Weak as Whitefield was, from his late attack of fever, as soon as he reached Savannah, he "joined in prayer and a psalm of thanksgiving" with Charles Delamotte, whom Wesley had left behind, and with "some pious souls," who rejoiced at his arrival. Next morning, May 8, as early as five o'clock, the ardent evangelist commenced his public labours by reading the Liturgy, and expounding the second lesson "to seventeen adults and twenty-five children." This was Whitefield's first congregation in America. During the day, he had an interview with the notorious Thomas Causton (the bitter enemy of Wesley), and with the other magistrates of this Liliputian kingdom of about five hundred souls. He says, they received him "with great civility;" and it was resolved by their magisterial highnesses that "he should have a house and tabernacle built at Frederica, and should serve at Savannah, when, and as long as he pleased." Whitefield adds: "I find there are many divisions amongst the inhabitants, but God, I hope, will make me an instrument of composing them." Whitefield's ardour in commencing his public labours was greater than his prudence. There was an immediate return of fever, and, for the next few days, he was entirely disabled. On Sunday, May 14, he "_attempted_ to read prayers, but was so faint and weak that he was obliged to leave off before he began the second service."[129] [129] At this period, Mr. William Stephens was the secretary of the Trustees of Georgia, and resided at Savannah. He afterwards published, in two octavo volumes, "A Journal of the Proceedings in Georgia," from which the following extracts are taken:-- "1738. May 21. Mr. Whitefield officiated this day at the church, and made a sermon very engaging to the most thronged congregation I had ever seen there." "May 28. Mr. Whitefield manifests great ability in the ministry, and his sermons to-day were very moving." "June 4. Mr. Whitefield's auditors increase daily, and the place of worship is far too small to contain the people who seek his doctrine." "June 18. Mr. Whitefield went on moving the people with his captivating discourses. A child being brought to church to be baptized, he performed that office by _sprinkling_, which gave great content to many who had taken great distaste at the form of _dipping_, so strictly required and so obstinately withstood by some parents that they have suffered their children to go without the benefit of that sacrament, till a convenient opportunity could be found of another minister to do that office." "July 2. Mr. Whitefield gains more and more on the affections of the people, by his labour and assiduity in the performance of divine offices; to which an open and easy deportment, without show of austerity, or singularity of behaviour in conversation, contribute not a little, and open the way for him to inculcate good precepts, with greater success, among his willing hearers." (Vol. i.)