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, April 3. Preached twice this day at Mr. Paul's
meeting-house, as on the last Sabbath, but with greater freedom
and power, especially in the morning; and I think to as great,
if not greater auditories. Dined with Colonel Harvy, another of
the council; visited a sick woman, where many came to hear; and
expounded afterwards to a great company, at Captain John Dorrel's,
Mrs. Dorrel's son, who with his wife courteously entertained me, and
desired me to make his house my home. So true is that promise of
our Lord, that 'whosoever leaves father or mother, houses or lands,
shall have in this life a hundred-fold with persecution, and in the
world to come, life everlasting.' Lord, I have experienced the one;
in thy good time grant that I may experience the other also.
"Wednesday, April 6. Preached yesterday at the house of Mr. Anthony
Smith, of Baylis Bay, with a considerable degree of warmth; and
rode afterwards to St. George, the only town on the island. The
gentlemen of the town had sent me an invitation by Judge Bascom;
and he, with several others, came to visit me at my lodgings;
and informed me that the governor desired to see me. About ten I
waited upon his excellency, who received me with great civility,
and told me he had no objection against my person or my principles,
having never yet heard me; and he knew nothing with respect to my
conduct in moral life, that might prejudice him against me; but his
intentions were to let none preach in the island, unless he had a
written license to preach somewhere in America, or the West Indies;
at the same time he acknowledged that it was but a matter of mere
form. I informed his excellency that I had been regularly inducted
into the parish of Savannah; that I was ordained priest by letters
dismissory from my lord of London, and was under no church censure
from his lordship; and would always read the church prayers, if the
clergy would give me the use of their churches. I added farther,
that a minister's pulpit was always looked upon as his freehold; and
that I knew one clergyman who had denied his own diocesan the use
of his pulpit. But I told his excellency I was satisfied with the
liberty he allowed me, and would not act contrary to his injunction.
I then begged leave to be dismissed, as I was obliged to preach at
eleven o'clock. His excellency said he intended to do himself the
pleasure to hear me. At eleven, the church bell rung. The church
Bible, prayer-book, and cushion, were sent to the town-house. The
governor, several of the council, the minister of the parish, and
assembly-men, with a great number of the town's people, assembled in
great order. I was very sick, through a cold I caught last night;
but read the church prayers. The first lesson was the fifteenth
chapter of the first book of Samuel. I preached on those words,
'Righteousness exalteth a nation.' Being weak and faint, and
afflicted much with the headache, I did not do that justice to my
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account