Philadelphia

Sunday, November 9. Had several gracious souls come to see me. We prayed together. The Lord much enlarged my heart. Preached about [illegible] in the morning to several thousands in a house built for that purpose since my last departure from Philadelphia. It is 100 feet long, and 70 feet broad. A large gallery is to be erected all around it. Many footsteps of Providence have been visible in beginning and carrying it on. Particulars I shall (God willing) relate hereafter. Let it suffice at present, that both in the morning and evening, God's glory filled the house, for there was great power in the congregation. It was never preached in before. The roof is not yet up, but the people used a convenient pulpit, and boarded the bottom. The joy of most of the hearers, when they saw me, was inexpressible; some still mocked. Between services I received a packet of letters from England, [illegible] in March last. May the Lord heal, and bring good out of the divisions, which, at present, seem to be among the brethren there! God giving me freedom, and many friends being in the room, I kneeled down and prayed with and exhorted them all. But, oh how did they melt under both; my soul was much rejoiced to look round on them, because there were some who were now fairly brought through the pangs of the new birth, who had been most marvelous offenders against the great God. I shall mention two only. The first is one Mr. Brockden, Recorder of Deeds, etc., a man eminent in his profession, but for many years a notorious deist. In his younger days, he told me, he had some religious impressions, but coming into business, the cares of the world so choked the good seed, that he not only forgot his God in some degree, but at length began to doubt of, and to dispute his very being. In this state he continued many years, and has been very zealous to propagate his deistical, I could almost say atheistical, principles among moral men, but he told me he never endeavored to make proselytes of vicious, debauched people. When I came to Philadelphia this time twelve months ago, he told me, he had not so much as a curiosity to hear me. But a brother deist, his choicest friend, pressing him to come and hear me, to satisfy his curiosity, he at length complied with his request. It was night. I preached at the Court House stairs, upon the conference which our Lord had with Nicodemus. I had not spoken much before God struck his heart. For, said he, I saw your doctrine tended to make people good. His family knew nothing that he had been to hear me. After he came home, his wife, who had heard a sermon, came in also, and wished heartily that he had heard me. He said nothing. After this, another of his family came in repeating the same wish; and, if I mistake not, after that another, till at last being unable to refrain any longer, with tears in his eyes — Why, says he, I have been hearing him; and then expressed his approbation. Ever since he has followed on to know the Lord, and I verily believe Jesus Christ has made himself manifest to his soul. Though upwards of sixty years old, he is now I believe born again of God. He is a little child, and often (as he told me) receives such communications from God, when he retires into the woods, that he thinks he could die a martyr for the truth. The next is one Captain H—l, formerly as great a reprobate as ever I heard of, almost a scandal and reproach to human nature. He used to swear to ease his stomach, and was so fond of new oaths that he used to go on board the transport ships, and offer a guinea for a new oath, that he might have the honor of coining it. It would be endless to give instances of his vile profaneness. To the honor of God's grace let it be said, he is now, I believe, a Christian — not only reformed, but renewed. The effectual stroke, he told me, was given, when I preached last spring at Pennypack, though under good impressions before. Ever since he has been zealous for the truth, stood like a lamb when was beaten, and in danger of being murdered some time ago, by many of my opposers, and, in short, shows forth his faith by his works. I might speak also of some Quakers, who are fairly brought into an experimental acquaintance with Christ, who are chosen with myself, the aforesaid B—n and H—l, and some others joint trustees for the house lately erected. But I mention these in particular, because I think they are remarkable proofs of that too much exploded doctrine, I mean, God's eternal election and everlasting love. Whatever men's carnal reasoning may suggest, yet if the children of God fairly examine their own experiences, if they do God justice, they must acknowledge that they did not choose God, but God chose them. And if he chose them at all, it must be from eternity, and that too without any regard to any thing foreseen in them. Unless they acknowledge this, man's salvation must be in part owing to the free will of man, and if so, unless men descend from other parents than I did, Christ Jesus might have died, and never have seen the travail of his soul in the salvation of one of his creatures. But I would be tender in this point and leave persons to be taught it of God. I am of the martyr Bradford's mind. Let a man go to the grammar school of faith and repentance, before he goes to the university of election and predestination. A bare head-knowledge of the form of sound words avails nothing. I am quite sick of Christless talkers. From such may I ever turn away! Amen and amen.

Monday, November 10. Preached morning and afternoon to very large congregations, and observed a wonderful sweet power attend both, but especially the evening sermon. Many afterwards came and told me what God did for their souls thereby. All the vacant time before and after preaching, I employed in answering my English letters. Lord, bless what was written to the consolation and edification of my dear friends for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen and amen.

Saturday, November 15. Preached twice every day this week in the new house, one morning excepted, when I preached in Mr. C—'s meeting-house on account of the snow. A most sweet and wonderful power went at that time through the congregation. The Lord gave me the text I preached on just before meeting; directed me to a method as I was going up the pulpit stairs; and enabled me to discourse with an uncommon clearness, freedom, and power. The effects plainly showed that it was of God. The word seemed to smite them like so many pointed arrows. Many afterwards told me what they felt, and in the evening I was sent for to a young woman, who was carried home from meeting, and had continued almost speechless. When I came, she looked like a person dead and laid out. I prayed with her, and heard afterwards that she came out into a more comfortable state. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Indeed I cannot say we had one dry meeting. The least moving, I think, was one afternoon, when I was unaccountably carried out to talk against reasoning unbelievers. When I was at dinner I had not fixed upon a text. When I was going to preach, I was so ill that some of my friends advised me to go home. I thought it best to trust in God. I went on, began preaching, and found my heart somewhat refreshed, but all on a sudden, my soul was so carried out to talk against depending on our natural reason, that my friends were astonished, and so was I too. For I felt the Holy Ghost come upon me at that time, and never spoke in that manner before. As I was going home, I said to a friend, surely some reasoners were in the congregation. Upon inquiry, I found a cluster of them were present, and then I knew therefore I was so assisted. Oh, who would not trust in God! One of these reasoners a little after, meeting Mr. B—n, said, What! Mr. Whitefield could not make the people cry this afternoon. A good reason for it, says Mr. B—n, he was preaching against Deists, and you know they are a hardened generation. Lord, take from them a heart of stone, and give them a heart of flesh. [reconstructed: Abba], Father, all things are [reconstructed: possible] with you.

Another afternoon, there was such a universal commotion in the congregation, as I never saw in Philadelphia before. One or two cried out in a most piteous manner, and numbers [illegible] sorely, that I broke off prayer after sermon sooner than otherwise I should have done. The children of God were melted down, and their souls magnified the Lord. I preached on those words, What shall I do to be saved? And as I afterwards found, was very providentially directed to that subject. For one Mrs. P—r, as I have it in a paper taken from her own mouth, went to Mr. Cummins to know, "Why I should not preach in the church?" He, after several invectives cast out against me, said, he could not answer his oath to the Bishop of London, if he did give me leave, and cautioned her against going to hear me; adding, that if she followed or adhered to what I said, she was in a woeful condition. "No," said he, "you are damned if you do." With all, he told her, he was distressed in his soul for her, because she was a good liver, and brought up under pious parents. Mrs. P—r asked, if she, by God's assistance, could live up to the doctrine and example of our Savior and the Apostles, as laid down in the New Testament, she should not do well? He answered, "Yes." "Then, Sir," replied she, "I must believe in Mr. Whitefield's doctrine." "There now," says he, "you are running out again; I tell you, you are mad. Go home and hear him no more, and you'll do well enough." "No, Sir," says Mrs. P—r, "I cannot stay away. And seeing so many people admire Mr. Whitefield's doctrine, and you so bitter against him, what must I do to be saved? For you are enough to distract me between you." "You are good enough," replied Mr. Cummins, "and may dance or play at cards and be in a far better way than Whitefield or his followers. For my part, I will wash my hands [illegible] your blood, and will leave you." "No," said Mrs. P—r, "you love money too well, Sir, to leave this place." After a great deal more conversation, Mrs. P—r left him in great distress of mind, and often repeating to herself, Lord, what shall I do to be saved? Contrary to Mr. Cummins's advice, she went in the afternoon, says the paper before me, to hear Mr. Whitefield, and he providentially preached on the trembling jailer's words: What shall I do to be saved? Which gave the gentlewoman so much satisfaction and comfort, that she is thankful to God for having an opportunity of hearing that text explained, is much strengthened, perfectly easy, and will by God's grace follow his commandments. Lord, for your mercies' sake, work in her both to will and to do, after your good pleasure. Amen and amen. It would be almost endless to recount all the particular instances of God's grace, which I have seen this week past. Many that before were only convicted, now plainly proved, that they were converted and had a clear evidence of it within themselves. My chief business was now to build up and to exhort them to continue in the grace of God. Notwithstanding many were convicted almost every day, and came to me, under the greatest distress and anguish of soul. Several societies are now in the town, not only of men and women, but of little boys and little girls. Being so engaged, I could not visit them as I would, but I hope the Lord will raise me up some fellow laborers, and that elders will be ordained in every place; then we shall see a glorious church, settled and established in Philadelphia. Hasten that time, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. I cannot leave off giving an account of this week's work, without mentioning another instance or two of God's grace. One woman came to me, I think fairly converted to our dear Lord Jesus. She told me, when I was at Philadelphia last, she came desiring that I would baptize her child. I being otherwise engaged, refused. Upon this the devil assaulted her, being under strong convictions, in a most violent manner, and endeavored to persuade her, that all I had told her were lies. She was cast into darkness, but reasoned thus: it is impossible that it should be lies, or that I should be a false prophet, since the word came with such light, evidence and unspeakable power upon her soul, when she heard me. She went home, retired to bed, and there the devil would fain have persuaded her to cut her child's throat with a pair of scissors. She being brought into the utmost extremity, cried and looked up to Christ. He delivered her out of her distress. Satan immediately left her, and God flowed in upon her soul. She now knows that her Redeemer lives. Praise the Lord, O my soul! Another young woman, who I believe was made a wise virgin last spring, and received Jesus Christ in her heart, acquainted me, "that she continued in great joy for near three days, and went as far as New Castle, to hear me, when I took my leave last. As she was returning, some body told her, I believed election. Alas! then, said she (though she was converted), what will become of me? She fell into darkness, retired into the woods, and by degrees, she told me, solid comfort returned to her soul. "And [illegible]," said I, "do you believe election?" "Yes," says she, with the utmost confidence, "it cannot but be so." Oh that all who are prejudiced against that doctrine were thus taught of God! They would not ignorantly call the doctrine of election the doctrine of devils, or cry out vehemently against the horrible decree. But, as an excellent Christian observes, the doctrine of election is such a glorious mystery, that it dazzles the weak eyes even of some of God's dear children. But I have reserved the most sweet proof of God's grace and power to the last. About the middle of the week I was called to visit one Mrs. [illegible] then lying on a sick bed, but after prodigious agonies, brought home to God when I was at Philadelphia last spring. Her husband was [illegible] at sea, and since his return home, has greatly persecuted his wife, denying her spiritual friends leave to come to her. God now inclined his heart to let me come and pray with her, according to her desire. When I went the first time, he was not in the room, but was offended that he was not called up to join with us. The next day he himself met me in the street, and gave me an invitation. I complied, and visited his wife several times. But never before did I see a soul so exult in God, and talk so feelingly of the love of Jesus, though sometimes in extremity of pain. Sometimes she was so full of God that she could not speak, and at other times, when she could not speak, and I bid her lift up her hands if all was well, she stretched them with great earnestness. As soon as ever she could recover breath, she would talk of Jesus, saying that his love was above her pain, that she longed to be dissolved, but was willing to wait the Lord's leisure. When I told her, that I wanted to be gone too, "No," says she, "do you stay longer, and bring home some more souls to Christ;" with many other gracious words, which dropped from her mouth. My soul was much enlarged to hear a creature talk with such assurance just upon the brink of eternity. Her husband and other friends stood weeping by. God gave me great assistance in prayer. His presence filled the room, and some I thought would have cried out. Oh that this sickness may be a means under God of saving her relations' precious and immortal souls! After my departure, she bid one of my friends tell me, "that she [illegible] and lived from the doctrine which I had preached." When he asked her, what she thought of the righteousness of Christ, "Oh," says she, "my soul is wrapped up in it!" Lord Jesus, let her repose her confidence in you even to the last. Into your hands I commend her spirit: for you have redeemed it, O Lord, you God of truth!

Sunday, November 16. Preached both morning and evening, and collected both times about 105 pounds sterling for the orphans. In the morning my soul was peculiarly enlarged, though I was somewhat dejected before I left my lodgings. In the afternoon, I publicly baptized five adult women, who had undergone a strict examination. Before the sermon I gave them an earnest exhortation. They melted sweetly under the word, and everything was carried on with great solemnity. I preached from these words of St. Jude, "But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life." The congregation was very large, though I think not near so large as when I took my leave last spring. There was abundance of weeping when I came to the conclusion of my discourse. Great numbers flocked to my lodgings, some under distress, some to give thanks for what God had done for their souls, and others to present me with something for the poor orphans. One that was baptized brought three children, I baptized them, prayed, and gave a word of exhortation with a melting heart to many dear souls. In the evening I went with my dear friend Mr. Noble to take a final leave of Mrs. D—yet rejoicing in God. Visited a poor distracted woman, and afterwards went to the Boys' Society, where I met with a tender-hearted lad or two. Then I returned home, and at last went to bed, quite weary as to my outward man, but inwardly rejoicing in God my Savior. Oh that I could do more for Jesus Christ! He is kinder and kinder to me every day. Praise the Lord, O my soul!