Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 40 – Journal entry 42
PHILADELPHIA.
Saturday, November 3. Delivered the Letters committed to my Charge. Went on board the Elizabeth, to see my Family, who arrived last Night. Visited the Proprietor, Commissary, and some others; was received very civilly, and perceived the Town was in great Expectation of seeing me. … with some gracious Souls, who discoursed with me sweetly concerning the Things which belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. Hired a House at a very cheap Rate, and was entirely settled in it before 9 at Night. Methinks going thus from Place to Place, with my Friends, somewhat resembles the Patriarch Abraham's frequent Removes, when called to leave his Kindred and his native Country. Oh that, like him, we may erect an Altar for GOD, whithersoever we go! Blessed be his holy Name, he hath sent his Angel before …s to prepare our Way. All Things have been order'd for us far above our Expectations, and every Thing is so convenient, that I fear we shall be tempted to say, It is good for us to be here. But, … be GOD, we must move soon, and learn to endure Hardness as good Soldiers of JESUS CHRIST. LORD, for thy infinite Mercies sake, keep us striving till we die.
Sunday, November 4. Read Prayers and assisted at the Communion in the Morning: Dined with one of the Church-Wardens, and preached in the Afternoon to a large Congregation. Went in the Evening to the Quakers Meeting, and felt somewhat of a Sympathy with the Man that spoke; but I heartily wish they would talk of an outward, as well as inward CHRIST; for otherwise we make our Holiness, and not the Righteousness of JESUS CHRIST, the Cause of our being accepted by GOD. From such Doctrine may I always turn away.
Monday, November 5. Read Prayers and Preach'd to a large Auditory. Din'd with the other Church-Warden; and had some close and edifying Conversation, about our Justification by Faith in JESUS CHRIST.—Was visited in the Afternoon by the Presbyterian Minister. Went afterwards to see the Baptist Teacher, who seems to be a Spiritual Man: And spent part of the Evening most agreeably with two loving Quakers. Had remarkable Instances of GOD's answering our Prayers, which we put up on board Ship, in the minutest Manner. O that I may watch GOD's particular Providence more and more! It comforts and builds up my Soul How unhappy mu… they be who would exclude it out of the World! Surely such must wan…r about in worse than Egyptian …. To live without a Sense of GOD's particular Providence, is, in Effect, to live without GOD in the World. From such a State, good LORD deliver me!
Tuesday, November 6. Read Prayers and Preached in the Morning; having the Use of the Pulpit granted me for the whole Week. Went, at the Invitation of its Father, to the Funeral of a Quaker's Child; and thought it my Duty, as there was a great Concourse of People at the Burying Place, and no one of the Quakers spoke, to give a Word of Exhortation. I hope this will be a Means of making them more free in coming to hear the Word, tho' preached within a Church Wall. Oh that Bigotry and Prejudice were banished out of the Christian World! LORD, if it be thy Will, let it not be once named among us, as becometh Saints. Amen, LORD JESUS, Amen!
Was visited again in the Evening, by the Presbyterian & Baptist Ministers, who were much rejoiced to hear JESUS CHRIST preached in the Church. Whilst I was conversing with them, some Women came, desiring they might be admitted to Evening Prayers with my Family: I looked on this as a Hint from Providence; called them up, and found much Enlargement of Heart in exhorting them, and pouring out my Heart before GOD in their Behalf. Many came up afterwards, whom I desired, if they thought proper, to come again every Night. Who knows but the LORD may be about to open a yet more effectual Door? O prepare me to do thy Will, O GOD!
Wednesday, November 7. Read Prayers and preached in the Church. Din'd with Mr. Penn the Proprietor; and prayed with, and gave a Word of Exhortation to more than a Roomfull of People, who came as last Night, to hear the Gospel of CHRIST. Blessed be GOD, I found much Freedom of Spirit; but having taken Cold, was obliged to leave off sooner than otherwise I should have done: However, in the midst of the Weakness and Purging of my Body, the Thoughts of seeing People come so gladly to hear the Word, refresh'd and comforted my Soul. LORD make it my only Joy to see thy Kingdom advanced and carried on. Amen and Amen.
Thursday, November 8. Read Prayers and Preach'd, rather to a more numerous Congregation than I have seen yet. Dined with an honest, open-hearted, true Israelitish Quaker. Had a sweet Opportunity with him and his Family, of talking about JESUS CHRIST, and him crucified: And preached from the Court-House Stai…s, to about 6000 People, at Six in the Evening Blessed be GOD, I find, the Number that came …n Tuesday to my House, greatly increas'd and multiplied. The Inhabitants were very sollicitous for my Preaching in another Place beside the Church: For it is quite contrary here, to what it is in England: There the generality of People think a Sermon cannot be preached well without, here they do not like it so well, if deliver'd within the Church Walls. LORD, grant I may become all Things, to all Men; and preach the Gospel in every Place, and in any Manner, as well as to every Creature; that by all Means I may save some!
Friday, November 9. Read Prayers and Preached as usual in the Morning, and perceived the Congregation still encreased. Visited a sick Person, to whom I was sent for, and perceived the Power of the LORD was present, both with the sick Person and those that attended around the Bed. Most wept sorely at the Preaching of Faith. Was visited in a kind Manner by the Minister of the Parish: And preached again at Six in the Evening, from the Court-House Steps. I believe there were near 2000 more present to Night than last Night. Even in London, I never observ'd so profound a Silence before my Coming. All was exceeding hush'd & quiet. The Night was clear, but not Cold. Lights were in most of the Windows all around us, for a considerable distance. The People did not seem weary of standing, nor was I weary of speaking. The LORD endued me with Power from on high. My Heart was enlarged and warmed with divine Love. My Soul was carried out in Prayer, that I thought I could have continued my Discourse all Night. After I came home, some desired to join in Family Prayers; and in that Exercise the divine Presence was manifest amongst us. Surely God has a Favour unto this People! At present they seem most gladly to receive, and sweetly to melt under the Word. LORD, I beseech thee, manifest forth thy Glory more and more: And grant that much People in this City may be enabled to believe on thee! Even so LORD JESUS. Amen and Amen.
Saturday, November 10. Before it was light, came a young Person whom I observ'd to be much affected last Night, desiring to join in Prayer; and after our Devotions were ended, she put into my Hand the following Letter.
Oh! what shall I say to express my Thanks I owe to my good GOD, in and from you, thro' JESUS CHRIST; which you have been the happy Instrument of beginning in my Soul: And if you have any Regard to a poor, miserable, blind and naked Wretch, that's not only Dust, but Sin, as I am confident you have, you will in no wise reject my humble Request; which is, that I, even I who am the most unworthy, may lay hold on this blessed Opportunity of forsaking all, in order to persevere in a virtuous Course of Life: Despise not thou thine Hand-Maiden; but O let me say, as Ruth the Moabitess said to her Mother-in-Law, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest I will go, and whither thou art there will I be also; thy People shall be my People, and thy GOD my GOD. Thus am I fully determined. I pray and beg that you would not despise thy poor, forlorn and destitute Fellow-Creature; and the LORD recompence thy Work, and a full Reward be given unto thee of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, under whose Wings I am come to trust.
Soon after came a little Maid, about 7 Years of Age, telling me, she heard I took little Children to Georgia, and desired me to take her. In the remaining Part of the Morning several gracious Souls of different Communions, paid me a most loving Visit, and my Heart was much refresh'd with their pious Conversation. About 11 I read Prayers and preached in the Church, to a larger Audience than before. Din'd with the Minister of the Parish; and at my Return Home, was much comforted by the Coming of one Mr. Tennent, an old, grey-headed Disciple and Soldier of JESUS CHRIST. He keeps an Academy about 20 Miles off Philadelphia, and has been bless'd with four gracious Sons, three of which have been, and still continue, to be eminently useful in the Church of CHRIST:—He brought three pious Souls along with him, and rejoiced me, by letting me know how they had been evil spoken of for their Master's sake:—He is a great Friend to Mr. Erskine of Scotland; and as far as I can find, both he and his Sons are secretly despised here, by the Generality of the Synod, as Mr. Erskine and his Brethren are hated by the Judicatories of Edinburgh, and as the Methodist Preachers (as they are called) are by their Brethren in England. Tho' we are but few, and stand, as it were, alone, like Elijah; and they, like the Priests of Baal, are many in Number; yet I doubt not but the LORD will appear for us, as he did for that Prophet, and make us more than Conquerors over all.
About 3 went to the Prison, and preached on the Trembling Jailor.—The Place was crouded, and many wept. Return'd home with the Swedish Minister and old Mr. Tennent. Conversed of the Things of GOD for a considerable Time; then preached in the Evening to as large a Congregation as there was last Night, from the Court-House Stairs. Satan endeavoured to interrupt us about the Middle of the Discourse; for the People were frightned with they knew not what, but they were soon at Peace. I preached above an Hour; and when I had finished, the People seemed unwilling to go away, so I began to pray afresh, and I hope the LORD sent them Home with his Blessing. Many to my Knowledge, have been already quicken'd, and awaken'd to see that Religion does not consist in outward Things, but Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost. Oh that they may not only receive the Word with Joy for a Season, but bring forth Fruit unto Perfection!
After Preaching, my House was filled with People, who came in to join in Psalms and Family Prayer: My Body was somewhat weak, but the LORD strengthen'd and enlarged my Heart. Many wept most bitterly whilst I was praying; their Hearts, I believe, were loaded with a Sense of Sin, the only Preparative for the Soul-refreshing Visitations of JESUS CHRIST. Blessed be the LORD for sending me hither: This has been a Day of fat Things. LORD, give me Humility, and make me truly thankful. Amen, LORD JESUS.
Sunday, November 10. Read Prayers in the Morning. Dined with the Collector. Preached in the Afternoon to a very thronged Congregation. Visited one sick Person; and administred the holy Sacrament to another, who has received no such Peace and inward Comfort for these 12 Years, as GOD has been pleased to communicate to her Soul at this Time. Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but unto thy Name be all the Glory. For ever adored be the Divine Goodness, the Gospel has taken Root in many Hearts. As soon as I come Home, my House is generally filled with People, desirous to join in Psalms and Prayers; they are so eager after the Bread of Life, that they scarce can give me Time to take bodily Refreshment, and proper Retirement in my Closet: GOD, I am persuaded, has a Favour unto them. My Power and Freedom of Speech encreases daily, and this Afternoon I was carried out much, in Bearing my Testimony against the Unchristian Principles and Practices of the Generality of our Clergy. Three of my Reverend Brethren were present; I know not whether they were offended; I endeavoured to speak with Meekness as well as Zeal; and I find the Necessity more and more, of Discovering those that are only Wolves in Sheep's Cloathing. Was I to convert Papists, my Business would be to shew they were misguided by the Priests; and if I want to convince Church of England Protestants, I must prove, that the Generality of their Teachers do not preach or live the Truth as it is in JESUS: For in vain we hope to set People right, till we demonstrate, that the Way they have been taught, is wrong Perhaps this may cost me my Life; but what have I to do with that?
GOD's Gifts, if call'd for, I resign;
Pleas'd to receive, pleas'd to restore.
Gifts are his Work, it shall be mine
The Giver only to adore.
Philadelphia, Burlington and Trent-Town, in the Jerseys.
Monday, November 12. Le…t a large Pacquet of Letters, and some Things for the Press, to be sent by the Constantine, Capt. Wright, to London. Had a Man come to me this Morning, telling me what GOD had done for his Soul by my Preaching of Faith: He seem'd deeply convicted of Sin; and said, he was drawn out by GOD's Spirit to pray last Night, so that he lifted up his Voice like a Trumpet; for which he was immediately looked upon by his Master and the Family as a Madman. I never yet knew one truly awaken'd, who did not quickly commence a Fool for CHRIST'S sake. Was pleased to see several tender Souls come to Family Prayer. Indeed I have great Reason to believe, a good Work is begun in many Hearts. LORD, carry it on for thy dear Son's sake! At my first Arrival at Philadelphia, I received a Letter which had been left for me 3 Months, and in which there was a pressing Invitation sent me by one Mr. Noble, a spiritual Man, in the Behalf of many others, to come to New-York.—On Friday received another …om the same Person, which looking like the Call given St. Paul, when the Man appeared to him, saying, Come over to Macedonia, and help us; I this Morning▪ in the Name and Strength of GOD; set out for that Place: Four choice Horses were lent to me and my Friends; and more we might have had, had there been Occasion. About … we got safe to Burlington, in the Jerseys▪ … Miles from Philadelphia, where I had been importuned to preach as I went along. The Gentleman who gave me the Invitation, received me and my Friends in as sweet a Manner as can well be imagined: Immediately after Dinner I read Prayers and preached in the Church, to a mixed, but thronged and attentive Congregation. I scarce know the Time when I have spoken with greater Simplicity and Freedom: The holy Spirit sweetly gave me Utterance, and I perceived several much affected.—The poor Creatures were very importunate for my staying with them all Night, and giving them another Discourse; but it being inconsistent with my Business, with great Regret, about 5 in the Evening we took our Leaves, and by 8 a Clock reached Trent-Town in the Jerseys. It being dark, we went out of our Way a little in the Woods; but GOD sent a Guide to direct us aright. Whilst I was Riding, I felt the Spirit of GOD infusing fresh Supplies of Grace into my Heart. We had a comfortable Refreshment when we reached our Inn, and went to Rest in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost. LORD, teach me … be thankful, Amen and Amen.
New-Brunswick.
Tuesday, November 13. Left Trent-Town about 6 in the Morning; had a sweet and pleasant Journey, and reached Brunswick, about 30 Miles distant, about 1. Here we were much refreshed with the Company of Mr. Gilbert Tennent, an eminent Dissenting Minister, about 40 Years of Age, Son to that good old Man who came to see me on Saturday at Philadelphia. GOD, I find, has been pleased greatly to own his Labours: He and his Associates are now the burning and shining Lights of this Part of America. He recounted to me many remarkable Effusions of the Blessed Spirit which have been sent down amongst them; and one may judge of their being true and faithful Soldiers of JESUS CHRIST, because they are every where spoken evil of by natural Men. The Devil and carnal secure Ministers rage horribly against them. Several pious Souls came to see me at his House, with whom I took sweet Counsel. At their Request, and finding there was a general Expectation of hearing me, I read the Church Liturgy and preached in the Evening, at Mr. Tennent's Meeting-house; for there is no Place set apart for the Worship of the Church of England; and it is common for Dissenters and Conformists to worship at the same Place. Oh! that the Partition-Wall was broken down, that we all with one Heart and one Mind, might glorify the Lord JESUS CHRIST! At my first getting up I was somewhat weak and dry; but GOD renewed my Strength, and enabled me to speak with Freedom and Power. I was above an Hour in my Sermon; and I trust I shall hear it was not preached in vain. Paul may plant, and Apollos may water; thou, LORD, only canst give the Increase.