114 History of Methodism 



same. In pursuance of this purpose, lie sent over 

 workmen to erect the necessary additional buildings 

 for the intended academy at the Orphan House; and 

 in the presence of the council and a large assembly of 

 people, the foundation of the two additional wings to 

 the main building — each one hundred and fifty feet in 

 length — was laid by Governor Wright, on Saturday, 

 the 25th of March, 1769, being the anniversary of the 

 laying of the corner-stone of that house in 1740. 



Sunday, January 28, 1770, was a remarkable day in 

 the history of Bethesda. A memorial-service was held, 

 and the Governor, James Wright, the Council, the 

 House of Assembly of Georgia, with their president, 

 James Habersham, and a large number of colonists, 

 were invited to attend and dine at the Orphan House. 

 Mr. Whitefield's sermon on this memorable Sunday 

 was founded on Zechariah iv. 10, " For who has de- 

 spised the day of small things? " and was one of his 

 best. He expressed the opinion that the colonies of 

 America were likely to become " one of the most opu- 

 lent and powerful empires in the world." He told the 

 congregation that when he first came to Georgia "the 

 whole country almost was left desolate, and the me- 

 tropolis, Savannah, was but like a cottage in a vine- 

 yard, or as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers." He 

 reminded them that it had been reported to the House 

 of Commons that " the very existence of the colony 

 was in a great measure, if not totally, owing to the 

 building and supporting of the Orphan House. I 

 dare not conclude," said he, " without offering to your 

 excellency our pepper-corn of acknowledgment for the 

 countenance you have always shown Bethesda, and for 

 the honor you did us last year in laying the first brick 

 of yonder wings; in thus doing you have honored 



