Handasyde Peck, a polite invitation to dine. Mr. Peck was a very respectable man, and his lady a most valuable woman;[1] they were unwearied in contributing, to the utmost of their abilities, to the relief of the sons and daughters of sorrow. Ranking among the admirers of Mr. Whitefield, they possessed eminently the characteristic of his adherents,—they were abundantly less bigoted than other Religionists. In the agreeable family of Mr. Peck, I passed a most delightful day; I related to them the manner of my coming to the house of my patron, and I sketched for them the dealings of God with me, since he had called me forth. They listened with silent astonishment; and when I had finished, they praised God in my behalf. They were evidently pained, that I could not obtain a place in which to preach; and they added, if no other could be procured, they would open their own doors for this purpose. There were in Boston at this period a few individuals, who were immeasurably attached to the writings of Jacob Bhemen. Those persons looked down with pity on all those they had left behind, who were such infidels, as not to ascribe honour and glory to the inspired pages of this writer. I could not forbear experiencing great satisfaction from the consideration, that Jesus Christ was made unto me wisdom. The adherents of Bhemen enjoyed their philosophical divinity very highly, delighting to wrap themselves about in a mysterious garment of unintelligible jargon. But thus it must ever be. Error will prevail, until the appointed time of the Father shall usher the benighted mind into the clear shining of the full meridian of Divine Revelation.
At the house of Major Paddock I met a member of Mr. Stillman's church, who seemed to conceive there would be little difficulty in overthrowing my plan; to whom I observed, that if any individual would unite with me in searching the scriptures, I would, supposing there were not found in the book of God more positive assertions of final, and universal Redemption, than of final Reprobation, pledge myself immediately to surrender my present soul-satisfying views. "No one," he replied, "could take pleasure in the destruction of mankind." Why, do not you, sir? "No, sir." Why, sir? "I wonder you should ask such a question." Why, sir, why should you not take pleasure in that,
- ↑ Many of the descendants of this exemplary couple are among the most opulent dwellers in this town. It is reported, that they are marching forward in the luminous path of their excellent ancestors; that they uniformly extend to the children of adversity a munificent and extricating hand; and, although their voices did not gladden the sick chamber of the preacher, yet he rejoiced in their prosperity, and in that large portion of benevolence, ascribed to them by the echoing tongue of fame. Editor.
