Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 71 – Publishers advertisement
Beaufort in Port-Royal.
Tuesday, January 8. Rose a good while before Day. Left our Horses at Charles-Town. Set out for Georgia in an open Canoe, having five Negroes to row and steer us; and GOD was pleased to give us, for the most part, fair Weather: The Slaves were very civil, diligent and laborious. We lay one Night upon the Water; and about five on Wednesday Evening, arrived at Beaufort in Port-Royal, a Hundred Miles from Charles-Town, within the Province of South-Carolina; and after we drank a little Tea at our Inn, we waited upon the Reverend Mr. Jones, the Minister of the Place, who received us with great undissembled Civility, and was very desirous I should take a Bed at his House, as I did when I passed thro' the Place, when I left Georgia last; but intending to set out by two in the Morning, we thought it best to lie at our Inn; and therefore▪ after Supper, and a little friendly Conversation, we took our Leave, rejoicing, as we always do on such Occasions, that we had met with another Clergyman who seemed to have the Fear of GOD before his Eyes. LORD, increase the Number of them, for thy dear Son's sake! Amen, Amen.
Thursday, January 10. The Wind being very high, and thereby Sailing being rendered impr…icable, I and my Friends staid at Beaufort all the Morning. Dined, at his Invitation, with kind Mr. Jones; and afterwards, the Weather being fair and the Tide serving, we took Boat, and refreshed ourselves at a Plantation in the Way, made a Fire on the Shore, and slept round It for about four Hours. A little after Midnight we prayed with the Negroes, took Boat again, and reached SAVANNAR before Noon the next Day, and had a joyful Meeting with my dear Friends, who I found had been arrived Three Weeks; and also was much refreshed with a most comfortable Packet of Letters from England, New-York, &c. Bl…ssed be GOD, the Work of our Blessed EMANUEL is every where carrying on. E'er long I expect that mighty Things will be brought to pass. Oh that the LORD may strengthen me, to make full Proof of my Ministry in this Place, to the Glory of his great Name, and the Good of his dear Church!
HERE I would stop: But I think it may not be amiss to put down some few Remarks I have made on the State of Religion, in these Provinces which I have lately passed through. And here I cannot but give the JERSEYS and PENNSYLVANIA the Preference: For to me they seem to be the Garden of America; their Oxen are strong to labour, and there seems to be no Complaining in their Streets: What is best of all, I believe they … the LORD fir their GOD.—… I infer from their having so many faithful Ministers sent forth amongst them: and, except Northampton in New-England, the Work of Conversion has not been carried on with so much Power, in any Part of America, as I can hear of, as under the Ministry of Messrs. Tennents, Cross, and the other Labourers before mentioned. The Constitution is far from being arbitrary; the So…l is good; the Land exceeding fruitful; and there is the greatest Equality between the Poor and the Rich, as perhaps can be found any where in the known World.—And for my Part, I like them so well, that, GOD willing, I propose taking up some Land to erect a School for Negroes, in the latter of them, and settle some of my English Friends, whose Hearts GOD shall stir up, or whom the Fury of their Enemies shall oblige, to depart from their Native Country. PHILADELPHIA is one of the most regular Towns I ever saw: Above Seventy new Houses were built in it the last Year; and it is likely to increase in Inhabitants every Day.—It… rightly called Philadelphia, i. e. Brotherly …ove. For, by their Charter, all are permitted to worship GOD their own Way, without being branded as Schi…aticks, Dissenters, or Disturbers of the established Constitution. The Quakers have the Preheminence in the Government.—The Assembly, as I am told, is made up of them, except about four; which prevents all Preparations for ma…ial Defence against the Spania…s, it being one of their Principles not to fight at all.—Much of the Simplicity of Dress and Manners, which may be observed among the Inhabitants, I think, is in a great Measure owing to them. And I saw less of the Pride of Life in Pennsylvania than elsewhere: But it has happen'd to them, as it will to all other Religious Societies whatsoever, when they flourish and have the Upper-hand; I mean, many, for Profit's sake, have been known to dissemble with them; and I fear, Numbers amongst them, as amongst us, can give no other Reason why they are Quakers, than that their Fathers were so before them. I say this, because I find but little of a Divine Power stirring amongst them; and most of them are too st…ff and rigid about external Things: And, as I was informed by credible Hands, one of their own Preachers warn'd them lately of their Back-sliding, and told them, without a Reformation, GOD would remove their Candlestick from them, and not work by their Hands any more. In the City of Philadelphia they have two large Meeting-Houses▪ they assemble frequently together, and, all Things considered, are the most regular Society of Men in the World. Besides this, there is a Baptist and Presbyterian Meeting.—I had the pleasure of being acquainted with the Ministers of both, and found there was some in their Congregations, particularly in that of the Baptists, who loved the LORD JESUS in Sincerity. The Church of England is but at a low … in Pennsylvania. in general, and in Philadelphia in particular. In all the Places I passed through, the Presbyterians and Quakers had larger Congregations than any of our Missionaries,—And we may guess how the Love of many of the Church of England in Philadelphia, must have waxed cold, because the Church, which has been begun, if I mistake not, some Years ago, is far from being finished within: However, many of late have been convinc'd what true Christianity is; and I hope a Party for JESUS CHRIST, will e'er long be selected out of the Members of our own Communion. The little Time I was at NEW-YORK would not permit me to make so many Observations, of the Situation of the Affairs of Religion in that Province, as otherwise I might have done.—A great Complaint was made to me, by some of the most serious Inhabitants, that it was a very secure Place, and that a Work of GOD had never be … carried on in it, since its first Settlement.—The Heads of the Church of England …eem'd resolved to shut out the Kingdom of GOD from amongst them:—But our LORD JESUS has been pleased to get himself the Victory; and tho' I was mostly opposed in New-York, yet if I may judge of what I saw myself, and have heard since my Departure, as much, if not more, Good has been done there, as in any other Place where I have been, for so short a Time. At MARYLAND Religion seems to be at a very …ow Ebb.—There are Roman Catholicks in some Parts, four Congregations of Presbyterians, and a few Quakers; but far the greatest Part call themselves of the Church of England, which might, no doubt, greatly flourish, were their Ministers found faithful: But the Government, I fear, spoils them, by giving them too much Tobacco; for some, I hear, have 30,000, others 50,000, others 60,000 Pounds of Tobacco, per Annum. It is gathered by the High-Sheriff of the County, and every Taxable is obliged to pay 40 lb. of Tobacco yearly to the Ministers, tho' great Numbers never hear or see them. In VIRGINIA Matters are not quite so bad: The Ministers Stipends are not so large: The Commissary seems to have more Power, and to exercise more Discipline:—But almost all are quite settled upon their Lees; and I could not hear of any true vital Piety subsisting in that Province. In Maryland I was told of one Mr. C…lebatch, a Godly Minister, who died five Years ago. And I heard of another, a Layman, in Virginia, who has been dead 25 Years, that did make Religion his chief Business. In Virginia are no Dissenters from the establish'd Church, except one Meeting or two of Quakers. The Importation of so many Negroes and Convicts, is one great Reason why so little Religion is to be seen: But the main Cause of Irreligion, both in Virginia and Maryland, I take to be their not Incorporating into Towns; for hereby People living at a Distance from the Church, are apt to make every little Thing serve as an Excuse, to keep them from publick Worship; Religious Societies cannot well be settled, and wicked Men may more easily revel and get drunk without contro…l; Ministers, had they a Will, cannot visit from House to House; and, what is as bad as any Thing, Schools for the Education of Children, cannot be so conveniently erected when the Houses are so far separate. The greatest Probability of doing Good in Virginia, is among the Scotch-Irish, who have lately settled in the mountainous Parts of that Province; they raise little or no Tobacco, but Things that are useful for common Life: And I hear the Governor has given Leave for a Minister of their own Way of Thinking, to come whenever he can be procured. In NORTH-CAROLINA there's scarce so much as the Form of Religion. There are two Churches begun …or some Time, but neither finished. There are several Dancing-Masters; but scarce one regularly settled Minister; so that in most Places they have Readers, who read a Sermon every Sunday to the People, who pay five Shillings a Quarter, of their Currency, which is Ten Shillings for One of Sterling.—However, the Government, I hear, has made Proposals to the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, to send Missionaries; but I should rather that People had no Ministers, than such as are generally sent over: And I cannot see the Charity of contributing towards …ending out Missionaries, unless greater Care be taken in the Choice of those that are sent; for it is notorious, the Generality of them walk directly contrary to the Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. All the Accounts most of them have given for some Time, is, that they have baptized so many, and that so many received the Sacrament▪ And upon the Whole, if it be asked, Why there is so little Religion in the Church of England? It may be answered, the Missionaries for the most Part, lead very bad Examples. I think there was a visible Difference as soon as we came into SOUTH-CAROLINA. The People there seem'd to study to be polite. They have many Ministers amongst them, both of our own and other Persuasions; but I hear of no stirring among the dry Bones. Mr. Garden, the present Commissary, is strict in the outward Discipline of the Church: The Clergy have an Annual Me…ting; and most of them, I believe, are kept from open Immoralities. And now I am come to GEORGIA, What shall I say of thee, poor SAVANNAH? Many of thy Inhabitants have left thee since we were here last; but still I hope Blessings are yet in reserve. Oh that thy Inhabitants would acquaint themselves with GOD, and be at Peace with him! Then wouldst thou be more than Conqueror over all thy Enemies.—Thus have I put down a few Thoughts that have occurred to my Mind. May GOD enlighten me where I am in the Dark, correct me where I am wrong, and bless this further Account of his Dealings with me, to the Conviction of Gain-sayers; the Comfort of Saints, and to the Edification of all that shall read it. Even so, LORD JESUS, Amen▪ and Amen.
I cannot express my Desire for the Advancing of our dear LORD's Kingdom, both in the Hearts of my Friends, and all Mankind, better than in the Hymn altered from Dr. Moore, by one of the Rev. Mr. Wesleys.
I.
When Christ had left his Flock below,
The Loss his faithful Flock deplor'd:
Him in the Flesh, no more they know,
And languish for their absent Lord.
II.
Not long: For he gone up on High,
Gifts to receive, and claim his Crown:
Beholds them sorrowing from his Sky,
And pour'd the mighty Blessing down.
III.
He, for the Presence of his Flesh,
The Spirit's Sevenfold Gifts imparts:
And living Streams their Souls refresh:
And Joy divine o'…rflows their Hearts.
IV.
While all, in sweet Devotion join'd,
Humbly to wait for God, retire:
The promis'd Grace, in rushing Wind
Descends, and cloven Tongues of Fire.
V.
God's mighty Spirit fills the Dome;
The feeble Dome beneath him shook:
Trembled the Croud, to feel him come,
Soon as the Sons of Thunder spoke.
VI.
Father! if justly still we claim
To us and ours the Promise made;
To us be graciously the same,
And crown, with living Fire, our Head.
VII.
Our Claim admit; and from above,
Of Holiness, the Spirit show'r,
Of wise Discernment, humble Love,
And Zeal, and Unity, and Power.
VIII.
The Spirit of convincing Speech,
Of Power demonstrative impart;
Such as may ev'ry Conscience reach,
And sound the unbelieving Heart.
IX.
The Spirit of refining Fire,
Searching the inmost of the Mind;
To purge all fierce and foul Desire,
And kindle Life more pure and kind.
X.
The Spirit of Truth, in this thy Day,
To break the Power of cancell'd Sin;
Tread down its Strength, o'erturn its Sway;
And still the Conquest more than win.
XI.
The Spirit, Breath of inward Life,
Which in our Hearts thy Laws may write;
Then Grief expires, and Pain, and Stri…e,
'Tis Nature all, and all Delight.
XII.
On all the Earth, thy Spirit show'r,
The Earth in Righteousness renew:
Thy Kingdom come, and Hell's o'erpow'r,
And to thy Sceptre all subdue.
XIII.
Like mighty Wind, or Torrent fierce,
Let it Opposers all o'erturn,
And every Law of Sin, reverse;
That Faith and Love may make all one.
XIIII.
Yea, let thy Spirit in ev'ry Place,
Its richer Energy declare:
While lovely Tempers, Fruits of Grace
The Kingdom of thy Christ prepare.
XV.
Grant this, O Holy God and true!
The ancient Seers thou didst inspire:
To us perform the Promise due:
Descend and crown us▪ now with …ire.
The END of the Second Volume.
BOOKS sold by B. FRANKLIN.
Just Published,
THE CHARACTER, PREACHING, &c. of the Reverend …. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, Impartially represented and supported, In a SERMON Preach'd at CHARLESTOWN, SOUTH-CAROLINA, March 26. Anno Dom. 1740. By J. SMITH, V. D. M 2 COR. 3. 6. Who also hath made us able Ministers of the New-Testament, not … Letter, but of the Spirit. 2 COR. 6. 4, &c. But in all Things … ourselves the Ministers of GOD, … Patience, in Labours, in Watch… … … ings: By Pureness▪ by Knowledge, … suffering, by Kindness, by the Holy … … Love unfeign'd, by the Word of … Honour and Dishonour, by evil … and go… Report; as Deceivers, and yet t…ue.
Lately Published,
THE DANGER OF AN UNCONVERTED MINISTRY. Consider'd in a SERMON On MARK VI. 34. Preached at NOTTINGHAM, in Pennsylvania, March 8. ANNO 1739, 40. By GILBERT TENNENT, A. M. And Minister of the Gospel in New-Brunswick, New-Jersey. JEREM. V. 30, 31. A wonderful and horrible Thing is committed in the Land: The Prophets prophesy falsely, and the Priests bear Rule by their Means, and my People love to have it so; and what will they do in the End thereof?
Now in the Press, and will speedily be published.
GOSPEL SONNETS, OR SPIRITUAL SONGS. In Six PARTS.
I. The Believer's Espousals.
II. The Believer's Jointure.
III. The Believer's Riddle,
IV. The Believer's Lodging.
V. The Believer's Soliloquy.
VI. The Believer's Principles,
CONCERNING
Creation and Redemption,
Law and Gospel,
Justification and Sanctification,
Faith and Sense,
Heaven and Earth.
By RALPH ERSKINE, M. A.
Every Man his own Doctor. OR, The Poor PLANTER's Physician. PRESCRIBING, Plain and Easy Means for Persons to cure themselves of all, or most of the Distempers incident to this Climate, and with very little Charge, the Medicines being chiefly of the Growth and Production of this Country.
Where also may be had, Bibles of various sizes, Testaments, Common Prayers, Psalters, Catechisms, and Variety of other Books, and Stationary Ware.
End of the text · George Whitefield, Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo (1740)