Continuation of Journal from Arrival at Savannah to Leaving Stanford, Journal · Journal entry 27 – Journal entry 38
Cambridge and Boſton.
Saturday, Octob. 11. Was but weak in Body, and perceived I had taken Cold: But Preaching I find a conſtant Remedy againſt all ſlight Indiſpoſitions. Went to Cambridge, four Miles from Myſtick. Preached at the Meeting-Houſe Door, to a great Body of People, who ſtood very attentively tho' it rained, and were at the latter Part of the Sermon much affected. It being at the Univerſity, I diſcourſed on theſe Words, Noah the Eighth Perſon, a Preacher of Righteouſneſs; and endeavoured to ſhew the Qualifications proper for a true Evangelical Preacher of CHRIST's Righteouſneſs. The LORD open'd my Mouth and I ſpoke very plainly to Tutors and Pupils. One Hundred Pounds were collected for the Orphans. After Sermon the Preſident very kindly entertained me and my Friends. About Four we reached Boſton; I preached immediately at Dr. Sewal's Meeting-Houſe; exhorted a great Company afterwards at my Lodging; and then was employed till near Midnight in ſettling my private▪ Affairs, anſwering Letters, and ſpeaking to Souls under Convictions. One little Girl came to me, about Eight Years old, under deep Convictions: She, as her Friends told me, had been wreſtling for CHRIST, and, whilſt ſhe was wreſtling, it came to her Mind, that JESUS being in an Agony, prayed yet ſo much the more earneſtly, and that an Angel was ſent from Heaven to ſtrengthen him; this encouraged her to perſevere, and her Soul ſoon received ſome Comfort. Another Miniſter's little Daughter has bee… quite reſtleſs after CHRIST, Night and Day. And a young Man, about Fourteen, came to me crying, ſaying, Sir I am convicted but not converted: Oh pray for …e! — I thank thee holy Father, LORD …f Heaven and Earth, that thou haſt hid …heſe Things from the wiſe and pru…ent, and haſt revealed them unto Babes. Even ſo Father, for ſo it ſeemeth good in thy Sight
Sunday, Octob. 12. Perceived I was much refreſhed in Body and Soul when I …oſe in the Morning. Spoke to as many as I could, that came for ſpiritual Advice. Preached with great Power and Affection at Dr. Sewal's Meeting-Houſe, which was ſo exceedingly thronged, that I was obliged to get in at one of the Windows, Din'd with the Governor, who came to me after Dinner, when I was retired, and weeping, moſt earneſtly deſired my Prayers. The LORD be with and in him for Time and Eternity. Went and heard Dr. Sewal preach in the Afternoon; was ſick at Meeting, and alſo after it was over. Went with the Governor in his Coach to the Common, where I preach'd my Farewel Sermon to near 30,000 People, a Sight I have not ſeen ſince I left Black-heath, and a Sight perhaps never before ſeen in all America: It being Duſkiſh before I had done, the Sight was more ſolemn. Numbers, great Numbers melted into Tears, when I talked of leaving them. I was very particular in my Application, both to Rulers, Miniſters and People, commending what was commendable, and blaming what was blame-worthy, and exhorted them ſteddily to imitate the Piety of their Fore-Fathers, that, whether I was preſent or whether I was abſent, I might hear of their Affairs, that with one Heart and with one Mind they … ſtriving together for the Faith of the …. After Sermon the Governor went with me to my Lodgings. I ſtood in the Paſſage and ſpoke to a great Company, both within and without the Doors; but they were ſo deeply affected, and cried out ſo loud, that I was obliged to leave off praying. The Governor was highly pleaſed to ſee the Power of GOD: He took his Leave in the moſt affectionate Manner, and ſaid, He would come and take me in his Coach to Charleſtown Ferry, the Morrow Morning. The Remainder of the Evening was almoſt entirely taken up in ſpeaking to Souls deeply wounded by the Word. The poor Girl that followed me from Roxbury, I believe, had a ſaving Diſcovery of JESUS CHRIST this Morning: For when I had preached on theſe Words, The LORD our Righteouſneſs, ſhe was enabled to ſay, The LORD my Righteouſneſs. Her Soul received Comfort, and ſhe knew her Sins were forgiven her, and was not afraid to di…. Poor Creature! I found upon Enquiry ſhe could not read; which ſhews the Sovereignty of GOD's Electing Love, and confirms what the Apoſtle ſays, that the LORD chuſes the fooliſh Things of this World to confound the Wiſe. Many offered to go with me to Georgia, and Charity I believe will incline me to take her; for ſhe is caſt out, in Effect, already for CHRIST's Sake. Bleſſed be GOD for what he has done at Boſton! I hope a glorious Work is now begun, and that the LORD will ſtir up ſome faithful Labourers to carry it on. Boſton is a large populous Place; very wealthy; has the Form kept up very well; but has loſt much of the Power of Religion. I have not heard of any remarkable Stir in it for theſe many Years. Miniſters and People are obliged to confeſs, that the Love of many is waxed cold. Both, for the Generality, ſeem'd too much conform'd to the World. There's much of the Pride of Life to be ſeen in their Aſſemblies. Jewels, Patches and gay Apparel are commonly worn by the female Sex. Little Boys and Girls I obſerved commonly dreſſed up in the Pride of Life; and the little Infants that were brought to Baptiſm, were wrapped in ſuch fine Things, and ſo much Pains taken to dreſs them, that one would think, they were brought thither to be initiated into rather than renounce the Pomps and Vanities of this wiched World. There are Nine Meeting-Houſes of the Congregational Perſuaſion; one Baptiſt; one French, and one belonging to the Scotch Iriſh. There are two monthly and one weekly Lecture, and that too but poorly attended. Several Miniſters complain'd to me of it. I mentioned it in my Sermon, and I truſt GOD will ſtir up the People, more frequently to tread the Courts of the LORD's Houſe. One Thing Boſton is remarkable for, The external Obſervation of the Sabbath. Men in Civil Offices have a Regard for Religion. The Governor encourages them; and the Miniſters and Magiſtrates ſeem to be more united than in any other Place where I have been. Both were exceedingly civil to me during my Stay. I never ſaw ſo little Scoffing, never had ſo little Oppoſition: But one might eaſily foreſee, much Oppoſition will hereafter ariſe, when I come to be more particular in my Application to particular Perſons: For I fear many, many reſt in a Head-Knowledge, are cloſe Phariſees, having only a Name to live. It muſt needs be ſo, when the Power of Godlineſs is dwindled away, and the Form only of Religion is become faſhionable amongſt a People. However, no doubt there are a few Names left in Sardis, that have not defiled their Garments. Many Letters came to me, as far as I could judge, from truly p…ous People, in which they heavily complained of the ſad Degeneracy of their Times; and hoped that GOD was now about to revive his Work in the Midſt of the Years. Even ſo LORD JESUS, Amen and Amen, ſay I with my whole Heart: For Boſton People are dear to my Soul. They were greatly affected by the Word, followed Night and Day, and were very Liberal to my dear Orphans. I promiſed, GOD willing, to viſit them again, and intend to fulfil my Promiſe, when it ſhall pleaſe GOD to bring me again from my Native Country. In the mean while, dear, dear Boſton, Adieu. The LORD be with thy Miniſters and People, and grant that the Remnant which is yet left, according to the Election of Grace, may …ke Root downwards and bear Fruit upwards, and fill the Land!
Boſton and Concord.
Monday, Octob. 13. Took an affectionate Leave of many dear Friends, eſpecially of mine Hoſt and Hoſteſs, who have been exceedingly kind to me and mine, and wept over me at our Departure from them. The LORD reward them a Thouſand-fold. Went with the Governor in his Coach to Charleſtown Ferry. He too… me to the Boat, kiſſed me, and, with Tears in his Ey…, bid me farewel. bout Noon I reached Concord, a Town 13 Miles from Boſton. Here I preach'd twice to ſome Thouſands in the open Air, and comfortable Preaching it was. The Hearers were ſweetly melted down; and my Soul was as it were in Heaven: I ſaw him that was inviſible. Forty-five Pounds were collected for the Orphans. The Miniſter of the Pariſh being, I believe, a true Child of GOD, I choſe to ſtay all Night at his Houſe, that we might rejoice together. The LORD was with us. The Spirit of the LORD came upon me; and GOD gave me to wreſtle with him for my Friends, eſpecially thoſe then with me. They all felt his Power. Brother Bliſs, the Miniſter, broke into Floods of Tears; and we had Reaſon to cry out, It was good for us to be here. — Oh bleſſed be thy Name, O LORD, for theſe ſweet Refreſhings in our Way towards the heavenly Canaan!
Sudbury, Marlborough and Worceſter.
Tueſday, Oct. 14. Preached at Sudbury, about Six Miles from Concord, about Ten, where one Mr.Loring, a Man of GOD, preſides. Preached to ſome Thouſands with Power, and obſerved a conſiderable Commotion in the Aſſembly. Got to Marlborough, Eight Miles from …, about Four. Preached in the Meeting Houſe to a large Congregation. At firſt my Heart was dead. and I had but little Freedom; but before I had finiſhed, the Word came with ſuch a Demonſtration of the Spirit, that great Numbers were very much melted down. When I came into the Meeting-Houſe. I turned about, and to my Surprize found Governor Belcher there. He was affected; and tho' it rained and he was much advanced in Years, yet he went in Company with us as far as Worceſter, Fifteen Miles from Marlborough, whither we got about Eight at Night: Here we were kindly entertained at the Houſe of Col. C—r. We ſpent the Remainder of the Evening very agreeably with the Governor, and after Prayer retired to Reſt. Oh that I may approve myſelf a Diſciple of that Maſter, who, whilſt tabernacling here on Earth, had not where to lay his Head!
Worceſter and Leiceſter.
Wedneſday, Oct. 15. Perceived the Governor to be more affectionate than ever. After Morning Prayer, he took me by myſelf, kiſſed me, wept and exhorted me to go on in ſtirring up the Miniſters: For ſays he, Reformation muſt begin at the Houſe of GOD. As we were going to Meeting, ſays he, Mr. Whitefield, do … ſpare Rulers any more than Miniſters, no, not the Chief of them. I preached in the open Air to ſome Thouſands; the Word fell with Weight indeed; it carried all before it. After Sermon the Governor ſaid to me, I pray GOD I may apply what has been ſaid to my own Heart. Pray, Mr. Whitefield, that I may hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſs. Dinner being ended, with Tears in his Eyes, he kiſſed and took his Leave of me. Oh that we may meet in Heaven! I have obſerved, that I have had greater Power than ordinary, whenever the Governor has been at publick Worſhip: A Sign this, I hope, that the Moſt High intends effectually to bring him Home, and place him at his own Right Hand. Even ſo, LORD JESUS, Amen and Amen.. Was enabled much to rejoice in Spirit. Preached in the Afternoon at Leiceſter, Six Miles from W…rceſter, with ſome, tho' not ſo much Power as in the Morning. Got to Brookfield by Night, and was upon the Mount indeed. My Soul was upon the Wing; and was excedingly enlarged; and I was enabled, as it were, to take the Kingdom, of GOD by Force. Oh what precious Hours are thoſe, when we are thus ſtrengthned, as it were, to lay hold on GOD! Oh that we ſhould ever caſt ourſelves down from theſe Frames! GOD be merciful to me a Sinner!
Leiceſter and Cold-Spring.
Thurſday, Octob. 16. Roſe in great Dejection of Soul, at the Conſideration of Indwelling-Sin. Retired and wept before the LORD. Preached, not with extraordinary Freedom at firſt; but at laſt the Word ran, and melted many down. After Dinner, was much enlarged again, and ſtrengthned to wreſtle with GOD for a Revival of his Work in theſe Parts. Reached Cold-Spring 15 Miles from Leiceſter. Preached at the Houſe of Mr. L—d, to three or four hundred People; but perceived little Moving except for a few Minutes. Spent this Evening with my dear Fellow-Travellers, was ſomewhat caſt down; but afterwards recovered Sweetneſs and Freedom of Soul by retiring and pouring out my Complaints and Petitions before the dear LORD JESUS. Oh the Sovereignty and diſtinguiſhing Freeneſs of GOD's Grace! If it was not for the Conſideration of that, my Soul muſt be continually pierced through with many Sorrows. LORD, for thy Mercies ſake, ſuffer me never to let this Conſideration go! Amen. LORD JESUS, Amen.
Hadley and Northampton.
Friday, Octob. 17. Set out as ſoon as it was Light, and reached Hadley, a Place where a great Work of GOD was begun ſome Years ago; but lately the People of GOD have complain'd of Deadneſs, and loſing their firſt Love. However, as ſoon as I mentioned what GOD had done for their Souls formerly, it was like putting Fire to Tinder; the Remembrance of it quicken'd them and cauſed many of them to weep ſorely. When I had taken a little Refreſhment, we croſſed the Ferry to Northampton, where no leſs than 300 Souls, as was ſuppoſed were ſavingly brought home to the dear LORD JESUS, about 5 of 6 Years ago. Their Paſtor's Name is Edwards, Succeſſor and Grandſon to the great Stoddard, whoſe Memory will be always precious to my Soul; whoſe Books, entitled, A Guide to CHRIST, and Safety of appearing in CHRIST's Righteouſneſs, I would earneſtly recommend to all. Mr. Edwards is a ſolid excellent Chriſtian; but at preſent weak in Body: I think I may ſay, I have not ſeen his Fellow in all New-England. When I came into his Pulpit I found my Heart drawn out to talk of ſcarce any think beſides the Conſolations and Priviledges of Saints, and the plentiful Effuſſion of the Holy Ghoſt in the Hearts of Believers: And when I came to remind them of their former Experiences, and how zealous and lively they were at that Time, both Minſters and People wept much, and the Holy Ghoſt enabled me to ſpeak with a great deal of Power. In the Evening I gave a Word of Exhortation to ſeveral that came to Mr. Edwards's Houſe. My Body was ſomewhat weak, my Appetite almoſt gone; but my LORD gave me Meat to eat which the World knows nothing of. LORD, evermore give me this Bread! Amen and Amen.
Hadfield and Northampton.
Saturday, Octob. 18. At Mr. Edwards his Requeſt, ſpoke to his little Children, who were much affected. Preached at Hadfield, five Miles from Northampton; but found myſelf ſtreightned. Converſed profitably on the Way about the Things of GOD with dear Mr. Edwards, and preached about four in the Afternoon to his Congregation: I begun as it were with Fear and Trembling, feeling but little Power in the Morning; but GOD greatly aſſiſted me, few dry Eyes ſeem'd to be in the Aſſ…mbly for a conſiderable Time. I had an affecting Proſpect of the Glories of the upper World, and was enabled to ſpeak of them feelingly to others: I believe, many were filled as with New-Wine; it ſeemed as if a Time of Refreſhing was come from the Preſence of the LORD. Even ſo come LORD JESUS, come quickly. Amen and Amen.
NORTHAMPTON.
Sunday, Octob. 19. Felt wonderful Satisfaction in being at the Houſe of Mr: Edwards. He is a Son himſelf, and hath alſo a Daughter of Abraham for his Wife. A ſweeter Couple I have not yet ſeen. Their Children were dreſſed not in Silks and Sattins, but plain, as becomes the Children of thoſe who in all Things ought to be Examples of Chriſtian Simplicity. She is a Woman adorn'd with a meek and quiet Spirit, and talk'd ſo feelingly and ſolidly of the Things of GOD, and ſeem'd to be ſuch a Help-meet for her Huſband, that ſhe cauſed me to renew thoſe Prayers which for ſome Months I have put up to GOD, that He would be pleaſed to ſend me a Daughter of Abraham to be my Wife. I find, upon many Accounts, it is my Duty to marry. LORD, I deſire to have no Choice of my own: Thou knoweſt my Circumſtances: Thou knoweſt I deſire to marry only in and for thee: Thou didſt chuſe a Rebecca for Iſaac; chuſe one for me, to be a Help-mete for me, in Managing that great Houſhold committed to my Charge! LORD, hear me: LORD, let my cry come unto Thee. Preached this Morning, and perceived the Melting to begin ſooner and riſe higher than before. Dear Mr. Edwards wept almoſt during the whole Time of Exerciſe. The People were equally, if not more affected, and my own Soul was much lifted up towards GOD. In the Afternoon the Power encreaſed yet more and more. Our LORD ſeem'd to keep the good Wine till the laſt. I have not ſeen ſuch a gracious Melting ſince my Arrival. My Soul was much knit to the dear People of GOD, and tho' I had not Time to converſe with them about their Experiences, yet one might ſee they were for the moſt part a gracious and tender People; and tho' their former Fire might be greatly abated, yet it i…diately appeared when ſtirred up. … my Soul might be refreſhed with the … that Northampton People have … their firſt Love, that the LORD has revi…d his Work in their Souls, and … them to return and do their firſt …!
Weſtfield and Springfield.
Monday, Octob. 20. Left Northampton in the Evening, Rode very pleaſantly 16 Miles to Weſtfield. Converſed with a poor Woman on her ſick Bed, who gave me an Account of ſome Diſcoveries ſhe had of our LORD's redeeming Love. Met with a little Book written by Dr. Cotton Mather, entituled, The Ornaments of the Daughters of Zion, which I would recommend to all, eſpecially the Boſton Ladies. Preached in the Morning to a conſiderable Congregation, and with conſiderable Power at the …atter End. Haſted to Springfield about ten Miles from Weſtfield, Croſſed a Ferry. Preached to a large Auditory, and then returned and preached in the Evening by Candle-Light to thoſe who could not get over the Ferry by Reaſon of the Wind. The Meeting-Houſe was full. GOD's Power was with me both Times, eſpecially at the laſt. My Soul was much carried out in Prayer, and the LORD ſo ſtrengthen'd me in the inner Man, that I could have preach'd another Sermon after I had done. A little after I left Spring-fields, my Horſe coming over a Bridge threw me over his Head, directly upon my Noſe: The Fall ſtunned me for a while. My Mouth was full of Duſt. I bled a little; but, falling upon ſoft Sand, got not much Damage. After I recovered my ſelf and mounted my Horſe, GOD ſo filled me with a Senſe of his ſovereign, diſtinguiſhing Love, and my own Unworthineſs, that my Eyes guſhed out with Tears; but they were all Tears of Love. Oh how did I want to ſink before the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity. I felt myſelf leſs than nothing, and yet knew that my JESUS was my ALL in ALL. The Divine Preſence was ſtrong upon me all the Evening. We ſtop'd at a Friend's Houſe about four Miles from Springfield. Took proper Refreſhment, and went to Reſt, deſiring not to be unmindful of the peculiar Favours conferred upon me the Night paſt. LORD, they are noted in thy Book, Oh let them be alſo written upon the Tables of my Heart!
Suffield and Winſdor.
Tueſday, Octob. 21. Set out for Suffield about eight Miles from the …lace where I lay: Reach'd there, and preached about eleven to ſeveral Thouſands of People. Met with a Miniſter on the Way, who ſaid it was not abſolutely neceſſary for a Goſpel Miniſter that he ſhould be converted. I inſiſted much in my Diſcourſe upon the Doctrine of the New-Birth, and alſo the Neceſſity of a Miniſter's being converted, before he could preach CHRIST aright. The Word came with great Power, and a great Impreſſion was made upon the People in all Parts of the Aſſembly. Many Miniſters were preſent. I did not ſpare them. Moſt of them thanked me for my plain Dealing; but one was offended, and ſo would more of his Stamp if I was to continue longer in New-England: For unconverted Miniſters are the Bane of the Chriſtian Church: And tho' I honour the Memory of that great and good Man Mr. Stoddard, yet I think he is much to be blamed for endeavouring to prove that unconverted Men might be admitted into the Miniſtry. How he has handled the Controverſy I know not. I think, no ſolid Arguments can be brought to defend ſuch a Cauſe: But the beſt of Men are permitted to err, that we may know they were but Men. A Sermon lately publiſhed by Mr. Gilbert Tennent, entitled, The Danger of an unconverted Miniſtry, I think unanſwerable. As I was Riding to Windſor, after Dinner, an old Man came up to me, ſaying, He knew that what I had preached in the Morning was true; I have felt it, ſays he: I was under the Spirit of Bondage 20 Years, and have received the Spirit of Adoption 23 Years. Another came, giving me an Account of his Experiences; and the People of GOD ſeem'd much revived at Windſor: Where, I am informed, a true converted Ma… is the Miniſter. I preach'd in the Afternoon, and with ſuch Freedom, that a young Miniſter, who had heard me ſeveral Times, told me, I had kept the good Wine until now. As ſoon as Sermon was over, I rode about a Mile, croſſed a broad Ferry, walked about a Mile and a half, and preached to a thronged Congregation, belonging to old Mr. Edwards, Father to Mr. Edwards of Northampton, and, I believe, a true Diſciple of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. My Body being ſomething weak, I did not ſpeak with that Strength as laſt Night, neither was I ſo much aſſiſted: But it is the LORD. He knows beſt when to diſpenſe, and when to ſuſpend his Aids. After Exerciſe I ſupped at the Houſe of old Mr. Edwards: His Wife, I believe, was as aged as himſelf, and, if ſhe was converted, and I know nothing to the contrary, I fancied I was ſitting in the Houſe of a Zachary and Elizabeth. Indeed I felt great Satisfaction in my own Soul; and parted from him and his Son (who came with me ſo far) with ſome inward Regret. But, bleſſed be GOD, we ſhall meet again in Eternity. LORD, grant I may always comfort myſelf with this Thought!
Hartford and Withersfield.
Wedneſday, Oct. 22. Reached Hartford, Seven Miles from Windſor, about Ten laſt Night. Preached to many Thouſands, and with much Freedom and Power, in the Morning; and to about the ſame Number at Withersfield, Three Miles from Hartford▪ in the Afternoon. Here my Soul was refreſhed by the Coming of Mr. Wheelock and Pomeroy, two young faithful and zealous Miniſters of JESUS CHRIST. The latter, in a Letter to Mr. Edwards, writes thus, Lebanon.
Reverend and dear Sir,
MY Heart was l…t Night refreſhed with the eminent Experiences of John Sprague, of this Place: The LORD has of late filled him almoſt brimfull; and there are many Chriſtians among us, that have of late been greatly enlightned, and come to a full Aſſurance. Ah dear Sir, help a poor Worm in Praiſes. I think Religion has in this Place rather gain'd Ground than declined for ſome Months. Several have been converted of late and remain very lively. O that the LORD would multiply that Number! There is obſervable among us a greater Spirit of Seriouſneſs than has been uſual.
This Morning I intended to go and preach at both their Places, as alſo at Plymouth, Rhode-Iſland, &c. but GOD ſhewed me this Day it was inconſiſtent with my other Buſineſs upon many Accounts: And therefore, after Prayer and conſulting with my Friends, I reſolved to go directly to New-York. Accordingly at Night, after writing a few Letters, I rode to Middletown, Ten Miles from Withersfield, and was entertained at the Houſe of Mr. Ruſſel, the Miniſter of the Place, and, I think, an Iſralite indeed, and one who has been long mourning over the Deadneſs of Profeſſors. Oh that all Miniſters were like-minded!
Middletown and Wallingford.
Thurſday, Oct. 23. Was much pleaſed with the Simplicity of my Hoſt, and the Order wherein his Children attended on Family Devotions. Preach'd to about 4000 People (great Numbers of which were conſiderably affected.) About Eleven o'Clock preached again in the Afternoon, at Wallingford, Fourteen Miles from Middletown, and then rode on to New-Haven, Fourteen Miles further, were I was affectionately received by Mr. Pierpont, Brother to Mr. Edwards of Northampton. As I came along I found wonderful Freedom in my Soul, for declining to go ſo long a Circuit as was propoſed. I converſed profitably with Mr. Lamb, a godly, zealous Miniſter of Guilford; and when I came to New-Haven, I felt GOD ſtrengthen'd my inner Man. I wreſtled in Prayer in Company with my dear Fellow-Travellers, and am perſuaded the LORD did not let us go without a Bleſſing. Oh that we may all ſit down in the Kingdom of Heaven!