Bethesda in Georgia
Sunday, December 14. Preached again at Charlston on Wednesday evening. Answered some letters that I received from England. Went on board on Thursday, reached Savannah on Saturday about midnight, preached this morning, and arrived safely at Bethesda where I found my family comfortably settled this afternoon. My soul was much touched with a sense of God's mercies. When I came to pray with an old Christian in our infirmary, it so overwhelmed me that I could scarce stand under it. The love of God was shed abroad in my heart abundantly through the Holy Ghost. Thanks be to God for these, and all his other unspeakable gifts, through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Monday, December 29. Enjoyed a very comfortable Christmas at Bethesda, having God often with us in my public ministrations among [illegible] family and laborers. One woman received Christ in a [illegible] glorious manner, and several others were brought under strong convictions. On Christmas Day I married Mr. Periam to one of the school-mistresses which I brought out of England; and last Saturday I also married Mr. Habersham to Mr. B— Daughter, whom I brought with me from Philadelphia and who was converted some time ago at Savannah. Both times the Bridegroom of the Church was present with us, in an especial manner; and many, I hope, felt a union between Jesus Christ and their souls. Having appointed Mr. D—r to take care of the spiritual, and Mr. [reconstructed: H—m] to superintend the outward affairs of the orphan-house, and settled all things to my satisfaction, finding my call clear to England, I, last night, took a sorrowful and affectionate leave of my family; and this day went to Savannah, but narrowly escaped being shot by a laborer walking behind me with a gun under his arm. The gun went off unawares, but the mouth of it providentially was towards the ground. Otherwise I and one of my friends, in all probability, should have been killed: for we were directly before and not above a yard or two distant from it. How ought we to live in such a state as we would not fear to die in! For in the midst of life we are in death.
In the evening I preached at Savannah, and took my final leave of the people, it being inconsistent with my other affairs to act as their pastor any more. Another minister is not yet come, but is expected daily. I gave the trustees notice January last of my design to give up the [reconstructed: parsonage]. Blessed be God, I am now more free to evangelize and go wherever the Lord shall be pleased to call me. I yet hope well of Georgia, though, at present, in a very declining and piteous state. It will flourish, I believe, when settled upon a [reconstructed: religious] foundation. Till then God will infatuate the counsels of men, or bring them to nothing. It was so with New England. I am persuaded it will be so with New Georgia. Glory be to God, I leave behind me some who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. Heavenly Father, destroy not the province for their sakes, and for your own name's sake grant it may yet take root downwards, and bear fruit upwards! Amen and Amen.
