Some REMARKS on a late Pamphlet, entitled, “_The State of Religion in |New-England|, since the Reverend Mr. |George Whitefield|’s Arrival there._”
In a LETTER to a MINISTER of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND.
A VINDICATION, &c.
_Cambuslang, August 31, 1742._
_Reverend and dear Sir_,
I HAVE read the pamphlet entitled, “_The State of Religion in New-England_, since the Reverend Mr. _George Whitefield_’s arrival there, in a letter from a gentleman in _New-England_ to his friend in _Glasgow_.” I think the contents no way answer the title page. It rather ought to be intitled, _The State of Religion falsely stated_. For I am persuaded, some things are therein asserted, without sufficient evidence to prove them, and many more things falsely represented, and set in a wrong light: the design of the pamphlet itself is base and wicked. It is intended, if possible, to eclipse the late great and glorious work, begun and carried on for some time in _New-England_; to invalidate the testimonies that have been given of it, and thereby of consequence to bring a reproach upon, and to hinder the spreading of a like glorious work, which GOD of his infinite mercy has for some time been carrying on in this land. Give me leave to send you a few observations upon this _anonymous_ pamphlet. I call it _anonymous_, because the publisher has not thought proper to put down the name of the writer of the first letter Mr. _A. M._ at length, which I think he was bound in duty to do. The publisher indeed, in the advertisement prefixed to the letter, tells us, “The reader may depend upon it, that the following letter is genuine, from a gentleman who hath always had a good character for sound understanding, integrity, sobriety of manners, piety; and, notwithstanding his engagements in secular affairs, has never been an unconcerned spectator of any thing that might affect the state of religion.” But I must beg the publisher’s pardon, if I tell him, that I am one of those readers who cannot depend upon all this, merely upon his desiring me to do so. For really there is one thing in the letter which makes me shrewdly suspect that the letter itself is not genuine, at least that there has been some additions made to it since it came to _Scotland_. For the supposed writer of this letter, page 15, says, “In the preface to the sermon published by Mr. _Edwards_ of _Northampton_, which I see is reprinted among you.” Now how this gentleman could see at _Boston, May 24_, that Mr. _Edwards_’s sermon was reprinted in _Scotland_, which was not done till the _June_ following, I know not. If it be said, that by the words _among you_ he means in _Britain_, I see that the printed advertisement in the _London Weekly History_, of the publication of Mr. _Edwards_’s sermon in _England_, is dated _May 1_, and says, “This day is published.” I myself was one that was chiefly concerned in publishing of it. I sent the first copy to _Scotland_, and to my certain knowledge it was never published in _Britain_ till _May 1_. Is it probable that people at _Boston_ should know of this _May 24_? What a character this gentleman has always had for “sound understanding, integrity, sobriety of manners and piety,” I will not take upon me to determine, nor does the publisher give us opportunity to know what character the gentleman really has had, since he does not publish his name: but however that be, I fear he has forfeited his good character “for sound understanding, integrity and piety,” by writing this letter. And though he may not be altogether an “unconcerned spectator of any thing that might affect religion,” yet I fear he has been so taken up with “his engagements in secular affairs,” that he hath not given himself sufficient time to enquire into matters of fact, but has heard with others ears, and seen with others eyes, and has not himself attended as he ought, to the one thing needful.