Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., late of Pembroke-College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon (1771 Volume 2).djvu/425

 *ters of the establishment did not favour the work, and the first awakened persons put themselves under the care of the New-York synod, the poor people were from time to time fined, and very much harrassed for not attending on the church service:—And as the awakening was supposed to be begun by the reading of my books, at the instigation of the council a proclamation was issued out to prohibit itinerant preaching. However, before I left Virginia, one Mr. D (an excellent young man) was licensed, and settled over a congregation. Since that, the awakening has increased, so that Mr. D writes, "that one congregation is multiplied to seven." He desires liberty to license more houses, and to preach occasionally to all, as there is no minister but himself. This, though allowed of in England, is denied in Virginia, which grieves the people very much. The commissary is one of the council, and with the rest of his brethren, I believe no friend to the Dissenters. The late Lieutenant-Governor was like-minded.—I therefore think that Mr. D is raised up to succeed him, in order to befriend the church of, and the interest of 's people. They desire no other privileges than what dissenting protestants enjoy in our native country. This I am persuaded your brother-in-law will be glad to secure to them. I shall write to Mr. D to wait upon his Honour immediately after his arrival. I pray the of the sea, and the  of the dry land, to send him a safe and speedy passage, and make him a long and great blessing to the inhabitants of Virginia. You may improve these hints as you please. I beg the prayers both of yourself and dear yoke-fellow, and assure you, that neither you nor yours are forgotten by, reverend and dear Sir, Yours most affectionately in our common, G. W.     LETTER DCCCCII. To the Reverend Mr. Z.

Honoured Sir,     Edinburgh, July 29, 1751.

SINCE I wrote to you from Glasgow, a never-failing hath vouchsafed to help me every day in preaching the everlasting gospel. The congregations morning and evening amount to many thousands. People flock more than ever,