George Whitefield: A Biography, with special reference to his labors in AmericaBelcher, Joseph
Religion
George Whitefield: A Biography, with special reference to his labors in America
Belcher, Joseph
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770
The Bermudas are a group of four small islands lying about nine
hundred miles east of Georgia. The largest of the islands is called
St. George's, with a capital of the same name; the climate is
remarkably fine, and well adapted for the temporary residence and
recovery of invalids. Here Whitefield met with an exceedingly kind
reception, and remained on the island with great benefit to his
health, more than a month. We scarcely need to say that he was not
idle during his residence here, but traversed the island from one
end to the other, generally preaching twice a day. A few passages
from his journal will best show the facts.
"The simplicity and plainness of the people, together with the
pleasant situation of the island, much delighted me. The Rev.
Mr. Holiday, minister of Spanish Point, received me in a most
affectionate, Christian manner; and begged I would make his house
my home. In the evening, I expounded at the house of Mr. Savage, at
Port Royal, which was very commodious; and which also he would have
me make my home. I went with Mr. Savage in a boat to the town of
St. George, in order to pay our respects to the governor. All along
we had a most pleasant prospect of the other part of the island; a
more pleasant one I never saw. Mrs. Smith, of St. George, for whom
I had a letter of recommendation from my dear old friend Mr. Smith,
of Charlestown, received me into her house. About noon, with one of
the council and Mr. Savage, I waited upon the governor. He received
us courteously, and invited us to dine with him and the council. We
accepted the invitation, and all behaved with great civility and
respect. After the governor rose from the table, he desired, if I
stayed in town on the Sunday, that I would dine with him at his own
house.
"Sunday, March 20. Read prayers and preached twice this day, to
what were esteemed here large auditories--in the morning at Spanish
Point church, and in the evening at Brackish Pond church, about two
miles distant from each other. In the afternoon I spoke with greater
freedom than in the morning, and I trust not altogether in vain. All
were attentive, some wept. I dined with Colonel Butterfield, one of
the council; and received several invitations to other gentlemen's
houses. May God bless and reward them, and incline them to open
their hearts to receive the Lord Jesus.
"Wednesday, March 23. Dined with Captain Gibbs, and went from thence
and expounded at the house of Captain F----le, at Hunbay, about
two miles distant. The company here also was large, attentive,
and affected. Our Lord gave me utterance. I expounded the first
part of the eighth chapter of Jeremiah. After lecture, Mr. Riddle,
a counsellor, invited me to his house; as did Mr. Paul, an aged
Presbyterian minister, to his pulpit; which I complied with upon
condition that the rumor was true, that the governor had served
the ministers with an injunction that I should not preach in the
churches.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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