George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

IN THE FOREST 129
The account of crossing the Potomac helps one to realise
the condition of the whole land through which they were
passing. ' Potomac,' Whitefield says, ' is a river which parts
the two provinces, Maryland and Virginia. It is six miles
broad. We attempted to go over it ; but, after we had rowed
about a mile, the wind blew so violently, and night was coming
on so fast, that we were obliged to go back and lie at the
person's house who kept the ferry, where they brought out
such things as they had.' Christmas Day was spent very
pleasantly at Newborn Town ; public worship was attended,
the sacrament was received, a congregation was gathered to
hear the word, and heard it with tears ; the hostess provided
a Christmas dinner, and would take no fare from the traveller
when he offered it. New Year's Day was spent in riding ; and
at sunset a tavern was reached, which stood just within South
Carolina ; but another kind of visitor than a parson, and
especially a Methodist parson, would have been more welcome
when the house had a goodly company of neighbours who had
come together for a dance !
Such a company, however, must
have a word of exhortation, and he gave it both night and
morning. The morning proved as delightful as the night was
to prove disagreeable. For twenty miles the travellers rode
along the shore of a beautiful bay, as level as a terrace walk,
the porpoises that were enjoying their pastime making sport
for them all the way. Whitefield's heart rejoiced to hear
shore resounding to shore, across the noble expanse, the praise
of Him who hath set bounds to the sea that it cannot pass.
Then they rode into the forest, and had to take their chance
among the roads and by-roads. As night came on the moon
was too beclouded to show them where the by-paths led from
the main road, and thus the path to a house where they
purposed seeking lodgings was missed. There was nothing
for it but to push on till some resting-place could be reached,
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