, said, "By Kate, I'll come after you before it be long." Since his wife's decease, Mr. Tennent has been in the West Jerseys and Maryland, and told me how God remarkably worked by his ministry in many places. Mr. Cross also has seen great and wonderful things in his congregations, so great that when I came to desire a particular account, he said it directly answered the account given by Mr. Edwards, of the work of God in Northampton. What is the Lord Jesus about to do! If the beginning is so great, what will the end of these things be! Rode after the sermon to Newark, about ten miles from Staten Island. Preached to a considerable congregation, but it being dark before I concluded, I could not see what impressions the discourse made. I fear but little. However, at night the Lord manifested forth his glory. For coming down to family prayer, where I lodged, and perceiving many young men around me, my soul was, as it were, melted down with concern for them. After singing I gave a word of exhortation. With what power none can fully express but those that saw it. O how did the word fall like a hammer and like a fire! What a weeping was there? One poor creature in particular was ready to sink into the earth. His countenance was altered, till he looked as it were sick to death. At length he said, "What shall I do to be saved?" Others were dissolved into tears around him, and one of my fellow-travelers was struck down, and so overpowered, that his body became exceedingly weak. He would scarce move all the night after. God, I believe, was now working powerfully on his soul. As for my own part, I was almost spent. I vomited, threw myself upon the bed, humbled myself before God, and spent the remaining evening in hearing dear Mr. Tennent give an account of his late excursion. Oh, he is a choice, humble minister of the gospel! May I follow him as he does Christ. Amen and Amen.