Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III

From ti'ijs view of things I am sometimes almost discouraged & fear it will not be in my power to do them any effectual service : It is with great difficulty that many are brought to attend divine Service, with still greater to submit to Baptism, because they think they can be as goo<:l without it, & as profitably employed at home, as at Church -- And if one is prevailed upon to receive the holy Communion once or twice it is much if he comes again.

*THE SAMS TO THE SAME.

Jamaica Octob 6th J7S4

Eevd Sir.

Since my last letter to the Honored Society we have liad a long visit from M' Whitfield in this Colony where he has preached frequently, especially in the City of New York and in this Island, & I am sorry to say he has had more influence than formerly & I fear has done a great deal of mischief his Tenets & Method of Preaching have been adopted by many of the Dissenting Teachers, & tliis Town in particular has a continual I had almost said a daily succession of Strolhng Preachers & Exhorters ; & the poor Church of England is on every occasion misrepresented as Popish & as teaching her Members to expect Salvation on accoimt of tbeir own Works & doserviiigs -- I have ija

328 PAPERS RELATING TO CHURCHES IN QUEENS COUNTY.

the most moderate manner endeavoured to set these things in their true light & I think not without success, none of my own people have been led away hj~ them, tho' I have not been without appreliensions on their account, and 1 hope that friendly Disposition & mutual intercourse of good OfiSces which have always subsisted between the Church peoftle & Dissenters since I have been settled here & which I have constantly endeavoured to promote will meet with but little interruption.