A
VINDICATION, &c.
Cambuslang, August 31, 1742.
Reverend and dear Sir,
I HAVE read the pamphlet entitled, “The State of Religion in New-England, since the Reverend Mr. George Whitefield’s arrival there, in a letter from a gentleman in New-England to his friend in Glasgow.” I think the contents no way answer the title page. It rather ought to be intitled, The State of Religion falsely stated. For I am persuaded, some things are therein asserted, without sufficient evidence to prove them, and many more things falsely represented, and set in a wrong light: the design of the pamphlet itself is base and wicked. It is intended, if possible, to eclipse the late great and glorious work, begun and carried on for some time in New-England; to invalidate the testimonies that have been given of it, and thereby of consequence to bring a reproach upon, and to hinder the spreading of a like glorious work, which God of his infinite mercy has for some time been carrying on in this land. Give me leave to send you a few observations upon this anonymous pamphlet. I call it anonymous, because the publisher has not thought proper to put down the name of the writer of the first letter Mr. A. M. at length, which I think he was bound in duty to do. The publisher indeed, in the advertisement prefixed to the letter, tells us, “The reader may depend upon it, that the following letter is genuine, from a gentleman who hath always had a good character for sound understanding, integrity, sobriety of manners, piety; and, notwithstanding his engagements in secular affairs, has never been an unconcerned spectator of any thing that might affect the state of religion.” But I must beg the publisher’s pardon, if I tell him, that I am one of those readers who cannot depend upon all this, merely upon his desiring me to do so. For really there is one thing in the letter which makes me shrewdly suspect that the letter itself is not genuine, at least that there has been some additions made to it since it came to Scotland. For the supposed writer of this letter, page 15, says, “In the preface to the sermon published by Mr. Edwards of Northampton, which I see is reprinted among you.” Now how this gentleman could see at Boston, May 24, that Mr. Edwards’s sermon was reprinted in Scotland, which was not done till the June following, I know not. If it be said, that by the words among you he means in Britain, I see that the printed advertisement in the London Weekly History, of the publication of Mr. Edwards’s sermon in England, is dated May 1, and says, “This day is published.” I myself was one that was chiefly concerned in publishing of it. I sent the first copy to Scotland, and to my certain knowledge it was never published in Britain till May 1. Is it probable that people at Boston should know of this May 24? What a character this gentleman has always had for “sound understanding, integrity, sobriety of manners and piety,” I will not take upon me to determine, nor does the publisher give us opportunity to know what character the gentleman really has had, since he does not publish his name: but however that be, I fear he has forfeited his good character “for sound understanding, integrity and piety,” by writing this letter. And though he may not be altogether an “unconcerned spectator of any thing that might affect religion,” yet I fear he has been so taken up with “his engagements in secular affairs,” that he hath not given himself sufficient time to enquire into matters of fact, but has heard with others ears, and seen with others eyes, and has not himself attended as he ought, to the one thing needful.
He says in the beginning of his letter, page the 3d, “I am sorry you have had such accounts of persons, and things, transmitted you from this country, as you mention in your letter; they are far from being true, and must come from men of narrow minds, and great bigotry, or from such as basely affect popularity, or from well-meaning weak christians, of little knowledge of human nature, or the history of mankind.” What accounts this gentleman refers to I know not. If he means the accounts in the Weekly History, as I suppose he does; I think this gentleman is sadly mistaken. Most of the accounts were transmitted by the honourable Mr. Williard, secretary of the province. The Rev. Dr. Colman, the Rev. Mr. Cooper, the Rev. Mr. Prince: persons I am intimately acquainted with, and who are by no means “Men of narrow minds, great bigotry, or little knowledge of human nature, or the history of mankind: but have deservedly had a good character for sound understanding, integrity, sobriety of manners and piety:” Some of these were honoured several years ago with degrees, by the university of Glasgow, upon recommendation from the Honourable society at Edinburgh for Propagating Christian Knowledge; of which society several of the most intelligent gentlemen in the nation are members: such honours were done to Messrs. Colman, Prince, and Cooper.
Now whether they, or this anonymous writer, are to be most credited, I leave any reasonable man to judge. Indeed he boldly asserts, “That these accounts are not true:” but what proofs does he bring of the falsity of them? None at all. Let us but know who this writer is, I am persuaded my honoured friends at Boston, will soon bring him to the test of these assertions.
He goes on thus “Indeed some persons of very good sense were once inclined to think God was doing wonders in this place.” (Boston) And I am persuaded these very same persons have not altered their opinion yet, but actually believe that God has done wonders; if turning people from darkness to light, and making them new creatures, is doing wonders.
“But that was a time when a superstitious panic ran very high, and bore down every body that was not well fixed and established; either by a natural steadiness of temper, or by strong reasoning and reflections. But as soon as the passions of the people subsided, and men could coolly and calmly consider, almost every one of but tolerable sense and understanding in religious matters, in great measure changed their opinions of the spirit that prevailed here, and had been raised by Whitefield and Tennent.”
What had been raised by Mr. Whitefield and Tennent? God forbid! that either Mr. Tennent or I should ascribe any of that work to ourselves. No, it was raised by the Holy Spirit of God. It was no superstitious panic, but a plentiful effusion of the Holy Ghost. It’s true, it did run high; glory be to God for it! and did bear down every body, except those who would not submit to the Redeemer’s scepter, through self-righteousness and unbelief; which I am afraid this writer terms, natural steadiness of temper, strong reasoning and reflection. Nor is it true that “Almost every one of but tolerable understanding in religious matters, in a great measure have changed their opinions of the spirit that prevailed at that time.” No, dear Sir, they yet believe it to be a glorious work of God, as is evident from the late writings of some of these eminent ministers in New-England, just mentioned.
What the writer says of me in the following paragraph, page 4th, is not worthy notice. He is welcome to make as free with my character as he pleases, and I freely forgive him. However I thank him for doing me the justice to say, “That I collected money for the Orphan-house in Georgia.” It was not then for myself; nor does he charge me with embezzelling the 5 or 600 l. He could not do this justly, because before the writing of this letter, an account came to Boston how I had expended it. And as for being “A bold and importunate beggar,” I acknowledge I learned that from the wise Man, who tells me, “Whatever thou findest in thy hand to do, do it with all thy might;” and from the apostle Paul, who in the second epistle to the Corinthians, chapter viii. 9. shews himself to be the most bold, insinuating and importunate beggar for pious uses, that I ever yet met with.