I began now to turn my thoughts a little to public affairs, beginning, however, with small matters. The city watch was one of the first things that I conceiv'd to want regulation. It was managed by the constables of the respective wards in turn; the constable warned a number of housekeepers to attend him for the night. Those who chose never to attend, paid him six shillings a year to be excus'd, which was suppos'd to be for hiring substitutes, but was, in reality, much more than was necessary for that purpose, and made the constableship a place of profit; and the constable, for a little drink, often got such ragamuffins about him as a watch, that respectable housekeepers did not choose to mix with. Walking the rounds, too, was often neglected, and most of the nights spent in tippling. I thereupon wrote a paper to be read in Junto, representing these irregularities, but insisting more particularly on the inequality of this six-shilling tax of the constables, respecting the circumstances of those who paid it, since a poor widow housekeeper, all whose property to be guarded by the watch did not perhaps exceed the value of fifty pounds, paid as much as the wealthiest merchant, who had thousands of pounds' worth of goods in his stores.
I now began to turn my thoughts a little to public affairs, though I started with small matters. One of the first things I thought needed regulation was the city watch. The constables of the different wards managed it in turn. The constable would summon a number of householders to attend him for the night. Those who chose never to attend paid him six shillings a year to be excused. This money was supposed to pay for hiring substitutes. In reality it was much more than that purpose required, and it made the constable's office a source of profit. For a little drink, the constable often gathered such ragamuffins around him as a watch that respectable householders did not choose to mix with them. Walking the rounds was also often neglected, and most of the nights were spent drinking. I then wrote a paper to be read in the Junto that described these irregularities. I stressed most of all the unfairness of the constables' six-shilling tax, considering the circumstances of those who paid it. A poor widow householder, whose property guarded by the watch was perhaps worth no more than fifty pounds, paid as much as the wealthiest merchant, who had thousands of pounds' worth of goods in his stores.
On the whole, I proposed as a more effectual watch, the hiring of proper men to serve constantly in that business; and as a more equitable way of supporting the charge, the levying a tax that should be proportion'd to the property. This idea, being approv'd by the Junto, was communicated to the other clubs, but as arising in each of them; and though the plan was not immediately carried into execution, yet, by preparing the minds of people for the change, it paved the way for the law obtained a few years after, when the members of our clubs were grown into more influence.
Overall, I proposed hiring suitable men to serve constantly in that work as a more effective watch. I also suggested paying for it by levying a tax based on property values. The Junto approved the idea. We shared it with the other clubs, presenting it as if each of them had originated it. The plan was not put into effect immediately. Still, by preparing people's minds for the change, it paved the way for the law passed a few years later. By then, members of our clubs had greater influence.
About this time I wrote a paper (first to be read in Junto, but it was afterward publish'd) on the different accidents and carelessnesses by which houses were set on fire, with cautions against them, and means proposed of avoiding them. This was much spoken of as a useful piece, and gave rise to a project, which soon followed it, of forming a company for the more ready extinguishing of fires, and mutual assistance in removing and securing of goods when in danger. Associates in this scheme were presently found, amounting to thirty. Our articles of agreement oblig'd every member to keep always in good order, and fit for use, a certain number of leather buckets, with strong bags and baskets (for packing and transporting of goods), which were to be brought to every fire; and we agreed to meet once a month and spend a social evening together, in discoursing and communicating such ideas as occurred to us upon the subjects of fires, as might be useful in our conduct on such occasions.
About this time I wrote a paper, first read at the Junto and later published, about the various accidents and acts of carelessness that set houses on fire. It included warnings against them and suggested ways to avoid them. People spoke of it as a useful piece, and it led soon to a project to form a company to extinguish fires more quickly and to help one another remove and secure goods in danger. We presently found thirty associates for this scheme. Our articles of agreement required every member to keep a certain number of leather buckets always in good order and ready for use, and to have strong bags and baskets for packing and transporting goods. These were to be brought to every fire. We also agreed to meet once a month and spend a social evening together, discussing and sharing any ideas about fires that might help our conduct on such occasions.
The utility of this institution soon appeared, and many more desiring to be admitted than we thought convenient for one company, they were advised to form another, which was accordingly done; and this went on, one new company being formed after another, till they became so numerous as to include most of the inhabitants who were men of property; and now, at the time of my writing this, tho' upward of fifty years since its establishment, that which I first formed, called the Union Fire Company, still subsists and flourishes, tho' the first members are all deceas'd but myself and one, who is older by a year than I am. The small fines that have been paid by members for absence at the monthly meetings have been apply'd to the purchase of fire-engines, ladders, fire-hooks, and other useful implements for each company, so that I question whether there is a city in the world better provided with the means of putting a stop to beginning conflagrations; and, in fact, since these institutions, the city has never lost by fire more than one or two houses at a time, and the flames have often been extinguished before the house in which they began has been half consumed.
The usefulness of this institution soon became clear. Many more people wanted to join than we thought appropriate for one company. They were advised to form another company, and they did. This continued, with one new company formed after another. They became so numerous that they included most of the town's property-owning men. Now, as I write this, more than fifty years have passed since it was founded. The first company I formed, called the Union Fire Company, still exists and flourishes. All the original members are deceased except me and one other. That other member is a year older than I am. Small fines that members paid for missing the monthly meetings were used to buy fire engines, ladders, fire hooks, and other useful equipment for each company. I doubt any city is better supplied to stop fires in their early stages. In fact, since these organizations began, the city has never lost more than one or two houses to fire at a time. Often the flames were put out before the house where the fire started was half consumed.
In 1739 arrived among us from Ireland the Reverend Mr. Whitefield, who had made himself remarkable there as an itinerant preacher. He was at first permitted to preach in some of our churches; but the clergy, taking a dislike to him, soon refus'd him their pulpits, and he was oblig'd to preach in the fields. The multitudes of all sects and denominations that attended his sermons were enormous, and it was matter of speculation to me, who was one of the number, to observe the extraordinary influence of his oratory on his hearers, and how much they admir'd and respected him, notwithstanding his common abuse of them, by assuring them they were naturally half beasts and half devils. It was wonderful to see the change soon made in the manners of our inhabitants. From being thoughtless or indifferent about religion, it seem'd as if all the world were growing religious, so that one could not walk thro' the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of every street.
In 1739 the Reverend Mr. Whitefield came to us from Ireland. He had become well-known there as an itinerant preacher. At first he was allowed to preach in some of our churches. But the clergy soon disliked him and refused him their pulpits. He was forced to preach in the fields. The crowds of people from all sects and denominations who attended his sermons were enormous. I was one of them. It interested me to watch how his speaking affected his listeners. It was remarkable how much they admired and respected him. He often insulted them by saying they were naturally half beasts and half devils. Yet they still admired him. It was wonderful to see the change in our people's behavior. Before, many were careless or indifferent about religion. Soon it seemed as if the whole world were becoming religious. In the evenings you could not walk through town without hearing psalms sung in different families on every street.
George Whitefield, pronounced Hwit'field (1714-1770), was a celebrated English clergyman and pulpit orator. He was one of the founders of Methodism.
And it being found inconvenient to assemble in the open air, subject to its inclemencies, the building of a house to meet in was no sooner propos'd, and persons appointed to receive contributions, but sufficient sums were soon receiv'd to procure the ground and erect the building, which was one hundred feet long and seventy broad, about the size of Westminster Hall; and the work was carried on with such spirit as to be finished in a much shorter time than could have been expected. Both house and ground were vested in trustees, expressly for the use of any preacher of any religious persuasion who might desire to say something to the people at Philadelphia; the design in building not being to accommodate any particular sect, but the inhabitants in general; so that even if the Mufti of Constantinople were to send a missionary to preach Mohammedanism to us, he would find a pulpit at his service.
Because it was inconvenient to meet outdoors and be exposed to bad weather, someone proposed building a meeting house. People were appointed to collect donations. Soon enough money was raised to buy the land and build the house. The building was one hundred feet long and seventy feet wide, about the size of Westminster Hall. The work went forward with such energy that it was finished much sooner than anyone had expected. Both the building and the land were placed in the care of trustees. They were intended for any preacher of any religious persuasion who wished to address the people of Philadelphia. The intention was not to serve any particular sect but the community at large. Even if the Mufti of Constantinople sent a missionary to preach Islam, he would find a pulpit ready for him.
A part of the palace of Westminster. It now forms the vestibule to the Houses of Parliament in London.
Mr. Whitefield, in leaving us, went preaching all the way thro' the colonies to Georgia. The settlement of that province had lately been begun, but, instead of being made with hardy, industrious husbandmen, accustomed to labour, the only people fit for such an enterprise, it was with families of broken shop-keepers and other insolvent debtors, many of indolent and idle habits, taken out of the jails, who, being set down in the woods, unqualified for clearing land, and unable to endure the hardships of a new settlement, perished in numbers, leaving many helpless children unprovided for. The sight of their miserable situation inspir'd the benevolent heart of Mr. Whitefield with the idea of building an Orphan House there, in which they might be supported and educated. Returning northward, he preach'd up this charity, and made large collections, for his eloquence had a wonderful power over the hearts and purses of his hearers, of which I myself was an instance.
Mr. Whitefield, on leaving us, preached all the way through the colonies to Georgia. The settlement of that province had recently begun. It should have been made with hardy, industrious farmers who were used to labor, the only people fit for such an enterprise. Instead, it was made with the families of bankrupt shopkeepers and other insolvent debtors. Many of them had lazy and idle habits and had been taken out of the jails. They were set down in the woods, unqualified for clearing land and unable to endure the hardships of a new settlement. They died in great numbers, leaving many helpless children unprovided for. The sight of their miserable situation inspired Mr. Whitefield's kind heart with the idea of building an Orphan House there, where the children could be supported and educated. Returning north, he preached in favor of this charity and took up large collections. His eloquence had a wonderful power over the hearts and purses of his hearers, and I myself was an example of it.
I did not disapprove of the design, but, as Georgia was then destitute of materials and workmen, and it was proposed to send them from Philadelphia at a great expense, I thought it would have been better to have built the house here, and brought the children to it. This I advis'd; but he was resolute in his first project, rejected my counsel, and I therefore refus'd to contribute. I happened soon after to attend one of his sermons, in the course of which I perceived he intended to finish with a collection, and I silently resolved he should get nothing from me. I had in my pocket a handful of copper money, three or four silver dollars, and five pistoles in gold. As he proceeded I began to soften, and concluded to give the coppers. Another stroke of his oratory made me asham'd of that, and determin'd me to give the silver; and he finish'd so admirably, that I empty'd my pocket wholly into the collector's dish, gold and all. At this sermon there was also one of our club, who, being of my sentiments respecting the building in Georgia, and suspecting a collection might be intended, had, by precaution, emptied his pockets before he came from home. Towards the conclusion of the discourse, however, he felt a strong desire to give, and apply'd to a neighbour who stood near him, to borrow some money for the purpose. The application was unfortunately [made] to perhaps the only man in the company who had the firmness not to be affected by the preacher. His answer was, "At any other time, Friend Hopkinson, I would lend to thee freely; but not now, for thee seems to be out of thy right senses."
I did not disagree with the plan, but at that time Georgia lacked materials and workers. They planned to bring them from Philadelphia at great expense. I thought it would be better to build the house here and bring the children to it. I advised that. He stuck to his original plan and rejected my advice. So I refused to contribute. Soon after, I attended one of his sermons. During it I saw he intended to end with a collection. I quietly decided he would get nothing from me. I had in my pocket a handful of copper coins, three or four silver dollars, and five pistoles in gold. As he spoke I began to soften. I decided to give the copper coins. Another stroke of his oratory made me ashamed of that, so I resolved to give the silver. He finished so admirably that I emptied my pocket completely into the collector's dish, gold and all. One member of our club was at that sermon. He agreed with me about the Georgia building and suspected a collection would be taken. As a precaution he had emptied his pockets before leaving home. Near the end of the sermon he felt a strong desire to give. He asked a neighbor standing nearby to lend him some money for the purpose. The request was unfortunately [made] to perhaps the only man there who had the firmness not to be moved by the preacher. His answer was, At any other time, Friend Hopkinson, I would lend to you freely, but not now, for you do not seem to be in your right mind.
Some of Mr. Whitefield's enemies affected to suppose that he would apply these collections to his own private emolument; but I, who was intimately acquainted with him (being employed in printing his Sermons and Journals, etc.), never had the least suspicion of his integrity, but am to this day decidedly of opinion that he was in all his conduct a perfectly honest man; and methinks my testimony in his favour ought to have the more weight, as we had no religious connection. He us'd, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard. Ours was a mere civil friendship, sincere on both sides, and lasted to his death.
Some of Mr. Whitefield's enemies pretended to believe that he would use these collections for his own private gain. But I knew him intimately, since I was employed in printing his Sermons and Journals and other works. I never had the least suspicion of his integrity. To this day I am firmly of the opinion that he was a perfectly honest man in all his conduct. I think my testimony in his favor should carry all the more weight because we had no religious connection. He did sometimes pray for my conversion, but he never had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard. Ours was a purely civil friendship, sincere on both sides, and it lasted until his death.
The following instance will show something of the terms on which we stood. Upon one of his arrivals from England at Boston, he wrote to me that he should come soon to Philadelphia, but knew not where he could lodge when there, as he understood his old friend and host, Mr. Benezet was removed to Germantown. My answer was, "You know my house; if you can make shift with its scanty accommodations, you will be most heartily welcome." He reply'd, that if I made that kind offer for Christ's sake, I should not miss of a reward. And I returned, "Don't let me be mistaken; it was not for Christ's sake, but for your sake." One of our common acquaintance jocosely remark'd, that, knowing it to be the custom of the saints, when they received any favour, to shift the burden of the obligation from off their own shoulders, and place it in heaven, I had contriv'd to fix it on earth.
The following example shows how we stood toward each other. On one arrival from England to Boston, he wrote that he would come soon to Philadelphia. He did not know where he would stay while there. He understood his old friend and host, Mr. Benezet, had moved to Germantown. I answered, "You know my house. If you can make do with its meager accommodations, you will be very welcome." He replied that if I made that kind offer for Christ's sake, I would not miss a reward. I replied, Don't let me be mistaken, it was not for Christ's sake, but for your sake. One of our mutual acquaintances joked about this. He said saints, when they receive a favor, tend to shift the burden of obligation from their shoulders. They place it in heaven. He said I had contrived to fix it on earth.
The last time I saw Mr. Whitefield was in London, when he consulted me about his Orphan House concern, and his purpose of appropriating it to the establishment of a college.
The last time I saw Mr. Whitefield was in London. He consulted me about his Orphan House project and his plan to use it to establish a college.
He had a loud and clear voice, and articulated his words and sentences so perfectly, that he might be heard and understood at a great distance, especially as his auditories, however numerous, observ'd the most exact silence. He preach'd one evening from the top of the Courthouse steps, which are in the middle of Market-street, and on the west side of Second-street, which crosses it at right angles. Both streets were fill'd with his hearers to a considerable distance. Being among the hindmost in Market-street, I had the curiosity to learn how far he could be heard, by retiring backwards down the street towards the river; and I found his voice distinct till I came near Front-street, when some noise in that street obscur'd it. Imagining then a semicircle, of which my distance should be the radius, and that it were fill'd with auditors, to each of whom I allow'd two square feet, I computed that he might well be heard by more than thirty thousand. This reconcil'd me to the newspaper accounts of his having preach'd to twenty-five thousand people in the fields, and to the ancient histories of generals haranguing whole armies, of which I had sometimes doubted.
He had a loud, clear voice. He pronounced his words and sentences so perfectly that he could be heard and understood at a great distance, especially since his audiences, however large, kept the most exact silence. One evening he preached from the top of the Courthouse steps. These are in the middle of Market Street, on the west side of Second Street, which crosses it at right angles. Both streets were filled with his hearers for a considerable distance. I was among the farthest back in Market Street. I was curious to learn how far he could be heard, so I moved backward down the street toward the river. I found his voice distinct until I came near Front Street, where some noise in that street drowned it out. I then imagined a semicircle with my distance as its radius, filled with listeners, and I allowed two square feet for each. I calculated that he might well be heard by more than thirty thousand people. This reconciled me to the newspaper accounts of his having preached to twenty-five thousand people in the fields. It also reconciled me to the ancient histories of generals addressing whole armies, which I had sometimes doubted.
By hearing him often, I came to distinguish easily between sermons newly compos'd, and those which he had often preach'd in the course of his travels. His delivery of the latter was so improv'd by frequent repetitions that every accent, every emphasis, every modulation of voice, was so perfectly well turn'd and well plac'd, that, without being interested in the subject, one could not help being pleas'd with the discourse; a pleasure of much the same kind with that receiv'd from an excellent piece of musick. This is an advantage itinerant preachers have over those who are stationary, as the latter cannot well improve their delivery of a sermon by so many rehearsals.
I heard him often. I could easily tell new sermons from those he had preached many times on his travels. His delivery of those repeated sermons was improved by repetition. Every accent, every emphasis, and every change of voice was perfectly placed. Even without caring about the subject, one could not help being pleased by the discourse. The pleasure was much like that received from an excellent piece of music. This is an advantage traveling preachers have over stationary ones. Those who stay in one place cannot improve their delivery with so many rehearsals.
His writing and printing from time to time gave great advantage to his enemies; unguarded expressions, and even erroneous opinions, delivered in preaching, might have been afterwards explain'd or qualifi'd by supposing others that might have accompani'd them, or they might have been deny'd; but litera scripta manet. Critics attack'd his writings violently, and with so much appearance of reason as to diminish the number of his votaries and prevent their increase; so that I am of opinion if he had never written anything, he would have left behind him a much more numerous and important sect, and his reputation might in that case have been still growing, even after his death, as there being nothing of his writing on which to found a censure and give him a lower character, his proselytes would be left at liberty to feign for him as great a variety of excellences as their enthusiastic admiration might wish him to have possessed.
His writing and printing from time to time gave great advantage to his enemies. Careless expressions, and even mistaken opinions, delivered in preaching could afterward have been explained or qualified. One could suppose that other remarks had accompanied them and changed their sense, or they could have been denied. But litera scripta manet (the written word remains). Critics attacked his writings violently, with so much appearance of reason that they reduced the number of his devoted followers and kept it from growing. So I am of the opinion that if he had never written anything, he would have left behind a much larger and more important sect. In that case his reputation might have kept growing even after his death. There would be nothing of his writing on which to base criticism and lower his character. So his converts would be free to invent for him as great a variety of excellences as their enthusiastic admiration might wish him to have had.
My business was now continually augmenting, and my circumstances growing daily easier, my newspaper having become very profitable, as being for a time almost the only one in this and the neighbouring provinces. I experienced, too, the truth of the observation, "that after getting the first hundred pound, it is more easy to get the second," money itself being of a prolific nature.
My business was continually growing. My circumstances became easier each day. My newspaper had become very profitable. For a time it was almost the only one in this and the neighboring provinces. I also found the truth of the saying that after getting the first one hundred pounds, it is easier to get the second. Money itself tends to generate more money.
The partnership at Carolina having succeeded, I was encourag'd to engage in others, and to promote several of my workmen, who had behaved well, by establishing them with printing-houses in different colonies, on the same terms with that in Carolina. Most of them did well, being enabled at the end of our term, six years, to purchase the types of me and go on working for themselves, by which means several families were raised. Partnerships often finish in quarrels; but I was happy in this, that mine were all carried on and ended amicably, owing, I think, a good deal to the precaution of having very explicitly settled, in our articles, everything to be done by or expected from each partner, so that there was nothing to dispute, which precaution I would therefore recommend to all who enter into partnerships; for, whatever esteem partners may have for, and confidence in each other at the time of the contract, little jealousies and disgusts may arise, with ideas of inequality in the care and burden of the business, etc., which are attended often with breach of friendship and of the connection, perhaps with lawsuits and other disagreeable consequences.
The partnership in Carolina succeeded, so I was encouraged to enter others. I promoted several of my workmen who had behaved well. I set them up with printing houses in different colonies on the same terms as the Carolina one. Most of them did well. At the end of our six-year term they were able to buy the type from me and continue working for themselves. This helped raise several families. Partnerships often end in quarrels. I was fortunate that mine were all conducted and ended amicably. I think this was largely because we had taken the precaution of stating very clearly in our articles everything each partner was to do and could expect. That left nothing to dispute. I would recommend this precaution to anyone entering a partnership. No matter how much partners esteem and trust each other when they make the contract, small jealousies and resentments can arise. People may feel the care and burden of the business are not shared equally. Those feelings often lead to broken friendships and to the end of the partnership. They can also result in lawsuits and other unpleasant consequences.