Continuation of Journal from Savannah to Arrival at Rhode Island, Journal · Entry 24 – Entry 25
Boſton.
Tueſday, Octob. 7. Preach'd both Morning and Evening in Dr. Colmans's Meeting-Houſe; both Times with much Power. People ſeem'd greatly rejoiced at my Arrival, it being confidently reported that I died ſuddenly, or was poiſoned: But I find I muſt not yet die, but live and declare the Works of the Lord. Father, I ſubmit; thy Will be done. Viſited I believe a true Diſciple, who had been ſick for a long Seaſon; the Lord has made his Bed in his Sickneſs. He has been enabled to rejoice in Tribulation. Who wou'd but be a Chriſtian? Supped and gave a Word of Exhortation to many People at a Houſe, which I truſt the Lord will viſit with his Salvation. Wherever I go, People will follow me: And I now hourly almoſt receive Letters from Perſons under Convictions, and congratulatory Letters and Viſits from many Children of God, whoſe Souls have been abundantly refreſhed by the Miniſtration of the Word. Bleſſed be God, who cauſes me to rejoice in the Felicity of his choſen. Amen and Amen.
Wedneſday, Octob. 8. Went with the Governour in his Coach to Mr. Webb's Meeting-Houſe, where I preached both Morning and Evening to very great Auditories both Times, eſpecially in the Morning: Jeſus Chriſt manifeſted forth his Glory; many Hearts melted within them; & I think I was never ſo drawn out to pray for and invite little Children to Jeſus Chriſt, as I was this Morning. A little before, I had heard of a Child who was taken ſick juſt after it had heard me preach, and ſaid, He would go to Mr. Whitefield's God; and died in a ſhort Time. This encouraged me to ſpeak to the little Ones. But Oh, how were the old People affected when I ſaid, Little Children, if your Parents will not come to Chriſt, do you come and go to Heaven without them. There ſeemed to be but few dry Eyes look where I would. The Word ſmote them, I believe, through and through; and my own Soul was very much carried out. Surely it was the Lord's Paſſover. I have not ſeen a greater Commotion ſince my preaching at Boſton. Glory be to God who has not forgotten to be gracious. At the ſame Time was collected l. 440. Went with the Governour, who ſeemed more and more affected, in his Coach to my Lodgings.—Snatch'd a few Moments to write a Letter or two; gave a Word of Exhortation to a great Crowd of People, and then ſlipped out privately at a back Door and went and ſupped at a Man's Houſe, whoſe Wife and Siſter, as well as himſelf, I truſt the Lord will deliver from the Guilt and Power of their Sins. Amen, Come Lord Jeſus, come quickly
Thurſday, October 9. Have been applied to, this and every Morning ſince my return, by many Souls under deep Diſtreſs; and was only grieved that I could not have more Time with them. Preached this Morning the publick Lecture at Dr. Sewall's Meeting-Houſe, which was very much crowded. When I left my Lodgings, I had fixed on, and folded down a particular Text, but when I came near the Meeting-Houſe I found it much impreſſed upon my Heart, that I ſhould preach upon our Lord's Conference with Nicodemus: I acquainted a Friend with it. When I came into the Pulpit, I ſaw a great Number of Miniſters ſitting around and before me, and when I came to thoſe Words, Art thou a Maſter of Iſrael and knoweſt not theſe Things? The Lord enabled me to open my Mouth boldly againſt unconverted Miniſters; to caution Tutors to take Care of their Pupils: And alſo to adviſe Miniſters particularly to examine into the Experiences of Candidates for Ordination. For I am verily perſuaded the Generality of Preachers talk of an unknown unfelt Chriſt. And the Reaſon why Congregations have been ſo dead, is becauſe they have had dead Men preaching to them. Oh that the Lord may quicken and revive them, for his own Names Sake. For how can dead Men beget living Children? It's true indeed, God may convert People by the Devil if he pleaſes, and ſo he may by unconverted Miniſters. But I believe he ſeldom makes Uſe of either of them for this Purpoſe. No, the Lord will chuſe Veſſels made meet by the Operations of the bleſſed Spirit for his … And as for my own Part, I wou'd not lay Hands on an unconverted Man for ten thouſand Worlds. Unſpeakable Freedom God gave me while treating on this Head. After Sermon I dined with the Governor, who ſeemed more kindly affected than ever; and particularly told one of the Miniſter's who had lately began to preach extempore, that he was very glad he had found out a Way to ſave his Eyes. Oh that others wou'd follow him; I believe they would find the Lord ready to help and aſſiſt them. In the Afternoon I preached in the Common to about 15000 People, and collected upwards of l. 200 for the Orphan-Houſe. Juſt as I had finiſhed my Sermon a Ticket was put up to me, wherein I was deſired to pray for a Perſon juſt enter'd upon the Miniſtry; but under Apprehenſions that he was not converted. God enabled me to pray for him with my whole Heart; and I hope that Ticket will teach many others not to run before they can give an Account of their Converſion: If they do, they offer God ſtrange Fire. Went to the Funeral of one belonging to the Council; but do not like the Cuſtom at Boſton of not ſpeaking at the Grave. When can Miniſters Prayers and Exhortations be more ſuitable, than when the Corps before will ſilently as it were aſſiſt them, and with a kind of dumb Oratory bid the Spectators conſider their latter End. When the Funeral was over, I went as privately as poſſible to the Alms-Houſe and enlarged on theſe Words, The Poor receive the Goſpel; for near half an Hour. Then I went to the Work-Houſe, where I prayed with and exhorted a great Number of People, who crowded after me, beſides thoſe belonging to the Houſe, for an Hour more. Then hearing there was a conſiderable Number waiting for me at my Lodgings (tho' ſome cryed out, Spare thy ſelf) God ſtrengthned me to go and give them a ſpiritual Morſel; and then I went and eat Bread comfortably at a Friend's Houſe, whither I was invited, and ſoon after retired to my Reſt. Oh how ſweet Sleep is after working for Jeſus. Lord, ſtrengthen me yet a little longer, and then let me ſleep in thee, never to awake in this vain World again. Still I muſt intreat thee, if moſt conducive to thy Glory and the Good of Souls, to make no long tarrying, O my God.
Charles-Town and Reading.
Friday, Octob. 10. Was ſtill buſied from the very Moment I roſe, till I went out, in anſwering poor Souls that came to me under great Diſtreſs. About 9 went with Mr. Cooper over Charles-Town Ferry, here I preached with much Demonſtration of the Spirit; and collected l. 156 for the Orphan-Houſe. Then I dined at Medford, 4 Miles diſtant from Charles-Town, at the Houſe of Eſqr. Royal, a young rich Man, who has ſeem'd much affected for ſome Time. Oh that he may not lack one Thing! Immediately after Dinner, we haſted to Reading, 12 Miles from Charles-Town, there I preached to many Thouſands, and collected l. 51 5s. for my little Ones; and obſerved a conſiderable melting in the Congregation. Return'd and ſupped at Mr. Royal's; was weak, very weak in Body, but refreſhed to hear of a poor Girl found ſitting at the Gate in the Cold; for being examined by a truly experienced Friend, he found ſhe was under very ſtrong Convictions, and had followed me from Roxbury. She ſaid ſhe wanted nothing but Chriſt, and Chriſt ſhe would have. Bleſſed are they that hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſs, for they ſhall be filled. Lord let this Promiſe be fulfilled in her Heart.