Required reading
The Journals of George Whitefield (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude 'From his embarking after the embargo...' by reading up to the heading 'North Carolina'.
My summary
This week we read of Whitefield's time in:
(i) Eden Town;
(ii) Bath-Town;
(iii) Newborn Town;
(iv) New Town on Cape Fear River;
(v) Charlestown;
(vi) Beaufort in Port Royal.
Whitefield was travelling a lot throughout today's reading and only preaching to smaller numbers (usually with little effect).
One of his common complaints today was the prevalence of dancing masters in towns in comparison to faithful ministers.
At the close of the journal Whitefield gave a series of summaries on the state of religion in the provinces he had passed through, including:
(i) Pennsylvania;
(ii) New York;
(iii) Maryland;
(iv) North Carolina;
(v) South Carolina;
(vi) Georgia.
What grabbed me
I liked Whitefield's comment about negative newspaper reports: 'The honest old man told us, that his son-in-law, who lived about three miles off, ever since he heard of me in the News, wished that I would come thither.— This is not the first time, by many, that I have found the advantage of the things my adversaries have inserted in the public papers: They do but excite people's curiosity, and serve to raise their attention, while all men of seriousness and candor naturally infer that some good must be doing where such stories and falsities are invented. It often gives, me unspeakable comfort, to see how wisely God over-rules every thing for the good of his church.'
For Whitefield, all publicity was good publicity!
Next week's reading
Commence 'After his arrival at Georgia...' by reading up to the heading 'Brunswick, Woodbridge, Elizabeth Town and New York'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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