sign the plan without putting it forward till after my return.

There were several in Savannah, whom I had learnt to read a little, and on three plantations beside my own, I taught Dr. Watts's first ca techism and psalmody with some degree of success. My black congregations on two of the plantations (Mr. Jonathan Briand, being a dissenter from the Episcopal church, objected to the use of a form of prayer,) could with a degree of readiness repeat with me the Lord's prayer, the creed, and the magnificat.

Once a week I preached to a small congregation, about twelve miles from Savannah; and on my own plantation I was soon joined by ten or twelve white people, to whom I accommodated my discourse, after I had done with the negroes. But so strong were the prejudices of the people in general against me, for being what they called a negro parson, that I believe if I had been an angel of light, I should not have been esteemed.*

* What a view is here incidentally given us of the degraded and despised state of this class of our fellow creatures if prejudice and pride will forsooth allow us to call them so.-Torn from their native country-oppressed by merciless exactions-treated like beasts that perish-fed and valued only for the purposes

Upon my first coming into the province, I was informed it would prove to my advantage, if I could be upon good terms with Mr. Frink, the rector of Savannah, and I was desired to seek intimacy with him, though he should treat me roughly and even repulse me.

I therefore paid him the compliment, of asking his permission to speak publicly to the negroes in town, he gave it in a faint manner, and finding that a recommendatory letter from him to the Bishop would be requisite for my obtaining ordination, I sought such an acquaintance with him, as my friends judged necessary. On new-year's day, I sent him a very neatly bound volume of Mr. Hawies's sermons, for a new-year's gift, with a letter, intimating that my sentiments might be gathered from the work, and that it contained a

of labor and drudgery-a man turned into ridicule and scorn for wishing to teach them the gospel-their possessors afraid least one ray of light should enter their minds, and make them feel they were men!-Who can but lament that our country should so long have "Traded in the persons of men."-Who can but rejoice that the voice of justice and humanity was at last heard who can but be grateful to those who "Through evil and good report" persevered till their discouraged efforts were crowned with success?

just plan of the doctrines I intended to preach. He received them politely, gave me access to him, engaged me to bury the dead for him, when he was indisposed, and I believe would have been glad to have served me, if previous to my embarkation from England, he had not laid the foundation of my disappointment as will appear in the sequel.

I visited the Orphan-house as often as possible, and was in perfect love and harmony with the family. Death made a sad inroad among them in a very little time: but the affliction was completed by the death of Mr. Whitefield. He had left Georgia to go on his northern tour, the latter end of April; and while his return was anticipated and supposed to be near, his removal was announced. It was opened to me by Mr. Habersham, who was much affected with it. It may be supposed I could not be insensible. As soon as I heard it, I retreated to pray, and pour out my soul to God. I can truly say the cause of God at large lay near my heart, and I had a persuasion that the work over which he had presided would not die with him. In his own mind, he had fully settled me; his interview with the trustees of Mr. Zububuhler, had led to some remarks respecting the encouragement of the laity in the service of.

the church, which he supposed would produce effect. He made me feel by saying, when we parted, "Now I cast you off, sink or swim." Though his conversation afterwards was to me a conviction, he would have been glad to have had me again in his boat. His temper had been very placid ever since he left England; at the Orphan-house he seemed quite in his element. He conversed freely upon the future disposal of it. I told him I thought he should resign it to the government of the province, giving it as my reason, that though Lady Huntingdon should have it in case of his death, she would not be able to preserve the life of religion in it, as he supposed. I observed that the work of God usually goes on in a way contrary to the order prescribed by man. He had taken such steps as certainly raised the expectation of the governor and council. They had reason to think, it would be an institution under their direction. He was much too sanguine in his hopes of what was to arise from it..

I continued in one steady track, desirous to be fully qualified for my office, and vigorously to enter upon it in its full extent, which, I could not without Episcopal ordination. I indulged the idea of a speedy return to England, and consulted Mr. Habersham upon the expe

diency of it. He and all with whom he consulted upon the subject, saw it in the same light. For what end I was permitted to go to America, and why prevented from settling there, is among the secrets of the Almighty. He directs our ways and orders our steps. It is not for us to demand the reason of his conduct, but to submit to his will. May we ever restrain improper inquiries, and submissively yield ourselves up to him, as instruments to be used or to be neglected as he thinks good. I rejoice that your feet are set in such a large place, and that you have such a spacious field to labor in. That you may bring forth an abundance of fruit unto God, is the prayer of

My very dear friend,

Your's, &c.

LETTER XI.

MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,

You have no conception of the effect of Mr. Whitefield's death upon the inhabitants of the province of Georgia. All the black cloth in the stores was bought up; the pulpit and desks of the church, the branches, the or