During my return home, I have been preaching daily; ordinarily, three times a day and sometimes oftener. Through pure grace, I have met with success much exceeding my expectations.
In the town of Boston, there were many hundreds, if not thousands as some have judged, under soul concern. When I left the place, many children were deeply affected about their souls, and several had received consolation. Some aged persons in church communion and some open opposers were convinced. Various young and middle-aged people were converted, and several blacks. The concern was rather more general at Charlestown. Multitudes were awakened, and several had received great consolation, especially among the young people, children and blacks. In Cambridge also, in the town and in the college, the shaking among the dry bones was general, and several of the students have received consolation.
[Tennant then proceeds to name more than 20 towns to which the revival had extended; in most of which Tennant had preached on his return home.] In New Haven, the concern was general, both in the college and in the town. About 30 students came 10 miles on foot, to hear the Word of God. And at Milford, the concern was general. I believe, by a moderate calculation, some thousands have been awakened. Glory to God on high! I thank you, sir, that
1In last month’s Free Presbyterian Magazine an extract entitled, “Gilbert Tennent”, appeared, from Archibald Alexander’s book, The Log College. This letter, written in 1740 or 1741, comes from the same source and was sent to George Whitefield. What has been inserted in square brackets was written by Alexander.
you did stir me up to make this journey. I have had good information that, on Long Island, God has blessed my poor labours on my passage to New England.
The work of God spreads more and more. My brother William has had remarkable success this winter at Burlington. Mr John Cross has had remarkable success at Staten Island; and many, I hear, have been awakened by the labours of Mr Robinson, in New York State. Mr Mills has had remarkable success in Connecticut, particularly at New Haven. And I hear that Mr Blair has had remarkable success in Pennsylvania.