Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 48
Philadelphia and Germantown.
Tuesday, November 27. According to Appointment preach'd at Germantown, six Miles from Philadelphia, off a Balcony, to about 6000 People. Before I began, I retired, and was humbled at the Throne of Grace; but GOD strengthen'd m… to speak very near two Hours, with such Demonstration of the Spirit that great Numbers continued Weeping for a considerable Time. I have not …een a more gracious Melting for a long Season. After I had done, People came to me, S…ing me by the Hand, and inviting me to their Houses, and fresh Places. A German most kindly entertain'd …e. I had sweet Converse, and felt a sweet Union and Communion with many Souls, tho' of … I … … are no less … fifteen particular … of Christians in Germantown, and yet all agree … … Thing, viz. to … JESUS CHRIST as their Head, and to … in Spirit and … Truth. … been … out of Switzerland▪ … CHRIST; and Numbers are scatter'd … about the Town, who were driven out of their Native Countries for the sake of their Holy Religion. About four in the Afternoon we went in Company with many dear Disciples of the LORD to see one Conrad Matthews, an aged Hermit, who has lived a solitary Life near 40 Years; he was an Heir to a great Estate, but chose a voluntary Poverty; he has worked hard, but would always work without Wages; he is now unable to do much, but GOD sends Somebody or another to feed him: A Friend built him the little House wherein he lives, and JESUS, I am persuaded, dwells with him: He talked most feelingly of inward Tryals, and when I asked him if he had not many such in so close Retirement, he answered, No wonder that a … Tree, that stands alone, is more exposed to Storms than one that grow among others. After about … an …, Conversation, we took … Leave; he kissed me and my Friends, and was much voiced to hear what was doing in England.—… Germans, I find, are translating my Journal… into … Dutch. Our Hearts were knit together, and the GOD of Love was with us of a Truth. About eight in the Evening we reached Philadelphia, and sound great Numbers waiting about say Door, to hear the Word of Life. After I had paid a Visit, and talked closely to two Persons, who were doubting of the Principles of the Quakers, I returned home; and tho' I was …, I could not bear to let so many Souls go away without a Spiritual Morsel; I therefore gave them a Word of Exhortation, as the Spirit gave me Utterance. Sung a Hymn, prayed, and dismissed them with a Blessing. Many wept bitterly, and the Peoples Behaviour more and more convinces me that GOD has begun a good Work in many Souls. Was there proper Encouragement given, I am persuaded Georgia might soon be peopled. Many would gladly go with us thither. I cannot but hope that it will be in time a fruitful Soil for Christians. One great reason why Pennsylvania flourishes above other Provinces, I take to be the Liberty of Conscience, which is given all, to worship GOD in their own Way: By this Means, it is as it were an Asylum, or Place of Refuge, for all persecuted Christians. And Methinks they live here as so many Guardian Angels.—I want to go up in the Woods to see more of them, but Time will not permit. Oh when shall the Children of GOD sit down together in the Kingdom of their Father! There we shall all speak one Language, and joyn in Singing the Song of the Lamb. LORD, set my Soul a Thirsting more and more after that blissful Communion of Saints!