Continuation of Journal from Savannah to Arrival at Rhode Island, Journal · Entry 10 – Entry 12
Hooſpanah-Chappel & Good-Hope.
Wedneſday, July 24. Roſe ſometime before Day, and got to Hooſpanah-Chappel, near thirty Miles from Mr. Bees, about Noon, here I preach'd to a very ſmall Auditory, few People living thereabout a, (but as I was afterwards inform'd) not without ſome good Effect.—Sermon being over I went on Horſeback to Good-Hope, where Mr. Hugh Bryan lived, and ſeveral followed, hoping I would preach again in the Evening, but here my bodily Strength ſo failed me, and God poured ſuch ineffable Thirſtings and Hungerings into my Soul after him, that I ſometimes hoped he was about to ſet my impriſon'd Soul at Liberty. Surely my God then placed me upon Mount Piſgah, and gave me a diſtant Proſpect of the heavenly Canaan; every Limb ſtretched for Immortality, and I long'd for the bleſſed Angels to come and carry me to Abraham's Harbour. Theſe Words, I know that my Redeemer liveth, with wonderful Sweetneſs and Power were preſs'd upon me, and the Thoughts of my Saviour's dying Love, and the Lord's being my Righteouſneſs, melted me into Tears,—My dear Friend and Companion wept over me, anſwer'd almoſt Tear for Tear, and ſeem'd willing to take his Flight with me into the Arms of our bleſſed Jeſus.—The poor Negroes crouded round the Windows, and by their Looks, and Officiouſneſs, expreſs'd a great Concern for me. Their Maſter had acquainted them, I believe, that I was their Friend, he himſelf ſat by, and wept too, but alas! God ſoon ſhewed me that the Time of my Departure was not yet at Hand. In a ſhort Time, I perceived my Body grew ſtronger, and I was enabled to walk about as well as I could, I joined in Family-Prayer, I begged of God, if I was not to die, but live, it might be to declare the Works and Loving-kindneſs of the Lord—Grant this O Father, for thy dear Son's ſake. Amen, and Amen.
Good-Hope and Beaufort.
Thurſday, July 25.—Being too Weak to ride on Horſeback, I went in Mr. Bryan's Boat to Beaufort; we got thither about 10 in the Morning, but the Heat of the Sun almoſt ſtruck me down, and took away my Senſes.—As ſoon as I put my Foot on Shore, kind Mr. Jones received me courteouſly.—In the Cool of the Evening, preach'd in his Church to a larger Auditory, and with more Power than when there laſt. Mr. Jones thanked me for my Sermon, diſapproved intirely of the Commiſſary's Treatment of me, and kindly entertain'd me and my Friends all Night. The Lord Jeſus bleſs his Habitation, and give him to know how it is that we are freely redeemed by his precious Blood.
Beaufort and Savannah.
Friday, July 26. Took Boat before Day, and having fine Weather and a favourable Gale, reach'd Savannah, and ſaluted my dear Family about five in the Evening.—My Body being Weak it could not bear up under the Joy and Satisfaction which I felt in my Mind, however I kneeled down, wept out a ſhort Prayer, and Thankſgiving, and as well as I could, told my Aſſiſtants what God had done for my Soul.—In the Evening I expounded, and undeſignedly thinking it was the Leſſon for the Night, read the laſt Chapter of St. Paul's ſecond Epiſtle to Timothy.—In which were theſe incouraging Words.—But watch thou in all Things endure Afflictions, do the Work of an Evangeli… make full Proof of thy Miniſtry. Alexander the Copperſmith, did me much Evil; the Lord reward him according to his Works, of whom … thou aware alſo, for he hath greatly withſtood our Words. At my firſt Trial no Man ſtood … me, notwithſtanding the Lord ſtood by me, and ſtrenghthened me, that by me the Preaching might be fully known, and I was delivered … of the Mouth of the Lyon, and the Lord ſhip deliver me out of every evil Work; and we preſerve me to his heavenly Kingdom, to whom be Glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Thurſday, Auguſt 7. Continued very Weak ever ſince my return from Charles-Town, but was much refreſhed this Morning with the Sight of ſome dear Friends (amongſt whom was one Mr. Tilly a gracious Baptiſt Miniſter) who came in our Sloop to ſee the Orphan-Houſe.—I gave them the Meeting at early Prayers, and God enabled me to expound with Power. Lord, let them not depart hence without having ſome ſpiritual Gift imparted to them. Amen, and Amen.
Sunday, Auguſt 3. Felt more than common of the divine Preſence in my Soul ſince the Arrival of Charles-Town Friends, who brought the Orphans many Preſents, and bleſſed be God, for the Footſteps of his Goodneſs and Providence plainly diſcernable amongſt us.—But laſt Night thro' Weakneſs of Body, and a prodigious Concern, which lay upon my Soul, on Account of ſome domeſtick Trials, juſt as I began Family-Prayer, I was ſtruck as I thought almoſt for Death, I put up a few broken Accents, and breathed out, Lord, Jeſus receive my Spirit. This Morning my Maſter ſhewed me why I was thus humbled: Soon after I loſe I found that Mr. Jones and his Wife of Port-Royal, Mr. Jonathan Bryan, Brother to Mr. Hugh Bryan, and one Mr. Bull, were come to pay us a Viſit.—Tho' exceeding Weak, and I had almoſt laid aſide Thoughts of officiating this Day, yet upon Mr. Jones's intimating that Friends came expecting to hear me, I promiſed if I could to preach, and beg'd him to read Prayers; he did, but I found myſelf ſo ill that I would fain have perſwaded Mr. Tilly to preach for me; he peremptorily refuſed, urging that God wou'd ſtrengthen me if I begun.—Upon this I ſtood up, and ſoon found Power communicated to me from above; I felt a ſweet melting in my Soul, and e're I had prayed long Mr. Bull dropped down as tho' ſhot with a Gun; he ſoon got up and ſat attentively to hear the Sermon, the Power ſoon ſpread abroad, the greateſt Part of the Congregation was under Concern;—Tears trickled down apace. God manifeſted himſelf alſo much amongſt us during the Time of the Sacrament: And I went home aſhamed that I was ſo unwilling to preach;—I ſtood juſtly reproved, when Mr. Tilly after he came home, ſaid, did I not tell you, God would ſtrengthen you? Deareſt Lord, for thy Mercies ſake, never let me diſtruſt thee again! Oh, me of little Faith!
Monday Auguſt 4. Was ſent for about Noon to ſee Mr. Janathan Bryan. At my coming, I found him under great Concern and ſtrong Convictions of Sin.—Oh how did he reflect on his paſt miſpent Life, how did he bleſs God for bringing him to Savannah, how did he deſire that he might be found in Chriſt e're he returned home! His Wife fat weeping by, and Mr. Bull lay on a Bed groaning in Bitterneſs of Soul, under a Senſe of Guilt, and crying out for an Intereſt in Chriſt. I aſked him what cauſed him to fall down Yeſterday? He anſwer'd, The Power of GOD's Word! After about half an Hour's Converſation on the Nature of the New-Birth, and the Neceſſity of a ſaving Cloſure with the Lord Chriſt, I kneeled down and prayed with them, and then took my Leave, hoping that the Lord would pluck 'em as Firebrands out of the Fire. Even ſo Lord Jeſus. Amen and Amen.
Sunday, Auguſt 9. Went on Tueſday with Mr. Bryan, Jones, &c. to Betheſda, and had the Pleaſure of ſeeing the Work of God much carried on in moſt of our Viſiters Hearts. It was but ſeldom I could Officiate, but when I did, the Lord generally cauſed the Word to come with very great Power. This Morning I expounded early, as uſual, and read Part of the Prayers at 10 o'Clock, but got Mr. Tilly to preach, who tho' a Baptiſt Miniſter, joined with us in receiving the Sacrament in the Church of England Way; and the King was pleaſed to ſit at his Table; he bro't us into his Banqueting-Houſe, and cauſed it to be a Feaſt of fat Things to our Souls. Many I believe fed on Jeſus in their Hearts with Thankſgiving. After the Ordinance was over, the Lord enlarged my Heart, and I prayed as the Spirit gave me Utterance. I went home much refreſhed in Soul, but ſo weak in Body, that I declined going to publick Worſhip in the Afternoon. In the mean while, God gave me a freſh Supply of Strength; about the Evening when my Friends were ſitting down together, finding the Power of the Lord come upon me, I began to ſpeak to them of the Things of God. A great Alteration was ſoon diſcernable in moſt of the Company, their Concern gradually increaſed, 'till many burſt into Floods of Tears, and one fell on the Ground. E'er I had done, ſome of my Pariſhioners came up, and the reſt of my Family, they alſo felt the divine Power. When I had done ſpeaking to them from God, I ſpoke for them in Prayer to God, my Soul was carried as it were out of the Body, and I was enabled mightily to wreſtle with our Lord in their Behalf. He did not let us go without a Bleſſing. The Room was filled with the Cries of thoſe around me, and many I believe at that Time ſought Jeſus ſorrowing. The Concern continued after the Duty was over. Several, were in great Agonies of Soul, and a Cheroke Indian Trader, who providentially was preſent deſired to ſpeak with me, ſaying he never ſaw the like before. Mr. Jones alſo of Port-Royal who went away on Friday but was forced back and officiated for me the Afternoon at Savannah told a Friend, that ſurely God was with us. Bleſſed be his rich ſovereign and diſtinguiſhing Grace; Lord make me lowly in my own Eyes, and cauſe me ſtill to go on from conquering to conquer. Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thee my King and my God be all the Glory.
Saturday, Auguſt 15. Parted with dear Mr. Bull, and Mr. Bryan on Tueſday, who I hope could ſay—Lord now letteſt thou thy Servants depart in Peace, for our Eyes have ſeen, our Hearts have felt thy Salvation. Met with cloſer outward Trials this Week than ever I was viſited with before,—was forced ſeveral Times to come out thro' Concern of Soul, and Weakneſs of Body, in the midſt of publick Worſhip, and had not God uncommonly ſupported me I muſt frequently have given up the Ghoſt. But as Troubles abounded Conſolations abounded alſo.—Theſe Words, But David ſtrengthned himſelf in the Lord his God, were preſſed with a wonderful ſupporting Power upon my Soul. The 11th of Hebrews alſo was bleſſed to me, I found the Benefit of being afflicted.—God enabled me to ſanctify him in my Heart, and my greateſt Grief was, that I ſhould be ſo naughty as to oblige my heavenly Father to chaſtiſe and ſcourge me.—Lord, I adore thy infinite condeſcending Goodneſs; Oh! do not leave me to my ſelf, but purge. Oh! purge me, for thy Mercies Sake, that I may bring forth more Fruit!
Correct me when I go aſtray,
And lead me in thy perfect Way.
Monday, Auguſt 17. Preach'd Yeſterday Morning, and took leave of my Pariſhioners,—adminiſtred the bleſſed Sacrament, and gave a cloſe Exhortation afterwards; ſettled every Thing to Day to the beſt of my Power for the Orphan-Houſe, (which ſucceeds even beyond Expectation) and was ſo filled with the Love of Chriſt in this Evening's Expoſition, and my private Farewel-Diſcourſe to my Family, that I could almoſt ſay I was within the Vail. My Hearers both in publick and private, were vaſtly affected, and a ſtrange Woman was ſo touch'd, that ſhe came to me confeſſing her Sins and crying out, What ſhall I do to be ſaved? When I came to converſe with her, I found God had ſtruck her the laſt time I preach'd at Port-Royal, and I hope he will now call her effectually by his Grace.—Pleaſed, and I hope in ſome meaſure thankful to the Lord of all Lords, for ſetting ſuch Seals to my Miniſtry. Juſt at Departure, about 10 at Night I went on Board our Sloop with my other dear Viſitors, in order to go to Charles-Town, where by the Advice of Friends the Captain is to take in Freight for Boſton, for the Benefit of the Orphan-Houſe. The Lord preſerve my dear Lambs and Flock in my Abſence, bring 'em into green Paſtures, and lead 'em beſide the Waters of Comfort!