Charlestown

Sunday, January 4. Came here yesterday in company with both the Mr. B—'s, and several other dear friends. Had the satisfaction of meeting with my brother the Captain, and hearing from him some account of affairs among the brethren in England. The Lord enable me to steer a wise and steady course, when I come among them. Preached twice this day, and expounded in the evening to large audiences. Was most affectionately entertained at the house of Mr. F—r, and enjoyed much of the divine presence and consolations in my soul. Happy they whose lives are [reconstructed: hid] with Christ in God!

Saturday, January 10. Preached twice every day this week, and expounded frequently in the evening to a great company at Mr. F—'s. The Lord Jesus assisted and enlightened me. The Holy Ghost applied the word with power. Several acquainted me what God had done for their souls; and one was filled so with communications from above, when a discovery of Christ was made to her soul, that she continued a whole night praying to and praising God. Some have fallen away for the present, but blessed be God, the greatest part continue steadfast, and are rather more forward and affectionate than ever. Enemies are more enraged. As a proof of it, take the following instance.—When Mr. Jonathan B—n came to Georgia, he showed me a letter written by his brother Mr. Hugh B—n, in which it was hinted that the clergy break their canons, and this he desired me to correct for the press. I did. It was published this week. Immediately Mr. B—n was apprehended and bound over, and being asked, frankly confessed that I corrected and made some alterations in it. This evening a constable came to me with the following warrant.

South-Carolina, Ss. By B—W‐, etc. WHEREAS I have received information upon oath that George Whitefield Clerk, has made and composed a false, malicious, scandalous, and infamous LIBEL against the CLERGY of this Province, in contempt of His Majesty and His Laws, and against the King's Peace. These are therefore, in His Majesty's Name, to charge and command you and each of you forthwith to apprehend the said George Whitefield, and to bring him before Me to answer the Premisses. Hereof fail not, at your Peril. And for your so doing this shall be your and each of your sufficient Warrant. To all and singular the Constables of Charlestown. Given under my Hand and Seal this tenth Day of January, in the fourteenth Year of His Majesty's Reign, Anno Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty. B— W—.

I went before the C—J—, confessed that I had revised and corrected Mr. B—'s letter for the press, and gave security to appear by my attorney at the next general Quarter-Sessions, under the penalty of 100 l. Proclamation-Money. Blessed be God for this further honor! My soul rejoices in it. I think this may be called PERSECUTION. I think it is for righteousness' sake. Oh! how gently does the Lord deal with me, and by these little [reconstructed: forewarnings], and, I trust, prepare me for greater trials! Father forgive my persecutors. Visit them not in judgment, but in mercy. They know not what they do.

Sunday, January 11. Preached this morning upon Herod's sending the wise men to find out Christ, under a pretense that he intended to come and worship him, when indeed he intended to kill him. I endeavored to show from there how dreadful it was to persecute under a pretense of religion. Mr. W—d telling me, that what he did was out of a sense of duty, and that binding me over to the sessions was no persecution, led my thoughts this way. In the afternoon I preached from these words, 1 Kings 21:12-13: They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people, and there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the King. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones that he died. My hearers, as well as myself, made the application. It was pretty close. And I especially directed my discourse to men in authority, and showed them the heinous sin of abusing the power which God had put into their hands. In the evening I expounded on the story of Orpah and Ruth, and exhorted my hearers to follow the Lord Jesus Christ though his cause be never so much persecuted and spoken against. Lord Jesus, keep us from being ashamed of you or of your Gospel.—Amen and Amen.

Thursday, January 15. Received several comfortable letters from my dear friends at Boston; among whom Secretary Willard, an honorable counsellor, writes this: Mr. Wibb tells me, that divers young men in this town, who are candidates for the ministry, have been brought under deep convictions by your preaching, and (as he hopes) are carried off from the foundation of their false hopes (their own righteousness) to rest only upon Christ for salvation. The dear Reverend Mr. [◊] writes thus: "I can inform you, that there are many abiding proofs that you did not run in vain, and labor in vain among us in this place. I could much more than fill this paper with the accounts I have received from the persons who have been impressed under the word preached by you. But I can only now say in general, some have been awakened who were before quite secure, and I hope a good work begun in them. Others, who had been under religious impressions, are now more earnestly pressing into the kingdom of heaven, and many of the children of God stirred up to give diligence for the full assurance of faith. There is a greater flocking to all the lectures in the town, and the people show such a disposition to the new Tuesday evening lecture, that our large capacious house cannot receive all that come. I am sure your visit to us has made a large addition to the prayers that are going up for you in one place and another, and I hope also the jewels which are to make up your crown in the day of the Lord." Mr. Welch, a pious friend, writes thus: "I fear I am tedious, but I can't break off till I just mention, to the glory of the grace of God, and for your comfort and encouragement, the success your ministry of late has had among us. Impressions made seem to be abiding on the minds of many. The doctrines of grace seem to be more the topic of conversation than ever I knew them. Indeed, religious conversation seems to be almost fashionable, and almost every one seems disposed to speak or hear of the things of God. Multitudes flock to the evening lecture, though it has sometimes been the worst of weather. Ministers seem to preach with more life, and the great audiences seem to hear, with solemn attention, and, I hope, our Lord Jesus is getting to himself the victory over the hearts of many sinners." Others write to the same effect. All love, all glory be to God.

For this let men revile my name, no cross I shun, I fear no shame; All hail reproach! and welcome pain! Only your terrors, Lord, restrain.

Tuesday, January 16. Preached twice every day this week, and expounded in the evening as usual. Congregations I perceived much increased since Saturday night last, as also the power which the Lord gave me. I never received such generous tokens of love, I think from any people before, as from some in Charlestown. They so loaded me with sea stores that I sent much of them to Savannah. Having now all things finished according to my mind, preached my farewell sermon last night, and spoke at the burial of a Quaker woman, at the desire of her surviving friends, I this day went on board the Minerva, Captain Meredith, in which I took passage for myself and some others to England. You God of the sea and the dry land, be with us on our voyage, and prepare me for the many perils and mercies that await me among my own countrymen. Amen and Amen.