He says in the beginning of his letter, page the 3d, “I am sorry you have had such accounts of persons, and things, transmitted you from this country, as you mention in your letter; they are far from being true, and must come from men of narrow minds, and great bigotry, or from such as basely affect popularity, or from well-meaning weak christians, of little knowledge of human nature, or the history of mankind.” What accounts this gentleman refers to I know not. If he means the accounts in the _Weekly History_, as I suppose he does; I think this gentleman is sadly mistaken. Most of the accounts were transmitted by the honourable Mr. _Williard_, secretary of the province. The Rev. Dr. _Colman_, the Rev. Mr. _Cooper_, the Rev. Mr. _Prince_: persons I am intimately acquainted with, and who are by no means “Men of narrow minds, great bigotry, or little knowledge of human nature, or the history of mankind: but have deservedly had a good character for sound understanding, integrity, sobriety of manners and piety:” Some of these were honoured several years ago with degrees, by the university of _Glasgow_, upon recommendation from the Honourable society at _Edinburgh_ for Propagating Christian Knowledge; of which society several of the most intelligent gentlemen in the nation are members: such honours were done to Messrs. _Colman_, _Prince_, and _Cooper_.
Now whether _they_, or this _anonymous writer_, are to be most credited, I leave any reasonable man to judge. Indeed he boldly asserts, “That these accounts are not true:” but what proofs does he bring of the falsity of them? None at all. Let us but know who this writer is, I am persuaded my honoured friends at _Boston_, will soon bring him to the test of these assertions.
He goes on thus “Indeed some persons of very good sense were once inclined to think GOD was doing wonders in this place.” (_Boston_) And I am persuaded these very same persons have not altered their opinion yet, but actually believe that GOD has done wonders; if turning people from darkness to light, and making them new creatures, is doing wonders.
“But that was a time when a superstitious panic ran very high, and bore down every body that was not well fixed and established; either by a natural steadiness of temper, or by strong reasoning and reflections. But as soon as the passions of the people subsided, and men could coolly and calmly consider, almost every one of but tolerable sense and understanding in religious matters, in great measure changed their opinions of the spirit that prevailed here, and had been raised by _Whitefield_ and _Tennent_.”
What had been raised by Mr. _Whitefield_ and _Tennent_? GOD forbid! that either Mr. _Tennent_ or I should ascribe any of that work to ourselves. No, it was raised by the Holy Spirit of GOD. It was no _superstitious panic_, but a plentiful effusion of the Holy Ghost. It’s true, it did run high; glory be to GOD for it! and did bear down every body, except those who would not submit to the Redeemer’s scepter, through self-righteousness and unbelief; which I am afraid this writer terms, natural steadiness of temper, strong reasoning and reflection. Nor is it true that “Almost every one of but tolerable understanding in religious matters, in a great measure have changed their opinions of the spirit that prevailed at that time.” No, dear Sir, they yet believe it to be a glorious work of GOD, as is evident from the late writings of some of these eminent ministers in _New-England_, just mentioned.
What the writer says of me in the following paragraph, page 4th, is not worthy notice. He is welcome to make as free with my character as he pleases, and I freely forgive him. However I thank him for doing me the justice to say, “That I collected money _for the Orphan-house_ in _Georgia_.” It was not then _for myself_; nor does he charge me with embezzelling the 5 or 600 _l._ He could not do this _justly_, because before the writing of this letter, an account came to _Boston_ how I had expended it. And as for being “A bold and importunate beggar,” I acknowledge I learned that from the wise Man, who tells me, “Whatever thou findest in thy hand to do, do it with all thy might;” and from the apostle _Paul_, who in the second epistle to the _Corinthians_, chapter viii. 9. shews himself to be the most bold, insinuating and importunate beggar for pious uses, that I ever yet met with.