I HOPE ere this reaches you, you have received mine of the 4th, 11th, 14th, and 27th of _July_ last, and that you see your way clear to come to us. Blessed be GOD we have reason to conclude the _Spaniards_ have entirely left the colony, and we are now very comfortably settled again. The deliverance the LORD has wrought for us by the General, I think is the most remarkable I ever heard or read of, except some instances recorded in the Old Testament. It is so manifest, that “Surely GOD has fought our battles,” is in the mouth of every one, whatever may be in their hearts. I cannot now mention particulars, being much streightened for time; at _Savannah_ the poor people are almost all sick; four have been cut off. At _Frederica_ likewise, and at Mr. _Bryan_’s, and other neighbours, they are in the same condition. We have also many down. GOD has been chastising us with whips, but now seems to be scourging us with scorpions. O that the goodness and patience of GOD may lead us to repentance! We have a good crop on the ground, and have none to gather it in but the few boys. Brother _Hunter_ has his hands full, and is chiefly at _Savannah_. It is but little we buy abroad.――We hunt and kill our own stock, and have potatoes and corn enough of our own. I am but poorly, as is dear brother _Barber_, who is singularly useful at this trying time.――What should I have done without him? I have much to say to you. Indeed I hope you are now in your passage to us. We cannot but expect you. _B. Grant_ hurries me to conclude. Please to give my tender love to your wife, and all with you, and believe me to be
Your affectionate servant in our LORD,
_J. Habersham_.
I. How are thy servants bless’d, O LORD! How sure is their defence! Eternal wisdom is their guard, Their help Omnipotence.
II. In all their various griefs, O LORD! Thy mercy sets them free, While in the confidence of prayer Their souls lay hold on thee.
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.