Journal of a Voyage from Gibraltar to Georgia, Journal 3 · Part 13 – Part 16
BRISTOL.
Friday, February 23. Returned hither about Ten this Morning. About Eleven, went, as uſual, and preached a written Sermon at Newgate, and collected two Pounds five Shillings for the Priſoners. Many, I believe, were much affected. To GOD be all the Glory.
After Dinner, I was taken very ill, ſo that I was obliged to lie upon the Bed; but, looking upon it only as a Thorn in the Fleſh, at three I went, according to Appointment, and preached to near four or five Thouſand People, from a Mount in Kingſwood, with great Power. The Sun ſhone very bright, and the People ſtanding in ſuch an awful Manner round the Mount, in the profoundeſt Silence, filled me with an holy Admiration. Bleſſed be GOD, for ſuch a plentiful Harveſt. LORD, d… thou ſend forth more Labourers into thy Harveſt.
This done, GOD ſtrengthened me to expound to a Society without Lawford's Gate, and afterwards to another in the City, and afterwards to a third. And I ſpoke with more Freedom the laſt Time than at the firſt. When I am weak, then am I ſtrong.
Saturday, Feb. 24. About Ten in the Morning I waited on the Chancellor, and ſhewed a Letter I had received from the Lord Biſhop of Briſtol. My Maſter gave me great Boldneſs of Speech, and I asked the Chancellor why he did not write to the Biſhop according to his Promiſe? And, I think, he anſwered, he was to bl…me. I then inſiſted on his proving I had preached falſe Doctrine, and reminded him of his threatning to excommunicate me in the Name of the Clergy and Laity of the City of Briſtol. But he would have me think that he had ſaid no ſuch Thing; and confeſſed, at this Time, that he had neither heard me preach, nor read any of my Writings. I asked him his Reaſons for prohibiting my collecting for the Orphan-houſe. He anſwered, It would hinder the People's Benefactions to the Briſtol Clergy. I replied, It would by …o Means hinder their Contributions, and that the Clergy ought firſt to ſubſcribe themſelves for Example's Sake. — After much Converſation on this Subject, I, with all Meekneſs, told him, I was reſolved to go on preaching, and that if Collections were not made here for the poor Georgians, I would lay it entirely upon him; adding withal, I would not be one that ſhould hinder ſuch a Deſign for the Univerſe.
After I left the Chancellor, I went and preached at Newgate; and at three in the Afternoon, went to a Poor-houſe without Lawford's Gate; but the Room and Yard being full, I ſtood upon the Steps going up to the Houſe, and preached to them from thence. Many that were paſſing along the Road on Horſeback, ſtood ſtill to hear me; and, I hope, many were bettered by what was ſpoken.
This Evening I declined going to any Society, that I might have a little Time to write Letters; amongſt which, I wrote the following one to the Biſhop of Briſtol.
My Lord, Briſtol, Feb. 14, 1738, 9.
I humbly thank your Lordſhip for the Favour of your Lordſhip's Letter. It gave abundant Satisfaction to me, and many others, who have not failed to pray in a particular Manner for your Lordſhip's Temporal and Eternal Welfare. — To day I ſhewed your Lorſhip's Letter to the Chancellor, who (notwithſtanding he promiſed not to prohibit my preaching for the Orphan-houſe, if your Lordſhip was only neuter in the Affair) has influenced moſt of the Clergy to deny me their Pulpits, either on that or any other Occaſion. Laſt Week he was pleaſed to charge me with falſe Doctrine, To day he has forgot that he ſaid ſo. — He alſo threatned to excommunicate me for preaching in your Lordſhip's Dioceſe. I offered to take a Licence, but was denied. — If your Lordſhip ſhould ask, What Evil I have done? I anſwer▪ None, ſave that I viſit the Religious Societies, preach to the Priſoners in Newgate, and to the poor Colliers in Kingſwood, who they tell me, are little better than Heathens. — I am charged with being a Diſſenter; though many are brought to the Church by my preaching, not one taken from it. — Indeed the Chancellor is pleaſed to tell me my Conduct is contrary to the Canons; but I told him thoſe Canons which he produced were not intended againſt ſuch Meetings as mine are, where his Majeſty is conſtantly prayed for, and every one is free to ſee what is done. I am ſorry to give your Lo…dſhip this Trouble; but I thought proper to mention theſe Particulars, that I might know of your Lordſhip wherein my Conduct is exceptionable. I heartily thank your Lordſhip for your intended Benefaction. — I think the Deſign is truly good, and will meet with Succeſs, becauſe ſo much oppoſed. GOD knows my Heart, I deſire only to promote his Glory. If I am ſpoken evil of for his ſake I rejoyce in it. My Maſter was long ſince ſpoken evil of before me. — But I intrude on your Lordſhip's Patience. — I am, with all poſſible Thanks,
My Lord, Your Lordſhip's dutiful Son and Servant, G. W.
Sunday, Feb. 25. What Mercies has my good GOD ſhewn me this Day! When I aroſe in the Morning, I thought I ſhould be able to do nothing; but the divine Strength was greatly magnified in my Weakneſs. — About Six in the Morning I prayed, ſung with, and exhorted my young Morning Viſiters, as I did laſt Lord's Day. — At Eight I read Prayers, and preached to a very thronged Congregation at Newgate, and from thence I rode to Buſsleton, a Village about two Miles from Briſtol, where was ſuch a vaſt Congregation, that after I had read Prayers in the Church, I thought proper to go and preach in the Churchyard, that none might be ſent em…ty away. — The People were exceedingly at…ntive, and GOD gave me great Utterance; a…d what was beſt of all, by the Leave of the Miniſter, who invited me thither, we had a S…crament; and, I hope, it was a Communion of Saints indeed. All Things, I find, happen to the Furtherance of the Goſpel; Why then ſhould I fear what Man can do unto me?
At four I haſted to Kingſwood. — At a moderate Computation, there were above ten Thouſand People to hear me. The Trees and Hedges were full. All was huſh when I began; the Sun ſhone bright, and GOD enabled me to preach for an Hour with great Power, and ſo loud, that all (I was told) could hear me. Bleſſed be GOD, Mr. B—n ſpoke right. The Fire is kindled in the Country; and, I know, all the Devils in Hell ſhall not be able to quench it.
Finding myſelf ſtrengthened from above, I went and expounded at Baldwin-ſtreet Society. when above five Pounds were collected for the Orphan-houſe. — Afterwards I went to another; and about Nine at Night came home, rejoycing at the great Things GOD had done for my Soul. This Day I have been exalted, I muſt expect now to be humbled- Any Thing is welcome to me that GOD ſends.
Monday, Feb. 26. This Morning I wrote the following Letter to the Chancellor.
Reverend Sir,
The incloſed is a Letter I ſent on Saturday to the Biſhop of Briſtol; be pleaſed to peruſe it, and ſee if any Thing contrary to Truth is there related by,
Reverend Sir, Your very humble Servant. G. W. Briſtol, Feb 28 1738, 9.
Pre…ched at … — was refreſhed by the Converſation of ſome whom GOD had wrought upon by my Miniſtry; — anſwered my religious Friends Letters, and expounded twice in the Evening to two large Societies. Bleſſed be GOD, I find myſelf much refreſhed in Spirit, and a new ſupply of Strength given me. Thus ſhall it be done to the Man whom GOD delighteth to honour. Oh free Grace in CHRIST JESUS!
Tueſday, Feb. 27. Expounded at Newgate, with more Power than ever; had Succeſs in my Collections for the Orphan-houſe, and expounded twice, as uſual, and was greatly ſtrengthened with Might in the Inner Man. This is to prepare me for ſome freſh Oppoſition. I wonder I meet with ſo little. But GOD will lay upon me no more than I am able to bear. Forever adored be his unmerited Love, through CHRIST.
Wedneſday, Feb. 28. Preached at Newgate, and expounded to the Societies, as uſual; and intended to go and preach upon the Mount in Kingſwood; but was diſſuaded from it, by a Report th…t the Waters were out. However, many, as I was told afterwards, came from far to hear me; ſo that it repented me that I went not. When People are willing to hear, it is a Pity that any Miniſter ſhould be ſlow to preach.
Thurſday, March 1. Amongſt my other Letters by this Day…s Poſt, I received the following one from the Rev. Mr. John W…ſ…ey.
My dear Brother, Feb. 20.
Our Lord's Hand is not ſhortned …mongſt us. Yeſterday I preached at St. Katharines, and at Iſ…ington, where the Church was almoſt as hot as ſome of the Society Rooms uſed to be. I think I never was ſo much ſtrengthened before. The Fields, after Service, were white with People praiſing GOD. About three Hundred were preſent at Mr. S—s; thence I went to Mr. B—s, then to Fetter-lane, and at nine to Mr. B—s; where alſo we only wanted room. — Today I expound in the Minories at four, at Mrs. W—s at ſix, and to a large Company of poor Sinners in Gravel-lane (Biſhopſgate) at eight. The Society at Mr. Crouch's does not meet till eight; ſo that I expound before I go to him near St. James's Square; where one young Woman has been lately filled with the Holy Ghoſt, and overflows with Joy and Love. On Wedneſday at ſix, we have a noble Company of Women, not adorned with Gold or coſtly Apparel, but with a meek and quiet Spirit, and good Works.— At the Savoy, on Thurſday Evening, we have uſually two or three hundred, moſt of them, at leaſt, throughly awakened. Mr. A—'s Parlour is more than filled on Friday, as is Mr. P—'s Room twice over; where, I think, I have commonly had more Power given me than at any other Place. A Week or two ago a Note was given me there, as near as I can remember in theſe Words, Your Prayere are deſired for a ſick Child that is lunatick, and ſore vexed Day and Night, that our Lord would heal him, as he did thoſe in the Days of his Fleſh; and that he would give his Parents Faith and Patience till his Time is come.
On Saturday Se…ennight, a middle aged, well dreſſed Woman at Beech-lane, (where I expound uſually to five or ſix Hundred before I go to Mr. E—'s Society) was ſeized, as it appeared to ſeveral about her, with little leſs than the Agonies of Death. We prayed that GOD, who had brought her to the Birth, would give her Strength to bring forth, and That he would work ſpeedily, that all might ſee it, and fear, and put their Truſt in the LORD. Five Days ſhe travailed and groaned, being in Bondage. On Thurſday Evening our Lord got himſelf the Victory; and, from that Moment, ſhe has been full of Love and Joy, which ſhe openly declared at the ſame Place, on Saturday laſt; ſo that Thankſgivings alſo were given to GOD by many on her Account. It is to be obſerved, her Friends have accounted her mad for theſe three Years; and accordingly bled, bliſte…ed her, and what not. Come and let us praiſe the LORD, and magnify his Name together.
The following Paragraph was likewiſe in a Letter I received from my dear Brother Kinchin of Oxon.
GOD has greatly bleſſed us at Oxford of late. We have reaſon to think, that four, within this Fortnight, have been born of GOD. The People croud to the Societies on Sunday Nights, ſeveral Gownſmen among the reſt. GOD has much aſſiſted me. Laſt Night we had a thronged Society, and about forty Gownſmen.
Bleſſed be GOD, I hope the Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST will now come with Power, and that a Remnant of deſpiſed Methodiſts will ſtill be left at Oxford, which ſhall take Root downwards, and bear Fruit upwards.
The Weather being fair, after I had preached and collected Thirty ſeven Shillings at Newgate, I went on the Mount at Kingſwood; where, about fifteen hundred Colliers and Country People were gathered together, and were very attentive to hear me. Bleſſed be GOD I preached with Power, and have reaſon to believe, by what I have heard, that my Words have not altogether fallen to the Ground. Some of the Colliers, I find, have been much affected. Bleſſed be GOD.
BATH.
Friday, March 2. Went to Bath this Morning to ſee the Rev. Mr. T—n, who came from Cornwall to ſee me. In the Afternoon I read Prayers at the Hoſpital; the Leſſons were exceeding applicable, and g…ve is Comfort. I ſpent the Evening in taking ſweet Counſel with ſome pious honourable Women, Mr. Griff…h Jones, and other good Soldiers of JESUS CHRIST. Bleſſed be GOD, there are yet ſome left who are true followers of the Lamb.
BRISTOL.
Saturday, March 3. Returned before ten to Briſtol, was greatly refreſhed by a Packet of Letters from London. Expounded with great Power at Newgate, and preached in the Afternoon on the Steps before the Poor-houſe without Lawford's Gate, and perceived my Audience much increaſed ſince laſt Saturday. Bleſſed be GOD, many went affected away.
Sunday, March 4. Roſe much refreſhed in Spirit, and gave my early Attendants a warm Exhortation as uſual. Went to Newgate, and preached with great Power to an exceedingly thronged Congregation. Then haſted to Hannam Mount, three Miles from the City, where the Colliers live altogether. GOD highly favoured us in the Weather. Above four Thouſand were ready to hear me; and GOD enabled me to preach with the Demonſtration of the Spirit. The Ground not being high enough, I ſtood upon a Table, and the Sight of the People covered the green Fields, and their deep Attention pleaſed me much. I hope that ſame LORD who fed ſo many Thouſands with bodily Bread, will feed all their Souls with that Bread which cometh down from Heaven: For many came from far.
At four in the Afternoon, I we… to the Mount on Roſe-green, and preached to above fourteen Thouſand Souls; and ſo good was my GOD, that all could hear. I think it was worth while to come many Miles to ſee ſuch a Sight.— I ſpoke, bleſſed be GOD, with great Freedom; but thought all the while) as I do continually when I aſcend the Mount, That hereafter I ſhall ſuffer as well as ſpeak for my Maſter's Sake. LORD, ſtrengthen me againſt that Hour. LORD, I believe (O help my Unbelief! that thy Grace will be more than ſufficient for me.
In the Evening I expounded at Baldwin-ſtreet Society, but could not get up to the Room without the utmoſt Difficulty, the Entry and Court were ſo much thronged. Bleſſed be GOD, the Number of Hearers much increaſes; and as my Day is, ſo is my Strength. To Night I returned home much more refreſhed in my Spirits than in the Morning when I went out. I was full of Joy, and longed to be diſſolved, and to be with JESUS CHRIST; but I have a a Baptiſm firſt to be baptized with. Father, thy Will be done. This has been a Sabbath indeed to my Soul!
Monday, March 5. Had the Pleaſure of having many, whom GOD has touched by my Miniſtry, come to me, enquiring about the New Birth. At eleven, I preached with uncommon Freedom and Power at Newgate, and collected Thirty-nine Shillings for the poor Priſoners; and being invited by many Colliers, at three in the Afternoon I went to a Place called the Fiſhponds, on another Side of Kingſwood, where about two Thouſand were gathered together. The Sight pleaſed me much; and having no better Place to ſtand upon, the Wall was my Pulpit, and, I think, I never ſpoke with greater Power. My preaching in the Fields may diſpleaſe ſome timorous bigotted Men; but I am throughly perſuaded it pleaſes GOD, and why ſhould I fear any Thing elſe.
At my Return home, I was much refreſhed with the Sight of two pious Friends. After ſome Converſation, they went with me to a Society, where I prayed and expounded for above an Hour, and then ſpent the Remainder of the Evening with them and many other Chriſtian Brethren, in warming one anothers Hearts by mutual Exhortation, and ſinging of Pſalms. Oh that Senſualiſts knew the Pleaſure of a religious Converſation! I am ſure they would no longer eat Huſks with Swine, but return home to feed on the fatted Calf.
NEW PASSAGE.
Tueſday, March 9. Having left my dear Brother Hutchins, whom I ſent to for that Purpoſe, to ſupply my Place during my Abſence; after many kind Salutations, Pſalms and Prayers on both Sides, Mr. Seward, myſelf, and another Brother, took Leave of our Briſtol Friends, and got to the New Paſſage in a ſhort Time. Here we ſtaid and refreſhed ourſelves, and endeavoured to go off in the Boat about Noon; but the Wind not permitting us, we took this Opportunity of writing to many of our Chriſtian Friends, and exhorting them to lay hold on JESUS CHRIST by Faith.
At the Inn where we put up there was an unhappy Clergyman, who (ſo far had his Corruptions dominion over him) would not go over in the Paſſage-Boat becauſe I went in it. Alas! thought I, this very Temper would make Heaven itſelf unpleaſant to that Man, if he ſave me there. I was likewiſe told, that in the publick Kitchin, he charged me with being a Diſſenter; when a little after, as I paſſed by, I ſaw him ſhaking his Elbows over a Gaming-table. I heartily wiſh thoſe who charge me cauſeleſly with Schiſm, and being righteous over-much, would conſider that the Canon of our Church forbids our Clergy to frequent Taverns, to play at Cards or Dice, or any other unlawful Games. Their indulging themſelves in theſe Things, is a ſtumbling Block to Thouſands.
After Supper, in the Evening, I called the Family of the Inn together, and was pleaſed to ſee near twenty come to hear the Word. GOD enabled me to ſpeak and pray with Power, and having diſperſed ſome Extracts from our Church Homilies amongſt them, I and my Friends went early to Bed, being apprized that we were to be called up betimes. Bleſſed be GOD, for any Opportunity of doing good.