III.

In midst of dangers, fears and deaths Thy goodness we’ll adore, And praise thee for thy mercies past, And humbly hope for more.

_January, 14, 1743._

SINCE the foregoing papers were sent to the press, I have received letters from Mr. _B――――r_ and Mr. _H――――m_, the persons who superintend the spiritual and temporal affairs of the Orphan-house, dated in _October_ last; by which I am informed that all was well, and that the family was mercifully supplied with things convenient for them. I don’t hear that any of the family have been taken off by the late sickness; but am informed of the death of one Mrs. _Dudding_, (a person converted at the Orphan-house some time ago): she went with the family into _Carolina_, where she staid after they returned, and there died triumphantly.

Mr. _Bolzius_, one of the _Saltzburghers_ ministers, writes to me thus,

_Ebenezer_ in _Georgia_, _September 22, 1742_.

_Reverend and dear Sir_,

IT was with great satisfaction that I received the favour of your letter, dated _M――――_ the 5th of _October_ last, in which you acquainted me with the joyful news, that the LORD has been pleased to bless your kind endeavours of collecting twenty pounds for our poor people, on which our mill, and especially our Orphan-house had its share according to your intention and order. This great blessing is delivered into my hand by Mr. _H――――m_, our dear friend and favourer, and is laid out in such a manner, that I hope, to have obtained the end, at which you aim in all your actions, and in this act of love too, _viz._ to promote the great giver’s, our heavenly father’s glory and our people’s welfare. May it please an almighty and merciful GOD to reward you and all our benefactors many-fold for this and many more testimonies of your and their real favours, and let descend upon your worthy person and holy ministry as many blessings to your spiritual and temporal welfare, as prayers and hearty wishes do ascend to the throne of grace from our hearts and lips in publick and private.

GOD has been pleased to visit me and my fellow-labourer with dangerous sickness, but has graciously restored our health for our better being prepared to the heavenly and blessed regions, and for being in some measure, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, useful to shew our hearers the way through CHRIST to the Father, and their eternal happiness. Many in our congregation have been dangerously sick, and some died in peace; the rest begin to recover by degrees. Good Dr. _Hunter_¹ has been mighty useful and assistive to the inhabitants of _Savannah_ in their long and dangerous sicknesses; and GOD has blessed his cures with very good effects; and I am in hopes some people there will begin to be sensible of the many blessings that flow from _Bethesda_ upon them, and praise with us the LORD for his great kindness and mercy in having raised this house of mercy to many grown people’s and children’s spiritual and temporal welfare. If GOD should give me the pleasure of seeing you here again, and being edify’d by your conversation, I would humbly thank him for it; but if he is pleased to carry either of us from this to a better world, then we will see not only one another happily, but our glorious Redeemer also face to face for ever, to his infinite praise and our eternal happiness, at which my brother _Gronau_, myself, our families, and several of our congregation aim by all means and strength, which GOD gives us from the merits of his beloved son, our dear Saviour. To his infinite mercy and gracious conduct I commit you, and me with our people, Orphan-house, my fellow-labourer Mr. _Gronau_, and our families, who all salute you very heartily, to the continuance of your favour and kind remembrance before GOD and men, remaining sincerely,

Reverend and dear Sir, your unworthy brother, and humble servant in CHRIST,

_John Martin Bolzius_.

¹ The Surgeon belonging to the Orphan-house.

Continuation of the ACCOUNT and PROGRESS, &c. of the ORPHAN-HOUSE.

_Bethesda, March 21, 1746._

_Sir_,

SOME months have I been here, and now think it high time, according to my promise, to send you as explicit an account, as I well can, of the _progress_, and _present situation_ of the Orphan-house. Some have thought, that the erecting such a building was only the produce of my own brain; but they are much mistaken. It was first proposed to me by my dear friend the reverend Mr. _Charles Wesley_, who, with his excellency General ♦_Oglethorpe_, had concerted a scheme for carrying on such a design, before I had any thoughts of going abroad myself. It was natural to think, that as the government intended this province for the refuge and support of many of our poor countrymen, that numbers of such adventurers must necessarily be taken off, by being exposed to the hardships which unavoidably attend a new settlement. I thought it therefore a noble design in general, to erect a house for fatherless children. And believing such a provision for orphans would be some inducement with many to come over, I fell in with the design, when mentioned to me by my friend, and was resolved, in the strength of GOD, to prosecute it with all my might. This was mentioned to the honourable the trustees. They took it kindly at my hands; and as I then began to be pretty popular at _Bristol_, and elsewhere, they wrote to the _Bishop_ of _Bath_ and _Wells_, for leave for me to preach a charity-sermon on this occasion in the abbey-church. This was granted, and I accordingly began immediately to compose a suitable discourse: but knowing my first stay at _Georgia_ would be but short, on account of my returning again to take priests orders, I thought it most prudent, first to go and see for myself, and defer prosecuting the scheme till I came home: because I could then be better able to judge, whether the scheme was practicable, and consequently could be able to recommend it with the greater earnestness. When I came to _Georgia_, I found many poor orphans, who though taken notice of by the honourable trustees, yet through the neglect of persons that acted under them, were in miserable circumstances. For want of a house to breed them up in, the poor little ones were tabled out here and there, and besides the hurt they received by bad examples, forgot at home what they learnt at school. Others were at hard services, and likely to have no education at all. Upon seeing this, and finding that his majesty and parliament had the interest of this colony much at heart, I thought I could not better shew my regard to GOD and my country, than by getting a house and land for these children, where they might learn to labour, read, and write, and at the same time be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. Accordingly, at my return to _England_ in the year 1738, to take priest orders, I applied to the honourable society for a grant of five-hundred acres of land, and laid myself under an obligation to build a house upon it, and to receive from time to time, as many orphans as the land and stock would maintain. As I had always acted like a clergyman of the church of _England_, having preached in many of the _London_ churches, and as I had but a few months before collected near a thousand pounds _Sterling_, for the children belonging to the charity-schools in _London_ and _Westminster_; it was natural to think, that I might now have the use at least of some of these churches to preach in, for the orphans hereafter more immediately to be committed to my care. But by the time I had taken priests orders, the spirit of the clergy began to be much imbittered. Churches were gradually denied to me. And I must let this good design drop, and thousands (I might add ten thousands) go without hearing the word of GOD, or preach in the fields. Indeed two churches, one in _London_ (_Spittle-fields_) and one in _Bristol_ (St. _Philip_’s and _Jacob_) were lent me upon this occasion; but those were all. However, GOD kept me from being discouraged. I collected for the Orphan-house in _Moorfields_, two and fifty pounds one sabbath-day morning; twenty-two pounds of which was in copper. It would have rejoiced your heart to see the people give; they offered willingly, and took more pains to come through the crowd and put their contributions into my hat, than some would to have gotten them. Thousands of prayers were put up with the alms that were given, and I trust both went up as a memorial before GOD. In the afternoon I collected again at _Kennington-Common_, and continued to do so at most of the places where I preached. Besides this, two or three of the _Bishops_, and several persons of distinction contributed; till at length, having about a thousand and ten pounds, I gave over collecting, and went with what I had to _Georgia_. At that time multitudes offered to accompany me; but I chose to take over only a surgeon, and a few more of both sexes, that I thought would be useful in carrying on my design. These chearfully embarked with me, desiring nothing for their pains, but food and raiment. My dear fellow-traveller, _William Seward_, Esq. also joined with them, and was particularly useful to me on this occasion. Our first voyage was to _Philadelphia_, where I was willing to go for the sake of laying in provision. Having a Captain of a ship with me, who had been my spiritual child, by his advice, I laid out in _London_ a good part of the thousand pounds for goods; and by his care and that of my other fellow-travellers, without any trouble to myself, got as much by them at _Philadelphia_ as nearly defrayed the family’s expence of coming over. Here GOD blessed my ministry daily, and begun that work in _Philadelphia_, which, I am persuaded, will be remembered through the ages of eternity. _January_ following, 1739, I met my family at _Georgia_, and being unwilling to lose any time, I hired a large house, and took in all the Orphans I could find in the colony. A great many also of the town’s children came to school _gratis_, and many poor people who could not maintain their children, upon application, had leave given them to send their little ones for a month or two, or more, as they could spare them, till at length my family consisted of between sixty and seventy. Most of the orphans were in poor case; and three or four almost eaten up with lice. I likewise erected an _Infirmary_, in which many sick people were cured and taken care of _gratis_. I have now by me a list of upwards of a hundred and thirty patients, who were under the Surgeon’s hands, exclusive of my own private family. This Surgeon I furnished with all proper drugs and utensils, which put me to no small expence; and this was still increased by clearing land, buying stock, and building a large dwelling-house, sixty-feet by forty, and out-houses, commodious for a large family to live in. Sometimes (labourers and all) I have had a hundred and twenty to provide for daily. My friends, as well as myself, seemed to have particular courage and faith given us for the season; and we went on chearfully, believing that He for whose sake we began, would enable us to finish this good work. About _March_ I began the great house, having only about one hundred and fifty pounds in cash. I called it _Bethesda_, because I hoped it would be a house of mercy to many souls. Blessed be GOD, we have not been disappointed of our hope; it has proved a house of mercy indeed to many. Several of our labourers, as well as visitors, have (in a judgment of charity) been born of GOD here, and given evident proofs of it, by bringing forth the fruits of the spirit. Many boys have been put out to trades, and many girls put out to service. I had pleasure the other day, of seeing three boys work at the house in which they were bred, one of them out of his time, a journeyman, and the others serving under their masters. One that I brought from _New-England_ is handsomely settled in _Carolina_, and another from _Philadelphia_ is married, and lives very comfortably at _Savannah_. How so large a family has been supported in such a colony, without any visible fund, is wonderful! I am surprized when I look back, and see, how for these six years last past, GOD has spread a table in the wilderness for so many persons. Were all the particular providences that have attended this work recorded, perhaps they would be found not inferior to those mentioned by Professor _Franck_, in his _Pietas Hallensis_, whose memory is very precious to me, and whose example has a thousand times been blessed to strengthen and encourage me in the carrying on this enterprize. My being detained so long in _England_, has been a little detrimental to me, my friends not knowing so well how to act, because they expected to see me daily. And I cannot yet say that I have surmounted the first year’s expence, which indeed was very great, and greater no doubt than it would be now, after my friends have had so many years experience in the colony. However, I doubt not, but by the blessing of GOD, in a short time to pay off my arrears, and then the family will be maintained at a small expence. My standing annual charges are now but trifling to what they have been; and my friends have raised an annual subscription sufficient for discharging it, till the family may be able to provide for itself. This, GOD willing, I hope will be, in a good measure, speedily effected. We have lately begun to use the plow; and next year I hope to have many acres of good oats and barley. We have near twenty sheep and lambs, fifty head of cattle, and seven horses. We hope to kill a thousand weight of pork this season. Our garden, which is very beautiful, furnishes us with all sorts of greens, &c. We have plenty of milk, eggs, poultry, and make a good deal of butter weekly. A great quantity of wool and cotton has been given me, and we hope to have sufficient spun and wove for the next winter’s cloathing. If the vines hit, we may expect two or three hogsheads of wine out of the vineyard. The family now consists of twenty-six persons. Two of the orphan boys are blind, one is little better than an idiot. But notwithstanding, they are useful in the family, one in the field, and the other in the kitchen. I have two women to take care of the houshold work, and three men and two boys employed about the plantation and cattle. A sett of _Dutch_ servants has been lately sent over: the magistrates were pleased to give me two; and I took in a poor old widow, aged near seventy, whom no body else cared to have. A valuable young man from _New-England_ is my school-master, and in my absence performs duty in the family. Sabbath-days the grown people attend public worship at _Savannah_, or at _White-bluff_, a village near _Bethesda_, where a _Dutch_ minister officiates. My dear friends who have hitherto been my assistants, being married and having three or four children, thought it best, as most suitable to the institution, to remove: GOD has mercifully provided for them, and they are comfortably settled at _Savannah_ and elsewhere: we frequently write to and hear from one another. I need not trouble you with the order of our family. It is pretty near the same as usual, and I do not think to make any material alteration for some time. Many have applied to me to take in their children as boarders, and erect a public school: but I have not yet determined. It is certain such a school would be exceedingly useful in this part of the world, if there should be a peace, not only for these northern parts of the colony, but also for the more southern parts of _Carolina_, _Purisburgh_, and _Frederica_, where are many fine youths. I have been prevailed on to take one from _Frederica_, and another from _Purisburgh_, and it may be shall admit more. For the present, considering the situation of affairs, I think it most prudent to go on making what improvements I can on the plantation, and shall bring a tutor with me from the northward in the fall, to teach a few youths the languages, and enlarge the family, when affairs are more settled. The house is a noble commodious building, and every thing well adapted for bringing up youth. Here is land to employ them in exercising their bodies, and to keep them from idleness out of school hours. Here are none of the temptations to debauch their tender minds, which are common to more populous countries, or in places where children must necessarily be brought up with negroes. What GOD intends to do with the colony is not for me to enquire: secret things belong to him. It has hitherto been wonderfully preserved, and the Orphan-house, like the burning bush, has flourished unconsumed. In fine, the government has, no doubt, its welfare much at heart: and, GOD willing, I intend to carry on my design till I see the colony sink or swim. The money that has been expended on the Orphan-house, and Orphan-house family, has been of vast service to this northern part of the colony. And though it has been greatly detrimental to my own private interest, yet I do not repent of the undertaking. No, I rejoice in it daily, and hope yet to see many more souls born unto GOD here. I have had a very comfortable winter. The people of _Savannah_, having no minister till lately, gladly accepted my labours; and at _Frederica_, the gentlemen and soldiers of General ♦_Oglethorpe_’s regiment, as well as the inhabitants of that town, received me very gladly. Major _Horton_ seems to behave very well; he has a very fine growing plantation. I saw barley in the ear the first of _March_. _Georgia_ is very healthy. Not above one, and that a little child, has died out of our family, since it removed to _Bethesda_. I think the colony (were the inhabitants sufficiently numerous) is capable of as good improvement as any on the continent.

♦ “Oglethorp” replaced with “Oglethorpe”

For the satisfaction of my friends, and silencing, if possible, my enemies, I have had my accounts from the very beginning to _January_ last, publickly audited and examined, debtor and creditor, article by article; and an oath for confirmation, being an end of all strife, I have sworn to them. If it gives you or others any satisfaction, I shall be glad. I have no more to add, but to beg a continued interest in your prayers, and subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate friend, and servant,

_G. W._

To his Excellency JAMES WRIGHT, Esq. Captain General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty’s province of _Georgia_, and to the members of his Majesty’s council in the said province.

_The_ MEMORIAL _of_ George Whitefield, _Clerk_,

SHEWETH,

THAT about twenty-five years ago, your memorialist, assisted by the voluntary contributions of charitable and well disposed persons, at a very great expence, and under many disadvantages, did erect a commodious house, with necessary out-buildings, suitable for the reception of orphans, and other poor and deserted children; and that with the repair of the buildings, purchase of negroes, and supporting a large orphan family for so many years, he hath expended upwards of twelve thousand pounds sterling, as appears by the accounts, which from time to time have been audited by the magistrates of _Savannah_.

That your memorialist, since the commencement of this institution, hath had the satisfaction of finding, that by the money expended thereon, not only many poor families were assisted, and thereby kept from leaving the colony in its infant state, but also that a considerable number of poor helpless children have been trained up; who have been, and now are useful settlers in this and the other neighbouring provinces.

That in order to render the institution aforesaid more extensively useful, your memorialist, as he perceived the colony gradually increasing, hath for some years past designed within himself, to improve the original plan, by making further provision for the education of persons of superior rank; who thereby might be qualified to serve their king, their country, and their GOD, either in church or state. That he doth with inexpressible pleasure, see the present very flourishing state of the province; but with concern perceives that several gentlemen have been obliged to send their sons to the northern provinces; who would much rather have had them educated nearer home, and thereby prevent their affections being alienated from their native country, and also keep considerable sums of money from being carried out of this into other provinces.

Your memorialist further observes, that there is no seminary for academical studies as yet founded, southward of _Virginia_; and consequently if a college could be established here (especially as the late addition of the two _Floridas_ renders _Georgia_ more centrical for the southern district) it would not only be highly serviceable to the rising generation of this colony, but would probably occasion many youths to be sent from the _British West India_ islands and other parts. The many advantages accruing thereby to this province, must be very considerable.

From these considerations, your memorialist is induced to believe, that the time is now approaching, when his long projected design for further serving this his beloved colony, shall be carried into execution.

That a considerable sum of money is intended speedily to be laid out in purchasing a large number of negroes, for the further cultivation of the present Orphan-house, and other additional lands, and for the future support of a worthy able president, professors, and tutors, and other good purposes intended.

Your memorialist therefore prays your Excellency and Honours to grant to him in trust, for the purposes aforesaid, two thousand acres of land, on the north fork of _Turtle River_, called the _Lesser Swamp_, if vacant, or where lands may be found vacant, south of the river _Altamaha_.

_G. W._

_Savannah in Georgia_,

_December 18, 1764_.

The ADDRESS of both Houses of Assembly in GEORGIA.

To his Excellency JAMES WRIGHT, Esq. Captain General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty’s province of _Georgia_.

_May it please your Excellency_,

WE his Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the council and commons house of assembly of _Georgia_, in general assembly met, beg leave to acquaint your Excellency, that with the highest satisfaction we learn, that the Rev. Mr. _George Whitefield_ has applied for lands, in order to the endowment of a College in this province. The many and singular obligations _Georgia_ has continually laid under to that reverend gentleman, from its very infant state, would in gratitude induce us, by every means in our power, to promote any measure he might recommend; but in the present instance, where the interest of the province, the advancement of religion, and the pleasing prospect of obtaining proper education for our youth, so clearly coincide with his views, we cannot in justice but request your Excellency to use your utmost endeavours to promote so desirable an event, and to transmit home our sincere and very fervent wishes, for the accomplishment of so useful, so beneficent, and so laudable an undertaking.

By order of the upper House.

JAMES HABERSHAM, President.

_December 20, 1764._

By order of the Commons House.

ALEX. WYLLY, Speaker.

To which his Excellency was pleased to return the following Answer.

_Gentlemen_,

I AM so perfectly sensible of the very great advantage which will result to the province in general, from the establishment of a seminary for learning here, that it gives me the greatest pleasure to find so laudable an undertaking proposed by the Rev. Mr. _Whitefield_. The friendly and zealous disposition of that gentleman, to promote the prosperity of this province, has been often experienced; and you may rest assured, that I shall transmit your address home, with my best endeavours for the success of the great point in view.

JAMES WRIGHT.

_December 20, 1764._

A Letter to his Excellency Governor WRIGHT, giving an account of the steps taken, relative to the converting the GEORGIA ORPHAN-HOUSE into a COLLEGE: Together with the literary correspondence that passed upon that subject, between his Grace the Archbishop of _Canterbury_ and the Reverend Mr. _Whitefield_.

_Provide things honest in the sight of all men._ Romans xii. 14.

_Honoured Sir_,

AS your Excellency, together with the members of his Majesty’s honourable council, and house of representatives, were pleased at my late visit to the Orphan-house, not only highly to approve of, but also deeply to interest yourselves in the design of converting the present _Georgia_ Orphan-house into a college; so I am persuaded, you make no doubts but that ever since my arrival in _England_, _July 1765_, I have exerted my utmost efforts in endeavouring to bring this important affair to a desirable issue. To mention all the various circumstances which have occurred during that interval, to impede and retard its more speedy prosecution, would be tedious and unnecessary: I would therefore only inform your Excellency, that about fifteen months ago, a memorial was delivered into the hands of the late clerk of his Majesty’s most honourable privy council. That this memorial was by him transmitted to the Lord President, and by his Lordship referred to the consideration of his Grace the Archbishop of _Canterbury_; that by his Grace’s permission a literary correspondence ensued; but as that correspondence, and with that, the negociation itself seems at an end, I think it my duty, not only to lay an account of the whole before your Excellency in particular; but, through your Excellency’s hands, before his Majesty’s council and house of representatives of the colony of _Georgia_, together with all the other _American_ colonists, and the public in general, on both sides the water, who have so liberally contributed to the promoting this design.

To the KING’s most Excellent MAJESTY.

_The_ MEMORIAL _of_ George Whitefield, _Clerk_,

SHEWETH,

THAT about twenty-six years ago, your memorialist, assisted by the voluntary contributions of charitable and well disposed persons, at a very great expence, and under many disadvantages, did erect a very commodious house, with necessary out-buildings, suitable for the reception of orphans and other poor and deserted children; and that with the repair of the buildings, purchase of negroes, and supporting a large orphan family so many years, he hath expended upwards of twelve thousand pounds sterling, as appears by the accounts, which from time to time have been audited by the magistrates of _Savannah_, and which are humbly presented with this memorial.

That your memorialist, since the commencement of this institution, hath had the satisfaction of finding, that by the money expended thereon, not only many poor families were assisted and thereby kept from leaving the colony in its infant state; but also that a considerable number of poor helpless children have been trained up, who have been, and are now useful settlers in this and the other neighbouring provinces; that in order to render the institution aforesaid more extensively useful, your memorialist, as he perceived the colony gradually rising, hath for some years past designed, within himself, to improve the original plan, by making further provision for the education of persons of superior rank, who thereby may be qualified to serve their king, their country, and their God, either in church or state.

That in his late visit to _Georgia_, he did with inexpressible pleasure see the province in a very flourishing state; but with concern perceived that several gentlemen had been obliged to send their sons to the northern provinces, who would much rather have had them educated nearer home; and thereby prevent their affections being alienated from their native country, and also considerable sums of money from being carried out of _Georgia_ into other provinces.

Your memorialist begs leave further to observe, that there is no seminary for academical studies as yet founded southward of _Virginia_; and consequently if a college could be established (especially as the addition of the two _Floridas_ renders _Georgia_ more centrical for the southern district) it would not only be highly serviceable to the rising generation of the colony of _Georgia_, but would probably occasion many youths to be sent from the neighbouring southern provinces for education. The many advantages accruing to _Georgia_ thereby, must necessarily be very considerable.

That in consideration of the foregoing premises, your memorialist, in _December 1764_, presented a memorial to his Excellency the Governor, and the honourable the council of the province of _Georgia_, praying that two thousand acres of land might be granted in trust, towards carrying on the desirable end of founding a College; which motion was not only immediately complied with, but the general assembly being then sitting, an address, a copy of which is herewith also sent, was presented from them to his Excellency, expressing their unanimous and highest approbation, with a desire that his Excellency would use his endeavours to have this affair forwarded at home with all possible expedition. That upon the arrival of your Memorialist, he was informed that this address was remitted to, and laid before the Lords Commissioners for trade and plantations; and having received repeated advices, that numbers both in _Georgia_ and _South-Carolina_ are waiting with impatience to have their sons initiated in academical exercises; your Memorialist therefore prays, that a charter upon the plan of _New-Jersey_ College may be granted; upon which your Memorialist is ready to give up his present trust, and make a free gift of all lands, negroes, goods, and chattels, which he now stands possessed of in the province of _Georgia_, for the present founding, and towards the future support of a College, to be called by the name of _Bethesda_ College in the province of _Georgia_.

_Mr._ Whitefield _to the Archbishop_.

_June 17, 1767._

_May it please your Grace_,

I THINK myself highly honoured in the L―――― P――――t’s referring a late memorial to your Grace’s consideration; and as highly obliged to your Grace, for the deep attention your Grace hath given to the copy of an intended charter presented to your Grace by the E―――― of _D――――h_. The inclosed will shew, what an almost implicit regard hath been paid to your Grace’s wise remarks, and judicious corrections. I wish it could have been altogether implicit; but circumstances are such, (as hath been hinted to your Grace by L―――― _D――――h_) that I cannot, in honour and conscience, _oblige_ the master of the _Georgia_ College to be a member or minister of the church of _England_. Such an obligation, I am persuaded, hath greatly retarded the progress of the College of _New-York_; as on the contrary, the letter signed by your Grace, Proprietor _Pen_, and the late Dr. _Chandler_; engaging, that institution shall be continued on a BROAD BOTTOM, hath as much promoted the growth of the College of _Philadelphia_. The trustees of that seminary (as your Grace is pleased to observe) have agreed, “That their Provost shall always be a minister of the established church.” But then I would beg leave to reply, that they are not thereto _enjoined_ by their charter. That is entirely silent concerning this matter: their agreement is purely voluntary. The wardens of the College of _Georgia_ will not be prohibited by charter, from following the example of the trustees of the College of _Philadelphia_. It is more than probable they will never need it. The first Master will assuredly be a clergyman of the church of _England_. By far the majority of the intended wardens, are, and always will be members of that communion; and consequently the choice of a Master will always continue to run in that channel. My heart’s desire is, that some worthy duly qualified minister of the church of _England_ may be always and readily found for that grand purpose. But lest this should not always be the case, I dare not, as persons of all denominations have been contributors, confine or fetter the future electors. The monies gained by the _New-York_ lotteries, for the erecting a college in _New-York_, were thrown in by persons of all religious persuasions, in confidence, that the College would hereafter be founded on an enlarged basis. And therefore, very great numbers, may it please your Grace, think, and for ever will think themselves injured, by its being confined within its present contracted boundary. Hence it is, that many fine promising youths are almost daily sent from the college in their native city, to that of _New-Jersey_. I dread giving the same occasion of resentment and offence: and therefore am determined to avoid it in the wording of the _Georgia_ College charter. For the same reasons, I dare not enjoin the daily use of our church liturgy. I love to use it, I have fallen a martyr, in respect to bodily health, to the frequent reading it in _Tottenham-Court_ chapel; and it has been constantly read twice every _Sunday_ in the Orphan-house, from its first institution to this very day. The Wardens, when the power is devolved on them, may determine this point as they please; but I cannot enjoin it by charter: and have therefore, in this present draught, not only omitted the paragraph concerning public prayer, but also that concerning doctrinal articles. Perhaps your Grace may judge, that, all things considered, saying nothing about either, may be a proper medium. Your Grace further wisely observes, “That his Majesty should be very well advised, whom he names for the first Master.” I trust he will. I believe the Right Honourable the Earl of _D――――h_ will vouchsafe to interest himself in the choice, and likewise be so good as to present the first Master to your Grace’s approbation. The terms of ♦the charter being not as yet settled, the choice of a Master cannot as yet be fixed upon. When the former are ascertained, the latter may more easily be applied for. In the mean while your Grace may be assured, that the lot will not fall upon me. Alas! my shoulders are too weak for the support of such an academical burden: my capacity, may it please your Grace, is by no means extensive enough for such a scholastic trust. To be a presbyter at large, is the station, which I think divine Providence hath called me to, for near these thirty years past. During that space, I trust my eye hath been in some degree single, and my views disinterested; and my highest, my only ambition, during the feeble remains of my future pilgrimage, I trust, will be this, That the last glimmerings of an expiring taper may be blessed, and owned by the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, to guide some wandering sinners to the practical knowledge of himself. I desire to bless his name, that I have been spared long enough to see the colony of the once despised _Georgia_, and the yet more despised Orphan-house, advanced to such a promising height. My honoured friend and father, good Bishop _Benson_, from his dying bed, sent me a benefaction for it of ten guineas, and poured forth his most fervent dying breathings for its future prosperity. That your Grace may yet live many years, to be happily instrumental in promoting its welfare, both spiritual and temporal, when turned into a college, is the earnest prayer of, may it please your Grace,

Your Grace’s most dutiful, obliged son and servant,

_G. W._

_Tottenham-Court Road_,

_June 17, 1767_.

♦ removed duplicate “the”

_The Archbishop to Mr._ Whitefield.

_To the Reverend Mr. Whitefield_,

THE Archbishop of _Canterbury_ hath put Mr. _Whitefield_’s draught of a charter for a College in _Georgia_, into the hands of the Lord President; who hath promised to consider it: but desires to know from Mr. _Whitefield_, what present endowment, and to what value, he proposes for his College.

_July 1, 1767._

_Mr._ Whitefield _to the Archbishop_.

_London, July 4, 1767._

_May it please your Grace_,

MY obligations are much increased by your Grace’s putting the last draught of the _Georgia_ College so speedily into the hands of the Lord President. As by this, (I presume) it hath been honoured by your Grace’s, so I make no manner of doubt, but it will also meet with his Lordship’s approbation. In obedience to your Grace’s desire, I herewith send your Grace an account of “what present endowment, and to what value, I propose for the intended College.” Upon a moderate computation, may it please your Grace, I believe its present annual income, is between four and five hundred pounds sterling. The house is surrounded with eighteen hundred acres of land; a plan of which, and likewise of the house itself, I herein inclose, and humbly present for your Grace’s inspection. The number of negroes young and old, employed on various parts of these lands, in sawing timber, raising rice for exportation, and corn with all other kinds of provision for the family, is about thirty. Besides these, the College will be immediately possessed of two thousand acres of land near _Altamaha_, which were granted me by the Governor and Council, when I was last at _Georgia_; and a thousand acres more, left, as I am informed, by the late reverend and worthy Mr. _Zubberbuler_. So that, by laying out only a thousand pounds in purchasing an additional number of negroes, and allowing another thousand for repairing the house, and building the two intended wings, the present annual income may very easily and speedily be augmented to a thousand pounds _per annum_. Out of this standing fund, may be paid the salaries of the Master, professors, tutors, &c. and also small exhibitions be allowed for some orphan or other poor students, who may have their tutorage and room-rent gratis, and act as servitors to those who enter commoners. What these salaries and exhibitions ought to be, may at a proper season be submitted to your Grace’s future consideration. At present, I would only further propose, that the negroe children belonging to the College, shall be instructed, in their intervals of labour, by one of the poorer students, as is done now by one of the scholars in the present Orphan-house. And I do not see why an additional provision may not likewise be made for educating and maintaining a number of _Indian_ children, which, I imagine, may easily be procured from the _Creeks_, _Choctaws_, _Cherokees_, and the other neighbouring nations. Hence the whole will be a free-gift to the colony of _Georgia_: a complex extensive charity be established; and at the same time, not a single person obliged, by any public act of assembly, to pay an involuntary forced tax towards the support of a seminary, from which many of the more distant and poorer Colonist’s children cannot possibly receive any immediate advantage; and yet the whole Colony, by the christian and liberal education of a great number of its individuals, be universally benefited. Thus have I most readily, and I humbly hope, gratefully complied with your Grace’s desire, which to me is as a command. I am constrained to trespass on your Grace’s patience, whilst I congratulate your Grace on the goodness of GOD, who, amongst many other signal marks of his peculiar providence, hath honoured your Grace, in making you an happy instrument of establishing two _Northern-American_ Colleges; the one at _New-York_, and the other at _Philadelphia_: and if (as I pray may be the case) your Grace should yet be made further instrumental in establishing a third College in the yet more southern, but now flourishing colony of _Georgia_, I trust it will be an additional gem in the crown, which I earnestly pray that GOD, the righteous judge, may give your Grace in that day. In his great name, I beg leave to subscribe myself, may it please your Grace,

Your Grace’s most dutiful, obliged son and servant,

_G. W._

_Mr._ Whitefield _to the Archbishop_.

_Tottenham-Court, September 1, 1767._

_May it please your Grace_,

AS I am going out of town for a few weeks, I beg leave humbly to enquire, whether my L―――― P――――t hath considered the draught of the charter sent him by your Grace some weeks ago. The Governor, Council, Assembly, and other inhabitants of _Georgia_, wait with impatience to have this affair brought to a desired issue; and therefore I humbly hope your Grace will excuse the freedom of the request now made by, may it please your Grace,

Your Grace’s most dutiful, obliged son and servant,

_G. W._

_The Archbishop to Mr._ Whitefield,

_Lambeth, September 18, 1767._

_To the Reverend Mr. Whitefield._

THE Archbishop of _Canterbury_ sends Mr. _Whitefield_ the enclosed letter from the Lord President, which he received this day, and which he desires may be returned to him.

_Mr._ Whitefield _to the Archbishop_.

_Tottenham-Court, October 13, 1767._

_May it please your Grace_,

BY a series of unaccountable incidents and mistakes, your Grace’s letter, with that of the L―――― P――――t, did not reach me till this afternoon. I have made bold to copy the letter; and in obedience to your Grace’s command, herewith return the original. Its contents shall be immediately and duly considered, and an answer very speedily remitted to your Grace. In the mean time, with most humble thanks for the zeal and punctuality shewn by your Grace in the prosecution of this important affair, and earnestly begging an interest in your Grace’s prayers, that I may be kept from erring on the right hand, or the left, in this final discharge of my public trust, I beg leave to subscribe myself, may it please your Grace,

Your Grace’s most obedient and dutiful son and servant,

_G. W._

_Mr._ Whitefield _to the Archbishop_.

_Tottenham-Court, October 16, 1767._

_May it please your Grace_,

AFTER earnest application to the Father of mercies for direction, I have endeavoured as in his presence, duly to consider and weigh the contents of the L―――― P――――t’s letter, which your Grace was so condescending as to transmit for my perusal. His L――――p therein, is pleased to inform your Grace, “That he observes, that the second draught of Mr. _Whitefield_’s charter, differs from that of _New-York_; in not requiring the head of the College to be a member of the church of _England_, which his Lordship thinks so material a qualification, that for one, he should not be for dispensing with it. And his L――――p is also of opinion, that the public prayers should not be extempore ones, but the liturgy of the church, or some part thereof, or some other settled and established form.” Thus far his L――――p. And, as I profess myself to be a presbyter of the same communion with his L――――p, I cannot but applaud his L――――p’s zeal for, and watchfulness over, the honour of the established church. But if his L――――p would be so good as to take a particular view of the point of light in which I stand, I cannot help flattering myself, but that his L――――p will be so far from thinking, that being a member of the church of _England_ is a qualification not to be dispensed with in the head of the intended College; that on the contrary, it ought not so much as to be mentioned, or insisted upon in the charter at all. For not to trouble your Grace with a repetition of the reasons urged against such a restraining clause, in my letter of _June 17_; I would beg leave further to observe to your Grace, that by far the greatest part of the Orphan-house collections and contributions came from Dissenters, not only in _New-England_, _New-York_, _Pensylvania_, _South-Carolina_, and _Scotland_, but in all probability here in _England_ also. Most of these places I have visited since the several audits of the Orphan-house accompts, and acquainted with the design of turning it into a College; and likewise the address of the Council and Assembly of the province of _Georgia_, with his Excellency Governor _Wright_’s answer, highly approving and recommending the design, have been published. Being frequently asked, “Upon what bottom the intended College was to be founded;” I not only most readily and repeatedly answered, “Undoubtedly upon a _broad bottom_;” but likewise, in most of the above-mentioned places, have solemnly declared from the pulpit, that it should be upon a _broad bottom, and no other_. This, I judged, I was sufficiently warranted to do, from the known, long established, mild, and uncoercive genius of the _English_ government; also from your Grace’s moderation towards protestant Dissenters; from the unconquerable attachment of the _Americans_ to toleration principles, as well as from the avowed habitual feelings and sentiments of my own heart. This being the case, may it please your Grace, I would humbly appeal to his L――――p, whether I can answer it to my GOD, my conscience, my king, my country, my constituents, and Orphan-house benefactors and contributors, both at home and abroad, to betray my trust, forfeit my word, act contrary to my own convictions, and greatly retard and prejudice the growth and progress of the intended institution, by narrowing its foundation, and thereby letting it fall upon such a bottom, as I am persuaded will give a general disgust, and most justly open the mouths of persons of all denominations against me. This, as I acquainted your Grace, in the same letter referred to above, is what I dare not do. And therefore, as your Grace by your silence seems to be like-minded with the L――――d P――――t; and as your Grace’s and his L――――p’s influence will undoubtedly extend itself to others of his Majesty’s most Honourable Privy-Council, I would beg leave, after returning all due acknowledgments, to inform your Grace, that I intend troubling your Grace and his Lordship no more about this so long depending concern. As it hath pleased the great Head of the church in some degree to renew my bodily strength, I purpose now to renew my feeble efforts, and turn the charity into a more generous, and consequently into a more extensively useful channel. If I know any thing of my own heart, I have no ambition to be looked upon at present, or remembered for the future, as a founder of a college; but I would fain, may it please your Grace, act the part of an honest man, a disinterested minister of JESUS CHRIST, and a truly catholic, moderate presbyter of the church of _England_. In this way, and in this only, can I hope for a continued heart-felt enjoyment of that peace of GOD, which passeth all understanding, whilst here on earth, and be thereby prepared to stand with humble boldness before the awful, impartial tribunal of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls at the great day. That your Grace may shine as a star of the first magnitude in that day, is the sincere prayer of, may it please your Grace,

Your Grace’s most dutiful obliged son and servant,

_G. W._

_Mr._ Whitefield _to the Archbishop_.

_Tottenham-Court, November 11, 1767._

_May it please your Grace_,

THE bearer is my humble friend; one who hath been with me several years, and been my companion in travel through the continent of _America_. If your Grace would be so good as to send by him the plans and papers relating to the Orphan-house, it would much oblige, may it please your Grace,

Your Grace’s most dutiful humble servant,

_G. W._

_P. S._ I know not whether your Grace or the Lord President hath the copy of the _New-Jersey_ College charter. I gave it to Mr. Secretary _Sharp_, in order that your Grace and his Lordship might see it. Mr. _Sharp_ being dead, obliges me to trouble your Grace with this particular: I should not otherwise have taken the freedom.

_Mr._ Whitefield _to the Archbishop_.

_Tottenham-Court, February 12, 1768._

_May it please your Grace_,

AS not only the Governor, Council and Assembly of _Georgia_, have been for a long season, and are now waiting for an account of what hath been done in respect to the affair of the intended _Bethesda_ college, I find myself under a necessity of giving them and the contributors, on this, as well as the other side of the water, a plain narration of the steps I have been taking; and at the same time I intend to lay before the public a draught of the future plan, which, GOD willing, I am now determined to prosecute. And as the letters which I have had the honour of writing to your Grace, contain most of what I have to say on this subject, I suppose your Grace can have no objection against my publishing those letters, together with the answers returned, and the issue of the correspondence. To prevent your Grace’s having further trouble, as I hear your Grace is at present much indisposed, I shall look upon silence as an approbation, at least as a tacit allowance of what is designed by, may it please your Grace,

Your Grace’s most dutiful son and servant, in the King of kings and Lord of lords,

_G. W._

THUS, may it please your excellency, concluded my correspondence with his Grace, and I humbly hope, the province of _Georgia_, in the end, will be no loser by this negociation. For, GOD willing, I now purpose to add a public academy, to the Orphan-house, as the college¹ of _Philadelphia_ was constituted a public academy, as well as charitable school, for some time before its present college charter was granted by the honourable proprietors of _Pensylvania_ in the year 1755.

¹ This college was originally built, above twenty-eight years ago, for a charity school and preaching place for me, and ministers of various denominations, on the bottom of the doctrinal articles of the church of _England_. The trustees, as a public and standing acknowledgment of this, have inserted a clause in their Grant, for leave for a part of the building still to be allowed for that purpose. Accordingly I preached a sermon in it, for the benefit of their charity children, when I was last at _Philadelphia_, before a very large auditory, and Dr. _Smith_, the present Provost, read prayers.

In pursuing a like plan, the present _Georgia_ Orphan-house estate, which for near these three years hath been in a state of suspense, may be vigorously and properly improved, and thereby an ample and lasting provision made for the future maintenance and education of many poor, indigent, and orphan, as well as more opulent students. Proper masters likewise may now be sent over to instruct, and prepare for academical honours the many youths, who are at this time both in _Georgia_ and the adjacent provinces, waiting for admission. In the mean time, a proper trust may be formed to act after my decease, or even before, with this proviso, that no opportunity shall be omitted of making fresh application for a college charter, upon a _broad bottom_, whenever those in power shall think it for the glory of GOD, and the interest of their king and country to grant the same. And thus, may it please your Excellency, my beloved _Bethesda_ will not only be continued as a house of mercy for poor orphans, but be confirmed as a seat and nursery of sound learning, and religious education, I trust, to the latest posterity. That this may be the happy case, as I am persuaded is the desire of your Excellency, his Majesty’s Honourable Council, and house of representatives, in the province of _Georgia_, so it shall still be, to my latest breath, as it hath been for many years, the earnest endeavour and incessant prayer of,

May it please your Excellency, Your Excellency’s, &c.

_G. W._

_Commons House of Assembly, Monday, January 29, 1770._

MR. Speaker reported, that he with the house having waited on the Reverend Mr. _Whitefield_, in consequence of his invitation, at the Orphan-house academy, heard him preach a very suitable and pious sermon on the occasion; and with great pleasure observed the promising appearance of improvement towards the good purposes intended, and the decency and propriety of behaviour of the several residents there; and were sensibly affected, when they saw the happy success which has attended Mr. _Whitefield_’s indefatigable zeal for promoting the welfare of the province in general, and the Orphan-house in particular.

Ordered, That this report be printed in the Gazette.

_John Simpson, Clerk._

_Extract from the Georgia Gazette._

_Savannah, January 31, 1770._

LAST _Sunday_ his Excellency the Governor, Council and Assembly, having been invited by the Reverend Mr. _George Whitefield_, attended at divine service in the chapel of the Orphan-house academy, where prayers were read by the reverend Mr. _Ellington_, and a very suitable sermon was preached by the reverend Mr. _Whitefield_ from _Zechariah_ ivth chapter 9th. and part of the 10th verses; “_The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know, that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you; for who hath despised the day of small things?_” to the general satisfaction of the auditory; in which he took occasion to mention the many discouragements he met with, well known to many there, in carrying on this institution for upwards of thirty years past, and the present promising prospect of its future and more extensive usefulness. After divine service, the company were very politely entertained with a handsome and plentiful dinner; and were greatly pleased to see the useful improvements made in the house, the two additional wings for apartments for students, one-hundred and fifty feet each in length, and other lesser buildings, in so much forwardness, and the whole executed with taste and in a masterly manner; and being sensible of the truly generous and disinterested benefactions derived to the province through his means, they expressed their gratitude in the most respectful terms.

Orphan-House, in Georgia, Dʳ. │ Orphan-House, in Georgia, Cʳ. ─────────────────────────────────── │ ────────────────────────────────── Sterling, │ Sterling, ────────── │ ────────── l. s. d. │ l. s. d. ──── ── ── │ ──── ── ── To cash received from } │ By cash paid sundries } the 15th December, } │ by particular } 1738, to the 1st Jan.} │ accompts examined, } 1745‒6, by public } 4982 12 8 │ from the 15th } Collections, private } │ December, 1738, to } Benefactions, and } │ the 1st Jan. 1745‒6,} 5511 17 9¼ annual subscriptions,} │ for buildings, } per accompt } │ cultivation of } │ lands, infirmary, } To ballance } │ provisions, wearing } super-expended, Jan. } 529 05 1¼ │ apparel, and other } 1, 1745‒6. } │ incident expences } ──── ── ── £. 5511 17 9¼

SAVANNAH in GEORGIA.

Sidenote: S. L.

THIS day personally appeared before us _Henry Parker_ and _William Spencer_, bailiffs of _Savannah_ aforesaid, the Reverend Mr. _George Whitefield_, and _James Habersham_, Merchant of _Savannah_ aforesaid, who, being duly sworn, say, That the accompts relating to the Orphan-house, now exhibited before us, of which the above is an abstract, amounting on the debit side (namely, for collections and subscriptions received) to the sum of four thousand nine hundred eighty-two pounds twelve shillings and eight pence, sterling, and on the credit side, (namely, for disbursements paid) to the sum of five thousand five hundred eleven pounds seventeen shillings and ninepence farthing, sterling, do, to the best of their knowledge, contain a just and true account of all the monies collected by, or given to them, or any other, for the use and benefit of the said house; and that the disbursements, amounting to the sum aforesaid, have been faithfully applied to and for the use of the same. And the Reverend Mr. _Whitefield_ further declareth, that he hath not converted or applied any part thereof to his own private use and property, neither hath charged the said house with any of his travelling, or any other private expences whatsoever.

GEORGE WHITEFIELD, JAMES HABERSHAM.

SAVANNAH in GEORGIA.

THIS day personally appeared before us, _Henry Parker_, and _William Spencer_, bailiffs of _Savannah_ aforesaid, _William Woodrooffe_, _William Ewen_, and _William Russel_ of _Savannah_ aforesaid, who being duly sworn say, That they have carefully and strictly examined all and singular the accompts relating to the Orphan-house in _Georgia_, contained in forty-one pages, in a book entitled, _Receipts and disbursements for the Orphan-house in_ Georgia, with the original bills, receipts, and other vouchers, from the fifteenth day of _December_, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and thirty eight, to the first day of _January_, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and forty-five; and that the monies received on account of the said Orphan-house, amounted to the sum of four thousand nine hundred eighty-two pounds twelve shillings and eight-pence, sterling, as above; and that it doth not appear, that the Reverend Mr. _Whitefield_ hath converted any part thereof to his own private use and property, or charged the said house with any of his travelling, or other private expences; but, on the contrary, hath contributed to the said house many valuable benefactions; and that the monies disbursed on account of the said house, amounted to the sum of five thousand five hundred eleven pounds seventeen shillings and ninepence farthing, sterling, as above, which we, in justice to the Reverend Mr. _Whitefield_, and the managers of the said house, do hereby declare, appear to us to be faithfully and justly applied to and for the use and benefit of the said house only.

WILLIAM WOODROOFFE, WILLIAM EWEN, WILLIAM RUSSEL.

Sworn this 16th day of _April_, 1746, before us, bailiffs of _Savannah_; in justification whereof we have hereunto fixed our hands, and the common seal.

HENRY PARKER, WILLIAM SPENCER.

General Accompt of Monies expended and received for the Use of the Orphan-house in _Georgia_, from _January_ 7th, 1738‒9, to _February_ 9th, 1765.

Dʳ. │ Cʳ. ─────────────────────────────────── │ ────────────────────────────────── Sterling, │ Sterling, ────────── │ ────────── l. s. d. │ l. s. d. ──── ── ── │ ──── ── ── 1746, April 16. To │ 1746, April 16. By sundries expended as │ sundry receipts per per audit this day 5511 17 9¼ │ audit 4982 12 8 │ 1752, Feb. 25. To ditto 2026 13 7½ │ 1752, Feb. 25. By ditto 1386 8 7½ │ 1755, Feb. 19. To ditto 1966 18 2  │ 1755, Feb. 19. By ditto 1289 2 3 │ 1765, Feb.  9. To ditto 3349 15 10 │ 1765, Feb.  9. By ditto 3132 16 0¼ │ ──── ── ── │ 10,790 19 6¾ │ By the Rev. Mr. │ Whitefield’s │ benefactions, being │ the sums expended │ more than received, │ as appears from │ the several │ former audits, now │ carefully examined, │ viz. Folio 65 — 1169 10 1¼ │ Ditto 81 —  400  5 4¾ │ Ditto 98 —  494 10 4 │ ──── ── ── │ 2064 5 10 ──── ── ── │ ──── ── ── 12,855 5 4¾ │ 12,855 5 4¾

Sidenote: GEORGIA ss.

BEFORE me, the Honourable _Noble Jones_, Esq. senior, one of the assistant justices for the province aforesaid, personally appeared the Reverend Mr. _George Whitefield_ and _Thomas Dixon_ of the province aforesaid, who being duly sworn, declare that the accompts relating to the Orphan-house, from folio 82, to folio 98, in this book, amounting on the debit side to three thousand three hundred and forty-nine pounds fifteen shillings and ten pence, sterling, and on the credit side to three thousand one hundred and thirty-two pounds sixteen shillings and one farthing, sterling, contain, to the best of their knowledge, a just and true account of all the monies collected by, or given to them, or any other, for the use or benefit of the said house; and that the disbursements amounting to the sum aforesaid, have been faithfully applied to and for the use of the same.

Signed,  GEORGE WHITEFIELD, THOS. DIXON.

_February 9, 1765._

Sworn this 9th day of _February_, 1765, before me; in justification whereof I have caused the seal of the general court to be affixed.

Signed N. JONES. Sealed.

Sidenote: GEORGIA ss.

BEFORE me, the Honourable _Noble Jones_, Esq. senior, personally appeared _James Edward Powell_ and _Grey Elliot_, Esqrs. members of his Majesty’s honourable council for the province aforesaid, who being duly sworn, declare that they have carefully examined the accompts containing the receipts and disbursements, for the use of the Orphan-house in the said province, and that comparing them with the several vouchers, they find the same not only just and true in every respect, but kept in such a clear and regular manner, as does honour to the managers of that house; and that on a careful examination of the several former audits, it appears that the sum of two thousand and sixty-four pounds, five shillings and ten pence, has at several times been given by the Reverend Mr. _George Whitefield_ for the use of the said house; and that in the whole the sum of twelve thousand eight hundred fifty-five pounds five shillings and four pence three farthings, has been laid out for the same house since 7th _January_, 1738‒9, to this day:――Also that it doth not appear that any charge has ever been made by the said Reverend Mr. _Whitefield_, either for travelling charges or any other expences whatever, and that no charge of salary has been made for any person whatever, employed or concerned in the management of the said house. _February_ 9th, 1765.

Signed, JAMES EDWARD POWELL, GREY ELLIOT.

Sworn this 9th day of _February_, 1765, before me; in justification whereof, I have caused the seal of the general court to be affixed.

Signed N. JONES. Sealed.

Dʳ. │ Cʳ. ─────────────────────────────────── │ ────────────────────────────────── General Accompt of monies expended │ Monies received for the use of the for the Orphan-house, taken from │ same, taken from the authentic the authentic book, from Dec. │ book, from Dec. 1738, to 1738, to February 1770. │ February 1770. ─────────────────────────────────── │ ────────────────────────────────── l. s. d. │ l. s. d. ──── ── ─── │ ──── ── ─── 1746 April 16. To │ By Benefactions and Sundries, per audit, │ Collections, in this day, 5511 17 9¼ │ England 4471 0 6¼ │ 1752 Feb. 25 Dᵒ ―――― 2026 13 7½ │ Dᵒ ―――― Scotland 978 2 5½ │ 1755 Feb. 19 Dᵒ ―――― 1966 18 2  │ Dᵒ ―――― Georgia 275 5 7¼ │ 1765 Feb. 9 Dᵒ ―――― 3349 15 10  │ Dᵒ ―――― Charles-Town 567 1 9¾ │ 1770 Feb. 2 Dᵒ ―――― 2548 17 0½ │ Dᵒ ―――― Beaufort 16 10 7 │ │ Dᵒ ―――― Boston, │ New-York, Philad. &c. 1809 6 10½ │ │ Dᵒ ―――― Lisbon 3 12 0 │ ──── ── ─── │ 8120 19 10½ │ By cash, received for │ payment of boarders │ cocoons, rice, │ lumber, ♦indigo, │ provisions, &c. 3983 19 3 │ By the Reverend Mr. │ Whitefield’s │ benefactions, being │ the sums expended, │ more than received, │ as appears by the │ several audits, │ carefully examined, 3299 3 3¾ ──── ── ─── │ ──── ── ─── 15404 2 5¼ │ 15404 2 5¼

♦ “indico” replaced with “indigo”

Sidenote: GEORGIA

BEFORE the Honourable _Noble Jones_, Esq. senior assistant Justice for the province aforesaid, personally appeared, the Rev. Mr. _George Whitefield_ and _Thomas Dixon_, of the province aforesaid, who being duly sworn, declare that the accompts relating to the Orphan-house, from folio 101 to folio 109 in this book, amounting, on the debit side, to two thousand five hundred forty-eight pounds seventeen shillings and one half-penny, sterling, and on the credit side, to one thousand three hundred thirteen pounds nineteen shillings and sixpence three farthings, sterling, contain, to the best of their knowledge, a just and true account of all the monies collected by, or given to them, or any others, for the use or benefit of the said house; and that the disbursements, amounting to the sum aforesaid, have been faithfully applied to and for the use of the same.

GEORGE WHITEFIELD, THOMAS DIXON.

_February 2, 1770._

Sworn this 2d day of _February_, 1770, before me; in justification whereof I have caused the seal of the general court to be affixed.

N. JONES. Seal.

5th and last audit, 1770.

Sidenote: GEORGIA.

BEFORE the Honourable _Noble Jones_, Esq. senior assistant Justice, &c. personally appeared, _James Edward Powell_ and _Grey Elliot_, Esquires, members of his Majesty’s council for the province aforesaid, who being duly sworn, declare that they have carefully inspected and examined the accompts, containing the receipts and disbursements, for the use of the Orphan-house in the said province. And find the sums expended for the use of the same, from the 9th _February_ 1765, to this day, amount to two thousand five hundred forty-eight pounds seventeen shillings and one half-penny, sterling; and the sums received, to one thousand three hundred thirteen pounds nineteen shillings and sixpence three farthings, sterling; and that the whole of the sums expended on account of the institution, amount to fifteen thousand four hundred and four pounds two shillings and five-pence farthing, sterling, and the whole receipts, to the sum of twelve thousand one hundred four pounds nineteen shillings and one penny half-penny, sterling; and the benefactions of the Rev. Mr. _George Whitefield_ thereunto, have, at different times, amounted to the sum of three thousand two hundred ninety-nine pounds three shillings and three-pence three farthings, sterling, as clearly appears by a general account thereof stated by us. And that in this our last, as well as each preceding audit, no charge whatever has been made by the Rev. Mr. _Whitefield_, either for travelling charges or otherwise, nor any other charge for the salary of any person whatever, employed or concerned in the management of the said Orphan-house; and that clear and distinct vouchers for the whole amount of the sums expended, have been laid before us, except for four articles, amounting together to forty pounds one shilling and one penny, being monies expended and paid by the said Mr. _Whitefield_ on several occasions, the particulars of which were laid before us, but no receipt had been by him taken for the same.

JAMES EDWARD POWELL, GREY ELLIOT.

_February_ 2, 1770.

Sworn this 2d day of _February_, 1770, before me; in justification whereof, I have caused the seal of the general court to be affixed.

N. JONES. Seal.

Illustration: (‡ Sketch of Land plot)

SCHEDULE of all the Lands possessed by, and belonging to the late Reverend _George Whitefield_, in _Georgia_.

Lands granted by his Majesty to the late Reverend _George Whitefield_, in trust for the Orphan-house, or for the endowment of a College in _Georgia_.

A TRACT of 500 acres, called _Bethesda_, on which the Orphan-house and additional buildings are erected.

Another of  419 acres, called _Nazareth_.

Another of  400 acres, called _Ephrata_, on which are the principal planting improvements. ──── 1319 acres. ──── These lands are granted in trust to the deceased, for the use of the Orphan-house, and adjoin each other: the grants are dated 13th of _April_, 1761.

Another of  500 acres, called _Huntingdon_, and adjoins on one ──── corner to _Ephrata_.――This grant is dated 13th of _April_, 1761.

Another of 1000 These 3 tracts, amounting to 2000 acres are Another of  500 contiguous, and are granted to the deceased Another of  500 in trust for the endowment of a college. The ──── grants are dated 6th of _August_, 1765. 2000

Another of 1000 acres, left by the Reverend _Bartholomew Zouberbuhler_, deceased, late minister of _Savannah_, by Will, for the endowment of a college, but conditionally.

The habendum of the three grants, amounting to 1319 acres of land, for the use of the Orphan-house, run in the following words: “To have and to hold the said tract of four hundred acres of land, and all and singular other the premises hereby granted, with the appurtenances, unto the said _George Whitefield_, his heirs and assigns for ever, in free and common soccage:――_In trust nevertheless for the use and benefit of the Orphan-House_,――he the said _George Whitefield_, his heirs or assigns, yielding and paying, &c.”

And the three grants, together amounting to 2000 acres of land, for the endowment of a college, are thus expressed: “To have and to hold the said tract of one thousand acres of land, and all and singular other the premises hereby granted, with the appurtenances, unto the said _George Whitefield_, his heirs and assigns for ever, in free and common soccage: _In trust for the endowment of a college in our said province_,――he the said _George Whitefield_, his heirs and assigns, yielding and paying, &c.”

So that it plainly appears, these lands cannot be aliened or appropriated to any other use, than the purposes for which they were granted.

Extract from an account of the state of the family at the Orphan-house in _April_ 1770.

WHITES. Managers and carpenters 9 Boys 15 Girl 1

NEGROES. Men 24 Of which 16 are young, and fit for any labor; 7 are old, but capable of some service, and 1 so old as to be useless. Women 11 8 of these are capable of the usual labor, 2 are old and assist in the business of the house, and 1 almost incapable of any service. Children 15 Of whom, those that are capable are employed about something useful, as far as their strength and abilities will permit. ── 75

By an authentic account of the state of the family at the Orphan-house, from the year 1739 to 1770,

140 Boys } have been clothed, educated, maintained and suitably  43 Girls } provided for. ─── 183 Total.

_N. B._ The _Spanish_ war; the fluctuating state of the colony for years; the long suspense in which Mr. _Whitefield_ was kept by government at home, as to his intended plan of improvement at the Orphan-house; and other particulars which are noticed, and may be observed in his letters, prevented the accession of a greater number of orphans; but to the honour and usefulness of the institution, it ought to be remarked, that many poor children, besides what are numbered in this list, were occasionally received, educated, and maintained at the Orphan-house.

Copy of a paper, endorsed COLLEGE RULES, taken from the original in Mr. _Whitefield_’s hand-writing, 1770.

MORNING prayer to begin constantly, every day in the year, at half after five. The first bell to ring exactly at 5 o’clock. The form as follows: A psalm or hymn; the general confession, introduced with “Let us pray.” If any scholar of the house, or any other person not in priest’s orders, doth officiate, then that collect, “O GOD, whose nature and property, &c.” or that out of the commination-office, “O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully hear our prayers, &c.” Then must follow the Lord’s prayer, _Gloria Patri_, “O come let us sing unto the LORD, &c.” or the _Te Deum_, or Song of the Three Children, or _Benedictus_; then the second lesson for the day, with a few short practical remarks; then a suitable prayer, with singing a short doxology; and thus to conclude, “The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and the love of GOD, and fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us, the Founder of this institution, the Master, Wardens, and all its benefactors, and all mankind, now, henceforth, and for evermore.” If no one is capable of using free prayer, then shall follow the apostles creed, the collect for the week, the third collect for grace; the three prayers for the king, royal family, and clergy, turned into one; “O GOD, the creator;” the general thanksgiving, the prayer of St. _Chrysostom_, and “Grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST,” as before.

The same order in the evening, only to repeat the _Magnificat_, &c. before the reading of the second lesson.

On _Wednesday_ and _Friday_ morning, the hymn, the litany, the general thanksgiving, prayer of St. _Chrysostom_, and concluding prayer.

On _Sunday_ morning, a short prayer with a psalm or hymn early in the morning. Full prayers and sermon at ten: the same at three in the afternoon. A short prayer, and a hymn, at half after six in the evening. The first lesson to be read at dinner; the same at supper: a short hymn at each meal. One of the orphans to read and give out the hymn, or any other substituted by the master; and also to read the second lesson in chapel.

Great care to be taken, that all read, write, speak, and behave properly.

All the statutes to be in _English_, and read to every scholar or student at admission, and thrice a year, at _Easter_, _Whitsuntide_, and _Christmas_, publicly.

No cards, dice, or gaming of any kind to be allowed, on pain of expulsion, or dismission, by masters, tutors, professors, students or any officer or member of the college whatsoever. No music but divine psalmody; such as _Butt’s Harmonia sacra_, _Knibb_’s and _Madan_’s collection of tunes.

All are to be taught _Bland’s Manual Exercise_, by some deputed officer, but not bound to attend on musters or other exercises, unless on account of an alarm.

Nobody shall be suffered to run in arrears above half a year: some caution money to be paid down.

All students to furnish their own rooms, but to lie on mattresses, and the successors to pay thirds.

No one suffered to go to town without express leave from the master, or persons deputed by him.

Breakfast at seven o’clock, dinner at twelve, supper at six, through all the year; the utmost neatness to be observed and maintained in every room.

All orphans and students shall be obliged to learn and repeat, and, if capable, to translate into _Latin_ all the thirty-nine articles, or those specified in the act of toleration. The homilies to be read publicly, distinctly, frequently and carefully, every year, by the students, deputed in rotation. All to be first thoroughly instructed in the history of _Georgia_, and constitution of _England_, before they are taught the history of _Greece_ and _Rome_. _Kimber_’s history of _England_ is a good one for beginners, then may follow _Rapin_’s. The young negro boys to be baptized and taught to read. The young negro girls to be taught to work with the needle. The following divinity books to be read, _Henry_’s _Comment_,――_Doddridge_ and _Guise_, ――♦_Burkitt_,――_Clark_’s _Bible_,――_Wilson_’s _Dictionary_,――Professor _Franck_’s _Manuductio_, especially the preface _de Impedimentis Studii Theologici_,――_Doddridge_’s _Rise and Progress_,――_Boston_’s _fourfold State_,――ditto, _on the Covenant_,――_Jenks, on the righteousness of Christ_, and his _Meditations_,――_Hervey_’s _Meditations_, and _Theron_ and _Aspasio_,――Bishop _Hall_’s _Contemplations_, and other works,――_Edwards_’s _Preacher_,――_Trapp on the old and new Testament_, ――_Poole_’s _Annotations_,――_Warner_’s _Tracts_,――Bishop _Leighton_’s _Comment on St. Peter_’s _1st Epistle_,――Bishop _Pearson on the Creed_,――_Edwards_’s _Veritas redux_,――_Owen_ and _Bunyan_’s works.

♦ “Burkit” replaced with “Burkitt” for consistency

Copy of a paper, intitled, “Subjects for Annual Prizes at the Orphan-house, _Bethesda_ College,” in the hand-writing of Mr. _Whitefield_, inclosed with and referred to in his Will¹.

¹ “Whatever profits may arise from the sale of my books, or any manuscripts, that I may leave behind, I give and bequeath ―――― towards paying off my arrears that may be due on the account of the Orphan-house academy, or for _Annual Prizes_, as a reward for the best three Orations that shall be made in _English_, on the subjects mentioned in a paper annexed to this Will.”

Subjects for Annual Prizes at the Orphan-house, _Bethesda_ College.

ON every 27th of _December_, the Founder’s birth-day,――an Oration on the Mercy of GOD, in preparing Habitations and Places of Education for poor Orphans, “In thee the fatherless find mercy,” by an Orphan.

Another on our LORD’s Nativity,――by an Orphan.

On the Anniversary, _March 25_,――Orations on the benefit of erecting, founding, and contributing towards Seminaries of sound Learning, and religious Education.――On the Benefit of an Union between _Great Britain_ and her Colonies.――The Rise and Progress of the Colony of _Georgia_.――The Rise and Progress of Commerce and Religion in the other _American_ Colonies,――by Orphans or Students.

On the 5th of _November_,――an Oration on the glorious Revolution, and the infinite Mercy of GOD, in delivering _Great Britain_ from Popish Tyranny and arbitrary Power, by Orphan or Student.

On _Easter Monday_,――an Oration on the Resurrection,――by Orphan or Student.

On _Whitsunday_,――an Oration on the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles,――by Orphan or Student.

All the Exercises to be closed with an Application, Exhortation, and Prayer, by the Master of the College.

The following Speech was also found in Mr. WHITEFIELD’s own Writing, delivered by an Orphan after Mr. WHITEFIELD’s Sermon preached before the Governor, &c. &c. _January 28, 1770_¹.

¹ For the Sermon, the Reader is referred to the last volume of this work.

WHEN I consider where I stand, and before whom I am about to speak, no wonder that previous to my rising, a trembling seized my limbs; and now, when risen, a throbbing seizes my heart, and as a consequence of both, shame and confusion cover my face. For what am I? (a poor _unlettered orphan_, unlearned almost in the very rudiments of my mother tongue, and totally unskilled in the persuasive arts of speaking) that I should be called to speak before such a venerable, august assembly, as is this day convened under _Bethesda_’s roof. But when I reflect, that I stand up at your command, Reverend Sir, to whom, under GOD, I owe my little all, and when I further reflect on the well-known candour of those that compose this venerable, august assembly, my trembling begins to abate, my throbbing ceases, and a gleam of hope breaks in, that the tongue of the stammerer will in some degree be able to speak plain. But where shall I begin, and how shall I express the various emotions, that within the space of the last hour have alternately agitated and affected my soul? If the eye, as I have been taught to think, is the looking-glass of the soul; and if the outward gestures, and earnest attention, are indications and expressive of the inward commotions and dispositions of the human heart, then a heart-felt complacency and joy hath possessed the souls of many in this assembly, whilst the reverend Founder hath been giving from the pulpit such a clear, succinct, and yet withal affecting account of the rise and progress of this Orphan-house academy, and of the low estate of this now flourishing colony, when the first brick of this edifice was laid. All hail that happy day! which we now commemorate, when about thirty-two years ago, in faith and fervent prayer, the first brick of this edifice was laid. Many destitute orphans were soon taken in, and without any visible fund, in the dearest part of his Majesty’s dominions, more than fifty labourers were employed, and honourably paid, and a large orphan-family, for these many years, hath been supported, cloathed, and brought up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. O could these walls speak! could every chamber, every corner of this fabric speak! what agonizing supplications, what inwrought energetic prayers would they tell us they had been witness to, and also of the blessed fruits, of which we are now partakers. Behold! a once infant, deserted, despised colony, not only lifting up its drooping head, and in some degree over-topping, at least for trade, and increase and extent of commerce, vying with some of its neighbouring provinces. Behold the once despised institution! (the very existence of which was for many years denied) through the indefatigable industry, unparalleled disinterestedness, and unwearied perseverance of its reverend Founder, expanding and stretching its wings, not only to receive a larger number of helpless orphans like myself, but to nurse and cherish many of the present rising generation, training them up to be ornaments both in church and state. For ever adored be that Providence, that power and goodness, which hath brought matters to such a desirable and long expected issue! Thanks, thanks be rendered to _your Excellency_, for the countenance you have always given to this beneficial plan, for laying the first brick of yonder wings this time twelvemonth, and for the favour of your company on this our anniversary. Thanks to you, _Mr. President_¹, who have long been a fellow-helper in this important work, and have now the pleasure of seeing the fruit of all your labours. Thanks to the _Gentlemen of his Majesty’s Honourable Council_, and to the _Members of the General Assembly_, who so warmly recommended the utility of this institution. Thanks to you, Sir, who first opened it by preaching. Thanks to you, who left your native country, and without fee and reward have for many years laboured and watched over us in the LORD. Thanks to all who have this day honoured us with your presence. And above all, thanks, more than an orphan tongue can utter, or orphan hearts conceive, be, under GOD, rendered unto you, most honoured Sir, who have been so happily instrumental, in the hands of a never-failing GOD, in spreading his ever-lasting gospel.

¹ The Honourable _James Habersham_, President of his Majesty’s council, and Mr. _Whitefield_’s Executor in _Georgia_.

SAVANNAH, _March 27, 1771_.

MONDAY last being the anniversary of laying the foundation of the Orphan-house, the new and very decent chapel lately erected there was opened. On this solemnity his Excellency the Governor, many of the Gentlemen of the Council, and a very great number of the principal inhabitants of the province, were present. The company being seated in the chapel, and the orphan children having sung a short hymn, the following address, with great propriety, and to the universal satisfaction of the audience, was delivered by _Peter Edwards_, one of the orphans:

“_May it please your Excellency, Reverend Gentlemen, Gentlemen and Ladies_,

In obedience to the commands of my superiors, and relying also on the candour and benevolence of your Excellency and this polite and respectable company, I beg leave, with all humility, to make this public address. It may not be improper to mention, that on this day, thirty-two years ago, the foundation of this house was laid by the reverend Founder, whose death _we orphans in particular_ cannot sufficiently lament; that also on this day, two years past, your Excellency honoured this place with your presence, and condescended to lay the foundation of the two wings, superadded to the Orphan-house, for the accommodation of young gentlemen intended to be educated in academical learning, to enable them to move in a superior sphere of life; and we are now met to open and solemnly dedicate this new and convenient chapel to the service of our God and Saviour JESUS CHRIST. The many and great advantages accruing from the establishment of public schools in every government, is obvious, and in a young province, as this is, it must be of the highest importance to its future prosperity and welfare, which is the professed design of this charitable institution; an institution evidently calculated to promote the happiness of society, by providing for, and instructing such poor children, as would otherwise, in all appearance, be brought up in ignorance, and become of little use and value to mankind. They are _here_ early taught their duty to GOD, and their country, and the respect they owe to those in authority over them. GOD has various, and to us unthought-of ways, which we poor short-sighted beings cannot fathom, to effect his purposes; but I hope I may be allowed to say, that, in all human probability, great might have been the blessing to this noble undertaking, had it pleased divine Providence to have prolonged the valuable life of the deceased Founder: but he is now no more. We have, however, no doubt of the great Father of the fatherless supplying his loss; and that your Excellency, and all well-disposed persons, especially the good people of this province, will espouse our cause, and promote our welfare. Agreeable to the plan of our deceased Benefactor, an Academy is now _begun_ to be superadded to the Orphan-house, and gentlemen of this province will have an opportunity of educating their sons under their immediate inspection, and will not be under the necessity of sending them at a great distance for that purpose, or be constantly labouring under the painful anxiety of knowing of their health and welfare, besides being probably at a greater and more uncertain expence.

The utility of this, it is humbly presumed, wants no recommendation: it is natural to love the place where we received our education, and passed our first years. If parents would therefore have the pleasure of seeing the daily progress their children make in knowledge; if they desire they should love and revere them, and have a peculiar regard for the place of their nativity; if they would preserve them from the improper liberties they may take, when removed from their authority; it surely must be most eligible to let them spend their early years under the shadow of their wings, and within the reach of their parental admonitions.

_May it please your Excellency_,

I have now in charge to return your Excellency, with all deference and humility, our most grateful acknowledgments for your kind patronage and countenance; and to assure your Excellency, that we do and will constantly pray for your happiness, wherever Providence may please to place you, unfeignedly wishing, that your Excellency may continually experience that heart-felt satisfaction which can only dwell in the breast of the humane and benevolent; and we are persuaded, when you return to your native country, our cause will not be forgotten by your Excellency.

_Honourable Sir_,¹

We should be highly wanting in gratitude, if, on this occasion, we omitted to acknowledge your unwearied and unabating attention to serve this institution from its first foundation; and we are happy that GOD has been pleased to preserve _your life_ to succeed our kind Founder, and carry into execution his truly generous intentions. Your disinterested regard to promote our real welfare is well known, and therefore I shall forbear to add, only that for your happiness, and long continuance amongst us, we daily pray.

¹ The Honourable _James Habersham_.

_Reverend Gentlemen, Gentlemen and Ladies_,

Permit me to return you our best thanks for the very kind regard you have shewn us, and to assure you, that we will endeavour to deserve the continuance of your friendship and favour.

_Sir, and Gentlemen_,¹

We cannot, we must not, Sir, omit to give our public testimony of your unwearied diligence and attention to cultivate and improve our minds in solid learning and useful knowledge; and, Gentlemen, it would be unjust, if we did not make the same acknowledgment for your constant care to make our situation, in regard to our bodies, easy, comfortable, and every way convenient, and as we have nothing to repay you, but our prayers for your welfare, both in time and eternity, and our best thanks, we hope you will kindly accept this tribute of our grateful hearts.

¹ The Tutor and the Managers.

_Young Gentlemen_, (the Boarders.)

You are happy in having parents, who have both inclination and means to pay for your education. I have none. But to you, Gentlemen, I must own my obligation for having the opportunity of an education I could not, from my situation, have expected, had not your parents enabled our worthy Executor to employ so able a Tutor, as we now have, to instruct us, and I hope we shall shew, that his assiduity, care and pains, will have the desired effect.

_My fellow Orphans_,

What shall I say to excite your gratitude? I hope the memory of our late Benefactor, who has laboured incessantly for me, for you, and many others, who have partaken of the benefit of this institution, since its first foundation, will be deeply engraven in our hearts, and remembered with the greatest reverence and gratitude. This is all we have in our power, in return for such unmerited favours, and if this, our small tribute, should be wanting, we must, we shall be justly deemed the most ungrateful to our deceased Benefactor, who encountered innumerable, uncommon, and unknown difficulties, in carrying on this institution, notwithstanding he was maligned, traduced, and persecuted, with unrelenting virulence, as a cheat, an impostor, a public robber, and as one, who, under the specious pretence of promoting a charitable design, was amassing great wealth to himself; all which he bore with an uncommon degree of patience. Let me add, that GOD has been graciously pleased to provide for you, and for me, beyond many, very many in our circumstances. We are _here_ daily taught the great and fundamental truths of the gospel of the Son of GOD, have plenty of the necessaries of life, and are carefully educated to qualify us to get a comfortable subsistence, and make us useful members of society. Let us therefore make a proper improvement of these mercies, and let us, my dear fellow Orphans, be thankful to GOD, the Father of all, for them, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to his service, and by walking before him in holiness and righteousness all our days, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.

_May it please your Excellency, Reverend Gentlemen, Gentlemen and Ladies_,

I fear I have trespassed on your patience, and humbly entreat you to pardon the poor attempt of a youth unaccustomed to speak before so respectable an audience.”

After this the Rev. Mr. _Edward Ellington_, minister of the parish of _St. Bartholomew_, in _South Carolina_, read prayers, and preached a sermon very suitable to the occasion, from _Matthew_ xviii. 20. Divine service being ended, the young gentlemen of the academy repeated several passages taken from some of the most approved _English_ authors, in such a manner as appeared agreeably to engage the attention and to meet with the entire approbation of the company. Then Mr. _Edward Langworthy_, their Tutor, addressed the company as follows:

“_May it please your Excellency, Gentlemen and Ladies_,

Having observed the attention of your Excellency to the exercises of this morning, and the marks of pleasure and approbation so visible in all the Gentlemen and Ladies now present, I think it my duty, with the warmest gratitude, to acknowledge the honour your Excellency and this respectable audience have conferred on this institution. The young gentlemen that just now spoke before your Excellency, have not been long under my tuition; they are indeed _young_, and scarce initiated in the first principles of literature; however, I flatter myself that these feeble attempts will be favourably received, and that hereafter they will be enabled to exhibit something more worthy of your attention and approbation.

It affords me the highest satisfaction, when I reflect, that divine providence hath honoured me with the care and direction of them, and I cannot but make a tender of my sincere and best respects to you, our worthy Executor, and to their worthy parents and friends, for the great confidence reposed in me. Duly sensible of the important trust committed to every preceptor, I shall, in the fear of GOD, do my utmost to form their tender minds, and to impress on them such principles as may tend to advance their happiness in private, as well as in public life: and I hope, from their proficiency, the Gentlemen of this province will be induced to promote with all their influence the growth and prosperity of our present undertaking.

The strict and virtuous education of youth is a point of great consequence in every country, and those that are employed therein do certainly merit the attention and encouragement of the public in proportion to their faithfulness; for my part, I do most chearfully dedicate my whole time to this laborious work, and am determined to pursue it with the greatest assiduity and diligence, being convinced that I can in no other way do more good to the true interest of my fellow beings, or do more service to the province.

It is undoubtedly the indispensible obligation of every one entrusted with the business of education, to satisfy the public with respect to their abilities and intentions, and therefore I hope to convince you that no pains will be spared, and no time lost, and that whatever is useful in the sciences, or ornamental in life, will _here_ be inculcated both by precept and example. Authors in the several branches of knowledge will be regularly read, and the sacred scriptures constantly explained: these can bestow understanding upon all men; they are the universal logic, since none can read them without either acquiring a greater exactness of thought, or being invited to contract a greater rectitude of manners.

Our time being so far elapsed, permit me, in the behalf of these poor Orphans, and in the name of every member concerned in this Seminary, most heartily to thank your Excellency, and all the Gentlemen and Ladies now before me, for their kind attendance on this solemnity. With sentiments of the most unfeigned gratitude we would express our sense of it, and hope for the continuance of your esteem and friendship.

And I should be greatly wanting in respect and duty to you, Reverend Sir, and indeed justly incur the displeasure of all concerned in the management of this institution, if I did not now embrace the opportunity of returning you their and my humblest thanks for your kind and friendly assistance.

May what you and others have done on this Anniversary, terminate in the glory of the great Head of the church, who is GOD over all, blessed for evermore.”

Between the exercises of the day, the Orphan children sung several short hymns adapted to the occasion, with one of which the solemnity was closed. The company were afterward entertained with a plain and plentiful dinner in the Great Hall, and unanimously expressed their satisfaction of the proceedings of the day, and especially of the decency and order with which the whole was conducted.

END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.

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