EVER since the Lord has been pleased to put me into the ministry, it has been my constant prayer to God, that I might provide things honest in the sight of all men. Not one part of my outward conduct, as I know of, hath passed unobserved and uncensured by some wicked unreasonable men: but what seems to have given the greatest offence, and caused the loudest outcry, has been my making public collections for an Orphan-House in Georgia.
Some indeed affirm that there is no such thing. But how it could enter into the heart of any to say so, I should not have conceived, unless the scripture had said, the heart of man is desperately wicked.
Somewhat more than a twelve-month ago, I printed an account of the situation and oeconomy of the Orphan-House, and what I was in arrears when I left Georgia, January 1741. My chief design now, is, to give a short account of the progress of the work since, both as to our temporal and spiritual concerns, so far as lies in my power.
The salvation of souls is the chief thing I had in view, when God put it into my heart to build this house. I would then begin with that first.
And here I would pause a while, and acknowledge that I am much indebted to the divine goodness, for what he has already done for many souls, since its first institution. I must confess, to the glory of God, it has far exceeded my expectations.
During the time I was among them, before my going to, and after my return from, Philadelphia, Boston, &c. there were several remarkable awakenings amongst the children, and others, belonging to the house, much resembling the blessed awakening now at Cambuslang, and other places in these kingdoms; as will appear from consulting some of my latest Journals. Just before I came last away, the Lord was much amongst us; at which time, a young man, about twenty-one years of age, was converted, who since has been made a blessed instrument of converting many poor negroes in South-Carolina. Several others also, that came to pay us a visit at the Orphan-House, were really brought home to God, and now bring forth the fruits of the spirit in their lives and conversations. How it has been with my family since my departure, will best appear by publishing some extracts from the letters which have been sent me from time to time, since my departure.
Mr. Habersham, superintendent of the outward affairs in the Orphan-House, and who, I am persuaded, loves the Lord Jesus in sincerity, writes me thus:
Bethesda, March 24, 1741.
My dearest Friend and Brother,
——THE spirit of the Lord seems to be moving upon the faces of many souls here; most, if not all the boys, seem to be under some concern; little as well as great boys, cry mightily to Jesus the son of David, to have mercy upon them. About fourteen days ago, at brother Barber’s request, I spoke to the children at evening prayer. My soul at that time was bowed down with a sense of my own, and especially of your poor lambs deadness to God; but our gracious Redeemer, who is always ready to help in time of need, was pleased to give me power to speak to their consciences. I think I could and did justly appeal to their hearts, that they wanted neither bodily or spiritual food: I told them, that they, as well as myself, could not be insensible what little care was taken of them before they came to us, and consequently how ungrateful they were not to improve such means as they now enjoyed: I beseeched them, by the mercies of God, that they would improve this their day of salvation, that we and our benefactors might rejoice; we in the work of our hands, they in the fruit of their bounty. An impression was made on some; I observed them the next day retire into the woods, to sing and pray together. Two nights afterwards, I spoke to them again, and as I promised, so I returned them my public thanks for their little amendment, with tears of love and joy: I felt the Lord powerfully on my own soul, and it seemed to reach the children, and put them under a visible concern. Ever since, brother Barber has put the great boys into two companies, and they constantly meet together every day to sing and pray. Saturday, the 21st instant, the presence of the Lord came down among the children, little and great, as they were talking among themselves about eternity; and they cried so much to Jesus of Nazareth, to have mercy upon them, that the family soon heard them. We all went, saw, and wept over about twenty-five or thirty dear lambs, upon their knees before God, some pleading the promises, and others calling on Jesus. O how did my hard heart rejoice! Blessed be God, many of them seem to retain their convictions, and all are serious. Does not your soul leap for joy, and say, Bless the Lord, O my friends, and let us magnify his name together! Indeed, my dear brother, all the glory is due to him. Whilst I am writing, I blush, that I should mention any thing about what I was only in a little measure an instrument. Methinks I could wish to disappear, that the creature might be abased, and God be all in all. I have great hopes that God will bring some effectually to himself. The work seems to be more solid among them, and more the effect of consideration, than that of last summer. I rejoice much, that the Lord sent brother Barber among us; for I have neither leisure nor ability to speak much to the children, and he seems to delight to watch over their souls: I trust the Lord will make him a blessing to us all; I think it will be our own fault if he is not. One or two of the labourers, I hope, have closed with Jesus for salvation; and one or two more are in a fair way to do so.