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
"Sunday, March 27. Glory be to God! I hope this has been a
profitable Sabbath to many souls; it has been a pleasant one to
mine. Both morning and afternoon I preached to a large auditory, for
the Bermudas, in Mr. Paul's meeting-house, which I suppose contains
about four hundred. Abundance of negroes, and many others, were
in the porch, and about the house. The word seemed to be clothed
with a convincing power, and to make its way into the hearts of
the hearers. Between sermons, I was entertained very civilly in a
neighboring house. Judge Bascom, and three more of the council,
came thither, and each gave me an invitation to his house. How does
the Lord make way for a poor stranger in a strange land. After the
second sermon I dined with Mr. Paul; and in the evening expounded to
a very large company at Councillor Riddle's. My body was somewhat
weak; but the Lord carried me through, and caused me to go to
rest rejoicing. May I thus go to my grave, when my ceaseless and
uninterrupted rest shall begin.
"Thursday, March 31. Dined on Tuesday at Colonel Corbusier's, and on
Wednesday at Colonel Gilbert's, both of the council; and found, by
what I could hear, that some good had been done, and many prejudices
removed. Who shall hinder, if God will work? Went to an island this
afternoon called Ireland, upon which live a few families; and to my
surprise, found a great many gentlemen, and other people, with my
friend Mr. Holiday, who came from different quarters to hear me.
Before I began preaching, I went round to see a most remarkable
cave, which very much displayed the exquisite workmanship of Him,
who in 'his strength setteth fast the mountains, and is girded
about with power.' While I was in the cave, quite unexpectedly I
turned and saw Councillor Riddle, who, with his son, came to hear
me; and while we were in the boat, told me that he had been with
the governor, who declared he had no personal prejudice against
me, and wondered I did not come to town and preach there, for it
was the desire of the people; and that any house in the town, the
court-house not excepted, should be at my service. Thanks be to God
for so much favor. If his cause requires it, I shall have more.
He knows my heart; I value the favor of man no farther than as it
makes room for the gospel, and gives me a larger scope to promote
the glory of God. There being no capacious house upon the island,
I preached for the first time here in the open air. All heard very
attentively; and it was very pleasant, after sermon, to see so many
boats full of people returning from the worship of God. I talked
seriously to some in our own boat, and sung a psalm, in which they
readily joined.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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