Mr. Habersham, in another Letter, writes thus from Charles-Town.
June 11, 1741.
——SATAN rages furiously against our Orphan-House in this province: such lies and calumnies are raised against us, that our few dear friends think it necessary for me to represent the present state of the house. I have since been much in prayer, and believe God will direct me how to act. Some here, since you went away, have gone great lengths in asserting calumnies, even so as to offer to take oaths for the truth of them. Since I came, I went to them, to enquire what foundation they had for such reports; and it would surprise you to see their behaviour: they are ashamed to lift up their faces. Thus shall the wicked stand dumb at the bar of God. I think I can say, to the glory of God, that our family never was in a better condition. The children, the essence of our constitution, are well taken care of, and watched over. We all live in love. God has been visibly among us, especially with the children. Bethesda, as to its outward circumstances, is so much for the better, that you would be surprised to see it. God enables us to keep up much order. He likewise (blessed be his name) has given us the appearance of a plentiful crop. The garden and plantation now afford us many comfortable things, and in great plenty. Our stores are yet well stocked with flour and beef, &c. Mr. W—— behaves with great integrity, and is faithful in his work. The house would be soon finished, if we could get bricks. J. S. is ready to do all our bricklayers work gratis. Brother W—— is a great blessing to the family. If you come by way of Philadelphia, pray bring some hemp and coarse flax. He has weaved and spun a great deal for us. All the boys now lye in the great house. They have also coats, and lye in sheets of their own making: by this means they are kept sweet and clean. We have a fine growing stock of cattle; and if God should so order it, that we should have a plantation in Carolina, as I believe he will bring to pass, we shall need but little, if any, assistance from abroad. If our building were now done, our expences would be but trifling to what they have been.
Mr. Barber writes me thus.
Bethesda, September 4, 1741.
My dearly beloved Brother,
NOT knowing but our Lord may have business for you at the northward, and send you thither before you return to us; I have sent you a few lines, to acquaint you with the present state of your family. Many of us have been sick; but, blessed be God, our sickness has not been unto death. O that it may be for the glory of God’s name! All of us are in good health at present, except James M——h, who was taken with the flux a few days ago, and B. [♦]Habersham, who is much troubled with the worms. I wish I could say our souls were in as good health as our bodies are; but you may give thanks to the Lord, that he has made your house a house of mercy indeed to some. A few weeks ago, the Lord was pleased effectually to call Thomas W——b; his conversion was very clear, and much to the satisfaction of some, especially to his good old father. Mr. K——y, our taylor, and his wife, have been wrought upon, I hope savingly, since they have been here: I am not without hope that some of the children are likewise, and that the Lord in due time will convert more of them. I hope he is now shewing us that the work is wholly of him; that when the day of his power, the time, the appointed time of his love is come, we may be better prepared to give all the glory thereof to him. As to myself, I must confess that I am a poor worthless instrument, to be employed in the work of the Lord; but what shall we say, if the Lord is pleased to make use of the foolish to confound the wise? I have, blessed be God, had a little freedom given me lately to speak to your family; but I want to have my heart more and more enlarged towards them, and to speak to them more and more in the demonstration of the Spirit, and with power. Who knows? perhaps God designs you should have the honour and happiness of being the spiritual father of many more in your family. May the Lord’s will be done!
[♦] “Haversham” replaced with “Habersham”
I have also some letters of a later date, which give an account of the continuance of the Lord’s presence amongst them.
As for the temporal affairs, blessed be God, considering the great difficulties we have laboured under, they also have succeeded far beyond expectation.