Reading George Whitefield’s Journals Downtown Plymouth

READING WHAT? WHERE? WHEN?

So crazy to think that on Saturday, August 8th, 2026 (this AM), I am reading my George Whitefield’s Journals in downtown Plymouth, Massachusetts at the Promise Keeper Coffee Co. 

Whitefield’s entries: 

Thursday, December 26th, 1744 – 

“The next morning, I preached again to a larger and more affected, Auditory, and went afterwards in company with several Dear Ministers of Jesus Christ to Plymouth, 6 miles from Duxbury, where I was enabled to preach an evening Lecture in loving labor with freedom and power to a numerous and attentive congregation.

“On Wednesday I preached trice and on Thursday twice, to yet larger and larger auditories. Many ministers were present, and He that holdeth the stars in his right hand was particularly present also.

“A time of refreshing came from the presence of the Lord. The Cup of some of God’s people almost run over. Dr. Leonard was highly delighted. He is a choice, humble, Judicious, Minister of Christ, a downright Nathaniel, and seems to be placed in these parts by the Great Head of the Church to stand in defence of the power of religion and strengthen the hands of several Young Witnesses that have lately been converted and called to settle in some Adjacent Parishes.

“The share that Plymouth has had in the late outpouring of the Spirit was not small. It was delightful to hear of it. A surprising alteration hath been made both in the principles and conduct of Mr. Leonard. He was reckoned a very good and pious man before, but acknowledge he knew nothing as he ought to until after the late remarkable revival of religion.

“This stirred up the Old Man in many and together with his openly owning the work of God, and opening his Pulpit, to Iterant preachers, so irritated part of his congregation that they asked a dismission and they have since joined in a separate congregation, built a new meeting house and have lately had a minister ordained over them. Well, might our Savior say, ‘I came not to send peace but a sword,’ for I find when the power of God does appear offenses will come both from the corruptions of God’s children and the enmity which is in the heart of natural men. Hasten O Lord, that time when the Leopard shall lie down with the kid and the Lion eats straw like the Ox, and thy people divide and learn war of any kind no more!”

Saturday, December 29th, 1744 –

“Went on Thursday, after having preached, and had my soul greatly delighted at Plymouth, to Hallifax, 6 miles from, thence, to the house of Rev. Mr. Cotton, who dates his first turn from Arminianism and a state of nature, from his hearing me at Dr. Sowell’s about 4 years ago (O free Grace), when I remember I was very explicit in showing the danger of preaching an unfelt Christ.”

For me, this makes the soon to be released Jonathan Edwards Study Bible, August 18th, 2026, all the timelier and more interesting. My version of the premium hardback rebind will soon follow in September. LEARN MORE HERE.