502. Letter Mcccclxv.
LETTER MCCCCLXV.
T o Mr. R―― K――n.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, September 23, 1770.
My very dear Friend, YOUR letters, of May 2 and 22, came to hand. New-York packet is always the surest and most centrical medium of conveyance. Before I left Boston, on Friday afternoon, I left a large packet in the hands of a young man, who promised to deliver it to you safely. You and Mr. H――y may peruse all, and communicate what you think proper. By this time I thought to be moving southward. But never was greater importunity used to detain me longer in these northern parts. Poor New-England is much to be pitied;
Boston people most of all. How falsely misrepresented! What a mercy, that our Christian charter cannot be dissolved! Blessed be God for an unchangeable Jesus! You will see, by the many invitations, what a door is opened for preaching his everlasting gospel. I was so ill on Friday, that I could not preach, though thousands were waiting to hear. Well, the day of release will shortly come, 1 but it does not seem yet; for, by riding sixty
miles, I am better, and hope to preach here to-morrow. I trust, my blessed Master will accept of these poor efforts to serve him. O for a warm heart; O to stand fast in the faith, to quit ourselves like men, and be strong! May this be the happy experience of you and yours! I suppose letters are gone for me, in Anderson, to Georgia. If spared so long, I expect to see it about Christmas. Still pray and praise. I am so poorly, and so engaged when able to preach, that this must apologize for not writing to more friends. It is quite impracticable. Hoping to see all dear friends about the time proposed, and earnestly desiring a continued interest in all your prayers, I must hasten to subscribe myself, my dear, very dear Sir,
Less than the least of all, G. W.
End of the Letters.
The following Letters, addressed by Mr. Whitefield to the inhabitants of Savannah, as they display his affections to the people, among whom he went to minister, so will be no unsuitable introduction to the Account of the Orphan-house. It may not be improper to observe, that Mr. Whitefield's first arrival at Savannah, was May 7, 1738; he laboured assiduously in that place, 2 and the neighbouring settlements, till August 28 following, and then went to South Carolina, and embarked on board the Mary, Captain Cae, for England, that he might receive priest's orders, for his further service to that people, and raise contributions for erecting an Orphan-house in the new colony at Georgia, which he saw was greatly wanted.
To the Inhabitants of Savannah.
From on board the Mary, October 2, 1738.
My good Friends,
AS God has been pleased to place you more especially under my care; so whether absent or present, I think it my duty to contribute my utmost endeavours towards promoting the salvation of your precious and immortal souls. For this end, and this only, God is my judge, came I amongst you; for this end am I now parted from you for a season; and for this end do I send you this general epistle. I love, I pray for, therefore do I write to you all without exception. But what shall I write to you about? Why, of our common salvation, of that one thing needful, of that new birth in Christ
Jesus, that ineffable change which must pass upon our hearts, before we can see God, and of which you have heard me discourse so often. Let this, this, my dear friends, be the end of all your actions. Have this continually in view, and you will never do amiss. The author of this blessed change, is the Holy Ghost, the third person in the ever-blessed Trinity. The Father made, the Son redeemed, and the Holy Spirit is to sanctify, and so apply Christ's redemption to our hearts. The means to attain this Holy Spirit, you know, and the way you know; Self-denial, and the way of the Cross. "If any man will come after me (says Jesus Christ) let him deny himself, and, take up his cross daily, and follow me." And, I cannot but think it a particular blessing, which you enjoy above others; because you are in a new colony, where daily crosses must necessarily fall in your way. O then, I beseech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, make a virtue of necessity, and take up your daily crosses with resignation and thanksgiving. Another means to attain the Holy Spirit, is public worship: for Christ has promised, "where two or three are gathered together in his name, there will he, by his Spirit, be in the midst of them." For your zeal in this particular, I have often blessed God within myself, and made mention of it to others. O continue like-minded, and as in my presence, so in my absence, do not forsake the assembling
yourselves together in the house of God; for there you will have the scriptures read, though not expounded; and the Holy Spirit, if you apply to him, will open your understandings, and guide you into all truth. Many other means there are of attaining the Holy Ghost, such as, reading the scriptures,—secret prayer,—self-examination, and receiving the blessed
Sacrament;—all which I would insist on, could they be comprised in a letter. But this must be deferred till I see you in person, and am qualified to administer unto you the sacred symbols of Christ's blessed body and blood.
In the mean while, think not that I shall forget you in my prayers; no, I remember my promise, and whilst the winds and storms are blowing over me, I make supplication to God in your behalf. Though absent in body, I am present in spirit, and joy in hopes of hearing of your zeal for the Lord.
Remember, my dear friends, that for the space of near four months, I ceased not, day and night, warning every one of you to repent and turn to God, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. Repent you therefore, and walk in all things as becometh the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and then, and then only, shall your sins be blotted out. Finally, my brethren, be all of one mind.
Let there be no divisions among you; for a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Be over careful for nothing, but in every thing, with supplications and thanksgiving make your wants known unto God. Speak not evil one of another, brethren, but live at peace among yourselves; and the God of peace shall in all things direct and rule your hearts. Brethren, pray for us, that God would prosper the works of his hands upon me, and restore me to you as soon as possible. In about eight months, God willing, I hope to see you; in the mean while, you shall not be forgotten by Your affectionate, though unworthy minister in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
To the Inhabitants of Savannah.
London, January 19, 1739.
My dear Friends, THOUGH a woman may as soon forget her sucking child, yet, I fear, you have before this time thought, that I have forgotten you. But God forbid! As I have told you often, so I tell you again; You are upon my heart, so that I am ready to live and die with you; and, God willing, as soon as my affairs are finished in England, I shall return to you again. The Trustees have now appointed me minister of Savannah, and granted all I desired of them, so that I have nothing to do, but to watch over your souls, that I may present you blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be stedfast therefore, my brethren, be unmoveable. Carefully attend to the words spoken by your present Pastor, and strive to enter in at the strait gate. Let love be without dissimulation. Let not slander so much as be named amongst you, as becometh saints. Be not slothful in business; yet take heed that you are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; and assure yourselves, you are continually remembered by Your most affectionate Pastor, G. W.
P. S. My business in England detaining me longer than I expected, I have therefore written this to assure you, that I will return as soon as possible. 3
1. Mr. Whitefield died the 30th.
2. See his letter from Savannah, dated June 10, 1738. Vol. I. p. 44.
3. Mr. Whitefield embarked for America, the ―― of August following.