Continuation of Journal from Arrival at Savannah to Leaving Stanford, Journal · Journal entry 17 – Journal entry 24
Cambridge and Boſton,
Wedneſday, Sept. 24. Went this Morning to ſee and preach at Cambridge, the chief College for training up the Sons of the Prophets in all New-England. It has one Preſident, four Tutors and upwards of an Hundred Students. It is ſcarce as big as one of our leaſt Colleges in Oxford; and as far as I could gather from ſome, who well knew the State of it, not far ſuperior to our Univerſities in Piety and true Godlineſs. Tutors neglect to pray with and examine the Hearts of their …. Diſcipline is at too low an Ebb. Bad Books are become faſhionable amongſt them. Tillotſon and Clarke are read inſtead of Shepperd, Stoddard and ſuch like Evangelical Writers; and therefore I choſe to preach from theſe Words: — We are not as many who corrupt the Word of GOD, &c — In the Concluſion of my Sermon I made a cloſe App…ication to Tutors and Students. A great Number of neighbouring Miniſters attended, as indeed they do at all other Times; and GOD gave me great Freedom and Boldneſs of Speech. The Preſident of the College and Miniſter of the Pariſh treated me very civilly. In the Afternoon I preach'd again in the College Yard, without particular Application to the Students. I believe there were 7000 Hearers. The holy Spirit melted many Hearts. The Word was attended with a manifeſt Power, and a Miniſter wrote me Word ſoon after, that he believed one of his Daughters was ſavingly wrought upon at that Time. LORD, add daily to thy Church ſuch as ſhall be ſaved!
Paid my Reſpects to the Lieutenant Governor who lives at Cambridge; return'd in the Evening to Boſton, and exhorted and prayed with many People who waited …ound the Door for a ſpiritual Morſel. I believe our LORD did not ſend them empty away. Bleſſed JESUS, feed them all with the Bread of Life which cometh down from Heaven!
Thurſday, Sept. 25. Preach'd the weekly Lecture at Mr. Foxcroft's Meeting-Houſe; but was ſo oppreſſed with ſuch▪ Senſe of my bafe Ingratitude to my deareſt SAVIOUR, that Satan would fain have tempted me to hold my Tongue, and not invite poor Sinners to JESUS CHRIST, becauſe I was ſo great a Sinner myſelf. But GOD enabled me to withſtand the Temptation; and ſince JESUS CHRIST had ſhewn ſuch Mercy to, and did …ot withdraw his holy Spirit from me▪ the Chief of Sinners, I was enabled the more feelingly to talk of his Love; and afterwards found, that one Stranger in particular was, in all Probability, effectually convicted by that Morning's Sermon. After publick Worſhip I went, at his Excellency's Invitation, and din'd with the Governor. Moſt of the Miniſters of the Town were invited with me. Before Dinner the Governor ſent for me up into his Chamber. He wept, wiſhed me good Luck in the Name of the LORD, and recommended himſelf, Miniſters and People to my Prayers. Immediately after Dinner, at the Governor's Motion, I prayed explicitly for them all. Went in his Coach to the End of the Town; but … ſuch a Senſe of my Vileneſs upon my Soul, that I wondred People did not ſtone me. Croſs'd a Ferry, and preach'd at Charleſtown, a Town lying on the North Side of Boſton. The Meeting-Houſe was very capacious and quite filled: A gracious Melting was diſcernable through the whole Congregation; and I perceived much Freedom and Sweetneſs in my own Soul, tho' the Damp I felt in the Morning was not quite gone off. Oh when ſhall I be free from indwelling Sin! O LORD, deliver me from the Body of this Death!
In the Evening I exhorted and prayed as uſual at my Lodging, and, bleſſed be GOD, I found a great Alteration in the Hearers. They now began to melt and weep under the Word. Oh that the LORD may beat them down with the Hammer of his Word, till the Heart of Stone be entirely taken away! Even ſo, LORD JESUS, Amen and Amen.
Friday, Sept. 26. Preached in the Morning at Roxbury, from a little Aſcent, to many Thouſands of People, with much of the divine Preſence amongſt us. Several, I think, came afterwards to me, telling how they were ſtruck at that Time under the Word; and a Miniſter wrote to me thus,
Reverend and Dear Sir,
AFTER my ſincere Affection and very humble Service to you, I return you my hearty Thanks for your good Services Yeſterday, and eſpecially at Roxbury, my native Place. I can't but admire and greatly rejoice in thoſe extraordinary Gifts and Graces which it has pleaſed the Father of Lights to conf…r upon you, and to ſee how much the Intention of them is anſwered in your flaming Devotion, and zealous and indefatigable Endeavours to do good to Souls, and thereby advance the Kingdom and Intereſt of our deareſt LORD. I think I never ſaw a more attentive Audience, or more weeping Eyes, than Yeſterday and Monday. The holy Spirit, the alone Author of ſpiritual Life, ſeem'd, in a very wonderful Manner, to be moving upon the Waters of the Sanctuary; breathing upon the Dry Bones. For my own Part I was much affected, for which I give our glorious LORD the Praiſe.—
Din'd at Judge Dudley's. Preached in the Afternoon from a Scaffold erected without Mr. Byles his Meeting-Houſe, to near double the Number as in the Morning. Snatch'd a few Moments to write a few Lines to Friends at England; gave a ſhort Exhortation to a great Crowd of People, and then ſpent the Remainder of the Evening with ſeveral Miniſters at Mr. H—n's. Our Converſation tended to the Uſe of Edifying. After Supper we ſung Pſalms; one prayed and then we took our Leave. Oh that the LORD may anſwer our Requeſts, and revive his Work in the Midſt of the Years! We wait for thy Salvation, O LORD! O let thy Kingdom come!
Saturday, September 27. Preach'd this Morning at Mr. Welſted's Meeting-Houſe. Din'd with Col. Wendell, and preach'd in the Afternoon on the Common, to about 15,000 People. But, Oh! how did the Word run! It rejoiced me to ſee ſuch Numbers greatly affected, ſo that ſome of them, I believe, could ſcarcely abſtain from crying out, That Place was no other than a Bethel and the Gate of Heaven. After Sermon I viſited and prayed with two different Perſons that were much hurt in the late Fright, and then went Home to my Lodging. The Power and Preſence of the LORD accompanied and followed me. Many now wept exceedingly, and cried out under the Word like Perſons that were really hungring and thirſting after Righteouſneſs. And after I left them, GOD gave me to wreſtle with him in my Chamber, in Behalf of ſome dear Friends then preſent and others that were abſent from us. The Spirit of the LORD was upon them all: It made Interceſſion with Groanings that cannot be uttered. Oh let them enter into thy Ears, O LORD of Sabba…!
Sunday, September 28.… Preach'd in the Morning at Dr. Sewal's Meeting-Houſe to a very crowded Auditory, and almoſt with as much Power and viſible Appearance of GOD among us as Yeſterday in the Afternoon. Collected 555 l. for my little Lambs. Was taken very ill after Dinner, vomited violently, but was enabled to preach at Dr. Colman's in the Afternoon, to as great if not a greater Congregation than in the Morning. Here alſo 470 l. were collected for the Orphan-Houſe in Georgia. In both Places all Things were carried on with great Decency and Order. People went ſlowly out as tho' they had not a Mind to eſcape giving, and Dr. Colman ſaid, it was the moſt pleaſant Time he ever had enjoyed in that Meeting-Houſe thro' the whole Courſe of his Life. Bleſſed be GOD! After Sermon I perceived myſelf ſomewhat …refreſh'd. Supt very early. Had the Honour of a private Viſit from the Governor, who came full of Affection to take his Leave of me for the preſent. Went at their Requeſt and preach'd to a great Number of Negroes, on the Converſion of the Ethiopian, Acts the 8th (at which the poor Creatures as well as many white People were much affected) and at my Return gave a Word of Exhortation …o a Crowd of People who were waiting at my Lodging. My animal Spirits were almoſt exhauſted, and my Legs, thro' Expence of Sweat and Vomiting, almoſt ready to ſink under me. But the LORD viſited my Soul, and I went to Bed greatly refreſhed with divine Conſolation. Oh what am I, that I ſhould thus daily be fed with heavenly Manna! LORD, thou filleſt my Soul with Marrow and Fatneſs! O let me praiſe thee with joyful Lips!
Marble-head, Salem and Ipſwich.
Monday, Sept. 29. Set out about Seve… in the Morning, got to Marblehead, a large Town Twenty Miles from Boſton, about Eleven. Preached to ſome Thouſands on a broad Place in the Middle of the Town, but not with much viſible Effect. Dined with Mr. Bernard, one of the Miniſters of the Place. Rode to Salem, Four Miles from Marblehead, and preach'd there alſo to about 7000 People. Here the LORD manifeſted forth his Glory. One Man, I believe, was ſtruck down by the Power of the Word. In every Part of the Congregation might be ſeen Perſons under great Concern. One Mr. Clark, a good Miniſter, as is granted by all Lovers of GOD, ſeem'd to be almoſt in Heaven. Salem is the firſt ſettled and, except Boſton, the largeſt Town in all New-England; but rather, as far as I could ſee and hear, excels it for Politeneſs. Upon Enquiry I found the Inhabitants had been ſadly divided about their Miniſter; and GOD was pleaſed, before I knew their Circumſtances, to direct me to a ſuitable Subject. LORD heal their Diviſions, and grant, that with one Heart and one Mind they may endeavour to glorify thy holy Name!
After the Exerciſe I immediately ſet out and got to Ipſwich, another large Town, Sixteen Miles (the Way we went) diſtant from Salem. Two or three Gen…lemen came to meet me; and I and my Friends were kindly entertained at the Houſe of Mr. R—rs, one of the Miniſters of the Place. The LORD reward him and all others a Thouſand-fold who refreſh our Bowels in the LORD!
Ipſwich, Newbury and Hampton.
Tueſday, Sept. 30. Preached at Ipſwich about Ten in the Morning to ſome Thouſands. The LORD gave me Freedom, and there was a great Melting in the Congregation. Din'd, ſet out, and reach'd Newbury, another large Town Twelve Miles diſtant from Ipſwich, about Three. Here again the LORD accompanied the Word with his Power. The Meeting-Houſe was very large; many Miniſters were preſent, and People were greatly affected. Bleſſed be GOD, his divine Power attends us more and more. Took Ferry immediately after Sermon, went with Mr. Cotton, Miniſter of the Place, who came to meet me, in a Chaiſe to Hampton, another great Town, Nine Miles from Newbury. The Night was both dark and rainy; But he with whom the Darkneſs is no Darkneſs, brought us in Safety to Hampton, where I was pleaſed to ſee more Plainneſs in Mr. Cotton's Houſe than I had ſeen in any Miniſters Houſe ſince my Arrival. His Wife was as one that ſerveth. Oh that all Miniſters Wives were ſo: For there's nothing gives me more Offence, than to ſee Clergymen's Wives dreſſed out in the Pride of Life. They bring a Reproach upon Religion. They generally live up to the utmoſt of their Income, and, being above Working, after their Huſbands Deceaſe they are of all Women the moſt miſerable. From ſuch a Wife good LORD of thy infinite Mercy deliver my Soul!
Hampton, Portſmouth and York.
Wedneſday, October 1. Preach'd in the Morning, tho' with not ſo much Freedom as uſual, at Hampton, to ſome Thouſands in the open Air. The Wind was almoſt too high for me. Some, tho' not many, were affected, GOD's Spirit bloweth when and where it li…eth. After Dinner rode in Company with many to Portſmouth, a large Town about Fourteen Miles from Hampton. Got thither in about an Hour and an half. Preach'd to a Polite Auditory, but ſo very unconcerned that I began to queſtion whether I had been ſpeaking to rational or brute Creatures. Seeing no immediate Effects of the Word preach'd, I was a little dejected; but GOD, to comfort my Heart, ſent one young Man, crying out in great Anguiſh of Spirit, What ſhall I do to be ſaved? — Oh how does GOD pity the Weakneſs of his Children! Why waſt thou …eaſt down O my Soul! — Croſſed a Ferry immediately after Sermon, and went ever a very ſtony Way to York, a Town Thirteen Miles, round the Ferry, diſtant from Portſmouth. Hither I came to ſee one Mr. Moody, a worthy, plain and powerful Miniſter of JESUS CHRIST, tho' now much impaired by old Age. He has l…ed by Faith for many Years, would …a…e no ſettled Salary, and has be… much deſpiſed by the Haters, and as much re…pected by the true Lovers of the bleſſed JESUS. He came as far as Hampton to meet me, but getting before him in our Night Travelling, a Phyſician, his Neighbour, who came alſo to meet me, received me into his Houſe, and kindly entertained us. Some of our Fellow-Travellers loſt their Way, but came to us ſome Time after our Arrival at York. Here we ſupt and prayed very comfortably together. The Air agreed mightily with my Conſtitution. As I came along I was ſurprized to ſee ſuch Improvements made in the Space of an Hundred Years, and could not but fancy myſelf in Old-England. Surely GOD is a GOD keeping Covenant. He has bleſſed the preſent Generation for their Fathers Sake, with all temporal Bleſſings. LORD with theſe temporal, give them ſpiritual Bleſſings, otherwiſe their Proſperity will deſtroy them!
York and Portſmouth.
Thurſday, Oct. 2. Was much comforted to hear good Mr. Moody tell me, That he …lieved I ſhould preach to an Hundred New Creatures this Morning in his Congregation: And indeed I believe I did; for when I came to preach I could ſpeak little or no Terror, but moſt Conſolation. I preach'd both Morning and Evening. The Hearers look'd plain and ſimple, and Tears trickled apace down moſt of their Che…ks. Indeed we ſaw the Out-Goings of the LORD in his Sanctuary. But one Thing put a little Damp upon my Soul, and I hope did me good. Mr. Moody ha… a Son, a Miniſter, who was once full of Faith and Joy in the Holy Ghoſt, and walked in the Light of GOD's Countenance, and made a full Proof of his Miniſtry: But for theſe Two Years laſt paſt has walked in Darkneſs and ſaw no Light. He has an inexpreſſible Gloo… myneſs upon his Soul, and cannot apply any of the Promiſes to himſelf. I was inform'd that he was at Meeting, but dared not ſee me. I was aſſiſted to pray for him, and ſo much the more earneſtly, not knowing but his Caſe may be … hereafter. LORD, let me not be high-minded, but fear. Into thy Hands I … mend my Spirit. I deſire to take no Th… for the Morrow. Deal with me as it ſhall pleaſe thee. Juſtly mayeſt thou take every thing from me: For I have wretchedly abuſed thy loving Kindneſs. GOD be … ciful to me a Sinner.
Left York about 4 in the Evening. Reached Portſmouth by Night, where I ſupped, converſed, & ſung Pſalms very comfortably wi… my Friends. The LORD was pleaſed to … up the Light of his bleſſed Countenance more and more upon my Soul. Rightly is JESUS called EMANUEL. He is GOD not only with but in us. Oh that I … ever provoke him to depart from ….
Periſmouth, Hampton and Newberry.
Friday, Octob. 3. Preached this Morning at Portſmouth, to a far greater Congregation, and bleſſed be GOD, with much better Effect than before. Inſtead of Preaching to dead Stocks, I now had Leaſon to believe I was Preaching to living Men: People began to melt ſoon after I began to pray, and the Power encreaſed more and more during the whole Sermon. The Word ſeem'd to pierce through and through, and carry ſuch Convictions along with it, that many, who before had induſtriouſly ſpoken Evil of me, were made aſham'd of themſelves. Mr. Shutliff, the Miniſter, when he afterwards ſent me 97 l. 7 s. 6 d. collected at this Time for the Orphan-Houſe, wrote thus, You have left Numbers here under deep Im…ons, and I truſt in GOD they … …ot all wear off; but that the … of ſome will be kept up and … till they have had their deſired Effect. Amen and Amen. Haſten'd after Dinner to Hampton. Preached to ſeveral Thouſands of People, with a good … of Life and Power; collected for my little Ones, and ſet out directly for Newbury, which we reach'd about eight at Night, … were kindly entertain'd at a Gentleman's Houſe, with all my Friends. My Heart was much enlarged and filled with Joy. In the Way two old Diſciples came to me acquainting me what ſweet refreſhing Times GOD had vouchſafed them under my Miniſtry. LORD, not unto me, not unto me; but unto thy Free Grace be all the Glory.
Newbury, Ipſwich, and Salem.
Saturday, Octob. 4. Lay at the Houſe of Mr. Lowel, Miniſter of the Place. Preach'd in the Morning, to a very thronged Congregation; and ſaw the Out-Goings of GOD in his Sanctuary. Collected. Haſted to Ipſwich. Preach'd to a larger Congregation, and with as much Power as when there laſt. Got to Salem about eight at Night; was moſt kindly received by Col. P—r, and alſo was favoured with a Viſit from the Miniſter belonging to the Church of England. Oh that they would preach the Articles to which they have ſubſcribed!
Sunday, Octob. 5. Preach'd at eight a Clock this Morning in the Meeting-Houſe, at the Miniſters Requeſt. Read Prayers, and aſſiſted at the Sacrament in the Church of England; but thought Matters were not all carried on with Decency and Order. Preach'd again in the Afternoon in the Meeting-Houſe; but ſaw no ſuch Power all the Day, as when I preach'd here a few Days ago. Oh that the LORD may reach the Hearts of the Inhabitants, and make them a peculiar People zealous of good Works!
Salem, Marblehead, Moulden and Boſton.
Monday, Octob. 6. Spent the Sabbath-Evening very comfortably with my dear Fellow-Travellers, in praying and ſinging ſpiritual Songs. I truſt we made Melody with Grace in our Hearts unto the LORD. Set out from Salem about nine: Preached at Marblehead, about eleven, and with ſuch Power, that, I truſt, it will be a Day much to be remembered by many Souls. I was upon the Mount myſelf, and the LORD attended his Word with mighty Power. The two Miniſters preſented me 70 l. 2 s. 6 d. for the Orphans, which they had voluntarily collected Yeſterday in their own private Meetings. Was m…ſt affectionately received and entert… … Col. M—n, from whom I parted … with Tears. The LORD make him … Faith and good Works. At the … of Mr. Emerſon, Son-in-Law to … Moody, and, I believe, a real Man o… … we went to Maulden, fourteen … Marblehead, where I preached, not with ſo much Power as in the Morning: But one Girl came to me, crying and ſaying, She feared ſhe had not true Faith in JESUS. Oh that Thouſands of others began to doubt alſo! Here the Secretary, and ſeveral Friends from Boſton, gave us the Meeting. With them, after Sermon, I immediately ſet out, and got privately into Boſton, about ſeven at Night. Received comfortable Letters from Georgia and Carolina, and alſo, had the Satisfaction of hearing that Brother Seward was ſafely arrived in England. The LORD proſper the Work of his Hands upon him!
Perceived my Health to be much improved ſince I left Boſton: And tho' I rode 178 Miles, and preach'd 16 Times, I truſt, to the great Benefit of Thouſands, yet I was not in the leaſt wearied or fatigued. The Spirit of the LORD was upon me. I ſet up till near midnight to anſwer Correſpondents, and ſettle my private Affairs. Afterwards went to Reſt, full of Peace, and deſiring to be thankful to the LORD, for cauſing me thus to renew my Strength. Oh what a good Maſter is JESUS CHRIST!