Continuation of Journal from Savannah to Arrival at Rhode Island, Journal · Entry 13
Charles-Town.
Fryday, Auguſt 21. Had a comfortable Paſſage with my dear Friends, found the Sea Air improved my Health, and arrived ſafe at Charles-Town about 4 this Afternoon. Many came to the Wharf, and ſaluted me moſt kindly; I retired as ſoon as poſſible to my old Lodgings, and ſpent the Evening moſt ſweetly at the Houſe of Mr. Fowler, where I hope many true Diſciples of the bleſſed Jeſus were met together.—The Lord who once came to the Eleven by Night, and ſaid Peace be unto you, I am perſwaded by his Spirit, ſpoke to many of them, the Lord I believe has made a willing People in this Day of his Power, praiſed be his Name from the riſing up of the Sun, unto the going down of the ſame. Amen and Amen.
Monday, Sept. I. Being but weak in Body, (except on Sundays) I have preached only once every Day.—But I think with greater Power than ever, and with greater Succeſs: I ſcarce know the Time wherein I did not ſee a conſiderable melting in ſome Part or other of the Congregation, and often it ſpread over the whole. Several Times I was ſo weak before I begun to preach, that I tho't it almoſt impoſſible I ſhould go thro' half a Diſcourſe, but the Lord quickned, enlightned & comforted me above Meaſure.—Out of Weakneſs I became ſtrong, and the Lord manifeſted himſelf in the Sanctuary.—The Audiences were more numerous than ever, and it was ſuppoſed not leſs than 4000 were in, and about the Meeting-Houſe when I preached my Farewell-Sermon.—The Commiſſary, having run his utmoſt length, thought it beſt to ſay no more himſelf.—But he employed one Mr.Rowe to preach for him, who told the People, that becauſe of their Wickedneſs, God had ſent them ſtrong Deluſions that they might believe a Lie. Finding when I was here laſt that Jeſus Chriſt was not preached in the Church, my Conſcience, would not ſuffer me to attend on thoſe that preached there any more. I therefore went to the Baptiſt and Independent Meeting-Houſe, where Jeſus Chriſt I hope was preached in Sincerity.—I likewiſe adminiſtred the Sacrament thrice in a private Houſe, viz. Yeſterday was ſev'n-night, Yeſterday and this Morning,—Never did I ſee any Thing more ſolemn, the Room was large and moſt were diſſolved into Tears as tho' they were weeping at their Saviour's Croſs. Surely Jeſus Chriſt was evidently ſet forth before them; many, at their Requeſts ſtood by, that did not receive, but they wept bitterly; I prayed for them, and all with great Power, and I hope the Lord will cloath 'em with a Wedding-Garment: What was beſt, Baptiſts, Church-Folks, and Preſbyterians all joined together, and received according to the Church of England except two, who deſired to have it ſitting, I willingly complied, knowing it was a Thing quite indifferent.—Many others hearing how God was amongſt us Yeſterday, deſired I would adminiſter to them to Day.—I did, and our Lord was with us again. Having more Leiſure from my private Studies, by Reaſon my Weakneſs would not permit me to read much▪ I had better Opportunities of converſing with and confirming thoſe that were under Convictions, moſt of 'em I found grown in Grace and their Hearts ſoftned by redeeming Love. Mr. Jonathan Bryan and Mr.Bull came to Charles-Town, I hope more eſtabliſhed.—Mr. Hugh Bryan, they left ſick at Home, drinking deeply of the Cup of God's Conſolations.—His Wife came with them to Charles-Town, a gracious Woman. By my Advice they returned Home with a Reſolution to begin a Negro-School for their Slaves.—A young Stage-Player convinced, when I was laſt at New-York, and who providentially came to Georgia when MJonathan Bryan was there, is to be their firſt Maſter, the Time would fail me, was I to deſcend to every Particular. Great, very great Alteration is made in the Life, and Manners of moſt of the polite Ladies; the Rooms that were uſually employed for Balls and Aſſemblies were now turned into Society-Rooms.—Every Night where I was invited to Supper, it became cuſtomary to have the Houſe filled with Company, whom the Lord enabled me to pray with and exhort with great Power, but once I was ſo weak, that I was obliged to be led home: Many came to me in private under the deepeſt Convictions.—Several were eſteemed mad by their Relations. One young Lady in particular for ſome little Time was turned out of Doors, but afterwards was recalled again. And one Tradeſman who was look'd upon as a very good Man, was convicted of his ſelf Righteouſneſs in an extraordinary Manner, and burnt near Forty Pounds worth of Books written by ſuch as Chub, Foſter, . The care which People expreſſed of my Health and Preſervation was uncommon, they were generally ſending me in ſomething or other; and ſo loaded our Sloop with Sea-ſtores, that I was obliged to ſend part of them to the Orphan-Houſe. How this Work will end, I know not, at preſent there's a comfortable Proſpect that the Lord will gather to himſelf out of Charles-Town, a peculiar People zealous of good Works. Being to be abſent from them for a long Seaſon. I exhorted 'em with all my Power to continue in their Grace of God, I forewarned them of their Danger, and told them how they muſt deny themſelves and take up their daily Croſſes, if they wou'd follow Jeſus Chriſt. Having our Sloop freighted, and the Wind favouring us, after Dinner, with ſeveral Charles-Town Friends I embark'd for Rhode-Iſland, intending to go by Land from thence to Boſton; in the Evening we got over the Bar, but the Pilot would not take any Thing for his Trouble. Here I parted with all Friends, except four, two of which (God willing) intend to accompany me during this Excuſſion. Do thou O Lord who claſpeſt the Winds in thy Fiſts, and holdeſt the Waters in the hallow of thine Hand, accept our Thanks, for paſt Mercies.—Sanctify our Voyage, and if it be beſt carry us with ſpeed to the Haven where we would be. Amen and Amen.