As for the aspersions that have been cast upon me, as though I collected money to enrich myself, it gives me little or no concern; the apostle _Paul_ was branded as one that made a gain of people; but GOD knows the heart: at the day of judgment I will prove those persons liars. Professor _Franck_ met with unspeakably more contempt and calumny, whilst he was building the Orphan-house in _Germany_: he began very low, and left behind him an Orphan-house which contains now, if I mistake not, two or three thousand students, notwithstanding the erecting it, was attended with as many improbabilities as this in _Georgia_: he has been dead about fourteen or sixteen years. His son now succeeds him in the care of the Orphan-house: I have had the pleasure of corresponding with him. An account of this Orphan-house was printed in his life-time, and it has been very strengthening and beneficial to my soul.
If any, by reading this, shall be inclined to contribute any thing, either in money or goods, I trust GOD will give me grace to apply it faithfully.
I am not ashamed to beg for GOD on this occasion; because my going to _Georgia_, and erecting the Orphan-house, was one great means in his hand, of bringing me out to preach the everlasting gospel in so many places, and to many thousands of poor perishing souls, who I doubt not (be it spoken with all humility) will evidence my commission thereto, by being my joy and crown of rejoicing in the last day. Blessed be his holy name, he has not left himself, nor me his servant, without witnesses of this sort in _Scotland_! Many, I trust, since this time twelvemonth, have been made to _taste that the LORD is gracious_, and have in an effectual manner _felt the powers of the world to come_: such in particular, I trust, will lift up holy hands in prayer for me, and for the prosperity of the Orphan-house, that the enemies of our holy religion may never have cause to triumph over its ruins, saying, _There, there, so would we have it_. I look upon the Orphan-house as a great part of my charge; a family given me by GOD, to be supported and taken care of, for himself. Its very beginnings are not small; its latter end, I believe, will greatly increase. He that believeth, should not make haste to contemn the undertaking, or my conduct in carrying it on, seeing it has already evidently appeared to be of GOD, by the countenance and success he has given to both. And since the LORD, by his providence, has connected the care of this family with my preaching the gospel, by making it a means of first bringing me out, and ever since has been pleased to continue the care of it upon me; I think myself bound in duty, to recommend it in the strongest manner to all people amongst whom I am called to preach the kingdom of GOD. Neither do I think myself justly blameable for running so much in arrears on its account, since the LORD, in all places where he has been pleased to send me, has inclined the hearts of people to be ready to distribute, and willing to communicate on this occasion: and, I doubt not, will yet dispose the hearts of his people here and elsewhere, to be my farther assistants by their charitable contributions, seeing I am so necessarily engaged in the affair. _He that giveth to these_ poor orphans, _lendeth to the_ LORD; and look, _Whatsoever he layeth out, it shall be repaid him again_.
Those who, notwithstanding what has been said, still continue in suspense, I would entreat them at least to pray for me, that in this, and all my undertakings for the church of CHRIST, I may go on with an even, humble, resigned, chearful mind, and single eye to GOD’s glory; and then, I doubt not but they will see a happy issue of this work, and future ages have reason to bless GOD, for ever putting it into my heart to build an Orphan-house in _Georgia_.
_September 22, 1742._