――――THE spirit of the LORD seems to be moving upon the faces of many souls here; most, if not all the boys, seem to be under some concern; little as well as great boys, cry mightily to JESUS the son of _David_, to have mercy upon them. About fourteen days ago, at brother _Barber_’s request, I spoke to the children at evening prayer. My soul at that time was bowed down with a sense of my own, and especially of your poor lambs deadness to GOD; but our gracious Redeemer, who is always ready to help in time of need, was pleased to give me power to speak to their consciences. I think I could and did justly appeal to their hearts, that they wanted neither bodily or spiritual food: I told them, that they, as well as myself, could not be insensible what little care was taken of them before they came to us, and consequently how ungrateful they were not to improve such means as they now enjoyed: I beseeched them, by the mercies of GOD, that they would improve this their day of salvation, that we and our benefactors might rejoice; we in the work of our hands, they in the fruit of their bounty. An impression was made on some; I observed them the next day retire into the woods, to sing and pray together. Two nights afterwards, I spoke to them again, and as I promised, so I returned them my public thanks for their little amendment, with tears of love and joy: I felt the LORD powerfully on my own soul, and it seemed to reach the children, and put them under a visible concern. Ever since, brother _Barber_ has put the great boys into two companies, and they constantly meet together every day to sing and pray. _Saturday_, the 21st instant, the presence of the LORD came down among the children, little and great, as they were talking among themselves about eternity; and they cried so much to JESUS of _Nazareth_, to have mercy upon them, that the family soon heard them. We all went, saw, and wept over about twenty-five or thirty dear lambs, upon their knees before GOD, some pleading the promises, and others calling on JESUS. O how did my hard heart rejoice! Blessed be GOD, many of them seem to retain their convictions, and all are serious. Does not your soul leap for joy, and say, Bless the LORD, O my friends, and let us magnify his name together! Indeed, my dear brother, all the glory is due to him. Whilst I am writing, I blush, that I should mention any thing about what I was only in a little measure an instrument. Methinks I could wish to disappear, that the creature might be abased, and GOD be all in all. I have great hopes that GOD will bring some effectually to himself. The work seems to be more solid among them, and more the effect of consideration, than that of last summer. I rejoice much, that the LORD sent brother _Barber_ among us; for I have neither leisure nor ability to speak much to the children, and he seems to delight to watch over their souls: I trust the LORD will make him a blessing to us all; I think it will be our own fault if he is not. One or two of the labourers, I hope, have closed with JESUS for salvation; and one or two more are in a fair way to do so.
Mr. _Habersham_, in another Letter, writes thus from _Charles-Town_.
_June 11, 1741._