103 History of Methodism 



polite entertainments than the amount raised by their rates for the 

 poor; but now the jewelers and dancing-masters begin to cry out 

 that their craft is in danger. A vast alteration is discernible in la- 

 dies' dresses, and some, while I have been speaking, have been so 

 convinced of the sin of wearing jewels that I have seen them, with 

 blushes, put their hands to their ears, and cover them with their 

 fans. The reformation also has gone further than externals. Many 

 moral, good sort of men, Avho before were settled on their lees, have 

 been awakened to seek after Jesus Christ, and many a Lydia's heart 

 has been opened to receive the things that were spoken. Indeed, 

 the word came like a hammer and a fire. Several of the negroes did 

 their work in less time than usual, that they might come to hear me; 

 and many of their owners, who have been awakened, have resolved 

 to teach them Christianity. Had I time and proper school-masters, 

 I might immediately erect a negro school in South Carolina, as well 

 as in Pennsylvania [fostered by Seward's liberality, but failing be- 

 cause of his untimely and martyr-death in Wales]. Many would 

 willingly contribute both money and land. 



Friday, March 21. Went on board the sloop, prayed, sung a hymn, 

 and took an affectionate leave of my brother and other friends ; got 

 over the bar, and reached Savannah about noon. 



Mr. "Wkiteneld's original design in coming to 

 America was to erect an Orphan House in Georgia. 

 He says: 



Some have thought that the erecting such a building was only the 

 produce of my own brain; but they are much mistaken. It was 

 first proposed to me by my dear friend the Eev. Mr. Charles Wesley, 

 who, with his excellency General Oglethorpe, had concerted a 

 scheme for carrying on such a design before I had any thoughts of 

 going abroad myself. It was natural to think that as the govern- 

 ment intended this province for the refuge and support of many of 

 our poor countrymen, numbers of such adventurers must necessarily 

 be taken off by being exposed to the hardships which unavoidably 

 attend a new settlement. I thought it, therefore, a noble design to 

 erect a house for fatherless children, and was resolved, in the strength 

 of God, to prosecute it with all my might. This was mentioned to 

 the honorable trustees. They took it kindly at my hands; and as 

 I began then to be pretty popular at Bristol and elsewhere, they 

 wrote to the Bishop of Bath and Wells [Butler, author of the "Anal- 



