The persons lately awakened, were deeply distressed, and appeared earnestly [♦]solicitous to obtain an interest in Christ: and some of them, in anguish of spirit, said, “They knew not what to do, nor how to get their wicked hearts changed.”
[♦] “solicitious” replaced with “solicitous”
November 28. After public service was over, I asked one of the Indians who wept most affectionately, “What she now wanted?” She replied, “Oh to be with Christ! She did not know how to stay.” This was a blessed refreshing season to the religious people in general. The Lord Jesus Christ seemed to manifest his divine glory to them, as when transfigured before his disciples. And they were ready universally to say, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.”
The influence of God’s word was not confined to those who had given evidences of being truly gracious, though I calculated my discourse for, and directed it chiefly to such: but it appeared to be a season of divine power in the whole assembly; so that most were, in some measure affected. And one aged man in particular, lately awakened, was now brought under deep and pressing concern, and was earnestly inquisitive “how he might find Jesus Christ.”
God seems still to vouchsafe the influence of his blessed Spirit, in all our meetings for divine worship.
November 30. I preached near night, after having spent some hours in private conference with some of my people. I explained the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Luke xvi. 19. 26. The word made powerful impressions upon many, especially while I discoursed of the blessedness of “Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom.” This I could perceive, affected them much more than what I spoke of the rich man’s torments. And thus it has been usually with them. They have appeared much more affected with the comfortable than the dreadful truths of God’s word. And that which has distressed many of them under convictions, is, that they wanted, and could not obtain the happiness of the godly; they have often appeared to be more affected with this, than with the terrors of hell. But whatever be the means of their awakening, it is plain, numbers are made deeply sensible of their sin and misery, the wickedness of their own hearts, their utter inability to help themselves, or come to Christ for help, without divine assistance.
Lord’s-day, December 1. I gave them particular cautions and directions relating to their conduct in divers respects. And pressed them to watchfulness in all their deportment, seeing they were encompassed with those that “waited for their halting,” and who stood ready to draw them into temptations of every kind, and then to expose religion on their account.
Monday, December 9. I spent most of the day in procuring provisions, in order to my setting up house-keeping among the Indians.
Tuesday, December 10. Towards night I got into my own house.[¹]
[¹] This is the third house that he built to dwell in by himself among the Indians: the first at Kaunaumeek in the county of Albany: the second at the Forks of Delaware in Pensylvania; and now this at Crosweeksung in New-Jersey.