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diff --git a/old/62023-0.txt b/old/62023-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c739414..0000000 --- a/old/62023-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,33923 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, -Vol. 2 (of 2), by Luke Tyerman - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, Vol. 2 (of 2) - -Author: Luke Tyerman - -Release Date: May 4, 2020 [EBook #62023] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, VOL 2 *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Hulse, Brian Wilson, Heather Clark and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - The Life of the - Rev. George Whitefield - - - - - ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ - │ │ - │ Transcriber’s Notes │ - │ │ - │ │ - │ Punctuation has been standardized. │ - │ │ - │ The text may show quotations within quotations, all set off │ - │ by double quotes. The inner quotations have been changed to │ - │ single quotes for improved readability. │ - │ │ - │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps. │ - │ │ - │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ - │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ - │ superscripts --> x{th} │ - │ │ - │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ - │ not become standardized in their spelling. Words may have │ - │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ - │ the text. These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ - │ with a Transcriber’s Note. │ - │ │ - │ Index references have not been checked for accuracy. │ - │ │ - │ Footnotes are identified in the text with a number in │ - │ brackets [2] and have been accumulated in a single section │ - │ at the end of the text. │ - │ │ - │ Transcriber’s Notes are used when making corrections to the │ - │ text or to provide additional information for the modern │ - │ reader. These notes are identified in the text by a ♦ symbol, │ - │ and are accumulated in a single section at the end of the │ - │ book. │ - └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ - - - - - Illustration: REV{D}. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, B.A. - AGED 54 - - Engraved by J. COCHRAN. - - - - - THE LIFE - - OF THE - - REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, - - B.A., OF PEMBROKE COLLEGE, OXFORD. - - - BY - - REV. L. TYERMAN, - - AUTHOR OF - “THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE REV. SAMUEL WESLEY, M.A., - RECTOR OF EPWORTH;” - “THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY, M.A.;” - AND “THE OXFORD METHODISTS.” - - - _IN TWO VOLUMES._ - - VOL II. - - - London: - HODDER AND STOUGHTON, - 27, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. - - MDCCCLXXVII. - - - Hazell, Watson, and Viney, Printers, London and Aylesbury. - - - - - GENERAL CONTENTS. - - VOL. II. - - - SECOND VISIT TO SCOTLAND. - - JUNE TO OCTOBER, 1742. - - Marvellous Work of God――Revivals at Cambuslang, Kilsyth, - etc.――Letter to Lord Rae――Erection in the Hospital Park, - Edinburgh――Great Commotions――Opposition of the “Associate - Presbytery”――Mr. Robe’s Answer――Letter to Ebenezer Erskine―― - Public Fast――Anti-Whitefieldian Declaration――Letter - from Gentleman in Boston――Hostile Pamphlets――Pamphlet by - Whitefield on New England Revival――Whitefield’s Financial - Report of Orphan House――Letter to Rev. Mr. Willison―― - Young Truants――Invasion of Georgia――Whitefield’s Chaplain - and Surgeon Imprisoned――Letter to Trustees of Georgia―― - Whitefield’s Vindication of himself――Methodism in Wales―― - Whitefield’s Letter to his Mother――Second Visit to - Cambuslang――The Moravians――Letter to Habersham――Revivals in - Scotland――Letter to Colonel Gardiner――Whitefield and Wesley - Reconciled――Collections in Scotland, 1–35 - - - IN ENGLAND AND WALES. - - NOVEMBER, 1742, TO AUGUST, 1744. - - Letter to Habersham――Aristocratic Hearers――Letter to Lady - Frances Gardiner――Rev. John Meriton――Persecution in Wales―― - John Cennick in Trouble――Letter to Bishop Sherlock――Orphan - House――Letter to Ingham――Letter to Colonel Gardiner―― - Letter to Hervey――Methodism in Wales――Whitefield in - Gloucestershire――Second Conference of Calvinistic - Methodists――Rev. Howell Davies――Whitefield elected - Moderator――Tour in Wales――David Taylor――In West of England―― - Association at Trevecca――Rev. Richard Thomas Bateman――Thomas - Adams――Persecution at Minchin Hampton――John Syms――Proposed - Conference――Separation from Church――Narrow Escape――Dissenters - Alarmed――Birth of Son――In Devonshire and Cornwall――Letter to - Howell Harris――Wiltshire Societies――In Staffordshire, etc.―― - Association at Watford――Whitefield’s Poverty――Death of his - Child――Trial at Gloucester Assizes――Fly-Sheets of Bishop of - London――Whitefield’s Answers――A Furious Pamphleteer――Rev. - Thomas Church――Fine Picture of Enthusiasm――Bishop Smalbroke’s - Charge――Whitefield’s Answer――Brutal Treatment at Plymouth―― - Labours at Plymouth――Rev. Henry Tanner――Rev. David Crossly―― - Thomas Beard――Methodist Soldiers――The _Christian History_―― - Whitefield’s Preachers――Outrages at Exeter, 36–119 - - - THIRD VISIT TO AMERICA. - - AUGUST, 1744, TO JUNE, 1748. - - Dangerous Voyage――Whitefield Ill――Prince’s _Christian - History_――Sir William Pepperell――Letter by Whitefield’s - Wife――Dr. Timothy Cutler――Rev. Charles Chauncy, D.D.――Rev. - Zachary Grey, D.D.――Whitefield’s Answer to Chauncy――Hostile - Publications――Friendly Publications――Summary――Whitefield - in Boston――A Convert――Rev. Thomas Prince――Paper Warfare―― - Cennick’s Secession――Cape Breton Expedition――Sermon in a - Thunderstorm――Brainerd――Receipts and Disbursements for Orphan - House――Bickerings ――Associations of Calvinistic Methodists―― - Whitefield’s Preachers――Outrage at Plymouth――Whitefield’s - Loyalty――In Maryland――In Virginia――Rev. Samuel Davies――Rev. - Samuel Finley, D.D.――Countess of Huntingdon――Whitefield - a Slave-Owner――Loss of Health――Letter to Cennick――Again - Itinerating――Letter to John and Charles Wesley――Rev. Samuel - Moody――Hunting after Sinners――Visit to Bermudas――Voyage - Home――The Revival in America, 120–185 - - - THREE YEARS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. - - JULY 1, 1748, TO AUGUST 29, 1751. - - Popularity in London――Lady Huntingdon and the Calvinistic - Methodists――Whitefield as Moderator――Resolves not to - found Societies――Ceases to be Moderator――Howell Harris - his Successor――New Scheme――Whitefield becomes Lady - Huntingdon’s Chaplain――Earl of Bath――Earl of Chesterfield―― - Lord Bolingbroke――Dr. Stonehouse――Whitefield in Scotland―― - Synod of Glasgow――Proceedings of other Synods, and of the - Associate Presbytery――Bishop Lavington Enraged――Persecution - in Wales――Whitefield Visits Dr. Watts――Thomas Olivers - Converted――Whitefield wishes to have Slaves――Letter to Dr. - Doddridge――Aristocratic Hearers――Dr. Stonehouse afraid to - become a Methodist――Whitefield in the West of England――Rev. - Andrew Kinsman――Mr. Robert Cruttenden――A Reverend Slanderer―― - John Sladdin’s Pamphlet――Whitefield and Bishop Lavington―― - “_The Devil’s Castaways_”――Whitefield at Portsmouth――In - Wales――An Indigent Minister――New Jersey College――College - of Philadelphia――Franklin on Reformations――Rev. Robert - Robinson――Letter to a Bishop――Bishop Lavington’s “Enthusiasm - of Methodists and Papists Compared”――Rev. George Thompson―― - At Exeter――Letter to Hervey――Tour to the North of England―― - Wesley and Grace Murray――Another Tour――Colonel Galatin―― - Methodism in Dublin――Persecution at Cork――New Year’s Sermon―― - Rev. William Baddiley――Dr. Andrew Gifford――Persecution in - Ireland――Whitefield helping Wesley――Government of Georgia――At - Gloucester, etc.――Letter to Franklin――In Cornwall――New Jersey - College――At Northampton――Persecution at Rotherham――Rev. - John Thorpe――“Ingham’s Circuit”――In Scotland――James Nimmo, - Esq.――Old Friends Meet again――Rev. Martin Madan――Rev. Moses - Browne――Memorable Visit――Methodism in Canterbury――Letter on - Marriage――Original Letter by Gilbert Tennent――Moses Browne - Embarrassed――“A House of Mourning”――Hostile Publications―― - Whitefield on Slavery――In Ireland――Original Letter by - Whitefield’s Wife――Leaving England, 186–277 - - - FOURTH VISIT TO AMERICA, AND RETURN TO ENGLAND. - - SEPTEMBER, 1751, TO MARCH, 1754. - - In America――Letter on Wesley――Sudden Return to England―― - Original Letter to Blackwell――Tour to West of England and - Wales――Letter to Franklin――Success in Scotland――In Yorkshire, - etc.――John Edwards and Dublin Methodists――The Orphan House―― - John and Charles Wesley――The New Tabernacle ――The Moravians―― - Whitefield’s Hymn Book――Specimens of Preaching――Foundation - Laid of New Tabernacle――Methodism in Norwich――Whitefield’s - “Expostulatory Letter” to Zinzendorf――Letters by James Hutton, - Peter Bohler, and Count Zinzendorf――Andrew Frey’s Pamphlet―― - Letter to John Syms――New Tabernacle Opened――Tour to - Scotland――Glasgow Playhouse――Glorious Seasons in Yorkshire―― - Another Tour――Norwich Tabernacle――Bristol Tabernacle――Wesley - dangerously Ill――Letters concerning――Visit to England of - Gilbert Tennent and Samuel Davies――New Tabernacle paid for, - 278–324 - - - FIFTH VISIT TO AMERICA. - - MARCH, 1754, TO MAY, 1755. - - Popery in Lisbon――Learning Lessons――Arrival in America―― - Itinerating――New Jersey College――Government of Georgia―― - Scenes at Boston, etc.――Revival in Virginia――Visit to Orphan - House――Return to England, 325–340 - - - EIGHT YEARS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. - - 1755 TO 1763. - - Evangelical Clergymen――Trying to Serve a Friend――Whitefield’s - “Communion Morning’s Companion”――Death of Lady Anne - Hastings――Cornelius Winter――Methodists at Norwich――Wesley and - Hervey――Charles Wesley’s Poem on Whitefield――Commencement of - the “Seven Years’ War”――Tour to Newcastle――Long Acre Chapel―― - Bishop Pearce――Letters to――Long Acre Riots――Archbishop - Herring on Whitefield and Wesley――Threatening Letters―― - Advertisement in _London Gazette_――Whitefield’s “Address to - Persons of All Denominations”――National Alarm――Collection - on Fast-Day――Tottenham Court Road Chapel――Rev. Dr. Thomas - Haweis――Wesley’s Letter to William Law――Franklin’s Novel - Scheme――Visit to a Murderer――Tour to Scotland――Rev. John - Fawcett, D.D.――Samuel Whitaker――Labours in Scotland――Helping - Charles Wesley――Rev. Henry Venn――Congregations in London―― - Faithful Preaching――Balaam-like Pamphlets――Shuter, the - Comedian――Memorable Visit to Scotland――Thomas Rankin――Visit - to Ireland――Nearly Murdered――Methodist Clergymen――“Mission - Week” at Cheltenham――Death of Belcher and Burr――Whitefield’s - Health Failing――Almshouses at Tottenham Court Road Chapel―― - Letter to Professor Francke――Journey in One-Horse Chaise―― - “Spiritual Routs”――Rev. Robert Robinson――Visit to Berridge―― - In Scotland――Thanksgiving Sermons――Return to London――Death - of Hervey――Dr. Free――Remarkable Meetings――Lady Huntingdon and - Methodism in Brighton――Whitefield Publishes a Sermon by John - Foxe, the Martyrologist――Seven Weeks in Scotland――The Orphan - House――Rev. Samuel Clarke’s “Annotations”――Three Thanksgiving - Sermons――Sermon Against Theatres――Enlargement of Tottenham - Court Road Chapel――Whitefield Publishes a Pamphlet on - “Russian Cruelty”――Collections on Fast-Day――Riot at - Kingston-on-Thames――Earl Ferrers――Burial of an Executed - Felon――Preaching Journeys――Samuel Foote――“The Minor”―― - Large Number of Disgraceful Pamphlets Published――Madan’s - Letter to Garrick――Painful Year――Foote after Whitefield’s - Death――Sermons and Collections on Fast-Day――Berridge - Helping Whitefield――Whitefield seriously Ill――Scurrillous - Publications――Jonas Hanway――Bishop of Lincoln――At Bristol―― - Trip to Holland――Wesley’s Conference at Leeds――In Scotland―― - In the West of England――Relieving the Poor――Trying to Settle - his Affairs――Whitefield’s Trustees――A Farewell Sermon―― - Extracts from other Sermons――Volume of Sermons, Published by - Gurney――Answer to Bishop Warburton’s “Observations”――Tour to - Scotland――Embarks for America, 341–466 - - - SIXTH VISIT TO AMERICA. - - JUNE 4, 1763, TO JULY 8, 1765. - - At Sea――Pastoral Letter――At Philadelphia――Prevented Going to - his Orphan House――At New York――Letter to Charles Wesley――At - Boston――Harvard College――Dr. Wheelock’s School――The Orphan - House――Again at New York――At Philadelphia――Letter to Wesley―― - The “New Lights”――Arrival at Savannah――Proposal to Convert - the Orphan House into a College――Memorials――Orphan House - Accounts――At Bethesda――Tour to Philadelphia――Embarks for - England――John Harman――_Lloyd’s Evening Post_, 467–486 - - - WHITEFIELD’S LAST FOUR YEARS IN GREAT BRITAIN. - - JULY 7, 1765, TO SEPTEMBER 5, 1769. - - Health not Improved――Supplies for his Chapels――Important - Letter――Lady Huntingdon――Chapel at Bath――Memorial to - George III.――Whitefield a Peacemaker――Methodists at - Sheerness――“Brilliant Audiences”――Samson Occum――Thomas Powys, - Esq.――“Quadruple Alliance”――John Fawcett begins to Preach―― - Letter to Gustavus Gidley――Whitefield’s Loyalty――A Royal - Marriage――Fletcher of Madeley helps Whitefield――At Bath and - Bristol――Captain Torial Joss――Captain Scott――Rowland Hill―― - “Lecture upon Heads”――_The Methodist and Mimic_――_The - Methodist_――Letter to Thomas Powys, Esq.――“Preface” to - Bunyan’s Works――Cornelius Winter――Winter’s Delineation of - Whitefield――Re-opening of Brighton Chapel――Rev. Richard de - Courcy――Another Preaching Tour――Services at Haverfordwest―― - Letter by Fletcher of Madeley――Letter to Rowland Hill―― - Chandler’s Proposal respecting Colonial Bishops――Whitefield’s - Correspondence with the Archbishop of Canterbury respecting - Orphan House――Proposal to make Orphan House a Public - Academy――Letters to Rowland Hill――Whitefield Attends Wesley’s - Conference――His Kindness to Wesley’s Preachers――Tour - to Newcastle-on-Tyne――A Burglary――Visit to Venn - at Huddersfield――Wesley’s Northern Societies――A Remarkable - Service――Troubles of Methodist Students at Cambridge――Death - of Earl of Buchan――The Young Earl of Buchan――Correspondence - with Benjamin Franklin――Trevecca College――Expulsion of - Oxford Students――Whitefield’s Letter to Dr. Durell――Hostile - Publications――Curious Engraving――A Felon Executed――Visit - to Tunbridge Wells――Letter by Rowland Hill――Death of - Whitefield’s Wife――Opening of Trevecca College――Whitefield - Ruptures a Blood-vessel――His Portrait――Remarkable Meetings - at Lady Huntingdon’s――Orphan House Enlargements――Opening - of Chapel at Tunbridge Wells――Extracts from Last Sermons in - England――Rev. George Burder――Gurney’s Volume of Whitefield’s - Sermons, 487–568 - - - SEVENTH VISIT TO AMERICA. - - SEPTEMBER, 1769, TO SEPTEMBER, 1770. - - Embarks for America――Letter to Wesley――Detention in the Downs―― - Ordination Service at Deal――Last Sermons at Ramsgate――Arrival - at Charleston――At Bethesda――Letter to Charles Wesley―― - Memorable Day at the Orphan House――Whitefield’s Memorable - Sermon there――♦Orphan House Accounts――Rules for Orphan House - Academy――Subsequent History of Orphan House――Wesley’s Letter - respecting Orphan House――Happy――Another Gospel Tour――Meets - Wesley’s Missionaries――Rev. Dr. Kirkland――Preaching on - a Felon’s Coffin――A Rebuke――Whitefield’s Popularity―― - Whitefield’s Preaching Places during Last Two Months of his - Life――His Last Letters――Riots at Boston――His Last Sermon――Rev. - Jonathan Parsons――Whitefield’s Death――His Funeral――Benjamin - Randall――Mourning at Savannah――Whitefield’s Corpse――His - ♦Cenotaph――Proposed Monument――Visits to Whitefield’s - Sepulchre――One of his Bones Stolen――His Will――Elegies, - Charles Wesley’s, Cowper’s――Funeral Sermon by Wesley――Funeral - Sermons _Preached_――Funeral Sermons _Published_――Rev. - Jonathan Parsons on Whitefield――Dr. Pemberton on Ditto――Rev. - Henry Venn on Ditto――Toplady on Ditto――Rev. John Newton on - Ditto――The _Scots’ Magazine_ on Ditto――The _Pennsylvania - Journal_ on Ditto――Dr. Gillies on Ditto――Concluding Remarks, - 569–635 - - - INDEX. - - NAMES OF PERSONS AND PLACES. 635–645 - - - - - THE LIFE - - OF - - THE REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, B.A. - - - - - _SECOND VISIT TO SCOTLAND._ - - JUNE TO OCTOBER, 1742. - - -WHEN Whitefield arrived in Edinburgh, a minister told him, that, -though seven months had elapsed since his departure, scarcely one of -his converts had “fallen back, either among old or young.”[1] This -was a remarkable fact; but there was also another, equally deserving -notice. As already shewn, up to the time of Whitefield’s first visit -to Scotland, the churches of that country, like those of England, -were in the most deplorable condition. In many instances, ministers -were unfaithful; in most instances, congregations were dead; and, as -it respects the outside populace, it is not an extravagance to say, -that, speaking generally, they were almost entirely regardless of -religion, and were steeped in worldliness, frivolity, and vice. In the -interval, however, between Whitefield’s first and second visits, a most -marvellous work of God had taken place. How far Whitefield’s labours -and influence, in 1741, had contributed to this, it, perhaps, would be -presumptuous to say. So far as it concerns the cause of Christ, this is -of little consequence. Every reader of the unvarnished facts will form -his own opinion on the subject. Many of these facts have been already -given; and others must now be mentioned. Cambuslang was then a small -parish, about four miles from Glasgow; and here Whitefield had preached -with amazing power and success only a few months before. The minister -of Cambuslang――the Rev. William McCulloch――was a man of “genuine piety, -and of considerable capacity; but had nothing particularly striking -either in the manner or substance of his preaching.”[2] During most -of the year 1741, he had strongly pressed on his congregation the -nature and necessity of the new birth. In the third week of February, -1742, three days were specially employed in prayer. On the fourth day, -Thursday, February 18, “about fifty persons came to Mr. McCulloch’s -house, under convictions and alarming apprehensions respecting the -state of their souls, and desiring to speak with him.” After this, -numbers of others daily resorted to him, and he soon found it necessary -to preach a sermon every day, and, after the sermon, to spend some -time with the penitents, “in exhortations, prayers, and singing of -psalms.” In less than three months, more than three hundred were -converted. Though the parish was of small extent, and most of the -people lived within a mile of Mr. McCulloch’s church, not fewer than -twelve “societies for prayer” were begun by the converts. In the month -of April, the Rev. Mr. Willison, one of Whitefield’s correspondents, -visited the place, and wrote: “The work at Cambuslang is a most -singular and marvellous outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I pray it may -be a happy forerunner of a general revival of the work of God, and a -blessed means of union among all the lovers of Jesus.” - -Kilsyth, a small town, about twelve miles from Glasgow, was another -place graciously visited by God’s good Spirit. Its minister, the Rev. -James Robe, began a series of sermons on the new birth, as early as -the year 1740; but nothing remarkable occurred until May, 1742, the -month when Whitefield set out on his second visit to Scotland. At -the beginning of the month, “societies for prayer were erected in the -parish;” and, almost immediately, great numbers began to cry aloud for -mercy. On May 16, after dismissing his congregation, Mr. Robe invited -the penitents into his barn; but the numbers were so great, that the -barn could not contain them: and, _nolens volens_, he was obliged to -convene them in his kirk. He says, “I sung a psalm, and prayed with -them; but, when I essayed to speak to them, I could not be heard, -such were their bitter cries and groans. After this, I ordered that -they should be brought to me in my closet, one by one; and, in the -meantime, I appointed psalms to be sung with those in the kirk, and -that the precentor and two or three of the elders should pray with -the distressed.” Before the month ended,――that is, before Whitefield -had arrived in Scotland,――the penitents at Kilsyth numbered nearly a -hundred; and a similar work was begun, and was spreading in several -neighbouring parishes, as Kirkintilloch, Auchinloch, Campsie, and -Cumbernauld.[3] Such was the state of things, in this part of Scotland, -when Whitefield and his wife reached Edinburgh, on Thursday, June 3, -1742. - -One of his first letters, at Edinburgh, was addressed to Lord Rae, the -death of whose wife had recently occurred. An extract from it will help -to shew the spirit in which Whitefield began his work in Scotland. - - “EDINBURGH, _June 4, 1742_. - - “MY LORD,――Your lordship’s kind letter was put into my hands - yesterday. I heartily sympathise with you; but could not help - rejoicing on your honoured lady’s account, knowing she is now - entered into her blessed Master’s joy. Among Christians, death - has not only lost its sting, but its name. I never was so joyful - as I am now at the death of those who die in the Lord; and never - was so reconciled to living myself. Lately, in London, we had a - sister in Christ, whose last words were, ‘Holy, holy, holy.’ She - could say no more here; but our Saviour sent for her to finish - her song in heaven. I preached over her corpse; our Society - attended; and surely never did any triumph over death more - than we did that night. But your lordship may ask, ‘Why are you - reconciled to life?’ Because I can do that for Jesus on earth, - which I cannot do in heaven: I mean, be made instrumental in - bringing weary, heavy-laden sinners to find rest in His blood - and righteousness. If our Saviour were to offer either to take - me now, or to let me stay only to take one sinner more, I would - desire to stay to take the sinner with me. - - “I hear of wonderful things in Scotland. I can only fall down - and worship. I have seen greater things than ever in England. I - expect to see far greater in Scotland. Our Lord will not let His - people be disappointed of their hopes.” - -Whitefield was in Edinburgh, but where was he to preach? The question -was soon solved. The following minute was passed at a meeting of the -managers of Heriot’s Hospital, held on June 17, 1742: “The managers -agree to erect seats in the Hospital Park for about two thousand people, -part of which are to be covered with shades, and let out to the best -advantage. It is further agreed, that, out of the profits arising -from these seats, after paying all charges anent the same, a sum not -exceeding £60 sterling shall be given to the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, -for defraying his charges during his continuance in this country.”[4] -The seats, thus erected, were semicircular in form; those with shades -were let at three shillings each for the season; and those without -shades might be used by paying a halfpenny each for them, every time -they were occupied. A few seats outside the railing were free; and the -back seats within were permitted to be used by soldiers gratuitously. -The money thus raised seems to have amounted to £260 3s., which was -distributed as follows: For erecting seats, £80 4s.; for repairing the -“park dikes,” £28 5s.; payment to the _tacksman_ of the park for damage -done to the grass, £4 10s.; gift to Whitefield, £60; balance paid -to the treasurer of the hospital, £87 4s.[5] Such was Whitefield’s -cathedral in the metropolis of Scotland. - -From the day of his arrival, he preached twice daily, expounded almost -every night, and regularly visited the three hospitals.[6] On the 12th -of June, in writing to his helper, John Cennick, he remarked: “Our -Saviour deals most lovingly with me. I never enjoyed so much happiness -in Him as now. Day and night, He is pleased to shine upon my soul. My -success here is great. I am enabled to ‘be instant in season, and out -of season,’ and to ‘reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all longsuffering -and doctrine.’”[7] - -Of course, a little time was requisite to erect Whitefield’s open-air -church; and hence, after spending twelve days in Edinburgh, he set -out, on June 15, to Kilsyth, Cambuslang, and other places, in the west -of Scotland. Previous to starting, he wrote, as follows, to the Rev. -William McCulloch, minister at Cambuslang:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _June 8, 1742_. - - “REVEREND AND VERY DEAR BROTHER,――I heartily rejoice at the - awakening at Cambuslang and elsewhere. I believe you will both - see and hear far greater things than these. I trust, that, not - one corner of poor Scotland will be left unwatered by the dew - of God’s heavenly blessing. The cloud is now only rising as big - as a man’s hand: in a little while, we shall hear a sound of an - abundance of gospel rain. God willing, I hope to be with you at - the beginning of next week.” - -Whitefield spent more than a fortnight in this revival excursion to -the west,――one of the most remarkable fortnights in his eventful life. -Hence the following letters to his friends. The first and second were -addressed to John Cennick. - - “GLASGOW, _June 16, 1742_. - - “Last Lord’s-day, I preached, in the morning, in the park at - Edinburgh, to a great multitude. Afterwards, I attended, and - partook of the holy sacrament, and served four tables. In the - afternoon, I preached in the churchyard, to a far greater number. - Such a passover, I never saw before. On Monday, I preached again - in Edinburgh. On Tuesday, twice at Kilsyth, to ten thousand; but - such a commotion, I believe, you never saw. O what agonies and - cries were there! Last night, God brought me hither. A friend - met me without the town, and welcomed me in the name of twenty - thousand. The streets were all alarmed. By three o’clock this - morning, people were coming to hear the word of God. At seven, - I preached to many, many thousands; and again this evening. Our - Lord wounded them by scores. It is impossible to tell you what - I see. The work flies from parish to parish. O what distressed - souls have I beheld this day! _Publish this on the housetop; and - exhort all to give thanks._” - -In this letter, Whitefield’s wife added a postscript:―― - - “My husband _publicly declared here_, that, he was a _member - of the Church of England_, and a curate thereof; and, yet, was - permitted to _receive_, and _assist at the Lord’s supper_ in the - churches at Edinburgh.”[8] - - “_June 19, 1742._ - - “Yesterday morning, I preached at Glasgow, to a large - congregation. At mid-day, I came to Cambuslang, and preached, - at two, to a vast body of people; again at six, and again at - nine at night. Such commotions, surely, were never heard of, - especially at eleven o’clock at night. For an hour and a half, - there was such weeping, and so many falling into such deep - distress, expressed in various ways, as cannot be described. - The people seemed to be slain in scores. Their agonies and cries - were exceedingly affecting. Mr. M’Culloch preached, after I had - done, till past one in the morning; and then could not persuade - the people to depart. In the fields, all night, might be heard - the voice of prayer and praise. The Lord is indeed much with me. - I have, to-day, preached twice already, and am to preach twice - more, perhaps thrice. The commotions increase.”[9] - -On his return to Edinburgh, Whitefield wrote to a friend in London, as -follows:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _July 7, 1742_. - - “I arrived here, last Saturday evening, from the west, where - I preached all last week――twice on Monday, at Paisley; three - times each day, on Tuesday and Wednesday, at Irvine; twice on - Thursday, at Mearns; three times on Friday, at ♦Cumbernauld; - and twice on Saturday, at Falkirk, in my way to Edinburgh. In - every place, there was the greatest commotion among the people. - The auditories were very large, and the work of God seems to be - spreading more and more. - - “Last Sabbath, I preached twice in the park at Edinburgh, and - once in the church, and I have preached twice every day since. A - number of seats and shades, in the form of an amphitheatre, have - been erected in the park, where the auditory sit in beautiful - order. - - “I purpose going to Cambuslang to-morrow, to assist at the - communion; and shall preach at various places westward before - I return here.” - -To John Cennick, he sent the following:―― - - “NEW KILPATRICK, _July 15, 1742_. - - “Last Friday night, I came to Cambuslang, to assist at the - blessed sacrament. On Saturday, I preached to above twenty - thousand people. On the Sabbath, scarce ever was such a sight - seen in Scotland. Two tents were set up, and the holy sacrament - was administered in the fields. When I began to serve a table, - the people crowded so upon me, that I was obliged to desist, - and go to preach in one of the tents, whilst the ministers - served the rest of the tables. There was preaching all day, - by one or another; and, in the evening, when the sacrament was - over, at the request of the ministers, I preached to the whole - congregation of upwards of twenty thousand persons. I preached - about an hour and a half. It was a time much to be remembered. - On Monday morning, I preached again to near as many. I never - before saw such a universal stir. The motion fled, as swift as - lightning, from one end of the auditory to the other. Thousands - were bathed in tears――some wringing their hands, others almost - swooning, and others crying out and mourning over a pierced - Saviour. In the afternoon, the concern was again very great. - Much prayer had been previously put up to the Lord. All night, - in different companies, persons were praying to God, and - praising Him. The children of God came from all quarters. It - was like the passover in Josiah’s time. We are to have another - in two or three months, if the Lord will.[10] - - “On Tuesday morning, I preached at Glasgow――it was a glorious - time――and, in the afternoon, twice at Inchannon. Yesterday - morning, I preached there again; and here twice. Every time - there was a great stir, especially at this place. A great - company of awakened souls is within the compass of twenty miles; - and the work seems to be spreading apace. I am exceedingly - strengthened, both in soul and body, and cannot now do well - without preaching three times a day.” - -These were strange scenes. Much might be written respecting this -remarkable work of God in Scotland; but want of space prevents -enlargement. Those who wish for a full account, will do well to get, -(if they can,) and read, “A Faithful Narrative of the Extraordinary -Work of the Spirit of God, at Kilsyth, and other Congregations in the -Neighbourhood. Written by James Robe, A.M., Minister of the Gospel -at Kilsyth,[11] 1742.” (12mo. 224 pp.) The “_commotions_,” however, -which Whitefield mentions, may be briefly noticed. They were severely -criticised at the time; and even now deserve attention. What were they? -Mr. Robe shall answer. - -Besides the intense excitement among the penitents in general, about -one in five of them “_came under_,” what Mr. Robe calls, “faintings, -tremblings, or other bodily distresses.”[12] He writes: “The bodies of -some of the awakened were seized with trembling, and fainting; in some -of the women there were hysterics, and convulsive motions in others, -arising from an apprehension and fear of the wrath of God.” Among -those who were not physically affected, there were loud outcries for -the mercy of God; and, among those who found peace with God, there -were some who experienced great, though joyous, agitation. Mr. Robe -remarks:―― - - “Some, who had been under deep apprehensions of Divine wrath, - and had sunk under a sense of their guilt, when the Lord opened - their hearts to receive Him as offered to them in the gospel, - were surprised with joy and admiration. Some cried out with a - loud voice, shewing forth the praises of the Lord. Others broke - forth into loud weeping, from a sense of their vileness and - unworthiness. Some had, for a time, their bodies quite overcome, - and were ready to faint, through the feeling of such unexpected - happiness. The countenances of others quite changed. There was - an observable serenity, a brightness, an openness, so that it - was the observation of some concerning them, that they had got - new faces.”[13] - -This is not the place to enter into any elaborate defence or -condemnation of such religious phenomena. They were not novel. -Similar scenes had been witnessed, in Bristol, under Wesley’s ministry, -only three years before; and, at this very time, and on a large scale, -similar scenes were being witnessed, among the Presbyterians of New -England. Of course, they were denounced, especially by the Erskines and -their friends; but Mr. Robe, while not enamoured of them, endeavoured -to explain them, shewing that they were the natural results of deep -convictions and strong emotions; that exactly the same sort of thing -had often happened in the history of the Christian Church; and that -the Bible itself contained similar examples. One or two extracts, from -Mr. Robe’s “_Preface_,” must suffice:―― - - “I seriously beg those who are prejudiced against this - dispensation of God’s extraordinary grace, and look upon it - as a delusion, to direct me and other ministers what we shall - answer the distressed persons of all ages, who come to us crying - bitterly that they are lost and undone, because of their sins. - Shall we tell them, that, their fears of the wrath of God are - all delusion? Shall we tell persons, lamenting their cursing, - swearing, Sabbath-breaking, and other immoralities, that, it is - the devil who makes them see these evils to be offensive to God, - and destructive to their souls? Shall we pray, and recommend - them to pray to be delivered from such delusions? It would be - worse than _devilish_, to treat the Lord’s sighing and groaning - prisoners at this rate. And, yet, such treatment is a natural - consequence of reckoning this the work of the devil, and a - delusion.” - -In reply to “The Associate Presbytery”――the Church-reformers of the -age――who bitterly denounced the work, and compared the converts to the -Camisards,[14] Mr. Robe remarks:―― - - “My dear brethren, whatever bitter names you and your party give - us――whatever bitter reproaches you cast upon us――we take all - patiently. There are thousands of witnesses, that we return you - blessing for cursing, and that we pray for you, who despitefully - use us. We would lay our bodies on the ground, for you to go - over, if it could, in the least, contribute to remove your - prejudices, and advance the kingdom of our dear Redeemer; but - we cannot look upon the guilt you have brought upon yourselves, - without the deepest grief; and upon the opposition you give to - us in our endeavours to recover sinners out of the snare of the - devil, without the most zealous concern. You declare the work of - God to be the work of the grand deceiver. My dear brethren, for - whom I tremble, have you been at due pains to know the nature - and circumstances of this work? Have you taken the trouble to - go to any of these places, where the Lord has appeared in His - glory and majesty? Have you ever so much as written to any - of the ministers, to receive information from them? It is not - consistent with common justice to condemn them as deceivers; and - it is amazing rashness, to pronounce, without enquiry, that to - be the work of the devil, which, for anything you know, may be - the work of the infinitely good and holy Spirit. Is not this to - be like the scribes and Pharisees, who ascribed the miraculous - work of our Lord to Beelzebub? Are you not afraid lest you come - too near this sin?” - -There is something profoundly mournful in all this. The Erskines were -sincere, but sour. Their zeal to reform the Church of Scotland might -be commendable; their opposition to the work of God cannot be too -severely censured. They had been the friends of Whitefield. At their -invitation, he, eleven months before, had come to Scotland; but, -instead of co-operating with him, they almost immediately disowned him. -Only a week after this, his second arrival in Scotland, he wrote a most -friendly letter to Ebenezer Erskine; but, as will soon be seen, without -good effect. The letter was as follows:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _June 10, 1742_. - - “REVEREND AND VERY DEAR SIR,――The love which I bear you, for - my Master’s sake, constrains me to send you a line. It is some - concern to me, that our difference as to outward things should - cut off our sweet fellowship with each other. God knows, I - highly value and honour you. Reverend and dear sir, I do assure - you, I love you and your brethren more than ever. I applaud - your zeal for God; and, though, in some respects, I think it not - according to knowledge, and to be levelled frequently against me, - yet I feel no resentment, and should joyfully hear you and your - brethren preach. I salute them all; and pray our common Lord to - give us all a right judgment in all things. I hope the glorious - Emmanuel will be present at the sacrament, and will make Himself - known to you in breaking of bread. When I shall come to Stirling, - I know not. O when shall the time come, when the watchmen will - see eye to eye? Hasten that time, our Lord and our God! But, - perhaps, I am troublesome. Forgive me, reverend and dear sir, - being, without dissimulation, your younger brother and servant - in the gospel of Christ, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -What was the response to this loving letter? Exactly five weeks -afterwards, on the 15th of July, “The Associate Presbytery” issued a -document announcing a “Public Fast,” and the reasons for observing it. -One reason was, that the “bitter outcryings, faintings, severe bodily -pains, convulsions, voices, visions, and revelations,” connected with -the revivals at Cambuslang and other places, were a proof that the -work there was a delusion, and of the devil; and another was, “the -fond reception given to Mr. George Whitefield, notwithstanding it is -notoriously known, that he is a _priest of the Church of England_, -who has sworn the _oath of supremacy_, and abjured the _Solemn League -and Covenant_, and endeavours, by his _lax toleration principles_, to -pull down the hedges of government and discipline, which the Lord has -planted about His vineyard in this land.”[15] - -This was bad enough to come from Christian men; but worse followed. -A month later, there was published a pamphlet of thirty-two pages, -of minute type, and closely printed, with the title, “The Declaration -of the true Presbyterians within the Kingdom of Scotland, concerning -Mr. George Whitefield, and the Work at Cambuslang.” - -This pretentiously religious, but extremely malignant production -begins as follows:――“The Declaration, Protestation, and Testimony of -the suffering Remnant of the anti-Popish, anti-Lutheran, anti-Prelatic, -anti-Whitefieldian, anti-Erastian, anti-Sectarian, true Presbyterian -Church of Christ in Scotland.” Very sonorous, but very rancorous! -Whitefield is branded as “an abjured, prelatic hireling, of as lax -toleration principles as any ever set up for the advancing of the -kingdom of Satan.” He is “a wandering star, who steers his course -according to the compass of gain and advantage.” He is “a base English -impostor, whom the enemies of Christ’s kingdom have chosen as their -commander-in-chief, to lead the covenanted kingdom of Scotland back -to Egypt and Babylon, to the bondage and slavery of Popery, Prelacy, -and Sectarianism.” He is “the most latitudinarian, prelatic priest -that ever essayed to confound, and unite into one, almost all sorts -and sizes of sects and heresies with orthodox Christians.” His -“foul, prelatic, sectarian hands” had administered the sacrament to -Presbyterians. He “is not of a blameless conversation, as the Word of -God requires all the ministers of the gospel to be, but is a scandalous -idolater, being a member of the idolatrous Church of England, which -resembles the idolatrous Church of Rome, in many of her idolatries.” -He “is a poor, vain-glorious, self-seeking, puffed-up creature.” He “is -a limb of Antichrist; a boar, and a wild beast, from the anti-Christian -field of England, come to waste and devour the poor erring people of -Scotland.” “In collecting such vast sums of money in Scotland, his -insatiable covetousness is shewn; and it is evident, that, his design -in coming is to pervert the truth, subvert the people, and make gain to -himself, by making merchandise of his pretended ministry.” The pamphlet -finishes by “protesting, testifying, and declaring against Whitefield, -and all, of every rank, station, and degree, within the kingdom of -Scotland, who, in any manner of way, have aided, assisted, countenanced, -and encouraged him.” The last paragraph in this pious production is as -follows:―― - - “And that this our Declaration, Protestation, and Testimony - may come to the world’s view, we do appoint and ordain our - emissaries, in our name, to pass upon the ―――― day of August, - 1742, to the market-cross of ――――, and other public places - necessary, and there publish, and leave copies of the same, - that none may pretend ignorance thereof. - - “Given in Scotland, upon the ―――― day of August, 1742. - - “Let King Jesus reign, - And let all His enemies be scattered.” - -Worse and worse; and yet there is more to follow. About the same time, -there was published, in Edinburgh, “A Letter from a Gentleman in Boston, -to Mr. George Wishart, one of the Ministers of Edinburgh, concerning -the state of Religion in New England.” (12mo. 24 pp.) Three extracts -from this production must suffice. - - “The minds of the people, in this part of the world, had been - greatly prepossessed in favour of Mr. Whitefield, from the - accounts transmitted of him, as a _wonder of piety_, and a _man - of God_. Accordingly, when he came to Boston, about two years - ago, he was received as though he had been an _angel of God_, - yea, a _god come down in the likeness of man_. He was strangely - flocked after by all sorts of persons, and much admired by - the _vulgar_, both _great and small_. The ministers had him in - veneration, and, as much as the people, encouraged his preaching, - attending it themselves every day in the week, and mostly twice - a day. The grand subject of conversation was Mr. Whitefield, and - the whole business of the town was to run from place to place - to hear him preach. His reception, as he passed through this - and the neighbouring governments of Connecticut and New York, - was after much the same manner, save only, that he met with no - admirers among the clergy, unless here and there one, anywhere - but in Boston. You ask, What was the _great good_ this gentleman - was the instrument of? I answer, Wherever he went, he generally - moved the passions, especially of the younger people, and - females; the effect whereof was a great talk about religion, - together with a disposition to be perpetually hearing sermons, - to the neglect of all other business. In these things _chiefly_ - consisted the goodness so much spoken of. I could not but - discern, that there were the same pride and vanity, the same - luxury and intemperance, the same lying and tricking and - cheating, in the town, as there were before this gentleman - came among us. There was also raised such a spirit of bitter, - censorious, uncharitable judging, as was not known before; and - the greatest friends of Mr. Whitefield were as much puffed up - with conceit and pride as any of their neighbours.” - -The writer then proceeds to say, that a number of imitators of -Whitefield sprung up after his departure, and that one of the most -famous of them was Gilbert Tennent, - - “A man of no great parts or learning, and whose preaching was in - the _extemporaneous_ way, with much noise, and little connection. - Under his preaching, scores cried out, fell down, swooned - away, and were like persons in fits. Visions became common, and - trances also. _Laughing, loud, hearty laughing_, was one of the - ways in which the _new converts_ almost everywhere expressed - their joy at the conversion of others. Houses of worship were - scarce emptied night or day for a week together, and unheard-of - instances of supposed religion were carried on in them. In the - same house, and at the same time, some would be _praying_, some - _exhorting_, some _singing_, some _clapping their hands_, some - _laughing_, some _crying_, some _shrieking_, and some _roaring - out_.” - -The gentleman in Boston concludes thus:―― - - “I am among those who are clearly of opinion, that, there never - was such a spirit of _superstition_ and _enthusiasm_ reigning in - the land before; never such _gross disorders_, and _bare-faced - affronts to common decency_; never _such scandalous reproaches_ - on the blessed Spirit, making Him the author of the _greatest - irregularities and confusions_. Yet, I am of opinion also, that - the appearances among us have been the means of awakening the - attention of many; and a good number, I hope, have settled into - a truly Christian temper.” - -The “Letter” was written with seeming candour, but there can be little -doubt that its publication in Edinburgh added to the difficulties -which Whitefield had to encounter among the precise Presbyterians of -the kingdom of Scotland. Almost contemporaneously with this, there -was published in Glasgow, a small 12mo. book, of 130 pages, entitled, -“The State of Religion in New England, since the Rev. Mr. George -Whitefield’s arrival there, in a Letter, from a Gentleman in New -England, to his Friend in Glasgow: with an Appendix containing Proofs -of the principal Facts, and further Accounts of the Disorders in -matters of Religion lately introduced into various parts of New England -and Carolina.” The gentleman’s letter is dated “May 24, 1742.” - -The preface to this publication contains the following:―― - - “Mr. Whitefield asks nothing, indeed, for his preaching, but - he has a brother Syms to suggest, wherever he goes, what it - is decent to give so great a man; and, by these means, he has, - these four months past, made as much gain as several of the - bishops in England, or any six ministers in Scotland, for the - same time; and that partly by getting from some poor parishes, - for a day’s _holding forth_, nearly as much as they collect for - their own poor in a whole year.” - -This was a baseless slander; but let it pass. The “Gentleman in New -England” asks:―― - - “In what does Mr. Whitefield’s fervour turn? Is it not upon - getting money and popular applause, by perpetually roaring - out _hell-flames, fire and brimstone, incarnate devils, and - damnation_? Some are frightened out of their senses; others fall - into convulsions and epileptic fits; and others scream and roar - with hideous voices. These are, according to him, the _fruits of - the Spirit_, and _gales_ from the _Holy Ghost_.” - -Gilbert Tennent, the friend of Whitefield, is similarly abused. - - “In the pulpit, Gilbert Tennent is an awkward and ridiculous ape - of Whitefield, for his appearance is very clownish. His great - business, in his sermons, is either to puzzle or to frighten his - hearers, but especially the latter, which he does by roaring and - bellowing _damnation_, _devils_, and all the _dreadful words_ he - can think of. He is followed by all sorts of people, as much as - Whitefield was, and, by many, is ♦preferred to him.” - -Of the Presbyterian helpers, employed by Whitefield and Tennent in New -England, the “Gentleman” remarks:―― - - “There is a creature here whom, perhaps, you never heard of - before. It is called an _Exhorter_. It is of both sexes, but - generally of the male, and young. Its distinguishing qualities - are _ignorance_, _impudence_, _zeal_. Numbers of these exhorters - are among the people here. They go from town to town; creep - into houses; lead captive silly women; and then the men. Such - of them as have good voices do _great execution_. They move - their hearers, and make them cry, faint, swoon, and fall into - convulsions.” - -The _converts_ of Whitefield and Tennent are thus described:―― - - “The converts are all made in this manner. First, they become - concerned for their souls, and greatly distressed, and not - rarely distracted. They continue in this condition for some days, - and then, all at once, without any visible means, they come out - of their dark and disconsolate state all light, joy, and ecstasy. - This they express by their talk to their neighbours, which - they call telling their experiences; and, in many places, by - immoderate laughter and singing hymns. Their joy is sometimes - so great, that, their eyes sparkle, and their faces shine. These - are certain signs of the Spirit of God being in them. One of - a hundred excepted, they all make religion to consist in the - feeling of inward impulses and impressions, in an inexplicable - faith, joys, ecstasies, and such-like things. They are bigoted - to certain opinions, which they do not understand; and have not - the least degree of charity for those who are of another way of - thinking. All of them are vain, self-conceited, superstitious, - enthusiastic, censorious slanderers. Reason, learning, and - morality, they professedly disregard. If they hear a minister - preach, in the most evangelical manner, upon any moral duty, - or if they hear him recommend the exercise of reason and - understanding, they call him a dry, husky, Arminian preacher, - and conclude for certain that he is not converted.” - -The reader may easily imagine the effects likely to be produced, at -this juncture, among the Presbyterians of Scotland, by such infamous -statements respecting Presbyterian converts and congregations in New -England. - -The subject is a loathsome one; but, perhaps, it is best, once for -all, to exhaust it. To say nothing of objectionable passages in -Ralph Erskine’s pamphlet, entitled, “Fraud and Falsehood Detected,” -and in the sermons he preached at different places in the year -1742, particularly those on Luke xxii. 31, 32; Heb. xiii. 8; and -Rev. v. 9;[16] the following publications must have annoyed Whitefield, -and, also, injured him in the estimation of the Scottish people. - -1. “Some Observations upon the Conduct of the Famous Mr. W――field. -By a true Lover of the Church and Country. Edinburgh: printed in the -year 1742.” (12mo. 12 pp.) The author of these “Observations” told -his readers, that, Whitefield had taken upon himself “the office of -a thirteenth apostle;” and that he began his work in Scotland “with a -notorious lie, for he said he was £600 out of pocket about his Hospital -in Georgia, whereas it can be proved that he advanced about £1000 to a -captain of a man of war, who gave him bills for it upon the Admiralty, -who paid this sum to him a little before he came to Scotland.” The -writer adds, “Instead of going to Georgia, this thirteenth Apostle was -moved to take to him a fellow-mate; so that now, I am afraid, these” -(Scotch) “collections will be applied towards the maintenance of him, -her, and their issue.” The anxious author, in conclusion, benevolently -remarks: “Let all good people beware of this stroller; for he will -yet find a way to wheedle you out of your money. He is as artful a -mountebank as any I know.” - -2. “A Letter to a Gentleman in Edinburgh, containing Remarks upon a -late Apology for the Presbyterians in Scotland, who keep Communion, in -the Ordinances of the Gospel, with Mr. George Whitefield, a Priest of -the Church of England: shewing that such a Practice is not justifiable -by the Principles and Practice of the Church of Scotland, from -the Reformation to this day; nor by the Westminster Confession -of Faith, Solemn League and Covenant. In which Mr. Whitefield’s -Religion, Orthodoxy, and Moral Character are set in a proper light, -by Collections from his own printed Performances. Glasgow, 1742.” -(pp. 112.) The letter is signed, “John Bisset, Minister of the Gospel -in Aberdeen;” and is dated, “October 26, 1742.” Upon the whole, the -pamphlet is well written, and less verbose than many of the Scotch -productions of that period. Half of it is an elaborate criticism of -the “late Apology;” and the remainder a venomous attack on Whitefield, -who is branded as being “enthusiastically, daringly presumptuous, -and popishly superstitious,”――“a strolling impostor, whose cheats, -in due time, will be discovered.” In conclusion, Mr. Bisset writes: -“Mr. Whitefield has done more to promote effectually the cause of -♦Episcopacy, and a liking to it in Scotland, than all the means, fair -and foul, that have been used since our reformation from Popery to this -day.” - -Besides the above, two other antagonistic pamphlets must be noticed, -which, though not printed in Scotland, were doubtless circulated there, -and helped to increase the difficulties with which Whitefield had to -struggle. - -1. “A Brief History of the Principles of Methodism, wherein the Rise -and Progress, together with the Causes of the several Variations, -Divisions, and present Inconsistencies of this Sect are attempted to -be traced out, and accounted for. By Josiah Tucker, M.A., Vicar of All -Saints, and one of the Minor Canons of the College of Bristol. Oxford, -1742.” (8vo. 51 pp.) Mr. Tucker, in obsequious terms, dedicated his -anti-Methodistic publication to Dr. Boulter, Archbishop of Armagh, who -had treated Whitefield with great courtesy on his return from America -in 1738. Mr. Tucker tells the Archbishop, that Whitefield left the -University of Oxford “with a _crude_ and _undigested_ notion of the -system of William Law;” and, that “it happened through a _blunder_ on -his side, and a _mistake_ of the question on all sides, that he fell in -with the Calvinistical party, and looked upon them as his patrons and -advocates.” “It was some time, however, before he understood his _new -credenda_, or so much as knew the nature of the _five points_, and how -they hang in a _chain_ one upon another.” - -2. “Genuine and Secret Memoirs relating to the Adventures of that -Arch-Methodist, Mr. G. W――fi――d: Likewise, Critical and Explanatory -Remarks upon that inimitable piece, entitled ‘God’s Dealings with the -Rev. Mr. Whitefield;’ wherein is likewise proved (by his own words), -that he has had pretty large dealings also with Satan: the whole -interspersed with observations instructive and humorous. Collected -and published, by a Gentleman of Oxford, for general information; -and necessary to be had in all families as a preservative against -Enthusiasm and Methodism. Oxford, 1742.” (8vo. 85 pp.) - -This was a most disgraceful and disgusting pamphlet. To quote its -obscenity would be criminal. It finishes with eight verses, entitled -“The Field-Preacher. To the Tune of the Queen’s Old Courtier.” The -first of these verses is as follows:―― - - “With face and fashion to be known, - With eyes all white, and many a groan, - With arms _outstretched_, and snivelling tone, - And handkerchief from nose new-blown, - And loving cant to sister _Joan_. - (_Chorus._) ’Tis a new teacher about the town, - Oh! the town’s new teacher!” - -Abuse like this was not pleasant. It is true, that Whitefield had -long been used to it; but the repetition of the thing did not abate -its hardship. Most of it was utterly untrue, the remainder, to a -great extent, was ill-tempered banter, and the whole was provokingly -disagreeable. Whitefield was quite as sensitive as are popular men in -general; and there can hardly be a doubt that such injustice caused him -many a bitter pang. In the midst of all, however, he rarely, if ever, -lost his equanimity; and he generally avoided “rendering railing for -railing.” He doubtless prized his reputation, as every good man does; -but his own fame was to him of less importance than the prosperity -of the work of God. Whatever interfered with that created profound -distress; and, hence, it is not surprising, that he replied to one of -the slanderous publications just mentioned. If what the “Gentleman in -New England” had said was true, the Presbyterians in Scotland might -justly look upon Whitefield’s ministry with suspicion and alarm. To -prevent this, Whitefield wrote and published the following: “Some -Remarks on a late Pamphlet, entitled, ‘The State of Religion in New -England, since the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield’s arrival there.’ Glasgow: -printed by William Duncan, and sold by the booksellers in Edinburgh -and Glasgow, 1742.” (16mo. 32 pp.) The “Remarks” are dated “Cambuslang, -August 31, 1742.” - -Want of space renders it impossible to give a lengthened outline of -Whitefield’s pamphlet. Speaking of the publication to which he was now -replying, he truly says: “The design of it is base and wicked. It is -intended, if possible, to eclipse the late great and glorious work in -New England; to invalidate the testimonies that have been given of it; -and, thereby, to bring a reproach upon, and to hinder the spreading -of, a like glorious work, which God, of His infinite mercy, has, for -some time, been carrying on in Scotland.” He proceeds to shew that the -gentlemen, who had testified concerning the scriptural character of -the New England revival, were men of “sound understanding, integrity, -sobriety of manners, and piety.” Among others, he mentions the -Honourable Mr. Willard, secretary of the province; also the Rev. -Messrs. Colman, Cooper, and Prince, who held degrees conferred by the -University of Glasgow. He gives numerous testimonies, by persons living -on the spot, flatly contradicting the sweeping accusations of the -“Gentleman in New England;” and shews that some of his quotations -were so garbled as to be practically false. Stoutly defending his -friend Tennent, he writes: “I have the happiness of being intimately -acquainted with Mr. Gilbert Tennent. I scarcely know a man of a more -catholic spirit. Indeed, to the honour of the grace of God be it spoken, -he is a son of thunder, especially in his applications, and when he -is preaching the law. At such times, people cannot easily sleep. He is -a workman that needs not be ashamed, and is taught of God rightly to -divide the word of truth. His book, entitled ‘The Presumptuous Sinner -Detected,’ and his many printed sermons, shew him to be a man of great -learning, solidity, and piety.” Whitefield, however, admits that there -had been some chaff among the wheat. “The sum of the matter,” he says, -“seems to be this――there has been a great and marvellous work in New -England; but, by the imprudences of some, and the overboiling zeal of -others, irregularities, in several places, have been committed. This -is nothing but what is common. It was so in _Old_ England a few years -ago. Many young persons there ran out before they were called. Others -were guilty of great indiscretion. I checked them in the strictest -manner myself; and found, as they grew acquainted with the Lord Jesus -and their own hearts, the intemperance of their zeal abated, and they -became truly humble walkers with God. After a gathering, there will -always be a sifting time. The Church is generally shaken before it -is settled.” Finally, to shew that he was neither vanquished nor -disheartened, Whitefield concludes with two verses from the Scotch -Psalter:―― - - “Why rage the heathen? and vain things - Why do the people mind? - Kings of the earth do set themselves; - And princes are combin’d - To plot against the Lord, and His - Anointed, saying thus, - ‘Let us asunder break their bands, - And cast their cords from us.’ - - He, that in heaven sits, shall laugh; - The Lord shall scorn them all. - Then shall He speak to them in wrath, - In rage, He vex them shall. - Yet, notwithstanding, I have Him - To be my King appointed: - And over Sion, my holy hill, - I have Him King anointed.” - -It ought to be added that, immediately after the publication of -Whitefield’s pamphlet, the Rev. Jonathan Edwards issued a very able -and exhaustive treatise on the same subject, with the title, “Some -Thoughts concerning the present Revival of Religion in New England, and -the way in which it ought to be acknowledged and promoted. By Jonathan -Edwards, A.M., Pastor of the Church of Christ at Northampton.” This was -first published in Boston, New England; and, in 1743, was reprinted in -Edinburgh. (12mo. 221 pp.) - -In some of the hostile publications already mentioned, Whitefield -had been attacked respecting his Orphan-house collections; and -probably this, and other reasons, led him to publish the following: -“A Continuation of the Account of the Orphan House in Georgia, from -January, 1741, to June, 1742; to which are subjoined some Extracts from -an Account of a Work of a like Nature, carried on by the late Professor -Francke, in Glaucha, near Halle, in Saxony. By George Whitefield, A.B., -late of Pembroke College, Oxford. Edinburgh: printed by T. Lumisden -and J. Robertson; and sold by J. Traill, Bookseller, in the Parliament -Close. 1742.” (18mo. 86 pp.) - -Whitefield’s Preface, dated “September 22, 1742,” contains the -following curious paragraph――a paragraph which, of course, will shock -both teetotallers and the members of the Anti-Slavery Society:―― - - “Once I am clear of all arrears, the Orphan House will be - supported at a very easy expense. The last Parliament have - altered the constitution of the colony of Georgia, in two - material points: they have allowed the importation of rum, and - free titles to the land. If they should see good hereafter to - grant a limited use of negroes, Georgia must, in all outward - appearances, be as flourishing a colony as South Carolina.” - -Since his arrival in England, in March, 1741, Whitefield had collected, -for his Orphan House, £1158 6s. 0½d.; and had expended £1302 17s. 2½d. - -Before proceeding further, two more of his publications, in -Scotland, must be mentioned; both of them _reprints_, but suited -to the circumstances in which the now found himself. 1. “A Letter, -from the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield to the Religious Societies of -England, written during his voyage to Philadelphia, in 1739; and now -particularly recommended to those who have lately formed themselves -into Religious Societies in Scotland; to which is added an extract from -a late Author, shewing that a Catholic Spirit is the only thing that -can unite and make Christians happy one amongst another in this divided -state of things. Edinburgh: 1742.” (18mo. 27 pp.) 2. “Nine Sermons, -upon the following subjects, namely: 1. The Lord our Righteousness,”[17] -etc. “By George Whitefield, A.B. Edinburgh, 1742.” (12mo. 199 pp.) - -We now return to Whitefield’s correspondence, which, practically, is a -journal of his proceedings. We left him at Edinburgh on July 7, 1742. - -The ministers of “The Associate Presbytery” were, without doubt, the -most violent of Whitefield’s opposers in Scotland; but there were also -others who gave him trouble. The Rev. Mr. Willison, of Dundee, was one -of the best of the Scottish clergy. Between him and Whitefield there -had been considerable correspondence. Under his auspices Whitefield had -preached in Dundee. Mr. Willison, also, sympathised with the present -revival movement; but even he occasioned Whitefield some disquietude. -Hence the following letter:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _July 7, 1742_. - - “REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,――Your letter gave me some concern. I - thought it breathed a sectarian spirit, to which I hoped dear - Mr. Willison was quite averse. You seem not satisfied, unless - I declare myself a Presbyterian, and openly renounce the Church - of England. God knows that I have been faithful in bearing a - testimony against what I think is corrupt in that Church. I - have also shewn my freedom in communicating with the Church of - Scotland, and in baptizing children in their own way. I can go - no further. - - “Dear sir, be not offended at my plain speaking. I find but few - of a truly catholic spirit. Most are catholics till they bring - persons over to their own party, and there they would fetter - them. I have not so learned Christ. I shall approve and join all - who are good, in every sect; and cast a mantle of love over all - who are bad, so far as is consistent with a good conscience. - - “Morning and evening retirement is certainly good; but if, - through weakness of body, or frequency of preaching, I cannot - go to God at my usual set times, I think my spirit is not in - bondage. It is not for me to tell how often I use secret prayer. - If I did not use it――nay, if, in one sense, I did not pray - without ceasing――it would be difficult for me to keep up that - frame of mind, which, by the Divine blessing, I daily enjoy. If - the work of God prospers, and your hands become more full, you - will then know better what I mean. - - “But enough of this. God knows I would do everything I possibly - could to satisfy all men, and give a reason of the hope that is - in me with meekness and fear; but I cannot satisfy all who are - waiting for an occasion to find fault. Our Lord could not; I, - therefore, despair of doing it. However, dear sir, I take what - you have said in good part; only I think you are too solicitous - to clear up my character to captious and prejudiced men. Let - my Master speak for me. Blessed be God! He will, so long as I - simply throw myself into His almighty arms. - - “I am glad the work goes on with you. Glory be to God! we have - seen glorious things in the west. - - “Yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -In the following letters, Whitefield refers to the opposition which he -had to encounter in Scotland. The first was addressed to a minister in -London:―― - - “INCHANNON, _July 21, 1742_. - - “REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,――I heartily rejoice that the Lord is - blessing and owning you. Go on, dear sir, go on, and you will - certainly find the glorious Emmanuel will be with you more and - more. It is observable that there is but one thing in Scripture, - which we are commanded to do out of season――_preaching_. Be - instant, therefore, in season and out of season. The Lord will - stand by you and strengthen you, and deliver you from wicked and - unreasonable men. You will find the blessedness of the cross; - and the Spirit of Christ and of glory will rest upon your soul. - - “The Messrs. Erskine and their adherents have appointed a public - fast, to humble themselves, among other things, for my being - received in Scotland, and for the delusion, as they term it, - at Cambuslang and other places; and all this because I would - not consent to preach only for them, till I had light into, and - could take the Solemn League and Covenant. To what lengths may - prejudice carry even good men! From giving way to the first - risings of bigotry and a party spirit, good Lord, deliver us!” - -The next letter seems to have been addressed to the Rev. John McLaurin, -of Glasgow, and was accompanied by a number of young people who appear -to have come all the way from Glasgow to Edinburgh, to hear Whitefield -preach. - - “EDINBURGH, _July 28, 1742_. - - “REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,――With this, I suppose, you will receive - several young ones, who, I think, have acted wrong in leaving - their respective employments, under parents and masters, to go - after me. Be pleased to examine them, and send them home. - - “The Lord was with me at Falkirk, and is pleased to work by - me here. O free grace! I am persuaded I shall have more power, - since dear Mr. Gibb has printed such a bitter pamphlet. Now - I begin to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. I rejoice and am - exceeding glad. The archers shot sore at me that I might fall, - but the Lord is, and the Lord will be, my helper.” - -To a friend in London, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _July 31, 1742_. - - “One of ‘The Associate Presbytery’ has published the most - virulent pamphlet I ever saw, ascribing all that has been done - here, and even in New England, to the influence of the devil. - O how prejudice will blind the eyes of even good men!” - -Whitefield had other troubles besides the bitter pamphlets that were -published against him. The Spaniards had invaded Georgia. With forty -sail of small galleys, and other craft, they had come into Cumberland -Sound. With another fleet of thirty-six ships, they had entered -Jekyl Sound. They had landed four thousand five hundred men, and -marched, through the woods, to Frederica. Half of their galleys also -approached the same town, and twenty-eight sail attacked Fort William. -Oglethorpe’s military force was small, but proved victorious; and -July 25, 1742, was appointed, by the General, “as a day of public -thanksgiving to Almighty God for His great deliverance in having put an -end to the Spanish invasion.”[18] Whitefield had heard of the invasion; -but, as yet, he had not heard of the defeat. In a series of letters, -written in July, his superintendent, Mr. Habersham, had informed him, -that, finding the Orphan House in great danger of attack, they had -removed all its inmates, eighty-five in number, to Mr. Jonathan Bryan’s -plantation, in South Carolina. They arrived at midnight on July 10; and, -within six weeks afterwards, were safely back to Bethesda.[19] Hence -the following letter to Whitefield:―― - - “BETHESDA, _August 19, 1742_. - - “MY DEAREST FRIEND AND BROTHER,――I hope, before this reaches - you, you will have received mine of the 4th, 11th, 14th, - and 27th of July; and that you see your way clear to come - to us. Blessed be God! we have reason to conclude the Spaniards - have entirely left the colony; and we are now again very - comfortably settled. The deliverance the Lord has wrought for - us, by General Oglethorpe, I think, is the most remarkable I - ever heard or read of, except some instances recorded in the - Old Testament. I cannot now mention particulars. At Savannah, - the poor people are almost all sick; at Frederica likewise, - and at Mr. Bryan’s, and at other neighbours’, they are in the - same condition. We also have many down. We have a good crop - on the ground; but, except a few boys, have none to gather it. - Brother Hunter” (the surgeon belonging to the Orphan House) - “has his hands full, and is chiefly at Savannah. It is but - little we buy abroad. We hunt, and kill our own stock; and - have potatoes and corn enough of our own. I hope you are now - on your passage to us. We cannot but expect you.” - -Besides the Spanish invasion, Whitefield had another trouble in -Georgia. Mr. Jonathan Barber, his lay-chaplain at the Orphan House, -and Mr. Hunter, the house surgeon, had been arrested at Savannah, and -imprisoned above a week, for privately insulting the Savannah clergyman. -These and other matters are mentioned in the following letters. At -the time when they were written, Whitefield was in the midst of the -marvellous revival scenes at Cambuslang. The first was addressed to -Mr. Barber, his recently imprisoned chaplain. - - “CAMBUSLANG, _August 17, 1742_. - - “And has my dear brother Barber got the start of me? What, put - into prison before me? I wish you joy, my dear brother, with - all my heart. Had I been at Savannah, I would have come, and, if - there had been need, would gladly have washed your feet. I doubt - not but your imprisonment was for Christ’s sake. I wish you had - told me who stood by at Savannah, and brought you refreshment. - Greet them, and give them particular thanks in my name. I must - write to the Trustees, and to others. I heard nothing of the - affair, till I received your letter last week. A word or two of - yours, to Mr.O――――,” (the Savannah clergyman,) “I think a little - too harsh; but Paul spoke once a little too harsh to the high - priest. Our Jesus will overlook this, and will reward you for - your imprisonment by-and-by. - - “I cannot help believing that Georgia will yet be a glorious - colony. The counsel of God shall stand. He surely put it into - my heart to build the Orphan House. He certainly brought you to - Georgia to superintend it. He will bless you and yours. I join - in blessing God with you, and in admiring how He has spread a - table for my dear family in that wilderness. I am kept from the - least doubting. I am just now about to publish a further account - of the Orphan House, and hope shortly to collect some more money - towards its support. - - “I am blessed with far greater success than ever; and Satan - roars louder. You will see, by what I here send, how the archers, - of different classes, shoot at me; but the Lord causes my bow - to abide in strength, and enables me to triumph in every place. - Last Lord’s-day, I believe, there were here thirty thousand - people, and above two thousand five hundred communicants. The - work spreads, and, I believe, will yet spread.” - -Whitefield was young, but plucky. He was not disposed to submit -silently to the high-handed acts of the small officials at Savannah. -Hence the following, addressed to their superiors, the Honourable -Trustees for Georgia:―― - - “CAMBUSLANG, _August 17, 1742_. - - “HONOURED GENTLEMEN,――Letters, which I received last week - from Georgia, occasion my troubling you with this. I find that - Mr. Hunter and Mr. Barber have been taken up by a warrant, and - were imprisoned above a week, for a thing which, I believe, - none of you will judge cognisable by the civil magistrates. It - seems that Mr. Barber, in a private conversation with Mr. O――――, - (who I suppose is the present minister of Savannah,) told him, - ‘he was no Christian; that he wondered at the impudence of young - men in subscribing articles they did not believe; and that he - should think it his duty to warn his friends not to hear him.’ - - “I acknowledge, that such language was too harsh; but Mr. Hunter, - who did not say near so much, was linked in the same prosecution, - and imprisoned with him. Mr. Jones, who was then at Frederica, - being informed of it, declared such a procedure to be illegal; - and his Excellency General Oglethorpe desired my friends to lay - the matter before the Board of the Honourable Trustees. They - have sent to me a particular account of what has passed, which - I will transmit to you, or, when I come to London, I will wait - upon you in person. I find, also, that my friends were denied - a copy of the proceedings in court; in which, I am persuaded, - you will think they have been wronged. My friends require no - satisfaction, but only desire that such a proceeding may be - animadverted upon; knowing that otherwise it will be a great - discouragement to people’s settling in Georgia. - - “I am sorry, also, to inform you, honoured gentlemen, that - five very small children, (Swiss or Dutch,) whose parents lately - died in their passage from England, have had their goods sold - at Vendue, and are bound out till the age of twenty-one years. - This I think directly contrary to the grant given me by you; for, - thereby, I was empowered to take as many orphans into the house - as my fund would admit of. - - “I understand, also, that the magistrates have been at the - Orphan House, and claim a power to take away the children when - they please, whether the children choose it, or complain of - ill-treatment, or not. This grieves some of the children, and - makes others of them insolent, who are, hereby, taught, that they - have a power to go away when they will. This must be discouraging - to those who are entrusted with their education; and who aim - at nothing but the glory of God, the welfare of the colony, and - the salvation of the children’s souls. I suppose the magistrates - have taken such a liberty from the instructions which were sent - from you some time ago; but Mr. Jones has told them, that, they - have misunderstood you; and his Excellency General Oglethorpe, - I find, has written to you about it. - - “Our plantation thrives well; and Mr. Habersham hopes we shall - do with white servants alone. I will do all I can to promote the - good of Georgia: only I beg that the management of the Orphan - House and the orphans may be secured to me and my successors - for ever; and that the magistrates be not suffered to disturb - us, when there is no ground of complaint. They acknowledged, - when at the Orphan House last, that the children were taken good - care of, both as to their bodies and souls: will it not then - tend much to the welfare of the colony, that the Orphan House - should meet with all possible encouragement? - - “His Excellency General Oglethorpe has informed my friend Mr. - Habersham, that, if I desired it, he thought you would grant - me a greater tract of land, which I should be obliged to give - away in a certain term of years; and that we might have our own - magistrates, as the people of Ebenezer have. I know not whether - I shall desire such a favour; but, if I should, I desire to know - what you, honoured gentlemen, would say to it. Many have applied - to me respecting their settling in Georgia; but, hitherto, I - could give them no encouragement. I wish I may be enabled to - give them a great deal in the future. - - “Honoured gentlemen, I do not desire to find fault. I doubt not - but you have been prejudiced both against me and my friends. - The event will shew what friends we are to Georgia. The Orphan - House will certainly be of great utility to the colony; and the - children educated therein will, I trust, be the glory of the - society to which they belong. They are bred up to industry, as - well as to other things; and are taught to fear God and honour - the king. I heartily pray God to bless all who are concerned in - the management of Georgian affairs. - - “I hope to be in London in about two months. In the meanwhile, - I would beg the favour of a line by your secretary, and I also - entreat you, honoured gentlemen, to write to the magistrates of - Savannah, to let the Orphan House managers alone. If I, or my - friends, should happen to say or do anything amiss, I assure you, - you shall have all possible satisfaction given you by them, and - also by, honoured gentlemen, your very humble servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Such was Whitefield’s letter to the Trustees of Georgia, written in the -midst of the great revival at Cambuslang. - -On the same day, he wrote a long letter to his good friend, the Rev. -Mr. Willison, of Dundee, who seems to have been far more anxious about -Whitefield’s reputation than Whitefield was himself. The letter is -historical, and extracts from it must be given. - - “CAMBUSLANG, _August 17, 1742_. - - “REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR,――I heartily thank you for your concern - about unworthy _me_. Though I am not very solicitous respecting - what the world says of me, yet I would not refuse to give to - any one, much less a minister of Jesus Christ, all reasonable - satisfaction about my doctrine or conduct. - - “I am sorry that ‘The Associate Presbytery’ have done me much - wrong. As to what they say about the _supremacy_, my sentiments - agree with what is said in the Westminster Confession of Faith - (chapter xxiii.). I do own the Lord Jesus to be the blessed Head - and King of His Church. I never abjured the Solemn League and - Covenant; neither was it ever proposed to me to be abjured. - - “As for my _missives_, if ‘The Associate Presbytery’ will be - pleased to print them, the world will see that they had no - reason to expect I would act in any other manner than I have - done. - - “What that part of my _experience_ is that savours of the - grossest _enthusiasm_, I know not. It is not specified; but - this one thing I know, when I conversed with them, they were - satisfied with the account I then gave of my experience, and - also of the validity of my mission. Only, when they found I - would preach the gospel promiscuously to _all_, and _for every - minister_ that would invite me, and not adhere only to them, - one of them said, ‘That they were satisfied with all the other - accounts which I gave of myself, except of my call to Scotland - at that time.’ They would have been glad of my help, and would - have received me as a minister of Jesus Christ, had I consented - to preach only at the invitation of them and their people. I - thought their foundation was too narrow for any high house to - be built upon. When I was last in Scotland, I declared freely, - (and I am more and more convinced of it since,) that they were - building a Babel. - - “At the same time, they knew very well, I was far from being - against all church government. How can any church subsist - without it? I only urged, as I do now, that, since holy men - differ so much about the form, we should bear with one another, - though, in this respect, we are not of one mind. I have often - declared, in the most public manner, that I believe the Church - of Scotland to be the best constituted National Church in the - world; but, then, I would bear and converse with all others, - who do not err in fundamentals, and who give evidence that they - are true lovers of the Lord Jesus. This is what I mean by a - _catholic spirit_. - - “You know how strongly I assert all the doctrines of grace as - contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith, and in the - doctrinal Articles of the Church of England. I trust, I shall - adhere to these as long as I live; because I verily believe they - are the truths of God, and because I have felt the power of them - in my heart. - - “I am only concerned that good men should be guilty of such - misrepresentations; but this teaches me, more and more, to - exercise compassion towards all the children of God, and to be - more jealous over my own heart, knowing what a fallible creature - I am. I acknowledge that I am a poor blind sinner, liable to - err; and I would be obliged to an enemy, much more to so dear - a friend as you are, to point out to me my mistakes, as to my - practice, or as to unguarded expressions in my preaching or - writing. - - “I am just about to print a further account of the Orphan House - in Georgia; and, having many other affairs of importance before - me, can only now entreat the continuance of your prayers, and - beg to subscribe myself, - - “Yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Unfortunately, Whitefield’s troubles were not confined to Scotland -and Georgia. Methodist affairs in Wales were far from being in a -satisfactory state. Hence the following letter to Howell Harris:―― - - “CAMBUSLANG, _August 26, 1742_. - - “MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,――I was glad, last night, to receive your - letter. I love your simple, honest heart. - - “The account, sent with this, will shew you how often I have - been enabled to preach; but with what efficacy and success, pen - cannot describe. The glorious Redeemer seems to be advancing - from congregation to congregation, carrying all before Him. - - “I am opposed on every side. The Messrs. Erskines’ people have - kept a fast for me, and given out that all the work now in - Scotland is only delusion, and by the agency of the devil. - - “What you said about poor Wales affected me. I lay upon my face - this day, and, for some time, pleaded, with groans unutterable, - for direction in that and several other matters of great - consequence. I fear my dear brother thinks too highly of me; - but, if Christ is pleased to honour me so far, I shall be glad - to help the brethren in Wales. I am sorry to hear there have been - such divisions; but dividing times generally precede settling - times.” - -In the midst of all these altercations, it is refreshing to be able to -introduce one of Whitefield’s filial outpourings to his mother, who was -now an inmate of Whitefield’s house in Bristol. - - “CAMBUSLANG, _August 26, 1742_. - - “HONOURED MOTHER,――I rejoice to hear that you have been so - long under my roof. Blessed be God that I have a house for my - honoured mother to come to! You are heartily welcome to anything - it affords, as long as you please. I am of the same mind now, - as formerly. If need were, these hands should administer to your - necessities. I had rather want myself, than you should. I shall - be highly pleased when I come to Bristol, and find you sitting - in your youngest son’s house. O that I may sit with you in the - house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens! - - “My honoured mother, I am happier and happier every day. If - any at Bristol enquire after me, please to tell them, I am well - both in body and soul, and desire them to help me to praise - free and sovereign grace. O that my dear mother may be made an - everlasting monument of it! How does my heart burn with love - and duty to you! Gladly would I wash your aged feet, and lean - upon your neck, and weep and pray until I could pray no more. - With this, I send you a thousand dutiful salutations, and ten - thousand hearty and most humble thanks, for all the pains you - underwent in conceiving, bringing forth, nursing, and bringing - up your most unworthy, though most dutiful son, till death. - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Whitefield’s second visit to Cambuslang was on Friday, August 13, 1742; -and here, and in the surrounding neighbourhood, he spent the next -three weeks. A glimpse of his enormous labours may be obtained from the -following, which was written to a friend in London:―― - - “CAMBUSLANG, _August 27, 1742_. - - “A fortnight ago, I came to this place, to assist at the - sacramental occasion, with several worthy ministers of the - Church of Scotland. Such a passover has not been heard of. I - preached once on the Saturday. On the Lord’s-day, I preached in - the morning; served five tables; and preached again, about ten - o’clock at night, to a great number in the churchyard. Though - it rained very much, there was a great awakening. The voice of - prayer and praise was heard all night. It was supposed, that, - between thirty and forty thousand people were assembled; and - that three thousand communicated. There were three tents. The - ministers were enlarged, and great grace was among the people. - - “On Monday, August 16th, at seven in the morning, the Rev. Mr. - Webster preached, and there was a great commotion; and also in - the third sermon of the day, when I preached. - - “On Thursday, August 19th,[21] I preached twice at Greenock; on - Friday, three times at Kilbride; on Saturday, once at Kilbride, - and twice at Stevenson. On Sunday, August 22nd, four times at - Irvine; on Monday, once at Irvine, and three times at Kilmarnock; - on Tuesday, once at Kilmarnock, and four times at Stewarton; - on Wednesday, once at Stewarton, and twice at ♦Mearns; and - yesterday, twice at this place. I never preached with so much - apparent success before. The work seems to spread more and - more. Oh, my friend, pray and give praise on behalf of the most - unworthy wretch that was ever employed in the dear Redeemer’s - service!” - -This is a mere outline of a fortnight’s stupendous labours in the -west of Scotland. The sacrament at Cambuslang was an event never to -be forgotten. Thirteen ministers were present on Friday, Saturday, -and Sunday; and, on Monday, twenty-four. “All of them,” wrote the Rev. -Mr. McCulloch, the pastor of Cambuslang, “appeared to be very much -assisted in their work. Four of them preached on the fast-day; four on -Saturday; on the Sabbath I cannot tell how many; and five on Monday. -Mr. Whitefield’s sermons, on Saturday and the two following days, were -attended with much power, particularly on Sunday night, and on Monday; -several crying out, and a great weeping being observable throughout his -auditories. While he was serving some of the tables, he appeared to be -so filled with the love of God, as to be in a kind of ecstasy, and he -communicated with much of that blessed frame. The number present, on -the Lord’s-day, was so great, that, so far as I can hear, none ever -saw the like since the revolution, in Scotland, or even anywhere else, -at any sacrament occasion. This vast concourse of people came, not -only from the city of Glasgow, but, from many places at a considerable -distance. It was reckoned, that, there were two hundred communicants -from Edinburgh, two hundred from Kilmarnock, a hundred from Irvine, and -a hundred from Stewarton. Some, also, were from England and Ireland. A -considerable number of Quakers were hearers. The tables were all served -in the open air, beside the tent below the brae. Some estimated the -number of persons present at fifty thousand; some at forty thousand; -and the lowest estimate was upwards of thirty thousand. Not a few were -awakened to a sense of sin; others had their bands loosed, and were -brought into the liberty of the sons of God; and many of God’s children -were filled with joy and peace in believing.”[22] - -Whitefield came back to ♦Edinburgh early in September, and here he -_chiefly_ remained and laboured until his return to England at the end -of October. His letters, during this interval of two months, are full -of interest, and extracts from them must be given. - -Already a scheme was contemplated to unite the Methodists in Wales into -a separate connexion; and the following, addressed “to Howell Harris, -in Hoxton, near London,” refers to this:―― - - “_September 3, 1742._ - - “MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,――Wales is upon my heart. I think to meet - all the Brethren there together. As the awakening seems, in some - measure, to be over, and there are so many living stones, it - may be time to think of putting them together. May the great - Builder of the Church guide and direct us! I am glad to hear that - matters at Bristol are better than I expected. We have had most - blessed days here. I and the people have been in the suburbs of - heaven. Blessed be God! I live in heaven daily. O free grace! I - feel myself viler, and yet happier, every day.”[23] - -Whitefield’s friend, Gilbert Tennent, had been brought into contact -with the Moravians, and had not liked them. Hence the following, which -Whitefield wrote to a gentleman in America:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _September 13, 1742_. - - “I have just been writing to our dear brother, Gilbert Tennent. - He speaks many things, which, I know, are too true of the - Moravian Brethren; but his spirit seems to be too much heated, - and, I fear, some of his own wildfire is mixed with that sacred - zeal, which comes from ♦God. I want to be more like Jesus, who - sees all the quarrels and heart-risings of His children, and - yet bears with, and loves them still. I confess, I am jealous - over many, who talk and write of the Lamb, and who mimic some - particular person in their outward way, but yet are not truly - poor in spirit. They act too much like me, who, at my first - setting out, imitated the outward show of humility in Monsieur - Dezenly, before I got true simplicity of heart. At the same time, - I would love all who love Jesus, though they differ from me in - some points. The angels love all the true worshippers of Jesus - everywhere, and why should not we? If our brethren will quarrel - with us, let us not quarrel with them.” - -In the same catholic spirit, Whitefield wrote as follows, to a friend -in Pennsylvania:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _September 22, 1742_. - - “You cannot have a scene of greater confusion among you, than - there has been in England. But, blessed be God! matters are - brought to a better issue, and, though we cannot agree in - principles, yet we agree in love. I have not given way to the - Moravian Brethren, or to Mr. Wesley, or to any whom I thought - in an error, no, not for an hour. But I think it best not to - dispute, when there is no probability of convincing. Disputing - embitters the spirit, ruffles the soul, and hinders it from - hearing the still small voice of the Holy Ghost.” - -To Mr. Habersham, the superintendent of his Orphan House, he wrote:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _September 24, 1742_. - - “MY MOST ENDEARED FRIEND AND BROTHER,――With this, I send you a - ‘Continuation of the Orphan House Account,’ which I have printed - to satisfy the public, and to promote future collections. I yet - owe upwards of £250 in England, upon the Orphan House account, - and have nothing towards it. How is the world mistaken about - my circumstances! worth nothing myself, embarrassed for others, - and yet looked upon to abound in riches! Our extremity is God’s - opportunity. O faith, thou hast an all-conquering power! I put - my trust in God, and, through His mercy, I shall not miscarry. - I pray for you. I think and dream of you almost continually. I - long, I long to be with you, and, methinks, could willingly be - found at the head of you, though a Spaniard’s sword should be - put to my throat. - - “Some of my friends in Philadelphia are suspicious that I am - joined with the Moravian Brethren; but, indeed, I am not. My - principles are still the same; only, as I believe many of them - love the Lord Jesus, I would be friendly to them, as I would - be to all others who bear the image of our common Master, - notwithstanding some of my principles are as far distant from - theirs as the east is from the west.” - -The next extract, from a letter to a minister in Wales, affords a -glimpse of Whitefield’s labours in Scotland, and announces his purpose -to return to England. Perhaps, it ought to be premised, that, on Sunday, -the 3rd of October, a sacrament was held at Kilsyth, in which a dozen -ministers took part. The solemnities of the day began at half-past -eight in the morning, and continued, without intermission, till -half-past eight at night. During the day, twenty-two different services -were held; and the number of communicants were nearly fifteen hundred. -At Muthel, also, a gracious revival had been vouchsafed. After public -worship in the kirk, crowds of people were wont to flock to the manse -of the Rev. William Hally, the minister, who wrote, “Their mourning -cries frequently drown my voice, so that I am often obliged to stop -till they compose themselves.”[24] - - “EDINBURGH, _October 6, 1742_. - - “The Lord has dealt bountifully with me. He gives me to rejoice - in all His dispensations towards me. I am taught more and more, - every day, to live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and - gave Himself for me. God keeps me, and brings me where I would - desire to be――at His feet, waiting His will, and watching the - motions of His blessed Spirit, word, and providence. Here I - find safety and refuge amidst the various storms of opposition - and reproach with which I daily meet. God is on my side: I will - not fear what men or devils can say of or do unto me. The dear - Messrs. Erskine have dressed me in very black colours. Dear men, - I pity them. Surely they must grieve the Holy Spirit much. O for - a mind divested of all sects and names and parties! I think, it - is my one single aim to promote the kingdom of Jesus, without - partiality and without hypocrisy, indefinitely amongst all. I - care not if the name of George Whitefield be banished out of the - world, so that Jesus be exalted in it. - - “Glory be to His great name! we have seen much of His power - in Scotland. The work in the west goes on and increases. Last - Sabbath and Monday, things greater than ever were seen at - Kilsyth. There is a great awakening also at Muthel. I preach - twice every day with great power, and walk in liberty and love. - In about three weeks, I purpose to leave Scotland; and hope, - before long, to spend a month in Wales. I intend to travel - through Newcastle and Yorkshire.[25] - - “I have been much strengthened since the Spaniards invaded - Georgia. I am, like the ark, surrounded with waves; but, through - free grace, I am enabled to swim above all. Ere long, I shall - rest on Mount Zion, in the arms of my beloved Jesus.” - -Among the distinguished persons with whom Whitefield became acquainted -in Scotland, was Lady Frances Gardiner, daughter of the Earl of Buchan, -and wife of the celebrated Colonel Gardiner, who fell, in the service -of his country, at the battle of Prestonpans, in 1745. The Colonel was -now with his soldiers at Ghent; and to him Whitefield addressed the -following characteristic letter:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _October 17, 1742_. - - “HONOURED SIR,――Though I never had the pleasure of seeing you, I - have often prayed for you. I hope you will not be offended with - me for troubling you with this. Your honoured lady tells me you - will not. - - “Dear sir, I rejoice to hear that you are a good soldier of - Jesus Christ, and that you delight to fight the Redeemer’s - battles. May you be covered with all His armour, and be filled - with all His fulness! - - “I have the pleasure often to go without the camp, and to bear - a little of His sacred reproach; and I prefer it to all the - treasures in the world. Weak as I am, my Jesus makes me more - than conqueror, through His love. He has brought mighty things - to pass here, and gotten Himself the victory in many hearts. I - trust not a day passes without some poor creature being plucked - as a brand from the burning. - - “I wish I could hear that God was more in the camp. Blessed be - His name! for raising you up, to lift a standard for Him. May - you be endued with the _meekness_ of Moses, the _courage_ of - Joshua, the _zeal_ of Paul, and a large portion of the blessed - spirit of Christ! - - “I hope, honoured sir, you will, now and then, remember me, a - poor sinner, and speak a word for me to the King of kings and - Lord of lords, that I may not turn my head in the day of battle, - but rather die for Him, than, in any wise, deny Him. Neither you - nor yours are forgotten by me. I am a poor creature, but happy, - very happy, in the once crucified, but now exalted Jesus. For - His sake, and in His great name, I beg leave to subscribe myself, - honoured sir, your affectionate, humble servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Colonel Gardiner was as distinguished a Christian as he was a soldier. -Nine days after the date of Whitefield’s letter, the Colonel wrote, as -follows, to his friend Dr. Doddridge, of Northampton:―― - - “GHENT, _October 16, 1742_. - - “I have received a letter from Mr. Whitefield. The accounts I - have had of that man, both when in England and since I came here, - have ravished my soul. If my heart deceives me not, I would - rather be the persecuted, despised Whitefield, to be an - instrument in the hand of the Spirit, for converting so many - souls, and building up others in their most holy faith, than be - the emperor of the whole world.”[26] - -Towards the close of his visit to Scotland, Whitefield re-opened -his correspondence with Wesley, the result of which was a perfect -reconciliation. From this time, their mutual regard and friendly -intercourse suffered no interruption, until Whitefield’s death, -twenty-eight years afterwards. The following is one of the letters -which, at this important period, passed between them:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _October 11, 1742_. - - “REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,――About ten days ago, I sent you a packet, - by my dear wife, which I hope you will have received ere this - comes to hand. Yesterday morning, I had your kind letter, dated - October 5. - - “In answer to the first part of it, I say, ‘Let old things - pass away, and all things become new.’ I can heartily say ‘Amen’ - to the latter part of it. ‘Let the king live for ever, and - controversy die.’ It has died with me long ago. - - “I shall not leave Scotland in less than three weeks. Before - yours came, I had engaged to go through Newcastle,[27] in my - way to London. I rejoice to hear the Lord has blessed your dear - brother’s labours. - - “I am enabled to preach twice daily, and find I walk in light - and liberty continually. I thank you, dear sir, for praying for - me, and thank our common Lord for putting it into your heart so - to do. I have been upon my knees praying for you and yours. O - that nothing but love, lowliness, and simplicity may be among - us! The work is still increasing in Scotland. Dear friend, my - soul is on fire. O let us not fall out in the way! Let us bear - with one another in love. God be praised! for giving you such a - mind. My kind love to all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. - In much haste, and with great thanks for your last letter, - I subscribe myself, reverend and very dear sir, your most - affectionate, though younger, brother in the gospel of our - glorious Emmanuel, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Before leaving Scotland, Whitefield made three collections for his -Orphan House. In the park, at Edinburgh, on October 6, his congregation -gave him the noble sum of £128 10s. 7d.;[28] and, on another occasion, -they contributed £44. At Glasgow, also, the public collection and -private donations amounted to the same sum as the first collection -in Edinburgh, making £300 in all. Even the liberality of his friends -excited the anger of his enemies. The _Scots’ Magazine_ sneeringly -remarked (pp. 459, 464):―― - - “By his affecting comments on the widow’s throwing her two mites - into the treasury, many, who live on charity, have literally - given him the whole of their living, and been obliged to beg - their next meal. At his diets for collecting, when he has raised - the passions of his audience by a suitable sermon, his next - care is to ply them while in a right frame. For this purpose, - he makes his last prayer very short; thereafter pronounces the - blessing without singing psalms; and then immediately falls a - collecting, in which he shews great dexterity.” - - - - - _IN ENGLAND AND WALES._ - - NOVEMBER 1742 TO AUGUST 1744. - - -WHITEFIELD left Scotland on November 1st, 1742; and arrived in -London five days afterwards. He now resumed his ministry in his -wooden Tabernacle, where, for some time past, Howell Harris had been -officiating as his substitute. One of his first letters, in London, was -addressed to his friend Habersham. - - “LONDON, _November 12, 1742_. - - “MY DEAREST FRIEND AND BROTHER IN A CRUCIFIED JESUS,――How do - I long to come over to see you, and the rest of my dear family! - The cloud seems now to be moving towards America. I trust I - shall be with you in a few months. - - “The Lord did wonderful things for me and His people in Scotland. - The concern expressed at my departure was unspeakable. I rode - post from Edinburgh, and came here, in rather less than five - days, on Saturday last. - - “There seems to be a new awakening in London. We have been - obliged to enlarge the Tabernacle. Dear Brother Harris has been - sent with a sweet, searching commission. Brother Cennick is much - blessed in Wiltshire. The word runs and is glorified in Wales. - God is raising some fresh witnesses of the power of His dear - Son’s blood in Gloucestershire. Blessed are the eyes which see - the things that we see. - - “The collections in Scotland were large. In Edinburgh, I - collected £128 at one time, and £44 at another; and in Glasgow, - about £128, with private donations. Blessed be God! I owe - nothing now in England on the Orphan-house account; what is due - is abroad. I think, since I have been in England, we have got - near £1500. The Lord will provide what we want further. Glory be - to His name! - - “My wife lies now very weak. She was tossed for ten days in her - voyage from Scotland. The ship was in imminent danger, but the - Lord gave her much of His presence. I trust she will be ready - shortly for another voyage.” - -Whitefield spent nearly four months in London. His congregations, of -course, were very large, and, in another respect, were remarkable. His -friend Wesley was pre-eminently and almost exclusively the poor man’s -preacher. It was otherwise with Whitefield. During the winter of 1742, -the Earl and Countess of Huntingdon were constant in their attendance -upon his ministry, and were often accompanied by his lordship’s sisters, -the Ladies Hastings. Occasionally, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, -and Catherine, Duchess of Buckingham, two of the most celebrated and -remarkable women of their day, were among his hearers; so also was -Lord Lonsdale, who had been one of the lords of the bedchamber, and -constable of the tower. Charles, third Duke of Bolton; Lord Hervey, who -had distinguished himself as an orator in both houses of Parliament, -and who had held the offices of vice-chamberlain, and keeper of the -privy-seal; and Lord Sidney Beauclerk, fifth son of the Duke of St. -Albans, were likewise numbered among the young preacher’s auditors. -Yea, even royalty itself, in the persons of William Augustus, Duke -of Cumberland, youngest son of George II., and his brother Frederick, -Prince of Wales, helped to swell some of Whitefield’s congregations.[29] - -This is a remarkable fact, and, perhaps, may be partly accounted for -by the favour with which Whitefield had been honoured by some of the -aristocracy of Scotland. Between him and them a warm friendship had -been created; and there can hardly be a doubt that this helped to -secure him the attention of not a few of the nobility of England. As -shewing his Christian intimacy with persons of distinguished rank in -Scotland, the following letters, written within a fortnight after his -arrival in London, will be useful. The first was addressed to Lady -Frances Gardiner, the wife of the celebrated colonel. - - “LONDON, _November 13, 1742_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――Mindful of my promise, which I made before I - left Edinburgh, I now steal a few moments to send your ladyship - a letter of thanks. I trust it will find you sitting under the - Redeemer’s shadow with great delight. It rejoiced me when I - heard that God had blessed my unworthy ministry, to recover your - ladyship from a state of darkness and spiritual desertion. Glory, - glory be to rich, free, and sovereign grace! I trust you will - now be kept in the love of God, and that no idol will interpose - between you and the Redeemer. I hope the dear Colonel is now in - his proper place, and that you can think of him without anxiety - or distracting care. This is that freedom wherewith Jesus Christ - makes us free: to love all things in Him, and for Him, and to - love Him above all. Thus we have peace and joy. Whenever we - deviate from it, we fall into darkness and distress of soul. - - “We have blessed seasons in London. O who can express the - loving-kindness of the Lord, or shew forth all His praise? We - beg your prayers; and wishing you and your honoured Colonel all - manner of prosperity, I am, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -The following also was addressed to a titled lady in Edinburgh:―― - - “LONDON, _November 13, 1742_. - - “I hope this will find you a very poor sinner, sitting at the - feet of Jesus. If I mistake not, your soul is athirst for God, - yea, to be filled with all the fulness of God. Go on, dear madam. - God will satisfy all your desires. He has promised, and He will - perform. There is no end of His goodness. - - “I believe your ladyship will hear shortly from Mr. Harris. - He is a dear soul, and left London on Thursday last, full of - simplicity and love. The work goes on bravely in Wales, and - elsewhere. Surely it is the midnight cry. Surely the Bridegroom - is coming. Methinks I hear your ladyship say, ‘Then I will make - ready to go forth to meet Him.’ That you may be always ready to - obey the most sudden call, is the hearty prayer of, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -The next was written to one of the Scottish nobles:―― - - “LONDON, _November 15, 1742_. - - “MY LORD,――My departure from Edinburgh was very sudden, and - it was but a few days before I left, that I heard of your - lordship’s illness. I have not been unmindful of you, and I - trust, that, in answer to prayer, our Lord has rebuked your - fever, and that this will find you risen and ministering unto - Him. How apt are we, when in health, to follow Jesus afar off, - and to fall into a Laodicæan spirit. May this sickness be a - means of drawing you nearer to God! - - “I am now in my winter quarters, preparing for a fresh campaign. - Happy they who fight under the Redeemer’s banner!” - -Whitefield’s “fresh campaign” included more than preaching. He lived in -troublous times, and needed both “the sword and trowel.” Affairs in New -England made him anxious. Hence the following to the Rev. Dr. Colman, -of Boston:―― - - “LONDON, _November 18, 1742_. - - “REV. AND DEAR SIR,――The confusion in New England has given me - concern; but our Lord will over-rule all for good. When I shall - come to Boston, the Lord Jesus only knows. I believe it will - not be long. I find I shall come in perilous times; but the - all-gracious Saviour, who has helped me hitherto, will guide me - by His counsel, and give me a true scriptural zeal. How hard it - is to keep in the true narrow path, when speaking for the Lord - Jesus! God preserve me, and all His ministers, from defending - His truths and cause in our own, or under the influence of a - false spirit! It destroys the cause we would defend. In Scotland, - there have been, as yet, but few of the disorders complained - of amongst you; but, as the work increases, I suppose, the - stratagems of the enemy will increase also. This is my - comfort――Jesus reigns.” - -The Rev. John Meriton was encountering bitter opposition in the Isle of -Man, and wished for Whitefield’s advice respecting his going to Georgia. -Whitefield’s answer was as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _November 19, 1742_. - - “REV. AND DEAR SIR,――If the Lord has given you more zeal, I - wonder not that you meet with more opposition. However, I would - not have you rash or over-hasty in leaving the Isle of Man. - Wait; continue instant in prayer; and you shall see the salvation - of God. I have not heard from my family abroad for some time, - and cannot give you any determinate answer about your going to - Georgia, because I know not how their affairs stand. God will - yet shew you what He would have you to do. Even so, Lord Jesus. - Amen and amen!” - -From New England and the Isle of Man, the reader must follow Whitefield -to the principality of Wales. One of the Methodist Exhorters there -had been indicted for holding a conventicle. Whitefield’s services -were solicited on behalf of this luckless brother. He, at once, opened -a correspondence with the Bishop of Bangor, on the subject; and the -following is one of the letters that passed between them:―― - - “LONDON, _November 19, 1742_. - - “MY LORD,――I received your lordship’s letter this evening. It - confirmed me in the character given me of your lordship’s spirit. - I verily believe you abhor everything that has a tendency to - persecution; and yet, in my humble opinion, if Mr. C―――― is not - somewhat redressed, he is persecuted. - - “My Lord, the whole of the matter seems to be this: In Wales, - they have fellowship meetings, where some well-meaning people - meet together, simply to tell what God has done for their souls. - In some of these meetings, I believe, Mr. C―――― used to tell - his experience, and to invite his companions to come and be - happy in Jesus Christ. He is, therefore, indicted as holding - a conventicle; and I find this is the case of one, if not two, - more. - - “Now, my Lord, as far as I can judge, these persons, thus - indicted, are loyal subjects of his Majesty, and true friends of - the Church of England service, and attendants upon it. You will - see, by the enclosed letters, how unwilling they are to leave - the Church; and yet, if the Acts, made against persons meeting - together to plot against Church and State, be put in execution - against them, what must they do? They must be obliged to declare - themselves Dissenters. I assure your lordship, it is a critical - time in Wales. Hundreds, if not thousands, will go in a body - from the Church, if such proceedings are countenanced. I lately - wrote them a letter, dissuading them from separating from - the Church; and I write thus to your lordship, because of the - excellent spirit of moderation discernible in your lordship, and - because I would not have (to use your lordship’s own expression) - ‘such a fire kindled in or from your diocese.’” - -Whitefield found it necessary to appeal to another bishop of the -English Church. John Cennick was one of Whitefield’s preachers in as -full a sense as Thomas Maxfield was one of Wesley’s, and had as great -a claim upon Whitefield’s sympathy and support, as the itinerants of -Wesley had upon him. John Cennick was now in trouble. Though he had -occasionally preached in London, Bristol, Kingswood, and elsewhere, -his labours had been principally devoted to the county of Wilts. His -first sermon, in the county, was preached in the street of Castlecombe, -on July 16, 1740; and, before long, he formed himself a preaching -circuit, consisting of Lyneham, Chippenham, Avon, Langley, Hullavington, -Malmsbury, Littleton-Drew, Foxham, Brinkworth, Stratton, Somerford, -Tytherton, Swindon, and other places. He had many adventures, and some -of them serious ones. In the month of June, 1741, accompanied by Howell -Harris and twenty-four other friends, all on horseback, he went to -Swindon, and began to sing and pray; but, before he could begin to -preach, the mob, he writes, “fired guns over our heads, holding the -muzzles so near our faces, that Howell Harris and myself were both made -as black as tinkers with the powder. We were not affrighted, but opened -our breasts, telling them we were ready to lay down our lives for our -doctrine. They then got dust out of the highway, and covered us all -over; and then played an engine upon us, which they filled out of the -stinking ditches. While they played upon brother Harris, I preached; -and, when they turned the engine upon me, he preached. This continued -till they spoiled the engine; and then they threw whole buckets of -water and mud over us. Mr. Goddard, a leading gentleman of the town, -lent the mob his guns, halberd, and engine, and bade them use us as -badly as they could, only not to kill us; and he himself sat on -horseback the whole time, laughing to see us thus treated. After we -left the town, they dressed up two images, and called one Cennick, -and the other Harris, and then burnt them. The next day, they gathered -about the house of Mr. Lawrence, who had received us, and broke all his -windows with stones, cut and wounded four of his family, and knocked -down one of his daughters.” - -Within three months after this, Cennick was again in peril. While -preaching at Stratton, the Swindon mob arrived, with “swords, staves, -and poles.” Cennick writes:――“Without respect to age or sex, they -knocked down all who stood in their way, so that some had blood -streaming down their faces, and others were taken up almost beaten and -trampled to death. Many of our dear friends were cut and bruised sadly; -and I got many severe blows myself.” - -Notwithstanding, however, this brutal opposition, Cennick’s labours -were successful. He formed several Societies. At Brinkworth, in the -month of August, 1741, he began to build his first meeting-house. “On -Monday, October 25, 1742,” he writes, “I bought the house and land at -Tytherton, where now our chapel is built; and, on Sunday, November 14, -I preached the first time there, after we had taken down several lofts -at one end of the house, in order to make room.”[30] - -Cennick continues, “Two days after this, we were sadly misused at -Langley-Burrell. The rude people, besides making a noise, cut the -clothes of the congregation, threw aquafortis on them, and pelted -them with cow-dung.” - -In the midst of all this, Cennick wrote to Whitefield, as follows:―― - - “Last Tuesday, at Langley, several persons came, casting great - stones at the windows of the house where we worshipped, and - hallooed to each other to disturb us with their noise. They then - blamed each other for not dragging me out of the pulpit, and - pulling the house to pieces. At last, they laboured very hard - in gathering dirt and filth, which they continued to throw at us - till we finished. Not content with this, they laid wait for us - in the fields and lanes, and pelted us as we passed on our way. - They cut the clothes of some of the Society with scissors, and - pushed them into brooks and ditches. - - “The persecutions in these villages seem to increase in - proportion as the work goes on. The ministers and parish - officers threaten to famish the poor ‘Cennickers.’ Their threats - have prevailed with some, while others tell them, ‘If you - starve us, we will go’ to the meetings; ‘and rather than we will - forbear, we will eat grass like the kine.’”[31] - -Such was poor Cennick’s plight. First of all, Whitefield wrote to him -a letter of consolation:―― - - “LONDON, _November 20, 1742_. - - “MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,――Your letter did not surprise me at all, - though it made me look up to the Lord for you. I believed you - would be down in the valley of humiliation soon; but, fear not; - it is only that you may be the more exalted. I trust this will - find you mounting on wings like an eagle; walking, yet not weary; - running, yet not faint. God does and will remarkably appear for - you. Doubtless you are His servant and minister. He, therefore, - that touches you, touches the apple of God’s eye. Poor Wiltshire - people! I pity them. If I knew their bishop, I would apply to - him. I wrote to the Bishop of Bangor for our brethren in Wales, - and have received a very favourable answer. The wrath of man - shall turn to God’s praise, and the remainder of it He will - restrain.” - -Dr. Sherlock was the bishop in whose diocese Cennick’s “Wiltshire -circuit” was situated. Sherlock, as every one knows, was eminent for -his learning, and yet more eminent for his piety. The prelate had no -power to punish the mob for their riotous proceedings; but he had power -to rebuke his persecuting clergy; and, hence, Whitefield wrote to him -as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _November 30, 1742_. - - “MY LORD,――I beg your lordship’s pardon for troubling you with - this. I believe you will not be offended when you know the cause. - - “There is one Mr. Cennick, a true lover of Jesus Christ, who has - been much honoured in bringing many poor sinners in Wiltshire - to the knowledge of themselves and of God. He is a member of - the Church of England; but is sadly opposed by the clergy in - Wiltshire, as well as by many who will come to hear him preach. - - “In a letter, dated November 16, from Foxham, he writes thus: - ‘The ministers of Bremhill, Seagry, Langley, and many others, - have strictly forbidden the churchwardens and overseers to let - any of the _Cennickers_ have anything out of the parish; and - they obey them, and tell the poor, if they cannot stop them from - following me, they will famish them. Several of the poor, who - have great families, have already been denied any help. Some of - the people, out of fear, have denied they ever came; and others - have been made to promise they will come no more; whilst the - most part come at the loss of friends and all they have. When - the officers threatened some of them to take away their pay, - they answered, “If you starve us, we will go; and rather than - we will forbear, we will live upon grass like the kine.”’ - - “In another letter, I received from Mr. Cennick last night, he - writes thus: ‘I should be glad if you could mention the cruelty - of the ministers of Bremhill and Seagry to the Bishop of Sarum. - Indeed, their doings are inhuman. The cry of the people, because - of their oppression, is very great.’ - - “In compliance with my dear friend’s request, I presume to lay - the matter, as he represents it, before your lordship; being - persuaded that you will not favour persecuting practices, or - approve of such proceedings to keep people to the Church of - England. Should this young man leave the Church, hundreds would - leave it with him. But I know, that, at present, he has no such - design. If your lordship pleases to give me leave, I would wait - upon you, upon the least notice. Or, if your lordship is pleased - to send a line into Wiltshire, to know the truth of the matter, - and judge accordingly, it will satisfy your lordship’s most - obedient son and servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -The effect of Whitefield’s letter is not known; but, twelve days after -it was written, Cennick says, in his diary: “On Sunday, December 12th, -a servant of farmer Rogers, of Tytherton, daubed the gates and stiles -our people had to pass over with dung and tar; and, by this means, many -had their clothes entirely spoiled.” - -At present, nothing need be added respecting Cennick’s circuit. -Whitefield visited it a few months afterwards, and met with some -memorable adventures. - -Of course, wherever he was, the Orphan House in Georgia occupied -Whitefield’s attention and time. The clergyman at Savannah, on account -of whom the chaplain and the surgeon of the Orphan House had been -imprisoned, was now dead; and, further, a fatal disease was prevalant -among the colonists. Addressing the secretary of the Trustees of -Georgia, Whitefield writes:―― - - “LONDON, _November 20, 1742_. - - “Another distress is come upon poor Georgia. A violent sickness - rages, and has taken off many. My letters say, the Orphan-house - surgeon had fifty patients under his care. This, I trust, will - more and more convince the Honourable Trustees, of what benefit - the Orphan House is, and will be, to the colony. - - “I hear that Mr. O――――, the minister of Savannah, is dead. I - know one Mr. Meriton, a clergyman in the Isle of Man, who would - go and supply his place, if he were applied to. I believe, the - Bishop of Sodor and Man will give him a recommendation. You - may acquaint the Honourable Trustees with this, and let me know - their answer.[32] - - “I hope, in about two months, to embark for Georgia. I find, God - has given my family a good crop; but the hands are sick, so they - cannot speedily carry it in.” - -Of course, the greatest orphanage of the time was the one founded -by Augustus Hermann Francke, at Halle, in Germany, in which he made -provision for two thousand children. Besides providing for their -sustenance, he established, on their behalf, a large library, and a -museum of natural curiosities; and also commenced a printing office, -and furnished it with the means of printing books in numerous languages. -Fifteen years ago, Professor Francke had died, at the age of sixty-five, -regretted by all classes in Germany, and extolled for the noble -services which he had rendered to his country, and to the world. His -son was his successor, and to him Whitefield addressed the following -letter:―― - - “LONDON, _November 24, 1742_. - - “REV. SIR,――I have long designed writing to you, but have always - been prevented. I can now defer no longer; for, though I never - saw you in the flesh, I highly esteem you, and wish you much - prosperity in the work of the Lord. - - “Your honoured father’s memory is very precious to me. His - account of the Orphan House has been a great support and - encouragement to me in a like undertaking. The account, sent - with this, will inform you how it prospers. Hitherto, it has - answered its motto, and has been like the burning bush, on fire, - but not consumed. About January next, God willing, I intend to - embark. In the meanwhile, I should be glad to know how it is - with your Orphan House; and whether you have any commands for - Georgia.” - -Whitefield’s work was multifarious in its character; but his great -employment was testifying the gospel of the grace of God. He had no -idle moments; but his highest ambition was to save the souls of his -fellow-men. Hence the following:―― - - “LONDON, _December 4, 1742_. - - “Vile and unfaithful as I am, my Master lets me have my hands - full of work. From morning till midnight, I am employed; - and I am carried through the duties of each day with almost - uninterrupted tranquillity. Our Society[33] is large, but in - good order, and we make improvements daily.” - - “LONDON, _December 9, 1742_. - - “I am never so much in my element as when I preach free grace - to the chief of sinners. I am much blessed here. We have many - gracious souls. Ere long, I must leave them.” - - “LONDON, _December 18, 1742_. - - “The 16th of this month was my birthday. It made me blush - to think how much sin I have committed against God, and how - little good I have done for Him. I am now in my winter quarters, - preparing for a fresh campaign. Our Society goes on well. Though - I richly deserve it, our infinitely condescending Jesus will not - lay me aside, until He has performed all His good pleasure by me.” - -It is a fact of great importance, and which must always be borne -in mind, that, notwithstanding the excitement in which he lived, -Whitefield habitually cultivated his own personal religion. The -following extracts from letters, written at this period, beautifully -illustrate this momentous matter. - -His old friend, the Rev. Benjamin Ingham, by his powerful preaching, -had formed fifty Religious Societies in Yorkshire and Lancashire, -and had recently placed them under the care of Moravian ministers. -Whitefield now wrote to him as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _December 21, 1742_. - - “To-day, I dined with old Mr. F――――, and was kindly entertained - by him and his wife. I remembered what sweet counsel you and I - had taken there together; and I rejoiced in the happy prospect - of our being, before long, with our blessed and glorious Lord. - My brother, what has our Saviour done for us since that time? - What is He doing now? What did He do before time began? What - will He do when time shall be no more? O how sweet it is to be - melted down with a sense of redeeming love! O to be always kept - low at the feet of Jesus! It is right, my brother, to insist on - poverty of spirit. I know what a dreadful thing it is to carry - much sail without proper ballast. Joy, floating upon the surface - of an unmortified heart, is but of short continuance. It puffs - up, but does not edify. I thank our Saviour, that He is shewing - us here more of our hearts and more of His love. I doubt not but - He deals so with you. I heartily greet your dear household,[34] - and your Societies. If our Saviour gave me leave, I would gladly - come to Yorkshire; but the cloud points towards Georgia.” - -Colonel Gardiner was still with his regiment in Flanders, and to him -Whitefield wrote the following:―― - - “LONDON, _December 21, 1742_. - - “HONOURED SIR,――Your kind letter put me in mind of righteous Lot, - whose soul was grieved, day by day, at the ungodly conversation - of the wicked. It was the same with holy David. His eyes, like - yours, gushed out with water, because men kept not God’s law. - Your situation and employment cannot be very agreeable to a - disciple of the Prince of Peace. I cannot say, I would change - posts. Indeed, honoured sir, I think mine is a glorious employ. - I am not ashamed of my Master, though my Master may well be - ashamed of me. I know no other reason why Jesus has put me - into the ministry, than because I am the chief of sinners, and, - therefore, fittest to preach free grace to a world lying in the - wicked one. Blessed be God! He gives much success. I am often - ashamed that I can do no more for that Jesus who has redeemed - me by His own most precious blood. O that I could lie lower! - Then should I rise higher. Could I take deeper root downwards, - I should bear more fruit upwards. I want to be poor in spirit. - I want to be meek and lowly in heart. I want to have the whole - mind that was in Christ. O that my heart were Christ’s library! - I would not have one thief to lodge in my Redeemer’s temple.” - -To a titled lady in Scotland, he wrote:―― - - “LONDON, _December 23, 1742_. - - “The Lord empties before He fills; humbles before He exalts. - At least, He is pleased to deal thus with me. I thank Him for - it, from my inmost soul; for were it not so, His mercies would - destroy us. When I discover a new corruption, I am as thankful - as a sentinel, keeping watch in a garrison, would be at spying a - straggling enemy come near him. I stand not fighting with it in - my own strength, but run immediately and tell the Captain of my - salvation. By the sword of the Spirit, He soon destroys it. This - is what I call a simple looking to Christ. I know of no other - effectual way of keeping the old man down. Look up then, dear - madam, to a wounded Saviour. Tell Him your whole heart. Go to - Him as a little child. He will hear your lisping, and set your - soul at liberty.” - -The Rev. James Hervey had told Whitefield, that his “Journals and -Sermons, especially the sweet sermon upon ‘What think ye of Christ?’” -had been “a means of bringing him to a knowledge of the truth.”[35] -In reply, Whitefield wrote to him as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _December 23, 1742_. - - “MY DEAR BROTHER HERVEY,――I thank you for your kind and very - agreeable letter. It was refreshing to my soul, and stirred me - to give thanks on your behalf. O my dear brother, I hope nothing - will deter you from preaching the glad tidings of salvation - to a world lying in the wicked one. I would not but be a poor - despised minister of Jesus Christ for ten thousand worlds. Go - on, thou man of God; and may the Lord cause thy bow to abide in - strength! I should be glad to come, and shoot some gospel arrows - in Devonshire;[36] but the cloud seems now to point towards - America. Blessed be God! for making any of my poor writings of - use to you. If I did not proclaim free grace, the stones would - cry out against me. Whilst I am writing, the fire kindles. - This fire has been, of late, kindled in many hearts. Our large - Society goes on well. We have many who walk in the comforts of - the Holy Ghost. I hear of glorious things from various parts. I - hope, ere long, we shall hear of persons going from post to post, - and crying, ‘Babylon is fallen! Babylon is fallen!’ I trust you, - my dear sir, will be made a happy instrument, in the Mediator’s - kingdom, of pulling down Satan’s strongholds. Pray write me word, - how the war is going on between Michael and the Dragon. For the - present, adieu!” - -Methodism was prospering in Wales; but it needed organization. In a -letter, sent to Whitefield shortly before his departure from Scotland, -Howell Harris wrote: “The people are wounded by scores, and flock -under the word by thousands.” Though the movement was pre-eminently, -if not exclusively, a Church of England one, yet, Dissenters in Wales -were already somewhat numerous. In Carnarvonshire, there was one -congregation; in Denbighshire, there were three; in Flintshire, one; in -Merionethshire, one; in Montgomeryshire, five; in Radnorshire, eight; -in Cardiganshire, ten; in Pembrokeshire, nine; in Carmarthenshire, -about twenty; in Brecknockshire, ten; in Glamorganshire, twenty-three; -and in Monmouthshire, thirteen. Some of the ministers of these -congregations were men of mark. John Thomas, in Carnarvonshire, was -“an humble, meek, and serious man,” and a good preacher. Lewis Rees, -in Merionethshire, was “a very godly man, exceedingly well gifted in -prayer, and also frequent in it.” Philip Pugh, in Cardiganshire, was -“noted for his uncommon piety, diligence, and success.” Henry Palmer, -in Carmarthenshire, was “an Apollos in the Scriptures, and very pious.” -James Davies, in Glamorganshire, was remarkable “for his industry, and -for his gifts in preaching and prayer, especially the latter;” Lewis -Jones, “for his seriousness, popularity, and excellent utterance;” and -Henry Davies, “for devoutness and affectionate piety.”[37] - -There were, at least, ten Methodist clergymen in Wales, including -Daniel Rowlands, Rector of Llangeitho; Howell Davies,[38] Rector of -Prengast; Thomas Lewis, a curate near Brecon; William Williams, curate -of Lanwithid; John Hodges, Rector of Wenvoe; and his curate, Thomas -Sweetly.[39] There were also a large number of lay-preachers, including -Howell Harris, Herbert Jenkins, J. Beaumont, J. Lewis, J. Jones, -R. Tibbut, John Richards, to say nothing of John Cennick and Joseph -Humphreys, who were occasional visitors. - -For want of rules and order, there had been occasional collisions among -these godly and earnest men. To prevent this, in the future, the first -Calvinistic Methodist Conference was held at Waterford, in South Wales, -on January 5, 1743. The conference consisted of four clergymen――George -Whitefield, Daniel Rowlands, J. Powell, and William Williams; and of -three lay-preachers――Howell Harris, Joseph Humphreys, and John Cennick. -Whitefield was elected moderator. The decisions were: 1. That the -lay-preachers should be divided into two classes――Superintendents and -Exhorters; and that Howell Harris should be their general overseer. -2. That each superintendent should have a certain district in which to -labour. 3. That the ordained clergymen should visit the “districts,” -or circuits, as far as they were able. 4. That the Exhorters should be -arranged in two divisions,――public and private. 5. That Messrs. Jenkins, -Beaumont, James, J. Lewis, B. Thomas, and J. Jones should be the Public -Exhorters; and that certain brethren, whose names were mentioned, -should be the Private Exhorters. 6. That the Private Exhorters should -“inspect only one or two Societies each, and should follow their -ordinary calling.” 7. That none should be received into the Association, -as Exhorters, but such as were “tried and approved of.” And, 8. That -no one should “go beyond his present limits without previous advice and -consultation.” - -At a monthly meeting, held soon afterwards, the boundaries of each -circuit were fixed; and it was further agreed: 1. That all _public_ -exhorters should have about twelve or fourteen Societies to overlook, -with the _assistance_ of the _private_ exhorters, twice a month. -2. That T. Williams should be the superintendent of the Societies in -the vale of Glamorgan and in part of Monmouthshire. 3. That J. Lewis -should be the superintendent of part of Monmouthshire and part of -Breconshire. 4. T. Jones, of “parts of Monmouthshire and the other side -of the Passage.” 5. T. James, of parts of Breconshire and Radnorshire. -6. And J. Jones, of Herefordshire and a part of Radnorshire. 7. That -J. Beaumont and H. Jenkins should assist Howell Harris in visiting all -the Societies in Wales and England. And, 8. That the associations or -conferences of “ministers and exhorters in England and Wales should be -held every half-year.”[40] - -Thus was founded Calvinistic Methodism. For a brief period, Whitefield -was its chief; and the Tabernacle, London, was its principal seat of -government. - -It is a notable fact, that the first Calvinistic Methodist Association -was held eighteen months before Wesley held his first Methodist -Conference in London. How far the one gave birth to the other, it is -impossible to determine; but, at the beginning, the two organizations -strongly resembled each other. Howell Harris was the general overseer -in Wales, as Wesley was in England. The Welsh “superintendents” -corresponded to Wesley’s “assistants;” the “public exhorters” occupied -the same position as Wesley’s itinerants; and the “private exhorters” -exactly answered to Wesley’s local preachers. - -This is not the place for a history of the Calvinistic Methodist -Connexion; but, it may be added, that, in 1870, the Welsh Calvinistic -Methodists had 1,126 chapels and preaching places; 1,031 societies; -92,735 communicants; 419 ministers; 354 local preachers; 3,321 deacons; -18,579 Sunday-schoolteachers; and 143,946 Sunday-school scholars. The -cost of their chapel property was estimated, at the census of 1851, at -nearly a million sterling. - -After finishing the business of the first conference of the Calvinistic -Methodists in Wales, Whitefield returned to London, and, for some -unstated reason, abandoned his intention of immediately setting sail -for Georgia. Perhaps this change of purpose was occasioned by the -duties imposed upon him as moderator of the newly organised body, or -perhaps, the cause was a domestic one; for Whitefield, a few months -later, became a father. - -Meanwhile, his fellow-labourers in Wales kept him well informed of -their proceedings. Hence the following:―― - - “_February 2, 1743._ - - “MY DEAREST, DEAREST BROTHER WHITEFIELD,――We met to-day, - according to appointment, and had a most heavenly Association. I - trust the work goes on sweetly everywhere. In most places, there - is a general, fresh, and uncommon stirring. Many come anew under - convictions, and old worldly professors and backsliders return. - Never before did I feel such power given me in preaching, and in - administering the Lord’s supper. The Lord comes down among us in - such a manner as words cannot describe. To prevent nature mixing - with the work, I have openly discountenanced all crying out; - but God gives such light and power in the ordinance, that many - cannot help praising and adoring Jesus. Thus I was obliged to - leave my whole congregation, consisting of many hundreds, in a - flame――the one catching it from the other. This is our condition - generally every Sabbath. I trust the exhorters move, for the - most part, very properly, and that every one is owned in his - place. - - “I am, etc., - - “DANIEL ROWLANDS.”[41] - -Ten days later, Howell Harris wrote to Whitefield, as follows:―― - - “_February 12, 1743._ - - “With us, the work everywhere goes on more and more sweetly. - I trust we shall have good order. The exhorters shew a very - tractable spirit; each observes his place; and we have sweet - harmony and love. Great power attends the ministers and - exhorters in their several places. The Lord greatly blesses - brother Herbert Jenkins. He is universally liked, and called - for; and, unless his call be exceeding clear to Wiltshire, I do - not think he ought to go, except it were occasionally. Perhaps, - my brethren Beaumont, T. James, Jenkins, and myself, may - alternately visit our English brethren, if we are called for, - and see that our Saviour blesses us there. - - “Since I left you, I have been able to visit the Societies in - every place where I have been. My dear Lord favours me with - continual employment every day, and gives me strength of body. - In some places, He blesses us with His presence in a wonderful - manner. He sometimes gives great freedom to pray for the bishops - and clergy. Brother T. Lewis, the young clergyman near Brecon, - comes on gloriously and powerfully, and has sweet union with - us. He will be a shining light. The work in Cardiganshire - is uncommon. I hope to be there in about a fortnight. I am - now going towards Montgomery and Radnorshire. On the 1st - of March, we are to have another Association at Llandovery, - Carmarthenshire; from whence I hope to go to Pembrokeshire, - and so to settle all the Societies against our next meeting at - Waterford, where I trust our Lord will send you. - - “February 14. Since I wrote the above, I have seen brother W. - Williams, on his return from brother Rowlands. He informed me of - the enemy being let loose on them, while they were discoursing - near the sea-side in Cardiganshire. A company of ruffians - came upon them, armed with guns and staves, and beat them - unmercifully; but they escaped without much hurt. The ruffians - were set on by a gentleman of the neighbourhood. No wonder the - enemy rages, when he sees his kingdom so attacked. - - “I am, etc., - - “HOWELL HARRIS.”[42] - -A fortnight afterwards, Harris wrote again to Whitefield: - - “_March 1, 1743._ - - “MY DEAREST BROTHER WHITEFIELD,――Last Sunday, I was with - brother Rowlands at the ordinance, where I saw, heard, and felt - such things as I cannot communicate on paper. I never before - witnessed such crying, heart-breaking groans, silent weeping, - holy mourning, and shouts of joy and rejoicing. Their ‘Amens,’ - and crying of ‘Glory to God in the highest!’ would have inflamed - your soul, had you been there. It is very common, when Mr. - Rowlands preaches, for scores to fall down by the power of the - word. Some lie there for hours; some praising and admiring Jesus - Christ and free grace; others wanting words to express their - feelings. Some fall down on their knees, praying and interceding - for a long time together; others lie wounded under a sense of - their having pierced Jesus, so that they can hardly bear it; - others triumph over all their enemies; and others rejoice in - hope of a clearer manifestation of God’s glory. - - “Mr. Rowlands’ congregations consist of above two thousand - people, the greater part of whom are brought into glorious - liberty. Many of them are scattered up and down the country, and, - being exceedingly poor, they cannot come to that exact order and - plan which you have in London. I see daily that what is right - and much to edification in one place and among some people, is - impracticable among others. We have left it to brother Rowlands - to settle and unite the people in private bands, and we find - the good effect of doing so. He provides some glorious souls to - exhort and watch over them. - - “O my brother, my heart is full. I am sure God is about to do - a great work in Wales. There is a revival everywhere. I believe - you will be detained here by Jesus Christ a longer time than you - think. There are eight counties open for you, and thirsting to - hear you. Opposition ceases, and, I believe, you will have many - churches opened to you, besides chapels. Some new houses for - worship are being built. Beaumont is much owned in Radnorshire - and Herefordshire. - - “I am, etc., - - “HOWELL HARRIS.”[43] - -No wonder that Whitefield went to Wales as soon as possible. On his -way, he spent a fortnight in Gloucester and the immediate neighbourhood. -The following letters, apparently to his friend Syms, are full of -interest:―― - - “GLOUCESTER, _March 24, 1743_. - - “MY DEAR MAN,――An effectual door is opened in these parts. On - Saturday night (March 19th), I preached here. The Lord was with - me. On Sunday morning, I preached again in the barn. It was a - sweet time to me and to the people. At noon, I preached at Mr. - F――――r’s, on the hill, to a glorious auditory. Here Jesus Christ - displayed His power. At four, I preached in a field near Stroud, - to a congregation consisting of many, many thousands. Afterwards, - I went to the new house at Hampton, and the glory of the Lord - filled it. It is reported to be haunted; but the landlord spoke - truly, when he said, we should pray the devil out of it. It is - exceedingly commodious for our purpose. - - “On Monday, at noon, I preached in the courtyard to a large - auditory. I also settled, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, an - orphan house. Particulars of that you shall have hereafter. It - will be but of little expense. In the evening, the Lord gave me - a sweet time at Pitchcomb. - - “On Tuesday, a man was hanged in chains on Hampton Common. A - more miserable spectacle I have not seen. I preached, in the - morning, to a great auditory, about a mile from the place of - execution. I intended doing the same after the criminal was - turned off, but the weather was very violent. Thousands and - thousands came to hear me, but, through misinformation, stayed - at the top of the hill, while I preached at the bottom. In the - evening, I preached at Gloucester, in the barn. - - “On Wednesday, I preached at Gloucester-Ham, near the gallows, - after another malefactor was turned off. God gave me to speak - with power; but, the weather being violent, I was shorter than - usual. In the evening, I preached again in the barn. It was a - night much to be remembered. - - “This morning, I preached again, and am just now going to my - evening lecture. To-morrow, I leave Gloucester for a few days. - The Association is put off for a week, so I shall have more - time in Gloucestershire. Never did I see people more hungry and - simple. Many come telling me what the Lord did when I was here - last. Let Him have all the glory! I am sure God called me here. - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[44] - - “GLOUCESTER, _March 29, 1743_. - - “MY DEAR MAN,――Last Thursday evening, I preached at Gloucester, - with as sweet, convincing, soul-edifying power as ever I felt - in my life. The barn, though made more commodious, was quite - crowded. - - “On Friday morning, I preached again; and, afterwards, went to - Hampton, the snow falling and freezing on us all the way. In the - evening, I preached at Chalford, upon walking with God. - - “On Saturday, I preached at Ruscom in the morning, and at - King-Stanley in the afternoon. In the evening, I visited brother - C――――’s sweet Society; and, afterwards, rode to Hampton. The - congregations, on account of the weather, were not so great; but - our Saviour most richly fed us. At Stanley, I thought I was on - the very suburbs of heaven. - - “On Sunday morning, I preached at Dursley, where our dear - brother Adams[45] had been taken down the Sunday before. No one - was permitted to touch or affront me. The congregation consisted - of some thousands, and the word came with a most gloriously - convincing power. In the afternoon, I preached to about - twelve thousand on Hampton Common, at what the people now call - ‘Whitefield’s Tump,’ because I preached there first. They hung - on me to hear the word. It ran and was glorified. In the evening, - we had a most precious meeting with the two united Societies in - the new house at Hampton. - - “On Monday, I preached at Painswick. It was a precious - opportunity. From a little after one until near seven in the - evening, I met the different classes of the Society here, and - was much pleased with many of them. They grow, and will, I - believe, be brought into good order. - - “Last night and this morning, I preached again with sweet power. - Preaching here is now like preaching at the Tabernacle. This - evening I am to preach again; and, after that, to hold our first - lovefeast. - - “And now, my dear man, help me to be thankful, and to bless the - Lord for all His mercies conferred on - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[46] - -For four days longer, Whitefield continued to preach twice a day; -and then, on the evening of Saturday, April 2, set out for Wales. The -following letter, also addressed to Mr. Syms, describes his journey:―― - - “WATERFORD (SOUTH WALES), _April 7, 1743_. - - “MY DEAR MAN,――I preached and took my leave of the Gloucester - people on Saturday evening last. It was past one in the morning - before I could lay down my weary body. I rose again at five; - got on horseback, and rode to Mr. F――――’s; where, at seven, I - preached to a sweet congregation, come [on Easter Sunday] to - meet their risen Saviour. At ten, I read prayers, and preached - from these words. ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ I - afterwards helped to administer the sacrament in Stonehouse - church. Then I rode to Stroud, where I preached to about twelve - thousand, in Mrs. G――――’s field. Much of the Divine presence was - there. About six in the evening, I preached to a like number on - Hampton Common; and, after this, I went to Hampton, and held a - general lovefeast with the united Societies there. I went to bed - about midnight, very cheerful and very happy. - - “On Monday morning, I preached near Dursley, to some thousands, - with great convictions accompanying the word. About seven in the - evening, I reached Bristol, and preached, with wonderful power, - to a full congregation, at Smith’s Hall; and afterwards spent - the evening very agreeably with dear Mr. Chapman, of Bath, and - some other friends. - - “On Tuesday morning, I preached again to a full congregation; - and then set out for this place, where we arrived at about eight - in the evening. - - “On Wednesday, at noon, I opened the Association, with a close - and solemn discourse upon walking with God. The brethren and - people felt much of the Divine presence. Afterwards, we betook - ourselves to business. Several matters of great importance were - dispatched. We broke up about seven, and met again at ten, and - continued settling the affairs of the Societies till two in the - morning. - - “On Thursday, we sat again till four in the afternoon. Then, - after taking refreshment, I preached upon ‘The Believer’s Rest,’ - after which we went on with our business, and finished our - Association about midnight. - - “I am chosen, if in England, to be always moderator. I trust - our Saviour gives me a spirit for it. I find, more and more, the - Lord will lead me in a way by Himself, and will perform in me - and by me all the good pleasure of His will. Dear Brother Harris, - in my absence, is to be moderator. - - “The Brethren have put the Societies in Wales upon my heart. O - pray that I may put them, and all my other concerns, upon the - Mediator’s shoulders: those alone can bear them. Perhaps, in a - month, I may come to London. It seems the will of the Lord, that - I should stay in Wales about a fortnight, and take a tour into - Pembrokeshire. Great doors are open there. Our Saviour keeps - me very happy; and is, I believe, preparing me for greater - blessings. - - “I am, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[47] - -Such is Whitefield’s own account of the second conference of the -Calvinistic Methodists,――a godly council, sitting till midnight one -day, and till two o’clock in the morning on another, and refreshing -themselves, in the midst of their business, with two warm-hearted -sermons, by the young man whom they had elected to be their moderator -as long as he lived. Whitefield’s sermon, preached at the opening of -the conference, has been published; but lack of space prevents the -insertion of even a mere outline of it. It is one of his best, and, -of course, has a slight Calvinistic tinge. - - “The in-being of sin,” said the preacher, “will never be totally - removed, till we bow down our heads and give up the ghost. The - apostle Paul, no doubt, speaks of himself, and that, too, not - when he was a Pharisee, but a real Christian, when he complains, - that, when he would do good, evil was present with him, not - having dominion over him, but opposing and resisting his good - intentions and actions, so that he could not do the things which - he would, in that perfection which the new man desired. This - is what he calls sin dwelling in him. But as for its prevailing - power, it is destroyed in every soul that is truly born of God, - and is gradually weakened as the believer grows in grace, and - the Spirit of God gains a greater ascendancy in the heart.” - - “O prayer,” cried the impassioned preacher, in another part of - his Conference sermon, “O prayer, prayer! it brings and keeps - God and man together; it raises man up to God, and brings God - down to man. If you would keep up your walk with God, pray, pray - without ceasing. Be much in secret, set prayer. When you are - about the common business of life, be much in ejaculatory prayer. - Send, from time to time, short letters post to heaven, upon the - wings of faith. They will reach the very heart of God, and will - return to you loaded with blessings.” - -With respect to that with which he was often charged, he justly -observed:―― - - “Though it is the quintessence of enthusiasm, to pretend to be - guided by the Spirit without the written Word, yet it is every - Christian’s duty to be guided by the Spirit in conjunction with - the written Word. Watch, therefore, I pray you, O believers, - the motions of God’s blessed Spirit in your souls; and always - try your suggestions or impressions by the unerring rule of - God’s most holy Word. By observing this caution, you will - steer a middle course between two dangerous extremes; I mean, - _enthusiasm_ on the one hand, and _Deism_ and _downright - infidelity_ on the other.” - -On the subject of Christian fellowship, two sentences fell from his -lips, which Methodists of the present day will do well to ponder. - - “If we look into Church history, or make a just observation - of our own times, I believe, we shall find, that, as the power - of God prevails, Christian Societies and fellowship meetings - prevail proportionately. And as one decays, the other insensibly - decays and dwindles away at the same time.” - - “One word,” cried the preacher, “one word to my brethren in the - ministry, and I have done. You see, my brethren, my heart is - full; I could almost say it is too big to speak, and yet too big - to be silent, without dropping a word to you. I observed at the - beginning of this discourse, that, in all probability, Enoch was - a public person, and a flaming preacher. Though he be dead, does - he not speak to us, to quicken our zeal, and to make us more - active in the service of our glorious and ever-blessed Master? - How did Enoch preach? How did he walk with God? Let us follow - him, as he followed Christ. The judge is before the door. He - that cometh will come, and will not tarry. His reward is with - Him; and, if we are zealous for the Lord of hosts, ere long, we - shall shine as stars in the firmament, in the kingdom of our - Father, for ever and ever.” - -Whitefield himself has left no information respecting the business of -the Conference, except that he was chosen to be perpetual moderator, -and that, in his absence, Howell Harris was to be his substitute. -Fortunately, a manuscript book, containing the minutes of the -proceedings, has been preserved, and, from it, the following facts -are gleaned. - -The clergymen present were Whitefield, W. Williams, T. Lewis, and -Howell Davies. The lay-preachers were Howell Harris, Herbert Jenkins, -T. James, J. Beaumont, T. Williams, J. Lewis, T. Adams, and Mr. Hughes. -Besides these, there was also present a Dissenting minister, whose name -is not recorded. - -After going through the list of superintendents, exhorters, and -stewards, and making appointments for the several circuits, it was -further agreed, 1. That the superintendents should have liberty to -preach, not only in their own circuits, but, when journeying, elsewhere. -2. That “Howell Harris should be superintendent over Wales, and go -to England when called.” 3. That all persons, who thought they had a -call to be exhorters, should make application to one of “the monthly -Associations,” by whom “their gifts, graces, and call” should be -“closely examined.” If approved of, they were to be appointed, by the -“Association” examining them, to a suitable circuit; with the proviso, -that the “General Association” should be informed of the action that -had been taken. 4. That the superintendents should send an account of -what God had done, in their respective circuits, to London every month, -directed to Mr. J. Syms, Charles Square, Hoxton, for the minister of -the Tabernacle. 5. That each superintendent should keep a book, in -which he should write the names of his private exhorters, and also -the names of the members of his Societies; and that he should report -the state of each Society to the General Association. 6. That the -next Quarterly Association should be held at Trevecca, on the first -Wednesday after Midsummer-day. 7. That there should be a Monthly -Association in each of the counties of South Wales. 8. That the Monthly -Associations should consist of an ordained minister as a moderator, the -superintendent of the circuit, his assistants and private exhorters. -9. That a secretary should be chosen, for each monthly meeting, to -enter in a book minutes of the proceedings. 10. That each meeting -should begin and end with prayer and exhortation. 11. That private -exhorters should not send notices of preaching to any place; but -should speak in any private house, to the family and neighbours, if -desired.[48] - -Such was the primitive platform of the Calvinistic Methodists, laid -down, at Waterford, in Wales, on April 6th and 7th, 1743. As soon -as the Conference was ended, their moderator again set out on his -gospel-ramblings. The following jottings are taken from the letters -which he wrote to his friend and secretary Syms:―― - - Saturday, April 9. Preached at Cardiff, and at Fonmon.[49] At - Cardiff, the congregation large; and the greatest scoffers quiet. - - Sunday, April 10. Preached twice at Lantrissaint, where Howell - Harris also preached in Welsh.[50] - - Monday, April 11. Preached from a balcony, in the street, at - Neath, to about three thousand people.[51] - - Tuesday, April 12. Preached once at Harbrook, and twice at - Swansea, the congregations at the latter place consisting of - four thousand persons. In all these visits, he was accompanied - by Howell Harris, who generally preached in Welsh, after - Whitefield’s sermon was concluded. - - Wednesday, April 13. Preached twice at Llanelly, and once at - Abergwilly. - - Thursday, April 14. Preached twice at Carmarthen, “one of the - greatest and most polite places in Wales; in the morning, from - the top of the cross; in the evening, from a table near it. It - was the great sessions. The justices desired I would stay till - they rose, and they would come. Accordingly they did, and many - thousands more, and several people of quality.”[52] - - Friday, April 15. Preached at “Narberth, to some thousands, with - great power.” - - Saturday, April 16. Preached at Newton, and at Jeffreston, to - “several thousands, very like the Kingswood colliers.” - - Sunday, April 17. “Preached at Llys-y-fran, and had, as it were, - a Moorfields congregation;”[53] also “to about the same number - near Haverfordwest.” - - Wednesday, April 20. “Preached, at eight in the morning, - to about eight thousand people, at Carmarthen; and, in the - afternoon, to several thousands, at Narberth.” - - Thursday, April 21. “Preached this morning at Larn;[54] and, - coming over the ferry, had the unexpected compliment paid me, - of one ship firing several guns, and of some others hoisting - their flags. This afternoon, I preached at Kidwelly, to a large - congregation. One of the ministers preached against me last - Sunday, and mentioned me by name; but, like my other opposers, - and like the viper biting the file, he only hurt himself.” - - Friday, April 22. “Preached twice at Carmarthen, to about ten - thousand people. We had another blessed Association, and have - now settled all the counties in Wales.” - - Saturday, April 23. “Preached at Llangathan, in the church, to a - great congregation; and at Llandovery in the evening.” - - Sunday, April 24. “Preached at Llandovery in the morning; and, - in the evening, to a large and polite auditory at Brecon.” - - Monday, April 25. Preached at Trevecca, and at Guenfithen. “My - body is weak, but I am at the Redeemer’s feet, and He reigns - King in my heart, and causes me to rejoice and triumph over all.” - - Tuesday, April 26. Preached at Builth, and Gore. “Between eight - and nine at night, we set out from Gore for Leominster, and - reached there between two and three in the morning.” - - Wednesday, April 27. Preached twice at Leominster. “The Lord - broke up the fallow ground, and gave me a blessed entrance into - Herefordshire.” - - Thursday, April 28. “Found some of our Lord’s disciples at - Hereford, and also at Ross, and might have preached at both - places, if time would have permitted; but I was hastening to - Gloucester, where we arrived at eight in the evening; after - having, in about three weeks, travelled four hundred English - miles, spent three days in attending two Associations, preached - about forty times, visited about thirteen towns, and passed - through seven counties. Here, then, will I set up my Ebenezer; - thank the adorable Jesus for all His mercies; and, from the - bottom of my heart, give Him all the glory.” - -After preaching three or four times in “the barn” at Gloucester, -(which, during his absence, had been turned into a commodious -chapel,) Whitefield returned direct to London. Arriving there, he -wrote the following letter to one of the servants of the Earl of -Huntingdon――David Taylor――who had been converted under the ministry of -Benjamin Ingham, and was now preaching in Yorkshire. Notwithstanding -the enormous toil indicated by the above jottings, Whitefield was -willing and wishful to undertake fresh labours quite as arduous. - - “LONDON, _May 6, 1743_. - - “MY DEAR BROTHER,――A day or two ago, I had the pleasure of - receiving a letter from you. Accept my thanks for it. - - “I am glad that our Saviour is getting Himself the victory in - your parts, and that fresh doors are opened for our dear brother - Ingham to preach the everlasting gospel. - - “Blessed be our glorious Emmanuel! I also can tell you of new - and glorious conquests made of late. I am but just returned from - a circuit of four hundred miles in Gloucestershire and Wales. - Dagon has everywhere fallen before the ark. The fields are white - unto the harvest. The congregations were very large; and I was - never enabled to preach with greater power. - - “I purpose staying here about a month, and intend once more to - attack the prince of darkness in Moorfields, when the holidays - come. Many precious souls have been captivated with Christ’s - love in that wicked place. Jerusalem sinners bring most glory to - the Redeemer. - - “Where I shall go next, I cannot yet tell. If my Master should - point out the way, a visit to Yorkshire would be very agreeable. - Perhaps Exeter and Cornwall may be the next places. I love to - range in such places. - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -The Whitsuntide holidays occurred in the fourth week of May; but -no record exists of Whitefield’s intended “attack on the prince of -darkness,” except that he preached in the morning of Whit-Sunday in -Moorfields, and made a collection for his Orphan House, amounting to -£23. The following are extracts from letters addressed, at this time, -to his two superintendents――the first to Mr. Habersham, the second to -Mr. Barber. - - “LONDON, _May 21, 1743_. - - “MY VERY DEAR FAITHFUL FRIEND AND BROTHER,――After watching and - praying and striving some days for direction, I now sit down to - write you a letter, though I know not well what to say or do. - The concern I have felt for you and my dear family has had an - effect on my body, and has increased the weakness, which the - season of the year, my constant labours, and continual cares - have brought upon me. I fear I have been sinfully impatient - to come to you. I think I could be sold as a slave to serve at - the galleys, rather than you and my dear orphan family should - want. You may well expect me; but I must not mention it, lest my - impatient heart should say, ‘Lord, why wilt Thou not let me go?’ - - “After I have fought the Lord’s battles in Moorfields, these - holidays, I think to take a tour into Cornwall and Wales, and, - perhaps, to Ireland.” - -Whitefield here laments that he has not, before now, returned to -Georgia; and yet, strangely enough, he assigns no _definite_ reason why -his intentions and promises to return were not fulfilled. There is the -same obscurity in the letter addressed to his Orphan-house chaplain:―― - - “LONDON, _May 21, 1743_. - - “MY VERY DEAR BROTHER BARBER,――Little did I think, when I parted - from you at Bethesda, that I should be writing to you at this - time in London. But God’s ways are in the great waters, and His - footsteps are not known. I have essayed to come to you more than - once, or twice; but, I believe I can say, ‘The Spirit suffered - me not.’ In thought, I am with you daily; when I shall come, in - person, our Saviour only knows. I long to be with you, to open - our hearts freely, and to tell one another what God has done for - our souls.” - -All this sounds well enough; but it does not assign the reason or -reasons why he was not in Georgia. Was he kept in England by his new -relationship to the Calvinistic Methodists? Or did his wife, for a -sufficient cause, object to his return to America? Because Whitefield -himself is silent on the subject, these are questions which it is -impossible to answer. All the debts due in England, on account of his -Orphan House, were now defrayed; and, with the foregoing letters, he -sent £25 towards the expenses in America; but the debts there required -a considerably larger sum than this.[55] - -Whitefield remained in London until June 13, when he again set out on -another of his evangelistic tours. Preaching all the way, he arrived -at Gloucester, “shouting, Grace! Grace!” He preached at Gloucester, -Fairford, Burford, Bengeworth, Stroud, Hampton, Bristol, and Kingswood. -On Saturday, June 25, he rode to John Cennick’s circuit, Wiltshire. He -writes:―― - - “Sunday, June 26, I preached at Brinkworth, on these words, ‘Thy - Maker is thy husband.’[56] It was a day of espousals, I believe, - to many. God was with us of a truth. After sermon, I rode to - Langley, in company with many dear children of God, who attended - me both on horseback and on foot. We sung, and looked like - persons who had been at a spiritual wedding. The Lord helped - me in preaching there also. All was quiet. In the evening, I - preached at Tytherton, and a blessed time it was. Afterwards, we - set out for Hampton, and reached there about midnight. We rode, - as the children of Israel, passing through the enemies’ country.” - -On Wednesday, June 29, Whitefield reached Trevecca, “where,” says he, -“I met a whole troop of Jesus’ witnesses. At five in the evening, I -preached. After I had done, Howell Davies preached and prayed. About -eight, we opened the Association with great solemnity. Our Saviour was -much with me, teaching and helping me to fill my place in a particular -manner. About midnight, we adjourned; but several of the Brethren sat -up all night, and ushered in the morning with prayer and praise. About -eight, we met again, and were greatly delighted at the simple accounts -the superintendents brought in of their respective Societies. We -continued doing business till two in the afternoon, and broke up with -much solemnity and holy joy. We had great union with one another.[57] -Indeed, Jesus has done great things for Wales. The work is much upon -the advance. I was surprised to find so much order. Brother Howell -Davies has been blessed to the conversion of a young clergyman, rector -of St. Bartholomew’s, London.” - -The “young clergyman,” just mentioned, was the Rev. Richard Thomas -Bateman, “a man of high birth and great natural endowments.”[58] -About the year 1740, he left his rectory in London, and retired to -a small living in Pembrokeshire. He was wholly unconverted, and was -the clergyman who preached against Whitefield only two months before -Whitefield’s present visit to Trevecca. His text was 1 John iv. 1, and -his sermon was full of railing against the Methodists, charging them -with hypocrisy, enthusiasm, and kindred crimes. He continued in Wales -about four years after his conversion, preaching with great power and -success; and, then, in 1747, returned to his rectory in London;[59] -opened his church to the Wesleys and Whitefield; and was present -at Wesley’s yearly Conference in 1748.[60] Among others with whom -he formed a friendship was the celebrated Joseph Williams, of -Kidderminster, who wrote to him as follows:―― - - “KIDDERMINSTER, _June 10, 1747_. - - “It did me good to hear you pour out your soul in prayer before - your sermon, and to feel you bearing mine along with you to the - mercy-seat. I have great expectations from your coming to London, - and am solicitous about the good fruits thereof. Many a fervent - prayer have I put up for you on that account. I want to know - whether God has touched any hearts by your ministry. God has - not wrought this great change in you, at so ripe an age, merely - for your own sake, but for the sake of many. He has much people - in the great city yet to be called; and, having called many by - Mr. Whitefield, and the Messrs. Wesley, and their fellow-helpers, - He has now appointed to call many more by Mr. Bateman,――many - who perhaps would not come within hearing of any of the others. - I want to know if you have gathered the firstfruits, as a - pledge of a glorious harvest. I want, also, to know how your - parishioners and others, particularly clergymen, behave towards - you. Will you not favour me with a letter? I trust you will. - Let it be a long one. I love long letters from my fathers and - brethren in Christ.”[61] - -Like the other Methodist clergymen, Mr. Bateman had to encounter -considerable opposition; but this is not the place to pursue his -history. - -To return to Whitefield. When preaching his _first_ sermon on Hampton -Common, Gloucestershire, a young man, Thomas Adams, prompted by -curiosity, came to hear him. Adams was converted, and, being converted -himself, he endeavoured to convert his brethren. For some time past, -he had been one of Whitefield’s preachers, and had been eminently -successful “in Hampton,[62] and the adjacent country, in calling -sinners to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.” Having formed a society -at Hampton, Adams, on Saturday, July 9th, was quietly singing and -praying with its members, when, all at once, the house was surrounded -with a mob, which, for weeks past, had “breathed out threatenings -and slaughter against” Adams and his friends. Adams, in a letter to -Whitefield, shall tell his own story. - - “The mob, which consisted of near a hundred persons, were - now about the house, making a terrible noise, and swearing - prodigiously. I went down to them, and opened the door, and - asked them what they wanted. I told them, if they wanted my life, - I was willing to deliver it up for Jesus’ sake; but withal I - desired to know why they either disturbed me or sought my life; - for I was not aware that I had given them any just cause for - either. Some of them said I had, by bringing in false doctrine, - and impoverishing the poor. I told them, that they could prove - neither, and that their accusation was really false. They seemed - somewhat at a stand; when about five of them began to be more - exasperated, and took me, in order to throw me into a lime pit. - I told them, they need not force me, for I was willing to suffer - for Jesus’ sake. But while they were pushing me along, some - neighbours took me in their arms, and carried me into one of - their houses. - - “On Sunday morning, about twenty of the Society met again. We - spent the morning in prayer. In the evening I preached; when - in came the mob, demanding me to come down. I asked, by what - authority they did so? They swore they would have me. Then said - I, So you shall. So they took me to the lime pit, and threw me - in. I told them, I should meet them at the judgment. They let - me out, and I came home, and kneeled down with the people there, - and prayed to God, and praised Him. After that, I exhorted them - from 1 John iii. 1–3. When I was concluding, in came the mob - again, and took me to a brook to throw me in there. I told them - the law was against them, but I was willing to suffer anything - for Christ. They said, if I would forbear preaching for a month, - they would let me go. I told them, I would make no such promise. - So forward I went. One of them threw me in, and I went to the - bottom; but I came up again, with my hands clasped together. One - or two of them jumped in, and took me out. Then another pushed - me in again, and much bruised and cut one of my legs against a - stone. I came home talking to them. Many advise us to prosecute - them; but, if they are quiet, I am content, and can say from my - heart, ‘Father, forgive them.’ I should be glad if you would be - here on Sunday next.” - -It so happened, that Whitefield could not be there “on Sunday next,” -for he had to preach four times at Bristol fair; but he set out on -Wednesday, July 20th, and five days afterwards wrote as follows:―― - - “HAMPTON, _July 25, 1743_. - - “On Thursday last, I came here, and expected to be attacked, - because the mob had threatened, that, if I ever came again, they - would have my black gown to make aprons with. No sooner had I - entered the town, than I heard the signals, such as blowing of - horns and ringing of bells, for gathering the mob. My soul was - kept quite easy. I preached on a large grass plot, from these - words, ‘And seeing the grace of God, he exhorted them with full - purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord.’ As it happened, I - finished my sermon and pronounced the blessing, just as the - ringleader of the mob broke in upon us. One of them, as I was - coming down from the table, called me a coward; but I told him - they should hear from me in another way. I then went into the - house, and preached upon the staircase to a large number of - serious souls; but the troublers of Israel soon came in to mock - and mob us. As you know, I have very little natural courage; - but I leaped downstairs, and all ran before me. However, they - continued making a noise about the house till midnight, abusing - the poor people as they went home, and broke one young lady’s - arm in two places. They threw brother Adams a second time into - the pool, by which operation he received a deep wound in his - leg. They wheeled young W―――― H―――― in a barrow to the pool’s - side, lamed his brother, and grievously hurt several others. - Hearing that two or three clergymen were in the town, one of - whom was a justice of the peace, I went to them; but, instead of - redressing, they laid the cause of all the grievances at my door. - By the help of God, I shall persist in preaching myself, and in - encouraging those who, I believe, are truly moved by the Holy - Ghost. I know of no law of God or man against it. As I came out - from the clergymen, two of the unhappy mobbers were particularly - insolent, and huzzaed us out of the town.” - -To avoid a recurrence to these disgraceful proceedings, it may be -added, that Whitefield and his friends commenced an action against five -of the ringleaders of the mob; that they were tried at the Gloucester -Assizes on March 3, 1744; and that they were found guilty. Whitefield, -immediately, wrote a full account[63] of the whole affair, and, from -that account, the following extracts are taken:―― - - “Several of our brethren, both in England and Wales, have - received much damage, and have been frequently in great hazard - of their lives. Wiltshire has been remarkable for mobbing and - abusing the Methodists; and, for about ten months past, it - has also prevailed very much in Gloucestershire, especially at - Hampton. About the beginning of July, 1743, for several days, - the mob at Hampton assembled in great bodies, broke the windows - of Mr. Adams’s house, and assaulted the people to such a degree - that many expected to be murdered, and hid themselves in holes - and corners, to avoid the rage of their adversaries. Once, - when I was there, they continued from four in the afternoon - till midnight, rioting, giving loud huzzas, casting dirt upon - the hearers, and making proclamations, ‘that no Anabaptists, - Presbyterians, etc., should preach there, upon pain of being - first put into a skin-pit, and afterwards into a brook.’ At - another time, they pulled one or two women down the stairs - by the hair of their heads. On the 10th of July, they took - Mr. Adams out of his house, and threw him into a skin-pit full - of noisome things and stagnated water. They also put one of our - friends, named Williams, into the same pit twice, and afterwards - beat him, and dragged him along the kennel. They likewise led - Mr. Adams a mile and a half to Bourn brook, and threw him in, and - so injured his leg, that he went lame for near a fortnight. - - “Both the constables and justices were applied to, but refused - to act; and seemed rather to countenance the mobbing, hoping, - thereby, that Methodism would be put a stop to, at least, at - Hampton. For a season, they gained their end. There was no - preaching for some time, the people fearing to assemble on - account of the violence of the mob. - - “Upon my return to town, I advised with my friends what to do. - For several reasons, we thought it our duty to move for an - information in the King’s Bench against five of the ringleaders, - and fixed upon the riot which they made on Sunday, July 10, - when they put Messrs. Adams and Williams into the skin-pit and - brook. But, before this was done, I wrote a letter to one whom - they called captain, desiring him to inform his associates, - that, if they would acknowledge their fault, and would pay for - curing a boy’s arm, which was broken the night I was there, and - would mend the windows of Mr. Adams’s house, we would readily - pass all by. The rioters sent me an insolent answer, and said, - ‘There should be no more preaching in Hampton.’ Finding them - irreclaimable, we moved for a rule of court in the King’s Bench - to lodge an information against five of the ringleaders. The - rioters were apprised of this, appeared by their counsel, and - prayed the rule might be enlarged till the next term. This was - granted. - - “Meanwhile, they continued mobbing. One Saturday night, at - eleven o’clock, they broke into Mr. Adams’s house, when there - was no preaching, made those who were in bed get up, and - searched the oven, cellar, and every corner of the house, to - see whether they could find any Methodists. Some time after, they - threw another young man into a mud-pit three times successively, - and abused the people in a dreadful manner. - - “The next term came on. We proved our accusation by twenty-six - affidavits; the rule was made absolute, and an information was - filed against them. To this they pleaded ‘Not guilty;’ and the - cause was referred to the assize held at Gloucester, March 3, - 1744. Being aware of the great consequence of the trial, we kept - a day of fasting and prayer through all the Societies both in - England and Wales. Our Scotch friends also joined us. We had - about thirty witnesses to prove the riot and facts laid down in - the information. - - “Our counsel opened the cause with much solidity and sound - reason. They shewed, ‘That rioters were not to be reformers, and - that His Majesty had nowhere put the reins of government into - the hands of mobbers, or made them judge or jury.’ Our witnesses - were then called. - - “The counsel for the defendants then rose, and, I think, said - all that could be said, to make the best of a bad matter. One - urged that we were enthusiasts, and that our principles and - practices had such a tendency to infect and hurt the people, - that it was right for any private person to put a stop to - us, and whoever did so was a friend to his country. The other - counsel was pleased to mention me by name, and acquainted the - court, that, ‘Mr. Whitefield had been travelling from common to - common, making the people cry, and then picking their pockets, - under pretence of collecting money for the colony of Georgia; - that he had now several curates, of which Mr. Adams was one, who, - in his preaching, had found fault with the proceedings of the - clergy, and said, if the people went to hear them, they would be - damned.’” - -Whitefield then proceeds to give an outline of the evidence in favour -of the defendants, and the substance of the judge’s charge; and -continues:―― - - “Upon this, the jury were desired to consider their verdict. - There seemed to be some little demur amongst them. His lordship - perceiving it, informed them, ‘they had nothing to do with the - damages; that was to be referred to the King’s Bench; they were - only to consider whether the defendants were guilty or not.’ - Whereupon, in a few minutes, they brought in all the defendants - ‘guilty of the whole information lodged against them.’ - - “I then retired to my lodgings, kneeled down, and gave thanks, - with some friends. Afterwards, I went to the inn, prayed and - returned thanks, with the witnesses; exhorted them to behave - with meekness and humility to their adversaries; and sent them - home rejoicing. In the evening, I preached on these words, ‘By - this I know that Thou favourest me, since Thou hast not suffered - mine enemy to triumph over me.’ Next morning, I set out for - London.” - -We must return to Whitefield’s travels. When he left the rioters at -Minchin-Hampton, on Saturday, July 23, 1743, he returned direct to -Bristol; and, on the following day, “preached four times in the fields, -to congregations as large as those at the beginning” of his career. - -On Saturday next ensuing, he came to Exeter, where he spent three days. -He writes:―― - - “EXETER, _August 2, 1743_. - - “I preached, last Saturday night, to a great body of people. - Several of the clergy attended, with whom Exeter abounds. Some - went off; others stayed till I had done. All was quiet; and our - Lord soon made way for Himself into the people’s hearts. - - “Yesterday evening, I preached, on Southernay Green, to upwards - of ten thousand. It was just like a Moorfields congregation. God - was with us of a truth. - - “The people were very desirous of my longer continuance here; - but so many things concur to call me to London, that I leave - Exeter to-morrow morning, and preach in my way to town. I am in - my element when evangelizing.” - -One of the things which brought Whitefield, in such haste, to London, -was the necessity of consulting his friends concerning the steps which -ought to be taken in reference to the Hampton rioters; but there were -also other matters scarcely of less importance. - -In the beginning of this year, 1743, Count Zinzendorf had declared war -against Whitefield. He had heard him preach, and, in the plenitude of -his power, had said to the young evangelist,――“You must first formally -recant the _abominable doctrine_ of reprobation, so contrary to sound -reason; and then preach openly _free grace_ in the blood of the Lamb, -and an _election of grace_ as taught in the Scriptures, which is quite -different from the doctrine of predestination which you teach; and if -not, our Church must necessarily be opposed to you.”[64] - -Probably, Whitefield cared but little for Zinzendorf’s imperious -censure; but, in the month of August, another incident occurred, which -touched him more deeply. - -John Syms, for years past, had been Whitefield’s travelling companion. -He seems also to have acted as Whitefield’s secretary. He was his -confidential friend. During the last two months, Whitefield had written -Syms, at least, eight letters, giving an account of his every-day -proceedings, and all of which are published in Whitefield’s collected -works. Strangely enough, all at once, the faithful Syms wished to -leave Whitefield and to join the Moravians. Whitefield was extremely -reluctant to part with him; and told James Hutton, that, “he could -not discharge John Syms, his agent, believing it to be the Saviour’s -will that he should stay with him, and do the work with which he had -entrusted him. Whitefield wished Hutton to advise Syms to continue -with him; but this could not be done, inasmuch as Syms had said he -was called by the Holy Ghost to leave him; and the Brethren could not -advise him against his own convictions.”[65] - -The result was, Whitefield lost his secretary, travelling companion, -and major-domo. John Syms was received into the Moravian fellowship; -and continued one of the Unitas Fratrum until his death, in 1756. He -was buried in Camberwell churchyard, where there used to be a memorial -of him and of his sister, Mrs. Sarah Osborn.[66] - -Another matter demanded Whitefield’s attention, even more important -than the retention or otherwise of Secretary Syms. - -John Wesley was now in the north of England; Charles Wesley was in -Cornwall; Whitefield was in Devonshire; Spangenberg was in London; -John Nelson was in Yorkshire. The Moravians were an organized body of -Christians. The Calvinistic Methodists were formed into a connexion. -And Wesley had large and flourishing societies in London; Bristol, -Newcastle-on-Tyne, and other places. Somehow, Wesley formed a project -for bringing the three communities into closer union with each other; -and, for that purpose, proposed that a conference should be held in -London.[67] He himself travelled from Newcastle; his brother Charles -hurried from Cornwall; Whitefield came from Exeter; John Nelson trudged -from Birstal. What was the result? Charles Wesley writes:―― - - “Gwennap, Sunday, August 7. My brother summoned me to London, to - confer with the heads of the Moravians and Predestinarians. We - had near three hundred miles to ride in five days. I was willing - to undertake this labour for peace, though the journey was too - great for us and our weary beasts, which we have used almost - every day for these three months. - - “Friday, August 12. By nine at night, I reached the Foundery. - Here I heard the Moravians would not be present at the - conference. Spangenberg, indeed, _said_ he would, but - immediately left England. My brother was come from Newcastle, - John Nelson from Yorkshire, and I from the Land’s End to good - purpose!”[68] - -What did John Wesley say? To a Moravian, who, in 1746, taunted him with -having opposed reconciliation and union, he wrote:―― - - “Alas, my brother! what an assertion is this! Did not I come, - three years ago, in all haste, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and - my brother, in five days, from the Land’s End, to a supposed - conference in London? Was this standing out? But with what - effect? Why, Mr. Spangenberg had just left London. None besides - had any power to confer with us. And, to cut us off from any - such expectation, James Hutton said they had orders not to - confer at all, unless the Archbishop of Canterbury, or the - Bishop of London, were present. There cannot be under heaven a - greater mistake than this, that I ever did stand out, or that - I do so now. There has not been one day, for these seven years - last past, wherein my soul has not longed for union.”[69] - -It is impossible to determine, with certainty, whether Wesley’s wish -was for the Moravians, the Calvinistic Methodists, and the Arminian -Methodists to be amalgamated into one connexion; or whether he merely -wished that, by mutual explanations and concessions, they might -cultivate a better understanding with each other, and so avoid all -unnecessary collision, and unite, as far as practicable, in advancing -the work of God; but one thing is certain, through no fault of his, the -attempt was a failure. Ten months later, Wesley instituted a conference -of his own. - -No authentic information exists as to the part which Whitefield took -in these proceedings; but, a few days after the proposed conference -should have met, Wesley, “to cut off all needless dispute,” wrote -down his sentiments, as plainly as he could, on the “three points in -debate” between him and Whitefield, namely, “Unconditional Election, -Irresistible Grace, and Final Perseverance.” The paper[70] doubtless -was put into Whitefield’s hands, and must have satisfied him of the -sincerity of Wesley’s friendship; though Arminian Methodists, as -Mr. Jackson says, will think “it leans too much towards Calvinism.” - -In one thing, Whitefield and Wesley were agreed; namely, that their -Societies should not separate themselves from the Established Church. -Hence the following letter, written, by Whitefield, soon after the date -of the intended conference:―― - - “LONDON, _August 20, 1743_. - - “How wonderfully does our all-wise Redeemer order things for - the trial of His children! Alas! alas! how apt are they to judge, - censure, and be needlessly prejudiced against each other! - - “In our last Association, we agreed not to separate from the - Established Church, but to go on in our usual way. The motion - to separate was made only by a very few, of more contracted - principles. By far the greater part most strenuously opposed - it, and with good reason; for, as we enjoy such great liberty - under the mild and gentle government of his present majesty, - King George, we think we can do him, our country, and the cause - of God, more service in ranging up and down, preaching repentance - towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus, to the multitudes - who will neither come into church or meeting, but who are led, - by curiosity, to follow us into the fields. However disorderly - this may seem to bigots of every denomination, yet, it is a - way to which God has affixed His seal for many years past; and, - therefore, we have no reason to turn to the right hand or to - the left, but to press forwards, and to do our utmost towards - enlarging the kingdom of our Lord Jesus.” - -Whitefield’s wife was near her confinement; and, at the beginning -of September, had a narrow escape from an untimely death. Whitefield -himself shall tell the story. - - “LONDON, _September 2, 1743_. - - “My wife has been in trying circumstances, partly through the - unskilfulness of a chaise-driver――I mean myself. Being advised - to take her out into the air, I drove her, as well as myself, - through inadvertence, into a ditch. The ditch might be about - fourteen feet deep. All, who saw us, cried out, ‘They are - killed!’ but, through infinite mercy, we received no great hurt. - The place was very narrow near the bottom, and yet the horse - went down, as though lowered by a pulley. A bystander ran, and - caught hold of its head, to prevent its going forwards. I got - upon its back, and was drawn out; whilst my wife, still hanging - between the chaise and the bank, was pulled up by two or three - kind assistants. The chaise and horse being taken up, and our - bruises being washed with vinegar in a neighbouring house, we - went on our intended way, and came home rejoicing in God our - Saviour. - - “Not expecting my wife’s delivery for some time, I intend making - a short excursion, and then you may expect further news from - yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Northampton, among other places, was visited by Whitefield, in the -“short excursion” just mentioned. His friend Hervey had recently become -curate at Weston-Favel; and, perhaps, it was this circumstance which -brought Whitefield into this particular locality. Be that as it may, -the visit became a memorable one, from the angry feelings it excited -among some of the leading Dissenters of the day. - -Others, besides clergymen and Presbyterian ministers, were unpleasantly -perplexed by Whitefield and the Methodists. Dr. Doddridge, though -one of the most liberal-minded of the Dissenters, found it difficult -to look with favour upon the proceedings of _some_ of the Methodist -evangelists. Hence the following extract from a letter, addressed to -the Rev. Mr. Witton, son-in-law of the celebrated Philip Henry:―― - - “NORTHAMPTON, _June 8, 1743_. - - “I am much concerned at the anxiety and disturbance which - Mr. Wesley’s coming into your neighbourhood has occasioned. You - are pleased to ask my advice, and therefore I give it. - - “I think the gentlest methods will be the most effectual. - Opposition will but give strength to the faction, if it be - attended with violence and heat. Should Mr. Wesley come hither, - as perhaps he may, and excite such a flame among the weaker part - of my hearers, I would appoint some stated season for meeting - once a week, with a few steady and experienced brethren of - the church, that an hour or two might be spent in prayer and - consultation, as new incidents might arise within the sphere - of our personal observation. I would endeavour to renew my zeal - in preaching the great truths of the gospel, and in visiting - and exhorting my hearers. I would, with great meekness and - compassion, and yet with great solemnity, admonish the persons - attacked with the contagion, and lay open before them the absurd - nature and tendency of the views they had rashly entertained; - and I would, as God enabled me, pray earnestly for them.”[71] - -Among others, who wrote to Doddridge, respecting Whitefield, was the -Rev. Robert Blair, D.D., author of the well-known poem, “The Grave.” -In a letter, dated July 28, 1743, he says:―― - - “I wish you would give me your opinion of Mr. Whitefield, a - man who has made abundance of noise in the world. I never in my - life knew any person so much idolized by some, and railed at by - others.”[72] - -Soon after this, during a visit to London, Doddridge seems to have -attended Whitefield’s Tabernacle, and to have taken part in one or more -of its services. Perhaps the influence of Colonel Gardiner, one of his -correspondents, had induced him to do this. Whatever the inducement, -however, the act itself created alarm among the London Dissenters. -Hence the following, addressed to Doddridge, from Dr. Isaac Watts:―― - - “STOKE NEWINGTON, _September 20, 1743_. - - “I am sorry that, since your departure, I have had many - questions asked me about your preaching or praying at the - Tabernacle, and of sinking the character of a minister, and - especially of a tutor, among the Dissenters, so low thereby. I - find many of your friends entertain this idea; but I can give no - answer, not knowing how much you have been engaged there. I pray - God to guard us from every temptation.”[73] - -This is mightily amusing. Dr. Doddridge, the theological tutor of -the Dissenters’ College, daring to preach or pray in Whitefield’s -Tabernacle! What a sin against all ecclesiastical and ministerial -propriety! The poor Doctor, however, went further than even this. He -allowed Whitefield to preach in his own pulpit at Northampton! This -seemed to perfect the enormity. Among others who took the Northampton -professor to task for his eccentric conduct, was the Rev. John Barker, -an influential minister,[74] in London, who wrote as follows:―― - - “_November 4, 1743._ - - “It is an honour to our interest that you stand so well with - the sober and moderate clergy. For this reason, I was troubled - to hear of the late intercourse between you and Mr. Whitefield, - the consequence of which, with respect to the Church, it is - easy to foresee. I was willing to think well of the Methodists; - but, after a candid attention to them, their proceedings appear - not to me to be wise and good. Their devotion is unseasonable, - irregular, and injudicious. Their sermons are low and loose. - Their spirit appears to me turbulent, unruly, and censorious. - They practise upon weak people and poor people. They call them - to pray and sing when they should be in their business or their - beds. They disturb the peace and order of families, and give - great uneasiness in them. What they pretend to above their - neighbours appears to be mere enthusiasm. Their people are - slothful, or mopish, or dejected, or pragmatical, rather than - sober, discreet, judicious, exemplary, regular Christians; - and I have no expectation but that Methodism, like any other - enthusiasm, will promote infidelity, and turn out to the hurt - and damage of religion, and the souls of men. Though I judge - not their hearts, views, and motives, but admit those are secret - things which belong to God, yet I thought it needful, very - lately, to warn my hearers of these people’s errors, and advise - them to avoid them.”[75] - -Doddridge’s chief castigator, however, was Nathaniel Neal, Esq., son -of the Rev. Daniel Neal, the historian of the Puritans. Nathaniel was -an eminent attorney, secretary to the Million Bank, and author of “A -Free and Serious Remonstrance to Protestant Dissenting Ministers, on -occasion of the Decay of Religion.”[76] He wrote not fewer than three -long letters to Doddridge, filling nine printed octavo pages, and dated -respectively, Million Bank, October 11, October 15, and December 10, -1743. He addresses Doddridge with great deference and respect; but, -evidently, in great alarm, lest Doddridge should irretrievably injure -his position and character, as the chief of the Dissenters’ tutors, by -countenancing the proceedings of the eccentric Methodist. - -In the first of his letters, he writes:―― - - “It was with the utmost concern that I received the information - of Mr. Whitefield’s having preached last week in your pulpit. I - attended the meeting of the trustees of Mr. Coward’s benefaction - this day, when the matter was canvassed, and I now find myself - obliged to apprize you of the very great uneasiness which your - conduct herein has occasioned them.” - -Mr. Neal proceeds to tell the Doctor that his “regard to the -Methodists” was injuring him in the opinion of his friends, and was -giving an advantage against him to his “secret and avowed enemies.” -He adds:―― - - “In the case of such a public character, and so extensive a - province for the service of religion as yours, it seems to me - a point well worth considering, whether it is a right thing to - risk such a prospect as Providence has opened before you, of - eminent and distinguished usefulness, for the sake of any good - you are likely to do amongst these people. Your countenancing - the Methodists has been the subject of conversation much oftener - than I could have wished. The trustees are particularly in - pain for it, with regard to your academy; as they know it is an - objection made to it, by some persons seriously, and by others - craftily.”[77] - -In his third letter, Mr. Neal expresses a holy dread lest Doddridge -should be “engaged amongst men of weak heads, and narrow, gloomy -sentiments, who may and ought to be pitied and prayed for, but whom -no rules of piety or prudence will oblige us to make our confidants -and friends.” He continues:―― - - “There are letters shewn about town, from several ministers - in the west, which make heavy complaints of the disorders - occasioned by Whitefield and Wesley in those parts. One of - them, speaking of Mr. Whitefield, calls him ‘_honest, crazy, - confident_ Whitefield.’ These letters, likewise, mention that - some ministers there, who were your pupils, have given them - countenance; and you can hardly conceive the disrespect this has - occasioned several ministers and other persons in town to speak - of you with.”[78] - -Poor Doddridge, with the best intentions, had stirred up a nest of -ecclesiastical hornets. He had to make the best of the affair; and part -of his answer to Mr. Neal was as follows:―― - - “_December 12, 1743._ - - “I am truly sorry that the manner in which I spoke of Mr. - Whitefield, in my last, should have given you uneasiness. What - I said proceeded from a principle which I am sure you will not - despise: I mean a certain frankness of heart, which would not - allow me to seem to think more meanly of a man to whom I had - once professed some friendship than I really did. - - “I must, indeed, look upon it as an unhappy circumstance that - he came to Northampton just when he did, as I perceive that, - in concurrence with other circumstances, it has filled town and - country with astonishment and indignation. - - “I had great expectations from the Methodists and Moravians; and - I am grieved that so many things have occurred among them which - have been quite unjustifiable. I suppose they have also produced - the same sentiments in the Archbishop of Canterbury, who, to my - certain knowledge, received Count Zinzendorf with open arms, and - wrote of his being chosen the Moravian Bishop, as what was done - ‘_plaudente toto cœlesti choro_.’ I shall always be ready to - weigh whatever can be said against Mr. Whitefield; and, though - I must have actual demonstration before I can admit him to be - a dishonest man, and though I shall never be able to think all - he has written, and all I have heard from him to be nonsense; - yet, I am not so zealously attached to him as to be disposed - to celebrate him as one of the greatest men of the age, or to - think that he is the pillar which bears up the whole interest of - religion among us. - - “I had heard before of the offence which had been taken at - two of my pupils in the west, for the respect they shewed to - Mr. Whitefield: and yet they are both persons of eminent piety. - He whose name is chiefly in question, I mean Mr. Darracott, is - one of the most devout and extraordinary men I ever sent out, - and a person who has, within these few years, been highly useful - to numbers of his hearers. Mr. Fawcett labours at Taunton; and - his zeal, so far as I can judge, is inspired both with love and - prudence. Yet, I hear those men are reproached because they have - treated Mr. Whitefield respectfully; and that one of them, after - having had a correspondence with him for many years, admitted - him into his pulpit. - - “I own, I am very thoughtful where these things will end. In - the meantime, I am as silent as I can be. I commit the matter to - God in prayer. I am sure I see no danger that any of my pupils - will prove Methodists. I wish many of them may not run into the - contrary extreme.”[79] - -These are long, almost tedious, extracts; but they are of great -importance as plainly shewing that, at the beginning of his career, -the Independents looked upon Whitefield with as much suspicion as many -of the clergy of the Church of England and many of the Presbyterian -ministers of Scotland did. It was a heinous sin against all the -proprieties of their Church, that Doddridge and two of his ordained -pupils had countenanced the preaching of this young, popular, powerful, -and successful evangelist. - -We again return to Whitefield’s wanderings. In the _Scots’ Magazine_, -for 1743, under the heading of “Marriages and Births,” the following -announcement was made: “October, 1743. At his house in Hoxton, the -wife of Mr. George Whitefield, of a son.” This event seems to have -occurred during Whitefield’s “short excursion” to Northampton and -its neighbourhood. Hence, under date of October 5th, he writes: “The -last evening of my short excursion, I preached from a balcony, to many -thousands, who stood in the street as comfortable as at noonday. Upon -retiring to my lodgings, news was brought me, that God had given me -a son. This hastened me up to London, where I now am, and from whence, -after I have baptized my little one, I purpose to set out again on my -Master’s public business.” Ten days after writing this, the untiring -Whitefield was at Avon, in Wiltshire, and did not return to his wife -and infant son until seven weeks afterwards. Perhaps, this was not -an example of either connubial or paternal behaviour to be commended; -but let it pass. The following extracts from his letters will furnish -an idea of his labours, in the west of England, during the next _two_ -months:―― - - “COLLUMPTON, _October 25, 1743_. - - “I wrote to you on the 15th instant at Avon. In the morning, I - walked to Tytherton, and preached. After sermon, I baptized four - boys, each about three months old. The ordinance was so solemn - and awful, that Mrs. Gotley[80] (who is a Quaker) had a mind - immediately to partake of it. When I go to Wiltshire, I believe - I shall baptize her and her children, with some adult persons - who have tasted of redeeming love. About one o’clock I preached - at Clack, in the street. I then rode to Brinkworth and preached - there, and, afterwards, administered the holy sacrament to about - two hundred and fifty communicants. Some strangers, from Bath, - went home filled with our Redeemer’s presence. I have also - preached at Chippenham. We had a wonderful time in Wiltshire. - - “I hope I managed all things right about the affair of the - Hampton rioters. They have compelled us to appeal unto Cæsar. - Evidences shall be examined in the country, in time enough to - send the examinations to town. - - “On Saturday last (October 22nd), when I came to Wellington, the - Rev. Mr. Darracott[81] persuaded me to stay there, because the - country people had come from all quarters several times to hear - me, and had been disappointed. I consented, and preached in his - meeting-house, in the evening, to a large auditory. The Rev. Mr. - Fawcett,[82] formerly pupil to Dr. Doddridge, came there, and - stayed all night. The blessed Jesus gave us much freedom in - conversation. I hope both will be instruments, under God, in - promoting a good work in these parts. - - “Sunday morning, I preached again in the meeting-house; and, in - the evening, to seven thousand in the field.[83] - - “On Monday, at ten in the morning, and at two in the afternoon, - I preached, at Collumpton, with much freedom and power; was - kindly received, met some reputable Dissenters, and am now - setting out for Exeter.” - -Whitefield seems to have made Exeter his head-quarters for nearly a -fortnight. Hence the following letters:―― - - “EXETER, _October 28, 1743_. - - “I have a strong conviction that our Lord intends doing - something in the west. Since my arrival here, letters of - invitation have come from many parts. The common people begin - to feel. I preached this afternoon on Southernay Green. Even - some of the polite were much affected. I believe I shall think - it my duty to stay in these parts for some time.” - - “EXETER, _November 6, 1743_. - - “On Monday last” (October 31st), “I went to Axminster, and - preached to about two thousand without; and afterwards exhorted - within the house where I lay. The next day, I preached to a - greater number of people; and, at night, gave an exhortation, - and met the Society. Our Lord vouchsafed us a gracious blessing. - - “On Wednesday, I went to Ottery; but, just as I named my text, - the bells rang. Upon this, I adjourned to a field, whither the - people ran in droves. As I stepped into the inn, before I went - to the field, a clergyman came, who asked me by what authority - I preached, and said it was a riot, and that the meeting - was illegal. I answered him, as I thought pertinently, and - afterwards went and shewed him my authority, by preaching on - these words, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel - to every creature.’ In the evening, I returned to Exeter, where - some hundreds were waiting to hear me expound. The Lord makes - this place very comfortable to me. Prejudices fall off daily, - and people begin not only to discern, but to feel, the doctrines - of the gospel. - - “Postscript.――Ten at night. It would have pleased you to be here - this evening. I question whether near a third part of Exeter - were not attending on the word preached. All was solemn and - awful, and the Lord gave me much assistance from His Holy Spirit. - Help me to praise Him.” - -From Exeter, Whitefield proceeded to Bideford, where he wrote as -follows:―― - - “BIDEFORD, _November 11, 1743_. - - “The Rev. Mr. Thompson, Rector of St. Gennys, Cornwall, is here. - God willing, I will go with him to-morrow. There is also another - clergyman about eighty years of age, but not above one year - old in the school of Christ.[84] He lately preached three times - and rode forty miles the same day. The Dissenting minister and - his wife were very hearty; and, perhaps, here is one of the - most settled female Christian Societies in the kingdom. I cannot - well describe with what power the word was attended. Yesterday, - in the afternoon and evening, it was just like as at Edinburgh. - The old clergyman was much broken. A young Oxonian, who came - with him, and many others, were most deeply affected. I suppose, - there were upwards of two thousand, in the evening, in the - meeting-house. Dear Mr. Hervey,[85] one of our first Methodists - at Oxford, and who was lately a curate here, had laid the - blessed foundation. - - “So far from thinking of nestling at London, I am more and more - convinced that I should go from place to place; and I therefore - question if I shall see London for some time. - - “Postscript.――Seven at night. To-day has been as yesterday, and - much more abundant. I am here, as in Scotland and New England. - Here is work enough for three months. The weather is very - favourable; range, therefore, I must and will.” - -On Saturday, November 12, Whitefield accompanied Mr. Thompson to his -rectory at St. Gennys, Cornwall, where he seems to have remained a -fortnight. Hence the following:―― - - “ST. GENNYS, _November 25, 1743_. - - “I am glad that the Lord inclined my heart to come hither. He - has been with us of a truth. How did His stately steps appear - in the sanctuary last Lord’s-day! Many, many prayers were put - up, by the worthy rector and others, for an outpouring of God’s - blessed Spirit. They were answered. Arrows of conviction fled so - thick and so fast, and such a universal weeping prevailed from - one end of the congregation to the other, that good Mr. Thompson - could not help going from seat to seat, to encourage and comfort - the wounded souls. The Oxonian’s father was almost struck dumb; - and the young Oxonian’s crest was so lowered, that I believe he - will never venture to preach an unknown Christ, or to deal in - the false commerce of unfelt truths. - - “I could enlarge, but I must away to Bideford, just to give - Satan another stroke, and bid my Christian friends farewell; and - then return the way I came, namely, through Exeter, Wellington, - and Bristol, to the great metropolis.” - -Whitefield arrived in London at the beginning of December, and wrote -the following hitherto unpublished letter to “Mr. Howell Harris, at -Trevecca, near the Hay, South Wales, Breconshire.” - - “LONDON, _December 6, 1743_. - - “MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,――I thank you for your kind letters and - kind present. Our Saviour will plentifully reward you for all - favours conferred on me and mine. - - “I rejoice exceedingly that the word runs and is glorified - in Wales. I hope to rejoice together with you at the next - Association. Great things have been doing in the west. I believe - Mr. Thompson, of Cornwall, will come with me into Wales. I have - thoughts of removing my little family to Abergavenny in a short - time; and to leave that house for you and yours to live in, till - I come from abroad again, if you will be pleased to accept of it. - - “I can easily forgive our dear brother Beaumont;[86] but, - I think, he and his wife have dealt very unsimply in respect - to their marriage. I pray our Lord Jesus Christ to bless them - exceedingly, and to prevent all ill consequences that may arise, - to the people of God, from such a procedure. - - “I intend being here but a few days; and I have many things to - say to you when we see each other face to face. Oh, my brother, - my dear, very dear brother Harris, Jesus is better and better to - me every day. I have had close attacks, but strong consolations. - I would write much, would time and business permit; but I must - bid you adieu. My tender, tender love to all. My dear wife and - Mr. Grace send their most cordial respects. The Lord Jesus be - with your dear soul, and give you to pray for, my dear, dear, - dear brother, - - “Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - - “P.S.――Mr. Mason, the bookseller, is dead; also Mr. Dubert’s - wife. About seven of our friends have lately died in the Lord. - Courage, my dear man,――courage; we shall go ere long. Yet a - little while, and He that cometh will come, and will not tarry.” - -In less than a fortnight, Whitefield was again on the wing. On Friday, -December 16, he rode to a place “five miles beyond Reading.” The -next day, he got to Clack. “It rained and snowed much for about seven -miles,” says he, “and the way was dangerous; but the blessed Jesus kept -us in safety.” On Sunday morning, he preached, and administered the -sacrament to the Wiltshire Societies, at Tytherton;[87] and, in the -evening, he preached at Brinkworth. He writes: “They were good times. -I have a cold, but our Lord warms my heart. To-morrow (December 19) -I must away to Gloucester. Oh, follow, follow with your prayers.” - -Whitefield was now on his way to a new sphere of labour. All readers of -Methodist history are well acquainted with the disgraceful and terrible -riots which took place at Walsal, Wednesbury, Darlaston, and West -Bromwich, in 1743. In the former part of the year, both the Wesleys had -preached here, at the peril of their lives. As recently as October 20, -John Wesley had been all but murdered by the godless ruffians of the -neighbourhood; and now, at the end of December, Whitefield came.[88] -The following extract is taken from a pamphlet, entitled, “Some Papers, -giving an Account of the Rise and Progress of Methodism at Wednesbury, -in Staffordshire, and in other Parishes adjacent; as likewise of -the late Riot in those parts.” Printed by J. Roberts, London. 1744. -(8vo. 30 pp.) - - “Mr. Whitefield was at Birmingham, where there is a Society, - about Christmas last; and you may suppose great numbers would, - out of curiosity, flock to hear a man who had been so much - talked of. He was also invited to Wednesbury, where he preached - in the streets for several days. He was invited to Birmingham - by a Dissenter. His stay was not above a week or ten days, - and, towards the last, his auditors were not so numerous, and - the behaviour of some of them not over civil. I do not find - the number of the Methodist converts to be near so numerous - as was at first apprehended; and those few of them, who were - of the communion of the Church of England, are, in general, - very regular in their behaviour, and in their attendance at - church. The Dissenters constitute the greater number, and are - their greatest admirers, particularly of Mr. Whitefield. About - Wednesbury, some of their converts have been raised into strange - and unaccountable ecstasies; but I cannot find there have been - any of the like instances at Birmingham.” - -Such was the testimony of an unfriendly writer. Whitefield’s own -account is as follows:―― - - “_December 31, 1743._ - - “What do you think? Since my last, I have stolen a whole day - to dispatch some private business; however, in the evening, I - expounded, at Birmingham, to a great room full of people, who - would rush into my lodgings, whether I would or not. - - “On Sunday morning (Christmas Day), at eight, I preached, in - the street, to about a thousand, with much freedom. I then went - to church and received the sacrament, and afterwards preached - to several thousands in the street. As no minister would preach - in a house at Wednesbury,[89] where a weekly lecture used to - be kept up, I was earnestly entreated to go; and, after my - afternoon’s preaching at Birmingham, I went and preached there, - at six in the evening, to many hundreds in the street. The word - came with power, and only one or two made a noise. We afterwards - had a precious meeting in private. - - “On Monday morning, about eight, I preached to a large company - in a field. By eleven, I returned to Birmingham, and preached - to many thousands, on a common near the town. The soldiers were - exercising; but the officers, hearing that I was come to preach, - dismissed them, and promised that no disturbance should be made. - All was quiet, and a blessed time we had. In the afternoon, - at three, I preached again to about the same company, with the - same success. Then I rode to Wednesbury, and preached there, and - afterwards exhorted. About one, I went to bed exceeding happy. - - “In the morning, I broke up some fallow-ground at a place called - Mare Green, about two miles from Wednesbury. Much mobbing had - been there against Mr. Wesley’s friends. A few began to insult - me. Several clods were thrown, one of which fell on my head, - and another struck my fingers, while I was in prayer. A sweet - gospel spirit was given to me. I preached again at Birmingham, - to larger auditories than before, about eleven in the morning and - three in the afternoon. In the evening, I expounded twice in a - large room; once to the rich, and once to the poor; and went to - rest happier than the night before.[90] - - “In the morning (Wednesday, Dec. 28), I took my leave of the - Birmingham people, who wept much, and shewed great concern at - my departure. I then went to Kidderminster, where I was kindly - received by Mr. Williams, with whom I have corresponded for - near two years. Many friends were at his house. I was greatly - refreshed to find what a sweet savour of good remained to - this day, from Mr. Baxter’s doctrine, works, and discipline. - I preached, about three in the afternoon, to a large auditory, - near the church. Some unkind men, though they promised not to - do so, rang the bells; but our Saviour enabled me to preach - with power. In the evening and next morning, I preached in the - meeting-house. - - “I then (Thursday) went with Mr. Williams to Bromsgrove, and - was kindly received by one Mr. K――――y, a good man, and several - others, among whom were two or three Baptist ministers, and - one Independent. In the afternoon, I preached in a field. Some - rude people kicked a football, and sounded a horn; but the Lord - enabled me to preach with boldness. About six, I preached in the - Baptist meeting-house; left Kidderminster at eight, and reached - Worcester at ten. Mr. Williams and another friend accompanied us. - - “The next day, I reached Gloucester, very thankful, and - rejoicing greatly in Christ for giving me such a delightful and - happy Christmas.” - -This is a notable letter. Whitefield was now on the ground where Wesley -and his friends had been nearly murdered; but all the inconvenience -suffered by Whitefield was a little noise at Wednesbury, the throwing -of a few clods at Mare Green, the ringing of the church bells at -Kidderminster, and a game at football and the sounding of a horn at -Bromsgrove. Compared with Wesley, the lines fell to Whitefield in -pleasant places. - -The observant reader will also notice Whitefield’s enormous labours. -In four days, in mid-winter, he held nineteen services, twelve of his -sermons being preached in the open air, and three in Dissenting chapels. -The opportunity of thus serving his great Master was Whitefield’s idea -of spending “a delightful and happy Christmas!” No wonder that his -Master blessed him, and filled him so full of joy at midnight hours. - -But little more remains to be said respecting Whitefield’s career in -1743. In common with his friend Wesley, he was again and again fiercely -assailed by the public press. He was pilloried in the famous Dunciad of -Alexander Pope, as follows:―― - - “So swells each windpipe; ass intones to ass, - Harmonic twang! of leather, horn, and brass; - Such as from lab’ring lungs th’ Enthusiast blows, - High Sound, attemper’d to the vocal nose! - Or such as bellow from the deep Divine; - There, Webster! peal’d thy voice, and, Whitefield! thine.” - -Pope was a poet; another assailant, the author of “The Progress of -Methodism in Bristol, or, the Methodists Unmasked, 1743” (18mo. 72 pp.), -was a _poetaster_, and unworthy of being further noticed; but, possibly, -his ribald verses, in which he malignantly attacked Whitefield, as well -as Wesley, were quite as goading as Pope’s more polished lines. - -Whitefield began the year 1744 in his native city, Gloucester. He -then went to Watford in Wales, and, as moderator of the Calvinistic -Methodists, presided, on January 3rd, at one of their associations, or -conferences. Among the subjects considered at this meeting, the Hampton -riot seems to have been the principal. Whitefield writes:―― - - “After mature deliberation, we determined to prosecute the - affair to the utmost, and to set apart January 24 (the first - day of the term) for a day of fasting and prayer, and to make - collections for that purpose. The cause is the Lord’s, and much - depends on our getting the victory. I believe we shall.” - -The work in Wales was in great prosperity. In a letter, written soon -after the assembling of this conference, Howell Harris says:―― - - “The labours of all our associates are more or less blessed. - The Lord countenances the lay-preachers much; but He is more - abundantly with the ordained ministers. The believers are - generally strong and full of spiritual warmth and life. They - do, indeed, adorn the gospel. The congregations are exceedingly - large wherever we preach. Some of the greatest opposers are not - only silenced, but constrained to own that the Lord is among us - of a truth. In many places, the people meet at five o’clock in - the morning to adore and worship the Lord together; and, in some - places, meetings are resumed in the evenings, and kept up all - night in prayer and praise.”[91] - -It is a strange fact, that, notwithstanding the falsely reputed wealth -of Whitefield’s wife, and his own enormous popularity, his income was -insufficient for the maintenance of his family in London. Hence, during -his visit to Wales, he made arrangements for the removal of his wife -and child to Abergavenny;[92] and, on his return to London, wrote, as -follows, to a friend at Gloucester:―― - - “LONDON, _January 18, 1744_. - - “This afternoon, I received your kind letter; and I thank you - a thousand times for your great generosity in lending me some - furniture, having little of my own. I know who will repay you. - Next week, God willing, my dear wife and little one will come - to Gloucester, for I find it beyond my circumstances to maintain - them here. I leave London this day sennight. My brother will - receive a letter about my wife’s coming. She and the little - one are brave and well. But why talk I of wife and little one? - Let all be absorbed in the thoughts of the love, sufferings, - free and full salvation, of the infinitely great and glorious - Emmanuel.” - -Three weeks after this, Whitefield’s “little one” was dead. The letter -containing an account of his bereavement is so characteristic, and so -unfolds Whitefield’s weaknesses as well as virtues, that it must be -inserted without abridgment. - - “GLOUCESTER, _February 9, 1744_. - - “Who knows what a day may bring forth? Last night, I was called - to sacrifice my Isaac; I mean, to bury my only child and son, - about four months old. - - “Many things had occurred to make me believe he was, not only - to be continued to me, but, to be a preacher of the everlasting - gospel. Pleased with the thought, and being ambitious of having - a son of my own so divinely employed, Satan was permitted - to give me some wrong impressions, whereby, as I now find, I - misapplied several texts of Scripture. Upon these grounds, I - made no scruple of declaring ‘that I should have a son, and that - his name was to be John.’ I mentioned the very time of his birth, - and fondly hoped that he was to be great in the sight of the - Lord. - - “Everything happened according to the predictions, and my wife - having had several narrow escapes while pregnant, especially - by her falling from a high horse, and my driving her into a - deep ditch in a one-horse chaise a little before the time of - her lying-in, and from which we received little or no hurt, - confirmed me in my expectation, that God would grant me my - heart’s desire. - - “I would observe to you, that the child was even born in a room - which the master of the house had prepared as a prison for his - wife, on account of her coming to hear me. With joy would she - often look upon the bars and staples and chains, which were - fixed in order to keep her in. About a week after his birth, - I publicly baptized him in the Tabernacle, and, in the company - of thousands, solemnly gave him up to that God, who gave him to - me. A hymn, too fondly composed by an aged widow, as suitable - to the occasion, was sung, and all went away big with hopes of - the child’s being hereafter to be employed in the work of God; - but how soon have all their fond, and, as the event has proved, - their ill-grounded expectations been blasted, as well as mine! - - “House-keeping being expensive in London, I thought it best to - send both parent and child to Abergavenny, where my wife had - a little house, the furniture of which, as I thought of soon - embarking for Georgia, I had partly sold, and partly given away. - In their journey thither, they stopped at Gloucester, at the - Bell Inn, which my brother now keeps, and in which I was born. - There, my beloved was cut off with a stroke. Upon my coming here, - without knowing what had happened, I enquired concerning the - welfare of parent and child; and, by the answer, found that the - flower was cut down. - - “I immediately called all to join in prayer, in which I blessed - the Father of mercies for giving me a son, continuing it to me - so long, and taking it from me so soon. All joined in desiring - that I would decline preaching till the child was buried; but - I remembered a saying of good Mr. Henry, ‘that weeping must not - hinder sowing;’ and, therefore, I preached twice the next day, - and also the day following; on the evening of which, just as I - was closing my sermon, the bell struck out for the funeral. At - first, I must acknowledge, it gave nature a little shake; but, - looking up, I recovered strength, and then concluded with saying, - that this text, on which I had been preaching, namely, ‘All - things work together for good to them that love God,’ made me as - willing to go out to my son’s funeral, as to hear of his birth. - Our parting from him was solemn. We kneeled down, prayed, and - shed many tears, but, I hope, tears of resignation; and then, - as he died in the house wherein I was born, he was taken and - laid in the church where I was baptized, first communicated, and - first preached. - - “All this, you may easily guess, threw me into very solemn - and deep reflection, and, I hope, deep humiliation; but I was - comforted from that passage in the book of Kings, where is - recorded the death of the Shunammite’s child, which the prophet - said, ‘the Lord had hid from him,’ and the woman’s answer to the - prophet when he asked, ‘Is it well with thee? Is it well with - thy husband? Is it well with thy child?’ And she answered, ‘It - is well.’ This gave me no small satisfaction. I preached upon - the text, the day following, at Gloucester; and then hastened - up to London, and preached upon the same there. - - “Though disappointed of a living preacher, by the death of my - son, yet, I hope, what happened before his birth, and since at - his death, has taught me such lessons, as, if duly improved, - may render his mistaken parent more cautious, more sober-minded, - more experienced in Satan’s devices, and, consequently, more - useful in his future labours to the Church of God. Thus, ‘out - of the eater comes forth meat, and out of the strong comes - forth sweetness.’ Not doubting but our future life will be one - continued explanation of this blessed riddle, I commend myself - and you to the unerring guidance of God’s word and Spirit, and - am, - - “Yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Whilst Whitefield was burying his child at Gloucester, his friend, -Charles Wesley, was preaching, at the peril of his life, in -Staffordshire. At Wednesbury, the mob “assaulted, one after another, -all the houses of those who were called Methodists.” All the windows -were broken, and furniture of every kind was dashed in pieces. At -Aldridge and several other villages, many of the houses were plundered, -and the rioters “loaded themselves with clothes and goods of all sorts, -as much as they could carry.”[93] Whitefield heard of this execrable -rioting, and wrote:―― - - “There has been dreadful work near Birmingham; but Satan will - be overthrown. We had a glorious fast on Monday (February 20th), - and collected above £60 for our poor suffering brethren.” - -A week after this, Whitefield set out on a visit to his wife at -Abergavenny, and took her “a second-hand suit of curtains,” which he -had bought for her humble dwelling. - -At the beginning of the month of March, he returned to Gloucester, -to be present at the assizes, at which the Hampton rioters, already -mentioned, were tried, and found guilty, the amount of damages to be -paid being referred to the King’s Bench, London. Whitefield writes:―― - - “I hear the rioters are hugely alarmed; but they know not that - we intend to let them see what we could do, and then to forgive - them. This troublesome affair being over, I must now prepare for - my intended voyage to America.” - -Nearly seven months, however, elapsed before Whitefield’s voyage was -begun,――an interval which was partly occupied with what, to Whitefield, -was extremely uncongenial, a literary war. - -To understand the controversy, it is needful to remark, that, of late, -several publications had been issued, and industriously circulated, -attacking the loyalty of Whitefield and his friends. Among others, -there was a quarto-sized sheet, of four pages, entitled, “The Case -of the Methodists briefly stated, more particularly in the point of -Field-Preaching.” The writer tries to prove that field-preaching is -contrary to the Act of Toleration; and then he proceeds to shew, that, -because of the largeness of his congregations, Whitefield’s preaching -in the open air was eminently calculated to promote sedition, and to be -a serious danger to the state. - -The principal publication, however, was “Observations upon the Conduct -and Behaviour of a certain Sect, usually distinguished by the name of -Methodists. London: printed by E. Owen, in Amen Corner. 1744.” (4to. -24 pp.) Rightly or wrongly, Dr. Gibson, Bishop of London, was supposed -to be the author. The pamphlet consisted of three parts. In the first, -it was alleged, 1. That the Methodists generally set the government -at defiance, by appointing public places of religious worship, and -by preaching in the fields, without taking the prescribed oaths, and -subscribing the declaration against popery. 2. That they broke the -rules of the Church, of which they professed themselves members, by -going to other than their own parish churches to receive the sacrament. -3. It was also stated that really there was no need for Methodist -meetings, because, for many years past, many of the Religious Societies, -in London and Westminster, had spent their Sunday evenings (after -attending church) in serious conversation and reading good books; and -the bishops and clergy had encouraged these Societies, though some of -them had been misled into Methodist extravagances. - -In the second part, which is principally levelled against -Whitefield, thirteen questions are asked, of which the following are -specimens:――Question 4. Whether a due and regular attendance in the -public offices of religion does not better answer the true ends of -devotion, and is not better evidence of the co-operation of the Holy -Spirit, than those sudden agonies, roarings, and screamings, tremblings, -droppings-down, ravings, and madness into which the hearers of the -Methodists had been cast? Question 9. Whether it does not savour of -self-sufficiency and presumption, when a few young heads, without any -colour of a Divine commission, set up their own schemes as the great -standard of Christianity? - -The third part is a severe critique on the _Christian History_, of -which Whitefield was the chief promoter. Here, again, sundry questions -were asked, as, for instance, “Whether the zealous endeavours to form -Band-Societies, according to the Moravian way, and putting them under -the instruction and ordering of particular _superintendents_, and -_exhorters_; and the holding of _associations_ and _meetings_, at set -times and places, with select moderators; together with the fixing -of _visitations_ and their boundaries and limits,――whether these -proceedings, not warranted by any law, are not a presumptuous attempt -to erect a new church constitution, upon a foreign plan, in contempt -of those wise rules of government, discipline, and worship, which were -judged by our pious ancestors to be the best means for preserving and -maintaining religion, together with public peace and order in Church -and State?” Again, “Whether these itinerant preachers, and the setting -up of separate places of public worship _at pleasure_, and those -pretences to more immediate communications with God, and the visible -endeavours to bring the parochial pastors and the public worship under -a disesteem among the people,――whether these and the like practices -are not of the same kind with those of the last century, that had so -great a share in bringing on those religious confusions, which brought -a reproach upon Christianity in general, and which, by degrees, worked -the body of the people into a national madness and frenzy in matters of -religion?” - -To see the full force of these accusations, it must be borne in mind, -that, they were published at a time when, (1) The nation was in a -state of great excitement from an expected invasion by Prince Charles, -the young Pretender; (2) The Methodists in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, -and Staffordshire, were being subjected to the most brutal treatment -by clerically encouraged mobs; and (3) The general belief was that -these “Observations upon the Conduct and Behaviour of the Methodists” -were not of ignoble origin, but were written by the bishop of the -metropolitan diocese, and with the approval of a considerable number -of his prelatic brethren. - -On January 26, 1744, Whitefield published the following -advertisement:―― - - “Whereas some anonymous papers, against the people called - Methodists in general, and myself and friends in particular, - have been, for some weeks, printed in a large edition, and - handed about and read in the Religious Societies of the cities - of London and Westminster, and given into the hands of many - private persons, with strict injunctions to lend them to no one, - nor let them go out of their hands to any; and whereas, after - having accidentally had the hasty perusal of them, I find many - queries, of great importance, concerning me and my conduct, - contained therein; and as it appears, that, one paper has - little or no connection with another, and a copy, when applied - for, was refused me, and I know not how soon I may embark for - Georgia――I am, therefore, obliged hereby to desire a speedy - open publication of the aforesaid papers, in order that a candid - impartial answer may be made thereto by me, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Six days after the date of this advertisement, Whitefield wrote as -follows to the Bishop of London:―― - - “LONDON, _February 1, 1744_. - - “MY LORD,――Simplicity becomes the followers of Jesus Christ; - and, therefore, I think it my duty to trouble your lordship with - these few lines. - - “I suppose your lordship has seen the advertisement published - by me, about four days ago, concerning certain anonymous papers, - which have been handed about the Societies for some considerable - time. As I think it my duty to answer them, I should be glad - to be informed whether the report be true, that your lordship - composed them, that I may the better know to whom I may direct - my answer. A sight also of one of the copies, if in your - lordship’s keeping, would oblige, my lord, your lordship’s most - obliged, dutiful son and servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - - “P.S. The bearer will bring your lordship’s answer; or, if your - lordship favour me with a line, be pleased to direct for me, to - be left with Mr. J. Syms, in Pitfield Street, near Hoxton.” - -Instead of writing, the Bishop sent, by the bearer of Whitefield’s -letter, a verbal message, to the effect that Whitefield should hear -from him; but the only further communication which came to hand was -the following, written, two days after the date of Whitefield’s letter -to the Bishop, by the printer of the “anonymous papers.” - - “_February 3, 1744._ - - “SIR,――My name is Owen. I am a printer in Amen Corner, and I - waited upon you to let you know that I have had orders from - several of the Bishops, to print, for their use, such numbers - of the ‘Observations upon the Conduct and Behaviour of the - Methodists,’ with some few additions, as they have respectively - bespoken; and I will not fail to wait upon you with one copy, as - soon as the impression is finished. - - “I am, sir, your most obedient servant, - - “E. OWEN.” - -There can hardly be a doubt that the “Observations” were the -productions of Bishop Gibson’s pen. Others, besides Whitefield and -his friends, fully believed this. Zinzendorf, on receiving a copy of -the anonymous pamphlet, wrote a long letter, in Latin, to the Bishop, -expressing his surprise that any one belonging to the Church of England -should have evinced such ignorance by the remarks made respecting -the Moravians. A Moravian deputation also waited upon Gibson, on -the same subject; and a further correspondence ensued between the -Bishop, Zinzendorf, and James Hutton;[94] in which Zinzendorf almost -indignantly repudiated any present connection with the Methodists, -telling his lordship, that, it was “very difficult to decide whether -the Moravians have a greater dislike to the Methodists’ plan of -salvation, or the Methodists to that of the Moravians.” - -But leaving this, all candid readers will acknowledge that the -“conduct and behaviour” of the Bishop of London and his brethren were -disingenuous. To be the circulators of anonymous “fly-sheets,” full of -the most serious accusations, was an act dishonourable to a bishop’s -dignity, and savoured more of the assassin than of a pastor of the -flock of Christ. - -Whitefield lost no time in replying to the Bishops’ pamphlet. On the -10th of March, he finished, and committed to the press, “An Answer to -the first part of an anonymous Pamphlet, entitled, ‘Observations upon -the Conduct and Behaviour of a certain Sect usually distinguished by -the name of Methodists.’ In a Letter to the Right Reverend the Bishop -of London, and the other the Right Reverend the Bishops concerned in -the publication thereof.” (8vo. 26 pp.) Before the year was ended, -Whitefield’s “Letter” passed, at least, through three editions in -England, besides being printed and published at Boston in America. -The motto on his title-page was Psalm xxxv. 11, “False witnesses did -rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.” - -It is difficult to furnish an outline of Whitefield’s pamphlet; but -the following extracts will give the reader an idea of its style and -spirit:―― - - “Young as I am, I know too much of the devices of Satan, and - the desperate wickedness and deceitfulness of my own heart, not - to be sensible, that I am a man of like passions with others; - and that I, consequently, may have sometimes mistaken nature - for grace, imagination for revelation, and the fire of my own - temper for the pure and sacred flame of holy zeal. If, therefore, - upon perusing the pamphlet, I find that I have been blameable - in any respect, I will not only confess it, but return hearty - thanks both to the compiler and your lordships, _though unknown_. - Indeed, it is but of little consequence to the merits of the - cause to know who the author is. Only this much may be said, - your lordships yourselves being judges, it is not quite fair to - _give stabs in the dark_.” - -Whitefield proceeds to say, that the title of the Bishops’ pamphlet -ought to have run thus: “Misrepresentations of the Conduct and -_Principles_ of many Orthodox, well-meaning Ministers and Members of -the Church of England, and loyal Subjects to his Majesty, King George, -_falsely termed a Sect_, and usually distinguished, _out of contempt_, -by the name of Methodists.” He adds:―― - - “The _principles_, as well as conduct, of the Methodists are - greatly misrepresented in this pamphlet. Its design is to - exhibit their proceedings as dangerous to the Church and State, - in order to procure an Act of Parliament against them, or to - oblige them to secure themselves by turning Dissenters. But is - not such a motion, at such a season as this, both uncharitable - and unseasonable? Is not the Administration engaged enough - already in other affairs, without troubling themselves with - the Methodists? Or, who would now advise them to bring further - guilt upon the nation, by persecuting some of the present - government’s _most hearty_ friends? I say, my lords, _the present - government’s most hearty friends_; for, though the Methodists - (as the world calls them) disagree in some particulars, yet - I venture to affirm that, to _a man_, they all agree in this: - namely, to love and honour the king. For my own part, I profess - myself a zealous friend to his present majesty King George, and - the present Administration. Wherever I go, I think it my duty - to pray for him and to preach up obedience to him, and all that - are set in authority under him. I have now been a preacher above - seven years, and for six years past have been called to act in - a very public way. Your lordships must have heard of the great - numbers who have attended: sometimes several of the nobility, - and, now and then, even some of the clergy have been present. - Did they ever hear me speak a disloyal word? Are there not - thousands, who can testify how fervently and frequently I - pray for his majesty King George, his royal offspring, and - the present government? Yes, my lords, they can; and, I trust, - I should be enabled to do so, though surrounded with popish - enemies, and in danger of dying for it as soon as my prayer was - ended.” - -So much for Whitefield’s loyalty. What about his ecclesiastical -misbehaviour? He writes:―― - - “If your lordships apprehend that we are liable to - ecclesiastical censures, we are ready to make a proper defence, - whenever called to it by our ecclesiastical superiors. As for - myself, your lordships very well know that I am a Bachelor of - Arts, have taken the oaths, have subscribed to the Articles, - and have been twice regularly ordained. In this character, I - have acted, both at home and abroad; and I know of no law of - our government which prohibits my preaching in any field, barn, - street, or outhouse whatever.” - -Whitefield proceeds to say, he has perused “all the Acts of King -Charles II., wherein the word _field_ is mentioned,” and that he finds -“they are intended to suppress _seditious conventicles_,” and then -continues:―― - - “These are the only _field-meetings_ that are prohibited; and - how, my lords, can such Acts be applied to the Methodists? Are - they ‘seditious sectaries, disloyal persons, who, under pretence - of tender consciences, contrive insurrections?’ No, my lords. - How then can your lordships, with a safe conscience, encourage - such a pamphlet, or bespeak any number of Mr. Owen, in order, - as may be supposed, that they may be dispersed among your - lordships’ clergy? Well might the author conceal his name. A - more notorious libel has not been published. The pamphlet comes - into public like a child dropped, that nobody cares to own. And, - indeed, who can be blamed for disowning such a libel?” - -This, addressed to bishops, by a young clergyman, was bold language; -but their lordships deserved it; for, whatever faults belonged to -Whitefield and the first Methodists, they certainly were as free from -sedition as the Episcopal Bench itself. - -Whitefield’s “Second Letter,” to the bishops, was written during his -voyage to America, and was first “printed and sold by Rogers and Fowle, -in Queen Street, near the Prison, Boston, 1744.” (4to. 24 pp.) It is -dated August 25, 1744; but, to prevent a recurrence to the subject, -it is noticed here. First of all, Whitefield replies to the censures -pronounced upon “itinerant preaching,” and concludes thus:―― - - “May I not take the freedom of acquainting your lordships, - that, if all the Right Reverend the Bishops did their duty, - (especially my Lord of London, whose diocese is of such vast - extent,) they would all of them long since have become itinerant - preachers.” - -He next defended the doctrines, preached by himself and the -Methodists,――justification by faith, sudden and instantaneous -conversion, and other cognate truths. He attacked Archbishop Tillotson, -because, “contrary to the laws of Church and State, he makes good works -a _condition_ of our acceptance with God;” and he declared concerning -the author of “The Whole Duty of Man,” that, because he entirely omits -to teach the doctrine of justification by faith, his famous book might -“more properly be termed, _Half the Duty of Man_.” He belaboured the -clergy for playing at _dice_, and _cards_, and other _unlawful games_, -contrary to the seventy-fifth canon of the Church; and complained, -that, by “frequenting taverns and alehouses,” they injured the laity -by a vile “example.” He rebutted the charge against himself of being an -enthusiast; and, as for the “sudden agonies, roarings, and screamings” -of some of his converts, he said, “The itinerant preachers look -upon these as extraordinary things, proceeding _generally_ from -soul-distress, and _sometimes_, it may be, from the agency of the -evil spirit, who labours to drive poor souls into despair.” - -What was the result of all this plain-speaking? First of all, another -anonymous author, merely using the initials, “J. B.,” published a -furious pamphlet of fifty-four pages, entitled, “A Letter to the -Reverend Mr. Whitefield, occasioned by his _pretended_ Answer to the -first part of the Observations on the Conduct and Behaviour of the -Methodists. By a Gentleman of Pembroke College, Oxon. London, 1744.” -(8vo.) - -How far the author of this letter was a _gentleman_ will appear from -the following extracts from his rancorous production:―― - - “Do you think my Lord of London would choose to let you know - whether he was the author of the papers, or would be fond - of entering into a _personal_ dispute with you? with you, I - say, sir, or your followers; who, I may venture to affirm, can - curse, rail, and berogue your antagonists, (though in Scripture - language all the while,) so as hardly to be exceeded by any Pope, - or _spiritual bully_, that ever yet appeared in Christendom.” - - “You are one who has been travelling over all countries, - to establish _new-fangled societies_; _heads and spiritual - directors_, _hot-brained cobblers_, and the meanest class of men; - _fellows that have nothing to lose_, all big with venom against - the clergy of the _present Establishment_, and _despising the - laws_ of the State, and the _peaceful constitution_ of the realm. - You are perpetually sowing divisions, and urging on the bigotry - of your disciples, and their implacable malice, by your belying, - railing, and scandalising the ministers of the Church, as well - as by treating as heathens and reprobates of the infinitely good - Being, all others, who dare despise your hellish doctrines and - practices. You exactly copy after Cromwell, the _Whitefield - of the last century_, in _artfully compounding_ Churchmen and - Dissenters, people of all sorts and denominations, to bring - about your design of ruining the present constitution. When I - see a man, of your _vast importance_, _railing_, _hectoring_, - and _bullying_ your superiors, I cannot help thinking of a - _pert_ liquor amongst us, which foams, and bounces, and sputters, - and makes a mighty ado; and yet all the while is but _bottled - small-beer_. - - “Your _favourite method_ of wounding characters in a scrip of - prayer, to shew the world how kindly you can forgive, after you - have been publicly railing at them for _nothing_, puts me in - mind of Jack in the _Tale of a Tub_; who was mighty fond of - falling down on his knees, and turning up his eyes in the midst - of a kennel, as if at his devotions; but who, when curiosity - attracted men to laugh or to listen, would, of a sudden, - bespatter them with mud.” - -Much more of the same kind of scurrility, and of even worse, might -be given; but the last paragraph in the “Gentleman’s” ill-mannered -pamphlet must suffice. - - “Thus ends your railing; and, like a woman that has _fought - herself out of breath_, when you can _spit no more of your - malice_, you tell us, you would ‘not bring a railing accusation - against any.’ What a monstrous fib is that! ‘Neither would - I,’ you add, ‘when giving a reason of the hope that is in me, - do it any otherwise than with meekness and fear.’ There you - fib again most desperately! Why, _my dear meek soul, of a - sudden_, you have certainly forgot yourself; and your darling - _spirit of bitterness, that has possessed you through the whole - Letter_, at length, seems to be _jaded_. However, it cannot help - _fibbing still_; and there is not a more remarkable instance - of this, than in your _last Judas’ kiss_, where you would have - their lordships believe, you are ‘_their most dutiful son and - servant_.’” - -These are fair specimens of the scolding of this zealous defender -of the Bishop of London and his brethren, and of Church and State. -Whitefield never noticed the defence, though written by a _Gentleman -of Pembroke College, Oxford_. Another pamphlet, however, written by -a Church dignitary of some importance, received more attention. This -was “A Serious and Expostulatory Letter to the Reverend Mr. George -Whitefield, on occasion of his late Letter to the Bishop of London and -other Bishops; and in Vindication of the ‘Observations upon the Conduct -and Behaviour of a certain Sect usually distinguished by the Name of -Methodists,’ not long since published. By Thomas Church, A.M., Vicar -of Battersea, and Prebendary of St. Paul’s, London.[95] 1744.” (8vo. -60 pp.) Want of space prevents the insertion of lengthy extracts from -Mr. Church’s letter, but its scope may be guessed by the following -sentences:―― - - “Field-preaching is forbidden by the statute, as having a - tendency to sedition and tumults.” “Your extravagances have been - the scorn of the profane, and have strengthened the prejudices - of some against our religion itself.” “I never knew nor heard of - any one instance of a parish in England so carelessly attended - as the charge committed to you in Georgia, the only place, I - think, to which you have had any regular appointment. How unfit - are you, of all men, to upbraid the clergy with non-residence, - with being shepherds who leave their flocks, and let them perish - for lack of knowledge.” - -Whitefield immediately replied to this, in an 8vo. pamphlet of 20 -pages, bearing the following title:――“A Letter to the Rev. Mr. Thomas -Church, M.A., Vicar of Battersea, and Prebendary of St. Paul’s; in -Answer to his Serious and Expostulatory Letter to the Rev. Mr. George -Whitefield, on occasion of his late Letter to the Bishop of London, and -other Bishops. By George Whitefield, A.B., late of Pembroke College, -Oxford. London: printed by W. Strahan, for J. Robinson, at the Golden -Lion, in Ludgate Street, and sold at the Tabernacle, near Moor-Fields, -1744.” The letter is dated, “London, May 22, 1744,” and its -biographical sections must be briefly noticed. - -Whitefield had often been taunted and even threatened for not using -the Liturgy in many of his public services. In reference to this, he -writes:―― - - “As for my irregularities in curtailing the Liturgy, or not - using the Common Prayer in the fields, I think it needless to - make any apology till I am called thereto in a judicial way by - my ecclesiastical superiors. They have laws and courts. In and - by those, ecclesiastics are to be judged; and I am ready to make - a proper defence, whenever it shall be required at my hands.” - -Mr. Church and many others had retorted Whitefield’s attacks on -non-resident clergy, by telling him he had been guilty of non-residence -himself. To this Whitefield replied as follows:―― - - “I wish every non-resident minister in England could give as - good an account of his non-residence as I can give of my absence - from Savannah. To satisfy you, reverend sir, I will acquaint you - with the whole affair. When I first went abroad, I was appointed - to be minister of Frederica; but, upon my arrival in Georgia, - finding there was no minister at Savannah, and no place of - worship at Frederica, by the advice of the magistrates and - people, I continued at Savannah, teaching publicly, and from - house to house, and catechizing the children day by day, during - the whole time of my first continuance in Georgia; except about - a fortnight, in which I went to Frederica, to visit the people, - and to see about building a church, for which I had given £50 - out of some money I had collected, and of which I have given a - public account. In about four months, I came back to England to - receive priest’s orders, and to collect money for building an - Orphan House. At the request of many, the honourable trustees - presented me to the living of Savannah. I accepted it, but - refused the stipend of £50 per annum, which they generously - offered me. Neither did I put them to any expense during my - stay in England, where I thought it my duty to abide till I had - collected a sufficient sum wherewith I might begin the Orphan - House, though I should have left England sooner, had I not been - prevented by the embargo. However, I was more easy, because I - knew the honourable trustees had sent over another minister, who - arrived soon after I left the colony. - - “Upon my second arrival at Georgia, finding the care of the - Orphan House and the care of the parish too great a task for - me, I immediately wrote to the honourable trustees to provide - another minister. In the meanwhile, as most of my parishioners - were in debt, or ready to leave the colony for want of being - employed, and, as I believed erecting an Orphan House would - be the best thing I could do for them and their posterity, I - thought it my duty, from time to time, to answer the invitations - that were sent me to preach Christ Jesus in several parts of - America, and to raise further collections towards carrying - on the Orphan House. The Lord stirred up many to be ready to - distribute and willing to communicate on these occasions. I - always came home furnished with provisions and money, most of - which was expended among the people; and, by this means, the - northern part of the colony almost entirely subsisted for a - considerable time. This was asserted, not very long ago, before - the House of Commons. - - “And now, sir, judge you whether my non-residence was anything - like the non-residence of most of the English clergy. When I - was absent from my parishioners, I was not loitering or living - at ease, but preaching Christ Jesus, and begging for them and - theirs; and when I returned, it was not to fleece my flock, and - then go and spend it upon my lusts, or lay it up for a fortune - for myself and my relations. No: freely as I had received, - freely I gave. I choose a voluntary poverty. The love of God - and the good of souls is my only aim.” - -All candid readers will admit that Whitefield’s simple statement is a -sufficient refutation of the plausible charge, so often brought against -him, concerning his non-residence in the only parish he ever had. - -Before proceeding with Whitefield’s itinerary, it may be well to -complete the list of his publications during the year 1744. This shall -be done as briefly as possible. - -1. “A Short Account of God’s Dealings with the Reverend Mr. George -Whitefield, A.B., from his Infancy to the Time of his entering into -Holy Orders. The Second Edition.” (12mo. 46 pp.) This was an exact -reprint of the edition published in 1740. - -2. “A Brief Account of the Occasion, Process, and Issue of a late Trial -at the Assize held at Gloucester, March 3, 1744.” (8vo. 15 pp.) This -has been already noticed. - -3. “The Experience of Mr. R. Cruttenden, as delivered to a Congregation -of Christ in Lime Street, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. -Richardson. Prefaced and recommended by George Whitefield, A.B.” (8vo. -32 pp.) Cruttenden, after losing his fortune, by the bursting of the -South Sea bubble, had recently been converted, at the Tabernacle, under -the preaching of John Cennick.[96] Nothing in the pamphlet requires -notice, except, perhaps, the following well-deserved rap, which -Whitefield, in his preface, gives to Dissenting ministers, some of whom -were as bitterly opposed to the great preacher as were his clerical -brethren of the Church of England. - - “Those serious, godly ministers among the Dissenters, who, - through prejudice or misinformation, oppose, or are shy of us, - as though some dangerous sect was sprung up, may, from this and - such-like instances, begin to reason with themselves, whether - we are not sent of God? and whether it is not high time to - acknowledge and adore God in His late sovereign way of working? - Here is an account of a learned and rational man, brought - to Jesus, and built up in Him, by what the world would call - illiterate preachers. This is not the first instance by hundreds. - No set of men could do such things, or meet with such success, - unless God was with them. It is not the first time that our - Saviour has perfected praise out of the mouths of babes, and - chosen the weak things of this world to confound the strong.” - -4. There is only another publication to be noticed. Three years before, -Dr. Smalbroke, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, had delivered a charge, -to his clergy, against the Methodists; and now, in the year 1744, and -when a part of his diocese was disgraced by the riots at Wednesbury and -other places, he published it. Smalbroke was a somewhat distinguished -man; but withal whimsical, as, for instance, when, in his “Vindication -of the Miracles of Christ,” he made elaborate calculations concerning -the number of devils in the herd of swine at Gadarene. He was also -fond of strife, more than twenty of his publications being of a -controversial character. The pith of his anti-Methodistic charge was, -that, “the indwelling and inward witnessing of the Spirit in believers’ -hearts, (if there were ever such things at all,) as also praying -and preaching by the Spirit, are all the _extraordinary_ gifts and -operations of the Holy Ghost, belonging only to the apostolical -and primitive times; and, that, consequently, all pretensions to -such favours, in these last days, are vain and _enthusiastical_.” -Whitefield’s reply was written on shipboard, during his voyage -to America, and was first printed at Boston, in New England. Its -long title was as follows: “Some Remarks upon a late Charge against -Enthusiasm, delivered by the Right Reverend Father in God, Richard, -Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, to the Rev. the Clergy in the -several parts of the Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, in a Triennial -Visitation of the same in 1741; and published, at their request, in -the present year 1744. In a Letter to the Rev. the Clergy of that -Diocese. By George Whitefield, A.B., late of Pembroke College, Oxon.” -(8vo. 35 pp.) Passing over the theological part of Whitefield’s -pamphlet, one extract from his concluding observations must suffice. -In a foot-note he states, “The Methodists in Staffordshire were mobbed -last Shrove-Tuesday, and plundered of their substance to the amount -of £700.” To these persecuted inhabitants of the diocese of Lichfield, -Whitefield says:―― - - “You have lately been enabled joyfully to bear the spoiling of - your goods. Think it not strange, if you should hereafter be - called to resist unto blood. Fear not the faces of men, neither - be afraid of their revilings. The more you are afflicted, the - more you shall multiply and grow. Persecution is your privilege; - it is a badge of your discipleship; it is every Christian’s lot, - in some degree or other. Only be careful to give no just cause - of offence. Be studious to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit - in your lives. Call no man master, but Christ. Follow others - only as they are followers of Him. Be fond of no name but that - of _Christian_. Beware of making parties, and of calling down - fire from heaven to consume your adversaries. Labour to shine - in common life, by a conscientious discharge of all relative - duties; and study to adorn the gospel of our Lord in all things. - If you are good Christians, you will fear God, and, for His sake, - honour the king. Be thankful for the many blessings you enjoy - under the government of his present majesty, King George; and - continue to pray to Him, by whom kings reign, and princes decree - justice, to keep a popish pretender from ever sitting on the - English throne.” - -We now return to Whitefield’s itinerancy. There is but little evidence -to shew how he spent the interval between March 15th and June 26th. -John Cennick, in his diary, says: “On the 3rd of April, at my special -desire, the first association of our ministers and preachers, which -had been kept in Wilts, took place in my house at Tytherton. There -were present the following preachers: Mr. Whitefield, Howell Harris, -John Cennick, Joseph Humphreys, and Thomas Adams; and the following -exhorters: William Humphreys, Isaac Cottle, Thomas Lewis, and Thomas -Beswick.”[97] - -Part of the fifteen weeks was spent in London, part in Bristol, and -part in Wilts. He was also awaiting an opportunity to embark for -Georgia; and, with Mr. Smith, a merchant, actually took a passage -in a ship about to sail from Portsmouth. At the last moment, however, -the captain refused to take him; upon which he set out for Plymouth, -preaching at Wellington, Exeter, Bideford, and Kingsbridge on the -way.[98] At Plymouth, he was made the subject of a brutal attack, which -might have ended seriously. Hence the following letters:―― - - “PLYMOUTH, _June 26, 1744_. - - “MY DEAR FRIEND,――You see by this where I am. Doubtless, you - will wonder at the quick transition from Portsmouth to Plymouth. - When I wrote last, I intended going to the former; but, just - before I took leave of the dear Tabernacle people, a message was - sent to me, that the captain, in whose ship I was to sail from - thence, would not take me, for fear of my spoiling his sailors. - Upon this, hearing of a ship that was going under convoy from - Plymouth, I hastened hither, and have taken a passage in the - _Wilmington_, Captain Dalby, bound to Piscataway, in New England. - - “My first reception here was a little unpromising. A report - being spread that I was come, a great number of people assembled - upon the _Hoe_ (a large green for walks and diversions), and - somebody brought out a bear and a drum; but I did not come till - the following evening, when, under pretence of a hue-and-cry, - several broke into the room where I lodged at the inn, and - disturbed me very much. - - “I then betook myself to private lodgings, and being gone to - rest, after preaching to a large congregation, and visiting - the French prisoners, the good woman of the house came and - told me, that a well-dressed gentleman desired to speak with - me. Imagining that he was some Nicodemite, I desired he might - be brought up. He came and sat down by my bedside, told me he - was a lieutenant of a man of war, congratulated me on the success - of my ministry, and expressed himself much concerned for being - detained from hearing me. He then asked me if I knew him? I - answered, No. He replied, his name was Cadogan. I rejoined, - that I had seen one Mr. Cadogan, who was formerly an officer - in Georgia, about a fortnight ago, at Bristol. Upon this, - he immediately rose up, uttering the most abusive language, - calling me _dog_, _rogue_, _villain_, etc., and beat me most - unmercifully with his gold-headed cane. As you know, I have not - much natural courage; and, being apprehensive that he intended - to shoot or stab me, I underwent all the fears of a sudden - violent death. My hostess and her daughter, hearing me cry - ‘Murder,’ rushed into the room, and seized him by the collar; - but he immediately disengaged himself from them, and repeated - his blows upon me. The cry of murder was repeated, and he made - towards the chamber door, from whence the good woman pushed - him downstairs. A second man now cried out, ‘Take courage, I - am ready to help you;’ and, accordingly, whilst the other was - escaping, he rushed upstairs, and finding one of the women - coming down, took her by the heels, and threw her upon the - floor, by which her back was almost broken. By this time the - neighbourhood was alarmed; but, being unwilling to add to the - commotion, I desired the doors might be shut, and so betook - myself to rest.” - -This strange adventure is explained in another letter, written to the -same friend, a few days afterwards. - - “PLYMOUTH, _July 4, 1744_. - - “Since my last, I have had some information about the late odd - adventure. It seems that four gentlemen came to the house of one - of my particular friends, and desired to know where I lodged, - that they might pay their respects to me. My friend directed - them; and, soon afterwards, I received a letter, informing me - that the writer of it was a nephew of Mr. S――――, an eminent - attorney at New York; that he had had the pleasure of supping - with me at his uncle’s house; and that he desired my company - to sup with him and a few more friends at a tavern. I sent him - word that it was not customary for me to sup out at taverns, - but I should be glad of his company, out of respect to his uncle, - to eat a morsel with him at my lodgings. He came; we supped. I - observed that he frequently looked around him, and seemed very - absent; but, having no suspicion, I continued in conversation - with him and my other friends till we parted. I now find - that this man was to have been the assassin; and that, being - interrogated by his companions as to what he had done, he - answered, that being used so civilly, he had not the heart to - touch me. - - “Upon this, as I am informed, the person who assaulted me, laid - a wager of ten guineas that he would do my business for me. Some - say, that they took his sword from him, which I suppose they did, - for I only saw and felt the weight of his cane. - - “The next morning, I was to expound at a private house, and then - to set out for Bideford. Some urged me to stay and prosecute; - but, being better employed, I went on my intended journey; was - greatly blessed in preaching the everlasting gospel; and, upon - my return, was well paid for what I had suffered; for curiosity - led perhaps two thousand more than ordinary to see and hear - a man who had like to have been murdered in his bed. Thus all - things tend to the furtherance of the gospel. - - “‘Thus Satan thwarts, and men object, - And yet the thing they thwart effect.’ - - “Leaving you to add a hallelujah, I subscribe myself, - - “Ever, ever yours, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Whitefield seriously believed that this atrocious outrage was a -deliberate attempt to murder him; the probability is, that it was -a cruel freak, similar to many others for which naval stations have -frequently been infamous. - -Whitefield spent more than six weeks at Plymouth, and in the immediate -neighbourhood. His detention, occasioned by waiting for the convoy, -was not without good results. Hence the following extracts from -letters written during this interval. To John Syms, Whitefield wrote -as follows:―― - - “PLYMOUTH, _July 21, 1744_. - - “MY DEAR MAN,――I expected a line from you to-day; but, I suppose, - you think we are gone. This day came in a privateer, who saw the - Brest squadron, which has pursued two of our men of war; so that, - had we sailed, we should in all probability have been carried - into France. We are now to go under the convoy of the grand - fleet. - - “I have been greatly refreshed this evening in preaching the - blood of Jesus. The congregations grow every day. Last night, - many from the dock guarded me home, being apprehensive there was - a design against me. Without my knowledge, they insulted a man - who intended to hurt me. I am sorry for it. My health is better. - Whether we sail or not, expect to hear again from, dear, dear - Johnny, ever, ever yours whilst - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[99] - - “PLYMOUTH, _July 26, 1744_. - - “Could you think it? I have been preaching a confirmation sermon. - Do you ask me where? In a Quaker’s field. As I saw thousands - flocked to the church to have the bishop’s hands imposed upon - them, I thought it not improper to let them have a word of - exhortation suitable to the occasion. I have also made an - elopement to Kingsbridge, where, a few days ago, I preached to - many thousands. It was a most solemn occasion. The hearts of the - auditory seemed to be bowed as the heart of one man.” - -In other letters to his “dear man,” John Syms, he writes:―― - - “PLYMOUTH, _July 27, 1744_. - - “Matters go on better and better here. I begin to think myself - in London. We have our regular morning meetings. We are looking - out for a place proper for a Society, and to expound in. People - come daily to me, especially from the dock, under convictions. - Some, I believe, have really closed with Christ; and here are - several aged persons perfectly made young again. We are just now - entered upon our singing hours. - - “Fresh news from Kingsbridge of souls being awakened; but I am - kept close prisoner on account of the convoy. Brother Cennick - must come into these parts soon.” - - “PLYMOUTH, _July 29, 1744_. - - “Our Lord has been giving us blessings in drops; but now He is - sending them in showers. We have had a most precious meeting - this morning. Perhaps more good has been done by this one sermon, - than by all I have preached before. The wind is yet against us. - Our Lord detains me here for wise reasons. Some persons, - formerly prejudiced against me, have offered to give me a piece - of ground for a Society room. I believe one will be built soon. - Brother Cennick must stay in the west some time.” - - “PLYMOUTH, _August 3, 1744_. - - “Our convoy is come, and perhaps we may sail to-morrow. It is - delightful to be here. We come from the dock, in the evenings, - singing and praising God. Our parting there has been more awful - than words can express. - - “I must tell you one thing more. There is a ferry over to - Plymouth; and the ferrymen are now so much my friends, that they - will take nothing of the multitude that come to hear me preach, - saying, ‘God forbid that we should sell the word of God!’” - -Thus, at Plymouth, as in other places, did Whitefield triumph in Christ -Jesus. One of the conversions, which took place under his marvellous -ministry, is too notable to pass unnoticed. Henry Tanner, born at -Exeter, was now in the twenty-sixth year of his age, and was working, -at Plymouth, as a shipwright. One day, while at work, he heard, from -a considerable distance, the voice of Whitefield, who was preaching -in the open air; and, concluding that the man was mad, he and half a -dozen of his companions filled their pockets with stones, and set off -to knock the preacher down. Whitefield’s text was Acts xvii. 19, 20. -Tanner listened with astonishment; and, without using his stones, went -home, determined to hear him again next evening. The text, on this -occasion, was Luke xxiv. 47; and Tanner was in such an agony of soul, -that he was forced to cry, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” The next -night, while Whitefield was preaching on “Jacob’s Ladder,” Tanner found -peace with God. He, at once, joined the Society at Plymouth, which had -been formed by Whitefield, and suffered violent persecution from his -unconverted wife. To secure time for prayer and Christian usefulness, -he seldom allowed himself more than six hours in bed, and frequently -but four. Ten years after his conversion, he removed to Exeter, and -began to preach with great success. In 1769, the Tabernacle at Exeter -was built, mainly through his exertions, and he became its minister. -His labours, however, were not confined to Exeter. At the request of -Toplady, he used to preach at Broad Hembury; whilst Moreton, Hampstead, -Crediton, Topsham, and various other places, were favoured with his -services. On Sunday morning, March 24, 1805, when he had completed -the eighty-sixth year of his age, he was carried, in a chair, to his -pulpit, and tried to preach, but was so ill that he was obliged to -relinquish the attempt. A week afterwards he peacefully expired.[100] - -While, however, God was raising up new labourers, by means of -Whitefield’s ministry, He was taking others to Himself. One of these -was the Rev. David Crossly, of Manchester, who, within a week of the -time when Whitefield embarked at Plymouth for America, wrote as follows -to Whitefield’s friend, Mr. Syms:―― - - “MANCHESTER, _August 3, 1744_. - - “How glad I am to hear of Mr. Whitefield’s success in the - service of his God. O happy Mr. Whitefield! His unparalleled - labours, with answerable success, make his life a continued - miracle. For a month past, I have been nigh unto death. My life - is generally despaired of; and the Lord seems to be preparing - the way for it, _first_, by a flow of converts, above twenty - having been added to us during the last two months; and, - _secondly_, by raising up several with very useful gifts; so - that I am ready to say, ‘Lord, now let Thy servant depart in - peace! Let me, O Lord, come above to the palm-bearing company! - Fifty-five years have I been in the work, a poor weakling, yet - crowned, by Thy blessing, with success.’ - - “As to Mr. Whitefield’s Preface to my Sermon,[101] I give a - thousand thanks to him. It is his goodness, not my deserts, - that has placed his valuable name before any performance of - mine.”[102] - -A month after the date of this letter, good old David Crossly was gone. -“I am ready for the Bridegroom,” he cried; “I know my Redeemer liveth;” -with the utterance of which he triumphantly expired.[103] - -Another brave-hearted man must be mentioned. Thomas Beard was one of -Wesley’s preachers, but he was also warmly attached to Whitefield, and -wrote to him the following sweet and simple letter:―― - - “BERWICK-UPON-TWEED, _September 17, 1744_. - - “SIR,――It has been often upon my mind to write to you since I - have been in this state of life, which is not agreeable at all - to my inclinations. I have but little acquaintance with you, - but I hope you will not be offended at my writing to you. The - children of God, while on this side of the grave, always stand - in need of one another’s prayers, especially such of them as are - under persecutions, or temptations, for the truth’s sake. I find - I stand in need of the prayers of all the children of God. - - “I was pressed, in Yorkshire, for preaching, and so sent for a - soldier. I earnestly pray for them who were the occasion of it. - All my trust is reposed in Jesus, my sweet Saviour. I know He - will not leave nor forsake me. His blood has atoned for my sin, - and appeased His Father’s wrath, and procured His favour for - such a sinful worm as myself. Herein is my comfort, though men - raged at me, my dear Saviour did not leave nor forsake me. - - “I have lately been on a command in Scotland, and met with many - who enquired concerning you. I preached at Cowdingham. Some of - your friends came to see me from Coppersmith. Many thought it - strange to see a man in a red coat preach. - - “I beg you would write to me in General Blakeney’s regiment of - foot, in Captain Dunlop’s company. - - “I am your unworthy brother, - - “THOMAS BEARD.”[104] - -Before Whitefield had an opportunity to answer, poor Beard, as one of -the first of Methodism’s martyrs, had been called to inherit a martyr’s -crown. Wesley, in 1744, wrote thus concerning him:―― - - “Thomas Beard, a quiet and peaceable man, who had lately been - torn from his trade, and wife and children, and sent away as a - soldier; that is, banished from all that was near and dear to - him, and constrained to dwell among lions, for no other crime, - either committed or pretended, than that of calling sinners - to repentance. But his soul was in nothing terrified by his - adversaries. Yet the body, after a while, sunk under its burden. - He was then lodged in the hospital at Newcastle, where he still - praised God continually. His arm festered, mortified, and was - cut off: two or three days after which, God signed his discharge, - and called him up to his eternal home.” - -The case of Thomas Beard was far from being a solitary one. Magistrates, -as well as mobs, hated the Methodists, and were always ready to approve -of the violent proceedings of the press-gangs of the period. Not a few -of both Wesley’s and Whitefield’s preachers and people were driven from -their homes, and dragged into the army. Two purposes were thought to be -served by these high-handed acts; first, the army obtained the recruits -it greatly needed; and, secondly, as both mobs and magistrates imagined, -the voices of Methodists and Methodist preachers were likely to be -silenced. The last was a huge mistake. It may fairly be questioned -whether the Methodists, who were forced into the army and navy, did not, -in such positions, render greater service to the cause of Christ and -of Methodism, than they could have rendered had they remained at home -unmolested. Passing men like John Nelson, Thomas Beard, and many others, -pressed into regiments at home, there were a considerable number with -the English army in Flanders, whose heroism and Christianity will -always shed a lustre on Methodism’s early annals. Wesley mentions some -of these with the highest approbation, as, for instance, John Haime, -John Greenwood, William Clements, John Evans, and others. Whitefield -also, in his periodical, the _Christian History_,[105] published a -number of letters, written by soldiers belonging to his own community, -as well as by some who were Wesley’s followers. One man, at Ghent, -under the date of December 24, 1744, tells of being recently converted -under the preaching of a “dragoon,” belonging to “the first regiment -of guards,” in which regiment there were now “about a hundred members -of that branch of the Society, that is, the _United Society_.” -He continues: “The Lord adds to our number daily, and works very -powerfully amongst us.” Another, at the same place, blesses God that -he ever heard John Cennick preach. Anthony Conjuet, “a drummer in the -English camp in Flanders,” relates that he and the regiment of English -Guards had lately been “seven hours under the firing of the French -cannons,” and then adds:―― - - “There are many of the members of the Societies killed and - wounded. Most of them were taken notice of for their valour. - Ebenezer Wells and Thomas Burford, and our brothers Cook and - Forrest, are all wounded, and prisoners with the French. William - Clements, teacher of a Society, is wounded in both arms, but is - in a fair way to do well. John Evans, teacher of another Society, - (who is a gunner of the train,) and Brother Hymms (Haime?) the - dragoon, are well. Brother Hymms is also teacher of another - Society. There are three other teachers alive and well. - - “There is a great awakening in our camp, and the work of grace - goes on with great success. Many blaspheming tongues are now - singing praises to God, and to the Lamb.” - -William Clements, mentioned in the foregoing letter, gives an account -of “an engagement with the French, which lasted from five o’clock -in the morning until three in the afternoon;” and of his being “now -under the surgeon’s hands in Brussels.” He adds, that he has “received -letters from the Brethren at the Camp,” telling him, that, since the -battle, “the work of the Lord had gone on with great power.” And then, -after sending his salutations to his “friend in Suffolk,” he concludes -thus:―― - - “Grant, I beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that we may be - of that happy number who have washed their robes and made them - white in the blood of the Lamb; and that we may stand upon Mount - Zion, amongst the multitude which no man can number, to sing - praises and hallelujahs for ever and ever. Amen. - - “Which is all at present from your poor unworthy brother, - - “W. CLEMENTS.” - -These were bravely loyal, though deeply injured, Methodists; and -displayed equal valour in fighting for their country, and for the -kingdom of their God and Saviour. - -Before following Whitefield to America, a few facts respecting the -Societies over which he and his assistants presided may be useful. -For want of materials, a full account of these is impossible; but the -following scraps of information, taken from the _Christian History_, -will, perhaps, be interesting:―― - -_Wales._――_Herbert Jenkins_, in a letter dated “October 3, 1744,” -tells of attending an “Association,” in Wales, at which “above twenty -brethren” were present. - - “The Lord,” says he, “made us of one heart and mind. We - consulted about the best measures to carry on the cause of our - Redeemer. We sung and prayed heartily together. When we parted, - we went east, west, north, and south. The waters were out, and - I was to the middle of my leg on horseback. One of the brethren - had his horse carried away by the floods, and he himself - narrowly escaped being drowned.” - -In another letter, dated “February 23, 1745,” _Jenkins_ writes:―― - - “I went to the Association in Wales, where about sixty of us - met together, four of whom were clergymen. The Lord was amongst - us. Many of the hearers were greatly comforted. We were two days - together, and had sweet harmony. We had good accounts of the - progress of the work of our Lord in six or seven counties.” - -_Bristol_, _Bath_, etc.――In October, 1744, _E. Godwin_ writes:―― - - “I have changed the tickets of about a hundred and twenty at - Bristol, and have received fourteen new members. After I changed - the tickets, I held a lovefeast, when, with a hymn, we publicly - admitted our new members. On the first Monday in this month, we - had a letter-day. We were about three hours together, and had - a collection for defraying the charge of the place, which was - the largest that had been made since Mr. Whitefield solemnized - a feast-day here.” - -Under the date of November 16, 1744, _Herbert Jenkins_ says:―― - - “The hall in Bristol is commonly full. I generally preach, - morning and evening, with freedom and delight. The people are - devout and serious. Last Sunday, I preached four times; but, - though I had walked to Connam and Kingswood, I was stronger in - body, and happier in my soul at last than I was at first. The - Society at Bath goes on sweetly, and grows in grace, and in - number, daily. We had a choice lovefeast there last Thursday - night. It was the first in that place, and was very solemn and - orderly.” - -_Ludlow_, _Leominster_, etc.――In a letter, dated December 12, 1744, -_James Ingram_ says:―― - - “I went to Ludlow, it being fair-day there; and soon had a - pressing invitation to preach at an honest Dissenter’s house. I - complied, though a young man told my sister I should be put into - the stocks if I offered to _cant_ there. I preached to a serious - auditory, and the poor loving people would not willingly part - with me. Only one of them had ever heard such things before. I - promised to visit them again. The Society at Leominster seems - pretty sweet. We met at four in the morning. I have now almost - finished my round, and a happy one it has been. The people in - Monmouthshire are more lively than usual. I was accompanied by - eight or nine horse-people, and some on foot, from Caldicot to - Redwick.” - -A letter from _James Beaumont_ must be quoted at greater length. It is -dated June 10, 1745. He writes:―― - - “On Thursday, the 7th inst., I was at Leominster. During the - time of my preaching, the people behaved tolerably well; but, - soon after I had done, a man came to press me. He took me to the - justice’s house, and there left me. The justice being absent, - I knew not what to do; but, seeing myself surrounded by a large - and turbulent mob, I got upon the justice’s steps, and spake - of their illegal proceedings, and then returned, without any - hurt, to Brother K――――’s, and sang a hymn of praise to our - great Deliverer. Soon after this, I was pressed again, by - another constable, who took me before the commissioners in - a public-house. By this time the town was in an uproar. The - commissioners ordered the constable to take me to a private - room. I was confined about four hours; and was then called - before the commissioners, who asked me if I was exempted from the - present Act. I told them I was. Justice H―――― said, ‘By what?’ - I answered, ‘I have £3 a year freehold in the parish of Old - Radnor.’ ‘Where are your writings?’ said they. I said, ‘At home.’ - They then asked me if I had any friend, in Leominster, who would - satisfy them of the account I had given of myself. ‘I have,’ - said I; and, soon after, the man came in, and confirmed what I - had said. Then the gentlemen were pleased to condescend to do - me justice, and I was discharged immediately. They ordered an - officer to guard me to my friends, to whom I was safely brought; - and we joined in praises to God for His mercies to me His sinful - child.” - -_Wiltshire._――On November 15, 1744, _E. Godwin_ writes:―― - - “Wiltshire is surely a garden of the Lord. Last week I was - chiefly about Longley and Brinkworth. Last Monday I went to - Blunsdon. It was their revel; so I preached out of doors, and - a great power seemed to attend the word, some crying, who had - hardly ever wept since they were children.” - -The preacher, at this time appointed to the Wiltshire circuit, was -_George Cook_, of whom E. Godwin had said, only a few weeks before, -“Brother Cook’s preaching is much blessed in Wiltshire, though his -gifts are not enlarged enough for a city.” On December 8, _Cook_ wrote -to Cennick:―― - - “On the 22nd day of last month I went to Wickwar. As soon as - I began preaching, the mob came with sheep-bells tied to a - stick, and so they did ring them. They had also frying-pans, - horse-rugles, a salt-box, and a post-horn. Some of the mob did - put their mouths to the window, and made a noise like that of - dogs; and they called me false prophet, and all manner of names - they could think of; but Satan can go no farther than his chain. - The Lord gave me an uncommon power to speak of His blood; and - many of the people were greatly refreshed in their souls. Pray - for me, dear sir. - - “I am your little, weak, sinful, simple brother, in the wounds - of the Lamb, - - “GEORGE COOK.” - -Within a month afterwards, this “weak and simple brother” was dead. -_John Cennick_ writes:―― - - “January 7, 1745. I rode round by Avebury, where brother Cook - sickened of the small-pox. The minister of Avebury behaved very - ill while he was sick, and threatened he would remove him, bad - as he was, out of the place, and would treat him as a vagabond. - He was not willing that brother Cook should be buried at Avebury; - and, therefore, in the dead of the night, the friends brought - him to Tytherton upon a horse; and, about two o’clock on Sunday - morning last, they laid him by the side of three other bodies of - the saints.” - -Eight months after this strange interment, _John Edwards_ came to -Avebury, where George Cook had died. Edwards shall tell his own story. - - “I went to Avebury, where we had a blessed season; but, in the - midst of my discourse, came the minister’s servant-maid, from - her master, with a partridge for my supper; and to tell me, that - he would have me come to drink a bottle with him. I met him the - next day, and thanked him for his present and invitation. He - called me _ignorant_, _unlearned_, _fool_, etc. I told him I - was wise unto salvation; but as for being a fool, I acknowledged - that, and was determined to be more and more a fool for Christ’s - sake. He hooted and hallooed me, like a schoolboy, till I - left him. The same night, when in the midst of my discourse, - a company came, and began to throw stones at me, and struck me - once on the breast. The people shut the door, and then those - outside began their music with bells and horns. They broke the - windows with clubs, and some of the people’s faces were cut with - glass. They threw in dirt and mud; and, at length, I broke off - preaching, and went to prayer for our enemies.” - -_Gloucestershire._――_Isaac Cottell_, in a letter dated October 10, -1744, gives an account of his labours in the Gloucestershire circuit. -The following is an extract:―― - - “On October 7, I came to Wickwar about five o’clock in the - evening. The house, where I was to preach, was surrounded with a - mob, making a great noise. When I had been there about a quarter - of an hour, in came the curate of the town, three gentlemen, and - the constable with his long black staff. One of the gentlemen - ordered the people to make way for the parson to come up to me. - I was then singing a hymn; and the gentleman snatched the book - out of my hand, tore it, and threw it up into the window. I then - gave out a verse _extempore_; and he put his elbow up to stop - my mouth. Then the curate came up to me, and began to read the - Act of Parliament, and commanded us to depart in half an hour. - At the same time, the gentleman asked me why I ran about the - country, to pick people’s pockets? I told him I came to preach - the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings. He said I came to make - a riot. I told him, if he did not take care, he would make a - riot himself. With that the gentlemen began to withdraw; and - I got upon a stool, sang a hymn, and went to prayer. Dear sir, - though the devil roars, the Lord Jesus Christ will have the - victory.” - -This kind of persecution, in Whitefield’s native country, was continued. -Ten months afterwards, _George Cross_ wrote to John Cennick:―― - - “I met with much opposition in Gloucestershire; for T. B. had - declared to the congregations at Thornbury and Rangeworthy, - that, I preach damnable doctrine; and that you, brother Godwin, - brother Thorne, brother Pugh, and I worship the body of Jesus, - which, he said, is idolatry.” - -_Essex._――In a letter dated July 30, 1744, _F. Pugh_ gives an -interesting narrative of his preaching at Braintree, Bocking, and in -“a Quaker’s mill-yard, about a mile from Chelmsford.” In another letter, -written at Braintree, twelve months afterwards, he says:―― - - “I have met with a deal of persecution since I came here. There - were many stones, and much dust thrown at me last Wednesday - night. There is a mountebank in town, who is the cause of all - the persecution. There was a drummer, who drew his hanger at me, - and damned me, saying it was fit for me to die; but a soldier - ran to him, and took it from him. Last Sunday, I preached at - Tiptree-heath, to some thousands. There were two chariots; and - gentlemen in gold lace came to hear. One of the gentlemen, in a - chariot, sent for me, and desired me to preach in the town where - he lived; but I could not, for my rounds were already settled - and published.” - -_Northamptonshire_, etc.――_Thomas Lewis_, in a long letter, written -at Olney, October 13, 1744, tells of his preaching “in the Tabernacle” -there, for an entire week, and of the conversions which took place -during the services. At Northampton, “the people seemed to be all in -a flame, and stretched after God.” Other places in the counties of -Buckingham and Northampton were also visited. - -_Staffordshire_, etc.――_W. Allt_ writes:―― - - “February 6, 1745. Several at Whittington are under convictions. - One, who had spent all his youth in indefatigable industry to - gather together this world’s wealth, was for selling what he had, - and said he could travel the world over with me; but I advised - him to keep at home, telling him that Jesus would be found there. - Many at Wolverhampton seem very desirous to meet, but dare not, - the mob is so desperate. They arose, after I was gone on Sunday - last, and broke brother D――――’s windows, and beat a young man - shamefully, and tore his coat all to pieces. At Brewood, the - friends are very zealous, in going from house to house, to tell - what the Lord has done for them; and people come several miles - to converse, and sing, and pray with them. I am persuaded, if - a minister was there, several hundreds would come to hear him - every Sunday. The people are very simple and free from prejudice. - They say the parishioners are half papists; and the Church and - Dissenting ministers are exceeding bitter. I have exhorted twice - at Birmingham with much freedom.” - -_Herbert Jenkins_, in a letter, dated February 23, 1745, says:―― - - “The first night I was at Birmingham, the people received the - word with great affection, and with many tears. The place where - we met on Sunday night was so thronged that the candles went - out; but the Lord made the place a Bethel to our souls. I stayed - there four days, declaring to all who came the glad tidings - of salvation. From thence, I went to Wednesbury, where, for a - week, morning and evening, I shunned not to declare the whole - counsel of God. Many heard with tears, longing and panting for - a discovery of the Lord Jesus; while others rejoiced in the Lord, - their portion and everlasting friend. There is much Christian - simplicity among them. I preached once at Wolverhampton (a large - populous place), to a little company of sincere seeking souls. - The next day I went to Brewood, where there was scarcely a - dry eye among all the people. From thence, I went to Bewdley, - where I was invited by a minister of the Established Church, - who received me very courteously, and procured the Presbyterian - meeting-house for me to preach in. The minister came to hear me, - and behaved very civilly. The people flocked to hear the word. - There is a little Society formed.” - -_Devonshire._――After attending “The Association” of Calvinistic -Methodists in Bristol, _John Cennick_, on September 5, 1744, set out -for Devonshire. He preached in Mr. Darracott’s chapel at Wellington, -to a “congregation made up of Church people, and several sorts of -Dissenters.” He had, what he calls, “blessed times,” at Exeter. At -Kingsbridge, he preached in the Baptist and Presbyterian chapels. At -Plymouth, “the room” was always crowded; and, on Tuesday, September 11, -he “laid the first stone of the New Tabernacle with prayer and -singing.” On his return to London (to officiate as Whitefield’s -successor at the Tabernacle), he spent ten days at Exeter, where the -Dissenting ministers circulated “fly-sheets,” asserting that Whitefield -and his assistants were “false prophets, unlearned, and Antinomians.” -Cennick was a puzzle to the people. Some said he was “a patten-maker;” -others said he had been “a footman.” Numerous other trades were -mentioned, when, at last, a man declared he “was certainly a coachman.” -“Yes,” replied another, who happened to be one of Cennick’s hearers. -“Yes, he is a coachman, and drives the chariot of the Lord, and wishes -you all to be his passengers.” - -On his arrival in London, Cennick seems to have received a large number -of letters from the Plymouth converts. One correspondent told him, that, -the Presbyterian minister had warned his people against Whitefield and -his preachers, whom he called “Bold Intruders, Usurpers, and Novices.” -The same writer said:―― - - “I have removed our singing meeting to the Baptist Chapel. - There are about fifty who meet to learn the tunes. My house is, - every night, like a little church; and, last Sunday evening, - I began to read Mr. Whitefield’s sermons to the people. Several - gentlemen have desired to draw off our masons, so that the - building of the Tabernacle has been neglected. I have had much - trouble to keep the work going forward.” - -Cennick was succeeded in Devonshire by _Thomas Adams_. At Exeter, Adams -preached in “the Society room,” at five in the mornings; and in the -house of Mr. Kennedy, his host, at seven in the evenings. He writes: -“It would have delighted you to have seen the multitudes who flocked -to hear. Mr. Kennedy’s three rooms and large passage would not near -contain the people: many, very many stood in the court.” At Kingsbridge, -Adams met a lawyer who had been converted by Whitefield’s preaching. At -Plymouth, he found “the partition-wall of bigotry tumbling down daily.” -This was in the month of November, 1744. Shortly afterwards, so far as -Exeter was concerned, the scene had changed. - -In 1745, a pamphlet of forty-two pages was published at Exeter, -entitled, “A brief Account of the late Persecution and Barbarous Usage -of the Methodists at Exeter.[106] By an Impartial Hand.” The author -assures his readers, that he is not a Methodist himself; and that “it -would never have entered his head to have taken up his pen in defence -of the Methodists, had they not been daily, and openly, treated in -Exeter with such rudeness, violence, and abuse, as would have made even -_Indians_, or Pagans, to have blushed.” He relates that,―― - - “The rioters violently entered the Methodist meeting-house, - interrupted the minister with opprobrious and obscene language, - and fell upon him in a most furious manner with blows and kicks. - They treated every man they could lay their hands upon with - such abuse and indignity as is not to be expressed. But what is - more than all, was their abominable rudeness to the poor women. - Some were stripped quite naked. Others notwithstanding their - most piercing cries for mercy and deliverance, were forcibly - held by some of the wicked ruffians, while others turned their - petticoats over their heads, and forced them to remain, in that - condition, as a spectacle to their infamous banter and ridicule; - the poor creatures being afterwards dragged through the kennel, - which had been filled with mud and dirt. Others of the women - had their clothes, yea, their very shifts, torn from their - backs. Towards the close of the evening, one of the mob forced - a woman up into the gallery, and attempted other outrages, three - different times. After many struggles, she freed herself, leaped - over the gallery, and so made her escape. Many, to avoid falling - into the hands of this wicked crew, leaped out of the windows, - and got over the garden walls, to the endangering of their lives. - This outrage was committed in the centre of the city, and in the - presence of many thousands. The riot continued for several hours. - The mob had their full swing. No magistrates came to the relief - or assistance of the poor people, notwithstanding they were - applied to, and greatly importuned to read the Riot Act. It is - true, no one was actually murdered; but the whole Society were - put into great danger and fear of their lives, and expected - nothing but death. Many of the women are now in very critical - circumstances, under the care of surgeons and apothecaries; and - their lives are even yet (two days after the riot) in danger. - - “Before I dismiss this Exeter riot, I must remark, that the - Methodists, not only on the day of the grand riot, but, many - times since, have been treated by this lawless rabble with the - utmost fury and violence. They have been mobbed and insulted, - at noonday, in the open streets, and furiously pelted with dirt, - stones, sticks, and cabbage-stumps. - - “After the strictest enquiry, I cannot find that any one - _Dissenter_, of _any denomination_, was at all concerned in - this riot. They were all of the _old stamp_, that have ever - been known by the name of _church rabble_; though I cannot - omit to notice, that the Methodists complain much against - the Presbyterian clergy, who (they say), in their sermons - and conversations, frequently represent them in a _false_ and - _injurious_ light; and, thereby, lessen the affection, and raise - the antipathy, of the people towards them.” - -The author concludes by saying, that his pamphlet was written “for his -_own private amusement_, and without any design to _publish_ it;” and -that its _publication_ was the result of what he saw and heard after -the pamphlet was finished. - - “On a certain evening, he saw, with his own eyes, the wicked - rioters collected and assembled together, by beat of drum, in - the open streets, with sticks and bats, in order to disturb - and abuse the poor Methodists, who were at their meeting-house, - worshipping and serving God, in a manner perfectly innocent - and inoffensive, without the least disturbance to the public - peace. He saw the Methodists flee with great fear and trembling, - and the rabble persecuting with rage and violence. And he - heard, that, the very night before, this same riotous crew, - to the number of many hundreds, attacked Mr. Adams, one of the - Methodist ministers, with sticks, dirt, and mud; and that, in - all probability, they would have murdered him in the open street, - had not a good Samaritan, in Southgate Street, taken him into - his house, and there rescued him from their violent and wicked - hands.” - -At the risk of being prolix, Mr. Adams’s own account must be added to -these statements of the “impartial” observer at Exeter. The _Christian -History_ No. 3, vol. vii., 1745, contains two letters on the subject, -one by “a gentleman in Exeter,”[107] dated June 16, 1745, and the -other by Thomas Adams himself, dated Hampton, June 20, 1745. The latter -writes:―― - - “On my way to the west, I heard of a cruel persecution at Exeter; - but I had no freedom to omit going thither, though I expected - much opposition. Our Saviour brought me there on Saturday - evening, and I was kindly received by Mr. Kennedy and his - wife. Many told me, we should be mobbed, if I preached in the - play-house; but we thought it was right to try. Accordingly, I - preached there, at six o’clock on Sunday morning, and we were - not much disturbed. I preached again in the afternoon, and, - though many of the mob came in, they did not disturb us. - - “The next morning, (Monday) we were much interrupted, by the - mob beating a drum and a pan, at a window of the play-house; - and they hallooed us, and beat the drum quite to Mr. Kennedy’s - house. We did not, however, receive much personal abuse until - eight days after, when I came back from Plymouth.” [Adams here - interjects an account of his preaching at Plymouth, Kingsbridge, - Wonhil, and Tavistock, at which last-mentioned place, the mob - brought out the water-engine, and endeavoured to play it upon - him and his congregation. He then proceeds with his narrative - of the persecution at Exeter.] - - “The evening I returned to Exeter, I preached in Mr. Kennedy’s - house. The next morning, (Thursday) I preached at the play-house; - and so continued morning and evening till Saturday; but not - without interruption of a drum, besides being hallooed after, - and pushed about, as we went along the street. - - “On Saturday morning, as soon as I had done preaching, some of - the brethren told me there were several constables waiting at - the _Dove_ to impress me. Accordingly, when I came to the _Dove_, - one of the constables laid hold on me, and said, I was a fit - person to serve the king. I told him, if he had sufficient - authority for his proceedings, I would go with him. They then - took hold of Brother S――――, who had come with me from Plymouth, - and told him he must go with me. We knew not whither we were - going, till we got to Southgate prison. When we came to the - prison door, they stopped us, and said, we must go in there. - Having entered, one of the constables asked me what countryman - I was. I modestly answered, ‘My country is Canaan, and thither - I am journeying.’ They said we must stay in prison till Monday, - and then be brought before the justices at their quarter - sessions. - - “We had not, however, been there above five or six hours, - when two of the constables came again, and desired to know our - circumstances and manner of living; and particularly if I had - taken the oaths, and qualified myself for preaching. I said, - ‘You ought to have enquired into this before you brought us - hither. Do we look like vagrants? Mr. S. is a tradesman, and - keeps an open shop in Plymouth, and came hither about business. - He is also a constable, so that you have impressed one of the - king’s officers. As to myself, I am of the Church of England, - and have no need to take the oaths to qualify myself for a - preacher; and, besides, I am a freeholder.’ When they heard this, - they said, ‘Gentlemen, we have no more to say. You are welcome - to go as soon as you please.’ So they called the keeper of the - prison, and desired him to release us. At first, he refused, and - said he durst not without an order from the magistrates. They - said, as they brought us thither without being committed by the - justices, they had power to release us. The keeper said, they - must give security to bear him blameless. Whether they did or - not, I cannot tell; but they let us go; and I believe the poor - constables were as glad to bring us out as they were to put us - in. I gave the turnkey sixpence, because he used us kindly, and - asked us to go on the leads of the house to air ourselves. - - “In the evening, I again preached in the play-house, but was - much disturbed. Some beat a drum; some hallooed; some stamped - up and down the galleries; and some spat on the people, and - slapped them on their faces. Mr. S. and another[108] went to - a justice of the peace, and desired the Proclamation might be - read, to disperse the mob. The justice said he would come; and - bid them go directly to the town clerk’s, and he would meet them - there. Thither they went, and from thence to the mayor’s, who - made many objections against going. After great delay, he went - with reluctance; but, before they came, we were gone, being - apprehensive that the mob would abuse the women as they had done - before, which was cruel and inhuman. - - “The passage, from the play-house to the street, was filled with - fellows of the baser sort. One poor wretch gnashed his teeth, - and swore he would be revenged on me. We were pushed about most - grievously. The women were thrown into the dirt, and one had - her eye much hurt. Two of the brethren were cuffed prodigiously. - I received only some scratches on my hand, but was besmeared - all over with mud and dirt, the mob pelting us with all the - nastiness the kennels afforded, till we got to the house of - Mr. Kennedy. - - “The next day being Sunday, and the last of my being there, - many of our friends thought it would be best to preach in - Mr. Kennedy’s house, which I did both morning and evening. It - was well we did not go to the play-house, for the mob were there, - and seemed more desperate than ever. One of our friends found - a paper stuck up against the play-house door, with these words: - ‘_For the benefit of the mob. This evening will be acted at the - theatre, Hell in an Uproar; or, the Furies let loose. The part - of Beelzebub, by Mr. P――――ns: Queen of Hell, by Mrs. L――――w, - etc._’ - - “After I had done preaching on Sunday evening, and was going - to Rocks Lane, to take my leave of the Society, I was stopped - by the same two constables who imprisoned and released us. - They told me, the mayor had sent them to acquaint me, that I - must meet him and the justices at their quarter sessions on - the morrow, at eleven o’clock. I answered, ‘I cannot, for I am - obliged to go out of town early in the morning.’ They said, if I - would not promise them to be there, they must keep me in custody. - I said, I would wait upon the mayor in half an hour, if they - would appoint a place where I should meet them; which they did. - So I gave a short exhortation to the Society; and then Brother - S―――― and I went with one of the constables to the mayor. - - “His worship asked me if my name was Adams. I said, ‘Yes.’ He - asked if I was the preacher. I said, ‘Yes.’ ‘Have you qualified - yourself?’ I answered, ‘My qualification and sufficiency are - of the Lord.’ He bid me not tell him of the _Lord_, but to - say whether I had qualified myself according to the Act of - Toleration. I answered, ‘I am not a Dissenter, and therefore - have nothing to do with that Act, being a son of the Church - of England.’ He furiously cried, ‘You are not of the Church,’ - and called me several ridiculous names. I said, ‘Sir, you may - call me what you please, but I say I am of the Church; and, - considering myself so, do not know that my proceedings are - illegal.’ He called me several names again, and said I made - collections among the poor people, and got their money from - them. ‘Sir,’ said I, ‘I never made a collection amongst them - in my life.’ He persisted in saying that I did; and asked, ‘How - else do you live?’ ‘Sir,’ I said, ‘I have nothing from you; - and I know not why I came here to receive such ill-treatment;’ - to which I added, that, ‘I did not apprehend I was under any - obligation at all to come there; for,’ said I, ‘by the same rule - that you stop me on my journey, you may stop any gentleman who - comes on business.’ He answered, ‘Sure you have not the d――――d - impudence to call yourself a gentleman!’ I said, ‘Sir, whether I - be gentle or simple, I am sure you do not use me well; therefore, - I don’t think to stay any longer with you.’ ‘But,’ said he, ‘I - desire you will be at the quarter sessions to-morrow.’ ‘I cannot,’ - said I, ‘for I am obliged to go out of town very early in the - morning.’ The constable standing by said, ‘Sir, if you please, - I will keep him in custody till the time.’ ‘Will you?’ said I; - ‘you had best know by what authority you touch me. If you act - contrary to law, I shall let you hear of it. Besides,’ I added, - ‘you know I have not reckoned with you yet for yesterday’s five - hours’ false imprisonment.’ And so, without offering to stop us - any longer, they let us go. - - “When we came out of the mayor’s house into the street, we - found a mob of some hundreds gathered together, who pelted us - with cabbage-stumps, and whatever they could find, until we came - almost to Southgate, which was near a furlong; when one opened - a door, and desired us to come in, which we did. By this time, - I was ready to fall down, by reason of the violent blows I - received on my head, and other parts of my body. O good God, - forgive these cruel men! - - “I am to return to the west in a few days. I am filled with - comfort, and not in the least troubled or terrified, though I - expect much opposition, and am persuaded afflictions await me. - O pray for me, my dear, dear friends, that I may be kept near - the Saviour, and may be made bold as a lion, wise as a serpent, - meek as a lamb, and harmless as a dove.” - -This is a long account; but it is useful as illustrating the state of -some of the first towns in the kingdom a hundred and thirty years ago; -and as shewing the cruel persecutions to which Whitefield’s preachers, -and the Societies they had gathered, were at that time subjected. - -It would be easy to furnish other extracts from the _Christian -History_――a book now nearly non-existent; but enough has been written -to afford the reader a glimpse――though an imperfect one――of the extent -and quality of Whitefield’s brotherhood, when, for the third time, he -set sail for America. - - - - - _THIRD VISIT TO AMERICA._ - - AUGUST 1744 TO JUNE 1748. - - -WHITEFIELD and his wife embarked at Plymouth about August 10, and -landed at York, in New England, on October 26. The voyage was long, -rough, and dangerous. Six days before his arrival, he wrote:―― - - “In a week or two after we sailed, we began to have a church - in our ship. Two serious New England friends, finding how I - was served at Portsmouth, came from thence to Plymouth, to bear - me company. We had regular public prayer morning and evening, - frequent communion, and days of humiliation and fasting. Being - time of war, and sailing out with near a hundred and fifty ships, - we had several convoys. Their taking leave of each other, at - their several appointed places, was striking. We have often been - alarmed; once with the sight of a Dutch fleet, which we took for - an enemy; and again at the sight of Admiral Balchen, who rode by - us, receiving the obeisance of the surrounding ships as though - he were lord of the whole ocean. On another occasion, one of - the ships struck her mainsail into our bowsprit. A little after - we came up with the convoy, and our captain informed them of - what had happened. The answer was, ‘This is your praying, and - be damned to you!’ This shocked me more than the striking of the - ships. At another time, we were alarmed with the sight of two - ships, which our captain took to be enemies. The preparations - for an engagement were formidable: guns were mounted, chains put - round the masts, everything taken out of the great cabin, and - hammocks placed about the sides of the ships. All, except myself, - seemed ready for fire and smoke. My wife, after having dressed - herself to prepare for all events, set about making cartridges, - whilst I wanted to go into the holes of the ship, hearing - that was the chaplain’s usual place. I went; but not liking my - situation, I crept upon deck, and, for the first time in my life, - beat up to arms, by a warm exhortation. The apprehended enemy - approached; but, upon a nearer view, we found them to be two - ships going under the same convoy as ourselves.” - -Perhaps it will be thought that Whitefield and his fellow-voyagers were -more alarmed than hurt. But the narrative is not ended. When near the -port of York, a small fishing smack approached them. Being told that -the smack would be in port several hours before the ship, Whitefield -and others went on board. It soon grew dark. The pilots missed the -inlet, and the smack was tossed about all night. Whitefield’s hunger -was such, that, to use his own expression, he “could have gnawed the -very boards.” The fishermen had nothing eatable, except a few potatoes. -Whitefield eagerly devoured them. About half an hour after his arrival -at York, he “was put to bed, racked with a nervous colic, and convulsed -from his waist down to his toes.” For four days, his life was in danger. -Word was sent to Boston, that he was dying. A friend and a physician -came, says he, “either to take care of me, or to attend my funeral; but, -to their great surprise, they found me in the pulpit.” The truth is, -as soon as Whitefield’s pain abated, the minister at York asked him to -preach, and, of course, the temptation was too powerful to be resisted. - -Not content with this imprudence, he crossed the ferry to Portsmouth, -caught cold, had a return of illness, and was taken to the house -of Mr. Sherburne.[109] Three physicians attended him, and Colonel -Pepperell,[110] with many others, came to condole with him. It so -happened, however, that he was announced to preach at Portsmouth the -day after his arrival. A substitute was provided: but, when the time -for holding the service came, Whitefield suddenly exclaimed, “Doctor, -my pains are suspended; by the help of God, I will go and preach, and -then come home and die.” He wrote:―― - - “With some difficulty, I reached the pulpit. All looked quite - surprised. I was as pale as death, and told them they must - look upon me as a dying man; and that I came to bear my dying - testimony to the truths I had formerly preached amongst them, - and to the invisible realities of another world. I continued - an hour in my discourse, and nature was almost exhausted; but, - O what life, what power, spread all around! All seemed to be - melted, and were in tears. Upon my coming home, I was laid on a - bed, upon the ground, near the fire; and I heard them say, ‘He - is gone!’ but God was pleased to order it otherwise. I gradually - recovered; and, soon after, a poor negro woman came, sat down - upon the ground, looked earnestly in my face, and said, ‘Master, - you just go to heaven’s gate; but Jesus Christ said, Get you - down, get you down; you must not come here yet. Go first, and - call more poor negroes.’[111] You will find by this, I am still - alive; and, if spared to be made instrumental in making any - poor dead soul alive to God, I shall rejoice that the all-wise - Redeemer has kept me out of heaven a little longer.” - -Whitefield was now thoroughly disabled. Hence the following letter from -his wife to a friend in England:―― - - “PORTSMOUTH, NEW ENGLAND, _November 14, 1744_. - - “My dear and honoured master has ordered me to send you an - account of our sorrowful, yet joyful, voyage. - - “Our captain and others say, they never saw such a voyage; for - all nature seemed to be turned upside down. We had nothing but - storms, calms, and contrary winds. We frequently expected to go - into eternity. Our own provision was spent; and Mr. Whitefield - was so ill, that he could not take the ship’s provision. The - winds were such that we expected to be driven off the coast, - after we had seen land a week. We prayed to the Lord to send a - boat to take us on shore; and, accordingly, a fishing schooner - came, that had not been out for a long time before. Into it we - went, hoping to get on shore in three or four hours: but the - wind arose, and we were out all night. - - “On the morrow, being the 26th of October, we landed, about nine - in the morning, at York; where the Lord was pleased to visit my - dear and honoured master with a nervous colic, which almost took - his life. As soon as he was able to go about, he went out and - preached twice a day, which was too much for him. We came from - York here; and, in the way, he preached in the rain. On reaching - Portsmouth, he preached at candle-light. This laid him up again, - and the next day he was judged to be dangerously ill; but, when - the time he had proposed to preach arrived, finding himself free - from pain, he went out and preached. This had like to have cost - him his life, for he became as cold as a clod. But the Lord was - pleased to hear prayer from him, and he is now in a fair way. - - “The Lord is doing great things here. The fields are indeed - ready to the harvest, though there is some opposition. Mr. - Whitefield has written several things, which will be sent as - soon as printed here. We received your letter by Captain Adams, - but Mr. Whitefield has not strength to answer it. He desires - you will send the contents of this to all friends, and tell them - they may expect letters the first opportunity. - - “The Lord is with my dear Mr. Whitefield, and has been through - his illness. He says, he was frequently in hopes of entering - his eternal rest; but, since he is longer detained, he is fully - persuaded it will be for the Mediator’s glory. I would enlarge, - but my dear master’s illness, and many other things, oblige me - to subscribe myself your sincere friend and affectionate servant, - - “ELIZABETH WHITEFIELD.”[112] - -Mrs. Whitefield speaks of “_some opposition_.” What was it? -Considerable space will have to be occupied in answering this question. -The reader will already have observed that some of the Presbyterian -and Congregational ministers of America were as bitterly opposed -to Whitefield as were any of the clergy of the Church of England. -This will become increasingly manifest by the following details. -First of all, however, must be given a rampant letter by a quondam -Congregationalist, who was now an Episcopalian of the most fervid type. - -Timothy Cutler, after graduating at Harvard College, was ordained in -1709, minister of Stratford, Connecticut, and soon became the most -celebrated preacher in the colony. In 1719, he was chosen president -of Yale College. Three years afterwards, he renounced his connection -with the Congregational churches; and, in consequence, was dismissed -from his presidential chair. Embarking for England, he was, in 1723, -ordained, first a deacon and then a priest of the Established Church; -and, at the same time, was created a doctor of divinity, by the -Oxford University. Soon after, he became rector of Christ Church, -Boston, where he continued till his death in 1765. Though haughty and -overbearing in his manners, he was a man of great ability, and, in -addition to his general learning, was one of the best oriental scholars -of the age. In the following letter to the Rev. Dr. Zachary Grey, of -Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire, Dr. Cutler, doubtless, represented -the Episcopalian animosity too generally cherished by the clergy of -New England. - - “BOSTON, NEW ENGLAND, _September 24, 1743_. - - “Whitefield has plagued us with a witness. It would be - an endless attempt to describe the scene of confusion and - disturbance occasioned by him: the divisions of families, - neighbourhoods, and towns; the contrariety of husbands and wives; - the undutifulness of children and servants; the quarrels among - the teachers; the disorders of the night; the intermission of - labour and business; the neglect of husbandry and the gathering - of the harvest. - - “Our presses are for ever teeming with books, and our women with - bastards. Many of the teachers have left their particular cures, - and are strolling about the country. Some have been ordained by - them _evangelizers_. They all have their _armour-bearers_ and - _exhorters_. In many conventicles and places of rendezvous, - there has been chequered work――several preaching, and several - exhorting, or praying, at the same time,――the rest crying, or - laughing, yelping, sprawling, or fainting. This revel, in some - places, has been maintained many days and nights together, with - intermission, and then there were the ‘blessed outpourings of - the Spirit!’ - - “Some of the _New Lights_[113] have overdone themselves by - ranting and blaspheming, and are quite demolished; others have - extremely weakened their interest, and others are terrified - from going the lengths they are inclined to. On the other hand, - many of the _Old Lights_ (thus are they distinguished) have been - forced to trim, and some have lost their congregations; but they - will soon raise up a new congregation in any new town where they - are opposed. I do not know, but we have fifty, in one place or - other, and some of them large and much frequented. - - “When Mr. Whitefield first arrived here, the whole town was - alarmed. He made his first visit to church on a Friday, and - conversed with many of our clergy together, and belied them, - me especially, when he had gone. Being not invited into our - pulpits, the Dissenters were highly pleased, and engrossed him; - and immediately the bells rang, and all hands went to lecture. - This show kept on all the while he was here. The town was ever - alarmed; the streets were filled with people, with coaches, and - chaises――all for the benefit of that holy man. The conventicles - were crowded; but he rather chose the common, where multitudes - might see him in all his awful postures: besides, in one crowded - conventicle, six were killed in a fight before he came in. The - fellow treated the most venerable with an air of superiority; - but he for ever lashed and anathematized the Church of England, - and that was enough. - - “After him came one Tennent――a monster! impudent and noisy――and - told them they were all _damned! damned! damned!_ This charmed - them; and, in the most dreadful winter I ever saw, people - wallowed in snow, night and day, for the benefit of his beastly - brayings; and many ended their days under these fatigues. Both - of them carried more money out of these parts than the poor - could be thankful for.”[114] - -Another notable opponent must be introduced. The Rev. Charles Chauncy, -D.D., was born in Boston, in the year 1705. He entered Harvard College -at the age of twelve, and four years afterwards received his first -degree. In 1727, he was ordained pastor of the first church in Boston, -as colleague of the Rev. Thomas Foxcroft. He died in 1787, in the -eighty-third year of his age, and the sixtieth of his ministry. Chauncy -was eminent for his learning, was ardently attached to the civil and -religious liberties of his country, and strongly objected to State -Church establishments. His publications were too numerous to be -specified in a work like this. His last days were almost entirely -occupied in devotional exercises. - -One of his publications, issued in 1742, was entitled, “Enthusiasm -described and cautioned against. A Sermon preached at the Old Brick -Meeting-house in Boston, in 1742. With a Letter to the Rev. Mr. James -Davenport.” (8vo. 35 pp.) Mr.Davenport was the minister of Southhold, -Long Island; and, during Whitefield’s previous visit to America, became -extremely popular in the great revival. Among other places, he visited -New Haven, and encouraged the agitations and outcries, which at that -time attracted so much attention. In 1742, the Assembly of Connecticut, -deeming him under the influence of enthusiastic impulses, directed -the governor to transport him out of the colony to the place whence he -came. Two years afterwards, he published a confession and retractation. -Whitefield is not mentioned in Dr. Chauncy’s sermon; but there can be -little doubt, that it was levelled against him as well as against James -Davenport. - -Twelve months after this, Whitefield was made one of the most prominent -figures in another of Chauncy’s works: “Seasonable Thoughts on the -State of Religion in New England. By Charles Chauncy, D.D. Boston, -1743.” (8vo. 454 pp.) It is impossible to give here any general outline -of Chauncy’s book, but a few facts and extracts may be useful. - -Dr. Chauncy declares that he “could never see upon what warrant, either -from _Scripture_ or _reason_, Mr. Whitefield went about preaching -from one province and parish to another, where the gospel was already -preached, and by persons as well qualified for the work as he could -pretend to be.” He inclines to think, however, that Whitefield was -moved by conceit and a love of popular applause. “The inconveniences, -which had arisen from this method of acting, had been so great, -that the Assembly of Connecticut had passed an Act, restraining both -_ordained ministers_, and _licensed candidates_, from preaching in -_other men’s parishes_, without _their_ and their _church’s_ consent; -and wholly prohibiting the _exhortations of illiterate laymen_.” “Most, -if not all, of the present _itinerants_ are swollen and ready to burst -with _spiritual pride_. As to their _mission_, they have none, except -from their own fond imagination.” “Mr. Whitefield seldom preached, -but he had something or other in his sermon, against _unconverted -ministers_; and what he delivered had an evident tendency to fill the -minds of the people with evil surmisings against the ministers, as -though they were, for the most part, _carnal_, _unregenerate_ wretches. -He often spake of them, in the lump, as _Pharisees_, _enemies of Christ -Jesus_, and the _worst enemies_ he had.” “There never was a time, since -the settlement of New England, wherein there was so much _bitter and -rash judging_――parents condemning their children, and children their -parents; husbands their wives, and wives their husbands; masters their -servants, and servants their masters; ministers their people, and -people their ministers. _Censoriousness_, to a _high degree_, is -the _constant appendage_ of this _religious commotion_.” “I have -all along encouraged a hope of Mr. Whitefield as a _real Christian_. -And he has certainly been _zealous_ and _active_ beyond most of his -_brethren_. But has he not, through the _inexperience of youth_, and -an _intemperature of zeal_, been betrayed into such things as cannot -but be condemned? In particular, I was always afraid, lest people, from -him, should learn to give heed to _impulses_ and _impressions_, and, -by degrees, come to _revelations_, and other _extraordinaries_ of this -kind.” - -“Another _bad_ thing is the _confusion_ that has been so common, -of late, in some of our houses of worship. Says a friend, in giving -an account of things, he was himself a witness to, ‘The meeting was -carried on with great confusion; some _screaming_ out in distress and -anguish; some _praying_; others _singing_; some _jumping up and down_ -the house, while others were _exhorting_; some _lying along_ on the -floor, and others _walking_ and _talking_: the whole with a very great -noise, to be heard at a mile’s distance, and continued almost the whole -night.’”[115] - -Dr. Chauncy proceeds to mention the _dangerous errors_ now prevalent -among the people; namely: 1. “That which supposes ministers, if not -_converted_, incapable of being _instruments of spiritual good_ to -men’s souls. Mr. Whitefield very freely vented this error!”[116] -2. “A _presumptuous dependence on the blessed Spirit_; appearing in -the following particulars: so depending on the help of the Spirit -as to _despise learning_;” also, so as to “oppose a diligent use -of _appointed means_;” and so as to “reflect _dishonour upon the -written revelations of God_.” 3. “The making _assurance essential -to conversion_.” 4. “The connecting a knowledge of the _time of -conversion_ with the _thing itself_ as though there could not be -the one without the other.” 5. “The _vilifying of good works_.” -6. “Decrying _sanctification_ as an _evidence of justification_.” - -Dr. Chauncy inserts a “proclamation for a day of public fasting and -prayer,” issued, on the 9th of February, 1743, by the Honourable -Jonathan Law, Esq., Governor of Connecticut, in which the ministers -and people of the colony are exhorted to “confess and bewail” all their -sins; “particularly, the great neglect and contempt of the gospel and -the ministry thereof, and the prevailing of a spirit of error, disorder, -unpeaceableness, pride, bitterness, uncharitableness, censoriousness, -disobedience, calumniating and reviling of authority; also divisions, -contentions, separations, and confusions in churches; and injustice, -idleness, evil-speaking, lasciviousness, and all other vices and -impieties which abound among us.” - -The fifth and last part of Dr. Chauncy’s book contains “the best -expedients to promote the interest of religion at this day.” He quotes, -with approval, some of Jonathan Edwards’s recommendations, such as -“confessing of faults on both sides;” “the exercise of extraordinary -meekness and forbearance;” “prayer with fasting;” “care taken that -the colleges be so regulated as to be nurseries of piety;” and “taking -heed that, while fulfilling the external duties of devotion――as -praying, hearing, singing, and attending religious meetings――there -must be proportionable care to abound in _moral duties_, as acts of -righteousness, truth, meekness, forgiveness, and love towards our -neighbour.” To these recommendations, Dr. Chauncy adds some of his -own, namely: 1. “The putting a stop to _itinerant preaching_.” 2. “So -to guard church pulpits, that no raw, unqualified persons might be -suffered, upon any terms, to go into them.” 3. To guard “against a -wrong use of the passions.” 4. The exercise of a “_strict discipline_ -in our churches.” 5. “A due care to prove all things, that we may hold -fast that which is good.” - -These are lengthy, though imperfect, extracts; but, if an apology be -needed, it may be found in the facts that Dr. Chauncy was one of the -most influential men in New England, and that the effects produced -by his book were greater than can be well imagined. He prefixes to -his work a list of nearly eight hundred subscribers, including four -governors of colonies, twenty-seven “honourables,” and a hundred and -forty-seven “reverends.” - -Whitefield published a reply to Chauncy’s book; but, strangely enough, -the reply is not in his collected works, and seems to have been unknown -to all his biographers. The following was its title: “A Letter to the -Rev. Dr. Chauncy, on account of some passages relating to the Rev. Mr. -Whitefield, in his book entitled, ‘Seasonable Thoughts on the State of -Religion in New England.’ By George Whitefield, A.B., late of Pembroke -College, Oxon. Boston, 1745.” (4to. 14 pp.) The letter is dated, -“Portsmouth, Piscataqua, November 19, 1744;” and the preface to it, -“Boston, January 18, 1745.” - -The spirit breathing in Whitefield’s pamphlet is beautifully Christian; -and, wherever he defends himself, he does it most successfully. He -confesses, however, that he was wrong, when he said, “_Many_, nay, -_most_ of the New England preachers did not experimentally know -Christ;” and, in reference to Tillotson, he says, “I acknowledge that -I spake of his _person_ in too strong terms, and too rashly condemned -his _state_, when I ought only to have censured his _doctrine_.” The -following is Whitefield’s concluding paragraph:―― - - “I write this under the immediate views of a happy eternity; - and rejoice in the prospect of that day, wherein I shall appear - before a compassionate Judge, who will cover all my infirmities - with the mantle of His everlasting righteousness, and graciously - accept my poor and weak efforts to promote His kingdom. I beg, - reverend sir, an interest in your prayers, that I may glorify - God, whether by life or death; and, praying that you may be - taught of God to preach the truth as it is in Jesus, turn many - to righteousness, and shine in the kingdom of heaven, as the - stars in the firmament, for ever and ever, I subscribe myself, - reverend and dear sir, your most affectionate, humble servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Other hostile publications must be mentioned. The Congregational -ministers of Massachusetts were accustomed to meet at Boston on the day -of the opening of the colonial legislature, to converse on matters of -general interest, and to hear a sermon from one of their number -previously appointed. The convention of 1743 had for its moderator the -Rev. Nathaniel Eells, and by its authority the following was published: -“The Testimony of the Pastors of the Churches in the Province of -Massachusetts Bay, in New England, at their Annual Convention in -Boston, May 25, 1743, against several Errors in Doctrine and Disorders -in Practice, which have of late obtained in various parts of the Land.” -The doctrinal errors were attaching importance to secret impulses -of the mind, without due regard to the written word; that none are -converted, but such as know they are converted, and the time when; that -assurance is of the essence of saving faith; and that sanctification is -no evidence of justification. The disorders in practice were: Ordained -ministers and young candidates going from place to place, and preaching -without the knowledge, or contrary to the leave, of the stated pastors -in such places; private persons of no education and but low attainments, -without any regular call, taking upon themselves to be preachers of the -word; ordaining or separating persons to the work of the evangelical -ministry at large, without any relation to a particular charge; -separation from the particular flocks to which persons belong, to join -themselves with, and support lay exhorters and itinerants; and assuming -the prerogatives of God, to look into the hearts of their neighbours, -and to censure their brethren, especially their ministers, as Pharisees -and Arminians. - -As an antidote to the decisions of this convention, another publication -was issued. On the 7th of July, 1743, ninety ministers met at Boston, -chose Dr. Sewall as their moderator, and Thomas Prince as their -secretary, and published “The Testimony and Advice of an Assembly of -Pastors of Churches in New England, at a meeting in Boston, July 7, -1743, occasioned by the late happy Revival of Religion in many parts of -the Land.” The “Testimony” was signed by sixty-eight of the ministers -present, and was agreed to by forty-five who were absent. - -After this there was a convention of laymen, who issued the following: -“The Testimony and Advice of a Number of Laymen, respecting Religion -and the Teachers of it. Addressed to the Pastors of New England.” -The “Testimony” is dated “Boston, September 12, 1743.” Speaking of -Whitefield, it says:―― - - “He came here in September, 1740, and, with indefatigable - industry, travelled through this province, preaching, begging, - and collecting from town to town. Though he was a man of a - weak mind, little learning, and no argument, yet, by means of - a somewhat crafty improvement of the advantageous circumstances - and character under which he arrived, and by his being somewhat - of an orator, and assuming an over-sanctified behaviour, by - great diligence, and by preaching frequently _memoriter_ and - with a vehemence unusual to the people of this province, he - gained upon their passions, and thereby wheedled himself into - their affections.” - -After sneering at Whitefield as “the grand itinerant,” “the reverend -bachelor of arts,” “the reverend youth,” and “the reverend stripling,” -the “Testimony” finishes by exhorting the “pastors of New England,” to -study the Scriptures, to acquire knowledge, to preach the gospel in its -simplicity, to throw aside the use of technical terms, which neither -they nor their hearers understand, and not to be “apish imitators of -foreigners.” - -All these were issued previous to Whitefield’s arrival in 1744; the -following were published soon after:―― - -1. “A Letter from two neighbouring Associations of Ministers in -the Country, to the Associated Ministers of Boston and Charlestown, -relating to the admission of Mr. Whitefield into their pulpits.” -The “letter” was dated December 26, 1744, and had the approbation of -nineteen ministers. The following is an extract. Having assumed, as an -undisputed truth, that great and grievous disorders had prevailed among -the churches, through the influence of itinerants, they ask:―― - - “Brethren, are you satisfied that Mr. Whitefield approves not - of these disorders? Is he against separations? Is he an enemy to - enthusiasm? Do you find in him a disposition to the most plain - Christian duty, of humbly confessing and publicly retracting - his wicked and slanderous suggestions concerning the ministry, - and concerning our colleges, so much our glory? Do you find - him inclined to heal the unhappy divisions occasioned by his - former visit? Have you not, by opening your pulpit doors to this - gentleman, encouraged the weaker sort of people to expect the - like of their ministers?” etc., etc. - -2. The next publication must be prefaced. The Rev. Edward Wigglesworth, -D.D., was a man of distinguished talents, and, for the last two and -twenty years, had been professor of divinity in Harvard College. -The Rev. Edward Holyoke was president of the same college, and, as -a scholar and a preacher, had gained a high reputation. During his -former visit to America, Whitefield had preached before the professors -and students of Harvard College with great power and acceptance; -but, in his journal, subsequently published, there was the following -paragraph:―― - - “The ministers and people of Connecticut seem to be more simple - and serious than those who live near Boston, especially in - those parts where I went. But I think the ministers preaching - almost universally by notes, is a certain mark they have in - a great measure lost the old spirit of preaching. For, though - all are not to be condemned who use notes, yet it is a sad - symptom of the decay of vital religion, when reading sermons - becomes fashionable where extempore preaching did once almost - universally prevail. When the spirit of prayer began to be - lost, then forms of prayer were invented; and I believe the - same observation will hold good as to preaching. As for the - universities, I believe it may be said their light is now become - darkness――darkness that may be felt――and is complained of by the - most godly ministers. I pray God these fountains may be purified, - and send forth pure streams to water the city of our God. The - Church of England is at a very low ebb; and, as far as I can - find, had people kept their primitive purity, it would scarce - have got a footing in New England. I have many evidences to - prove that most of the churches have been first set up by - immoral men, and such as would not submit to the discipline of - their congregations, or were corrupt in the faith. But I will - say no more about the poor Church of England. Most of her sons, - whether ministers or people, I fear, hate to be reformed.” - -This evoked “A Testimony from the President and Professors, -Tutors, and Hebrew Instructor of Harvard College, against the Rev. -Mr. George Whitefield and his Conduct.” The “Testimony” is dated -“December 28, 1744.” The faculty of Harvard College say, “We look -upon Mr. Whitefield’s going about in an itinerant way, especially as -he has so much of an enthusiastical turn of mind, as being utterly -inconsistent with the peace and order, if not the very being, of the -Churches of Christ.” Whitefield was charged with “enthusiasm,” and -with being “an uncharitable, censorious, and slanderous man.” The -faculty refer to his “reproachful reflections” on their college, and -denounce his “rashness and his arrogance; his rashness,” say they, -“in publishing such a disadvantageous character of us, because somebody -had so informed him; and his arrogance, that such a young man as he -should take upon him to tell what books we should allow our pupils -to read.” They pronounce Whitefield’s assertion that “the light of -the universities had become darkness,” a “most wicked and libellous -falsehood;” and, in reference to his statement that many of the -ministers of the country were unconverted, they say he is “guilty of -gross breaches of the ninth commandment of the moral law.” They bear -“testimony” against him as “a deluder of the people,” in the affair -of contributions for the Orphan House; for he had led the people to -believe that the orphans would be under his own immediate instruction, -and yet “he had scarce been at the Orphan House for these four years.” -And, in conclusion, they condemn his extempore preaching, and his -itinerating, as “by no means proper.” - -Whitefield replied to the “Testimony,” in a letter, dated “Boston, -January 23, 1745.” He answers the accusation of the college faculty, -that “he _conducted himself by dreams_;” and “usually governed himself -by _sudden impulses and impressions_ on his mind.” As to his having -slandered Harvard College, he says, he meant no more than President -Holyoke did, when, speaking of the degeneracy of the times, in his -sermon at the annual convention of ministers, May 28, 1741, he remarked: -“Alas! how is the gold become dim, and the most fine gold changed! We -have lost our first love; and, though religion is still in fashion with -us, it is evident that the power of it is greatly decayed.” He further -replies to the charges that he was “a deluder of the people,” and had -“extorted money” from them for his Orphan House. He explains in what -sense he was an “extempore preacher;” denies the charge that he was an -“Antinomian;” and justifies his itinerancy. He concludes thus:―― - - “I am come to New England with no intention to meddle with, much - less to destroy, the order of the New England churches; or to - turn out the generality of their ministers, and re-settle them - with ministers from England, Scotland, and Ireland, as hath been - hinted in a late letter written by the Rev. Mr. Clap, rector of - Yale College. Such a thought never entered my heart. I have no - intention of setting up a party for myself, or to stir up people - against their pastors. Had not illness prevented, I had some - weeks ago departed from these coasts. But, as it is not a season - of the year for me to undertake a very long journey, and as I - have reason to think the great God daily blesses my poor labours, - I think it my duty to comply with the invitations that are sent - to me, and, as I am enabled, to preach the unsearchable riches - of Christ. This indeed, I delight in. It is my meat and my drink. - I esteem it more than my necessary food. This, I think, I may - do, as a minister of the King of kings, and a subject of his - present majesty King George, upon whose royal head I pray God - the crown may long flourish. And, as I have a right to preach, - so, I humbly apprehend, the people have a right to hear. If the - pulpits should be shut, blessed be God! the fields are open. I - can go without the camp, bearing the Redeemer’s sacred reproach. - I am used to this, and glory in it. At the same time, I ask - public pardon for any rash word I have dropped, or anything - I have written or done amiss. This leads me also to ask - forgiveness, gentlemen, if I have done you or your society, in - my Journal, any wrong. Be pleased to accept unfeigned thanks for - all tokens of respect you shewed me when here last. And, if you - have injured me in the “Testimony” you have published against - me and my conduct (as I think you have), it is already forgiven, - without asking, by, gentlemen, your affectionate, humble servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -The whole of Whitefield’s letter is in his best style of writing. For -_him_, it is terse and pointed; and, of course, it is respectful and -Christian. Certainly it contains one retort, which, though perfectly -fair, must have been especially stinging. The faculty of Harvard -College published their “Testimony” to prove that Whitefield was “an -enthusiast, a censorious, uncharitable person, and a deluder of the -people;” and here Whitefield quietly reminds them that, on May 28, 1741, -Mr. Holyoke, their president, preached a sermon, which was afterwards -published, in which the following paragraph occurs, respecting himself -and his friend Gilbert Tennent:―― - - “Those _two pious and valuable men of God_, who have been - lately laboring more abundantly among us, have been greatly - instrumental in the hands of God, in reviving His blessed work; - and many, no doubt, have been savingly converted from the error - of their ways, many more have been convicted, and all have been - in some measure roused from their lethargy.” - -Whitefield’s reply to the “Testimony” of Harvard College was complete; -but Harvard College, unfortunately, was not silenced. Hence the -publication of the following unworthy production:―― - -3. “A Letter to the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, by way of Reply to his -Answer to the College Testimony against him and his Conduct. By Edward -Wigglesworth, D.D., Professor of Divinity in said College. To which is -added the Reverend President’s Answer to the things charged upon him, -by the said Mr. Whitefield, as Inconsistencies. Boston, New England, -1745.” (4to. 68 pp.) The president’s Answer is dated “February 20, -1745,” and Dr. Wigglesworth’s Letter, “April 22, 1745.” The former -contains nothing that need be noticed; but the letter, written “in the -name, and at the desire of the Reverend President and others of Harvard -College,” must not be passed in silence. - -Dr. Wigglesworth reiterates the charge of enthusiasm; he censures -Whitefield for censuring Tillotson; and is angry because Whitefield -had said, Harvard College, “in piety and true godliness,” was not much -superior to the English Universities. He accuses Whitefield of uttering -and writing “pernicious reflections upon the Ministers of the Churches -of New England,” and says, “What you have done, and others who have -followed your example, has had an effect more extensive and pernicious -than any man could have imagined six years ago. Who could have -believed, that, in such a country as this, such a spirit of jealousy -and evil-surmising could have been raised, by the influence and example -of a _young stranger_? Perhaps there is not now a single town in this -province, and, probably, not in Connecticut, in which there are not -numbers of people whose minds are under strong prejudices against -their ministers; such prejudices as almost cut off all hope of their -profiting by their sacred ministrations.” - -Wigglesworth next attacks Whitefield respecting his Orphan House -management and accounts; censures him for leaving the children; -and tells him that his superintendents, Habersham and Barber, are -“gentlemen of no name or character in these parts of New England, -nor so much as known by name among multitudes of his contributors.” -Itinerant preaching and its results are condemned; and then the -divinity professor says: “You have in all parts of England and Wales, -as far as your interest reached, formed your followers into bands -and associations, after the _Moravian_ manner; and have set over them -exhorters, superintendents, and visitors; and are yourself _Grand -Moderator_ over all, when in England, and your dear brother Harris in -your absence. So we may very reasonably conclude, that, whenever you -think the good people of this country enough under your influence to -bear it, you will throw off the mask here too, and endeavour to reduce -us to the same model.” - -Dr. Wigglesworth benignly concludes, by saying, “As you have been -permitted to fall into repeated, deliberate, most public, comprehensive, -and pernicious violations of the holy laws of God, I cannot persuade -myself that any good could come of _private conferences_, but think you -ought to give _satisfaction_ in as _public_ a manner as you have given -_offence_.” - -Whitefield lived long enough to requite this offensive imperiousness. -Twenty-nine years afterwards, when the library of Harvard College was -destroyed by fire, and while Wigglesworth was still divinity professor, -Whitefield, forgetful of the past, did his utmost in begging books for -the new library; and, four years later still, while Holyoke was yet -president, had the noble revenge of being thanked, in the following -minute, entered in the college records:―― - - “At a meeting of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, - August 22, 1768, the Rev. G. Whitefield having, in addition to - his former kindness to Harvard College, lately presented to the - library a new edition of his Journals, and having also procured - large benefactions from several benevolent and respectable - gentlemen, it was voted that the thanks of this corporation be - given to the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, for these instances of candour - and generosity.”[117] - -Unfortunately the list of controversial pamphlets is not exhausted. To -those already noticed, the following must be added:―― - -4. “A Letter from the Rev. Nathaniel Henchman, Pastor of the First -Church in Lynn, to the Rev. Stephen Chase, of Lynn End, giving his -reasons for declining to admit the Rev. George Whitefield into his -pulpit.” Mr. Henchman’s letter is dated “January 3, 1745.” The reverend -writer was too angry to be polite. He speaks of “strolling itinerants, -and swarms of mean animals called exhorters.” He resents Whitefield’s -“slanderous treatment of our colleges,” and “the insufferable pride and -vanity of the man.” “Who,” he asks, “ever equalled him in vain-glorious -boasting?” and adds: “In one country, he is a true son of the Church -of England; in a second, a staunch Presbyterian; and in a third, -a strong Congregationalist.” He suspects Whitefield of coming to -America “to make a purse for himself, by begging, with great solemnity, -for his poor little ones at the Orphan House in Georgia,――the most -ill-projected scheme since darkness was on the face of the deep, to -found an Orphan House in an infant and expiring colony, and in the -heart of the enemy’s country, though it answered well his mendicant -intention.” Henchman also accuses Whitefield of a design “to raze the -foundation of our churches, and change the religion of New England.” - -5. “The Sentiments and Resolution of an Association of Ministers, -convened at Weymouth, January 15, 1745, concerning the Rev. Mr. -George Whitefield.” In addition to accusations already mentioned, -the “Association” find fault with Whitefield, because, though he had -condemned persons who “cried out in the public assemblies,” yet, when -preaching in country towns, if such an incident occurred, he would at -once raise his voice as if he were trying to vie with the people in -screaming; the result of which was, the cries waxed louder and louder, -till the whole assembly was thrown into confusion. The Association were -“surprised and grieved,” that he, a priest of the Church of England, -should administer the Lord’s supper in Congregational churches. They -condemned his practice of singing hymns in the public roads, when -riding from town to town, and lamented, that, in almost every town -where he had preached, there had been more or less alienation between -the minister and people. They came to the “resolution,” that, they -would not “directly or indirectly encourage Mr. Whitefield to preach, -either publicly or privately, in their respective parishes.” This was -signed by fifteen ministers. - -6. Another pamphlet contained “The Testimony of an Association of -Ministers, convened at Marlborough, January 22nd, 1745;” and also -the Testimony of another “Association of Ministers in the county -of Bristol.” The two Testimonies unitedly were signed by nineteen -ministers, who came to the general conclusion, that “the devil himself, -with all his cunning, could not take a more direct step to overthrow -the churches of New England, hurt religion, and destroy the souls of -men, than Whitefield had taken.” - -7. “The Declaration of the Faculty of Yale College,” dated “February -25, 1745.” The “Faculty” endorse “The Testimony” of their brethren -of Harvard College. They also especially insist upon two things: -1. “That Whitefield and other itinerants had laid a scheme to turn -the generality of ministers out of their places, and to introduce -a new set, attached to Whitefield; because Whitefield had stated, -that, the generality of ministers were unconverted, and that all -unconverted ministers were half beasts and half devils, and could no -more be the means of any man’s conversion than a dead man could beget -living children.” 2. That Whitefield had “publicly told the people -in New England, that they might expect, in a little time, a supply -of ministers from his Orphan House; and that he had told Edwards, of -Northampton, that he intended to bring over a number of young men from -England to be ordained by the Tennents.” - -8. This publication was followed by “A Letter from the Rev. Mr. Clap, -Rector of Yale College, in New-Haven, to the Rev. Mr. Edwards, of -Northampton, expostulating with him for his injurious reflections in a -late Letter to a Friend, and shewing that Mr. Edwards, in contradicting -the Rector, plainly contradicts himself.” - -Mr. Clap was a strong-minded man, and, in the higher branches of -mathematics, had no equal in America, except Professor Winthorpe. He -constructed the first orrery made in that country. The pith of his -present pamphlet was a dispute between him and Edwards, as to what -Whitefield had said respecting his design “to turn the generality -of the ministers of New England out of their pulpits, and to bring -ministers from England, Scotland, and Ireland,” to supply their places. -Besides displaying considerable bitterness between the two disputants, -the publication of Rector Clap exhibited Whitefield in an obnoxious -light. - -9. “Mr. Pickering’s Letter to Mr. Whitefield, touching his Relation to -the Church of England, his Impulses, or Impressions, and the present -unhappy state of things.” The letter of the Rev. Theophilus Pickering, -minister at Ipswich, is dated “February 12, 1745,” and the writer -objects to Whitefield, 1. Because he is a clergyman of the Church -of England; 2. Because of his “dreams and impressions;” 3. Because -Whitefield’s “travelling services will be more _hurtful_ than -_beneficial_.” - -10. “A Letter to the Second Church and Congregation in Scituate; -written by their Reverend Pastor, shewing some Reasons why he doth not -invite the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield into his Pulpit.” The Letter is -signed “N. Eells,” and is dated “April 15, 1745.” Mr. Eells had been -the pastor of the Church at Scituate forty years and ten months; and -his “Reasons” were――1. Whitefield “did not stand right in the gospel -of Christ; for, by his episcopal ordination, he received no authority -to itinerate, as he had done for years past; and the authority he had -received from the bishop who ordained him, he had forfeited, and was -now suspended from the ministry of the Church of England, and from -communion at the Lord’s table.” 2. “The manner of his itinerancy was -not according to Scripture, but was rather a blemish, reproach, and -scandal to the ministry; for he had no authority from Christ, either -_mediately or immediately_; and he spent his time in places where the -people did not want him.” 3. “He had made it manifest that he was no -real friend to the ministers and churches of this land; for he had -represented the pastors of these churches to be men of no grace, -without the knowledge of Christ, and so unqualified for the ministry; -he had preached in places at the invitation of factious persons, -contrary to the mind of their pious and orthodox pastors; he had -favoured disorders in the public worship of God, such as screaming, -etc.; and he had encouraged separation and separatists from our -churches.” - -Such are specimens of the publications against Whitefield. We have met -with three only in his favour. - -1. “An Apology on behalf of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, offering a fair -Solution of certain Difficulties, objected against some parts of his -Public Conduct, in point of Moral Honesty and Uniformity with his -own Subscriptions and Ordination Vows: as the said exceptions are -set forth in a late Pamphlet entitled, ‘A Letter to the Rev. Mr. George -Whitefield, publicly calling upon him to vindicate his Conduct, or -confess his Faith,’ signed L. K. By Thomas Foxcroft, A.M., one of the -Pastors of the first Church in Boston. Being several Letters, written -for the satisfaction of a Friend, and published by Desire. Boston, -1745.” (4to. 38 pp.) - -For twenty-eight years, Mr. Foxcroft had been the minister of the -Church just mentioned, and, strangely enough, Dr. Chauncy was his -colleague. Mr. Foxcroft’s first letter is dated “December 31, 1744,” -and his second and third were written during the fortnight next ensuing. -He shews, that, “Bishops of the Church of England have power to grant -licenses of wider extent than the narrow district of a single parish, -to any ordained minister they think proper, who, in virtue of such -license, may travel from place to place as they think fit.” “The -sending forth of itinerant preachers was a practice of the Church of -England at the beginning of the Reformation; and has been remarkably -revived of late years, particularly with relation to foreign parts.” -“Mr. Whitefield is not the only episcopal itinerant in America. In the -Abstract of the Proceedings of the Society for Propagating the Gospel, -for 1743, Mr. Morris is expressly named ‘_Itinerant Missionary_,’ in -Connecticut; Mr. Punderson, ‘_Itinerant Missionary_,’ in New England; -and Mr. Lindsay, ‘_Itinerant Missionary_,’ in Pennsylvania and New -Jersey. It is no violation, therefore, of the original commission -from the Bishop, to act beyond the limits of a particular cure or -charge, or even in the character of an itinerant. And, with regard -to special license,” continues Mr. Foxcroft, “I question whether the -itinerant missionaries above-mentioned have had this any more than -Mr. Whitefield.” - -2. “An Inquiry into the Itinerancy and the Conduct of the Rev. Mr. -George Whitefield, an Itinerant Preacher: vindicating the former -against the charge of _unlawfulness_ and _inexpediency_, and the latter -against some aspersions, which have been frequently cast upon him. By -William Hobby, A.M., Pastor of the first Church in Reading. Boston, -1745.” (8vo. 28 pp.) - -Mr. Hobby was a graduate of Harvard College, and was a fluent and -fervid preacher. He died in 1765, aged fifty-seven. Passing over that -part of his pamphlet which refers to the _lawfulness_ of itinerancy, -it may be stated, that he successfully replies to the attacks -on Whitefield respecting his Orphan House accounts, his being an -enthusiast and ecclesiastical chameleon,[118] and his aspersion of -ministers. With regard to the accusation that he was a _perjurer_, -because he had sworn to prosecute his appeal against Commissary -Garden’s censure, and had not done so, Mr. Hobby says, “Whitefield -exerted himself to the utmost to get a hearing in the court at home -(which he now proves by an affidavit, taken before the Lord Mayor of -London by himself and his solicitor), but all in vain.” - -Mr. Hobby comes to the following conclusion respecting Whitefield: -“In most things he is highly commendable; in more justifiable; and in -almost all very excusable. I say in _almost all_, for I am willing to -allow Mr. Whitefield has his foibles and imperfections. He is a man of -like passions with others. What then――shall I condemn him because he -is not perfect? Alas! what shall I then do with myself and others? The -sun itself has its spots: shall we therefore try to _put out_ the sun? -Vain attempt! Or shall I _shut my eyes_ against its light? Ridiculous -and absurd! Neither would I shut my eyes against Mr. Whitefield’s -excellences, and only open them to behold his weaknesses.” - -3. “Invitations to the Rev. Mr. Whitefield from the Eastern -Consociation of the County of Fairfield. With a Letter from the Rev. -Mr. Samuel Cooke,[119] of Stratfield, in Connecticut, to a Minister -in Boston, concerning the former success of Mr. Whitefield’s Ministry -there. Boston, 1745.” (8vo. 8 pp.) There is nothing in this publication -that deserves special notice, except that Mr. Cooke, on behalf of -himself and nine other ministers, whose names and residences are given, -earnestly entreats Whitefield to visit the churches of the “Eastern -Consociation;” and forwards to Whitefield a minute passed at a meeting -held in 1740, inviting him to visit the same churches, but stipulating -that he should not make “personal reflections to wound the characters -of others, who have been generally well accepted among Christians for -piety;” and that he should “not expect them to make collections for his -Orphan House in Georgia.” - -Such was the literary storm through which Whitefield had to pass -when he visited America in 1744. There is much in the publications, -so briefly noticed, which invites remark; but want of space precludes -comment. It is certainly amusing that liberty-loving Connecticut should -pass and enforce the despotic Act it did. Puritanism was becoming as -intolerant as prelacy. As to Whitefield’s aspersions of New England -ministers, the accusation was scarcely true. He rarely, if ever, -mentioned names; but rather denounced, in general terms, the employment -of an _unconverted_ ministry. No doubt, in many instances, the pulpits -of America were occupied by sincere, earnest, able, godly men; but -it is equally certain, that, in many other instances, the ministers -were culpably defective. Even President Holyoke seems to admit this; -and Dr. Chauncy becomes its apologist. It is also true, that, during -Whitefield’s residence in England, the American revival had been -disgraced by many scenes of fanatical confusion, and by a bitterness of -spirit indulged by some of its converts; but it is difficult to see how -absent Whitefield deserved blame for this. It is absolutely false, that -Whitefield had been suspended from the ministry, and excluded from the -communion of the Church of England. The taunts, likewise, in reference -to his Orphan House accounts, were unmerited, inasmuch as he had -printed and published a balance-sheet, which his enemies in New England -might have read if they had wished. The power and the practice of -bishops to license ordained ministers to become itinerant preachers is -a point which must be left to Church lawyers. There is, however, one -other subject too important to pass unnoticed. In England and in Wales, -he and others associated with him had formed a considerable number -of Societies, and had employed an earnest band of itinerant preachers -and exhorters, and had instituted quarterly and other associations, -or conferences. In short, almost without intending it, he had -formed a _party_, he himself being its “moderator,” the Tabernacle, -Moorfields, its head-quarters, and the _Christian History_ its literary -magazine.[120] Whitefield, however, refrained from the formation of -a sect across the Atlantic. He honestly told the faculty of Harvard -College, that he had “no intention of setting up a party for” himself; -and he faithfully adhered to this declaration. In America, at least, -he was not the founder of a sect. It is true, that, in New England -and elsewhere, separate congregations were formed in several places, -by illiterate, but pious, preachers; but this was not done by the -authority and immediate help of Whitefield. These “Separatists” and -“New Lights,” as they were called, might have been converted, or -benefited by Whitefield’s preaching; but their organizations were their -own. In many instances, their former pastors failed to feed them with -the bread of life, and, naturally enough, they sought it somewhere else. -Many of these “separate” churches existed long after Whitefield’s death; -and some of them warmly welcomed Wesley’s preachers. A member of the -Irish conference was induced to become the pastor of one of them, over -which he presided for nearly half a century. It is now known as “The -Benevolent Congregationalist Church,” and is one of the largest and -most wealthy churches in New England.[121] - -We must now return to Whitefield’s itinerancy. He was left at -Portsmouth, New England, ill and disabled. As soon as possible, he -removed to Boston. The following is from Prince’s _Christian History_, -No. xciv.:―― - - “Saturday, November 24, 1744. The Rev. Mr. Whitefield was so - far revived, as to be able to set out from Portsmouth to Boston, - whither he came, in a very feeble state, the Monday evening - after. Since then, he has been able to preach in several of - our largest houses of public worship, particularly the Rev. - Dr. Colman’s, Dr. Sewall’s, Mr. Webb’s, and Mr. Gee’s. At - Dr. Colman’s request, and the consent of the Church, on the - Lord’s-day after his arrival, he administered to them the holy - communion. And, last Lord’s-day, he preached for Mr. Cheever, - of Chelsea, and administered the holy supper there. The next - day, he preached for the Rev. Mr. Emerson, of Maiden. Yesterday, - he set out to preach at some towns to the northward. On his - return, he proposes to comply with the earnest invitation of - several ministers, to go and preach to their congregations - in the southern parts of the province. He comes with the same - extraordinary spirit of meekness, sweetness, and universal - benevolence, as before. In opposition to the spirit of _bigotry_, - he is still for holding communion with all Protestant churches. - In opposition to _enthusiasm_, he preaches a close adherence to - the Scriptures, the necessity of trying all impressions by them, - and of rejecting whatever is not agreeable to them, as delusions. - In opposition to _antinomianism_, he preaches up all kinds of - relative, and religious duties; and, in short, the doctrines of - the Church of England, and of the first fathers of this country. - As before, he first applies himself to the understandings of his - hearers, and then to the affections; and the more he preaches, - the more he convinces people of their mistakes about him, and - increases their satisfaction.” - -To this testimony must now be added extracts from Whitefield’s letters. - - “BOSTON, _January 18, 1745_. - - “You see I am now at Boston, whither I was brought from - Piscataqua[122] in a coach and four. The joy with which I was - received by the common people, cannot be described; but many - of the ministers,――how shy! how different from what they once - were! When last in Boston, Governor Belcher was in the chair. He - honoured me with great honour, and the clergy paid the nod, and - obeyed. In many, I then perceived, it was quite forced; and, I - think, when at his table, I whispered to some one, and said, ‘If - ever I come again, many of those, who now seem extremely civil, - will turn out my open enemies.’ The event has proved, that, in - this respect, I have been no false prophet. You know where it - is written, ‘There arose a king, who knew not Joseph.’ Freed, - therefore, from their former restraint, many have appeared _in - puris naturalibus_. Some occasions of offence had undoubtedly - been given whilst I was here, and preached up and down the - country. Nothing, however, appeared but a pure, divine power, - converting, and transforming people’s hearts, of all ranks, - without any extraordinary phenomena attending it. Good Mr. - Tennent succeeded me; numbers succeeded him. Lectures were set - up in various places. One minister called to another, to help to - drag the gospel net; and one would have imagined the millennium - was coming. At last, wild-fire broke out and spread itself; and, - it must be confessed, that, many good souls, both among clergy - and laity, for a while, mistook fancy for faith, and imagination - for revelation; and were guilty of great imprudences. What these - were, I have not time now to particularize; I can only inform - you, that all is laid to me as being the _primum mobile_, though - there was not so much as the appearance of anything of this - nature when I left New England last. But, maugre all, my poor - labours are yet attended with the usual blessings.” - -Whitefield seems to have spent about three months in Boston and its -neighbourhood, partly in preaching, and partly in writing pamphlets and -sermons for the press. - -Hence the following:―― - - “BOSTON, _February 6, 1745_. - - “I remember you once told me, one of the good old Puritans wrote, - that he went from _Old England_ to avoid the lord bishops, and - came to _New England_ to get under the Lord Brethren. Well is it - at present that there are ‘Lord Brethren;’ for, finding some of - their pastors, without cause, shy of me, they have passed votes - of invitation for me to preach in the pulpits; and some time - ago prevailed upon me to set up a lecture at six o’clock in - the morning. Not expecting a very great auditory, I opened a - lecture in one of the smallest meeting-houses, upon these words, - ‘And they came early in the morning to hear him.’ How was I - disappointed! Such great numbers flocked to hear, that I was - obliged to make use of two of their largest places of worship, - where, I believe, seldom less than two or three thousand hearers - assembled. I began with the first of Genesis, and have lectured, - in order, till I am almost come to the story of Abraham sending - his servant to fetch a wife for Isaac. It is impossible to - describe the eagerness and punctuality of these early visitants. - To see so many hundreds, of both sexes, neatly dressed, walking - or riding so early along the streets to get food for their souls, - has feasted my own heart. The Pharaohs, who used to say, ‘Ye are - idle, ye are idle,’ now are struck dumb; for lecture, and family - prayer, and breakfast, are over in many houses before the sun - is suffered to come into the windows of others; and it is become - almost a common proverb, ‘Between tar-water and early rising, - the physicians will have no business.’ One morning, the crowd - was so great, that I was obliged to go in at the window. The - high-sheriff, who was most forward in persecuting good Mr. - Davenport, accompanied me; and when he put his head into the - window after me, the people were ready to cry out, ‘Is Saul also - among the prophets?’” - -These were remarkable scenes, on cold, dark, wintry mornings, in the -city of Boston, where ministers had joined in denouncing Whitefield, -and where the “_Lord Brethren_,” by their voting powers, had defeated -the ministers, and had opened to Whitefield their pulpit-doors. Under -the circumstances, his success was marvellous. The following extract -describes one of his converts:―― - - “BOSTON, _February 17, 1745_. - - “Good Mr. P――――[123] told me I should be very shortly favoured - with the company of a very pensive and uncommon person;――a man - of good parts, ready wit, and lively imagination, who, in order - to furnish matter for preaching over a bottle, had made it his - business to come and hear, and then carry away scraps of my - sermons to serve as texts for his tavern harangues. A few nights - ago, he came, for this purpose, to Dr. Sewall’s meeting. Upon my - coming in, he crowded after me amongst the people, and, having - got sufficient matter to work upon, attempted to go out; but, - being pent in on every side, his endeavours were fruitless. - Obliged thus to stay, waiting for fresh matter for ridicule, he - was pricked to the heart. He came to Mr. P――――, full of horror, - confessed his crimes, and longed to ask my pardon, but was - afraid to see me. Mr. P―――― encouraged him to venture. This - morning, hearing some one knock at my parlour door, I arose, and, - upon opening the door, by the paleness, pensiveness, and horror - of his countenance, guessed who he was. He cried, ‘Sir, can you - forgive me?’ I smiled, and said, ‘Yes, sir, very readily.’ He - replied, ‘Indeed, sir, you cannot when I tell you all.’ I then - asked him to sit down; and, judging that he had sufficiently - felt the lashes of the law, I preached to him the gospel.” - -The following refers to the paper warfare at that time raging, and -which has been already noticed:―― - - “BOSTON, _February 19, 1745_. - - “_Tempora mutantur._ A confederacy, a confederacy! The clergy, - amongst whom are a few mistaken, misinformed good old men, are - publishing halfpenny testimonials against me. Even the president, - professors, and tutors, of Harvard College, where, some few - years ago, I was received with such uncommon respect, have - joined the confederacy. The testimonials have done me real - service. I certainly did drop some unguarded expressions in - the heat of less experienced youth; and was too precipitate in - hearkening to, and publishing private information. Some good - friends are publishing testimonials in my favour. Thus you see - what a militant state we are in at present. Amidst all, the word - runs, and is glorified. Many are so enraged at the treatment I - meet with, that they came to me lately, assuring me that, if I - will consent, they will erect, in a few weeks’ time, the outside - of the largest place of worship in America; but, you know, - ceiled houses were never my aim. I, therefore, thanked them for - their kind offer; but begged leave to refuse accepting it. How - or when the present storm will subside is uncertain. I can only, - at present, beg the continuance of your prayers, that, I may be - kept in good temper towards those, who, I believe, really think - they do God’s service by opposing me.” - -Whitefield was busy writing for the press; and, as soon as he -had finished three of his pamphlets, he seems to have returned -to Piscataqua. Why he deferred going to his Orphan House, it is -impossible to determine; but he was happy, and hard at work. Hence -the following:―― - - “PISCATAQUA, _March 6, 1745_. - - “I have sent a letter to Dr. C――――, with my Answer to Harvard - College, and my Answer to the Second Part of the Observations, - and also my Remarks upon the Charge of the Bishop of Lichfield. - May Jesus give them His blessing! I would have them printed so - as to be sold cheap. You may collect, or print them severally, - as you will. I cannot yet get time to prepare my sermons, or the - other part of my life, for the press. I am writing another New - England journal, which I will send, when I leave the country. - When that will be, I know not. - - “America, I am afraid, begins to be too dear to me. The Lord - smiles upon me and mine, and makes us very happy in Himself, and - happy in one another. Here is a very large field of action. My - bodily strength is recovered; and my soul is more than ever in - love with a crucified Jesus.” - -On the same day, Whitefield wrote to John Cennick, as follows:―― - - “Our Saviour wonderfully smiles on us here. The Lord helps me - to preach with the demonstration of the Spirit and with power. - My wife and I go on like two happy pilgrims, leaning upon our - Beloved. O help us to adore and praise free grace! We salute all - the conference and trustees, and every particular choir, and the - Societies in every place.” - -For a season, Cennick succeeded Whitefield in the Tabernacle, -Moorfields; and he and others introduced into some of the Societies -“choirs,” or classes for singing “psalms and hymns and spiritual -songs,” after the manner of the Moravians. Indeed, Cennick already was -more of a Moravian than a Whitefieldian; and, in December 1745, openly -avowed his predilection. Thomas Adams, his colleague at the Tabernacle, -as openly opposed the sentiments which Cennick had advanced. The result -was, Cennick seceded, and joined the Unitas Fratrum. A large number -of the people, both in London and the provinces, followed his example; -and even those who remained behind wept at his departure, for he was -greatly beloved by all. Cennick’s secession was a severe shock to the -Connexion; but Whitefield and Cennick retained their friendship for -each other, and kept up an affectionate correspondence until Cennick’s -death, in 1755.[124][125] - -Whitefield had been nearly five months in America, but had not visited -his Orphanage in Georgia. He had arranged, however, for Mr. Habersham, -the orphans’ chaplain, to visit him. Hence the following to a friend, -in London:―― - - “PISCATAQUA (sixty miles from Boston), - - “_March 12, 1745_. - - “This comes by a young gentleman, who expects to return to - South Carolina in August next. By him, I send you one of each of - the pamphlets I have published here. I would have them sent to - Scotland as soon as may be. America is pleasanter and pleasanter - every day. The door for preaching opens wider and wider. I am - preparing my sermons for the press,[126] and am also writing - another journal. You shall have them the first opportunity. I - wrote to you last week, and sent about fifty letters, by Captain - Darling. I expect Mr. Habersham hourly.” - -The editor of the _Christian History_ adds: “Mr. Habersham arrived soon -after the writing of the above letter; and wrote, from the same place, -on March 18, and stated, that Mr. Whitefield had been as far eastward -as was settled by the English (which is about a hundred and fifty -miles), and had preached with much success. Mr. Whitefield was to go -with him to Boston the next day, to consult friends there about the -affairs of the Orphan House in Georgia, which was what Mr. Habersham -came there about.” - -Soon after this, Whitefield was in a new position. Up to the present, -Cape Breton had been in the possession of the French. Besides being the -key to Canada, the island was of great importance in a mercantile point -of view. The soil was poor, but, in 1743, fish was exported to the -amount of a million sterling. In return for this, the people received -sugar and coffee, rum and molasses; part of which they used themselves, -and the remainder of which they conveyed to Canada and New England, -where they obtained, in exchange, fruits, vegetables, bricks, wood, -and cattle. Cape Breton, also, was a formidable seminary of seamen, -the French employing, in their enormous fishery, twenty thousand men, -and at least a thousand sail of from two to four hundred tons each. -English ships were terribly exposed to privateers and men of war -issuing from the island. Possession of the place would not only cut -off all communication between France and Quebec, but the harbour would -likewise be a safer retreat for British vessels, than any other harbour -in North America. In 1745, a plan for the invasion of Cape Breton -was laid at Boston, and New England bore the expense of it. Colonel -Pepperell, who has been already introduced to the reader’s notice, was -entrusted with the command of an army of six thousand men, levied for -the expedition; and these forces, convoyed by a squadron from Jamaica, -brought the first news to Cape Breton of the danger that threatened -it. The invaders had to encounter but six hundred regular troops, and -eight hundred inhabitants armed in haste. Still, the success of the -undertaking would have been precarious, if the soldiers on the island -had fought with their accustomed spirit. It so happened, however, that, -for the last six months, they had in fact, been in open rebellion. The -construction and repairs of the fortifications of Louisbourg, sometimes -called “the Gibraltar of America,” had always been left to the care -of the garrison; but the troops had been so defrauded of the profit -of their labours, that they had determined to assert their rights; and -their indignation had risen to such a pitch, that they now despised all -authority. The soldiers, indeed, made advances against the invaders; -but, after a siege of seven weeks, the Governor of Cape Breton was -obliged, on the 16th of June, to sign a capitulation, whereby the -island, and its harbour of Louisbourg, became the possession of his -Britannic Majesty. On the news reaching London, the conquest was -celebrated by the firing of cannons, the illumination of the public -offices, the ringing of bells, the lighting of bonfires, and all the -other usual demonstrations of national thankfulness and joy.[127] - -These remarks will help to explain the following letter:―― - - “BOSTON, _July 29, 1745_. - - “You will be surprised that a messenger of the Prince of peace - should beat up to arms. No doubt, you have judged me, as well - you may; but Providence seemed to force me into it. - - “The Cape Breton expedition was begun and finished before - it could be scarcely known to you at home. Worthy Colonel - Pepperell was fixed upon to command. The day before he - accepted the commission, he purposed to dine with me, to ask - my advice. I told him, I hoped, if he did undertake it, he - would beg of the Lord God of armies to give him a single - eye; that the means proposed to take Louisbourg, in the - eye of human reason, were no more adequate to the end, than - the sounding of rams’ horns to blow down Jericho; but that, - if Providence really called him, he would return more than - conqueror. He thanked me; and, his lady having given her free - consent, he commenced general. - - “The sound now was, ‘To arms! to arms!’ New recruits were - eagerly sought after, and my worthy friend Mr. Sherburne was - appointed one of the commissaries. Being at his house one - evening, he told me that he was preparing the flag, and that - I must give him a motto, and that the people must know I had - given it. I absolutely refused, urging that it would be out of - character. He replied, he believed the expedition was of God, - and that if I did not encourage it, many of the serious people - would not enlist. I still refused. He desired me to consider, - and to sleep upon it, and to give him my answer in the morning. - I retired, I prayed, I slept; and, upon his renewing his request - in the morning, I told him he might take this motto, ‘_Nil - desperandum Christo duce_.’ - - “Upon this, great numbers enlisted; and, before their - embarkation, their officers desired me to preach them a sermon. - I preached from these words: ‘As many as were distressed, as - many as were discontented, as many as were in debt, came to - David, and he became a captain over them.’ Officers, soldiers, - and others attended. I spiritualized the subject, and told them - how distressed sinners came to Jesus Christ, the Son of David; - and, in my application, exhorted the soldiers to behave like the - soldiers of David, and the officers to act like David’s worthies; - then, I made no manner of doubt but we should receive good - news from Cape Breton. After this, I preached to the general - himself, who asked me if I would not be one of his chaplains. - I told him, I should think it an honour; but believed, as I - generally preached three times a day, in various places, to - large congregations, I could do my king, my country, and my God - more service, by stirring up the people to pray, and, thereby, - strengthening his and his soldiers’ hands. - - “Through Divine grace, I was enabled to persist in this practice - for some weeks; but, at last, news arrived that the case was - desperate. Letter upon letter came from the officers to those - who planned the expedition, and did not know the strength of - the fortress. I smiled, and told my friends, that I believed - now we should have Louisbourg; for all having confessed their - helplessness, God would now reveal His arm, and make our - extremity His opportunity. I was not disappointed of my hope; - for one day, having taken a weeping leave of dear Boston, and - being about to preach a few miles out of town, news was brought - that Louisbourg was taken. Numbers flocked with great joy from - all quarters, and I immediately preached to them a thanksgiving - sermon from these words, ‘By this I know that Thou favourest me, - since Thou hast not permitted mine enemies to triumph over me.’ - - “Here ends, dear madam, my beating to arms. It is left to you to - judge as you please of yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -To say the least, this is a curious episode in English -history,――Whitefield, the despised Methodist preacher, associated -with one of England’s conquests,――a conquest so important, that King -George II. raised Colonel Pepperell to the dignity of a baronet of -Great Britain; and London and other places went mad with joy.[128] - -It is impossible, through want of materials, to trace the course of -Whitefield during the next twelve months. Dr. Gillies says, “As his -bodily strength increased, he began to move farther southward; and, -after preaching eastward as far as Casco Bay and North Yarmouth, he -went through Connecticut, Plymouth, and Rhode Island, preaching to -thousands, generally twice a day.” Whitefield himself writes:―― - - “Though there was much smoke, yet every day I had convincing - proof that a blessed gospel fire had been kindled in the hearts - both of ministers and people. At New York, I found that the - seed sown had sprung up abundantly; and also at the east end of - Long Island. In my way to Philadelphia, I had the pleasure of - preaching, by an interpreter, to some converted Indians, and of - seeing near fifty young ones in a school near Freehold, learning - the Assembly’s catechism. A blessed awakening had been begun - among the Delaware Indians, by the instrumentality of Mr. David - Brainerd.[129] Mr. William Tennent seemed to encourage his - endeavours with all his heart. I found Mr. Gilbert Tennent, in - Philadelphia, settled in the place” (building) “erected at the - beginning of the awakening. The gentlemen offered me £800 per - annum, only to preach among them six months in the year, leaving - me at liberty to travel the other six months where I would.” - -The offer here mentioned was made in the month of September, 1745.[130] -Where and how he spent the remainder of the year cannot be ascertained. - -On the 1st of January, 1746, he was at Bethesda, in Georgia, where he -remained during the next three months.[131] It is a strange fact, that -the most adverse rumours had been circulated respecting the Orphan -House, and that, in New England, affidavits had been made that the -institution did not exist.[132] To silence such calumnies, Whitefield -and Habersham appeared before Henry Parker and William Spencer, -bailiffs of Savannah, to whom they submitted the Orphan House ledger, -and swore that the book contained “a just and true account of all -the moneys collected by or given to them, or any other, for the use -and benefit of the said House; and that the disbursements had been -faithfully applied to and for the use of the same.” Whitefield further -swore that “he had not converted or applied any part thereof to his own -private use and property, neither had he charged the said House with -any of his travelling, or any other private expenses whatever.” - -Besides this, William Woodroofe, William Ewen, and William Russel, of -Savannah, appeared before the same bailiffs, and swore that they had -“carefully and strictly examined all and singular the accounts relating -to the Orphan House, contained in forty-one pages, in a book entitled -‘Receipts and Disbursements for the Orphan House in Georgia;’ and had -also carefully and strictly examined the original bills, receipts, and -other vouchers, from the 15th of December, 1738, to the 1st of January, -1746;” and found “that the moneys received on account of the said -Orphan House amounted to the sum of £4,982 12s. 8d. sterling, and that -it did not appear that the Reverend Mr. Whitefield had converted any -part thereof to his own private use and property, or charged the said -House with any of his travelling or other private expenses; but, on the -contrary, had contributed to the said House many valuable benefactions.” -The three auditors further swore, “that the moneys disbursed on -account of the said House amounted to the sum of £5,511 17s. 9¼d. -sterling, all of which appeared to have been faithfully and justly -applied to and for the use and benefit of the said House only.” - -To the two affidavits, the substance of which is here given, the -bailiffs appended the following:―― - - “Sworn this 16th day of April, 1746, before us bailiffs of - Savannah; in justification whereof we have hereunto fixed our - hands, and the common seal. - - “HENRY PARKER. - “WILLIAM SPENCER.” - -Whitefield acted wisely in thus submitting his accounts to official -auditors. It was the only way to silence the falsehoods of his enemies. -His friends, also, were entitled to such an audit, and to such a -magisterial declaration. - -After all his efforts, Whitefield was still in debt to the amount of -£529 5s. 1¼d.; and he now, with a confessedly honest front, appealed -to his friends, in America and England, to defray the debt, and told -them that any one wishing to contribute might send their gifts “to -Mr. Branson, iron merchant, in Philadelphia; the Rev. Mr. Smith, in -Charleston; Mr. John Smith, merchant, in Boston; the Rev. Mr. Shutlift, -in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; the Rev. Mr. Pemberton, in New York; -Mr. James Habersham,[133] merchant, in Savannah; Gabriel Harris, Esq., -in Gloucester; Mr. James Smith, at St. Philip’s Plain, in Bristol; -Mr. John Kennedy, at Exon; Mr. Jonathan Houlliere, in Queen Street, -Upper Moorfields; and Mr. William Strahan, printer, in Wine Office -Court, Fleet Street.” - -After all this, no one could reasonably dispute the existence of the -Orphan House, or Whitefield’s honesty; but it might be asked, had the -£5,511 17s. 9¼d. been well expended? An answer to this question will -be found in the following testimony, given by one of Whitefield’s -enemies,――a gentleman who had made a tour through most of America, and, -in his travels, visited the Orphan House, in 1743. After describing a -magnificent vista, of nearly three miles’ length, cut through the pine -groves between Wormsloe and Bethesda, the gentleman observes:―― - - “It gave me much satisfaction to have an opportunity to see - Mr. Whitefield’s Orphan House, as the design had made such a - noise in Europe, and the very being of it was so much doubted - everywhere, that, even no farther from it than New England, - affidavits were made to the contrary. - - “It is a square building of very large dimensions, the - foundations of which are brick, with chimneys of the same; the - rest of the superstructure is of wood. The whole is laid out - in a neat and elegant manner. A kind of piazza surrounds it, - which is a very pleasing retreat in the summer. The hall and all - the apartments are very commodious, and prettily furnished. The - garden, which is very extensive, and well kept, is one of the - best I ever saw in America; and you may discover in it plants - and fruits of almost every climate and kind. The outhouses are - convenient; and the plantation will soon surpass almost anything - in the country. - - “We were received by Mr. Barber, a Dissenting minister, in a - genteel and friendly manner. They were at dinner when we arrived, - the whole family at one table; and never was there a more - orderly, pretty sight. If I recollect aright, besides Mr. Barber, - the schoolmaster, and some women, there were near forty young - persons of both sexes, dressed very neatly and decently. After - dinner, they retired, the boys to school, the girls to their - spinning and knitting. I was told, their vacant hours were - employed in the garden, and in plantation work. - - “Prepossessed with a bad opinion of the institution, I made all - the enquiries I could, and, in short, became a convert to the - design, which seems very conducive to the good of the infant - colony. Whatever opinion I may have of the absurdity of some - of their religious notions, tenets, and practices, yet, so far - as they conduce to inculcate sobriety, industry, and frugality, - they deserve encouragement from all well-wishers of the - country, I could not here perceive anything of that spirit - of uncharitableness and enthusiastic bigotry, for which their - leader is so famed, and of which I heard shocking instances all - over America.” - -The writer then proceeds to speak of the road which Whitefield made -from the Orphan House to Savannah,――a “road cut through the woods, and -which had a hundred curiosities to delight the attentive traveller.” -He describes Savannah; speaks of the air as “pure and serene;” and -concludes by deploring the ingratitude, ignorance, opposition to -government, and the “cursed spirit of dissension amongst” the people, -which had nearly ruined the colony.[134] - -So much from an unfriendly visitor. What says the founder? In the -“Further Account of God’s Dealings” with him, published in 1747, -there is a long letter, written only five days after the date of the -affidavits just mentioned. The following is an extract from it:―― - - “BETHESDA, IN GEORGIA, _March 21st, 1746_. - - “MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,――It is now some months since I arrived - here. Blessed be God! Bethesda has proved to be a house of mercy - to many. Several of our labourers, as well as visitors, have - been born of God here, and have given proofs of it, by bringing - forth the fruits of the Spirit. Many boys have been put out - to trades; and many girls put out to service. One boy, whom - I brought from New England, is handsomely settled in Carolina; - and another, from Philadelphia, is married, and lives very - comfortably at Savannah. How so large a family has been - supported, in such a colony, without any visible fund, is - wonderful. I am surprised, when I look back, and see how, - for these six years last past, God has spread a table in the - wilderness for so many persons. - - “I cannot yet say, that I have surmounted the first year’s - expense, which indeed was very great; but, by the blessing of - God, I doubt not, in a short time, to pay off my arrears; and - then the family will be maintained at a small expense. - - “My standing annual charges are now but trifling to what they - have been; and my friends have raised an annual subscription - sufficient for discharging them, till the family may be able to - provide for itself. This, I hope, will be, in a good measure, - speedily effected. We have lately begun to use the plough; and - next year I hope to have many acres of good oats and barley. - We have near twenty sheep and lambs, fifty head of cattle, and - seven horses. We hope to kill a thousandweight of pork this - season. Our garden, which is very beautiful, furnishes us with - all sorts of greens. We have plenty of milk, eggs, and poultry; - and make a good deal of butter weekly. A good quantity of wool - and cotton has been given me, and we hope to have sufficient - spun and woven for the next winter’s clothing. If the vines hit, - we may expect two or three hogsheads of wine out of the vineyard. - - “The family now consists of twenty-six persons. Two of the - orphan boys are blind; one is little better than an idiot. But, - notwithstanding, they are useful in the family; the one in the - field, and the other in the kitchen. I have two women to take - care of the household work, and three men and two boys employed - about the plantation and cattle. A set of Dutch servants has - lately been sent to Georgia; the magistrates were pleased to - give me two of them. I took in a poor old widow, aged nearly - seventy, whom nobody else cared to have. A valuable young - man, from New England, is my schoolmaster; and, in my absence, - performs duty in the family. On Sabbaths, the grown people - attend on public worship at Savannah, or at Whitebluff, a - village near Bethesda, where a Dutch minister officiates. - My dear friends, who have hitherto been my assistants, being - married and having each one or two children, thought it best to - remove, and are now comfortably settled――some at Savannah, and - some elsewhere. - - “Many have applied to me to erect a public school, and to take - their children as boarders; but I have not yet determined. If - there should be peace, it is certain that such a school would - be exceedingly useful, not only for these northern parts of - the colony, but also for the more southern parts of Carolina, - and for Parisburgh and Frederica, where are many fine youths. - I have been prevailed on to take one from Frederica, and another - from Purisburg, and it may be shall admit more. For the present, - considering the situation of affairs,[135] I think it most - prudent to go on in making what improvements I can on the - plantation, and to bring a tutor with me, from the north, in - the fall, to teach a few youths the languages, and enlarge the - family when affairs are more settled. The house is a noble, - commodious building, and everything is sweetly adapted for - bringing up youth. Here is land to employ them and exercise - their bodies, and keep them from idleness out of school hours. - Here are none of the temptations, to debauch their tender minds, - which are common to more populous countries, or in places where - children must necessarily be brought up with negroes. - - “What God intends to do with the colony is not for me to enquire; - but it has hitherto been wonderfully preserved; and the Orphan - House, like the burning bush, has flourished unconsumed. No - doubt the government has its welfare much at heart; and I intend - to carry on my design till I see the colony sink or swim. The - money that has been expended on the Orphan House, and Orphan - House family, has been of vast service to this part of the - country. - - “I have had a very comfortable winter. The people of Savannah, - having no minister till lately, gladly accepted my labours; and, - at Frederica, the gentlemen and soldiers of General Oglethorpe’s - regiment, as well as the inhabitants of the town, received me - very gladly. Major Horton[136] seems to behave well. He has a - fine growing plantation. I saw barley in the ear on the 1st of - March. Georgia is very healthy. Only a little child has died out - of our family since it removed to Bethesda. If the inhabitants - were sufficiently numerous, I think the colony is capable of as - much improvement as any on the continent.” - -Such then were the bold and benevolent schemes of the indigent young -clergyman, who, for the last eight years, had been abused and lampooned -by thousands of professing Christians, of all descriptions. While they -reviled, Whitefield worked. - -In England, Howell Harris faithfully did his utmost, as Whitefield’s -_locum tenens_. He writes:―― - - “LONDON, _February 18, 1746_. - - “Since I came here, the Lord has been very kind to us. He is - returning apace to the despised Tabernacle. All disputing has - quite ceased, and we go on harmoniously together. We are now - settling the Society in classes; and re-settling all the - scattered bands. I have been through every class. Many propose - to join the bands and Society. We have had a letter from Mrs. - Whitefield, giving an account of the progress of the gospel in - America. The Indians and negroes are baptized, twelve or - fourteen in a day; and many of them are filled with the grace of - the Holy Spirit.”[137] - -Harris was full of hope; but his hope was not realized. Whitefield’s -presence among the Calvinistic Methodists was sorely needed. Cennick’s -secession had been a peril and a disaster. Both people and preachers -suffered loss. James Hutton, with more sourness than sanctity, observed: -“Of all the crowds of the Tabernacle people that offered to come -amongst us” (the Moravians), “we have found scarce two or three that -are good for anything.”[138] - -When Cennick seceded in 1745, the Association at the Tabernacle “gave -up” to him and the Moravians the Societies in Wiltshire; but some -of the Societies objected to this arrangement, and, since then, had -requested Whitefield’s preachers to revisit them. At the Association -held in Bristol, March 7, 1746, the matter was discussed; and Howell -Harris wrote a letter “to the Brethren at Fetter Lane,” endeavouring -to promote a common understanding with respect to the fields of labour -to be occupied by the two Societies, and with respect to transferring -members from one Society to the other. James Hutton’s answer to the -Association, written on behalf of “the Brethren in Fetter Lane,” was -as arrogant and scolding as Harris’s letter was meek and loving. The -imperious printer and publisher wrote:―― - - “We cannot at all consent to any one going into Wiltshire that - belongs to your Association. Your business would chiefly be to - confound poor souls, by preaching strange doctrine, and - spreading scandalous lies. Should any of you go thither, after - receiving this, you will act contrary to all honesty. It is for - the sake of Mr. Howell Harris that we answer you at all. For - him we have regard; but with the rest of you we cannot have any - kind of fellowship at all. You are vainly puffed up,――the enemies - of Christ, and of His blood and atonement, which some of you - blaspheme. To say that we believed _you_ to be _fellow-labourers_ - in the vineyard of Christ, would be dissimulation in us. We look - upon you as the destroyers of that vineyard; and we are much - grieved to see Mr. Whitefield’s labours and blessings so spoiled - and ruined by such evil-labourers. We are, however, sincerely, - your well-wishers, - - “THE BRETHREN IN FETTER LANE.”[139] - -Was there _any_ reason for the use of this strong and offensive -language? It is to be feared there was. Howell Harris, in his -autobiography, written in 1749, remarks:―― - - “About the year 1746, I saw a spirit creeping into the work - different from that which had been before; namely, the spirit - of levity, pride, foolish jesting, unwatchfulness, and carnal - rejoicing. This took place immediately after extensive frames - and transports, which many seemed to enjoy at the hearing of the - word, and singing, etc.; but the real and serious spirit that - began the work was at length almost extinguished. The spirit of - awakening sinners in the ministry was also, in a great measure, - lost; together with its real and solid fruits in the hearts of - men. I beheld a tendency in the ministry to please men, and to - appear wise and popular in the world; and the spirits of many of - my nearest friends grew great and proud, and would not take the - word of reproof or exhortation.”[140] - -The work, however, was still prosecuted. At an Association, held -in London, June 18, 1746, it was determined to retain the “room” -at Lambeth; and an offer of “the playhouse, in the Haymarket, -Westminster,” was prayerfully considered. It was also resolved that, -“henceforth, the tickets should be delivered to every band and class -by their visitors; who, after consulting the minister, should take care -of the money” collected. The preachers, likewise, were stationed; some -to Deptford and Lambeth; some to Essex, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire; -one to Portsmouth, and another to Bristol; and others to Chinnor, -Tewkesbury, Hereford, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, and Wales. - -At another Association, held in Bristol, January 22, 1747, Wesley and -four of his assistants were present. It was enquired: “1. How we may -remove any hindrances of brotherly love which have occurred? 2. How -we may prevent any arising hereafter?” It was agreed that Wesley’s and -Whitefield’s preachers should “endeavour to strengthen each other’s -hands, and prevent separations in the several Societies.” Harris, -also, was requested to go to Plymouth and the west, “to heal the breach -there made, and to insist on a spirit of love and its fruits among the -people.” - -On July 1, 1747, at the Association, held in London, the Rev. Mr. -Bateman, rector of St. Bartholomew, was present. Preaching arrangements -were made for London, Portsmouth, Olney, Chatham, Bristol, Birmingham, -Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Staffordshire, Salop, Essex, and Wales. It -was also determined that Syms, Whitefield’s agent, at Hoxton, should -give up “his office of keeping the books and accounts into the hands of -Harris.”[141] - -In public labours, Harris was indefatigable, and generally joyous. On -October 13, 1746, he writes:―― - - “Since I came home, I have discoursed in three counties; and the - spirit of praise and thanksgiving has been so poured down upon - us, in several places, that we could not cease praising, - rejoicing, and crying, ‘Hallelujah!’”[142] - -Again, on October 16, 1747:―― - - “Things in Wales have a lovely aspect. Fresh doors are opening; - many are awakened and added to us; and a spirit of love, - discipline, and subordination runs through the whole. We have - settled Friday, November 6, as a day of prayer and humiliation, - for our own, the churches’, and the nation’s sins; and if the - Society in London joins us, we shall be glad. In two days, I - begin a round through North Wales, where, if my work be done, I - expect to be sent home, or, at least, imprisoned. For ten days, - my life will be in continual danger.”[143] - -Again, February 4, 1748:―― - - “This day, our Welsh Association broke up. Scores have been - added since our last Association. Fresh doors have been opened, - and several new Societies settled. At Builth, last Sunday, the - new house we have built there was crowded, and a great number - stood without. I am now going on my rounds to Pembrokeshire, - Carmarthenshire, Glamorganshire, and Monmouthshire; and have - to-night begun collecting for the Orphan House; but, as we - have built a house in Builth, and are building two houses in - Carmarthenshire, and as last year we raised £40 towards the law - suit, I cannot expect such encouragement as I should otherwise - have had.” - -Whitefield’s other assistants were labouring with equal bravery -and success. Thomas Adams tells of preaching in a barn at Gosport; -and of a soldier gathering a society at a place seven miles from -Portsmouth.[144] Another preacher writes: “We cannot get a peaceable -meeting at Gosport. The rude men of the King’s Dock, Portsmouth, come -into the barn, and make great disturbances, sometimes pelting us with -eggs, and, at other times, with dirt and stones.”[145] - -James Relly writes: “June, 1747. I examine the whole Society in -Bristol once a week, the brethren on Sunday evening, and the sisters -on Wednesday evening; and our Saviour has blessed it to the quickening -of many. There seems also to be a good prospect at Bath.”[146] -Again, “December 21, 1747. I formed twenty or more into a Society at -Birmingham; and, on examining them, was quite satisfied of the spirit -of grace working in all their hearts. Yesterday, many assembled to hear -the word at Tewkesbury, but we were assaulted by such a furious mob, -that all was turned into confusion. They flapped the tables, stamped on -the floor, pushed the people, swore, cursed, laughed, pricked with pins, -threw handfuls of snuff, and brickbats, and dirt. I discoursed about an -hour; but the noise still increasing, I left off.”[147] - -Herbert Jenkins relates, “August 9, 1747,” that he had been, “almost -a month at Edinburgh, continually exercised in preaching, and visiting -Societies with vast pleasure and delight.”[148] - -John Edwards says: “July 21, 1747. Yesterday, I met the young children -at Shrewsbury; and discoursed, sung, and prayed with them about two -hours. The Saviour of little children was there: the Lamb smiling upon -His lambs.”[149] - -These extracts might easily be multiplied; but one more must suffice. -It refers to a disgraceful scene at the Tabernacle in Plymouth, on -Sunday, November 29, 1747. - - “At five o’clock in the evening, when we were met together to - worship the Lord God of our fathers, being in number about a - thousand, after I had sung and prayed, and gone over the first - head of my discourse, a strong party of sailors, belonging to - the _Windsor_ man of war, came in amongst us. They entered, and - continued, with their hats on. Four of them came up and stood - just under the pulpit, and betrayed, by their looks and sneers, - that they had a mind to put me out of countenance; but I went - on preaching the word of truth with boldness. In about fifteen - minutes, those near the door began to stamp, and to swear - most bitterly. Some of our friends very mildly entreated them, - either to be still, or else to go out peaceably; but, so far - from taking their advice, they laid the weight of their heavy - bludgeons, with unspeakable fury, upon the poor people’s heads. - The cries and groans of the poor women and children were fearful. - There was but one door, and that was guarded by a company of - resolute persons, who swore that the first who attempted to - escape should have his brains blown out by a pistol. The sailors - then beat down the candlesticks, and blew out the candles, to - darken the place; but one of our friends had presence of mind - to push up one of the chandeliers, suspended by a pully, so that - we had a little light preserved. The fury of our foes increased. - Many of the people were knocked down, and had their heads broken. - The windows were dashed to pieces; and the benches taken up as - weapons of warfare. I entreated our friends to march from every - corner of the place, and arrest some of the rioters. This was - done, and three of them being secured, the rest fled as fast as - they could. We concluded the Sabbath with prayers and - thanksgivings.”[150] - -In these jottings, the reader has glimpses of the sunshine and shadows -of the Calvinistic Methodists in England and Wales, during Whitefield’s -absence in America. It is now time to turn again to their youthful -moderator across the Atlantic. - -For five months, from March to August in 1746, hardly anything is known -of Whitefield’s wanderings. He seems, however, to have visited New York, -and to have found favour among the people. The following is an extract -from the _New York Post-Boy_, of April, 1746:―― - - “Mr. Whitefield’s excellent parts, fine elocution, and masterly - address; his admirable talent of opening the Scriptures, and - enforcing the most weighty subjects upon the conscience; his - polite and serious behaviour; his unaffected and superior - piety; his prudence, humility, and catholic spirit, are things - which must silence and disarm prejudice itself. By these - qualifications of the orator, the divine, and the Christian, - he has not only fixed himself deeper in the affections of his - former friends, but greatly increased the number wherever he has - preached; and has made his way into the hearts of several, who, - till this visit, had said all the severe things against him that - enmity itself seemed capable of.”[151] - -Soon after this, on his way to Philadelphia, Whitefield wrote to Howell -Harris, as follows:―― - - “_May 2, 1746._ - - “MY VERY DEAR, DEAR BROTHER HARRIS,――I am glad to hear the Welsh - Brethren continue steady; and that, amongst our English friends, - Antinomianism seems only to be speculative. This is a great evil, - but not so great as when it affects the practice, and leads the - people of God unwarily into licentiousness. The late outward - troubles, I hope, will do good, and put a stop to the many - disputes, and various sects, which always spring up when the - Lord suffers false principles to abound. I expect to hear that - Jesus has made thee immoveable like a wall of brass, as bold as - a lion, but as meek as a lamb. Blessed be His name! He continues - to be very kind to us. The Orphan House is in a promising way. - My temporal affairs begin to be settled; and I am blessed to - many souls. Jesus causes many of my professed and embittered - enemies to be at peace with me. I know you will help me to - praise Him, and beg Him to continue to stand by a poor unworthy - creature, who simply desires to spend and be spent for the good - of precious and immortal souls. You will remember me to your - dear wife, and all our Welsh brethren, in the most endearing - manner. We frequently pray for them, and do not despair of - seeing them once more. My dear wife loves them exceedingly, and - often warms her heart by reflecting on past times. - - “Ever, ever thine in Jesus, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[152] - -After this, nothing more is known of Whitefield until the month of -August next ensuing. On the 16th of April, at the battle of Culloden, -the Jacobites were utterly defeated, and the cause of the Pretender -entirely ruined. When the news reached Pennsylvania, Whitefield’s -loyalty gushed forth in a sermon, which was immediately printed, with -the title, “Britain’s Mercies, and Britain’s Duty. Represented in -a Sermon preached at Philadelphia, on Sunday, August 24, 1746; and -occasioned by the Suppression of the late unnatural Rebellion. By -George Whitefield, A.B., late of Pembroke College, Oxon. Printed at -Philadelphia, 1746.”[153] The sermon was almost altogether political, -and need not be further noticed. It was a sufficient answer, however, -to those who doubted Whitefield’s loyalty. - -Two days after preaching his thanksgiving sermon, Whitefield wrote to -his mother, as follows:―― - - “God is exceeding good to me and mine. We have all things - pertaining to life and godliness. Many offers are made me; but - the Lord Jesus keeps me from catching at the golden bait. Favour - is given to me in the sight of the rich and great, and the door - for my usefulness opens wider and wider. I love to range in - the American woods, and sometimes think I shall never return to - England. I was never better in health. My dear wife would send - you a few lines, but she is weak by reason of a miscarriage four - days ago.” - -Immediately after this, Whitefield went to Maryland, where he spent, at -least, a month in preaching to large congregations, in seven different -counties. Excepting its slavery, Maryland had great attractions. Its -soil was rich, and its hospitality unique. The young traveller, who -visited Whitefield’s Orphan House in 1743, writes concerning the -province:―― - - “Mush,[154] milk, and molasses, homine,[155] wild fowl, and fish, - are the principal diet of the meaner inhabitants, whilst the - water presented to you, by one of the barefooted family, in a - copious calabash,[156] with an innocent strain of good breeding - and heartiness,――the cake baking upon the hearth, and the - cleanliness of everything around you,――put you in mind of the - golden age, the times of ancient frugality and purity. All over - the colony, there are full tables and open doors; and the kind - salute, and generous detention remind one of the roast-beef ages - of our forefathers. Their breakfast-tables have generally the - cold remains of the former day, hashed or fricasseed, together - with coffee, tea, chocolate, venison, pastry, punch, rum, and - cider. The dinner consists of good beef, veal, mutton, venison, - turkeys and geese, wild and tame, fowls boiled and roasted, - pies, and puddings. Suppers are the same as dinners, with small - additions, and a good hearty cup to precede a bed of down. This - is the constant life the planters lead, and to this fare every - comer is welcome.” - -More than one half of the population of Maryland were slaves, and to -these oppressed and cruelly treated fellow-creatures the planters owed -their riches and their luxuries. Details of Whitefield’s labours in -the colony do not exist. He simply states: “Everywhere almost, the door -is opened for preaching; great numbers flock to hear; and the power -of an ascended Saviour attends the word. I have preached with abundant -success.”[157] - -And, again, in a letter to Wesley, dated, “Queen Ann’s County, Maryland, -October 14, 1746,” full of buoyancy, he writes:―― - - “If you ask, how it is with me? I answer, ‘Happy in Jesus, the - Lord my righteousness.’ If you ask, what I am doing? I answer, - ‘Ranging and hunting in the American woods after poor sinners.’ - If you ask, with what success? I would answer, ‘My labours were - never more acceptable; and the door, for fifteen hundred miles - together, is quite open for preaching the everlasting gospel.’ - Congregations are large, and the work is going on, just as it - began and went on in England. - - “Notwithstanding the declining state of Georgia, the Orphan - House is in a better situation than ever; and, in a year or - two, I trust, it will support itself. I am going there to - spend some part of the winter, and to begin a foundation for - literature.”[158] - -Soon after this, Whitefield sent off his wife and a young lady through -“the woods,” to Georgia; and, on November 8, he himself started for -Virginia. - -The first settlers in Virginia were almost all members of the Church -of England. Episcopacy was established by law.[159] A small number of -Presbyterians from Scotland, and a smaller number of Dissenters from -England, were scattered through the colony; but until about the time -of Whitefield’s first visit, in 1740, there was no ecclesiastical -organization different from the Established Church of the -mother-country. The state of religion in the province was deplorable. -The Rev. Samuel Davies,[160] so justly famed for his sermons and pulpit -oratory, wrote, in 1751:―― - - “Religion, in most parts of the colony of Virginia, has been, - and still is, in a very low state: a surprising negligence - in attending public worship, and an equally surprising - unconcernedness in those that attend; vices of various kinds - triumphant, and even a form of godliness not common.” - -Such a state of things was the natural result of an unfaithful -ministry. Shortly before the year 1740, Samuel Morris began to read, -to his neighbours, Luther on the Galatians, and several pieces of -honest Bunyan, but the effects produced were not great. In 1743, a -young Scotchman brought to Virginia a volume of Whitefield’s sermons, -which Morris read to his cottage congregations on week-days, as well -as Sundays. He writes:―― - - “The concern of some of the people now was so passionate and - violent, that they could not avoid crying out and weeping - bitterly. My dwelling-house became too small to contain the - congregation, and we determined to build a meeting-house, merely - for reading; for having never been used to extempore prayer, - none of us durst attempt it. When the report was spread abroad, - I was invited to read the sermons at several distant places; - and, by this means, the concern was propagated. About this time, - our absenting ourselves from the Established Church, contrary - to the laws of the province, was taken notice of, and the - court called upon us to assign our reasons, and to declare to - what denomination we belonged. As we knew but little of any - denomination of Dissenters, except Quakers, we were at a loss - what name to assume. At length, recollecting that Luther was a - noted Reformer, and that his books had been of special service - to us, we called ourselves Lutherans.”[161] - -The result of this movement was the introduction of Presbyterianism. -Morris and his converts were visited in succession by the Rev. Messrs. -Robinson, Blair, Roan, Tennent, Finley,[162] and other ministers, -until, in the year 1747, Mr. Davies became their settled pastor. These -were the people Whitefield visited in November, 1746; but, unlike -himself, he has left no record of what he saw and did. All that is -known is contained in the following sentence, written by Morris, the -lay-revivalist: “Mr. Whitefield came and preached four or five days, -which was the happy means of giving us further encouragement, and of -engaging others to the Lord, especially among the Church people, who -received the gospel more readily from him than from ministers of the -Presbyterian denomination.”[163] - -From Virginia, Whitefield wended his way to Georgia, where, having -received an account of the backsliding and disturbances in London and -elsewhere, which have been already mentioned, he wrote as follows, to -Howell Harris:―― - - “HANOVER, VIRGINIA, _November 16, 1746_. - - “About a week ago, I had the pleasure of receiving a long letter - from you. I was glad to find, that, the Tabernacle was given up - to your care. Whether its breaches are yet repaired, or whether - it be entirely fallen down, I know not. I suppose, when I come - to England, I shall have all to begin again.”[164] - -In another letter, written at Bethesda, December 14th, he says:―― - - “The account you gave me made me mourn. You and all who - attended on my preaching, and had opportunities to converse with - me privately, know how many hints I gave of what has happened. - It might be foreseen; and, consequently, it did not so much - surprise me when I found it had come to pass. But I trust the - storm is now blown over, and that the little flock will enjoy - a calm. Oh that your eyes may be looking towards the blessed - Jesus! From Him alone can come your salvation. He will be better - to you than a thousand Whitefields. I am afraid you are too - desirous of having me with you. Indeed, I long to see you all; - but, for some time, America seems to be my place of action. - The harvest is great in many places, and the labourers are very - few.”[165] - -In another letter to Howell Harris, dated “Bethesda, December, 1746,” -he writes:―― - - “Blessed be God for the good effected by your ministry at - the Tabernacle; of which I have been informed by letters - from Herbert Jenkins and Thomas Adams. The good Countess of - Huntingdon has been there frequently, and has been much pleased, - I am told. She shines brighter and brighter every day; and will - yet, I trust, be spared for a nursing mother to our Israel.[166] - This revives me after the miserable divisions that have taken - place among my English friends. I trust the storm is now blown - over. Her ladyship’s example and conduct, in this trying affair, - will be productive of much good. My poor prayers will be daily - offered up to the God of all grace to keep her steadfast in - the faith, and to make her a burning and shining light in our - British Israel.”[167] - -It is a curious fact that, though the Countess of Huntingdon became -acquainted with Whitefield as early as the year 1739, and took a deep -interest in his ordination,[168] there is no evidence of her becoming -a frequent attendant at his Tabernacle, except in the winter of -1742, until nearly eight years afterwards. Just at the time when -the Society there, and, indeed, when the Societies in general, with -which Whitefield was connected, were in danger of being broken up, -her ladyship allied herself with him, and, to the end of life, became -his chief assistant. There is no proof of her being invited to this -position. It would be uncharitable to suppose she was prompted by -ambition. The incident was one of those providential interpositions, -which so strikingly marked Methodism’s early history. - -Whitefield remained at Bethesda till towards the end of January, 1747; -and then, leaving his wife with the orphans, he again set out on a -preaching tour. He wrote to Herbert Jenkins as follows:―― - - “CHARLESTON, _January 23, 1747_. - - “I lately came from Bethesda, where I found my family - well――happy in Jesus, and happy in one another. Our Lord bowed - the heavens several times, and came down among us, in the - power of His eternal Spirit. In the beginning of March, I - purpose to set out northward. I am sorry to hear the leaven - of Antinomianism is not yet purged, and that animosities are - not yet ceased among you. I can say nothing at this distance; - but I pray that the God of peace may direct and rule all your - hearts.”[169] - -The Orphan House was still a cause of great anxiety. Whitefield had -there a family of twenty-six children. He had also opened a sort of -boarding school, or, to use his own language, had begun “a foundation -for literature.” He was, likewise, more than £500 in debt. To provide -for such necessities, he now took one of the strangest steps in his -chequered life. The people at Charleston gave him £300, which he -expended in buying land and _negroes_! and thus the great preacher -became a slave-owner and a planter! He shall tell his own story. - - “CHARLESTON, _March 15, 1747_. - - “Blessed be God! I hope I can say, that, Bethesda was never in - better order than it is now. On my arrival there, this winter, - I opened a _Latin_ school, and have now several children of - promising abilities who have begun to learn. One little orphan, - who a year ago could not read his letters, has made considerable - proficiency in his accidence. The blessed Spirit has been - striving with several of the children, and I hope, ere long, to - see some ministers sent forth from Georgia. - - “The constitution of that colony is very bad, and it is - impossible for the inhabitants to subsist without the use of - slaves. But God has put it into the hearts of my South Carolina - friends, to contribute liberally towards purchasing, in this - province, a plantation and slaves, which I purpose to devote to - the support of Bethesda. Blessed be God! the purchase is made. - Last week, I bought, at a very cheap rate, a plantation of six - hundred and forty acres of excellent land, with a good house, - barn, and out-houses, and sixty acres of ground ready cleared, - fenced, and fit for rice, corn, and everything that will be - necessary for provisions. One negro has been given me. Some more - I purpose to purchase this week. An overseer is put upon the - plantation, and, I trust, a sufficient quantity of provisions - will be raised this year. The family at Bethesda consists of - twenty-six. When my arrears are discharged, I intend to increase - the number. I hope that God will still stir up the friends of - Zion to help me, not only to discharge the arrears, but also to - bring the plantation, lately purchased, to such perfection, that, - if I should die shortly, Bethesda may yet be provided for. - - “As you have been such a benefactor, I thought it proper to give - you this particular account. - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[170] - -In all respects, this is a hateful letter. No doubt, it is injurious to -Whitefield’s character and fame; but it could not be honestly withheld. -Some people, perhaps, may be able to invent excuses for Whitefield’s -odious act; but I am not disposed to help them. His motives might be -good, but the transaction itself was bad. Let it pass, as one of the -blots of a distinguished life. - -A week after the letter was written, Whitefield and his wife set out -for Maryland, and occupied about five weeks in reaching Bohemia. Here -he spent a month, and wrote:―― - - “Glad would I be to come and offer myself once more to do New - England service; but I am afraid many of the ministers and the - heads of the people would not bear it. However, were this my - only reason, it would soon be answered; but here are thousands - in these southern parts who scarce ever heard of redeeming grace. - Is it not my duty, as an itinerant, to go where the gospel has - not been named? Those who think I want to make a party, or to - disturb churches, do not know me. I am willing to hunt in the - woods after sinners; and could be content that the name of - George Whitefield shall die, if thereby the name of my dear - Redeemer could be exalted.” - -Here, as elsewhere, his labours were incessant. Under the date of -“May 21, 1747,” he writes:―― - - “I have now been upon the stretch, preaching constantly, for - almost three weeks. My body is often extremely weak, but the joy - of the Lord is my strength; and, by the help of God, I intend - going on till I drop. These southern colonies lie in darkness, - and yet, as far as I find, are as willing to receive the gospel - as others. I have been a three hundred mile circuit in Maryland; - and everywhere the people have a hearing ear, and, I trust, some - have an obedient heart.” - -From Maryland, Whitefield proceeded to Pennsylvania. “We travelled,” -says he, “very pleasantly through the woods; and purpose returning to -South Carolina and Georgia in the fall. We lead a moving life; but I -trust we move heavenward.” - -On arriving at Philadelphia, Whitefield was in a fever; and no wonder, -considering his outdoor preachings amid the burning sunshine of South -America. The following is from a letter to Howell Harris:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _May 30, 1747_. - - “MY DEAREST BROTHER,――Had I strength equal to my will, you - should now receive from me a very long letter; but, at present, - I have such a fever upon me that I can scarce send you a few - lines. - - “You are very dear to me,――all of you are very dear to me. - I thank you ten thousand times for all expressions of your - tender love, and your steadiness in the truths and cause of - Christ. Sometimes I hope your prayers will draw me to England - more speedily than I imagine. But what shall I say? Here are - thousands and thousands, in these parts of America, who, as to - spiritual things, know not their right hand from their left; - and yet are ready to hear the gospel from my mouth. Within these - four weeks, I have been a circuit of four hundred miles, and - everywhere found the fields white already unto harvest. No one - goes out scarcely but myself. - - “I trust the power of religion will be kept up in England and - Wales. Though my coming may be delayed, I hope, when I am sent, - it will be with a greater blessing. I am daily finishing my - outward affairs, and shall think my call to England clearer, - when I have provided for the support of the Orphan House. - - “My dear man, I could write all night, but I am so giddy by hard - riding, and preaching daily in the heat, that I must defer being - more particular till another opportunity. I hope my dear wife - will supply my deficiencies. Remember me in the tenderest manner - to all. Bid them pray me to England. Have you seen my last - volume of five sermons? I hope the gates of hell will never - prevail against the Tabernacle. Amen and amen!”[171] - -The next is an extract from Mrs. Whitefield’s letter, also addressed to -Harris, and written at the same date:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _May 30, 1747_. - - “MY VERY DEAR FATHER AND FRIEND,――What shall I say to him I - so much love and honour? My dear friends, in England, at the - Tabernacle, and in Wales, can never be forgotten by me. - - “The Lord has done great things for and by my dear master. Since - last October, great numbers of precious souls have been brought - from darkness to light, in the six provinces. Last night, my - dear came here from a four hundred miles journey, during which - he preached about thirty times. We left Charleston on March 21st, - and came to Bohemia, in Maryland, on April 27th. He preached - all the way, which has very much fatigued him, and now he has - a great fever upon him. - - “Yours in the best of bonds, - - “ELIZABETH WHITEFIELD. - - “P.S.――Since writing the above, the Lord has enabled my very - dear master to preach, in the _new building_,[172] a most moving - discourse upon growing in grace. I thought it would have been - impossible for his strength to have held out.”[173] - -A few days afterwards, Whitefield wrote as follows:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _June 4, 1747_. - - “At present, my whole frame of nature seems to be shocked. I - have had several returns of my convulsions, and have almost a - continual burning fever. To oblige my friends, and with great - regret, I have omitted preaching one night, and purpose to do - so once more, that they may not charge me with murdering myself; - but I hope yet to die in the pulpit, or soon after I come out - of it. Dying is exceeding pleasant to me; for though my body is - so weak, the Lord causes my soul to rejoice exceedingly. Letters - from England have refreshed me. All of them call me home loudly. - Congregations here are as large as ever. Next Monday-week, I - purpose to set out for New York.” - -Whitefield’s journey to New York had to be postponed. Hence the -following:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _June 23, 1747_. - - “I have been several times on the verge of eternity. To-morrow, - God willing, I set out for New York, to see if I can gain - strength. At present, I am so weak, that I cannot preach. It is - hard work to be silent; but I must be tried every way. Friends - are exceeding kind; but the best of all is, the Friend of - sinners looks in upon me, and comforts my heart.” - -On reaching New York, Whitefield wrote to Howell Harris:―― - - “NEW YORK, _June 27, 1747_. - - “MY VERY DEAR, DEAR BROTHER,――It is with much pleasure I now sit - down to answer your kind and welcome letters. They have had such - an effect upon me, that, God willing, I am determined to embark - for England, or Scotland, early next spring. Till Christmas, I - am already under indissoluble engagements. I am making a strong - effort to get free from my outward embarrassments; and hope, - before the year is ended, to stock my new plantation in South - Carolina, as a _visible_ fund for the Orphan House. - - “For some weeks past, I have been exceedingly indisposed. God - has been pleased to bring me to the very brink of the grave, by - convulsions, gravel, nervous colic, and a violent fever; but as - afflictions abounded, consolations much more abounded, and my - soul longed to take its flight to Jesus. I have not preached for - a week past; but since my leaving Philadelphia, three days ago, - I seem to have gathered strength, and hope once more, to-morrow, - to proclaim amongst poor sinners the unsearchable riches of - Christ. From hence, I purpose to go to Boston, and return by - land, so as to reach Charleston in November. - - “You will return my most humble and dutiful respects to good - Lady Huntingdon, the Marquis, and Mrs. Edwin.[174] If possible, - I will write to them. I leave my affairs to you, and depend - on you, under God, to transact them all. The trouble is great, - but Jesus will reward thee. Near £40 yearly were subscribed in - England to the Orphan House; but I have received, I think, not - above £5.”[175] - -With the slightest improvement in his health, Whitefield resumed -preaching. The following was addressed to Thomas Adams, one of his -preachers in England:―― - - “NEW YORK, _July 4, 1747_. - - “MY VERY DEAR BROTHER ADAMS,――Your kind letter has affected me - much. It and the other letters have constrained me to set my - face towards England. I hope to discharge what is due in America, - for the Orphan House, this year. I am of your mind respecting - the work in England; and, therefore, am willing so to settle - my affairs, that, when I come, I may stay with you for a long - season. - - “At present, I am very weakly, and scarce able to preach above - once or twice a week; but if our Saviour has further work - for me to do, He can make me young and lusty as the eagle. If - not, I shall go to Him whom my soul loveth, and whom I long to - see.”[176] - -In another letter, of the same date, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “I have recovered a little strength, and find my appetite - restored. I have been here eight days; and, to-morrow, intend - posting away to Boston; and then I shall take a long, if not - a final, farewell of all my northward friends. I have preached - twice with great freedom. People flock rather more than ever, - and the Lord vouchsafes us solemn meetings. I have left my dear - yoke-fellow at Philadelphia, and expect to meet her again, in - New York, in six weeks. In these three northward provinces, I - trust something considerable will be done towards paying off the - Orphan-house arrears. When that is effected, I care not how soon - I sing my _Nunc dimittis_.” - -Another letter, written at New York, must be added. It was addressed to -John Cennick, who had seceded from Whitefield’s connexion, and joined -the Moravians:―― - - “NEW YORK, _July 5, 1747_. - - “MY DEAR JOHN,――Though sick and weak in body, the love I owe - thee, for Jesus’ sake, constrains me to answer thy last kind - letter, dated February 5. The other, mentioned therein, never - came to hand. - - “I am sorry to hear there are yet disputings amongst us - about brick walls. After our contests of that kind about seven - years ago,[177] I hoped such a scene would never appear again; - but I find fresh offences must come, to discover to us fresh - corruptions, to try our faith, to teach us to cease from man, - and to lean more upon God. - - “It has been thy meat and drink to preach the unsearchable - riches of Christ. Mayest thou continue in this plan! I wish - thee much success, and shall always pray that the work of the - Lord may prosper in thy hands. Whether thou hast changed thy - principles with thy situation, I know not. I would only caution - thee against taking anything for gospel upon the mere authority - of man. Go where thou wilt, though thou shouldest be in the - purest society under heaven, thou wilt find that the best of men - are but men at best, and wilt meet with stumbling-blocks enough, - to teach thee the necessity of a continual dependence on the - Lord Jesus, who alone is infallible, and will not give that - glory to another. - - “My dear man, thou wilt excuse me, as my heart, at present, is - affected with the divisions that subsist between the servants - and churches of Jesus Christ. May Jesus heal them, and hasten - the blessed time, when we shall all see eye to eye, and there - shall be no disputings about houses, doctrine, or discipline, - in all God’s holy mountain!” - -On July 20, Whitefield arrived at Boston, and next day wrote to Herbert -Jenkins:――[178] - - “I hear the glorious Emmanuel has prospered the work of your - hands at Plymouth, and elsewhere. May He bless and prosper you, - and the rest of my dear brethren, yet more and more! I hope you - will live in unity, and let Satan get no advantage over you. - ‘_Divide and destroy_,’ is the devil’s motto. ‘Force united,’ - is the Christian’s. Oh that when I come to see you, I may see - you walking in love!”[179] - -On August 9th, he wrote as follows to Howell Harris:―― - - “I have been in New England nearly three weeks. The Lord is with - me. Congregations are as great as ever. I could gladly stay in - New England, but I must return to the southern provinces. Though - faint, I am still pursuing, and, in the strength of Jesus, hope - to die fighting.”[180] - -Whitefield’s labours in the north were not confined to Boston. The -following is taken from the _New England Gazette_:―― - - “Mr. Whitefield came, on Tuesday evening, July 21, to the seat - of his friend, Isaac Royal, Esq., at Charlestown; where, on - the next day, several gentlemen of note from Boston paid him a - friendly visit. On Thursday, the 23rd, he set out for Portsmouth, - where he arrived on Friday, and, that evening, preached there, - to a crowded audience, with as great acceptance as ever. Thence, - he was invited to dine with Sir William Pepperell and his - lady at Kittery, who entertained him with their usual great - politeness and generosity. Thence, he went and preached at York; - the Rev. Mr. Moody and his people received him with the most - hearty welcome. Thence, he returned to Portsmouth, where he - preached again, all the people treating him with gentleman-like - civility. On July 29, he preached at Newbury, and would have - come on to Boston, but was so earnestly solicited to go back - and preach at Exeter and Durham, that he could not resist the - importunity.” - -Returning southwards, Whitefield reached New York on August 27, where -he wrote half a dozen letters, from which the following sentences are -culled:―― - - “We were detained three or four days upon the water; but it - was over-ruled for good. I recovered my appetite, and eat like - a sailor. My health is considerably recruited. My obligations - to my glorious Jesus are increased by my late excursion to - Charlestown, Portsmouth, Boston, and other places in New England. - I am of the same mind as when at Boston,――resolved to preach and - work for Jesus, till I can preach and work no more. He is a good - Master, and is worthy of all our time, and of everything that - we possess. Is not one heart too little for Him? And, yet, He - requires no more. Amazing love! I am lost when I think of it. I - can only say, ‘Lord, I adore and worship!’” - -On August 31, Whitefield set out for Philadelphia. At the risk of being -tedious, further extracts from his letters must be given. To Howell -Harris, he addressed the following:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _September 11, 1747_. - - “MY VERY DEAR, DEAR BROTHER,――I have good news from Georgia, - and from my new plantation in South Carolina. Many negroes are - brought under conviction. We saw great things in New England. - The flocking, and the power that attended the word, were like - what we witnessed seven years ago. Weak as I was, I travelled - eleven hundred miles, and preached daily. I am now going to - Georgia, to settle all my affairs, and get ready to embark - for England. My dear yoke-fellow is gone forwards. I find no - inclination to settle. I am determined to die fighting. I am - here travelling through a wilderness, but, I trust, leaning on - my Beloved. Jesus is my rock, my stay, my God, my all. Various - are the scenes I pass through; and various are the comforts and - supports with which I meet. Sometimes, the Lord feeds me as it - were by the ravens; and He daily teaches me that man’s extremity - is His opportunity, to help and succour.”[181] - -On the same day, Whitefield wrote letters to John and Charles Wesley. -To the former, he says:―― - - “DEAR AND REVEREND SIR,――Not long ago, I received your kind - letter, dated in February last. Your others, I believe, came to - hand, and I hope ere now you have received my answer. My heart - is really for an outward, as well as inward union. Nothing shall - be wanting on my part to bring it about; but I cannot see how - it can be effected, till we all think and speak the same things. - I rejoice to hear, that you and your brother are more moderate - with respect to _sinless perfection_. As for _universal - redemption_, if we omit on each side the talking for or against - _reprobation_, which we may do fairly, and agree, as we already - do, in giving a universal offer to all poor sinners that will - come and taste the water of life, I think we may manage very - well. But it is difficult to manage such matters at a distance. - Some time next year, I hope to see you face to face.” - -So much concerning the amalgamation of their respective Societies. -In reference to the battle of Culloden, and Whitefield’s Thanksgiving -Sermon, on “Britain’s Mercies and Britain’s Duty,” he proceeds to -say:―― - - “I rejoice to find that the Rebellion has been over-ruled - for the awakening of many souls. Our Lord generally builds - His temple in troublesome times. I cannot, upon the maturest - deliberation, charge myself with a design to flatter in my - sermon upon that occasion.[182] You know my attachment to the - present Establishment. Out of the fulness of my heart, my pen - wrote.” - -Passing to his Orphan-house affairs, Whitefield continues:―― - - “I have news of the awakening of several negroes at my new - plantation, lately purchased in South Carolina. I hope ere - long to be delivered from my outward embarrassments. I long to - owe no man anything but love. This is a debt, reverend sir, I - shall never be able to discharge to you, or your brother. Jesus - will pay you all. I love and honour you very much, and rejoice - in your success as much as in my own. O for heaven! where we - shall mistake, judge, and grieve one another no more. Lately, I - thought myself sailing into the blessed harbour; but it seems I - must put out to sea again. Forgive, reverend sir, the prolixity - of this. Love indites. I salute you for my dear fellow-pilgrim, - who is gone forwards. Continue to pray for us, and assure - yourself that you are always remembered by, - - “Reverend and very dear sir, yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Whitefield’s letter to Charles Wesley was equally affectionate. He -writes:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _September 11, 1747_. - - “VERY DEAR SIR,――Both your letters and your prayers, I trust, - have reached me. May mine reach you also, and then it will not - be long ere we shall be one fold under one Shepherd. However, if - this be not on earth, it will certainly be in heaven. Thither, - I trust, we are hastening apace. Blessed be God! that your - spiritual children are increasing. May they increase more and - more! Jesus can maintain them all. He wills that His house - should be full. Some have written me things to your disadvantage. - I do not believe them. Love thinks no evil of a friend. Such - are you to me. I love you most dearly. You will see my letter to - your dear brother. That you may be guided into all truth, turn - thousands and tens of thousands more unto righteousness, and - shine as stars for ever and ever, is the hearty prayer of, - - “Very dear sir, yours most affectionately, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -In the foregoing extract from the _New England Gazette_, the Rev. Mr. -Moody is mentioned. Samuel Moody was a memorable man. Having graduated -in Harvard College, he was ordained in 1700, and, for forty-seven years, -had been minister of York. He was eccentric, but eminent for piety and -usefulness. In his younger years, he himself had been an itinerant, -and had often preached beyond the limits of his own parish. Wherever -he went, he was welcomed. Even the irreligious were impressed with -the sanctity of his character, and were inspired with awe. He refused -to have a fixed salary, as was usual, and elected to depend entirely -on the free contributions of the people. He was frequently in straits, -and almost dinnerless; but always felt confident that, in his extremity, -a meal would be furnished by the providence of God. One day, he had -no provisions and no money, but insisted upon having the cloth laid, -saying to his wife, “The Lord will provide.” No sooner were the words -uttered, than there was a rap at the door, and a person presented him -with a dinner. He was now in the seventy-first year of his age; and, -within four months after the date of Whitefield’s visit, peacefully -expired. The following touching letter was addressed to this venerable -man only eight weeks before his death:―― - - “BOHEMIA, MARYLAND, _September 17, 1747_. - - “HONOURED SIR,――Will you permit a young soldier of Jesus Christ - to write to an experienced veteran, before he goes hence and is - no more seen? I am sorry that my visit to York was short, yet - glad that our Lord gave me to see you once more ready to sing - your ‘Nunc dimittis,’ with steadiness and composure, if not with - joy unspeakable. Happy, thrice happy, reverend sir! You have - gone through that wilderness, which, if hoary hairs should be my - lot, awaits me, your younger son and servant. Well! this is my - comfort: I have the same Beloved to lean upon, as you have had. - The way, though narrow, is not long; the gate, though strait, - opens into life eternal. O that I might pass through it when - young! But, Father, not my will, but Thine be done! - - “Honoured sir, be pleased to pray for me. I remember you and - your dear flock. May He, who kissed away the soul of His beloved - Moses, appoint a Joshua to succeed you, when He bids you come - up to the mount and die! I hope my cordial respects will find - acceptance with your dear yoke-fellow; and I beg leave to - subscribe myself, honoured sir, your most affectionate, though - unworthy, younger son and willing servant in Him who liveth for - ever, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Little more remains to be recorded respecting the year 1747. After -spending a few days in Maryland, Whitefield passed into Virginia, where -he “preached once, and would have preached oftener, but the small-pox -was spreading.” He then “posted” to Bath-Town, North Carolina. Writing -to a friend, he says:―― - - “I am hunting after poor lost sinners in these ungospelized - wilds. People are willing to hear, and I am willing to preach. - My body is weak, and a little riding fatigues me. I long to be - dissolved, and to be with Jesus, but cannot die. I would have - you still pray for me as a _dying_ man; but O pray that I may - not go off as a snuff. I would fain die blazing, not with human - glory, but, with the love of Jesus.” - -After riding “on horseback through the woods a hundred and sixty -miles,” and preaching as he went, Whitefield, on October 18, arrived -at Wilmington, Cape Fear. He then proceeded to Charleston; and, on -October 26, set out for Georgia.[183] He closed the year, however, at -Charleston. Hence the following, addressed to John Edwards, one of his -preachers:―― - - “CHARLESTON, _December 28, 1747_. - - “MY VERY DEAR BROTHER EDWARDS,――I have but just time to inform - you that I wait for answers, to my last letters, from dear - brother Harris and you, in order to be determined about my - coming to England. My affairs here are brought under foot. - If friends at home exert themselves, I may be freed from all - outward embarrassments. The Lord is yet with me. All is well at - Bethesda, and at my new plantation. My dear yoke-fellow is at - the Orphan House. We are always praying for you _all_. The Lord - be with you! That we may keep an eternal new year in the New - Jerusalem, is the hearty prayer of, my very dear man, - - “Ever yours, whilst - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[184] - -Early in the year 1748, Whitefield, instead of embarking for England, -set sail for Bermudas. The following letters, to Howell Harris, will -explain the reason:―― - - “CHARLESTON, _February 28, 1748_. - - “By this time, I hoped to have been on my way to England; but, - having received no answers to the letters I sent you from New - York and elsewhere, and in consequence of other concurring - providences, I have been induced to believe it my duty to go to - Bermudas. My dear yoke-fellow will stay behind, in these parts; - and I purpose to return to her early in the fall. Meanwhile, I - expect to hear from you; and, if my way seems clear, I do not - despair of seeing you before Christmas next. Think not hard of - me, my dear man, for thus deferring to come to you. - - “I hope I have now got very near a sufficiency for the future - support of Bethesda. If my friends in England will help me, I - hope my arrears will be paid, and my heart be freed from a load - which has lain on me for years. If not, the Friend of all will - help me. On Him, my eyes wait; and, in obedience to Him, I go - once more upon the mighty waters. My dear wife will have a trial - in my being absent so long. - - “Yours most affectionately and eternally in Christ Jesus, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[185] - - “ON BOARD THE ‘ANN,’ (Captain Tucker,) _bound from - Charleston to Bermudas, March 6, 1748_. - - “MY VERY DEAR, DEAR BROTHER,――Just as I was coming on board, - yours, dated October 16, was put into my hands. I have read it, - and now believe I shall see you sooner than I expected. I have - a great mind to come to you from New England. But what will - _Sarah_ say? I have left her behind me in the tent; and, should - I bring her to England, my two families, in America, must be - left without a head. Should I go without her, I fear, the trial - will be too hard for her; but, if the Lord calls, I can put both - her and myself into His all-bountiful hands. - - “I am now going, on a fresh embassage, to Bermudas, after having - had a profitable winter in these southern parts. Congregations - in Charleston have been greater than ever; and Jesus has helped - me to deliver my soul. Had I ten thousand lives, He should have - them all. Excuse this scribble; I am just come on board. - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[186] - -As every one knows, the Bermudas are a cluster of small islands, in -the Atlantic Ocean, nearly four hundred in number, but, for the greater -part, diminutive and barren. They were discovered by Juan Bermudas, a -Spaniard, about the year 1522; but were not inhabited till 1609, when -Sir George Somers was cast away upon them, and established a small -settlement. The length of the colony is less than thirty miles, and the -population, even at the present day, is not more than ten thousand, one -half of whom are black and coloured persons. The soil of the inhabited -islands (about five in number) is exceedingly fertile; vegetation is -rapid; spring may be said to be perpetual; and fields and forests are -clad with unfading verdure. In these clustered islets Whitefield landed -on March 15; and here he spent eleven weeks, generally preaching once, -and often twice, a day. In England, it was reported that he was dead. -The _Gentleman’s Magazine_, for the month of May, in its “List of -Deaths,” had the following:―― - - “April.――Rev. Mr. Whitefield, the famous itinerant preacher, and - founder of the Methodists in Georgia.” - -Fortunately, the rumour had afterwards to be corrected. - -Whitefield met with the greatest courtesy and kindness in Bermudas. -The Rev. Mr. Holiday, clergyman of Spanish-Point, received him in -the most affectionate manner, and begged him to become his guest. -The governor and the council invited him to dine with them. The Rev. -Mr. Paul, an aged Presbyterian minister, offered him his pulpit. -Colonels Butterfield, Corbusiers, and Gilbert, Captain Dorrel, and -Judge Bascombe, gave him hospitable entertainments. He preached in the -churches, in the Presbyterian meeting-house, in mansions, in cottages, -and in the open air. Colonel Gilbert lent him his horse during his stay; -and the gentlemen of the islands subscribed more than £100 sterling for -his Orphan House. Some of the negroes were offended at him, because he -reproved “their cursing, thieving, and lying,” and said, “their hearts -were as black as their faces;” but, as a rule, they flocked to hear him, -and were powerfully affected by his discourses. - -Gillies gives extracts from the Journal which Whitefield wrote in -Bermudas,――extracts filling fifteen printed pages; but the substance of -the whole is contained in the following letter, addressed to a minister -at Boston:―― - - “BERMUDAS, _May 17, 1748_. - - “REV. AND DEAR SIR,――Nine weeks ago, I arrived here from - Charleston. We had a safe and pleasant passage. We were nine - days on board; and I do not remember hearing one single oath, - from land to land. - - “Mr. Holiday, a clergyman of the Church of England, received me - with open heart and arms. The first Lord’s-day, after my arrival, - I read prayers and preached in two of his parish churches; and - the longer I stayed, the more kindly he behaved to me. The two - other Church clergy chose to keep at a distance; but Mr. Paul, - an aged Presbyterian minister, was very free to let me have - the use of his meeting-house, and, as it was pretty large and - in a central part of the island, I preached in it for eight - Lord’s-days successively. - - “His excellency, the governor, was pleased to come and hear - me, when I preached in town, with most of the council and the - principal gentlemen in the island. He treated me with great - respect, and invited me more than once to dine with him. I - have preached nearly seventy times; on the week-days chiefly - in private houses, but sometimes in the open air, to larger - assemblies, they tell me, than were ever seen upon the island - before. The word has frequently been attended with Divine power, - and many have been brought under convictions. I have spent nine - happy weeks among them, and was never so little opposed, during - so long a stay in any place. In a few days, I hope to embark, in - the brig _Betsy_, (Captain Eastern,) for England.”[187] - -Respecting his farewell sermon, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “After the service, many came weeping bitterly around me. - Abundance of prayers were put up for my safe passage to England, - and speedy return to Bermudas. Thanks be to the Lord for - sending me hither! I have been received in a manner I dared not - expect, and have met with little, very little, opposition. The - inhabitants seem to be plain and open-hearted. They have also - been open-handed; for they have loaded me with provisions for my - voyage, and, by a private voluntary contribution, have raised me - upwards of £100 sterling. This will pay a little of Bethesda’s - debt, and enable me to make such a remittance to my dear - yoke-fellow, as may keep her from being embarrassed in my - absence.”[188] - -This was Whitefield’s only visit to Bermudas. He wrote: “An entrance is -now made into the islands. The Lord, who has begun, can and will carry -on His own work.” It was long before Whitefield’s hope was realized. -Fifty-one years afterwards, Wesley’s Methodist Conference sent to -the islands the Rev. John Stephenson. The white population hated the -missionary, because he was the friend of the enslaved blacks; and, -before long, he was apprehended, tried, condemned, and sentenced to six -months’ imprisonment, besides having to pay a fine of £50, and all the -expenses of his trial. At the end of his imprisonment, Mr. Stephenson -was expelled the colony, and the Methodist mission was abandoned. Eight -years afterwards, it was resumed by the Rev. Joshua Marsden; in due -time, it had the honour of giving to Methodism the well-known Rev. -Edward Frazer; and, in this year, 1876, it has three missionaries, and -between four and five hundred church members. - -On the 2nd of June, Whitefield embarked for England, the wife of -the governor of Bermudas being one of his fellow passengers. When -approaching the end of his voyage, he wrote, as follows, to a friend:―― - - “ON BOARD THE ‘BETSY,’ _June 24, 1748_. - - “REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR,――Though we are about two hundred - leagues from land, yet, lest hurry of business should prevent - me when we get ashore, I think proper to write you a few lines - whilst I am on board. - - “We sailed from Bermudas twenty-one days ago, and have lived, - as to the conveniences of eating and drinking, like people from - the continent, rather than from one of the islands; so bountiful - were our friends, whom we left behind us. Hitherto, we have met - with no storms or contrary winds. The first day we came out, we - were chased; and, yesterday, a large French vessel shot thrice - at us, and bore down upon us. We gave up all for lost; and I - was dressing to receive our expected visitors; when our captain - cried, ‘The danger is over;’ and the Frenchman turned about and - left us. He was quite near, and we were almost defenceless. Now - we are so near the Channel, we expect such alarms daily. - - “The captain is exceedingly civil, and I have my passage free; - but all I have been able to do, in respect to religious duties, - is to read the Church prayers once every evening, and twice on - Sundays. I have not preached yet. This may spare my lungs, but - it grieves my heart. I long to be ashore, if it were for no - other reason. - - “Besides, I can do little in respect to writing. You may guess - how it is, when I tell you we have four gentlewomen in the cabin. - However, they have been very civil, and I believe my being on - board has been serviceable. I have finished my abridgment of Mr. - Law’s ‘Serious Call,’ which I have endeavoured to _gospelize_. - Yesterday, I made an end of revising all my Journals. I purpose - to have a new edition before I see America. - - “Alas, alas! In how many things have I judged and acted wrong! - I have been too rash and hasty in giving characters, both of - places and persons. Being fond of Scripture language, I have - often used a style too apostolical; and, at the same time, I - have been too bitter in my zeal. Wild-fire has been mixed with - it: and I frequently wrote and spoke in my own spirit, when - I thought I was writing and speaking by the assistance of the - Spirit of God. I have, likewise, too much made impressions my - rule of acting; and have published too soon, and too explicitly, - what had been better told after my death. By these things, I - have hurt the blessed cause I would defend, and have stirred - up needless opposition. This has much humbled me, since I have - been on board, and has made me think of a saying of Mr. Henry’s, - ‘Joseph had more _honesty_ than he had _policy_, or he would - never have told his dreams.’ - - “At the same time, I cannot but bless and praise that good and - gracious God, who filled me with so much of His holy fire, and - carried me, a poor weak youth, through such a torrent both of - popularity and contempt, and set so many seals to my unworthy - ministrations. I bless Him for ripening my judgment a little - more, and for giving me to see and confess, and, I hope, in some - degree, to correct and amend, some of my mistakes. If I have - time before we land, I think to write a short account of what - has happened for these seven years last past; and, when I get - on shore, I purpose to revise and correct the first part of my - Life.” - -All must admire this ingenuous confession. Never was the Latin proverb -better illustrated than in the case of Whitefield: “Fas est ab hoste -doceri.” In both mild and savage language, Whitefield had often been -accused of such faults and errors; and now, when he has time to think, -he honestly confesses them. - -Whitefield landed at Deal on June 30th, and six days afterwards arrived -in London.[189] One of his first acts, when he stepped ashore, was to -write the following hearty and loving letter “to the Rev. Mr. John or -Charles Wesley.” - - “DEAL, _July, 1748_. - - “Will you not be glad to hear that the God of the seas and of - the dry land has brought me to my native country once more? I - came last from the Bermudas, where the Friend of sinners was - pleased to own my poor labours abundantly. I hope, I come in the - spirit of love, desiring to study and pursue those things which - make for peace. This is the language of my heart:―― - - ‘O let us find the ancient way, - Our wondering foes to move; - And force the heathen world to say, - See how these Christians love.’ - - “I purpose to be in London in a few days. Meanwhile, I salute - you and all the followers of the blessed Lamb of God most - heartily. Be pleased to pray for, and give thanks in behalf of, - reverend and dear brother, yours most affectionately in Christ, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Apart from his first visit to America, Whitefield had now spent about -four years and a half in itinerant preaching throughout England’s -transatlantic colonies. Except the religious movement, which began -at Northampton in 1734, and declined in 1736, the time spent in -Whitefield’s second and third visits to America covered the entire -period of what has been termed “the great awakening.” What were the -results of that remarkable work of God? In reference to the churches -of New England only, it has been carefully estimated that from thirty -to forty thousand persons were permanently added to their membership. -With these also must be joined a large number who, after a time, “fell -away;” and likewise the multitudes who were “melted” and made to weep -by Whitefield’s eloquence, but were not converted. Further, it must be -kept in mind, that, up to this period, the practice of admitting to the -communion all persons, though unconverted, who were neither heretical -nor scandalous, was general in the Presbyterian Church, and prevailed -extensively among the Congregational churches; the result being, that a -large proportion of the members of these churches, though orthodox and -moral, were unregenerated. Multitudes of these were now, for the first -time, made the subjects of a saving change. Indeed, in some cases, the -revival seems to have been almost wholly within the Church, and to have -resulted in the conversion of nearly all the members. These, at the -best, had been dead weights to their respective communities; but now -they became active and valuable workers. - -Again: it is useless to deny that there were a large number of -unconverted ministers, especially in New England. Young men, without -even the appearance of piety, were received into the colleges to -prepare for the ministry. Graduates, if found to possess competent -knowledge, were ordained as a matter of course, quite irrespective of -their being born again. The result was, that in New England and in all -the colonies, an unconverted ministry, to a lamentable extent, was the -bane of the churches. “The great awakening,” however, reached not only -the pews, but the pulpits and the colleges of the Christian community. -In the vicinity of Boston only, there were not fewer than twenty -ministers who acknowledged Whitefield as the means of their conversion; -and in other parts of the country, there were proportionate numbers. -This was an incalculable gain. The great curse of the Church was turned -into an equally great blessing. Yea, more than this, the revival fully -and finally killed the doctrine that an unconverted ministry might be -tolerated; and, henceforth, parents felt that they were not doing a -worthy deed by consecrating their unregenerated sons to the office of -the Christian ministry, and sending them to colleges to be prepared -for it.[190] - -Other immediate results of “the great awakening” might be mentioned, -but these are sufficient to evoke the grateful exclamation, “_What hath -God wrought!_” - - - - - _THREE YEARS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND._ - - JULY 1, 1748, TO AUGUST 29, 1751. - - -TWO days after his arrival in London, Whitefield wrote to his -much-loved friend, the gentle James Hervey, who was now completing his -“Meditations”:―― - - “I am very pleased that you appear in print, and that such - encouragement is given to you to print again. My bodily health - is much impaired; but, through Divine assistance, I will go on - working for Jesus, till I can work no more.” - -And again, eight days later:―― - - “Blessed be God, for causing you to write so as to suit the - taste of the polite world! O that they may be won over to admire - Him who is altogether lovely! But what shall I say to your - kind intended present? It is like my dear old friend. My health - somewhat improves. Oh, when shall we get within the veil? Thanks - be to God! it cannot be long. We are both sickly. Lord, give us - patience to wait till our blessed change comes! Our Lord makes - it exceedingly pleasant to me to preach His unsearchable riches. - Multitudes flock to hear; and many seem to be quickened.” - -The welcome given to Whitefield in the metropolis was marvellous. It is -true that the only church in which he was allowed to preach was that of -the Rev. Richard Thomas Bateman, who, only five years before, had been -one of Whitefield’s enemies; but there was the wooden tabernacle, and, -above all, his grand old open-air cathedral adjoining it. On Tuesday, -July 12, he wrote:―― - - “I have preached twice in St. Bartholomew’s Church, and helped - to administer the sacrament once. I believe, on Sunday last, - we had a thousand communicants. Moorfields are as white as ever - unto harvest, and multitudes flock to hear the word. The old - spirit of love and power seems to be revived amongst us.” - -In another letter, written eight days later, he says:―― - - “It is too much for one man to be received as I have been by - thousands. The thoughts of it lay me low, but I cannot get low - enough. I would willingly sink into nothing before the blessed - Jesus, my All in all.” - -Whitefield, however, was not exempt from anxieties. His Bethesda debt -was still a burden. Besides this, he wrote:―― - - “Satan has been sifting all our poor Societies. This is no more - than I expected. Antinomianism has made havoc here; but, I trust, - the worst is over. Our scattered troops begin to unite again, - and the shout of a king is amongst us.” - -There can be no question, that Whitefield’s presence was greatly -needed by the Societies, of which he was moderator. Howell Harris was -one of the most devoted and laborious preachers that ever lived; but -his influence was not equal to that of Whitefield. In a letter, dated -March 3, 1748, he speaks of having travelled about a thousand miles, -in the depth of winter, since he left London on December 20th, and of -having preached two, three, or four times every day.[191] Still the -people were clamorous to have Whitefield back. - -The Countess of Huntingdon, also, had lately been associated with the -Societies with which Whitefield was connected; and, within the last two -months, had been present at a series of memorable services in Wales. -In the month of May, her ladyship and her daughters, accompanied by -Lady Anne and Lady Frances Hastings, were met, in Bristol, by Howell -Harris, and the Revs. Griffith Jones, Daniel Rowlands, and Howell -Davies, three Methodist clergymen of the Church of England; and, as a -sort of evangelistic cavalcade, the whole set out for the neighbouring -principality. For fifteen days successively, two of the ministers, who -accompanied the Countess, preached in the Welsh towns and villages, -through which they passed. On their arrival at Trevecca, they were -joined by five other clergymen, also by several pious and laborious -Dissenting ministers, and a number of Whitefield’s preachers. Here they -had preaching four or five times every day, immense crowds flocking -together from all the adjacent country. The scenes witnessed by the -Countess and the ladies attending her, were, to them, new and startling. -Numbers of the people, convinced of their guilt and misery, gave -utterance to loud and bitter cries; whilst others, filled with “joy -unspeakable,” magnified the Lord, and rejoiced in God their Saviour. No -wonder, that, after this, the Countess of Huntingdon deeply sympathised -with these earnest clergymen and powerful preachers. - - “On a review,” she writes, “of all I have seen and heard, during - the last few weeks, I am constrained to exclaim, ‘Bless the - Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!’ - The sermons were, in general, lively and awakening, containing - the most solemn and awful truths, such as the utter ruin of - man by the fall, and his redemption and recovery by the Lord - Jesus Christ, the energetic declaration of which produced great - and visible effects in many. I enquired the meaning of the - outcry which sometimes spread through the congregation; and, - when informed that it arose from a deep conviction of sin, - working powerfully on the awakened conscience, I could not but - acknowledge, ‘This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous - in our eyes.’ Many, on these solemn occasions, there is reason - to believe, were brought out of nature’s deepest darkness into - the marvellous light of the all-glorious gospel of Christ. My - earnest prayer to God for them is, that they may continue in His - grace and love.”[192] - -Accompanied by Howell Harris and Howell Davies, the Countess of -Huntingdon arrived in London on the 15th of June,[193] exactly three -weeks before Whitefield’s arrival there. Her ladyship, through Howell -Harris, invited Whitefield to her house at Chelsea, where he, at once, -began to preach to crowded and fashionable congregations.[194] This, -to Whitefield, was the beginning of a new career. Henceforth, Hervey -by his writings, and Whitefield by his preaching, began to mould the -character of not a few of the highest nobility in the land. - -Howell Harris was a glorious evangelist; but, somehow, he hardly -succeeded in keeping Whitefield’s preachers in proper order. The -Countess of Huntingdon was a remarkable woman; but she could scarcely -preside, as a female prelate, in the “Associations,” or conferences of -the Calvinistic Methodists. Five years ago, the preachers had elected -Whitefield to be their moderator at all times when he was resident in -England, and had decided that, in his absence, Howell Harris should -be his substitute. For nearly four years past, Whitefield had been -in America, and Harris had done his best, in governing as well as -preaching. Affairs, however, had got into confusion; and, hence, a -fortnight after Whitefield’s arrival in London, he resumed his place -as moderator. The following is taken from the “Life and Times of Howell -Harris,” and is an abridgment of the minutes entered in the “Conference -Book,” already mentioned:―― - - “Association held in London, July 20, 1748. Present, Whitefield, - (moderator), Bateman, Harris, and others. Whitefield, after - prayer and singing, opened his mind on several points.” He - told the exhorters and preachers present, that, “he had seen so - much confusion occasioned by young men going out rashly beyond - their line, that, he was resolved not to labour with any who - did not shew a teachable mind and a willingness to submit.” He - admonished them “to use all means for improving their talents - and abilities.” And added, that, “though he hated to affect - headship, yet he must see every one acquainted with his own - place, and that they must consider themselves as candidates - on approbation.” The result of this faithful dealing was, “the - Brethren viewed him as a father; and declared their willingness - to use all possible means for their personal improvement.” - -Thus began Whitefield’s ecclesiastical administration on his return -from America. Like a wise man, he, first of all, tried to put the -preachers right. Without this, it would have been useless to attempt -to amend the people. - -The effort was a temporary one. Having spent nearly a month in London, -Whitefield set out to attend a quarterly “Association,” at Waterford, -in Wales. A month later, he wrote a surprising letter to his friend -Wesley. - - “LONDON, _September 1, 1748_. - - “REV. AND DEAR SIR,――My not meeting you in London has been a - disappointment to me. What have you thought about a union? I am - afraid an external one is impracticable. I find, by your sermons, - that we differ in principles more than I thought; and I believe - we are upon two different plans. My attachment to America will - not permit me to abide very long in England; consequently, I - should weave but a Penelope’s web, if I formed Societies; and, - if I should form them, I have not proper assistants to take care - of them. I intend, therefore, to go about preaching the gospel - to every creature. You, I suppose, are for settling Societies - everywhere; but more of this when we meet.” - -This, on the part of Whitefield, was not an inconsiderate utterance. -The present was really a turning-point in his eventful life. Strictly -speaking, with perhaps a few exceptions, he had not “_formed_” -Societies, as Wesley had; but, for five years past, he had been the -“moderator” of all the Societies founded by Howell Harris, and by -the preachers, who, in the title-page of the _Christian History_, were -constantly designated Whitefield’s “fellow-labourers and assistants.” -Many of Wesley’s Societies were “_formed_” not by Wesley himself, but -by his “assistants;” and the same must be said respecting Whitefield -and the Societies of which he was president. If Whitefield had not -_actually_ “settled” Societies, he had consented to this being done by -his “fellow-labourers and assistants;” and, by accepting the office of -moderator, he had encouraged the proceeding. Now, however, he declared -his intention to take a new position; and, by degrees, his intention -was carried out. At an Association, held in London, April 27, 1749, -at which Whitefield, Harris, and others were present, it was agreed, -that “Harris should take the oversight of the Tabernacle in London, -and of the other _English_ Societies and preachers; and that Whitefield -should do all he could to strengthen the hands of Harris and others, -consistent with his going out to preach the gospel at home and -abroad.”[195] By this resolution, the office of moderator was -practically transferred from Whitefield to Harris. Whitefield was no -longer the head of the Calvinistic Methodists, but his friend Harris, -who first founded them. - -For the present, Whitefield did not abandon them. He simply ceased -to be their chief officer. During the first week of September, 1749, -he spent not fewer than five days in conference with them, at the -Tabernacle, London; when, besides settling the “rounds” of the -preachers, it was determined, not only “to preach the Lord Jesus in a -catholic spirit to all the churches,” but “to continue in communion” -with the Church of England.[196] - -Harris, however, in his new office, was far from being happy. “In -Wales,” he writes, “great jars and disputes arose amongst us.”[197] He -became dissatisfied with some of the preachers and with many of the -people; and, at an Association held at ♦Llanidloes in 1751, there was -a rupture, and Harris seceded from them. In the year following, Harris -founded his remarkable and well-known settlement at Trevecca; and -here, in comparative seclusion, he continued to reside until his death, -in 1773. For twenty years, he had a small community of his own; but, -though separated from the Calvinistic Methodists, whom he had founded, -he was not an opponent and an enemy. His heart was too warm and large -to be vindictive. To the last, he was a sincere friend of Whitefield, -and of his old companions in toil, tribulation, and success. - -The incidents just enumerated deserve attention. It is impossible to -conceive what would have been the result, if Whitefield and Harris had -continued active chiefs of the Calvinistic Methodists; as it is equally -impossible to conceive the probable consequences of Whitefield entering -into an open union with Wesley; and of the Societies, “assistants, -and fellow-labourers” of the two being amalgamated into one common -body. Speculations on such matters would be fruitless. The plain facts -are these: within two months after his return from America, in 1748, -Whitefield determined to put an end to his official relationship to -the Calvinistic Methodists; this determination was gradually carried -out; and, during the last twenty years of his life, he occupied a new -position, which must now be noticed. - -The question naturally occurs, Why this change of situation? Was it -because of the wild-fire of some of the preachers, and the consequent -confusion of some of the Societies, with which Whitefield was -officially connected? This is improbable; for, whatever might be -Whitefield’s failings, shirking difficulties was not one of them. -The only way to solve the propounded problem is to remember the close -relationship which was now, unexpectedly, created between the Countess -of Huntingdon and the great preacher. The Countess had recently been -an eye-witness of some of the Societies in Wales, and had been filled -with gratitude and praise for what she had seen and heard; but, now she -seems to have entertained the idea, that both she and Whitefield might -be more usefully employed, than by directly associating themselves -with the Calvinistic Methodists, and by using their time, talents, and -influence in the multiplication of such Societies. Instead of creating -new sects out of the Church of England, was it not possible to reform -and amend the Church of England itself? And was not the raising up of -evangelical and converted ministers the most likely way to bring about -such a reformation? Put the pulpits right, and the pews would certainly -improve. - -Though direct evidence may be wanting, there can be little doubt, that, -this was the grand scheme now revolving in the mind of the illustrious -Countess; and that this scheme, in less or greater detail, was -revealed to Whitefield, and led to his separation from the Calvinistic -Methodists. At all events, as will be seen hereafter, this was one of -the chief objects to which Whitefield and her ladyship devoted their -time and energies. Whitefield tried to raise up converted clergymen; -and the Countess procured them ordination, and built them chapels. -The idea was grand,――perhaps inspired,――and the working it out was -unquestionably the principal means of effecting the marvellous change -which has taken place, since then, in the Established Church. Wesley -created a great Church outside the Church of England. Whitefield and -the Countess of Huntingdon were pre-eminently employed in improving -the Church of England itself. Where was evangelistic effort previous -to the days of Wesley? And where were the converted clergymen of the -Established Church previous to the year 1748? A few――a very few――might -be mentioned; but even these were nicknamed Methodists. No one can -estimate the service rendered to the cause of Christ, outside the -Church, by Wesley and his “assistants;” and it is also equally -impossible to estimate the service rendered _to_ the Church by the -despised Whitefield and his female prelate, the grand, stately, -strong-minded, godly, and self-sacrificing Countess of Huntingdon. All -this will be amply illustrated by the further details of Whitefield’s -history. - -To return. The following fragments, taken from letters written to -Lady Huntingdon, during the month of August, 1748, will serve to shew -the friendship that now existed between her ladyship and the great -preacher:―― - - “August 21. I received your ladyship’s letter late last night. - I am quite willing to comply with your invitation. As I am to - preach at St. Bartholomew’s on Wednesday evening, I will wait - upon your ladyship the next morning, and spend the whole day at - Chelsea. Blessed be God, that the rich and great begin to have - a hearing ear. Surely your ladyship and Madam Edwin are only - the firstfruits. A word in the lesson, when I was last at your - ladyship’s, struck me,――‘Paul preached privately to those who - were of reputation.’ This must be the way, I presume, of dealing - with the nobility who yet know not the Lord. O that I may be - enabled so to preach as to win their souls to the blessed Jesus! - - “August 22. As there seems to be a door opening for the nobility - to hear the gospel, I will preach at your ladyship’s on Tuesday. - Meanwhile, I will wait upon or send to the Count, the Danish - Ambassador’s brother, who favours me with his company to dine on - Monday. As I am to preach four times to-morrow, I thought it my - duty to send these few lines to your ladyship to-night.” - -The Countess made him her domestic chaplain,――the only ecclesiastical -preferment, except the living at Savannah, he ever had; and, in -acknowledgment of the honour, he wrote to her as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _September 1, 1748_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――Although it is time for me to be setting - out” (for Scotland), “I dare not leave town without dropping - a few lines, gratefully to acknowledge the many favours I have - received from your ladyship, especially the honour you have done - me in making me one of your ladyship’s chaplains. A sense of it - humbles me, and makes me pray more intensely for grace to walk - worthy of that God who has called me to His kingdom and glory. - As your ladyship has been pleased to confer this honour upon me, - I shall think it my duty to send you weekly accounts of what the - Lord Jesus is pleased to do for me and by me. - - “Glory be to His great name, the prospect is promising. My - Lord Bath[198] received me yesterday morning very cordially, - and would give me five guineas for the orphans. God’s peculiar - providence has placed your ladyship at Chelsea. Upon the road, I - propose writing you my thoughts of what scheme seems to be most - practicable, in order to carry on the work of God, both here and - in America.” - -To a friend, on the same day, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “LONDON, _September 1, 1748_. - - “I have been a mile or two upon the road to Scotland, but turned - back because my chaise was not registered. - - “My hands have been full of work, and I have been among great - company. A privy counsellor of the King of Denmark, and others, - with one of the Prince of Wales’s favourites, dined and drank - tea with me on Monday. On Tuesday, I preached twice at Lady - Huntingdon’s, to several of the nobility. In the morning, the - Earl of Chesterfield[199] was present. In the evening, Lord - Bolingbroke.[200] All behaved quite well, and were in some - degree affected. Lord Chesterfield thanked me, and said, ‘Sir, - I will not tell you what I shall tell others, how I approve - of you,’ or words to this purpose. He conversed with me freely - afterwards. Lord Bolingbroke was much moved, and desired I would - come and see him next morning. I did; and his lordship behaved - with great candour and frankness. All accepted of my sermons. - Thus, my dear brother, the world turns round. ‘In all time of my - wealth, good Lord, deliver me!’” - -Before following Whitefield to Scotland, further extracts from his -letters must be given. - -The friendship between Whitefield and the celebrated Dr. Doddridge -has been already noticed. He now commenced an important correspondence -with one of the doctor’s converts. James Stonehouse was a year or -two younger than Whitefield, and was practising as a physician at -Northampton. For seven years, he had been an infidel; and had written -a pamphlet against revealed religion, which reached three editions. The -death of his young wife, at the age of twenty-five, caused reflection. -He read Doddridge’s “Rise and Progress of Religion,” and was converted. -He was now a sincere and ardent Christian; and Whitefield began to urge -him to become a minister. After much hesitancy, he entered into holy -orders, and obtained the lectureship of All Saints’, Bristol. In 1791, -he succeeded to the title of baronet. He was a man of great ability, -was no mean poet, published several religious pamphlets, and died, in -1795, full of years and honour. He was now living in terms of great -intimacy with Doddridge and Hervey, and had written to Whitefield, -giving him advice about his health. At present, Whitefield had no -leisure to place himself in the hands of a physician. He was soon to -start for Scotland; and he wished to publish a new and revised edition -of his journals, and of some of his sermons. Hence the following, -addressed to Dr. Stonehouse:―― - - “LONDON, _August 22, 1748_. - - “VERY DEAR SIR,――I thank you for your concern about my health. - If it should please God to bring me back from Scotland, to - winter in town, I have thoughts of submitting to some regimen - or other. At present, I think it impracticable. - - “I heartily wish that you and Dr. Doddridge[201] and Mr. Hervey - would be pleased to revise my journals and last five sermons. I - intend publishing a new edition soon. I always do as you desire - in respect to Mr. Wesley’s sermons. My prayer for him, for - myself, and for my friends, is this,――‘Lord, give us clear heads - and clean hearts!’ - - “I would recommend Bishop Beveridge’s sermons more, but they are - too voluminous for the common people, and I have not read them - all. I expect you will do this yourself, by-and-by, from the - pulpit, and recommend his and your Master to the choice of poor - sinners. By your excellent letter, you have publicly confessed - Him. The eyes of all will be now upon you, to see whether the - truths you have delivered to others are transcribed in your own - heart, and copied in your life. Now indeed may you cry―― - - ‘O for a strong, a lasting faith, - To credit what the Almighty saith!’ - - “Dear sir, let me entreat you to keep from trimming, or so much - as attempting to reconcile two irreconcilable differences,――God - and the world, Christ and Belial. You know me too well to - suppose I want you to turn cynic. No, live a social life; but - beg of the Lord Jesus to free you from love of the world. Thence - arises that fear of man, which now shackles and disturbs your - soul. Dare, dear sir, to be singularly good. If Christ be your - Saviour, make Him a present of your pretty character. Honour Him, - and He will honour you. Never rest till you can give up children, - name, life, and all into His hands, who gave His precious blood - for you. I make you no apology for this: you say you are my - friend.” - -Whitefield left London on September 3, and, halting at Olney, wrote, as -follows, to a friend in New England:―― - - “OLNEY, _September 4, 1748_. - - “It is always darkest before daybreak. It has been so in England. - Matters, as to religion, were come almost to an extremity. The - enemy had broken in upon us like a flood. The Spirit of the - Lord is now lifting up a standard. The prospect of the success - of the gospel, I think, was never more promising. In the church, - tabernacle, and fields, congregations have been great; and, - perhaps, as great power as ever hath accompanied the word. A - door is also opening for the mighty and noble. I have preached - four times to several of the nobility at good Lady Huntingdon’s. - All behaved exceeding well; and, I suppose, in the winter, - opportunities of preaching to them will be frequent. - - “As for returning to America, if I live, I believe there is no - doubt of it. I intend keeping myself free from Societies, and - hope to see you again next year.” - -Whitefield arrived in Edinburgh on Wednesday, September 14, and -continued in Scotland until October 27.[202] During his stay in London, -he had preached regularly, at least once a week, in the Church of -St. Bartholomew, of which his quondam enemy, but now ardent friend, -the Rev. Richard T. Bateman, was rector. Though now patronized by -the Countess of Huntingdon and several of the nobles of the land, -Whitefield was not permitted to preach in any metropolitan church -except this; and even for granting this permission, Mr. Bateman was -likely to be involved in trouble. Dr. Gibson, Bishop of London, died -three days after Whitefield set out for Scotland; and it was hoped -that Bateman’s troubles would be buried in the bishop’s grave. Two days -subsequent to his arrival at Edinburgh, Whitefield wrote to Mr. Bateman -as follows:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _September 16, 1748_. - - “REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,――I have met with a hearty welcome. Last - night, I preached to a Moorfields congregation, for numbers; - and the Lord, I believe, was pleased to give His blessing. I - hope all is well in London. The bishop’s death, I suppose, will - prevent any further stir about Bartholomew’s. I shall be glad to - hear how you go on. Pray, dear sir, how are your circumstances? - You will not be offended, if I say that more than one have - informed me of your being in debt. I thought it my duty to - apprize you of this, because I know what a burden it is to be - in debt; not indeed for myself, but for others.” - -Except about a dozen days spent at Glasgow and Cambuslang, Whitefield’s -labours in Scotland seem to have been confined to Edinburgh. In various -letters to the Countess of Huntingdon, he relates, that, at his first -coming, he was rather discouraged; for “some of the ministers were -shy,” many of his friends were dead, others were backsliders, the -weather was boisterous, and he himself was hoarse. “I have met,” said -he, on September 29, “with some unexpected rubs, but not one more than -was necessary to humble my proud heart.” A fortnight later, he tells -her ladyship that, in the Synod of Glasgow, there had been a long -debate about him; and that the Presbytery of Perth had “made an act -against employing” him. He adds:―― - - “Ill-nature shews itself in Edinburgh, but I feel the benefit - of it. Congregations are large, and I am enabled to preach with - greater power. My hoarseness is quite gone, and my bodily health - much improved. If my enemies shew themselves, I am persuaded the - blessed Jesus will bless me to His people more and more. Some - give out that I am employed by the Government to preach against - the Pretender; and the seceders are angry with me for not - preaching up the Scotch Covenant. Blessed be God! I preach up - the covenant of grace, and I trust many souls are taught to - profit.” - -When at Topcliff, on his way back to London, he wrote to the -Countess:―― - - “Thanks be to the Lord of all lords for directing my way to - Scotland! I have reason to believe some have been awakened, and - many, many quickened and comforted. My old friends are more - solidly so than ever; and, I trust, a foundation has been laid - for doing much good, if the Lord should call me thither again. - Two Synods and one Presbytery brought me upon the carpet; but - all has worked for good. The more I was blackened, the more the - Redeemer comforted me.” - -This was the first time that Whitefield had been discussed in the -Ecclesiastical Courts of Scotland. Though many of the clergy had been -dissatisfied with the countenance given to Whitefield’s preaching, -several circumstances had hitherto prevented them from uniting -in any public measure to restrain it. The proceedings of “The -Associate Presbytery” had been so intemperate, that the clergy of -the Establishment naturally felt a reluctance to countenance their -calumnies. The great body of the people, also, were so extremely -attached to him, that a direct attack upon his ministry could scarcely -have been made, without incurring public odium. Further, some of the -most distinguished families in Scotland were his constant hearers, -and were in the habit of admitting him to their private society. -Among these, in particular, was his Majesty’s representative, as Lord -High Commissioner, in the General Assembly, who not only attended -his ministrations, and invited him to his house, but introduced him -to his public table, during the session of the assembly. When these -circumstances are added to the long-established practice of the -Presbyterian Church, with regard to occasional communion with other -churches, it is not surprising that the ministers of the Establishment -were not forward to agitate a question on which unanimity was not to be -expected, and in which principle and prudence were both involved. - -It is difficult to conceive why the subject of Whitefield’s character -and preaching were debated now. Perhaps the members of the Glasgow -Synod were afraid of a repetition of the marvellous scenes which -had been witnessed at Cambuslang and other places, in 1742. Or, -perhaps, they were deeply offended, because, during his present visit, -Whitefield had been employed to preach for Dr. Gillies in the College -Church of Glasgow, and for Dr. Erskine in the Church of Kirkintilloch. -Be that as it may, the Synod of Glasgow deemed it right to discuss -the matter. The topics introduced were numerous, but stale. He was -a priest of the Church of England; he had not subscribed the formula; -he had been imprudent; his Orphan-house scheme was chimerical; there -was want of evidence that the money he collected was rightly applied; -he asserted that assurance was essential to faith; he encouraged -a dependence on impulses and immediate revelations; he declared, -on slender evidence, some people converted, and others carnal and -unregenerated; he often pretended to repent of his blunders, but as -often relapsed into them; and, finally, he was under a sentence of -suspension by Commissary Garden.[203] These were the accusations. -Keen debates occurred; and, at length, the following, almost neutral, -proposition was submitted: “That no minister within the bounds of the -Synod should employ ministers or preachers, not licensed or ordained in -Scotland, till he had had sufficient evidence of their license and good -character, and should be in readiness to give an account of his conduct -to his own presbytery, when required.” Thirteen voted against the -proposition, and twenty-seven for it.[204] - -Similar resolutions were adopted by the Synod of Lothian and -♦Tweeddale, the Synod of Perth and Stirling, and by the Presbytery of -Edinburgh; and, to complete the whole, six hundred of the followers of -the Erskines, by whom Whitefield was first invited to visit Scotland, -assembled in Edinburgh on November 16, and swore to observe the League -and Covenant; and “solemnly engaged to strengthen one another’s hands, -in the use of lawful means, to extirpate Popery, Prelacy, Arminianism, -Arianism, Tritheism, Sabellianism, and _George Whitefieldism_.” The -service “was conducted by the Rev. Adam Gibb and his helpers, with -great solemnity, and the generality of the people evidenced an uncommon -seriousness and concern.”[205] - -Of course, all this created great commotion; but limited space will -only permit the insertion of the following letter, which was printed -in the _Edinburgh Courant_:―― - - “SIR,――On the 27th of October, the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield - set out from this place” (Edinburgh) “to London. During the time - of his stay here, he preached about twenty times in the Orphan - Hospital Park, three times in the Tolbooth Church, and twice - in that of the Cannongate, to very large congregations; and - was much approven of, by the generality of serious Christians, - as a well-accomplished gospel preacher. As his conversation in - private, as well as public, gave entire satisfaction to those - who were most intimate with him, it is not a little surprising - to them to find him represented and asserted to be a person of - suspicious character. He declared, upon his arrival here, that - he was to make no public collections; and he did not. Neither - did he ask money or anything else from any person.[206] As it is - reported he will pay us a visit next summer, it is not doubted - but it will be very acceptable to all who rejoice that Christ is - preached, and sinners are saved through Him.” - -Dr. Stonehouse, of Northampton, has been mentioned. Whitefield wished -him to become a minister; but Stonehouse was timorous, and afraid of -being called a Methodist. Whitefield desired to have an interview with -him, on his return from Scotland, and hence the following letter:―― - - “GLASGOW, _September 28, 1748_. - - “MY VERY DEAR SIR,――I purpose to preach at Oundle, in my way - to London. Glad shall I be to see two such friends, as you - and Mr. Hervey, though _incog_. I will endeavour to send you - timely notice. I would have neither of you expose yourselves - to needless contempt on my account. I think I can say that I am - willing to be forgotten, even by my friends, if Jesus Christ may - thereby be exalted. But then, I would not have my friends act - an inconsistent part towards that Friend of all――that Friend of - sinners, the glorious Emmanuel. Whilst you are afraid of men, - you will expose yourself to a thousand inconveniences. Your - polite company (unless you converse with them more as their - physician than as their companion) will prevail on you to such - compliances as will make you smart, when you retire into your - closet and reflect on the part you have acted. Before I shook - off the world, I often came out of company shorn of all my - strength, like poor Samson when he had lost his locks. But this - is a tender point. - - “Go on, dear sir, and prove the strength of Jesus to be - yours. Continue instant in prayer, and you shall see and feel - infinitely greater things than you have yet seen or felt. I am - of your opinion, that there is seed sown in England, which will - grow up into a great tree. God’s giving some of the mighty and - noble a hearing ear forebodes future good. I do not despair of - seeing you a proclaimer of the unsearchable riches of Christ. - God be praised! that Mr. Hervey is so bold an advocate for his - blessed Lord.” - -Whitefield was always in trouble, from one quarter or another. While -the ecclesiastical courts of Scotland were interdicting his preaching, -without mentioning his name, Lavington, the Bishop of Exeter, was -lashed into an unchristian rage against him. His Lordship of Exeter had -recently delivered a charge to the clergy of his diocese. Some unknown -wag circulated what pretended to be a manuscript copy of the charge, -but containing declarations of doctrine and Christian experience worthy -of Whitefield and Wesley themselves. Without authority, the _pretended_ -charge was printed, and occasioned the publication of several pamphlets -in reply and congratulation. Meanwhile, however, Lavington, the -inveterate hater of Methodists and Moravians, was dubbed a Methodist. -This, to his lordship, was intolerable, and drew forth from him an -angry “declaration,” in which he charged the Methodist chiefs with -being the authors of the fraud. The charge was utterly unfounded; the -Countess of Huntingdon interfered; with great difficulty she obtained -a recantation from the infuriated prelate; and this was published in -the leading journals of the day. The following letter refers to this -disreputable _fracas_. - - “GLASGOW, _October 5, 1748_. - - “VERY DEAR SIR,――I received yours this morning, and think it my - duty to send you an immediate answer. - - “You might well inform my Lord of Exeter that I knew nothing - of the printing of his lordship’s pretended charge, or of the - pamphlets occasioned by it. When the former was sent to me in - manuscript, from London to Bristol, as his lordship’s production, - I immediately said, it could not be his. When I found it printed, - I spoke to the officious printer, who did it out of his own head, - and blamed him very much. When I saw the pamphlet, I was still - more offended. Repeatedly, in several companies, I urged the - injustice as well as imprudence thereof, and said it would - produce what it did,――I mean a ♦declaration from his lordship, - that he was no Methodist. I am sorry his lordship had such an - occasion given him to declare his aversion to what is called - Methodism; and, though I think his lordship, in his declaration, - has been somewhat severe concerning some of the Methodist - leaders, I cannot blame him for saying, that he thought ‘some of - them were worse than ignorant and misguided,’ supposing that his - lordship had sufficient proof that they caused to be printed a - charge which he had never owned nor published. - - “If you think proper, you may let his lordship see the contents - of this. I will only add, that, I wish a way could be found, - whereby his lordship and other of the right reverend the bishops - might converse with some of us. Many mistakes might thereby be - rectified, and perhaps his lordship’s sentiments, in some degree, - might be altered. If this cannot be effected, (I speak only - for myself,) I am content to wait till we all appear before the - great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. Meanwhile, I heartily pray, - that their lordships may be blessed with all spiritual blessings, - and wishing you the like mercies, I subscribe myself, very dear - sir, your affectionate, obliged, humble servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Whitefield reached London at the beginning of November, and immediately -resumed preaching, twice a week, in the house of the Countess of -Huntingdon, “to the great and noble.”[207] Here he had to encounter -another trouble. In a letter, dated October 20th, 1748, Howell Harris -gives an account of his labours, in South and North Wales, during the -last nine weeks. He had visited thirteen counties, had travelled a -hundred and fifty miles every week, and had preached two sermons every -day, and sometimes three or four. During the last week of his tour, he -had never taken off his clothes; and, in one instance, had travelled -above a hundred miles, from morning to the evening of the ensuing day, -without any rest, preaching on the mountains at midnight, in order -to avoid the persecution of Sir Watkin William Wynn. Such was the -malevolence of the Welsh baronet towards the poor Methodists, that, -only a few days before, for simply meeting together to worship God, -a number of them had had to pay fines, varying from five shillings to -twenty pounds. Encouraged by those who ought to have known better, the -mobs, in many places, were almost murderously violent; and, near to -Bala, Harris received a blow on the head nearly sufficient to “split -his skull in two.”[208] Whitefield was informed of these outrageous -proceedings; he reported them to the Countess of Huntingdon; her -ladyship laid the particulars before the Government; and, to the no -small mortification of Sir Watkin Wynn, the fines he had exacted from -the Methodists were ordered to be returned.[209] - -Five years ago, Whitefield had formed an acquaintance with Dr. -Doddridge, the great Dissenting tutor; he now visited the equally -celebrated Dr. Watts, whom the Dissenters of the day might properly -have regarded as their _patriarch_. Watts had looked upon Whitefield -with disfavour, and had chidden Doddridge for lowering the dignity of -the Dissenting minister and tutor, by preaching in Whitefield’s wooden -meeting-house. For more than thirty years, Watts had been a beloved and -honoured guest in the mansion of Sir Thomas Abney, Stoke Newington. He -was now dying, and, on November 25th, away Whitefield went to see him. -Being introduced, Whitefield tenderly enquired, “how he found himself?” -“I am one of Christ’s waiting servants,” replied the dying Doctor. -Whitefield assisted in raising him up in bed, that he might with more -convenience take his medicine. Watts apologised for the trouble he -occasioned. Whitefield answered, “Surely, I am not too good to wait on -a waiting servant of Christ.” Whitefield took his leave; and half an -hour afterwards Dr. Watts was dead.[210] Thus met and parted the great -hymnist and the great preacher, until they met again in “the palace of -angels and God.”[211] - -A week after Watts’s death, Whitefield set out for Gloucester and -Bristol. In the latter city, his preaching was the means of converting -a Welsh shoemaker, who subsequently became one of Wesley’s best -itinerant preachers, and who, in his wide wanderings, composed a few -of the finest hymns ever sung in the Christian Church,――hymns not -surpassed by the best of Dr. Watts’s, and which, after a century’s use, -are as much in favour among the Methodists as ever. - -Thomas Olivers was now twenty-three years of age. His life had been -rambling and wicked. Getting into debt had been a regular practice, -and profane swearing had become his habitual sin. The first night that -he spent in Bristol he was literally penniless. Having obtained work, -he went to lodge in the house of a man who had been a Methodist, but -was now “a slave to drunkenness.” In the same house, there was “a -lukewarm Moravian.” Olivers and the Moravian disputed “about election,” -till they quarrelled. The Moravian, a tall, lusty fellow, struck the -Welshman. Olivers says, “I knew I should have no chance in fighting -him, and therefore, for a whole hour, I cursed and swore, with all the -rage of a fiend, in such a manner as is seldom equalled on earth, or -exceeded even in hell itself.” Soon after this, Olivers met a multitude -of people in the streets of Bristol, and asked where they had been. -One answered, “To hear Mr. Whitefield.” Olivers thought, “I have often -heard of Mr. Whitefield, and have sung songs about him: I’ll go and -hear him myself.” Accordingly, he went. Whitefield’s text was, “Is -not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Olivers was there and then -convinced of sin, and resolved to give his heart to God. The next -Sunday, he went to the cathedral at six in the morning; and, as the -Te Deum was read, “felt as if he had done with earth, and was praising -God before His throne.” At eight, he went to hear Whitefield preach; -at ten, he went to Christchurch; at two in the afternoon, he again -attended church; at five, he heard Whitefield, and concluded the day -at a Baptist meeting. He writes: “The love I had for Mr. Whitefield was -inexpressible. I used to follow him as he walked the streets, and could -scarce refrain from kissing the very prints of his feet.” - -Five years after this, Thomas Olivers had paid all his debts, and was -one of Wesley’s itinerant preachers. His subsequent history was too -remarkable to be condensed in a work like this. - -Whitefield’s Orphan House was again causing him anxiety. He wrote to a -friend in America: “I want to make it a seminary of learning. If some -such thing be not done, I cannot see how the _southern_ parts will be -provided with ministers. All here are afraid to come over.”[212] He had -also heard that his wife had lessened the Orphan-house family, and was -about to return to England.[213] And, further, he had been informed -that the trustees were about to allow the employment of slaves in -Georgia.[214] These circumstances led him to write a long and -remarkable letter to the trustees. The following is an extract:―― - - “GLOUCESTER, _December 6, 1748_. - - “HONOURED GENTLEMEN,――Not want of respect, but a suspicion that - my letters would not be acceptable, has been the occasion of my - not writing to you these four years last past. I am sensible, - that in some of my former letters, I expressed myself in too - strong and sometimes in unbecoming terms. For this I desire to - be humbled before God and man. I can assure you, however, that, - to the best of my knowledge, I have acted a disinterested part. - I have simply aimed at God’s glory, and the good of mankind. - This principle drew me first to Georgia; this, and this alone, - induced me to begin and carry on the Orphan House; and this, - honoured gentlemen, excites me to trouble you with the present - lines. - - “I need not inform you, how the colony of Georgia has been - declining, and at what great disadvantages I have maintained - a large family in that wilderness. Upwards of £5000 have been - expended in that undertaking; and yet, very little proficiency - has been made in the cultivation of my tract of land; and that - entirely owing to the necessity I lay under of making use of - white hands. Had negroes been allowed, I should now have had a - sufficiency to support a great many orphans, without expending - above half the sum that has been laid out. An unwillingness to - let so good a design drop induced me, two years ago, to purchase - a plantation in South Carolina, where negroes are allowed. This - plantation has succeeded; and, though I have only eight working - hands, in all probability, there will be more raised in one - year, and with a quarter of the expense, than has been produced - at Bethesda for several years past. This confirms me in the - opinion, I have long entertained, that, Georgia never can be - a flourishing province, unless negroes are employed. - - “But, notwithstanding my private judgment, I am determined, - that, not one of mine shall ever be allowed to work at the - Orphan House till it can be done in a legal manner, and with the - approbation of the Honourable Trustees. My chief end in writing - this, is to inform you, that, I am as willing as ever to do all - I can for Georgia and the Orphan House, if either a limited use - of negroes is approved of, or some more indentured servants be - sent from England. If not, I cannot promise to keep any large - family, or cultivate the plantation in any considerable manner. - - “I would also further recommend to your consideration, whether, - as the Orphan House is intended for a charitable purpose, it - ought not to be exempted from all quit-rents and public taxes? - And, as most of the land on which the Orphan House is built is - good for little, I would humbly enquire, whether I may not have - a grant of five hundred more acres, not taken up, somewhere near - the Orphan House? - - “If you, Honourable Gentlemen, are pleased to put the colony - upon another footing,――I mean in respect to the permission of - a limited use of negroes,――my intention is to make the Orphan - House, not only a receptacle for fatherless children, but also - a place of literature and academical studies. Such a place is - much wanted in the southern parts of America, and, if conducted - in a proper manner, must necessarily be of great service to any - colony. I can easily procure proper persons to embark in such a - cause.” - -From such a pen, this is a strange production. Whitefield, with his -large heart, urging the introduction of slavery into the province of -Georgia, and almost threatening to abandon his Orphan House unless his -proposal be granted! Whitefield’s honour is best cared for by saying as -little about the incident as possible. - -Having spent five days at Gloucester, during which he preached -five times, and received the sacrament at the cathedral; and having -similarly employed himself for a week at Bristol, Whitefield, at the -request of the Countess of Huntingdon, returned to London on December -17th, and resumed his ministry in the Tabernacle, and in the mansion -of her ladyship. - -“I am now,” he wrote, “thirty-four years of age; and alas! how little -have I done and suffered for Him, who has done and suffered so much for -me! Thanks be to His great name for countenancing my poor ministrations -so much.”[215] - -A letter to Dr. Doddridge, to whom Whitefield had submitted his -Journals for revision,[216] may properly close the year 1748,――a year, -which, like all previous ones of his career, had been thronged with -adventures and striking incidents. - - “LONDON, _December 21, 1748_. - - “REVEREND AND VERY DEAR SIR,――I was glad, very glad, to receive - your letter, dated November 7th, though it did not reach me till - last night. I thank you for it a thousand times. It has led me - to the throne of grace, where I have been crying, ‘Lord, counsel - my counsellors, and shew them what Thou wouldest have me to - do!’ Alas! alas! how can I be too severe against myself, who, - Peter-like, have cut off so many ears, and, by imprudences, mixed - with my zeal, have dishonoured the cause of Jesus! I can only - look up to Him, who healed the high-priest’s servant’s ear, and - say, ‘Lord, heal all the wounds my misguided zeal has given!’ - Assure yourself, dear sir, everything I print shall be revised. - I always have submitted my poor performances to my friends’ - corrections. Time and experience ripen men’s judgments, and make - them more solid, rational, and consistent. O that this may be my - case! - - “I thank you, dear sir, for your solemn charge in respect to my - health. Blessed be God! it is much improved since my return from - Scotland, and I trust, by observing the rules you prescribe, I - shall be enabled to declare the works of the Lord. - - “But what shall I say concerning your present trial?[217] I most - earnestly sympathise with you, having had the same trial from - the same quarter long ago. The Moravians first divided my family; - then my parish, in Georgia; and, after that, the Societies which - I was an instrument of gathering. I suppose not less than four - hundred, through their practices, have left the Tabernacle. - But I have been forsaken in other ways. I have not had above a - hundred to hear me, where I had twenty thousand; and hundreds - now assemble within a quarter of a mile of me, who never come - to see or speak to me, though they must own, at the great day, - that I was their spiritual father. All this I find but little - enough to teach me to cease from man, and to wean me from that - too great fondness, which spiritual fathers are apt to have for - their spiritual children. But I have generally observed, that, - when one door of usefulness is shut, another opens. Our Lord - blesses you, dear sir, in your writings;[218] nay, your people’s - treating you as they are now permitted to do, perhaps, is one of - the greatest blessings you ever received from heaven. I know no - other way of dealing with the Moravians, than to go on preaching - the truth as it is in Jesus, and resting upon the promise, - ‘Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be - plucked up.’ Seven years will make a great alteration. I believe - their grand design is to extend their economy as far as possible. - This is now kept up by dint of money, and, I am apt to think, - the very thing, by which they think to establish, will destroy - their scheme. God is a gracious Father, and will not always let - His children proceed in a wrong way. Doubtless, there are many - of His dear little ones in the Moravian flock; but many of their - principles and practices are exceeding wrong, for which, I doubt - not, our Lord will rebuke them in His own time. - - “But I fear that I weary you. Love makes my pen to move too - fast, and too long. Last Sunday evening, I preached at the other - end of the town, to a most brilliant assembly. They expressed - great approbation; and some, I think, begin to feel. Good Lady - Huntingdon is a mother in Israel. She is all in a flame for - Jesus.” - -Whitefield’s remarks concerning the Moravians may, perhaps, seem -somewhat harsh; but they were not untrue, and will prepare the reader -for other critiques hereafter. - -Whitefield mentions his “brilliant assembly” in the mansion of the -Countess of Huntingdon. In a letter to the Countess of Bath, he wrote, -“It would please you to see the assemblies at her ladyship’s house. -They are brilliant ones indeed. The prospect of catching some of -the rich, in the gospel net, is very promising. I know you will wish -prosperity in the name of the Lord.”[219] - -No wonder that, after one of his first services at Lady Huntingdon’s, -Whitefield said, “I went home, never more surprised at any incident in -my life.”[220] Such congregations were unique. Nothing like them had -heretofore been witnessed. There were gatherings of England’s proud -nobility, assembled to listen to a young preacher, whose boyhood had -been spent in a public-house; whose youth, at the university, had -been employed partly in study, and partly in attending to the wants -of fellow-students, who declined to treat him as an equal; and whose -manhood life, for the last thirteen years, had been a commingling of -marvellous popularity and violent contempt,――a scene of infirmities -and errors, and yet of unreserved and unceasing devotion to the cause -of Christ and the welfare of his fellow-men. Such was the youthful -preacher,――a man of slender learning, of mean origin, without Church -preferment, hated by the clergy, and maligned by the public press. Who -were his aristocratic hearers? The following list is supplied by the -well-informed author of “The Life and Times of the Countess of -Huntingdon”:―― - -Lady Fanny Shirley, who had long been one of the reigning beauties -of the court of George the First; the Duchess of Argyll; Lady Betty -Campbell; Lady Ferrers; Lady Sophia Thomas; the Duchess of Montagu, -daughter of the great Duke of Marlborough; Lady Cardigan; Lady Lincoln; -Mrs. Boscawen; Mrs. Pitt; Miss Rich; Lady Fitzwalter; Lady Caroline -Petersham; the Duchess of Queensbury, daughter of the Earl of Clarendon, -and celebrated for extraordinary beauty, wit, and sprightliness, -by Pope, Swift, and Prior; the Duchess of Manchester; Lady Thanet, -daughter of the Marquis of Halifax, and wife of Sackville, Earl of -Thanet; Lady St. John, niece of Lady Huntingdon; Lady Luxborough, -the friend and correspondent of Shenstone, the poet; Lady Monson, -whose husband, in 1760, was created Baron Sondes; Lady Rockingham, -the wife of the great statesman, a woman of immense wit and pleasant -temper, often at court, and possessed of considerable influence in the -higher circles of society; Lady Betty Germain, daughter of the Earl of -Berkeley, and through her husband, Sir John Germain, the possessor of -enormous wealth; Lady Eleanor Bertie, a member of the noble family of -Abingdon; the Dowager-Duchess of Ancaster; the Dowager-Lady Hyndford; -the Duchess of Somerset; the Countess Delitz, one of the daughters -of the Duchess of Kendal, and the sister of Lady Chesterfield; Lady -Hinchinbroke, granddaughter of the Duke of Montagu; and Lady Schaubs. - -Besides these “honourable women not a few,” there were also the Earl -of Burlington, so famed for his admiration of the works of Inigo -Jones, and for his architectural expenditure; George Bubb Dodington, -afterwards Lord Melcombe, a friend and favourite of the Prince of Wales, -and whose costly mansion was often crowded with literary men; George -Augustus Selwyn, an eccentric wit, to whom nearly all the current -_bon-mots_ of the day were attributed; the Earl of Holderness; Lord -(afterwards Marquess) Townshend, named George, after his godfather, -George the First, a distinguished general in the army, member of -Parliament for Norfolk, and ultimately a field-marshal. Charles -Townshend, now a young man of twenty-three, whom Burke described as -“the delight and ornament of the House of Commons, and the charm of -every private society he honoured with his presence;” Lord St. John, -half-brother to Lord Bolingbroke; the Earl of Aberdeen; the Earl of -Lauderdale; the Earl of Hyndford, Envoy Extraordinary to the King of -Prussia; the Marquis of Tweeddale, Secretary of State for Scotland; -George, afterwards, Lord Lyttelton, at one time member for Okehampton, -and secretary of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and who had recently -published his well-known book, “Observations on the Conversion of -St. Paul;” William Pitt, the distinguished first Earl of Chatham; Lord -North, in his twenty-first year, afterwards First Lord of the Treasury, -and ultimately Earl of Guildford; Evelyn, Duke of Kingston; Viscount -Trentham (a title borne by the Duke of Sutherland); the Earl of March -(one of the titles of the Duke of Richmond); the Earl of Haddington; -Edward Hussey, who married a daughter of the Duke of Montagu, and was -created Earl of Beaulieu; Hume Campbell, afterwards created Baron Hume; -the Earl of Sandwich, subsequently ambassador to the court of Spain, -First Lord of the Admiralty, and Secretary of State for the Home -Department; and Lord Bolingbroke, the friend of the Pretender, a man -of great ability,――a statesman, a philosopher, and an infidel. - -Gillies adds to this long list the name of David Hume, who had recently -returned from Italy in great chagrin, because the people of England -“entirely overlooked and neglected” his “Inquiry concerning Human -Understanding.” It is said that Hume considered Whitefield the most -ingenious preacher he ever listened to, and that twenty miles were not -too far to go to hear him. “Once,” said the great infidel, “Whitefield -addressed his audience thus: ‘The attendant angel is about to leave us, -and ascend to heaven. Shall he ascend and not bear with him the news -of one sinner reclaimed from the error of his way?’ And, then, stamping -with his foot, and lifting up his hands and eyes to heaven, he cried -aloud, ‘Stop, Gabriel, stop, ere you enter the sacred portals, and yet -carry with you the tidings of one sinner being saved.’ This address -surpassed anything I ever saw or heard in any other preacher.” - -The Earl of Chesterfield and the Earl of Bath have been previously -noticed as being among Whitefield’s hearers. One more name must be -mentioned. Lady Townshend was one of Whitefield’s earliest admirers. -Her wit and eccentricities were notorious. Of course she was a member -of the Church of England; but Horace Walpole tells a story of George -Selwyn detecting her crossing herself and praying before the altar of -a popish chapel. Alternately, she liked and disliked Whitefield. “She -certainly means,” said Walpole, “to go armed with every viaticum――the -Church of England in one hand, Methodism in the other, and the Host -in her mouth.”[221] Whitefield had the moral courage to tackle even -this eccentric lady; and, towards the close of 1748, wrote to her as -follows:―― - - “Yesterday, good Lady Huntingdon informed me that your ladyship - was ill. Had I judged it proper, I would have waited upon your - ladyship this morning; but I was cautious of intrusion. My - heart’s desire and prayer to God is, that this sickness be not - unto death, but to His glory, and the present and eternal good - of your precious and immortal soul. O that from a spiritual - abiding sense of the vanity of all created good, you may cry - out,―― - - ‘Begone, vain world, my heart resign, - For I must be no longer thine: - A nobler, a diviner guest - Now claims possession of my breast.’ - - Then, and not till then, will your ladyship with cheerfulness - wait for the approach of death. It is a true and living faith - in the Son of God that can alone bring present peace, and lay - a solid foundation for future and eternal comfort. I cannot - wish your ladyship anything greater, anything more noble, than - a large share of this precious faith. When, like Noah’s dove, we - have been wandering about in a fruitless search after happiness, - and have found no rest for the sole of our feet, the glorious - Redeemer is ready to reach out His hand and receive us into - His ark. This hand, honoured madam, He is reaching out to you. - May you be constrained to give your heart entirely to Him, and - thereby enter into that rest which remains for the happy, though - despised, people of God.” - -The foregoing were _some_, not all, of Whitefield’s aristocratic -hearers. Others will be mentioned hereafter. The gatherings, in Chelsea -and in North Audley Street, were profoundly interesting spectacles; -and never, till the day of judgment, when all secrets will be unfolded, -will it be ascertained to what extent the preaching of the youthful -Whitefield affected the policy of some of England’s greatest statesmen, -and moulded the character of some of its highest aristocratic families. -Who will venture to deny that, in some of these families, the effects -of Whitefield’s ministry is felt to the present day? Let us pursue his -history. - -Whitefield continued his correspondence with Hervey and Stonehouse. On -January 13, 1749, he wrote to the former as follows:―― - - “The prospect of doing good to the rich, who attend the house of - good Lady Huntingdon, is very encouraging. I preach there twice - a week, and yesterday Lord Bolingbroke was one of my auditors. - His lordship was pleased to express very great satisfaction. Who - knows what God may do? He can never work by a meaner instrument. - I want humility, I want thankfulness, I want a heart continually - flaming with the love of God. - - “I thank you for your kind invitation to your house and pulpit. - I would not bring you or any of my friends into difficulties, - for owning poor, unworthy, hell-deserving me; but, if Providence - should give me a clear call, I shall be glad to come your way. - I rejoice in the prospect of having some ministers in our church - pulpits who dare own a crucified Redeemer. I hope the time will - come when many of the priests will be obedient to the word.” - -It is a humiliating fact, that Whitefield, an ordained clergyman, and -under no official censure, was not able to avail himself of Hervey’s -invitation without the probability of involving his gentle friend in -trouble; and it is a beautiful trait in Whitefield’s character, that, -however great the gratification of preaching in a church might be, he -was unwilling to indulge himself in such a pleasure at the expense of -any of his friends. - -Dr. Stonehouse occasioned Whitefield sorrow and anxiety. The Doctor -was a sincere, earnest, and devout Christian, but he was afraid of -being branded as a Methodist; and, for the same reason, he was afraid -of being known as one of Whitefield’s friends. Hence the following, -written four days after the date of the letter just quoted:―― - - “The way of duty is the way of safety. Our Lord requires of us - to confess Him in His gospel members and ministers. To be afraid - of publicly owning, associating with, and strengthening the - hearts and hands of the latter, especially when they are set - for the defence of the gospel, is, in my opinion, very offensive - in His sight, and can only proceed from a want of more love - to Him and His people. You say, ‘We are most of us too warm;’ - but I hope you do not think that being ashamed of any of your - Lord’s ministers is an instance of it. Thanks be to God! that - Mr. Hervey seems, as you express it, ‘to court the enmity of - mankind.’ It is an error on the right side. Better so than to - be afraid of it. The Lord never threatened to spew any church - out of His mouth for being too hot; but, for being neither hot - nor cold, He has. It is too true, my dear sir, ‘we have but - few faithful ministers;’ but is keeping at a distance from one - another the way to strengthen their interest? By no means. To - tell you my whole mind, I do not believe God will bless either - you or your friends, to any considerable degree, till you are - more delivered from the fear of man. Alas! how were you bowed - down with it, when I saw you last! And your letter bespeaks you - yet a slave to it. O my brother, deal faithfully with yourself, - and you will find a love of the world, and a fear of not - providing for your children, have gotten too much hold of your - heart. Do not mistake me. I would not have you throw yourself - into flames. I would only have you act a consistent part, and - not, for fear of a little contempt, be ashamed of owning the - ministers of Christ. After all, think not, my dear sir, that I - am pleading my own cause. You are not in danger of seeing me at - Northampton. I only take this occasion of saying a word or two - to your heart. You will not be offended, as it proceeds from - love. I salute Mr. Hervey, and dear Doctor Doddridge, most - cordially.” - -Towards the end of January, Whitefield set out, from London, to the -west of England, where he spent the next five weeks. By appointment, -he and Howell Harris held an “Association” at Gloucester,[222] where, -he says, “affairs turned out better than expectation.” From Gloucester, -he proceeded to Bristol, where he employed the next ten days. - -Whitefield was singularly devoid of envy. On leaving London, his -place at Lady Huntingdon’s was occupied by his friend Wesley,[223] -whose preaching secured her ladyship’s approval. Robert Cruttenden -also introduced the Rev. Thomas Gibbons, D.D.,[224] a young man of -twenty-eight, who, at this time, was the officiating minister of the -Independent Church at Haberdashers’ Hall. Cruttenden, in a letter to -Whitefield, told him that their two hours’ interview with the Countess -had been exceedingly pleasant.[225] With his large heart, Whitefield -was delighted by such intelligence as this, and wrote to her ladyship -as follows:―― - - “BRISTOL, _February 1, 1749_. - - “I am glad your ladyship approves of Mr. Wesley’s conduct, - and that he has preached at your ladyship’s. The language of - my heart is, ‘Lord, send by whom Thou wilt send, only convert - some of the mighty and noble, for Thy mercy’s sake!’ Then I care - not if I am heard of no more. I am, also, glad your ladyship - approves of Mr. Gibbons. He is, I think, a worthy man. By taking - this method, you will have an opportunity of conversing with the - best of all parties, without being a bigot, and too strenuously - attached to any. Surely, in this, your ladyship is directed - from above. The blessed Jesus cares for His people of all - denominations. He is gathering His elect out of all. Happy - they who, with a disinterested view, take in the whole church - militant, and, in spite of narrow-hearted bigots, breathe an - undissembled catholic spirit towards all.” - -In the same month, Lady Huntingdon wrote to Whitefield a cheering -account of the death of one of his noble converts:―― - - “My last,” says she, “mentioned the sudden illness of my Lord - St. John. A few days after, her ladyship wrote to me in great - alarm, and begged me to send some pious clergyman to her lord. - Mr. Bateman went. His lordship enquired for you, to whom he said - he was deeply indebted. His last words to Mr. Bateman were: ‘To - God I commit myself. I feel how unworthy I am; but Jesus Christ - died to save sinners; and the prayer of my heart now is, God be - merciful to me a sinner!’ His lordship breathed his last about - an hour after Mr. Bateman left. This, my good friend, is the - firstfruits of that plenteous harvest, which, I trust, the great - Husbandman will yet reap amongst the nobility of our land. Thus - the great Lord of the harvest has put honour on your ministry. - My Lord Bolingbroke was much struck with his brother’s language - in his last moments. O that the obdurate heart of this desperate - infidel may yet be shaken to its very centre! May his eyes be - opened by the illuminating influence of Divine truth! May the - Lord Jesus be revealed to his heart as the hope of glory and - immortal bliss hereafter! I tremble for his destiny. He is a - singularly awful character.”[226] - -Whitefield’s preaching in Bristol was again successful. - - “The power of the Lord,” he writes, “attended the word, as in - days of old, and several persons, who never heard me before, - were brought under great awakenings.”[227] - -On February 8th, he proceeded to Exeter, where he found the Society -affairs in great confusion; but, winter though it was, and though his -health was far from being vigorous, he began to preach in the open -air. Large crowds assembled; and, he says, “I trust real good was -done.”[228] He also preached at Bovey-Tracey, where he “found several -poor simple souls;” and at Marychurch, where there were about a score -of converted people who had been greatly persecuted. At Kingsbridge, -at eight o’clock at night, he found a thousand people assembled in the -street, and at once commenced preaching, from the words, “I must work -the works of Him that sent me while it is day; the night cometh, when -no man can work.” He writes:―― - - “I preached in the street. The moon shone. All were quiet; and, - I hope, some began to think of working out their salvation with - fear and trembling. The next morning, I preached again. Four - ministers attended. Our Lord was pleased to make it a fine - season. I had the pleasure of hearing, that, by two or three - discourses preached at this place about five years ago, many - souls were awakened. One young man, then called, has become a - preacher. He was in a tree, partly to ridicule me. I spoke to - him to imitate Zaccheus, and come down and receive the Lord - Jesus. The word was backed with power. He heard, came down, - believed, and now adorns the gospel.”[229] - -On February 15, Whitefield arrived at Plymouth,[230] being escorted, -the last ten miles of his journey, by a cavalcade of his “spiritual -children,” who had gone out to meet him. He found “many hundreds, in -the tabernacle, waiting to hear the word;” and, though the hour was -late, he immediately commenced preaching. Here he remained a week. The -following was addressed to Lady Huntingdon:―― - - “About two thousand attend every night. Last Sunday evening, in - the field, there were above five thousand hearers. Affairs bear - a promising aspect. I hear much good has been done at Bristol. - Everywhere, fresh doors are opening, and people flock from all - quarters. Prejudices subside, and strong impressions are made on - many souls. I have not been so well, for so long a season, for - many years, as I have been since I left London: a proof, I think, - that the Lord calls me into the fields.” - -Whilst at Plymouth, Whitefield wrote several letters, full of interest, -but too long for insertion here. To Lady Betty Germain, he said:―― - - “Of the honourable women, ere long, I trust there will be not - a few who will dare to be singularly good, and will confess the - blessed Jesus before men. O with what a holy contempt may the - poor despised believer look down on those who are yet immersed - in the pleasures of sense, and, amidst all the refinements of - their unassisted, unenlightened reason, continue slaves to their - own lusts and passions! Happy, thrice happy, they who begin - to experience what it is to be redeemed from this present evil - world! You, honoured madam, I trust, are one of this happy - number.” - -To the Countess of Delitz, he wrote:―― - - “Your ladyship’s answering my poor scrawl was an honour I did - not expect. Welcome, thrice welcome, honoured madam, into the - world of new creatures! O what a scene of happiness lies before - you! Your frames, my lady, like the moon, will wax and wane; - but the Lord Jesus will remain your faithful friend. You seem - to have the right point in view, to get the constant witness and - indwelling of the Spirit of God in your heart. This the Redeemer - has purchased for you. Of this, He has given your ladyship a - taste. O that your honoured sister may go hand in hand with you! - Wherefore doth she doubt?” - -It has been previously stated that, on Whitefield’s arrival at Bermudas, -he was warmly welcomed by the Church clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Holiday. -Unfortunately, Mr. Holiday’s friendship was shortlived. Hence the -following:―― - - “PLYMOUTH, _February 20, 1749_. - - “I did not think Mr. Holiday’s friendship would hold long. It - will be time enough for me to speak to him, when I see Bermudas - again, which I propose doing as soon as possible. Meanwhile, - I would observe that, if I am a Roman Catholic, the pope must - have given me a very large dispensation. Surely, Mr. Holiday - has acted like one, to pretend so much friendship, and yet - have nothing of it in his heart. But thus it must be. We must - be tried in every way. As for any secrets that I told him, he - is very welcome to reveal them. You know me too well to judge - I have many secrets. May the secret of the Lord be with me! - and then I care not if there was a window in my heart for all - mankind to see the uprightness of my intentions. - - “I am now in the west, and have begun to take the field. Great - multitudes flock to hear. I find it is a trial, to be thus - divided between the work on this and the other side of the water. - I am convinced I have done right in coming over now; but I keep - myself quite disengaged, that I may be free to leave England the - latter end of the summer, if the Lord is pleased to make my way - clear. I long to have Bethesda a foundation for the Lord Jesus. - If I can procure a proper person, of good literature, who will - be content to stay two or three years, something may be done.” - -Before his departure from Plymouth, Whitefield preached at Tavistock; -where, he says, “I was rudely treated; for, whilst I was praying, some -of the baser sort brought a bull and dogs, and disturbed us much; but -I hope good was done.” - -On reaching Exeter, he wrote to his friend Robert Cruttenden, once a -minister of Christ, then an infidel, and now re-converted:―― - - “EXETER, _February 25, 1749_. - - “I suppose you will be pleased that I am thus far in my return - to London. O my friend, my friend, I come with fear and - trembling. To speak to the rich and great, so as to win them to - the blessed Jesus, is indeed a task. But, wherefore do we fear? - We can do all things through Christ strengthening us. But why - does Mr. Cruttenden think it strange that no one can be found to - help me in the country? Is it not more strange that you should - lie supine, burying your talents in a napkin, complaining you - have nothing to do, and yet souls everywhere are perishing about - you for lack of knowledge? Why do you not preach or print? At - least, why do you not help me, or somebody or another, in a more - public way? You are in the decline of life, and if you do not - soon reassume the place, you are now qualified for, you may lose - the opportunity for ever. I write this in great seriousness. May - the Lord give you no rest, till you lift up your voice like a - trumpet! Up, and be doing; and the Lord will be with you.” - -Whitefield arrived in London at the beginning of the month of March. -On his way, at Bristol, he and Charles Wesley met. Charles was to be -married to Miss Gwynne a month afterwards, and wrote: “March 3. I met -George Whitefield, and made him quite happy by acquainting him with -my design.”[231] Whitefield spent a month in London, and was fully -occupied, not only with preaching in the Tabernacle, and in the house -of Lady Huntingdon, but with work that was not at all congenial to him. - -At the end of the year 1748, the Rev. George White, the notorious -clergyman of Colne, in Lancashire, had published his infamous “Sermon -against the Methodists.” In a footnote, the fuming author, speaking of -Whitefield and Wesley, said:―― - - “These officious haranguers cozen a handsome subsistence out - of their irregular expeditions. No satisfactory account has - been given us of Mr. Whitefield’s disbursements in Georgia; and, - I am afraid, by his late modest insinuations, in or about the - Highlands of Scotland, of the want of £500 more, he thinks the - nation is become more and more foolish, and within the reach of - his further impositions. It appears, from many probable accounts, - that Mr. Wesley has, in reality, a better income than most of - our bishops, though, now and then, (no great wonder,) it costs - him some little pains to escape certain rough compliments.”[232] - -This was a false, libellous attack on Whitefield’s honesty; and -Grimshaw, of Haworth, and Benjamin Ingham wished him to answer it. -His reply to Grimshaw was as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _March 17, 1749_. - - “MY DEAR BROTHER,――What a blessed thing it is that we can write - to, when we cannot see one another! By this means we increase - our joys, and lessen our sorrows, and, as it were, exchange - hearts. - - “Thanks be to the Lord Jesus, that the work flourishes with you! - I am glad your children grow so fast; they become fathers too - soon; I wish some may not prove dwarfs at last. A word to the - wise is sufficient. I have always found awakening times like - spring times; many blossoms, but not always so much fruit. But - go on, my dear man, and, in the strength of the Lord, you shall - do valiantly. I long to be your way; but I suppose it will be - two months first. - - “Pray tell my dear Mr. Ingham that I cannot now answer the - Preston[233] letter, being engaged in answering a virulent - pamphlet, entitled, ‘The Enthusiasm of the Methodists and - Papists compared,’ supposed to be done by the Bishop of Exeter. - Thus it must be. If we will be temple builders, we must have - the temple builders’ lot; I mean, hold a sword in one hand, - and a trowel in the other. The Lord make us faithful Nehemiahs, - for we have many Sanballats to deal with! But, wherefore should - we fear? If Christ be for us, who can be against us? ‘_Nil - desperandum, Christo duce_,’ is the Christian’s motto. Remember - me, in the kindest manner, to honest-hearted Mr. Ingham, and - tell him that, in a post or two, I hope he will hear from me.” - -What Whitefield, for want of time, could not undertake was accomplished -by the redoubtable Grimshaw, who, in an 8vo. pamphlet of 98 pages, -cudgelled White almost unmercifully.[234] - -Whitefield was answering Lavington. Notwithstanding the recantation -extorted from him by the Countess of Huntingdon, only six months before, -the irritable prelate could neither forget nor forgive the publication -of the fictitious charge that has been already mentioned; and now -he vented his anger by issuing anonymously the first part of “The -Enthusiasm of Methodists and Papists compared.” (8vo. 82 pp.) No -good end would be served by lengthened quotations from this scolding -pamphlet. The Bishop of Exeter was too angry to be polite. Suffice it -to say, that, so far as Whitefield is concerned, Lavington’s attacks -are founded upon incautious and improper expressions in Whitefield’s -publications――expressions most of which Whitefield himself had -publicly lamented and withdrawn, or modified. The pith of the bishop’s -pamphlet is contained in his last paragraph but one. The _italics_ in -the following quotations are his lordship’s own:―― - - “This _new dispensation_ is a _composition_ of _enthusiasm_, - _superstition_, and _imposture_. When the blood and spirits - run _high_, inflaming the brain and imagination, it is most - properly _enthusiasm_, which is _religion run mad_; when _low - and dejected_, causing groundless terrors, or the placing of the - _great duty of man_ in little observances, it is _superstition_, - which is _religion scared out of its senses_; when any - fraudulent dealings are made use of, and any wrong projects - carried on under the mask of piety, it is _imposture_, and may - be termed religion turned _hypocrite_.” - -The title of Whitefield’s answer was as follows: “Some Remarks on a -Pamphlet, entitled, ‘The Enthusiasm of Methodists and Papists compared;’ -wherein several mistakes in some parts of his past writings and conduct -are acknowledged, and his present sentiments concerning the Methodists -explained. In a letter to the Author. By George Whitefield, late of -Pembroke College, Chaplain to the Right Honourable the Countess of -Huntingdon. ‘Out of the eater came forth meat’ (Judges xiv. 4). London: -printed by W. Strahan, 1749.” (8vo. 48 pp.) - -The title-page indicates the contents of Whitefield’s pamphlet. He -honestly acknowledges his errors by inserting the letter already -given, under the date of “June 24, 1748,” and which, with very -little alteration, had been published in Scotland, before Lavington’s -malignant ridicule had been committed to the press. Three brief -extracts, from Whitefield’s “Remarks,” will be enough. In reply to -the accusation of claiming to be inspired and infallible, Whitefield -says:―― - - “No, sir, my mistakes have been too many, and my blunders too - frequent, to make me set up for _infallibility_. I came soon - into the world; I have carried high sail, whilst running through - a whole torrent of popularity and contempt; and, by this means, - I have sometimes been in danger of oversetting; but many and - frequent as my mistakes have been, or may be, as soon as I am - _made sensible of them_, they shall be _publicly acknowledged - and retracted_.” - -Again, having stated what are the doctrines of the Methodists, -Whitefield writes:―― - - “These are doctrines as diametrically opposite to the Church - of Rome, as light to darkness. They are the very doctrines - for which Ridley, Latimer, Cranmer, and so many of our first - reformers burnt at the stake. And, I will venture to say, they - are doctrines which, when attended with a divine energy, always - have made, and, maugre all opposition, always will make, their - way through the world, however weak the instruments, who deliver - them, may be.” - -Then, again, the object at which Whitefield and his friends were aiming -is thus described:―― - - “To awaken a _drowsy_ world; to rouse them out of their - _formality_, as well as profaneness, and put them upon seeking - after a _present and great salvation_; to point out to them a - _glorious rest_, which not only remains for the people of God - _hereafter_, but which, by a _living faith_, the very chief of - sinners may enter into even here, and without which the most - blazing profession is nothing worth――is, as far as I know, - the one thing――the grand and common point, in which all the - _Methodists’_ endeavours centre. This is what some of all - denominations want to be reminded of; and to stir them up to - seek after the life and power of godliness, that they may be - Christians, not only in _word and profession_, but in _spirit_ - and in _truth_, is, and, _through Jesus Christ strengthening me_, - shall be the one _sole_ business of my life.” - -Answers to Bishop Lavington were also written by Wesley, and by the -Rev. Vincent Perronet. On the bishop’s side there was published, “A -Letter to the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, occasioned by his ‘Remarks -on a Pamphlet, entitled, The Enthusiasm of the Methodists and Papists -compared.’” (8vo. 59 pp.) Among other railing accusations, the author -charges the poor Methodists with making their followers mad; and -broadly asserts that some of them have committed murders in Wales, and -are now hanging in chains for their crimes. Whitefield was represented -as having “a windmill in his head,” and going “up and down the world -in search of somebody to beat out his brains.” It is a curious fact, -however, that the pamphleteer attacked the Rev. Griffith Jones, who -had recently published his Welsh Catechism, more virulently than he -attacked Whitefield. The same gentleman (he calls himself a “Layman”) -published a second pamphlet, with the title, “A Second Letter to the -Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, occasioned by his Remarks upon a Pamphlet, -entitled, The Enthusiasm of Methodists and Papists compared. In this, -Mr. Whitefield’s claim to the doctrine of the 9th, 10th, 11th, and -12th Articles of the Church of England is examined; as also that of -his great Mr. Griffith Jones, of Landowror, to the doctrine of the 17th -Article; together with some further account of the fire kindled by them -both in North and South Wales.” (8vo. 111 pp.) The writer was a man of -learning, and, though a layman, was well acquainted with theology. The -fault of his productions is their bitterness, and their publication -of false and even obscene stories. He charges the Welsh Methodists -with the practice of adultery, and with holding the doctrine that -fornication among themselves was not a sin. He asserts that “Most of -the Methodist teachers in Wales are become Father Confessors;” and that -one of them, Will Richard, a cobbler, “when he forgives the sins of -any person, delivers the party a paper, which, upon its being produced, -will procure him or her admittance into heaven.” There are other -stories too impure to be reproduced. - -It may be added, that such was the public importance attached to the -production of Lavington and the reply of Whitefield, that the _Monthly -Review_, for 1749, devoted not fewer than twenty-eight of its pages to -an examination of them. - -Whitefield’s “Remarks” being finished, he wrote to his friend Hervey, -as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _April 5, 1749_. - - “REV. AND DEAR SIR,――I suppose you have seen my pamphlet - advertised. I want to publicly confess my public mistakes. O - how many, how great they have been! How much obliged I am to my - enemies for telling me of them! I wish you could see my pamphlet - before it comes out. O that it may be blessed to promote God’s - glory and the good of souls! - - “You will be glad to hear that our Lord has given us a good - passover” (Easter), “and that the prospect is still encouraging - among the rich. I intend to leave town in about a week, and to - begin ranging after precious souls. - - “You judge right when you say I do not want to make a sect, - or set myself at the head of a party. No; let the name of - Whitefield die, so that the cause of Jesus Christ may live. I - have seen enough of popularity to be sick of it, and, did not - the interest of my blessed Master require my appearing in public, - the world should hear but little of me henceforward. But who - can desert such a cause? Who, for fear of a little contempt and - suffering, would decline the service of such a Master?” - -Whitefield here mentions “the prospect among the rich,” but says -nothing of the poor. It must not be inferred, however, that his -labours and success among the latter were at all abated. The author of -“The Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon” gives an instance, -belonging to this period, which is worth relating. While the rich -assembled in her ladyship’s drawing-room, the poor filled her kitchen. -Certain ladies having called to pay a visit to the Countess, she asked -them if they had heard Mr. Whitefield preach; and, upon being answered -in the negative, she expressed a wish that they should attend his -preaching on the day following. The ladies did so; and the Countess, -when they next met, enquired how they liked him. “O my lady,” they -answered, “of all the preachers we ever heard, he is the most strange -and unaccountable. Among other preposterous things, he declared that -Jesus Christ is so willing to receive sinners, that He does not object -to receive even the devil’s _castaways_! My lady, did you ever hear of -such a thing since you were born?” Her ladyship acknowledged that the -language was a little singular, but, as Mr. Whitefield was in the house, -she would send for him, and he should answer for himself. Whitefield -came; the previous conversation was repeated; and he said: “My lady, I -must plead guilty to the charge; whether I did right or otherwise, your -ladyship shall judge from the following circumstance. Half an hour ago, -a poor, miserable-looking, aged female requested to speak with me. I -desired her to be shewn into your parlour. She said, ‘Oh, sir, I was -accidentally passing the door of the chapel where you were preaching -last night, and I went in, and one of the first things I heard you say -was, that Jesus Christ was so willing to receive sinners, that He did -not object to receiving the devil’s castaways. Now, sir, I have been on -the town many years, and _am so worn out in his service_, that, I think, -I may with truth be called one of the devil’s castaways. Do you think, -sir, that Jesus Christ would receive me?’ I,” said Whitefield, “assured -her there was not a doubt of it, if she was but willing to go to Him.” -The sequel of the story was, the poor creature was converted, and died -testifying that the blood of Christ can cleanse from all -unrighteousness. - -On leaving London, Whitefield proceeded to Gloucester and Bristol. -Early in the month of May, he went to Portsmouth, where he spent near -a fortnight, preaching with a success which was marvellous even to -himself. Writing to Lady Huntingdon, on May 8th, he says:―― - - “The night after I came here” (Portsmouth), “I preached to many - thousands, a great part of whom were attentive, but some of the - baser sort made a little disturbance. On the Friday evening” - (May 5th), “I preached at Gosport, where the mob has generally - been very turbulent; but all was hushed and quiet. Every time - I have preached, the word has seemed to sink deeper and deeper - into the people’s hearts.”[235] - -On May 11th, he wrote to the Rev. Mr. M’Culloch, Presbyterian minister, -at Cambuslang:―― - - “I have been preaching at Portsmouth every day, for a week past, - to very large and attentive auditories. I hear of many who are - brought under convictions; prejudices seem to be universally - removed; and a people who, but a week ago, were speaking all - manner of evil against me, are now very desirous of my staying - longer among them. What cannot God do? - - “At London, real good has been done among the rich, and the poor - receive the gospel with as much gladness as ever. Mr. Harris and - some others have agreed to continue preaching at the Tabernacle, - and elsewhere, as formerly. I should be glad to hear of a - revival at Cambuslang; but you have already seen such things as - are seldom seen above once in a century.” - -On the day following, in a letter to the Countess Delitz, he says:―― - - “A wilderness is the best name this world deserves. Ceiled - houses, gaudy attire, and rich furniture, do not make it appear - less so to a mind enlightened to see the beauties of Jesus of - Nazareth. The preaching of the cross has been much blessed here. - Multitudes daily attend, and many are much affected. It would - please your ladyship to see the alteration that has been made in - a week.” - -On the same day, he wrote to Lady Fanny Shirley:―― - - “What a glorious opportunity is now afforded you, to shew, even - before kings, that we are made kings indeed, and priests unto - God, and that it is our privilege, as Christians, to reign over - sin, hell, the world, and ourselves. O the happiness of a life - wholly devoted to the ever-blessed God, and spent in communion - with Him! It is indeed heaven begun on earth. I trust, some in - these parts, who a few days ago had never heard of this kingdom - of God, now begin to look after it. I have not seen a more - visible alteration made in a people for some time. Thousands - have attended, in the greatest order; and numbers are affected.” - -On Monday, May 15, Whitefield set out for Wales, taking Salisbury -and Bristol on his way. In ten days, he reached his wife’s house at -Abergavenny, where he spent forty-eight hours of “sweet, very sweet -retirement,――so sweet,” says he, “that I should be glad never to be -heard of again. But this must not be. A necessity is laid upon me; and -woe is me, if I preach not the gospel of Christ.” - -Whitefield’s was a warm heart. Distress in others always moved him. His -sympathy was not restrained by bigotry. In the fullest sense, it made -him a good Samaritan. While at Abergavenny, he wrote to a friend in -London, who had charge of “the poor widows, and the other Tabernacle -petitioners,” and laid before him a case of need, which he wished to -be relieved out of the Tabernacle funds. “On Thursday,” says he, “I -saw Mr. E―――― I――――, the Dissenting minister, and found him very meanly -apparelled. He is a most worthy man. Some time ago, he sold £15 worth -of his books, to finish a small meeting-house, in which he preaches. -He has but £3 per annum from the fund, and about as much from his -people. He lives very low, but enjoys much of God; and has as great -understanding of the figurative parts of Scripture as any one I know. -He is a Zacharias, and his wife an Elizabeth. Four or five guineas -might be bestowed on them. What a scene will open at the great day! -How many _rich priests_ will stand confounded, whilst the poor despised -_faithful ministers_ of Christ shall enter, after all their tribulation, -into the joy of their Lord!” - -Whitefield spent a glorious month among the Welsh mountains. In a -letter, dated “Carmarthen, June 5, 1749,” he writes: “I am still in -suspense about my wife;[236] but, what is best, (glory be to God!) the -gospel runs, and is glorified. I have preached fourteen times within -the past eight days, and the word has everywhere fallen with weight and -power. Yesterday was a great day here.” - -From Carmarthen, Whitefield proceeded to Haverfordwest, where, on June -8th, he wrote to Lady Huntingdon:―― - - “Congregations grow larger and larger. All the towns hereabout - are quite open for the word of God. Yesterday, I preached near - Pembroke; to-day and next Lord’s-day, I am to preach here;[237] - and to-morrow, at St. David’s. Not a dog stirs a tongue. - The mayor and gentlemen at Pembroke were very civil; and the - young men bred up at Carmarthen Academy were much taken. The - congregations consist of many thousands, and their behaviour is - very affecting. Indeed, we have blessed seasons. O free grace!” - -Whitefield got back to Bristol on June 23. Hence the following, -addressed to the Rev. James Hervey:―― - - “BRISTOL, _June 24, 1749_. - - “Yesterday, God brought me here, after having carried me a - circuit of about eight hundred miles, and enabled me to preach, - I suppose, to upwards of a hundred thousand souls. I have been - in eight Welsh counties; and, I think, we have not had one dry - meeting. The work in Wales is much upon the advance, and is - likely to increase daily. Had my dear Mr. Hervey been there to - have seen the simplicity of the people, I am persuaded, he would - have said, ‘_Sit anima mea cum Methodistis!_’ But every one to - his post. On Monday or Tuesday next, I set out for London. Good - Lady Huntingdon is here,[238] and goes on, in her usual way, - doing good.” - -The Honourable Jonathan Belcher has been mentioned as one of the -early friends of Whitefield. For eleven years, from 1730 to 1741, -this gentleman was the governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, -and performed his official duties with great ability. It so happened, -however, that, just about the time when he shewed Whitefield so much -honour, in 1740, an unprincipled cabal, by falsehood, forgery, and -injustice, succeeded in depriving him of his office. Upon this, he -repaired to the court of George II., where he vindicated his character -and conduct, and exposed the baseness of his enemies. He was restored -to the royal favour; and, in 1747, was appointed governor of New Jersey. -In 1748, he obtained, from King George II., a charter for the founding -of New Jersey College.[239] This was an institution in which Whitefield -was greatly interested. As early as November 21, 1748, he wrote to -the Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton: “I have been endeavouring, in Scotland, -to do all the service I could to the New Jersey College; but I -believe nothing will be done to purpose, unless you or some other -popular minister come over, and make an application in person. In all -probability, a collection might then be recommended by the General -Assembly, and large contributions be raised among private persons who -wish well to Zion.” And now again, in another letter to Mr. Pemberton, -dated “London, July 10, 1749,” Whitefield writes: “Is there no prospect -of your coming over? Your Mr. T―――― might do much for New Jersey -College; but I have told you my mind in a former letter. May God direct -for the best! I have a great mind to return to my beloved America this -autumn, but am not yet determined. My wife arrived about a fortnight -ago.” - -It will be seen hereafter, in 1754, that Whitefield’s suggestion was -adopted, and a deputation came to England for the purpose he had -mentioned. - -It is a curious coincidence, that, just at the time when Governor -Belcher was obtaining a charter for the New Jersey College, Benjamin -Franklin, then a member of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, -was publishing his “Proposals relating to the Education of Youth in -Pennsylvania;” in other words, he was proposing to found an academy or -college in Philadelphia. Franklin begged about £5000; the subscribers -requested him and Mr. Francis, the Attorney-General, “to draw up -constitutions for the government of the academy;” twenty-four trustees -were chosen; a house was hired; masters engaged; and the schools opened. -The scholars increasing fast, a larger building was found to be -indispensable. The meeting-house, which had been built for Whitefield, -in 1740, was burdened with an inconvenient debt; Franklin negotiated -with the trustees to transfer it to the academy, on condition that the -debt was paid, that the large hall should be kept open for occasional -preachers, and that a free school should be maintained for the -instruction of poor children. In due time, the trustees of the -academy were incorporated by a royal charter; the funds were increased -by contributions in Great Britain; and thus was established, in -Whitefield’s meeting-house, by the celebrated Benjamin Franklin, the -College of Philadelphia.[240] - -The following letter, addressed to Whitefield, refers to these -transactions; and, in other respects, is interesting:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _July 6, 1749_. - - “DEAR SIR,――Since your being in England, I have received two of - your favours, and a box of books to be disposed of. It gives me - great pleasure to hear of your welfare, and that you purpose - soon to return to America. - - “We have no kind of news here worth writing to you. The affair - of the building remains in _statu quo_, there having been no - new application to the Assembly about it, or anything done, in - consequence of the former. - - “I have received no money on your account from Mr. Thanklin, - or from Boston. Mrs. Read,[241] and your other friends here, - in general, are well, and will rejoice to see you again. - - “I am glad to hear that you have frequent opportunities of - preaching among the great. If you can gain them to a good and - exemplary life, wonderful changes will follow in the manners of - the lower ranks; for _ad exemplum regis_, etc. On this principle, - Confucius, the famous eastern reformer, proceeded. When he saw - his country sunk in vice, and wickedness of all kinds triumphant, - he applied himself first to the grandees; and, having, by his - doctrine, won them to the cause of virtue, the commons followed - in multitudes. The mode has a wonderful influence on mankind; - and there are numbers, who, perhaps, fear less the being in hell, - than out of the fashion. Our more western reformations began - with the ignorant mob; and, when numbers of them were gained, - interest and party-views drew in the wise and great. Where both - methods can be used, reformations are likely to be more speedy. - O that some method could be found to make them lasting! He who - discovers that, will, in my opinion, deserve more, ten thousand - times, than the inventor of the longitude. - - “My wife and family join in the most cordial salutations to you - and good Mrs. Whitefield. - - “I am, dear sir, your very affectionate friend, and most obliged - humble servant, - - “BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.”[242] - -Such was the moralizing of the famous Franklin concerning the -marvellous movement of his friend Whitefield. - -It was about this time that Whitefield’s ministry was blessed to the -conversion of a youth, who, afterwards, rose to great eminence. Robert -Robinson had recently been apprenticed to a hair-dresser, in Crutched -Friars, London. The apprentice was attracted to hear Whitefield at -the Tabernacle, and, ever after, called him his spiritual father.[243] -In 1761, at the age of twenty-six, Robert Robinson became the pastor -of a small Dissenting congregation, at Cambridge, whose members -could scarcely afford him £20 a year. His ministry, however, was so -successful, that, in the course of a few years, his church included -above two hundred highly respectable families. Upon Robinson’s -subsequent popularity as a preacher; his ability as an author; and his -embracing, a few years before his death, the Unitarian creed, there is -no necessity to dwell. These are well-known facts. - -Having spent a few days in London, Whitefield returned, towards the end -of July, to Lady Huntingdon, at Bristol,[244] where “many in high life” -attended his ministry.[245] Here he had another battle with a bishop. -Whitefield was told that the Bishop of W―――― had accused him of perjury; -and wrote to his lordship to be informed upon what fact or facts his -charge was founded. The bishop’s answer is not published, but its -nature and substance may be inferred from the reply of Whitefield. - - “BRISTOL, _August 7, 1749_. - - “MY LORD,――I suppose the mistake has lain here; your lordship - might have insinuated, that, by my present way of acting, I have - broken the solemn engagement I entered into at my ordination; - and that might have been interpreted to imply a charge of - _perjury_. - - “The relation in which I stand to the Countess of Huntingdon, - made me desirous to clear myself from such an imputation, and to - give your lordship an opportunity of vindicating yourself in the - manner you have done. - - “Were I not afraid of intruding too much upon your lordship’s - time, I would endeavour to answer the other part of your - letter, and give you a satisfactory account of whatever may seem - irregular and exceptionable in my present conduct. This I would - gladly do, not only before your lordship, but, before all the - right reverend the bishops; for I highly honour them on account - of the sacred character they sustain; and wish to make it my - daily endeavour to obey all their godly admonitions. This, I - presume, my lord, is the utmost extent of the promise I made - at my ordination. If I deviate from this, in any respect, it is - through ignorance and want of better information, and not out of - obstinacy, or contempt of lawful authority.” - -In the second week of August, Whitefield set out for Plymouth; and, -on the way, preached twice at Wellington, once at Exeter, and twice at -Kingsbridge.[246] At Plymouth, he wrote, to a friend, as follows:―― - - “PLYMOUTH, _August, 19, 1749_. - - “MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,――Last night, I heard that the bishop” - (of Exeter) “has published a second pamphlet, with a preface - addressed to me. Have you seen it? Or, do you think it worth - answering? He told a clergyman, some time ago, that he might - expect a second part. He said, my answer was honest, and that - I recanted many things; but that I still went on in my usual - way. God forbid I should do otherwise! I am informed, that, upon - threatening to pull Mr. Thompson’s gown off, Mr. Thompson threw - it off himself, and said, he could preach the gospel without a - gown; and so withdrew. Upon which, the bishop sent for him, and - soothed him. I hope to see Mr. Thompson, at Bideford, on Tuesday, - and expect to hear particulars.”[247] - -The second part of Bishop Lavington’s “Enthusiasm of Methodists and -Papists compared,” was an 8vo. volume of two hundred pages, and quite -as discreditable to his lordship’s character and position as that -already published. In about equal parts, it was levelled against -Whitefield and Wesley, with an occasional fling at the Moravians. -It is somewhat difficult to reconcile its levity and buffoonery with -Christian piety. At all events, its spirit, tone, and language, are not -in harmony with St. Paul’s injunction, “A bishop must not soon be angry, -but be sober, just, holy, temperate.” It is needless to give an outline -of this episcopal production; but, from the preface of forty-four -pages, wholly addressed to Whitefield, the following choice epithets -and phrases are taken. “You are a most deceitful worker, grievously -seducing your precious lambs.” “Your infallible instructions are so -many mistakes, blunders, or lies.” “You have climbed up, and stolen the -sacred fire from heaven; have even deified yourself, and put your own -spirit in the seat of the Holy Ghost.” “You have owned yourself a cheat -and impostor.” “You say, ‘_After-experience and riper judgment_ have -taught you to _correct_ and _amend_ all your _performances_; and for -the future you are to come out in a more _unexceptionable dress_.’ What -a desirable and delightful _spectacle_! I almost _long_ to have a peep -at you in your _unexceptionable dress_. I begin to be in an _ecstasy_. -_Now_ methinks I see you, like a _player_ after he hath _acted his -part_, stripping off the _dazzling tinsel_ in which he _strutted upon -the stage_. _Now_, like _Presbyter John_, tearing away _points, tags, -ribbands, fringe, lace, and embroidery_. _Now_, again, (_Paulo majora -canamus_,) methinks I see you divesting yourself of your celestial -garments and ornaments; plucking off your _appropriated blossoms_ -of Aaron’s _rod_, slipping off the _child_ Samuel’s _linen ephod_, -throwing _Elijah’s mantle_ from your shoulders; and modestly standing -forth in the ordinary attire of a plain _gown and cassock_.” - -It was as impossible as it was undesirable, for Whitefield to write an -answer in a scurrilous and bantering style like this; and, therefore, -he wisely determined not to write at all. Hence the following to Lady -Huntingdon:―― - - “BIDEFORD, _August 24, 1749_. - - “I have seen the bishop’s second pamphlet, in which he has - served the Methodists, as the Bishop of Constance served John - Huss, when he ordered some painted devils to be put round his - head before he burned him. His preface to me is most virulent. - Everything I wrote, in my answer, is turned into the vilest - ridicule, and nothing will satisfy but giving up the glorious - work of the ever-blessed God, as entirely cheat and imposture. - I cannot see that it calls for any further answer from me. - Mr. Wesley, I think, had best attack him now, as he is largely - concerned in this second part. I think of leaving this place - to-morrow, and of preaching at Exeter next Lord’s-day.” - -Whitefield would not reply to the bishop’s pamphlet, but he would -preach in his episcopal city. It was rather a bold step to take; and -the following is Whitefield’s own account of it. This, like the former -letter, was addressed to Lady Huntingdon:―― - - “LONDON, _September 4, 1749_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――I came to town on Thursday, the 31st ultimo, - after having had a pleasant circuit in the west. - - “The day after I wrote to your ladyship, I preached twice at - Exeter, and, in the evening, I believe I had near ten thousand - hearers. The bishop and several of his clergy stood very near me, - as I am informed. A good season it was. All was quiet, and there - was a great solemnity in the congregation; but a drunken man - threw at me three great stones. One of them cut my head deeply, - and was likely to knock me off the table; but, blessed be God! - I was not at all discomposed. One of the other stones struck a - poor man quite down. - - “As I came from Exeter, I visited one John Haime, the soldier, - who, under God, began the great awakening in Flanders. He is in - Dorchester gaol for preaching at Shaftesbury, where there has - been, and is now, a great awakening.[248] - - “Everywhere the work is spreading; and, since I have been here, - we have had some of the most awful, solemn, powerful meetings, - I ever saw at the Tabernacle. Congregations have been very large, - and I have had several meetings with the preachers.”[249] - -Whitefield’s stay in London was of short duration. In a few days, -he set out for Yorkshire and the North of England. On his way, in -Hertfordshire, he wrote as follows to his friend Hervey:―― - - “BENNINGTON, _September 17, 1749_. - - “REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR,――Perhaps I have heard from what corner - your cross comes. It is a very near one indeed. A saying of Mr. - B―――― has often comforted me: ‘I would often have nestled, but - God always put a thorn in my nest.’ Is not this suffered, my - dear brother, to prick you out, and to compel you to appear for - the Lord Jesus Christ? Preaching is my grand _catholicon_, under - all domestic, as well as other trials. I fear Dr. Stonehouse has - done you hurt, and kept you in shackles too long. For Christ’s - sake, my dear Mr. Hervey, exhort him, now that he has taken the - gown, to play the man, and let the world see, that, not worldly - motives, but God’s glory and a love for souls, have sent him - into the ministry. I hope he will turn out a flamer at last. - O when shall this once be! Who would lose a moment? Amazing! - that the followers of a crucified Redeemer should be afraid of - contempt! Rise, Hervey, rise, and see thy Jesus reaching out a - crown with this motto, ‘_Vincenti dabo_.’ Excuse this freedom. - I write out of the fulness of my heart, not to draw you over to - me, or to a party, but to excite you to appear openly for God. - - “A letter may be directed (if you write immediately) to be left - at the Rev. Mr. Ingham’s, Yorkshire. Thither I am bound now, - and, if the season of the year should permit, I would stretch - to Scotland. We have had most delightful seasons in London. - The glory of the Redeemer filled the Tabernacle. If any doubt - whether the cause we are embarked in be the cause of God, I say, - ‘Come and see.’ Are you free that I should call upon you in my - return to town? I think to come by way of Northampton. You shall - hear what is done in Yorkshire. God has blessed my preaching at - Oundle.” - -It is evident that Whitefield wished Hervey to itinerate like himself; -but this was a work for which the gentle rector of Weston-Favell was -physically and mentally unfit. No good end would have been answered -by his attempting it. Besides, by his pen, he was doing a great -work, which Whitefield, had he tried, could not have done; and which -itinerancy would have set aside. The fact is, though Whitefield and -Hervey were both Oxford Methodists, Whitefield had not seen his old -acquaintance for many years, and seems to have had no idea of the -extreme delicacy of his health. - -Whitefield’s progress to Ingham’s, at Aberford; to Grimshaw’s, at -Haworth; and to other places, will be seen in the following extracts -from his letters:―― - - “NEWCASTLE, _September 29, 1749_. - - “I have had many proofs that God’s providence directed my way - into Yorkshire. I preached four times at Aberford, four times at - Leeds, and thrice at Haworth, where lives one Mr. Grimshaw. At - his church, I believe, we had above a thousand communicants, and, - in the churchyard, about six thousand hearers. It was a great - day of the Son of man. About Leeds are Mr. Wesley’s Societies. - I was invited thither by them and one of their preachers; and - Mr. Charles Wesley, coming thither, published me himself. I - have preached here once, and am to preach again this evening. On - Monday next, October 2nd, I propose to return to Yorkshire, and, - from thence, to London. I have given over the immediate care of - all my Societies to Mr. Harris; so that now I am a preacher at - large. Everything is turning round strangely. O for simplicity - and honesty to the end!” - -To Lady Huntingdon, Whitefield wrote as follows:―― - - “NEWCASTLE, _October 1, 1749_. - - “Never did I see more of the hand of God, in any of my journeys, - than in this. At Mr. Grimshaw’s, I believe, there were above - six thousand hearers. The sacramental occasion was most awful. - At Leeds, the congregation consisted of above ten thousand. - In the morning, at five, I was obliged to preach out of doors. - In my way hither, I met Mr. Charles Wesley, who returned, and - introduced me to the pulpit in Newcastle. As I am a debtor to - all, and intend to be at the head of no party, I thought it my - duty to comply. I have preached in their room four times, and, - this morning, I preached to many thousands in a large close. - This evening, I am to do the same. The power of God has attended - His word, and there seems to be a quickening of souls. To-morrow, - God willing, we set out for Leeds. As it is so late in the year, - my Scotch friends advise me to defer my going thither. Had I - known that, I should have embarked for America this autumn.” - -In these and other letters, written while in the north of England, -Whitefield makes no mention of an event too important to be entirely -omitted. It was now that Charles Wesley succeeded in preventing his -brother marrying Grace Murray, by getting her married to John Bennet. -This unpleasant, almost romantic, incident occupies so large a space -in “The Life and Times of Wesley,” that I here purposely refrain from -entering into details. The account there introduced has been severely -criticised and censured by some of Wesley’s admirers, who seem to be -unwilling to admit that he shared any of the infirmities common to -human beings. I can only say, that while I could add to the details I -have already given, I know of nothing that I ought either to retract or -to modify. There can be no doubt that Whitefield was cognisant of the -intentions of Charles Wesley; for the marriage with Bennet took place -in Newcastle, the very day Whitefield left that town for Leeds; and, -further, on the night previous to the marriage, Wesley, at Whitehaven, -received a letter from Whitefield, requesting that he would meet him -and Charles Wesley, at Leeds, two days afterwards. Nothing more shall -be added, except to give Wesley’s own account of the distressing -interview. He writes:―― - - “October 4, 1749. At Leeds, I found, not my brother, but Mr. - Whitefield. I lay down by him on the bed. He told me my brother - would not come till John Bennet and Grace Murray were married. - I was troubled; he perceived it; he wept and prayed over me, but - I could not shed a tear. He said all that was in his power to - comfort me; but it was in vain. He told me it was his judgment - that she was _my_ wife,[250] and that he had said so to John - Bennet, that he would fain have persuaded them to wait, and - not to marry till they had seen me; but that my brother’s - impetuosity prevailed and bore down all before it. On Thursday, - October 5, about eight, one came in from Newcastle, and told - us ‘They were married on Tuesday.’ My brother came an hour - after. I felt no anger, yet I did not desire to see him; but - Mr. Whitefield constrained me. After a few words had passed, he - accosted me with, ‘I renounce all intercourse with you, but what - I would have with a heathen man or a publican.’ I felt little - emotion; it was only adding a drop of water to a drowning man; - yet I calmly accepted his renunciation, and acquiesced therein. - Poor Mr. Whitefield and John Nelson burst into tears. They - prayed, cried, and entreated, till the storm passed away. We - could not speak, but only fell on each other’s neck.” - -Thus did Whitefield help to prevent a breach of the lifelong and -ardent friendship of the Wesley brothers. Three days afterwards, -Charles Wesley wrote to Mr. Ebenezer Blackwell, the London banker, as -follows:―― - - “SHEFFIELD, _Sunday Morning, October 8, 1749_. - - “George Whitefield, and my brother, and I, are one,――a threefold - cord which shall no more be broken. The week before last, I - waited on our friend George to our house in Newcastle, and gave - him full possession of our pulpit and people’s hearts, as full - as was in my power to give. The Lord united all our hearts. I - attended his successful ministry for some days. He was never - more blessed or better satisfied. Whole troops of the Dissenters - he mowed down. They also are so reconciled to us, as you cannot - conceive. The world is confounded. The hearts of those who seek - the Lord rejoice. At Leeds, we met my brother, who gave honest - George the right hand of fellowship, and attended him everywhere - to our Societies. Some in London will be alarmed at the news; - but it is the Lord’s doing, as they, I doubt not, will by-and-by - acknowledge.”[251] - -It is a fact worth noting, that, on the memorable day, when Whitefield, -the two Wesleys, John Bennet and his newly wedded wife met at Leeds, -Whitefield preached in that town at five in the morning, and at Birstal, -at five in the evening.[252] On both occasions, stricken-hearted -Wesley was present, and says, “God gave Mr. Whitefield both strong and -persuasive words.”[253] Five days afterwards, Wesley was in Newcastle, -and, in soberer language than that used by his brother, pronounced the -following judgment on Whitefield’s visit there: “I was now satisfied -that God had sent Mr. Whitefield to Newcastle in an acceptable time; -many of those who had little thought of God before, still retain the -impressions they received from him.”[254] - -On leaving Leeds, Whitefield, accompanied by Ingham, set out on another -evangelizing tour through Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire.[255] “Go -on,” wrote Howell Harris, in a letter to Whitefield, dated “October 15, -1749,”――“Go on, and blaze abroad the fame of Jesus, till you take your -flight, to bow, among the innumerable company, before His unalterable -glory!”[256] And “go on” Whitefield did. The following was written to -Lady Fanny Shirley, at Ewood, (or Estwood, as Whitefield calls it,) -a place whence Grimshaw had married his first wife, and where he -occasionally resided. - - “ESTWOOD, IN LANCASHIRE, _October 25, 1749_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――Since I wrote to your ladyship from Newcastle, - I have preached about thirty times in Yorkshire, and above - ten times in Cheshire and Lancashire. Congregations have been - very large, and a convincing and comforting influence has - everywhere attended the word. In one or two places, I have had - a little rough treatment; but elsewhere all has been quiet. At - the importunity of many, I am now returning from Manchester to - Leeds; from thence I purpose going to Sheffield; next week I hope - to see good Lady Huntingdon at Ashby; and the week following I - hope to be in London. Thus do I lead a pilgrim life. God give - me a pilgrim heart, and enable me to speak of redeeming love - to a lost world, till I can speak no more. Mrs. Galatin, at - Manchester, goes on well, and is not ashamed to confess Him, who, - I trust, has called her out of darkness into marvellous light.” - -Colonel and Mrs. Galatin were sincere and warm-hearted friends both of -Whitefield and the Wesleys. Whitefield met them in Manchester, where -the colonel[257] was then stationed, and made the best use of his -opportunity to benefit him and his subordinate officers. Hence the -following to the Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “LEEDS, _October 30, 1749_. - - “I forwarded your letter to Mrs. Galatin, at Manchester. She - seems to be quite in earnest. I conversed for about two hours - with the captain and some other officers, upon the nature and - necessity of the new birth. He was affected; and, I hope, the - conversation was blessed. Since I left them, I have preached to - many thousands in Rosendale, Aywood” (Ewood?) “and Halifax; also - at Birstal, Pudsey, and Armley; and I have had three precious - seasons here. Congregations are exceeding large, and both the - Established and Dissenting Clergy are very angry. I hear that - yesterday they thundered heartily. But truth is great, and will - prevail, though preached in the fields and streets. - - “I thought to have been at Ashby next Lord’s-day, but a door - seems to be opened at Nottingham, and I have thoughts of - trying what can be done there. This morning I shall set out for - Sheffield. This day week, your ladyship may depend on seeing me - at Ashby.” - -On November 13th, Whitefield left the country residence of Lady -Huntingdon for London. On arriving there, he found letters, which -turned his attention to Ireland. - -After John Cennick seceded from Whitefield, he, in June 1746, went to -Dublin, and commenced preaching in Skinner’s Alley. Soon after this, -Cennick had to attend a Moravian Synod in Germany; and, during his -absence, Thomas Williams, one of Wesley’s itinerants, visited Dublin, -began to preach, and formed a Society. In August, 1747, Wesley himself -went to Dublin, and became the guest of Mr. William Lunell, a banker, -a man of wealth and great respectability, who had been converted under -the preaching of Cennick and Williams. A year afterwards, Charles -Wesley found him mourning the loss of his wife and child, and did -all he could to comfort him. Mr. Lunell became one of Wesley’s most -liberal supporters. He gave £400 towards the erection of Dublin chapel; -and, more than twenty years subsequent to this, Wesley declared that -Mr. Lunell, of Dublin, and Mr. Thomas ♦James, of Cork, were the most -munificent benefactors that Methodism had ever had.[258] - -From the first, Methodism in Ireland had to encounter persecution. In -Dublin, the pulpit and benches of Marlborough Street chapel had been -burnt in the open street, and several of the Methodists beaten with -shillalahs. At Athlone, Jonathan Healey, one of Wesley’s itinerants, -had been almost murdered. In the present year, 1749, the Methodists -at Cork, with the connivance of the mayor and magistrates, had -been subjected to the most cruel treatment. Both men and women were -attacked with clubs and swords, and many were stabbed, gashed, slashed, -stoned, and seriously wounded. Their houses were demolished, and their -furniture and goods destroyed. As in Dublin, the pews, benches, and -even flooring of the chapel, were dragged into the streets, and were -set on fire. These horrible outrages were continued during the whole -of the months of May and June.[259] Mr. Lunell wrote to Whitefield -on the subject, and wished him to visit Ireland. Whitefield was quite -willing to accede to this request; but, for the present, was unable -to comply with it. Meanwhile, however, he deeply sympathised with the -sufferers at Cork, and, as will be seen hereafter, took active steps, -in conjunction with the Countess of Huntingdon, to obtain for them the -protection of Government. The following letter, to Mr. Lunell, refers -to the matters just mentioned:―― - - “LONDON, _November 22, 1749_. - - “VERY DEAR SIR,――I received your kind letter on Monday last, and - take the first opportunity of answering it. - - “I believe my particular province is to go about and preach - the gospel to all. My being obliged to keep up a large - correspondence in America, and the necessity I am under of going - thither myself, entirely prevent my taking care of any Societies. - Whether it will ever be my lot to come to Ireland, I cannot say. - I have some thought of being there next spring; but I would not - intrude on any one’s labours. The world is large, and there is - sufficient work for all. I profess to be of a catholic spirit: - I am a debtor to all. I have no party to be the head of, and I - will have none; but, as much as in me lies, will strengthen the - hands of all, of every denomination, who preach Jesus Christ in - sincerity. - - “Pray how are the poor people at Cork? Lady Huntingdon writes - concerning them,――‘I hope the poor persecuted people in Cork - will be helped. I should be glad, if you could write in my name - to any of them, and inform them that I would have written myself, - but I know not how to direct. You may give them my assurance - of serving them upon any occasion, and a hint that I believe - they will meet with no more of the like rough usage.’ Thus far - my good lady. I am persuaded you will, in a prudent manner, - communicate this to all concerned.” - -Whitefield’s health was generally best when he was on his gospel -rambles. In London, it almost invariably suffered. Well or ill, however, -when he could, Whitefield must be allowed to work. Writing to Lady -Huntingdon, he says:―― - - “LONDON, _November 30, 1749_. - - “London already begins to disagree with my outward man, but the - Lord’s smiling upon my poor labours sweetens all. I have begun - to preach at six in the morning. We have large congregations - even then. I trust we shall have a warm winter. I have not been - at the other end of the town this week; but I find all hold on. - However, a leader is wanting. This honour has been put on your - ladyship by the great Head of the Church an honour conferred on - few. That you may every day add to the splendour of your future - crown, by always abounding in the work of the Lord, is the - fervent prayer of your unworthy servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Nine days later, he wrote again to Mr. Lunell, of Dublin:―― - - “LONDON, _December 9, 1749_. - - “MY DEAR MR. LUNELL,――I find by your last kind letter that - the king’s business requires haste. I, therefore, immediately - dispatched it to good Lady Huntingdon, who, I am persuaded, - will think it her highest privilege to serve the dear people of - Cork. Whether your account of their sufferings has reached her - ladyship, I cannot tell, but you will soon know. However, this - we know, they have reached the ears of the blessed Jesus, who - sits in heaven, and laughs all His enemies to scorn. He will - take care that the bush, though burning, shall not be consumed: - nay, He will take care that it shall flourish, even in the midst - of fire. It will be melancholy to have any preachers transported; - but the thoughts of this do not affect me so much, because I - know what a field of action there is for them abroad. It has - been my settled opinion for a long time, that Christ’s labourers - (at least, some of them) love home too much, and do not care - enough for those thousands of precious souls, that are ready to - perish for lack of knowledge, in yonder wilderness. We propose - having an academy, or college, at the Orphan House in Georgia. - Supposing the worst to happen, hundreds may find a sweet retreat - there. The house is large; it will hold a hundred. I trust my - heart is larger, and will hold ten thousand. Be they who they - may, if they belong to Jesus, the language of my heart shall be, - ‘Come in, ye blessed of the Lord.’ But, perhaps, this may not be - the issue. The threatening storm may blow over. It is always - darkest before break of day.” - -Whitefield’s heart was large and warm. His life was a wandering one, -and he saw but little of his relatives; but his affection for them -never failed. In anticipation of his birthday, he wrote to his mother -the following:―― - - “LONDON, _December 15, 1749_. - - “MY DEAR AND HONOURED MOTHER,――To-morrow it will be thirty-five - years since you brought unworthy me into the world. Alas! how - little have I done for you, and how much less for Him who formed - me. This is my comfort; I hope you want for nothing. Thanks - be to God for His goodness to you in your old age! I hope you - comfort yourself in Him, who, I trust, will be your portion for - ever. After Christmas, I hope to see you. My wife sends you her - most dutiful respects. If you would have anything brought more - than you have mentioned, pray write to, honoured mother, your - ever dutiful, though unworthy son, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Whitefield and his Tabernacle friends began the New Year, 1750, by -reading letters respecting the work of God, in different places; and -by singing devout and enthusiastic doggerel. To one of his distant -correspondents, he wrote thus:―― - - “LONDON, _January 2, 1750_. - - “Yesterday was a blessed letter-day. These verses were sung for - you, etc.:―― - - ‘Thy work in the north, - O Saviour, increase; - And kindly send forth - The preachers of peace: - Till throughout the nation - Thy gospel shall ring, - And peace and salvation - Each village shall sing.’ - - Thousands said, ‘Amen, and amen!’ Let me know when you set out - for Newcastle, and whether the books shall be sent by land or - water. I get very little by them. I do not desire it should be - otherwise. I believe, as many are given away as answer to the - profits of what are sold. If souls are profited, I desire no - more.” - -The reading of letters, at stated times, respecting revivals of -the work of God, was an established practice, both in Whitefield’s -Tabernacle and Wesley’s Foundery. The chief difference between the two -places was――in the Tabernacle, each letter was followed by the singing -of hymns, of which the lines just given are too good a specimen; in the -Foundery, the hymns sung were some of the finest that Charles Wesley -ever wrote. - -The poor Methodists at Cork were again in the furnace of affliction. -Butler, the ballad singer, was as violent as ever; and, until the Lent -assizes, pursued his murderous career with increasing zest. Accompanied -by his mob, he several times assaulted the house of William Jewell, -a clothier; and, at last, took forcible possession of it, swore he -would blow out the brains of the first who resisted him, beat Jewell’s -wife, and then smashed all the windows. He abused Mary Philips in the -grossest terms, and struck her on the head. Elizabeth Gardelet was -literally almost murdered by him and his ruffians; and others were -similarly abused. On January 3, 1750, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “Mr. Lunell sends me dreadful news from Cork. Butler is there - again, making havoc of the people. Mr. Haughton,[260] some time - ago, expected to be murdered every minute. I have been with some - who will go to the Speaker of the House of Commons and represent - the case. I hope I have but one common interest to serve; I mean - that of the blessed Jesus.” - -On January 5, at the Tabernacle, Whitefield preached a sermon from -Ephes. iv. 24. The sermon was taken down in shorthand, and, after his -death, was published, with the title, “The putting on of the New Man a -certain mark of the real Christian.” (8vo. 30 pp.) The sermon is not in -Whitefield’s collected works, but furnishes a good idea of the popular -style he adopted. It is full of brief illustrations, and is intensely -earnest; the style plain, familiar, and pointed. Three sentences -may interest the reader. “Let me tell you, no matter whether you -are Presbyterian or Independent, Churchman or Dissenter, Methodist -or no Methodist, unless you are new creatures, you are in a state of -damnation” (p. 17). “I like orthodoxy very well; but what signifies an -orthodox head with a heterodox heart?” (p. 19.) “I tell thee, O man; -I tell thee, O woman, whoever thou art, thou art a dead man, thou art -a dead woman, nay, a damned man, a damned woman, without a new heart” -(p. 27). - -Whitefield, about this time, became acquainted with another clergyman, -who was a man after his own heart. The Rev. William Baddiley had been -made one of Lady Huntingdon’s domestic chaplains. He soon became a sort -of second Grimshaw, formed a number of Societies, and employed laymen -to assist him.[262] To him, Whitefield wrote as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _January 12, 1750_. - - “MY VERY DEAR SIR,――I now sit down to answer your kind letter. - O that I may be helped to write something that may do you service - in the cause in which you are embarked! - - “I see you are like to have hot work, for I find you have begun - to batter Satan’s strongest hold――I mean the self-righteousness - of man. Here, sir, you must expect the strongest opposition. It - is the _Diana_ of every age. It is the golden image, which man - continually sets up; and the not falling down to worship it, - much more to speak, write, or preach against it, exposes one - to the fury of its blind votaries, and we are thrown directly - into a den of lions. But fear not, Mr. Baddiley; the God whom - we serve is able to deliver us. If any one need give way, it - must be the poor creature who is writing to you; for, I believe, - there is not a person living more timorous by nature than I - am. But, in a degree, Jesus has delivered me from worldly hopes - and worldly fears, and often makes me as bold as a lion. But, - my dear sir, at first, I did not care to part with this pretty - character of mine. It was death to be despised, and worse than - death to think of being laughed at. Blessed be God! now contempt - and I are pretty intimate, and have been so for above twice - seven years. The love of Jesus makes it an agreeable companion, - and I no longer wonder that Moses made such a blessed choice. - There is no doing good without enduring the scourge of the - tongue; and take this for a certain rule――‘The more successful - you are, the more you will be hated by Satan, and despised by - those who know not God.’ What has the honoured lady suffered - under whose roof you dwell! Above all, what did your blessed - Master suffer! O let us follow Him, though it be through a sea - of blood.” - -On the same day that Whitefield wrote to her domestic chaplain, -he wrote to the Countess herself. Perhaps it ought to be premised -that, at this time, Wesley had, besides the “Old Foundery,” two other -London chapels――one in West Street, Seven Dials, built by the French -Protestants; the other in Snowfields, Bermondsey, built by a Unitarian. -The “Mr. Gifford,” whom Whitefield mentions, was a man of some -importance. Besides being the respected minister of the Baptist -Church, in Eagle Street, London, he was chaplain to Sir Richard Ellys, -the learned author of “Fortuita Sacra.” He had a private collection -of coins, said to have been one of the most curious in Great Britain, -and which George II. purchased as an addition to his own. Through Sir -Richard Ellys, he became a personal friend of Lord Chancellor Hardwicke, -Archbishop Herring, Sir Arthur Onslow, the Speaker of the House of -Commons, and other persons of high social rank. He was also ultimately -appointed librarian of the British Museum, and was made a doctor by the -University of Aberdeen. - - “LONDON, _January 12, 1750_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――Every day we have new hearers, and persons are - almost continually brought under convictions, or are edified, at - the Tabernacle. - - “I have offered Mr. Wesley to assist occasionally at his chapel, - and I don’t know but it may be accepted. O that I may learn to - think it my highest privilege to be an assistant to all, but the - head of none! I find a love of power sometimes intoxicates even - God’s own dear children, and makes them to mistake passion for - zeal, and an overbearing spirit for an authority given them from - above. For my own part, I find it much easier to obey than to - govern, and that it is much safer to be trodden under foot than - to have the power to serve others so. This makes me flee from - that which, at our first setting out, we are too apt to court. - Thanks be to God for taking any pains with me! I cannot well buy - humility at too dear a rate. - - “His Majesty seems to have been acquainted with some - things about us, by what passed in his discourse with Lady - Chesterfield.[263] The particulars are these. Her ladyship wore - a suit of clothes, with a brown ground and silver flowers. His - Majesty, coming round to her, first smiled, and then laughed - quite out. Her ladyship could not imagine what was the cause of - this. At length, His Majesty said, ‘I know who chose that gown - for you――Mr. Whitefield. I hear that you have attended on him - this year and a half.’ Her ladyship answered, ‘Yes, I have, and - like him very well.’ - - “I have been with the Speaker about the poor people in Ireland. - Mr. Gifford introduced me, and opened the matter well. His - honour expressed a great regard for your ladyship, and great - resentment at the indignities of the poor sufferers; but said, - Lord Harrington and the Secretary of State were the most proper - persons to apply to; and he did not doubt that your ladyship’s - application would get the people’s grievances redressed. I - wished for a memorial to acquaint him with particulars. He - treated me with great candour, and assured me no hurt was - designed us by the State.” - -Six days after this, Whitefield wrote to Mr. Lunell, as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _January 18, 1750_. - - “VERY DEAR SIR,――Last Monday, I waited upon the Speaker of the - House of Commons, with one Mr. Gifford, a Dissenting minister, - who opened the case of our poor suffering brethren in a proper - manner. The Speaker said that, though it did not properly belong - to him, he would make a thorough search into the affair. He - wondered that application had not been made to Lord Harrington, - the king’s representative in Ireland; and wanted to be informed - of more particulars. For want of a memorial, I could only shew - him the contents of your letter. Two things, therefore, seem - necessary. Be pleased to send a well-attested narrative of the - whole affair; and wait upon Lord Harrington yourself. A friend - of mine intends writing to Baron B――――. Is he in Dublin? As soon - as I hear from you, more may be done. Meanwhile, the dear souls - have my constant prayers, and shall have my utmost endeavours - to serve them. I count their sufferings my own. Hearty _Amens_ - are given, when our friends are mentioned in prayer at the - Tabernacle. - - “To-morrow, I am to preach at Mr. Wesley’s chapel. O that it may - be for the Redeemer’s glory, and His people’s good!” - -To avoid a recurrence to the rioting at Cork, the following letter, to -Mr. Lunell, is added:―― - - “LONDON, _January 28, 1750_. - - “VERY DEAR SIR,――I am glad to find the storm is a little abated - at Cork. I always thought it was too hot to last long. I see, by - Mr. Haughton, that suffering grace is always given for suffering - times. If they have honoured him so far as to give him some - lashes, for preaching the everlasting gospel, I shall rejoice. - I am persuaded, the persecution will stir up the resentment of - persons in power on this side the water. I beg, for the dear - people’s sake, you will continue your accounts. They direct me - in my prayers, and also excite the prayers of others. On Monday, - your letter shall be read, and we will besiege the throne of - grace once more, on our dear brethren’s behalf. Surely, we shall - prevail. I will use all endeavours to extricate our friends out - of their troubles. Enclosed, you have a letter to the judge. - You may send or deliver it, as you think proper. I hope you will - wait on Lord Harrington, and let me hear what he says. The Duke” - (of Newcastle) “was spoken to; and, last post, I wrote to Lady - Huntingdon for the memorial, which, if sent, shall be put into - the hands of some who are very near His Majesty. Some honourable - women are much your friends. Jesus makes them so; and, when His - people are distressed, if needful, a thousand _Esthers_ shall be - raised up. - - “I have now preached three times in Mr. Wesley’s chapel; and, - each time, the Lord was with us of a truth.” - -The result of all this correspondence was: 1. A well-attested -narrative of the persecution of the Methodists at Cork was presented -to Lord Harrington, the king’s representative in Ireland. 2. A -memorial was presented to His Majesty King George II., by the Countess -of Chesterfield. 3. The Duke of Newcastle, then Secretary of State, -was spoken to on the subject, and expressed great resentment at the -proceedings of the magistrates and clergymen of Cork. 4. At the Lent -assizes, 1750, the depositions of the persecuted Methodists were laid -before the grand jury, but were all rejected; a true bill, however, -was found against Daniel Sullivan, one of Wesley’s hearers, for -discharging a pistol, without a ball, over the heads of Butler and his -mob, while they were pelting him with stones; and, finally, several of -the preachers, who, together with Charles Wesley, had been in August, -1749, presented, by the grand jury of the Cork assizes, as “persons of -ill-fame, vagabonds, and common disturbers of the public peace,” were -ordered into the dock as common criminals; but were all “acquitted,” -says John Wesley, “with honour to themselves, and shame to their -persecutors.” It is somewhat remarkable, that, though the Methodists -of Cork were all followers of Wesley, the applications to Government -officials on their behalf were all made by Whitefield and his friends. -This was not for want of sympathy on the part of Wesley, but because -Whitefield, by the aristocratic acquaintances he had formed, was in a -better position to render help. - -Another incident must be noticed. In the foregoing letters, Whitefield -mentions, with seeming emphasis, his preaching in Wesley’s chapels. -This, in fact, was a notable occurrence. Except for a few months, -the friendship between Whitefield and Wesley had been unbroken; but, -up to the present, Whitefield had but rarely preached to Wesley’s -congregations. Indeed, of the ten or eleven years that had elapsed -since the first formation of Wesley’s Societies, Whitefield had spent -more than six in America and Scotland, where Wesley had no Societies -or congregations at all; and, during the remaining four or five, -his relationship to the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists was such as to -prevent his rendering fraternal services like those referred to in -his letters to Mr. Lunell. Now, however, he was in a new position. -After considerable correspondence between Wesley and himself, it had -been found that the amalgamation of their respective Societies was -impracticable. For this and for other reasons, Whitefield resigned his -office of moderator; and openly and repeatedly declared that he would -neither found a sect, nor be at the head of one founded by others. His -work for life was to be an evangelist at large,――the friend and helper -of all Christian denominations, and the enemy of none. Hence, during -his recent visit to the north of England, Charles Wesley introduced him -to the Methodists of Newcastle; and Wesley himself to the Methodists -of Leeds; and, for the next twenty years, as opportunity permitted, -Whitefield rendered to Wesley’s Societies and congregations, throughout -the kingdom, an amount of valuable service, the results of which -cannot now be rightly estimated. The fraternal co-operation, begun -at Newcastle and Leeds in 1749, was now continued in London in 1750, -greatly to the delight of Whitefield and Wesley, and of their friends. -Wesley’s memoranda of these memorable London services are as follows:―― - - “1750. Friday, January 19. In the evening, I read prayers at - the chapel in West Street, and Mr. Whitefield preached a plain, - affectionate discourse. Sunday, 21st. He read prayers, and I - preached: so, by the blessing of God, one more stumbling-block - is removed. Sunday, 28th. I read prayers, and Mr. Whitefield - preached. How wise is God in giving different talents to - different preachers! Even the little improprieties both of his - language and manner were a means of profiting many, who would - not have been touched by a more correct discourse, or a more - calm and regular manner of speaking.”[264] - -This was a new fact in Methodist history. Partisans, on both sides, had -done their utmost to keep Whitefield and Wesley apart from each other; -but now their machinations were utterly and finally frustrated. The -Methodist chieftains were united, though it had been found impossible -to unite their Societies. The event afforded satisfaction to others, -as well as to themselves. Hence the following, addressed to Mrs. Jones, -widow of R. Jones, Esq., of Fonmon Castle, a personal friend of the -Wesleys, on the occasion of whose death, Charles Wesley composed a -well-known “Elegy.” The writer of the letter, William Holland, had been -a “painter, in a large way of business, in Basinghall Street.” He was a -member of the first Moravian “congregation” in London, and was one of -its “elders.” He became a preacher, and removed to Yorkshire, where he -succeeded Viney in the stewardship; but, in 1746, he returned to London, -resumed his trade, left the Brethren, and died in 1761. - - “ROLLS BUILDINGS, FETTER LANE, - “LONDON, _January 27, 1750_. - - “DEAR MRS. JONES,――I arrived safe and well last Saturday, - and found my wife and family well. The evening before, Mr. - Whitefield preached in Mr. Wesley’s chapel, and Mr. J. Wesley - read prayers. On Sunday, Mr. Whitefield read prayers, and Mr. - J. Wesley preached; and, afterwards, they and two more clergymen - administered the sacrament to Mr. Howell Harris and several of - Mr. Whitefield’s Society, and to many hundreds of Mr. Wesley’s. - Monday morning, Mr. H. Harris preached in the Foundery; a - duke and another nobleman were there to hear Mr. J. Wesley. - On Wednesday, Thursday, and yesterday, Mr. Whitefield preached - again at the chapel; as also he is to do to-morrow morning, and - Mr. J. Wesley in the afternoon. - - “You will please to let the enclosed be delivered as directed. - They and you will excuse brevity by reason of the frank.[266] - - “My wife joins me in respects to you and your children. I am, - your friend and servant, - - “WILLIAM HOLLAND.”[267] - -To return to Whitefield. In the midst of his benevolent endeavours to -assist the poor Methodists at Cork, Whitefield, with his characteristic -kindliness, was caring for the welfare of persons of another class. -The following was written to Mr. Habersham, formerly his manager at -Bethesda, and who still took a profound interest in his Orphan House. - -To understand the letter, it must be added, that, though, from the -first settlement of Georgia, the province had been under a _military_ -government, the trustees, about this period, established a kind of -_civil_ government, and committed the charge to a president and four -councillors. Mr. Stephens was now the president. In 1751, the province -was divided into eleven districts; a colonial assembly of sixteen -members was inaugurated at Savannah; Henry Parker was made president; -and James Habersham provincial secretary. As yet, slavery was not -formally introduced, but it practically existed. The term for which -European servants had been engaged being now generally expired, the -difficulty of procuring labour was met by permitting the colonists to -hire negroes from their owners in South Carolina.[268] - - “LONDON, _January 18, 1750_. - - “MY VERY DEAR MR. HABERSHAM,――Blessed be God, for dealing so - favourably with my dear families, and for giving the prospect - of such a plentiful crop! I take it as an earnest, that the Lord - Jesus will be the Lord God of Bethesda, and will let the world - see that designs founded on Him shall prosper. - - “I shall not wonder to hear, by-and-by, that you are president. - O that you and I may be clothed with humility, and that the more - we are exalted by others, the more we may be abased in our own - eyes! O that something may now be done for the poor negroes! A - good beginning is of vast consequence. Pray stir in it, and let - us exert our utmost efforts in striving to bring some of them to - the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This night, - I have agreed to take little Joseph and his sister. All their - relations are desirous that I should have them, as they will - be but poorly provided for here. I think they have a kind of - natural right to be maintained at Bethesda. I suppose, in your - next, you will acquaint me with particulars concerning their - father, and how he has left his affairs. I hear there is a - little infant, besides the other two. I would willingly have - that likewise, if it could be kept till it is about three years - old. I hope to be rich in heaven, by taking care of orphans on - earth. Any other riches, blessed be God! are out of my view. If - the crop answers expectation, I would have the poor of Savannah - reap the benefit. Pray let one barrel of rice be reserved for - them. - - “We have had a blessed winter here. I am pretty well in health, - but my wife is ill.” - -On Friday, February 2nd, Whitefield arrived at Gloucester, where -he spent the next ten days. Daily, he preached either in the city or -in its vicinity. “Some young fellows,” says he, “behaved rudely; but -that is no wonder; the carnal mind is ♦enmity against God.” To Colonel -Gumley, who had been converted under his preaching at Lady Huntingdon’s, -and who was the father of the Countess of Bath, he wrote, on February -8th:―― - - “Contrary to my intentions, I have been prevailed on to - stay all this week in Gloucester; so that I do not expect to - be at Bristol till the 12th instant. I am sorry to hear you - are ill of an ague. Everything we meet with here, is only to - fit us more and more for a blessed hereafter. Christ is the - believer’s _hollow square_; and if we keep close in that, we - are impregnable. Here only I find my refuge. Garrisoned in this, - I can bid defiance to men and devils. O, my dear sir, what did - I experience on the road this day! How did I rejoice at the - prospect of a judgment to come, and in the settled conviction - that I have no designs but to spend and be spent for the good of - precious and immortal souls. The hand of the Lord Jesus, without - adding our carnal policy to it, will support His own cause. - When human cunning is made use of, what is it, but, like Uzzah, - to give a wrong touch to the ark of God, and to provoke God to - smite us? A bigoted, sectarian, party spirit cometh not from - above, but is sensual, earthly, devilish. Many of God’s children - are infected with it. They are sick of a bad distemper. May the - Spirit of God convince and cure them!” - -On arriving at Bristol, Whitefield wrote to the Countess of Huntingdon, -as follows:―― - - “BRISTOL, _February 12, 1750_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――Since I wrote last, we have been favoured both - in Gloucester city, and in the country, with very pleasant and - delightful seasons. I have preached about twenty times within - these eight or nine days; and, though frequently exposed to rain - and hail, am much better than when I left London. Everything - I meet with seems to carry this voice with it,――‘Go thou and - preach the gospel. Be a pilgrim on earth. Have no party, or - certain dwelling-place; but be continually preparing for, and - labouring to prepare others for, a house not made with hands, - eternal, in the heavens.’ My heart echoes back,――‘Lord Jesus, - help me to do or suffer Thy will! And, when Thou seest me in - danger of nestling, in pity, put a thorn in my nest, to preserve - me from it!’” - -On his way to Plymouth, Whitefield held sweet intercourse with two -eminently pious Dissenting ministers,――the well-known Rev. Richard -Pearsall, of Taunton, and the Rev. Risdon Darracott, of Wellington. -Writing to Lady Huntingdon, he said:―― - - “PLYMOUTH, _February 25, 1750_. - - “The day after I wrote my last letter to your ladyship, I - preached three times, once at Kingswood, and twice at Bristol. - It was a blessed day. The next morning, I came on my way - rejoicing. At Taunton, I met with Mr. Pearsall, a Dissenting - minister, a preacher of righteousness before I was born.[269] At - Wellington, I lay at the house of one Mr. Darracott, a flaming - successful preacher of the gospel, and who may justly be styled, - ‘the star in the West.’[270] He has suffered much reproach; and, - in the space of three months, has lost three lovely children. - Two of them died the Saturday evening before the sacrament - was to be administered; but weeping did not hinder sowing. He - preached next day, and administered as usual; and, for his three - natural, the Lord has given him above thirty spiritual children. - He has ventured his little all for Christ; and last week a saint - died, who left him £200 in land. At his place, I began to take - the field for this spring. At a very short warning, a multitude - assembled. The following evening, I preached at Exeter; and last - night and this morning I have preached here. This afternoon, God - willing, I am to take the field again.” - -Mention has been already made of Benjamin Franklin issuing his -“Proposals relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania,” a step -which led to the founding of the present university of Philadelphia. -This was a subject in which Whitefield took a profound interest, not -only because the meeting-house which had been built for himself was -likely to be occupied for this purpose; but, also, because, knowing the -principles of his friend Franklin, he was afraid that, in the proposed -academy, religion might not occupy the position which it ought to -have. Franklin had written him on the subject; and the following is -the substance of his answer:―― - - “PLYMOUTH, _February 26, 1750_. - - “MY DEAR MR. FRANKLIN,――I am glad that the gentlemen of - Philadelphia are exerting their efforts to erect an academy. I - have often thought such an institution was exceedingly wanted; - and I am persuaded, if well conducted, it will be of public - service. I have read your plan, and do not wonder at its meeting - with general approbation. It is certainly well calculated to - promote polite literature; but, I think, there wants _aliquid - Christi_ in it, to make it as useful as I would desire it might - be. - - “It is true you say, ‘The youth are to be taught some public - religion, and the excellency of the Christian religion in - particular;’ but methinks this is mentioned too late, and too - soon passed over. As we are all creatures of a day, as our - whole life is but one small point between two eternities, it - is reasonable to suppose that the grand end of every Christian - institution for forming tender minds should be to convince them - of their natural depravity, of the means of recovering out of - it, and of the necessity of preparing for the enjoyment of the - Supreme Being in a future state. These are the grand points in - which Christianity centres. Arts and sciences may be built on - this, and serve to embellish the superstructure, but without - this there cannot be any good foundation. - - “I should be glad to contribute, though it were but the - least mite, and to promote so laudable an undertaking; but - the gentlemen concerned are so superior to me, in respect to - knowledge of both books and men, that anything I could offer - would be, I fear, of little service. The main thing will be - to get proper masters, who are acquainted with the world, with - themselves, and with God, and who will consequently care for - the welfare of the youth that shall be committed to them. I - think, also, that, in such an institution, there should be a - well-approved Christian orator, who should not be content with - giving a public lecture upon oratory in general, but who should - visit and take pains with every class, and teach them early how - to speak, and read, and pronounce well. An hour or two in a day, - I think, ought to be set apart for this. It would serve as an - agreeable amusement, and would be of great service, whether - the youth be intended for the pulpit, the bar, or any other - profession whatsoever. I should also like the youth to board in - the academy, and, by that means, to be always under the master’s - eye. If a fund could be raised, for the free education of those - of the poorer sort who appear to have promising abilities, I - think it would greatly answer the design proposed. It has often - been found, that some of our brightest men, in Church and State, - have arisen from an obscure condition. - - “When I heard of the academy, I told Mr. B―――― that I thought - the new building[271] would admirably suit such a proposal; and - I then determined to mention, in my next, some terms that might - be offered to the consideration of the trustees; but I now find - that you have done this already, and that matters are adjusted - agreeable to the minds of the majority of them. I hope your - agreement meets with the approbation of the inhabitants, and - that it will be serviceable to the cause of vital piety and good - education. If these ends are answered, a free school erected, - the debts paid, and a place preserved for public preaching, - I do not see what reason there is for anyone to complain. But - all this depends on the integrity, disinterestedness, and piety - of the gentlemen concerned. An institution, founded on such a - basis, God will bless and succeed; but, without these, the most - promising schemes will prove abortive, and the most flourishing - structures turn out Babels. I wish you and the gentlemen - concerned much prosperity; and pray the Lord of all lords to - direct you to the best means to promote the best end; I mean - the glory of God and the welfare of your fellow-creatures. Be - pleased to remember me to them and to all friends as they come - in your way, and believe me, dear sir, - - “Yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -This long letter is interesting, as revealing Whitefield’s views of -youthful education, and his connection with the founding of one of -the oldest and most important colleges in America. It is difficult to -determine whether his interest in England or in America was greater. -He was a devoted lover of his native land; but he was also profoundly -attached to those transatlantic colonies, which, since his day, have -been developed into one of the greatest nations upon earth. On the same -day that he wrote his letter to Franklin, respecting the college at -Philadelphia, he also wrote to his old friend, the Honourable Jonathan -Belcher, Governor of the Province of New Jersey:―― - - “I purpose ranging this summer, and then to embark for my - beloved America. Whether I shall see your Excellency is - uncertain. You are upon the decline of life; but, I trust, I - shall meet you in heaven, where the wicked heart, the wicked - world, and the wicked devil, will cease from troubling, and - every soul enjoy an uninterrupted and eternal rest. This I am - waiting for every day. O that death may find me either praying - or preaching!” - -Having preached twelve times, in six days, at Plymouth, Whitefield -set out for Cornwall, accompanied by two clergymen, the Rev. G. -Thompson, of St. Gennys, and the Rev. Mr. Grigg, who had come to -Plymouth purposely to be his escort. On Sunday, the 4th of March, the -church at St. Gennys presented a scene such as was not often witnessed. -Whitefield writes: “Four of Mr. Wesley’s preachers were present, and -also four clergymen in their gowns and cassocks――Mr. Bennet[272] (aged -fourscore), Mr. Thompson, Mr. Grigg, and myself. It was a glorious day -of the Son of man.” - -Six days later, he wrote the following to the Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “REDRUTH, _March 10, 1750_. - - “Every day, since I left St. Gennys, I have been travelling - and preaching. At Port Isaac, the Redeemer’s stately steps were - seen indeed. At Camelford, I preached with great quietness in - the street. At St. Andrew’s, we had a very powerful season. - Yesterday, at Redruth, several thousands attended. Invitations - are sent to me from Falmouth and several other places. I want - more tongues, more bodies, more souls, for the Lord Jesus. Had - I ten thousand, He should have them all. After preaching, about - noon I am to go to St. Ives; and, in about nine days, I hope to - be at Exeter. Mr. Thompson is mighty hearty, and is gone to his - parish in a gospel flame.” - -The account of Whitefield’s Cornish labours is continued in another -letter to her ladyship, dated “Exeter, March 21, 1750,” and in which -he says:―― - - “Immediately after writing my last, I preached to many thousands - at Gwennap. In the evening, I went to St. Ives. The next day, - Sunday, March 11th, I went to church in the morning, and heard - a virulent sermon from these words, ‘Beware of false prophets.’ - The preacher had said, on the day before, ‘Now Whitefield is - coming, I must put on my old armour.’[273] I preached twice to - large auditories, and then rode back to Gwennap rejoicing. On - Monday, I preached again at Redruth, at ten in the morning, to - near ten thousand. Arrows of conviction seemed to fly fast. In - the evening, I preached to above five hundred, at a place twelve - miles distant, and then rode about sixteen miles to one Mr. - B――――’s, a wealthy man, convinced about two years ago. In riding, - my horse threw me violently on the ground, but I got up without - receiving much hurt. The next day,” (Tuesday, March 13,) “we had - a most delightful season at St. Mewan; and the day following, - a like time at Port Isaac. In the evening, I met my dear Mr. - Thompson, at Mr. Bennet’s, a friendly minister aged fourscore; - and, on Thursday, preached in both his churches. Blessed seasons - both! On Friday, we went to Bideford, where there is perhaps - one of the best little flocks in all England.[274] The power - of God so came down, while I was expounding to them, that Mr. - Thompson could scarce stand under it. I preached twice. On Monday - evening” (March 19), “I came to Exeter, and, with great regret, - shall stay till Friday; for I think every day lost that is not - spent in field-preaching. An unexpectedly wide door is opened in - Cornwall, so that I have sometimes almost determined to go back - again.” - -Thus did Whitefield requite his abusive foe, the Bishop of Exeter. -Lavington, in the most scurrilous language, blackguarded Whitefield -and the Methodists in the notorious pamphlets which he was now writing -and publishing, without having the manliness to acknowledge them as his -own; and Whitefield, in return, quietly invaded the bishop’s diocese, -and, from Land’s End to Exeter, tried to revive religion, where it was -almost, if not entirely, dead. No wonder that the bishop raved! - -After spending about a month in London, Whitefield made, what he calls, -“a short elopement to Portsmouth.” His supreme work was preaching, -and saving souls; but he was always ready to throw his influence -and energies into any scheme that would be subsidiary to the great -object of his life. For this purpose, he had erected his Orphan House -in Georgia, and, as the reader has already seen, wished to have, in -connection with it, an academy or college for the training of ministers. -At this very time, he was taking an active interest in founding what -afterwards became the university of Philadelphia. Added to all this, -he now cheerily devoted himself to the establishment of a kindred -institution in New Jersey. Three years ago, his friend, Jonathan -Belcher, had been appointed the governor of that province. The governor -was an aged man, in his seventieth year; but, before he died, he wished -to found a Presbyterian college for the benefit of the people whom -he ruled. In 1748, he had obtained a royal charter from George II., -but, to carry out his purpose, he needed money. To collect this, -Mr. Allen and Colonel Williams had come to England, bringing letters -of introduction from Governor Belcher and the Rev. Aaron Burr, who -had been elected president of the New College. Whitefield presented -these gentlemen to the Countess of Huntingdon. A statement of Belcher’s -scheme, with a recommendation of it, was printed, and signed by -her ladyship, Whitefield, Dr. Doddridge, and others. Whitefield -preached sermons for the college; and, in the course of a few months, -considerable sums were collected, and transmitted to America.[275] To -illustrate Whitefield’s interest in this important matter, two extracts -from his letters may be useful, while at Portsmouth, he wrote to -Governor Belcher, as follows:―― - - “PORTSMOUTH, _April 27, 1750_. - - “I am glad your Excellency has been honoured, by Providence, - to put New Jersey College on such a footing, that it may be a - nursery for future labourers. I have had the pleasure of seeing - Mr. Allen and Colonel Williams, and have introduced them to - such of my friends as I believe may serve the interest in which - they are engaged. By the Divine blessing, I hope that something - considerable will be done in England and Scotland.” - -A few days afterwards, he wrote to the Rev. Mr. McCulloch, Presbyterian -minister of Cambuslang:―― - - “Mr. Allen, a friend of Governor Belcher, is come over with a - commission to negotiate the matter concerning the Presbyterian - College in New Jersey. He has brought with him a copy of the - letter which Mr. Pemberton sent you some time ago. This letter - has been shewn to Dr. Doddridge and several of the London - ministers, who all approve of the thing, and promise their - assistance. Last week, I conversed with Dr. Doddridge concerning - it; and the scheme that was then judged most practicable was - this――‘That Mr. Pemberton’s letter should be printed, and that - a recommendation of the affair, subscribed by Dr. Doddridge and - others, should be annexed; and, further, that a subscription - and collections should be set on foot in England, and that - afterwards Mr. Allen should go to Scotland.’ I think it is an - affair that requires despatch. Governor Belcher is old, but - a most hearty man for promoting God’s glory, and the good of - mankind. He looks upon the College as his own daughter, and will - do all he can to endow her with proper privileges. The present - president, Mr. Burr,[276] and most of the trustees, I am well - acquainted with. They are friends to vital piety; and, I trust, - this work of the Lord will prosper in their hands. The spreading - of the gospel in Maryland and Virginia, in a great measure, - depends on it.” - -Thus, in more respects than one, was America greatly indebted to the -English Whitefield. The effects of his services on behalf of that -country cannot be estimated. - -After a few days spent at Portsmouth, Whitefield returned to London, -and then, early in the month of May, set out on his northern tour. -On Sunday, May 6th, he preached twice, to great multitudes, at Olney. -On the day following, he rode to Northampton, and “had a private -interview” with Dr. Stonehouse, Dr. Doddridge, the Rev. James Hervey, -and the Rev. Thomas Hartley.[277] On Tuesday, the 8th, he preached, -in the morning, “to Dr. Doddridge’s family;” and, in the afternoon, to -above two thousand in a field, his friends, with whom he had held “a -private interview,” to his great gratification, walking with him along -the street. After preaching twice, “to several thousands,” at Kettering, -he made his way to Ashby, the country residence of the Countess of -Huntingdon. Here he remained for above a week, preaching daily in the -house of her ladyship, and also in four neighbouring churches. Resuming -his journey, on May 20, he preached four times at Nottingham, where, -says he, “several came to me, enquiring what they should do to be saved. -One evening, Lord S―――― and several gentlemen were present, and behaved -with great decency. Many thousands attended.” He also preached at -Sutton; thrice at Mansfield; and, on May 25, arrived at Rotherham, -where he met with an adventure worth relating. In a letter to Lady -Huntingdon, dated “Leeds, May 30, 1750,” he writes:―― - - “Satan rallied his forces at Rotherham;[278] but I preached - twice, on the Friday evening and Saturday morning. The crier - was employed to give notice of a bear-baiting. Your ladyship - may guess who was the _bear_. About seven in the morning, the - drum was heard, and several watermen attended it with great - staves. The constable was struck, and two of the mobbers were - apprehended, but were rescued afterwards. I preached on these - words, ‘Fear not, little flock.’ They were both fed and feasted. - After a short stay, I left Rotherham, when I knew it was become - more pacific.[279] - - “In the evening, I preached at Sheffield, where the people - received the word gladly. A great alteration was discernible - in their looks, since I was there last.[280] On Sunday, great - multitudes attended, and, in the evening, many went away, who - could not get near enough to hear. On Monday, we had a parting - blessing; and, in the evening, the Lord Jesus fed us plentifully, - with the bread that cometh down from heaven, at Barley Hall. - - “Last night, I preached in Leeds, to many, many thousands; and - this morning also, at five o’clock. Methinks, I am now got into - another climate. It must be a warm one, where there are so many - of God’s people. Our Pentecost is to be kept at Mr. Grimshaw’s. - I have seen him and Mr. Ingham.” - -Concerning the “Pentecost” kept at Haworth, on Sunday, June 3rd, no -record has been preserved, except a mere notice, which will be found -in a subsequent letter. The reader must imagine the great preacher, -standing on his temporary scaffold, by the side of Grimshaw’s church, -with thousands upon thousands listening to his impassioned eloquence, -and the surrounding hills and dales echoing with his unequalled voice. - -Leaving Haworth, Whitefield proceeded to Manchester, where he wrote, as -follows, to Lady Gertrude Hotham, daughter of the Earl of Chesterfield, -and wife of Sir Charles Hotham, Bart:―― - - “MANCHESTER, _June 8, 1750_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――Thousands and thousands, for some time past, - have flocked to hear the word twice every day, and the power - of God has attended it in a glorious manner. I left good Lady - Huntingdon, some time ago, weak in body, but strong in the grace - which is in Christ Jesus. The good people of Ashby were so kind - as to mob round her ladyship’s door, whilst the gospel was being - preached. Alas! how great and irreconcilable is the enmity of - the serpent! This is my comfort――the seed of the woman shall be - more than conqueror over all. I hope your ladyship, every day, - experiences more and more of this conquest in your heart. This - is the Christian’s daily employ and daily triumph――to die to - self and sin, and to rise more and more into the image of the - blessed Jesus. As it is our duty, so it is our unspeakable - privilege.” - -From Manchester, Whitefield set out on a tour through what was called -“Ingham’s Circuit,” a large mountainous tract of country where Ingham -had preached with great success, and had founded Societies. The -following, addressed to the Countess of Huntingdon, will give the -reader an idea of Whitefield’s labours:―― - - “NEWBY-COTE, _June 16, 1750_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――Blessed be God! I have still good news to send - your ladyship. All was quiet at Manchester; and, I humbly hope, - the Redeemer will gather to Himself a people there.[281] Kind - Captain Galatin and his lady will acquaint you with particulars. - I hope he will prove a good soldier of Jesus Christ. We had - sweet seasons at places adjacent to Manchester. Only, at Bolton, - a drunkard stood up to preach behind me; and a woman attempted - twice to stab the person who was putting up a stand, for me - to preach on, in her husband’s field. Since that, we have had - very large and powerful meetings, where formerly were the most - violent outrages.[282] Perhaps, within these three weeks, sixty - thousand souls have heard the gospel. I am now in Mr. Ingham’s - circuit, and purpose being at Kendal next Thursday.” - -To this Whitefield appends the following postscript:―― - - “June 17th, seven in the morning. Last night Satan shewed his - teeth. Some persons got into the barn and stable, and cut my - chaise, and one of the horse’s tails. What would men do, if they - could?” - -Whitefield arrived at Kendal four days after this, where he wrote the -following to his friend Hervey:―― - - “KENDAL, _June 21, 1750_. - - “REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR,――I arrived at Kendal this morning, - where I shall preach this evening. An entrance is now made into - Westmoreland. Pen cannot well describe the glorious scenes that - have opened in Yorkshire, etc. Perhaps, since I saw you, seventy - or eighty thousand have attended the word preached, in divers - places. At Haworth, on Whit-Sunday, the church was almost thrice - filled with communicants; and, at Kirby-Stephen, the people - behaved exceedingly well. - - “In my way, I have read Mr. Law’s second part of ‘The Spirit of - Prayer.’ His scheme about the fall is quite chimerical; but he - says many noble things. The sun has its spots, and so have the - best of men. I want to see my own faults more, and those of - others less. It will be so, when I am more humble. If mercies - would make a creature humble, I should be a mirror of humility. - But I am far from the mind that was in Jesus. You must pray, - while I go on fighting. Next week, I hope to reach Edinburgh. - You shall have notice of my return. Glad shall I be to meet such - a friend upon the road.” - -On the same day, he wrote to the Rev. William Baddiley, domestic -chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon. Mr. Baddiley was now in London, -and his place at Ashby was supplied by the Rev. Charles Caspar Graves -and the Rev. Mr. Simpson, the former a brave-hearted Oxford Methodist, -who, in 1742, had accompanied Charles Wesley to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, -and helped him in forming the Methodist Society in that important town, -and who, in the year following, preached, for months, among the almost -incarnate fiends in Wednesbury, and in other parishes adjacent, but who -now had a church not far from Lady Huntingdon’s country residence. Mr. -Simpson, also, was one of the Oxford Methodists, and had been ordained, -and presented to a living of considerable value in Leicestershire. This, -however, he resigned, and, having left the Church of England, was now a -Moravian minister at Ockbrook. - - “KENDAL, _June 21, 1750_. - - “REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR,――I am glad you have sounded the silver - trumpet in London. ‘_Crescit eundo_’ must be your motto and mine. - There is nothing like keeping the wheels oiled by action. The - more we do, the more we may do; every act strengthens the habit; - and the best preparation for preaching on Sundays, is to preach - every day in the week. - - “I am glad there is peace at Ashby. What a fool is Satan always - to overshoot his mark! I hope Mr. Graves, as well as Mr. Simpson, - will hold on. They will be glorious monuments of free grace. I - am like-minded with you in respect to Dr. Doddridge’s Commentary. - He is a glorious writer. May the Lord Jesus strengthen him to - finish the work! - - “My dear Mr. Baddiley, what blessed opportunities do you enjoy - for meditation, study, and prayer! Now is your time to get - rich in grace. Such an example, and such advantages, no one in - England is favoured with but yourself. I do not envy you. I am - called forth to battle. O remember a poor cowardly soldier, and - pray that I may have the honour to die fighting. I would have - all my scars in my breast. I would not be wounded running away, - or skulking into a hiding-place. It is not for ministers of - Christ to flee, or be afraid.” - -Five days afterwards, Whitefield wrote to the Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “KENDAL, _June 26, 1750_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――Still the Lord vouchsafes to prosper the - gospel plough. Such an entrance has been made into Kendal, - as could not have been expected. I preached twice, to several - thousands, last week; and the people were so importunate, that - I was prevailed on to return last night. The congregation was - greatly increased, and the power of the Lord was displayed in - the midst of them. - - “Last Saturday evening, and on the Lord’s-day, I preached at - Ulverstone. There Satan made some resistance. A clergyman, who - looked more like a butcher than a minister, came with two others, - and charged a constable with me; but I never saw a poor creature - sent off in such disgrace. I believe good was done in the town. - How I am to succeed at Whitehaven, your ladyship shall know - hereafter. I hear Mr. Wesley has been much abused in Ireland, - but that the mayor of Cork has quite overshot himself. I have - some thoughts of seeing Ireland before my return.”[284] - -Whitefield reached Edinburgh on Friday, July 6th, having preached, -since he left London, two months before, above ninety times, and, -as he estimated, to a hundred and forty thousand people. He, at once, -commenced preaching in his open-air cathedral, the Orphan Hospital -Park;[285] and, on July 12th, wrote, as follows, to the Countess of -Huntingdon:―― - - “Though I am burning with a fever, and have a violent cold, - I must send your ladyship a few lines. They bring good news. - People flock rather more than ever, and earnestly entreat me not - to leave them soon. I preach generally twice a day,――early in - the morning, and at six in the evening. Great multitudes attend. - Praise the Lord, O my soul! Mr. Nimmo and his family are in the - number of those who are left in Sardis, and have not defiled - their garments. Your ladyship’s health is drunk every day.” - -James Nimmo, Esq., Receiver-General of the Excise, was connected with -some of the first families in Scotland. His mother was a daughter of -Henry, Lord Cardross. His wife, Lady Jane Hume, was third daughter of -the Earl of Marchmont, and sister of Hugh, fourth Earl of Marchmont, -one of the executors of Pope the poet, and also of Sarah, Duchess of -Marlborough. Mr. Nimmo’s house was Whitefield’s Edinburgh home; and, -during his visit, Lady Jane Nimmo, in a letter to the Countess of -Huntingdon, remarked:―― - - “Greater crowds than ever flock to hear Mr. Whitefield. Dear - Lady Frances Gardiner is very active in bringing people to hear - him, to some of whom, there is reason to believe, the word has - been blessed. There is a great awakening among all classes. - Truth is great, and will prevail, though all manner of evil is - spoken against it. The fields are more than white, and ready - unto harvest, in Scotland.”[286] - -Having preached twenty times in Edinburgh, Whitefield, on the 19th of -July, set out for Glasgow,[287] where, on the 23rd, he wrote:―― - - “Friends here received me most kindly, and the congregations, - I think, are larger than ever. Yesterday” (Sunday), “besides - preaching twice in the field, I preached in the College Kirk, - being forced by Mr. Gillies. It was a blessed season. I have met - and shaken hands with Mr. Ralph Erskine. Oh, when shall God’s - people learn war no more?” - -On July 27, he returned to Edinburgh;[288] and, two days later, wrote -to Lady Huntingdon:―― - - “No one can well describe the order, attention, and earnestness - of the Scotch congregations. They are unwearied in hearing - the gospel. I left thousands sorrowful at Glasgow; and here I - was again most gladly received last night. By preaching always - twice, and once thrice, and once four times in a day, I am quite - weakened; but I hope to recruit again, and get fresh strength to - work for Jesus.” - -On August 3rd, Whitefield set out for London,[289] and, at Berwick, -wrote again to the Countess:―― - - “BERWICK, _August 4, 1750_. - - “I have taken a very sorrowful leave of Scotland. The longer - I continued there, the more the congregations, and the power - that attended the word, increased. I have reason to think that - many are under convictions, and am assured that hundreds have - received great benefit and consolation. I shall have reason to - bless God to all eternity for this last visit to Scotland. Not a - dog moved his tongue all the while I was there, and many enemies - were glad to be at peace with me. Preaching so frequently, and - paying so many religious visits, weakened me very much; but I am - already better for my riding thus far. One of the ministers here - has sent me an offer of his pulpit, and I hear of about ten more - round the town who would do the same. I came here this evening” - (Friday), “and purpose to set out for Newcastle on Monday - morning.” - -Such extracts as these are fragments; but, put together, they form -a sort of diary, and exhibit Whitefield’s enormous labours, and his -marvellous popularity and success. - -When Whitefield arrived in London, Hervey had become an inmate of his -house, and wrote: “Great care is taken of me. The house is very open -and airy, and has no bugs, a sort of city gentry for which I have -no fondness.”[290] The two friends visited Lady Gertrude Hotham, one -of whose daughters was dying; and, by their joint instrumentality, -the sufferer was led to the Saviour. Hervey attended Whitefield’s -ministry at the Tabernacle, and speaks of him as being “in labours -more abundant,” “a pattern of zeal and ministerial fidelity.”[291] - -Though Whitefield had been four months from home, the time had not come -for him to settle in his “_winter quarters_.” First of all, he ran off -to Portsmouth, and was there when Miss Hotham died. At his return to -London, he wrote:―― - - “September 14. I was received with great joy, and our Lord has - manifested His glory in the great congregation. I have preached - in Mr. Wesley’s chapel several times. Mr. Wesley breakfasted and - prayed with me this morning; and Mr. Hervey was so kind as to - come up and be with me in my house. He is a dear man; and, I - trust, will yet be spared to write much for the Redeemer’s glory.” - -On the same day, Charles Wesley wrote, in his Journal: “I met James -Hervey at the Tabernacle, and in the fellowship of the spirit of love.” - -Never since they had left Oxford had the four old friends met together -till now. Fifteen years had elapsed since then,――years full of strange -and unforeseen adventures. - -Two other clergymen were now introduced into the circle of Whitefield’s -friends. - -Martin Madan,――tall in stature, robust in constitution, his countenance -open and majestic, his voice musical and strong, his delivery graceful, -and his language plain and nervous,――was the eldest son of Colonel -Madan, and bred to the study of the law. While in a coffee-house, with -some of his gay companions, he was requested to go and hear Wesley -preach. He went, and, on his return to the coffee-room, was asked, “if -he had taken off the old Methodist?” “No,” said the young barrister, -“No, gentlemen, but he has taken me off.” From that time, he abandoned -his old companions, formed an acquaintance with the Countess of -Huntingdon, and embraced the truth as it is in Jesus. Possessed of a -private fortune of £1800 a year, he renounced his legal profession, and -was now an ordained clergyman of the Church of England. He soon became -immensely popular; but ultimately died, in 1790, beneath the dark cloud -of his chimerical and mischievous “Thelypthora.” - -Moses Browne, afterwards well known as vicar of Olney, and chaplain -of Morden College, Blackheath, had never been at either of the -universities, had a large family, and a slender purse. For twenty years, -he had been a constant contributor to the _Gentleman’s Magazine_, and -had obtained some of the prizes offered by Mr. Cave for the best poems -sent to that periodical. He had enjoyed the friendship of Dr. Watts, by -whose kindness he was introduced to Lady Huntingdon; and, at her house, -met many of the poets and _literati_ of the day. Moses was passionately -fond of dancing and of theatrical amusements; but, under the preaching -of the Methodists, he had been converted, and now wanted to be a -clergyman. Testimonials were signed by Hervey, Hartley, and Baddiley. -Lady Huntingdon asked Hoadley, Bishop of Winchester, to ordain him; but -his lordship politely refused the application. She requested the same -favour of the Bishop of Worcester; and ultimately, through the interest -of the Hon. Welbore Ellis, then one of the Lords of the Admiralty, -ordination was obtained, and the poor poet became a successful parish -priest.[292] - -Both of these gentlemen are mentioned in the following letter to the -Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “LONDON, _September 17, 1750_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――Yesterday afternoon, I returned from - Chatham, where, I think, there is as promising a work begun as - almost in any part of England. Last night, the Redeemer’s glory - was seen in the Tabernacle; and your ladyship’s letter revived - my heart, and gave me fresh hopes for ungrateful Ashby. - - “I am glad Mr. Madan is ordained; and hope Mr. Browne will be - soon. I find your ladyship has acted in the affair like yourself. - Mr. Browne is much for embarking in the cause of Christ, and, if - the D―――― would help him at this juncture, he might be a useful - and happy man. Both he and Mr. Hervey have a grateful sense of - your ladyship’s great kindness. The latter, I believe, intends - to winter with me in London. If possible, I will prevail on Mr. - Hartley to come and pay him a visit. To-morrow morning, I set - out for Gloucester, and intend coming to Birmingham, and so to - your ladyship’s.” - -Whitefield reached the Countess’s residence on October 4th, and -remained there the next eleven days. His past and his present -proceedings may be learnt by the following extracts from his letters:―― - - “Ashby, October 9, 1750. I am now at the house of her ladyship, - with four other clergymen, who, I believe, love and preach - Christ in sincerity; but Ashby people reject the kingdom of God - against themselves. At Portsmouth, Chatham, Gloucestershire, - Birmingham, Wednesbury, Evesham, Nottingham, etc., our infinite - High Priest has given us pleasant seasons. I am now waiting - every day for my wife’s being delivered of her present burden, - and hope, ere long, to rejoice that a child is born into the - world. O that it may be born again, and be made an heir of the - Redeemer’s kingdom!” - - “Ashby, October 11.” (To the Countess Delitz.) “Good Lady - Huntingdon goes on acting the part of a mother in Israel more - and more. For a day or two, she has had five clergymen under her - roof, which makes her ladyship look like a good archbishop with - his chaplains around him. Her house is indeed a Bethel. To us - in the ministry, it looks like a college. We have the sacrament - every morning, heavenly consolation all day, and preaching at - night. This is to _live at court_ indeed. Your ladyship, and the - other elect ladies, are never forgotten by us.” - -In reference to this memorable visit, the Countess of Huntingdon wrote -to Lady Fanny Shirley, as follows:―― - - “It was a time of refreshing from the presence of our God. - Several of our little circle have been wonderfully filled with - the love of God, and have had joy unspeakable and full of glory. - Lady Frances” (Hastings) “is rejoicing in hope of the glory of - God. It is impossible to conceive a more real happiness than - she enjoys. Dear Mr. Whitefield’s sermons and exhortations were - close, searching, experimental, awful, and awakening. Surely - God was with him. He appeared to speak of spiritual and divine - things as awful realities. Many of us could witness to the truth - of what he uttered. His discourses in the neighbouring churches - were attended with power from on high, and the kingdom of - darkness trembled before the gospel of Christ.”[293] - -On Monday, October 15, Whitefield set out for what he called his -“winter quarters,” in London; but, a month afterwards, he was at -Canterbury, preaching with his characteristic zest and power. Despite -great opposition, one of Wesley’s Societies had been formed in this -venerable city, and here Wesley himself had spent three days at the -beginning of the year. Now Whitefield came, and wrote: “The work -increases at Canterbury. I find several souls are awakened.” - -The visit of two of the Methodist chieftains to this archiepiscopal -city, in the same year, was too serious an effrontery to be allowed to -pass unnoticed. The Rev. John Kirkby was rector of Blackmanstone, but a -rector almost without a flock, Blackmanstone, in 1831, containing only -five parishioners! Mr. Kirkby’s parochial work was――what? He had ample -leisure to chastise the Methodists. Accordingly, he published an 8vo. -pamphlet of fifty-five pages, with the elaborate title, “The Impostor -Detected; or, the Counterfeit Saint turned inside out. Containing -a full discovery of the horrid blasphemies and impieties taught by -those diabolical seducers called Methodists, under colour of the only -_real Christianity_. Particularly intended for the use of the city of -Canterbury, where that ministry of iniquity has lately begun to work. -By John Kirkby, Rector of Blackmanstone, in Kent. ‘By their fruits ye -shall know them’ (Matt. vii. 20). London, 1750.” - -Mr. Kirkby’s pamphlet was even more rancorous than its title. He could -hardly have been more vulgarly abusive if, instead of Blackmanstone, he -had been rector of Billingsgate. - -While at Canterbury, Whitefield wrote a letter to Mr. S――――, in Ireland, -which is too characteristic to be omitted.[294] - - “CANTERBURY, _November 20, 1750_. - - “MY DEAR MR. S――――, As far as I can judge of the circumstances - you related to me, settling, as you propose, would not hinder, - but rather further, you in your present work. Only beware of - nestling. If you do, and God loves you, you shall have thorns - enough put into your nest. O that I may be enabled, even to the - end, to evidence that nothing but a pure disinterested love to - Christ and souls caused me to begin, go on, and hold out, in - pursuing the present work of God! I have seen so many who once - bid exceedingly fair, and afterwards, Demas-like, preferred the - world to Christ, that I cannot be too jealous over myself, or - others whom I profess to love. This is my motive in writing to - you. O let no one take away your crown. If you marry, let it be - in the Lord, and for the Lord, and then the Lord will give it - His blessing. Only remember this, marry when or whom you will, - expect trouble in the flesh. But I spare you. Seven years hence, - if we should live and meet, we can talk better of these things. - Meanwhile, let us go on leaning on our Beloved. He, and He alone, - can keep us unspotted from the world.” - -Shortly after this, Whitefield had a serious illness, which he called -a “violent fever,” and which kept him confined to his room nearly a -fortnight. As soon as he was able, he resumed his preaching, and also -his correspondence. To one of his friends, he wrote: “December 17th. -Yesterday, I entered upon my seven-and-thirtieth year. I am ashamed -to think I have lived so long, and done so little.” To another: -“December 21. I have been near the gates of death, which has hindered -my answering your kind letter as soon as I proposed. I shall be glad -to know your friend’s answer about Georgia. If the Lord raises up a -solid, heavenly-minded, learned young man for a tutor, I shall be glad. -Nothing, I believe, but sickness or death, will prevent my going over -next year. Methinks the winter is long. I want to take the field again.” - -Whitefield longed to be in America; and, notwithstanding past revivals, -America was in need of him. Hence the following extract from a hitherto -unpublished letter, kindly lent by Mr. Stampe, of Grimsby:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _December 15, 1750_. - - “REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,――Religion, at present, is very low - in general in this country. A great deadness prevails, and few - appear to be converted; but the Church of Christ, I trust, is, - in some measure, edified by the word of God. We wish and hope - for better times. I am glad that you are able to continue your - itinerancy, and that with such encouragement and success. May - your life and labours be long continued, and be blessed to the - great increase of Christ’s kingdom on earth, and the brightening - of your own crown in heaven! - - “I am much obliged to you, dear sir, for the hope you gave me, - in a letter I received from you, of doing something among your - friends to assist us in completing the new house of public - worship, which we are erecting. Some time ago, I told you of - the difficult and necessitous state of our case; and I may now - add, that we are likely to lose many hundreds of pounds that - were promised. This is very discouraging. However, we have got - the house covered, and hope to have the pleasure of hearing - you preach in it next fall. Dear sir, as I know your hearty - good-will towards the interests of religion in general, and - towards us in particular, I cannot but believe that you will - compassionate us, and will use your best endeavours for us, - I forbear incitements to a mind that needs them not. I salute - yourself and your consort with cordial respect; and remain yours - as formerly, - - “GILBERT TENNENT.” - -Whitefield was always ready to assist his friends, both at home and -abroad. Just at this juncture, Moses Browne, with his large family, -was in pecuniary embarrassment. Lady Fanny Shirley took great interest -in his case, and applied to the Duchess of Somerset[295] and others to -afford him help.[296] Whitefield refers to this in the following letter -to Lady Fanny:―― - - “LONDON, _December 25, 1750_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――Poor Mr. Browne is much obliged to your - ladyship for speaking in his behalf. He happened to be with me - when your ladyship’s letter came. The reception your kind motion - met with, convinces me more and more that, ‘Be ye warmed, and be - ye filled,’ without giving anything to be warmed and filled with, - is the farthest that most professors go. Words are cheap, and - cost nothing. I often told the poor man that his dependence was - too strong, and that I was afraid help would not come from the - quarter where he most expected. He sends ten thousand thanks - for what your ladyship has done already. Surely he is worthy. - He is a lover of Christ, and his outward circumstances are very - pitiable. Your ladyship will not be offended at the liberty - I take. You love to help the distressed to the utmost of your - power; and your ladyship shall find that good measure, pressed - down and running over, shall be returned into your bosom.” - -To Whitefield, the year 1751 opened sadly. It is true, he speaks -of having had “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” in -London, and of many being awakened to a consciousness of their sins -and danger; but his own health was shaken, his wife was “expecting an -hour of travail,” and death was entering the mansion of the Countess -of Huntingdon. During the whole of December, the Countess had been -dangerously ill; and, at the beginning of 1751, her health declined so -rapidly, that Whitefield was requested to hasten to Ashby with all the -speed he could. He obeyed the summons; but, before his arrival, death -had claimed a victim,――not, however, Whitefield’s honoured patroness; -she was spared to the Church and the world forty years longer; but Lady -Frances Hastings, sister of her late husband, was taken to the rest of -the righteous; and Lady Selina, the Countess’s daughter, was extremely -ill, though slowly recovering from a fever. Extracts from two of -Whitefield’s letters will tell all that it is needful to relate:―― - - “Ashby, January 29, 1751. I rode post to Ashby, not knowing - whether I should see good Lady Huntingdon alive. Blessed be God! - she is somewhat better. Entreat all our friends to pray for her. - Her sister-in-law, Lady Frances Hastings, lies dead in the house. - She was a retired Christian, lived silently, and died suddenly, - without a groan. May my exit be like hers! Whether right or not, - I cannot help wishing that I may go off in the same manner. To - me it is worse than death, to live to be nursed, and see friends - weeping about one. Sudden death is sudden glory. But all this - must be left to our heavenly Father.” - -Strangely enough, Whitefield’s wish, so often uttered, was literally -fulfilled. To Lady Mary Hamilton, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “Ashby, January 30, 1751. I found good Lady Huntingdon very sick, - though, I trust, not unto death. The death of Lady Frances was - a translation. Almost all the family have been sick. Lady Selina - has had a fever, but is better. Lady Betty is more affected than - ever I saw her. Lady Ann bears up pretty well, but Miss Wheeler - is inconsolable. It is a house of mourning; that is better than - a house of feasting. The corpse is to be interred on Friday” - (February 1) “evening. May all who follow it, look and learn! - I mean learn to live, and learn to die.” - -Whitefield remained some days after the funeral, and then returned to -London, where, to use his own expression, his wife was “exceeding bad.” -Three weeks afterwards, he wrote the following to Lady Huntingdon; -but makes no mention, in any of his letters, of the accouchement of -his wife. It is probable, that, like her last, the present child was -dead:―― - - “LONDON, _February 26, 1751_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――It would rejoice your ladyship to see - what has been doing here. I have not known a more considerable - awakening for a long time. The Lord comes down as in the days - of old, and the shout of a king is amongst us. Praise the Lord, - O my soul! To-morrow, I purpose to leave London; but whether - the rain and wind will permit me is uncertain. At present, I am - feverish, by my late hurry and fatigue. - - “Underneath your ladyship are the everlasting arms. You cannot - sink with such a prop. He is faithful, who has promised, that we - shall not be tempted above what we are able to bear. This is my - daily support. To explain God’s providence by His promise, and - not His promise by His providence, I find is the only way both - to get and to keep our comforts.” - -Whitefield was detained in London a few days longer; but, early in the -month of March, set out for Bristol, where the Countess of Huntingdon -was then staying for the benefit of her health. - -Hervey’s health was such that he was unable to accompany his friend; -and, hence, Whitefield applied to the Rev. Thomas Hartley, and, as a -persuasion to come, told him that the Countess would be benefited by -his visit, he would have access to some of the Bristol pulpits, and, -perhaps, would “catch some great fish in the gospel net.”[297] - -After about a fortnight’s stay in Bristol, he started for Plymouth, -preaching at Taunton and Wellington on his way. On his return, he wrote -to Hervey, dating his letter, “Exeter, April 11, 1751.” He tells the -amiable invalid that he would count it “a great honour and privilege” -to have him as his guest for the remainder of his life. During the -last month, he had had “some trying exercises;” but he had “preached -about forty times,” and, in several instances, had ridden forty miles -a day. He had been among Hervey’s old friends at Bideford; and had been -blessed with “sweet seasons at Plymouth.” - -It is impossible to determine what were the “trying exercises,” which -Whitefield mentions. One was the affliction of his wife. Perhaps, -another was occasioned by the insertion of a letter in the _Gentleman’s -Magazine_, proposing that, because “Whitefield preached that man, the -chief work of God in this lower world, _by nature is half brute and -half devil_,” the following lines should be inscribed on the door -of Whitefield’s house, and should not be removed until he “recanted -his shocking account of human nature, and declared that man is the -_offspring of God_, and formed _by nature_ to approve and love what -is _just_ and _good_”:―― - - “Here lives one by nature half brute and half devil. - Avoid him, ye wise, though he speak kind and civil. - The devil can seem like an _angel of light_, - And _dogs_ look _demure_, the better to bite.” - -It is rather surprising that a squib so paltry was admitted into Mr. -Cave’s respectable magazine; and yet it gave birth to a controversy, in -that periodical, which lasted until the month of October next ensuing, -not fewer than six different articles, for and against, being published -on the subject. - -Probably, another cause of Whitefield’s “trying exercises” was the -publication, about this period, of the third part of Lavington’s -“Enthusiasm of Methodists and Papists compared,” an 8vo. volume of -four hundred and twenty pages. This was the bishop’s big gun, pointed -at Wesley almost altogether, but discharging a few stray shots at -Whitefield. It was not pleasant, for instance, to find the author -perverting Whitefield’s honest acknowledgment of the errors into which -he had unwittingly fallen, by declaring, “Whitefield has _confessed_ -that he has _imposed_ upon the world by many _untruths_” (p. 263). -Whitefield never confessed anything of the sort; and Dr. Lavington, -Bishop of Exeter, knew, when he wrote these words, that he himself was -writing an _untruth_. - -Lampoons, and episcopal mendacity like this, were, without doubt, -annoying. It was also a matter of profound grief, that, in the bulky -volume just mentioned, his friend Wesley should be made the butt of all -the sneering sarcasm which Lavington could bring to bear against him. -There were likewise other annoyances, as may be gathered from the title -of a pamphlet of sixteen pages, which was at this time published: “A -Vindication of the Methodists and Moravians from an Assertion in a -Sermon lately printed. Also some Thoughts on the Latter Times.” The -“Assertion” was, that, at least, some of the Methodists and Moravians -were endeavouring “to encourage and increase the Romish religion;” -that it was certain that Methodism and Moravianism would “at last issue -in Popery;” and that some of the present preachers would be employed -in spreading it “both here, and in all our colonies and plantations -abroad.” The author of the pamphlet did his best to vindicate -Whitefield and his friends; but he was so full of millenarianism, that -his defence was worthless, and, instead of serving the Methodists, was -likely to injure them. - -In the midst of all this worry and vexation, Whitefield found comfort -and cause of exultation in a fact which ought to have augmented the -severity of his “trying exercises:” slavery was authorised in Georgia! -Read in the light of the last hundred years, the following letter, -addressed to a minister in America, is, to say the least, a curious -production:―― - - “BRISTOL, _March 22, 1751_. - - “REVEREND AND VERY DEAR SIR,――My wife has been in pitiable - circumstances for some time. The Lord only knows what will - be the issue of them. This is my comfort, ‘All things work - together for good to those that love God.’ He is the Father - of mercies, and the God of all consolation. He can bring light - out of darkness, and cause the barren wilderness to smile. - - “This will be verified in Georgia. Thanks be to God! that the - time for favouring that colony seems to be come. Now is the - season for us to exert ourselves to the utmost for the good of - the poor Ethiopians. We are told, that, even they are soon to - stretch out their hands unto God. And who knows but that their - being settled in Georgia maybe over-ruled for this great end? - - “As to the lawfulness of keeping slaves, I have no doubt, since - I hear of some that were bought with Abraham’s money, and some - that were born in his house. I, also, cannot help thinking, - that some of those servants mentioned by the apostles, in - their epistles, were or had been slaves. It is plain that the - Gibeonites were doomed to perpetual slavery; and, though liberty - is a sweet thing to such as are born free, yet to those who - never knew the sweets of it, slavery perhaps may not be so - irksome. - - “However this be, it is plain to a demonstration, that - hot countries cannot be cultivated without negroes. What a - flourishing country might Georgia have been, had the use of - them been permitted years ago! How many white people have been - destroyed for want of them, and how many thousands of pounds - spent to no purpose at all! Had Mr. Henry been in America, - I believe he would have seen the lawfulness and necessity of - having negroes there. And, though it is true that they are - brought in a wrong way from their native country, and it is - a trade not to be approved of, yet, as it will be carried on - whether we will or not, I should think myself highly favoured - if I could purchase a good number of them, to make their - lives comfortable, and lay a foundation for breeding up their - posterity in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. - - “You know, dear sir, that I had no hand in bringing them into - Georgia. Though my judgment was for it, and so much money - was yearly spent to no purpose, and I was strongly importuned - thereto, yet I would have no negro upon my plantation, till - the use of them was publicly allowed in the colony. Now this - is done, let us reason no more about it, but diligently improve - the present opportunity for their instruction. The Trustees - favour it, and we may never have a like prospect. It rejoiced - my soul, to hear that one of my poor negroes in Carolina was - made a brother in Christ. How know we but we may have many - such instances in Georgia before long? By mixing with your - people, I trust many of them will be brought to Jesus; and this - consideration, as to us, swallows up all temporal inconveniences - whatsoever.” - -Whitefield’s letter is a distracting compound of good and evil -principles. Probably it will lower his character in the estimation of -not a few who read it. Be it so. The letter exists, and it would not be -honest to withhold it. - -From April 11th, to May 24th, when he arrived in Dublin, nothing -is known of Whitefield’s work, except that, on leaving Exeter, he -passed through Wales, and that, “in about three weeks,” he “rode -above five hundred miles, and generally preached twice a day, and that -his congregations were as large as usual.”[298] At Dublin, he became -the guest of Mr. Lunell, the banker. The following extracts from his -letters will furnish an idea of his work in Ireland:―― - - “DUBLIN, _June 1, 1751_. - - “After being about five days on the water, I arrived here on the - 24th ult. I have now preached fourteen times. Congregations are - large, and hear as for eternity. Last Lord’s-day, upwards of ten - thousand attended. It much resembled a Moorfields auditory. I - lodge at a banker’s, a follower of Christ.” - -On Monday, June 4th, Whitefield set out for Athlone, and thence -proceeded to Limerick and Cork. To Lady Huntingdon he wrote as -follows:―― - - “Athlone, June 10. As the weather grows warmer, my body grows - weaker, and my vomitings follow me continually. For this week - past, I have been preaching twice almost every day in country - towns; and yesterday, I sounded the gospel-trumpet here. - Everywhere there seems to be a stirring among the dry bones. - Through the many offences that have been lately given, matters - were brought to a low ebb; but the cry now is, ‘Methodism is - revived again.’”[299] - -A week later he says:―― - - “Limerick, June 14. At Athlone, I preached four times, and last - night was gladly received here at Limerick. Everywhere, our - Lord has vouchsafed us His blessed presence. This supports me - under the heat of the weather, the weakness of my body, and the - various trials which exercise my mind.” - -In other letters to Lady Huntingdon, he wrote:―― - - “Cork, June 19. Since my last from Athlone, I have been at - Limerick, where I preached seven times to large and affected - auditories. Yesterday, I came to Cork, the seat of the late - persecution. I have preached twice, to a great body of people, - with all quietness. Both the mayor and sheriff have forbidden - all mobbing. Now have the people of God rest. Next week, I shall - return to Dublin. - - “Dublin, June 28. My last, from Cork, informed your ladyship of - my having preached twice in that city. From thence, I went to - Bandon and Kinsale, where a like blessing attended the word. At - my return to Cork, I preached five or six times more, and, every - time, the power of the word and the number of hearers increased. - On Sunday evening, there might be more than three thousand - people present. Hundreds prayed for me when I took my leave; - and many of the papists said, if I would stay, they would leave - their priests. After preaching twice in the way, I came here on - Wednesday evening, where I have again published the everlasting - gospel. Next Monday, I set out for Belfast. - - “Belfast, July 7, Sunday. On Wednesday evening, I came hither, - and intended immediately to embark for Scotland, but the people - prevailed on me to stay. In about an hour’s time, thousands - were gathered to hear the word. I preached morning and evening; - and, since then, have preached at Lisburn, Lurgan, the Maize, - and Lambeg, towns and places adjacent. So many attend, and the - prospect of doing good is so promising, that I am grieved I did - not come to the north sooner. The country round about is like - Yorkshire in England, and quite different from the most southern - parts of Ireland. I am now waiting for a passage to Scotland. - From thence your ladyship shall hear from me again.” - -This was enormous labour for a man in feeble health; but Whitefield -loved his work, and that helped to make hard things easy. - -It is only fair to add, that, except at Belfast and the adjacent towns, -Whitefield was treading in the steps of his old friend Wesley. At -Dublin, Wesley had had a Society since 1747. He had preached at Athlone -with great success as early as 1748. He had a Society in Limerick in -1749. Methodism in Cork has been already noticed. At Bandon, Wesley -speaks of having had “by far the largest congregations he had seen in -Ireland.” And, at Kinsale, he had preached in the Exchange, “to a few -gentry, many poor people, and abundance of soldiers.”[300] - -The following hitherto unpublished letter,[301] by Whitefield’s wife, -belongs to this period. It was addressed to the Countess of Huntingdon. - - “LONDON, _July 13, 1751_. - - “HONOURED MADAM,――I am almost ashamed to write to your ladyship - now; but have not been able to write sooner. I have been so ill - since I came home, that Dr. Lobb and Dr. Nisbett have attended - me, more or less, ever since. I was in bed when I received - your ladyship’s letter, and was not able to read it. I had a - pleuritic fever, and was so low that the doctor durst not bleed - me. I am glad to hear, by Mr. Smith, that your ladyship is so - well. God be praised! O may the good Lord give your ladyship - a prosperous soul in a healthy body, to His own glory, and the - good of very many poor souls! - - “Your ladyship has heard of God’s goodness to my dear honoured - master in Ireland. A gentleman writes me thus: ‘Dear Mr. - Whitefield has left Dublin very sorrowful. His going away is - lamented by many of all denominations,’ etc., etc. My master - left Dublin on the 2nd inst.; but I have not heard from him - since the 22nd of June. Here are letters from Georgia, bringing - good and bad news; the good, they are all well; the bad, they - run him behind very much. But all is well. The Lord has been and - is exceedingly good to us at the poor Tabernacle, and lets it - often be filled with His glory. O, dear madam, what am I, and - what my father’s house, that I am so highly favoured to be - called a child of God! Oh, to be a _child!_ Dear, dear madam, I - am almost lost in thought. What! to have the great Jehovah, the - God of heaven and earth, to be my Father; to make my bed in my - sickness; to be afflicted in all my affliction; to support me in - and under all my trials and temptations, and to make His abode - with me! Thinking of this has sometimes been too much for my - weak nature to bear. Oh for the time when we shall be dissolved, - and be for ever with the Lord! - - “I hope your ladyship will excuse the length of this; but I - could not help it. I have not been able to write to or see the - Countess Delitz, or any friend; but hope to get strength. I - beg a share in your ladyship’s prayers; and hope this will find - your ladyship, Lady Betty, and Lady Selina in health of body and - soul, rejoicing in the Lord. This is and shall be the prayer of, - honoured madam, your ladyship’s most obliged and dutiful servant, - in our dear Lord Jesus, - - “E. WHITEFIELD.” - -A beautiful letter, and worthy of the woman who had the honour to be -the wife of Whitefield. Her husband arrived at Glasgow on Wednesday, -July 10th;[302] and, two days afterwards, wrote as follows, to the -Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “GLASGOW, _July 12, 1751_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――My last was from Belfast, where I - preached twice on yesterday sevennight, and immediately after - took shipping, and arrived the next evening at Irvine. At the - desire of the magistrates, I preached to a great congregation. - Since then, I have been preaching twice a day in this city. - Thousands attend every morning and evening. Though I preached - near eighty times in Ireland, and God was pleased to bless His - word, yet Scotland seems to be a new world to me. To see the - people bring so many Bibles, and turn to every passage, when - I am expounding, is very encouraging. My body is kept pretty - healthy, and my voice greatly strengthened.” - -Having reached Edinburgh on Thursday, July 18th, he wrote again to Lady -Huntingdon:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _July 30, 1751_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――I think it a long time since I last wrote - your ladyship. Continual preaching twice a day, and paying and - receiving visits, quite prevented me putting pen to paper as - I would have done. The parting at Glasgow was very sorrowful. - Numbers set out from the country, to hear the word, by three - or four o’clock in the morning. Congregations here increase - greatly. I now preach twice daily to many thousands. Many of - the best rank attend. My body is almost worn out. I have been - to Musselburgh, to see Captain Galatin and his lady. They hold - on. Mr. Wesley has been there, and intends setting up Societies, - which I think imprudent.” - -Whitefield left Edinburgh on August 6th, and at Kendal, on his way to -London, wrote to her ladyship again:―― - - “KENDAL, _August 10, 1751_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――The longer I stayed at Edinburgh, the - more eagerly both rich and poor attended on the word preached. - For near twenty-eight days, in Glasgow and Edinburgh, I preached - to near ten thousand souls every day. Ninety-four pounds were - collected for the Edinburgh orphans, and I heard of seven or - eight students, awakened about ten years ago, who are likely to - turn out excellent preachers. To the Lord of all lords be all - the glory! I am now on my way to London, in order to embark for - America. I threw up much blood in Edinburgh, but riding recruits - me.” - -For the present, Whitefield’s work in England was nearly ended. On -August 29, he went on board the _Antelope_, bound for Georgia with -Germans, and took several destitute children with him. “Parting -seasons,” said he, “have been to me dying seasons. They have broken -my very heart; but it is for Jesus, and, therefore, all is well.” - -It was fortunate that he got away. Without this, he probably would have -died. The man was fast becoming a sort of religious suicide. Humanly -speaking, his voyage to America saved, or rather prolonged, his life. -On August 30th, his intimate friend, Robert Cruttenden, in a letter -to the wife of Dr. Doddridge, wrote: “Yesterday I took leave of -Mr. Whitefield, who is embarked for America, with little prospect -of my ever seeing him again. His constitution is quite worn out with -labour.”[303] - - - - - _FOURTH VISIT TO AMERICA, AND RETURN TO ENGLAND._ - - SEPTEMBER 1751 TO MARCH 1754. - - -WHITEFIELD’S sojourn in America was of short duration. He landed in -October, 1751, and seven months afterwards was again in England. His -time on land seems to have been spent chiefly in Georgia and South -Carolina. Very little, however, is known of his proceedings. There -was urgent need to recruit his health. His business affairs, also, -required attention. Still, he preached, at least, occasionally. With -him, preaching was almost an element of life. His departure from -England was abrupt; and his return was unexpected. All that is known -of his brief visit is contained in half a dozen letters. - -On October 6th, when within a few hundred miles of America, he wrote, -almost impatiently:―― - - “O that I could do something to promote the glory of God! Alas! - alas! how little have I done! My sluggish soul, stir up, and - exert thyself for Jesus!” - -In a letter, dated “Bethesda, in Georgia, November 20th, 1751,” he -says:―― - - “Blessed be God! I found the children at the Orphan House much - improved in learning; and I hope a foundation is now laid for a - useful seminary.” - -In another, dated “Charleston, December 26th,” he writes:―― - - “What mercies, signal mercies, has the Lord Jesus conferred - on you and me! What shall we render unto the Lord? Shall we - not give Him our whole hearts? O let His love constrain us to - a holy, universal, cheerful obedience to all His commands. I am - now returning to the Orphan House, which I trust will be like the - burning bush. My poor labours are accepted here. In the spring, - I purpose going to the Bermudas. Jesus is very good to me. Help - me to praise Him.” - -To Mr. Lunell, of Dublin, he wrote:―― - - “BETHESDA, _January, 25, 1752_. - - “VERY DEAR SIR,――Man appoints, but God disappoints. Though we - missed seeing each other on earth, yet, if Jesus Christ be our - life, we shall meet in the kingdom of heaven. Your kind letter - found me employed for the fatherless in this wilderness. I am - now almost ready to enter upon my spring campaign. The news from - Ireland does not at all surprise me. Weak minds soon grow giddy - with power; and then they become pests, instead of helps, to the - Church of God.” - -To his friend Hervey, Whitefield addressed the following:―― - - “CHARLESTON, _February, 1, 1752_. - - “The Orphan House is in a flourishing way; and, I hope, will - yet become a useful seminary. My poor labours, in this place, - meet with acceptance. After one more trip to Georgia, I purpose - setting out upon my spring campaign. I wish Lisbon may be - blessed to Dr. Doddridge. O, how I wish that dear Dr. Stonehouse - was fully employed in preaching the everlasting gospel! I hope - you both see our good Lady Huntingdon frequently. I was rejoiced - to hear, from my dear yoke-fellow, that her ladyship was bravely.” - -Dr. Doddridge had embarked, for Lisbon, a month after Whitefield -embarked for America. For three months past, he had been in heaven. -Immediately after writing the foregoing letter, Whitefield became -acquainted with the fact. Hence the following:―― - - “CHARLESTON, _February 5, 1752_. - - “Part of your first letter――I mean that respecting the - Tabernacle House――gave me uneasiness; but your last removed - it, and made me thankful to our Redeemer, who, in spite of - all opposition, will cause His word to run and be glorified. - Poor Mr. Wesley is striving against the stream.[304] Strong - assertions will not go for proofs, with those who are sealed by - the Holy Spirit even to the day of redemption. They know that - the covenant of grace is not built upon the faithfulness of a - poor fallible, changeable creature, but upon the never-failing - faithfulness of an unchangeable God. This is the foundation - whereon I build. ‘Lord Jesus, I believe, help my unbelief! - Having once loved me, Thou wilt love me to the end. Thou wilt - keep that safe, which I have committed unto Thee. Establish - Thy people more and more in this glorious truth; and grant that - it may have this blessed effect upon us all, that we may love - Thee more, and serve Thee better!’ All truths, unless productive - of holiness and love, are of no avail. They may float upon the - surface of the understanding; but this is to no purpose, unless - they transform the heart. I trust, the dear Tabernacle preachers - will always have this deeply impressed upon their minds. Let us - not dispute, but love. Truth is great, and will prevail. I am - quite willing that all our hearers shall hear for themselves. - The spirit of Christ is a spirit of liberty. Let us look above - names and parties. Let Jesus, the ever-loving, the ever-lovely - Jesus, be our all in all. So that He be preached, and His Divine - image stamped more and more upon people’s souls, I care not who - is uppermost. I know my place, (Lord Jesus, enable me to keep - it!) even to be the servant of all. I want not to have a people - called after my name, and, therefore, I act as I do. The cause - is Christ’s, and He will take care of it. I rejoice that you go - on so well at the Tabernacle. May the shout of a king be always - in the midst of you! I am apt to believe you will pray me - over. But future things belong to Him, whose I am, and whom - I endeavour to serve. After one more trip to the Orphan House, - I purpose going northward. - - “Thanks be to God! all is well at Bethesda. A most excellent - tract of land is granted to me, very near the house, which, in - a few years, I hope, will make a sufficient provision for it. - Dr. Doddridge, I find, is gone. Lord Jesus, prepare me to follow - after!” - -Whitefield did not go to “the Bermudas,” nor yet “northward,” as he -intended.[305] About two months after the date of the foregoing letter, -he suddenly set sail for England. Why was this? Nothing has yet been -published to explain it. The following letter, now for the first time -printed, solves the difficulty. It was addressed, “To Mr. Blackwell, -banker, in Lombard Street, London”:―― - - “PORTSMOUTH, _May 21, 1752_. - - “MY DEAR MR. BLACKWELL,――I fully purposed to have written - to you when I was at Charleston, in South Carolina; but my - sudden resolution to embark for England prevented me. God has - vouchsafed to bless me, in respect to the Orphan House, in a - very unexpected manner. To put it upon a proper footing, and - to apply for some privileges, before the time of the Trustees’ - Charter be expired, is what has called me home so speedily. Home, - did I say? I trust heaven is my home; and it is my comfort that - it is not far off. Surely this body will not hold out always. - Yet a little while, and our Lord will come, and take us to - Himself, that where He is, there we may be also. - - ‘There pain and sin and sorrow cease, - And all is calm and joy and peace.’ - - “I wish you and yours much of this heaven upon earth. Looking - unto Jesus is the only way of drawing it down into our souls. - Out of His fulness, we all receive grace for grace. We have an - open-handed, an open-hearted Redeemer. He giveth liberally, and - upbraideth not. O for power from on high to set forth the riches - of redeeming love! In a few days I hope to attempt a little of - this in London. I beg your prayers. I thank you heartily for - all favours; and, with cordial salutations to your _whole self_, - subscribe myself, dear sir, yours most affectionately in our - common Lord, - - “G. WHITEFIELD.” - -During his absence, Whitefield’s beloved mother had exchanged mortality -for life; but this was not the reason of his sudden return to England. -The affairs of his Orphan House brought him back――affairs which will -often be introduced to the reader’s notice in succeeding letters. - -On reaching London, one of his first efforts was to procure a minister -for a Dissenting church at Charleston. On May 26th, he wrote:―― - - “People have received me with great affection; and I never saw - the work of God go on in a more promising way. Thousands and - thousands hear the word gladly. - - “I wish I could send you good news about your minister; but, - alas! I now almost despair of procuring one. I waited upon - Dr. G―――― immediately after my arrival; but he gave me no hopes. - Several of the large congregations in London, besides many more - in the country, are without pastors; and are obliged to make use - of our preachers. O that the Lord of the harvest may thrust out - more labourers! Who can tell but some ministers may be raised up - at Bethesda? - - “At midsummer, the king takes Georgia into his own hands. - Blessed be God! for sending me over at such a juncture. I - am come to a determination, if I can dispose of Providence - plantation, (in South Carolina,) to carry all my strength to - the Orphan House.” - -Besides endeavouring to provide a minister for Charleston, Whitefield -was requested to render another service; for which he had no adaptation. -His friend Hervey, who was writing “Theron and Aspasio,” sent him some -of the manuscripts for his revision, at the same time promising him £30 -for the purchase of a negro slave! Whitefield replied:―― - - “_June 9, 1752._ - - “I have read your manuscripts; but for me to play the critic on - them, would be like holding up a candle to the sun. I think to - call your intended purchase _Weston_, and shall take care to - remind him by whose means he was brought under the everlasting - gospel.” - -Having employed about a month in London, Whitefield, in the third -week of June, set out for Portsmouth; and thence to Bath, where he -spent about three weeks with the Countess of Huntingdon, and preached -every evening to great numbers of the nobility. Here also he became -acquainted with Mrs. Grinfield, a lady of high position, who attended -on Queen Caroline. “The Court,” says Whitefield, “rings of her; and, -if she stands, I trust she will make a glorious martyr for her blessed -Lord.”[306] - -Four days were employed at Bristol, where he preached nine times. He -writes:―― - - “Very near as many as attended at Moorfields came out every - evening to hear the word. I have reason to believe much good was - done. Old times seemed to be revived again. The last evening, it - rained a little, but few moved. I was wet, and contracted a cold - and hoarseness; but I trust preaching will cure me. This is my - grand catholicon.” - -On July 17, Whitefield went to Wales, where he spent a fortnight, -preached twenty times, and travelled about three hundred miles. - -Though Whitefield had resigned his office of moderator of the -Calvinistic Methodists, and though he had often declared his -determination not to form a sect, he still, occasionally, attended -“Associations.” Howell Harris had recently seceded from his old -friends, and, in the month of April of this selfsame year, had laid -the foundation of his unique establishment at Trevecca. The schism had -thrown affairs into great confusion; and, perhaps, this was the reason -why Whitefield attended conferences, of which, strictly speaking, he -was not a member. In a letter, dated “Bristol, August 1, 1752,” he -writes:―― - - “In my way hither, we held an Association. There were present - about nine clergy, and near forty other labourers. I trust all - of them are born of God, and desirous to promote His glory, and - His people’s good. All was harmony and love.” - -On his way back to London, he held another Association, in -Gloucestershire.[307] After so many declarations that he would -not attach himself to any party, Methodist or Moravian, there is -considerable inconsistency in these proceedings, and the only way to -explain the difficulty is to suppose, that, in the largeness of his -heart, he was acting the part of a peacemaker among his old associates, -and endeavouring to put an end to their hurtful strifes. - -Benjamin Franklin was now acquiring a European reputation. He had -satisfactorily explained the phenomena of the Leyden jar, and, in -this year of 1752, had established the identity between lightning -and the electric fluid. Up to the present, electricity was a science -which could hardly be said to consist of more than a collection of -unsystematized and ill-understood facts. Franklin’s discoveries led to -remarkable results, and his fame was established. The long-continued -friendship, existing between Whitefield and Franklin, was an odd -incident in the great preacher’s life. In addressing Franklin, -Whitefield never fawned; he was always faithful. Franklin disbelieved -the chief doctrines Whitefield preached; but he respected the good -intentions, the zeal, the benevolence, the honesty of the man. On -his return from Wales, to London, Whitefield wrote to Franklin the -following characteristic letter:―― - - “LONDON, _August 17, 1752_. - - “DEAR MR. FRANKLIN,――I find that you grow more and more famous - in the learned world. As you have made a pretty considerable - progress in the mysteries of electricity, I would now humbly - recommend to your diligent unprejudiced pursuit and study the - mystery of the new birth. It is a most important, interesting - study, and, when mastered, will richly repay you for all your - pains. One, at whose bar we are shortly to appear, hath solemnly - declared, that, without it ‘we cannot enter into the kingdom - of heaven.’ You will excuse this freedom. I must have _aliquid - Christi_ in all my letters. - - “I am yet a willing pilgrim for His great name’s sake, and I - trust a blessing attends my poor feeble labours. To the giver - of every good gift be all the glory! My respects await yourself - and all enquiring friends; and hoping to see you once more in - the land of the living, I subscribe myself, dear sir, your very - affectionate friend, and obliged servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Two or three days after writing this, Whitefield set out for Scotland. -On Sunday, August 23rd, he preached twice at Lutterworth, “the famous -John Wycliffe’s parish.” Next day, he “began, in the name of the -Almighty Husbandman, to break up fallow ground at Leicester.” Several -thousands attended. Turnips were thrown at Whitefield during the -first sermon; but at the second all was hushed. The next Sunday was -spent at Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he preached four times, “and a -shower of Divine blessing descended on the great congregations.” Early -in September, he arrived at Edinburgh, where, for a fortnight, he -“preached twice every day” to great multitudes of “polite as well as of -common people.” He wrote, “Many young ministers and students were close -attendants, and I trust good was done.” A week, also, was spent at -Glasgow, where his home, for many years, was at the house of “Mr. James -Niven, merchant, above the Cross.”[308] Five more days were employed in -Edinburgh; and then, on October 10th,[309] he began his journey back -to London. In a letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, he wrote: “For -about twenty-eight days, I suppose, I did not preach, in Scotland, to -less than ten thousand every day. This has weakened my body; but the -Redeemer knows how to renew my strength. I am as well as a pilgrim can -expect to be. About £70 were collected for the Edinburgh Orphans; and -I heard of near a dozen young men, who were awakened about ten years -ago, and have since entered the ministry, and are likely to prove very -useful. Praise the Lord, O my soul!” - -The Rev. John Gillies, one of his constant hearers, remarks:―― - - “Though, after the years 1741 and 1742, there were no such - extensive awakenings, Mr. Whitefield’s coming to Scotland was - always refreshing to serious persons, and seemed to put new life - into them, and also to be a means of increasing their number. In - various respects, his preaching was still eminently useful. It - had an excellent tendency to destroy bigotry, and to turn men’s - attention, from smaller matters, to the great and substantial - things of religion. It drew several persons to hear the gospel, - who seldom went to hear it from other ministers. Young people - were much benefited by his ministry, and particularly young - students, who became afterwards serious evangelical preachers. - His morning discourses, which were mostly intended for sincere, - but disconsolate, souls, were peculiarly fitted to direct - and encourage all such in the Christian life. His addresses - in the evening were of a very alarming character. There was - something exceedingly striking in the solemnity of his evening - congregations, in the Orphan Hospital Park at Edinburgh, and - in the High-Churchyard at Glasgow, especially towards the - conclusion of his sermons, (which were commonly very long, - though they seemed short to the hearers,) when the whole - multitude stood fixed, and hung upon his lips, many of them - under deep impressions of the great objects of religion. These - things will not soon be forgotten. His conversation was no less - reviving than his sermons. Many in Edinburgh and Glasgow are - witnesses of this, especially at Glasgow, where, in company with - his good friends Mr. McLaurin, Mr. Robert Scott, and others, one - might challenge the sons of pleasure, with all their wit, good - humour, and gaiety, to furnish entertainment so agreeable. At - the same time, every part of it was not more agreeable than it - was useful and edifying.” - -Such a testimony, from a minister living at the time, and one of -Whitefield’s faithful friends, is possessed of more than ordinary value. - -On leaving Edinburgh, Whitefield preached at Berwick, ♦Alnwick, and -Morpeth. The people of Newcastle were again favoured with his ministry; -and also those of Sunderland. At length, on reaching Sheffield, he -wrote as follows:―― - - “SHEFFIELD, _November 1, 1752_. - - “MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,――Since I left Newcastle, I have sometimes - scarce known whether I was in heaven or on earth. At Leeds, - Birstal, Haworth, Halifax, etc., thousands and thousands have - flocked twice and thrice a day to hear the word of life. A gale - of Divine influence has everywhere attended it. I am now come - from Bolton, Manchester, Stockport, and Chinley. Yesterday, I - preached in a church, where I believe execution was done. Four - ordained ministers, friends to the work of God, have been with - me. The word has run so swiftly at Leeds, that friends are come - to fetch me back; and I am now going to Rotherham, Wakefield, - Leeds, York, and Epworth, and purpose returning to this place - next Lord’s-day. God favours us with weather, and I would fain - make hay while the sun shines. Fain would I spend and be spent - for the good of souls. This is my meat and drink.” - -In another letter, written two days afterwards, and dated “Wakefield, -November 3, 1752,” he wrote:―― - - “I have been upwards of three weeks from Scotland, and scarce - ever had more encouragement in preaching the everlasting gospel. - At Newcastle, Sunderland, and several places in Yorkshire, - Lancashire, and Cheshire, thousands and thousands have daily - attended on the word preached. I hear that arrows have stuck - fast in many hearts. I am returning to Leeds; and, from thence, - I shall go to York, and to several places in Lincolnshire, - and am to preach at Sheffield ♦next Lord’s-day. My return to - London must be determined by the weather. It has been uncommonly - favourable; and it is a pity to go into winter quarters, so long - as work can be done in the fields. O that I had as many tongues - as there are hairs upon my head! Jesus should have them all.” - -On November 10th, Whitefield arrived in London, where he wrote:―― - - “My Sunday’s work” (at Sheffield), “sickness, the change of - weather, and parting from friends, so enfeebled me, that I was - in hopes, on the road, my imprisoned soul would have been set at - liberty, and fled to the blissful regions. - - “I found my poor wife an invalid. Our Lord can restore her, for - He came to heal our sicknesses, and to bear our infirmities.” - -Whitefield was resolved not to be the founder of a sect, and yet -he had some difficulty in fulfilling his resolve. His hearers in -Dublin had procured a meeting-house in Skinner Street, and had formed -themselves into a public Society. John Edwards, in former years one of -Whitefield’s assistants, had become their preacher; and his ministry -was highly acceptable. A sort of circuit had been formed, and many were -the perils which Edwards encountered. On one occasion, when returning -from a village, where he had been preaching, the _Ormond Boys_ seized -him, and threatened to throw him into the Liffey. The _Liberty Boys_, -residing on the other side of the river, being political opponents of -the _Ormond Boys_, rushed to his assistance, rescued him, and carried -him home in triumph. At another time, the _White Boys_ beset a house -into which he had entered, and threatened to burn it, if he were -permitted to continue in it. He escaped by a window, being let down, -like the apostle Paul, in a basket.[310] The Dublin Society informed -Whitefield of their position and prospects; and Whitefield wrote to -Edwards, their preacher, as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _November 11, 1752_. - - “MY DEAR FRIEND,――Last night, the glorious Emmanuel brought me - hither; and, this morning, I have been talking with Mr. Adams, - and cannot help thinking, that you have run before the Lord, in - forming yourselves into a public Society. Mr. Adams’s visit was - designed to be transient, and I cannot promise you any settled - help from hence. I am sincere, when I profess that I do not - choose to set myself at the head of any party. When I came last - to Ireland, my intention was to preach the gospel to all; and, - if it should please the Lord to send me there again, I purpose - to pursue the same plan. For I am a debtor to all, of all - denominations, and have no design but to promote the common - salvation of mankind. The love of Christ constrains me to this. - Accept it as written from that principle.” - -When “ranging for souls,” Whitefield had little time to attend to -business; when he got into his winter quarters, he was obliged to -recognise its claims. The following was addressed to one of the -residents in his Orphan House:―― - - “LONDON, _November 21, 1752_. - - “MY DEAR NAT,――Your letters have all been brought safe to hand, - and have given me satisfaction. I know not of a more profitable - situation that you could be in, than that you occupy at present. - Next year, God willing, you will have a fellow-student. I have - agreed with him, as I wrote you from Edinburgh, for three years - at least. I am of your mind in respect to boarders. As affairs - stand, I think that, at present, the less the family is, the - better. Nothing seems to be wanted but a good overseer, to - instruct the negroes in sowing and planting. Let me know whether - the lumber trade is begun. Pray make George and the children to - write often. He should not have written to me, _Honoured Master_, - but _Sir_. I am glad to hear that some of the children promise - well. Surely some good will, in the end, come out of that - institution. I am only afraid of its growing too great in a - worldly way. O that I may be directed to such managers as will - act with a single eye to God’s glory and His people’s good! I - have great confidence in you. I shall be glad to live to see you - a preacher. It is a delightful employment, when done out of love - to Jesus: that sweetens all. O that Georgia’s wilderness may - blossom like a rose! It will, when God’s set time is come. Never - mind a few evil reports. No one need be ashamed of Bethesda - children.” - -Whitefield, in his “winter quarters,” was as jubilant as ever. In a -letter, dated December 9, he writes: “The shout of a king is amongst -us. Every day, we hear of persons brought under fresh awakenings, and -of God’s people being comforted. We have had two most awful sacramental -occasions.” - -To Wesley, the year 1752 was one of trial. Several of his itinerants -began to give him trouble. At the beginning of the year, he, his -brother, and eleven of their principal assistants, signed a document, -which shewed that suspicion had taken the place of confidence.[311] -During the year, some of the preachers informed Wesley, that his -brother Charles did not enforce discipline so strictly as himself, -and that Charles agreed with Whitefield, “touching perseverance, at -least, if not predestination too.” The latter accusation was utterly -untrue; but, as Charles, at this period, was living on terms of the -most intimate friendship with the Countess of Huntingdon, and was -frequently preaching and administering the sacrament in her house, it -is not surprising that his brother deemed it his duty to write to him -concerning it. The result was the creation of a temporary distrust -and shyness between the two loving brothers. Charles took counsel with -Whitefield; and Whitefield’s answer must be given. - - “LONDON, _December 22, 1752_. - - “MY DEAR FRIEND,――I have read and pondered your kind letter, - and now sit down to answer it. What shall I say? Really, I - can scarce tell. The connection between you and your brother - has been so close and continued, and your attachment to him so - necessary to keep up his interest, that I would not willingly, - for the world, do or say anything that may separate such - friends. I cannot help thinking, that he is jealous of me and my - proceedings; but, I thank God, I am quite easy about it. Having - the testimony of a good conscience, that I have a disinterested - view to promote the common salvation only, I can leave all to - Him, who, I am assured, will, in the end, speak for me, and make - my righteousness clear as the light, and my just dealing as the - noonday. I more and more find, that he who believeth doth not - make haste; and that, if we will have patience, we shall find - that every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted, - shall be plucked up. As I wrote to good Lady Huntingdon, so I - write to you. I bless God for my stripping seasons. I have seen - an end of all perfection, and expect it only in Him, in whom I - am sure to find it, the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. He knows - how I love and honour you and your brother, and how often I have - preferred your interest to my own. This, by the grace of God, I - shall continue to do. My reward is with the Lord. If He approves, - it is enough. More might be said, were we face to face. When - this will be, I cannot tell. Several things, especially our - design of building a new Tabernacle, which I hope will succeed, - detain me in town this winter. God only knows what course I am - to steer in the spring. I would be a blank: let my heavenly - Father fill it up as seemeth Him good. - - “I am glad you are with our elect lady. O how amiable is a truly - catholic spirit! Lord, make us all partakers of it more and - more! I beg the continuance of your prayers. I need them much. - You shall have mine in return. That you and yours may increase - with all the increase of God, is the earnest request of, my dear - friend, - - “Yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -On the same day, Whitefield wrote as follows to the Countess of -Huntingdon, with whom Charles Wesley was staying:―― - - “I shall observe your ladyship’s hints about Mr. Wesley. I - believe our visits will not be very frequent.[312] But I am easy, - having no scheme, no design of supplanting or resenting, but, - I trust, a single eye to promote the common salvation, without - so much as attempting to set up a party for myself. This is what - my soul abhors. Being thus minded, I have peace; peace which - the world knows nothing of, and which all must necessarily be - strangers to, who are fond either of power or numbers. God be - praised for the many strippings I have met with! It is good for - me that I have been supplanted, despised, censured, maligned, - and separated from my nearest, dearest friends. By this, I have - found the faithfulness of Him, who is the Friend of friends. - By this, I have been taught to wrap myself in the glorious - Emmanuel’s everlasting righteousness, and to be content that - He, to whom all hearts are open, now sees, and will let all see - hereafter, the uprightness of my intentions towards all mankind.” - -It is unpleasant to end the year with a note of discord; but it cannot -honestly be avoided. - -For the present, Whitefield had one enjoyment, which was almost new -to him. He was no longer harassed with literary persecution. The only -exception was an 8vo. pamphlet of fifty-one pages, entitled “Candid -Remarks on some particular passages in the fifth edition of the Rev. -Mr. Whitefield’s Volume of Sermons, printed in the year 1750. In a -Letter to a Gentleman. Reading, 1752.” The author, in a gentlemanly -way, criticizes some of Whitefield’s doctrines, especially that of -“imputed righteousness;” and concludes by saying, though “a zeal for -God appears throughout the whole of Whitefield’s performance,” yet -“his method of treating his subject, and his manner of dictating to -his audience, have something in them that may probably work upon the -passions, but can never improve the understanding; that may occasion -them to affect a superficial appearance of piety, but can hardly incite -in them the power; and may induce them to acquiesce so much in the -_imputative righteousness of Christ_, as to forget that they themselves -are to be righteous, and _ready to every good work_, which is an -indispensable part of the covenant of grace.” - -One of Whitefield’s first anxieties, in 1753, was to sell his -plantation in South Carolina. Writing to a friend there, on January 7, -he says: “By this conveyance, I send you a power of attorney to dispose -of Providence plantation. I leave it to your discretion to sell at what -price you please. I would only observe, that I had rather it should -be sold for less than its real value, than to keep it any longer in my -hands. I do not choose to keep two families longer than is necessary. -The money you receive from Providence will be immediately wanted to buy -more land, and to pay for opening Bethesda’s new plantation.” - -Another was the erection of a new Tabernacle. The wooden meeting-house, -in Moorfields, had now stood the storms of a dozen winters. At the -best, it was but a huge, ugly shed; and, of course, signs of decay -were becoming visible. Still, the uncouth fabric was a sacred one. -Many were the mighty sermons preached by Whitefield beneath its roof; -and countless were the blessings which had fallen upon its crowds -of worshippers. A more durable edifice, however, was greatly needed; -and, in the summer of 1751, while at Lady Huntingdon’s residence at -Ashby-de-la-Zouch, the project had been discussed, in the presence -of her ladyship, Doddridge, Hervey, Hartley, and Stonehouse, all of -whom were “most cordial in their approval and promise of support.” -Towards the end of 1752, the subject was renewed at the house of Lady -Frances Shirley, in South Audley Street; and, in compliance with the -urgent entreaties of her ladyship and of the Countess of Huntingdon, -Whitefield now began to exert himself in collecting money. He resolved -not to begin building till he had £1000 in hand.[313] That amount he -soon obtained; the first brick was laid on the 1st of March, 1753; and, -within fifteen weeks afterwards, the structure was opened for public -worship; the congregations, during that interval, still continuing to -assemble in the wooden tabernacle, which was left standing within the -shell of the building in course of erection.[314] The new Tabernacle -needs no description; for, though a third has within the last few years -been built upon its site, there are thousands still living who have -often gazed with reverence at the low, unpretentious edifice where -Whitefield so often mounted his pulpit throne, and not a few who found -salvation within its walls. It will frequently be mentioned in ensuing -extracts from Whitefield’s letters.[315] - -There was a third affair, in which Whitefield, at this period, took, -perhaps, a more active interest than was necessary. Within the last -four years, the Moravians had made themselves more prominent than was -consistent with Christian modesty. It was not until the year 1737, that -the first Moravian services were held in England. Since then, several -of their Societies had been torn by faction. In many instances, they -had been the subjects of bitter persecution. Many of their religious -rites were silly and objectionable. Their hymns and their literature -were, to a great extent, jargon, luscious and irreverent. But, despite -all, they had increased in numbers; and, above all, they had at their -head an ambitious German count, who had considerable influence in -the court of the German who then sat on the British throne. Count -Zinzendorf, in 1749, had succeeded in getting the English parliament -to pass a bill to the following effect: 1. That the Moravians were an -ancient Protestant Episcopal Church. 2. That those of them who scrupled -to take an oath, should be exempted doing so, on making a declaration -in the presence of Almighty God, as witness of the truth. 3. That they -should not be liable to serve upon juries. 4. That, in the colonies, -they should be exempted from military service, under reasonable -conditions. 5. That the _verbal declaration_ of the individual, -together with the certificate of a bishop or minister of the Brethren, -should be regarded as sufficient proof of membership in the Moravian -community. Besides this, the Count was no longer satisfied with “hired -lodgings,” in Bloomsbury Square, for “_the Congregation House_,” -but, in 1751, removed to James Hutton’s house and two adjoining ones, -in Westminster. The premises were large and pleasant, overlooking -the Abbey Gardens; but even they were not good enough to serve -as the offices ♦of a body, on whose behalf the whole machinery of -parliamentary legislation had been set in motion. Accordingly, the -Count bought, of Sir Hans Sloane, a large mansion, in Chelsea, formerly -the property of the ducal family of Ancaster, with beautiful grounds -bordering on the Thames. In connection with this imposing “Congregation -House,” a chapel was fitted up, and a burial ground laid out. These -were costly proceedings; and the result of parliamentary negotiations, -the purchase of Lindsey House, Chelsea, and other expenditures, was, -Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians in England were in debt to the -amount of nearly £140,000, and knew not how to pay it. - -As will soon be seen, these facts, put in the briefest form possible, -and others, which might be mentioned, induced Whitefield, both -privately and publicly, to censure the proceedings of his old friends, -the Unitas Fratrum. - -Whitefield’s plantation at Bethesda, in Georgia, and his -slave-cultivated plantation in Carolina, made him anxious. The latter -he wished to sell, because, despite all his expectations, it had failed -to afford him help in his benevolent designs. Hence the following:―― - - “LONDON, _February 1, 1753_. - - “I am glad to hear that Ephratah plantation[316] is in some - degree opened, and, thereby, a preparation made for future - progress. Mr. Fox’s not coming, and going upon lumber, has been - a great loss to my poor family; but I hope, ere now, all is - settled, and the sowing carried on with vigour. That seems to - be the thing which Providence points out at present. As so many - negroes are ready, it will be a pity if Bethesda does not do - something, as well as the neighbouring planters. If I were not - erecting a large place for public worship, eighty feet square, - I would come over immediately myself; but, perhaps, it will be - best to stay till the new governor embarks, or to come a little - before him. - - “With this, I send your brother a power to dispose of Providence - plantation. I hope to hear shortly that you have purchased more - negroes. My dear friend, do exert yourself a little for me in - this time of my absence. I trust the Orphan-house affairs will - soon be so ordered, that no one will be troubled respecting - them, but my own domestics. As Nathaniel P―――― has behaved so - faithfully, I have sent him a full power, in conjunction with - Mrs. W――――, to act under you. The man and woman who bring this, - are, with their son, indentured to me; and I have an excellent - schoolmistress, and a young student, engaged to come over - shortly. Before long, I suppose, we shall have a large family. - Lord, grant it may be a religious one! I would have nothing done - to the buildings, besides repairing the piazza, and what else - is absolutely necessary, till I come. Perhaps I may bring a - carpenter with me, who will stay some years. - - “I cannot tell what induces me to take care of a place, where - the gospel is so little regarded, unless it be a principle of - faith. What a difference is there between Georgia and several - parts of England! Here, thousands and tens of thousands run, and - ride miles upon miles, to hear the gospel. There――but I do not - love to think of it. I see there is no happiness but in keeping - near to Jesus Christ.” - -The next, addressed to Lady Huntingdon, refers to the Moravians at -Lindsey House, Chelsea, and to the collections for Whitefield’s new -Tabernacle. - - “LONDON, _February 9, 1753_. - - “I am apt to believe that the Moravians’ scheme will soon be - disconcerted. Strange! Why do God’s children build Babels? Why - do they flatter themselves that God owns and approves of them, - because He suffers them to build high? In mercy to them, such - buildings, of whatever kind, must come down. - - “I hope our intended Tabernacle is not of this nature. It would - have pleased your ladyship to have seen how willingly the people - gave last Lord’s-day. At seven in the morning, we collected £50; - in the evening, £126. We have now near £900 in hand. Our Lord - still continues to work in our old despised place. I trust it - has been a Bethel to many, many souls. This, your ladyship knows, - may be anywhere. Clifton is a Bethel when God is there.” - -The following seems to have been written to Grimshaw, of Haworth, -and refers to Gillies’ preparation of his “Historical Collections,” -respecting revivals. Grimshaw complied with Whitefield’s suggestion; -but his long letter, being too late to be inserted in Gillies’ bulky -volumes, was not published till 1761, when it found a place in the -“Appendix to the Historical Collections,” a 12mo. book of 250 pages, -and now extremely rare. - - “LONDON, _February 19, 1753_. - - “REVEREND AND VERY DEAR SIR,――At present, I have a cold and - fever upon me; but I preach on, hoping one day or another to die - in my work. We have had a blessed winter. Many have been added - to our flock. Next week, I intend to lay the first brick of our - new Tabernacle. I am looking up for direction about my removal. - Which are the best seasons for the north? I should be glad to - know speedily. - - “Have you the first account you wrote of your conversion? Or - have you leisure to draw up a short narrative of the rise and - progress of the work of God in your parts? A dear Christian - minister, in Scotland, is about to publish two volumes, relative - to the late awakenings in various places. Such things should be - transmitted to posterity; in heaven, all will be known. Thanks - be to God, that there is such a rest remaining for His people! - I am too impatient to get at it; but who can help longing to see - Jesus? I wish you much, yea, very much prosperity. I am glad you - have received the books. I am now publishing two more sermons, - and a small collection of hymns for public worship.” - -Whitefield’s hymn-book was entitled “Hymns for Social Worship, -collected from various Authors, and more particularly designed for -the use of the Tabernacle congregation in London. By George Whitefield, -A.B., late of Pembroke College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Right Hon. -the Countess of Huntingdon. London: printed by William Strahan, and to -be sold at the Tabernacle, near Moorfields. 1753.” (16mo. 144 pp.) - -The hymns are a hundred and seventy in number, besides several short -doxologies. At least twenty-one of them are hymns by John and Charles -Wesley. The largest number are by Watts. Most of the others were -written by Cennick, Seagrave, Hammond, and Humphreys. Mr. Daniel -Sedgwick, a high authority on such a subject, says, between the years -1753 and 1796, Whitefield’s hymn-book passed through thirty-six -editions, a good number of them containing additions to the hymns -published in 1753. Want of space renders it impossible to give a minute -description of Whitefield’s collection; but the following preface is -too characteristic to be omitted:―― - - “COURTEOUS READER,――If thou art acquainted with the divine life, - I need not inform thee that, although all the acts and exercises - of devotion are sweet and delightful, yet we never resemble the - blessed worshippers above more than when we are joining together - in public devotions, and, with hearts and lips unfeigned, - singing praises to Him who sitteth upon the throne for ever. - Consequently, hymns, composed for such a purpose, ought to - abound much in thanksgiving, and to be of such a nature, that - all who attend may join in them, without being obliged to sing - lies, or not sing at all. - - “Upon this plan, the following collection of hymns is founded. - They are intended purely for social worship, and so altered, in - some particulars, that I think all may safely concur in using - them. They are short, because I think three or four stanzas, - with a doxology, are sufficient to be sung at one time. I am no - great friend to long sermons, long prayers, or long hymns. They - generally weary, instead of edifying, and, therefore, I think, - should be avoided by those who preside in any public worshipping - assembly. Besides, as the generality of those who receive - the gospel are commonly the poor of the flock, I have studied - cheapness, as well as conciseness. Much in a little is what God - gives us in His word; and the more we imitate such a method, in - our public performances and devotions, the nearer we come up to - the pattern given us in the Mount. - - “I think myself justified in publishing some hymns, by way of - dialogue, for the use of the Society, because something like - it is practised in our cathedral churches, but much more so - because the celestial choir is represented, in the Book of the - Revelation, as answering one another in their heavenly anthems. - - “That we all may be inspired and warmed with a like divine fire, - whilst singing below, and be translated, after death, to join - with them in singing the song of Moses and the Lamb above, is - the earnest prayer of, courteous reader, - - “Thy ready servant, for Christ’s sake, - - “G. W.” - -The publication of Whitefield’s hymn-book was, doubtless, owing to -the erection of his new Tabernacle; but it is somewhat singular, that, -in the same year, Wesley published his “Hymns and Spiritual Songs, -intended for the use of real Christians of all Denominations;” and -that, in the year following, the Moravians published two volumes, -of 380 and 399 pages respectively, with the title, “A Collection of -Hymns for the Children of God of all Ages, from the beginning till -now. Designed chiefly for the use of the Congregations in union with -the Brethren’s Church.” The curious reader may speculate how far -Whitefield’s little book led to the publication of the other two. - -The “sermons,” mentioned in Whitefield’s foregoing letter, were -entitled, “The true nature of beholding the Lamb of God, and Peter’s -Denial of his Lord, opened and explained, in two Sermons, by George -Whitefield, late of Pembroke College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Right -Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon. London, 1753.” (12mo. 48 pp.) In the -former of these sermons, there seems to be an unworthy fling at his -friend Wesley. Whitefield ought to have known that Wesley never taught -the possibility of any one attaining to a sinlessness equal to that of -Christ; and yet he indulged in the following remarks:―― - - “There was no corruption in the heart of this immaculate Lamb - of God for Satan’s temptations to lay hold on; but this property - belongeth only to Him. For any of His followers, though arrived - at the highest pitch of Christian perfection, much less for - young converts, mere novices in the things of God, to presume - that they either have arrived, or ever shall, while on this - side of eternity, arrive at such a sinless state, argues such - an ignorance of the spiritual extent of the moral law, of the - true interpretation of God’s word, of the universal experience - of God’s people in all ages, as well as of the remaining - unmortified corruptions of their own desperately wicked and - deceitful hearts, that I venture to tell the preachers and - abettors of any such doctrine, however knowing they may be in - other respects, they know not the true nature of gospel holiness, - nor the completeness of a believer’s standing in the unspotted - imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, as they ought to know, or - as I trust they themselves, through Divine grace, will be made - to know before they die. Surely, it is high time to awake out of - this delusive dream! Pardon this short (would to God there was - no occasion for adding), though too necessary, a digression.” - -Whitefield, most assuredly, was in a “delusive dream,” if he thought -such remarks applicable to Wesley. - -It was now seventeen years since Whitefield preached his first sermon, -and he lived to preach seventeen years after this. He was in the middle -of his marvellous ministry. Numerous specimens of his early discourses -have been already given; and it may be useful to furnish two extracts -from the sermons now in question, to assist the reader in forming an -idea of the great preacher’s style of address, at the present period of -his life. The first is from the sermon on “Beholding the Lamb of God.” - - “If you can bear to be spectators of such an awful tragedy, - I must now entreat you to enter the garden of Gethsemane. But, - stop! What is that we see? Behold the Lamb of God undergoing the - most direful tortures of vindictive wrath! Of the people, even - of His disciples, there is none with Him. Alas! was ever sorrow - like unto that sorrow, wherewith His innocent soul was afflicted - in this day of His Father’s fierce anger? Before He entered - into this bitter passion, out of the fulness of His heart, He - said, ‘_Now is my soul troubled_.’ But how is it troubled now? - His agony bespeaks it to be ‘_exceeding sorrowful, even unto - death_.’ It extorts sweat, yea, a bloody sweat. His face, His - hands, His garments, are all stained with blood. It extorts - strong cryings, and many tears. See how the incarnate Deity lies - prostrate before His Father, who now laid on Him the iniquities - of us all! See how He agonizes in prayer! Hark! Again and again - He addresses His Father with an ‘_if it be possible, let this - cup pass from me!_’ Tell me, ye blessed angels, tell me, Gabriel - (or whatsoever thou art called), who wast sent from heaven in - this important hour, to strengthen our agonizing Lord,――tell - me, if ye can, what Christ endured in this dark and doleful - night! And tell me, tell me what you yourselves felt, when you - heard this same God-man, whilst expiring on the accursed tree, - breaking forth into that dolorous, unheard-of expostulation, ‘My - God, my God, why, or how hast Thou forsaken me?’ Were you not - all struck dumb? And did not an awful silence fill heaven itself, - when God the Father said unto His sword, ‘Sword, smite thy - fellow!’ Well might nature put on its sable weeds. Well might - the rocks rend, to shew their sympathy with a suffering Saviour. - And well might the sun withdraw its light, as though shocked and - confounded to see its Maker die.” - -The next extract is from the sermon on “Peter’s Denial of his Lord,” -and describes Peter repenting. - - “Methinks I see him wringing his hands, rending his garments, - stamping on the ground, and, with the self-condemned publican, - smiting upon his breast. See how it heaves! O what piteous sighs - and groans are those which come from the very bottom of his - heart. Alas! it is too big to speak; but his tears, his briny, - bitter, repenting tears, plainly bespeak this to be the language - of his awakened soul. ‘Alas! where have I been? On the devil’s - ground. With whom have I been conversing? The devil’s children. - What is this that I have done? Denied the Lord of glory;――with - oaths and curses, denied that I ever knew Him. And now whither - shall I go? or where shall I hide my guilty head? I have sinned - against light. I have sinned against repeated tokens of His - dear, distinguishing, and heavenly love. I have sinned against - repeated warnings, resolutions, promises, and vows. I have - sinned openly in the face of the sun, and in the presence of - my Master’s enemies; and, thereby, have caused His name to be - blasphemed. How can I think of being suffered to behold the - face of, much less to be employed by, the ever-blessed Jesus - any more? O Peter! thou hast undone thyself. Justly mayest thou - be thrown aside like a broken vessel. God be merciful to me a - sinner!’” - -Even if he had wished, John Wesley would have found it difficult to -preach in a style like this. Let the taste be good or bad, there cannot -be a doubt that, with Whitefield’s dramatic action and unequalled voice, -the effect of such eloquence would be next to overpowering. We return -to Whitefield’s correspondence. - -One of the London ministers, who had been benefited by Whitefield’s -ministry, was the Rev. Mr. Steward. He had been invited to the house -of the Countess of Huntingdon to hear Whitefield preach, and had been -one of the first converts there. His own preaching had become popular -and successful, not only at her ladyship’s, but on Garlick Hill, where, -among others saved by his instrumentality, was Mrs. Kent, at the age of -a hundred and four. Mr. Steward’s career was suddenly ended,――an event -which greatly affected Whitefield.[317] In the following letter to -Charles Wesley, he refers to this and other matters:―― - - “LONDON, _March 3, 1753_. - - “MY DEAR FRIEND,――I thank you and your brother most heartily for - the loan of the chapel. Blessed be God! the work goes on well. - On Thursday morning” (March 1st), “the first brick of our new - Tabernacle was laid with awful solemnity. I preached from Exodus - xx. 24: ‘In all places where I record my name, I will come unto - thee and bless thee.’ Afterwards, we sung, and prayed for God’s - blessing in all places, where His glorious name is recorded. The - wall is now about a yard high. The building is to be eighty feet - square. It is upon the old spot. We have purchased the house; - and, if we finish what we have begun, we shall be rent-free for - forty-six years. We have £1100 in hand. This, I think, is the - best way to build. - - “Mr. Steward’s death so affected me, that, when I met the - workmen that night to contract about the building, I could - scarce bear to think of building tabernacles. Strange! that so - many should be so soon discharged, and we continued. Eighteen - years have I been waiting for the coming of the Son of God; but - I find we are immortal till our work is done. Oh that we may - never live to be ministered unto, but to minister. Mr. Steward - spoke for his Lord as long as he could speak at all. He had no - clouds nor darkness. I was with him, till a few minutes before - he slept in Jesus. - - “I have good news from several parts. A door is opening at - Winchester. Surely the little leaven will ferment till the whole - kingdom be leavened. Even so, Lord Jesus, Amen! - - “My poor wife has had another plunge. We thought she was taken - with palsy; but, blessed be God, she is now recovering.”[318] - -The next deserves insertion for its Christian admonition. - - “LONDON, _March 10, 1753_. - - “MY DEAR MR. M――――, I have preached at Spitalfields chapel - twice.[319] Both the Mr. Wesleys are agreed, as the younger - brother writes me word, in answer to my letter. Let brotherly - love continue. I do not like writing against anybody; but, I - think, that wisdom which dwells with prudence should direct you - not to fill Mr. Wesley’s people (who expect you will serve them) - with needless jealousies. I hope to see the time when you will - talk less of persons and things, and more of Jesus Christ. This, - and this alone, can make and keep you steady in yourself, and - extensively useful to others. I am glad you know when persons - are justified. It is a lesson I have not yet learnt. There are - so many stony-ground hearers, that I have determined to suspend - my judgment, till I know the tree by its fruits.” - -The following needs no explanation:―― - - “LONDON, _March 21, 1753_. - - “What is happening to the Moravians is no more than I have - long expected, and spoken of to many friends. Their scheme is - so _antichristian_, in almost every respect, that I am amazed - the eyes of the English Brethren have not long since been - opened, and the Babel stopped. But the glorious God generally - suffers such buildings to go high, that their fall may be more - conspicuous. May the builders rise (I mean as to spirituals) by - their falls, and gain by their losses! This is all the harm I - wish them. What a blessed thing it is to live and walk in the - simplicity of the gospel! How happy is that man, who, being - neither fond of money, numbers, nor power, goes on day by day - without any other scheme than a general intention to promote - the common salvation among people of all denominations! Will - you pray that I may be thus minded?” - -The erection of the new Tabernacle detained Whitefield in London longer -than it was his custom to stay; but, in the month of April, he made a -hurried visit to the city of Norwich, where, two years before, there -had been the most disgraceful riots. James Wheatley, whom the Wesleys -had expelled from their connexion, for infamous behaviour, had come -to Norwich, begun to preach out of doors, and formed a mongrel society -of nearly two thousand persons. A temporary Tabernacle was erected for -him on Timber Hill, in imitation of the one erected for Whitefield in -Moorfields. Then followed the riots. Wheatley braved the storm; and, -in April, 1752, steps were taken to build for him one of the largest -chapels in the city.[320] The history of the entire movement is curious, -but not edifying. Why Whitefield went to Norwich, it is difficult -to tell. An account of his visit is contained in the following short -extracts from his letters:―― - - “Norwich, April 17, 1753. Were it not sinful, I could wish for - a thousand hands, a thousand tongues, and a thousand lives: all - should be employed, night and day, without ceasing, in promoting - the glory of Jesus. Thanks be to His great name, for reviving - His work in the midst of the years. I trust that His people - everywhere will be made to sing, ‘The winter is past, the rain - is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth, and the voice - of the turtle is heard in the land.’ For these three days past, - I have been preaching here twice a day. In the mornings, we have - been quiet; but, in the evenings, the sons of Belial have been - somewhat rude. The place built here for public worship is much - larger than yours at Newcastle; and, I believe, hundreds of - truly awakened souls attend. What cannot God do? What will the - end of this be? The destruction of Jericho. The rams’ horns must - go round, till its towering walls fall down. Who would not be - one of these rams’ horns? My dear sir, let us not be ashamed of - the cross of Christ: it is lined with love, and will ere long be - exchanged for a crown. Jesus Himself will put it on our heads.” - - “Norwich, April 18, 1753. How does God delight to exceed - the hopes, and to disappoint the fears, of His weak, though - honest-hearted people! In spite of all opposition, He has caused - us to triumph even in Norwich. Thousands attend twice every day, - and hear with the greatest eagerness. I hope it will appear yet - more and more that God has much people here.” - -Whitefield returned to London on April 21st; and, for the next -three weeks, was employed, not only in preaching, but in writing. -The following letter deserves attention. It was addressed to David -Taylor――said to have been originally footman to Lady Ingham――a -good man, but unsettled, part Moravian, part Methodist, and part -Inghamite――who, by his preaching, had converted large numbers of the -people in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, and -had formed Societies in the several counties. - - “LONDON, _May 1, 1753_. - - “MY DEAR DAVID,――Do you enquire where I am? I answer, in - London, longing to come to Leeds, and yet withheld by Him, whose - providence ordereth all things well. Let us have a little more - patience, and then, in a few weeks, I hope to have a blessed - range in the north. The word ran and was glorified at Norwich. - Preaching so frequently, and riding hard, almost killed me; but - what is my body in comparison of precious and immortal souls? - - “At present, I am engaged in a very ungrateful work; I mean, in - writing against the leading Moravian Brethren. When you see it, - you will know whether there was not a cause.” - -Whitefield’s pamphlet was published without delay, and was entitled, -“An Expostulatory Letter, addressed to Nicholas Lewis, Count Zinzendorf, -and Lord Advocate of the Unitas Fratrum. By George Whitefield, A.B., -late of Pembroke College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Right Honourable -the Countess of Huntingdon. London, 1753.” (8vo. 19 pp.) The letter is -dated, “London, April 24, 1753;” and bears on the title-page the text, -“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?” - -Perhaps it ought to be premised that a great sensation had been already -created in the country, by the publication of an octavo pamphlet of -177 pages, dedicated to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and entitled, “A -candid Narrative of the Rise and Progress of the Hernhuthers, commonly -called Moravians, or Unitas Fratrum. By Henry Rimius, Aulic Counsellor -to his late Majesty the King of Prussia.” Rimius’s book was a terrible -attack on Zinzendorf; and now Whitefield, wisely or unwisely, rushed -into the affray. His letter begins thus:―― - - “MY LORD,――Although I am persuaded that nothing has a greater - tendency to strengthen the hands of infidels than the too - frequent altercations between the professors of Christianity, - yet there are certain occasions wherein the necessary defence - of the principles of our holy religion, as well as the practice - of it, renders public remonstrance of the greatest use and - importance. - - “For many years past, I have been a silent and an impartial - observer of the progress and effects of Moravianism, both in - England and America; but such shocking things have been lately - brought to our ears, and offences have swollen to such an - enormous bulk, that a real regard for my king and my country, - and a disinterested love for the ever-blessed Jesus, will - not suffer me to be silent any longer. Pardon me, therefore, - my lord, if I am constrained to inform your lordship that - you, together with some of your _leading_ brethren, have been - unhappily instrumental in misguiding many simple, honest-hearted - Christians; of distressing, if not totally ruining, numerous - families; and of introducing a whole _farrago_ of superstitious, - not to say idolatrous, fopperies into the English nation.” - -Having asserted that, whatever might be “the principles and usages -of the ancient Moravian Church,” he can find no trace of the present -practices of the Moravians in the primitive churches, Whitefield -continues:―― - - “Will your lordship give me leave to descend to a few - particulars? Pray, my lord, what instances have we of the first - Christians walking round the graves of their deceased friends - on Easter Day, attended with hautboys, trumpets, French horns, - violins, and other kinds of musical instruments? Or where have - we the least mention made of pictures of particular persons - being brought into the first Christian assemblies, and of - candles being placed behind them, in order to give a transparent - view of the figures? Where was it ever known that the picture - of the apostle Paul, representing him handing a gentleman and - lady up to the side of Jesus Christ, was ever introduced into - the primitive lovefeasts? Or do we ever hear of incense, or - something like it, being burnt for him, in order to perfume the - room before he made his entrance among the brethren? And yet - your lordship knows this has been done for you, and suffered by - you, without your having shewn, as far as I can hear, the least - dislike of it at all. - - “Again, my lord, I beg leave to enquire whether we hear anything - in Scripture of eldresses or deaconnesses seating themselves - before a table covered with artificial flowers, and against - that a little altar surrounded with wax tapers, on which stood - a cross, composed either of mock or real diamonds, or other - glittering stones? And yet your lordship must be sensible, this - was done in Fetter Lane chapel, for Mrs. Hannah Nitschmann, the - present general eldress of your congregation, with this addition, - that all the sisters were seated in German caps, and clothed - in white, and the organ also illuminated with three pyramids of - wax tapers, each of which was tied with a red ribbon, and over - the head of the general eldress was placed her own picture, - and over that (_horresco referens_) the picture of the Son of - God. A goodly sight this, my lord, for a company of English - Protestants to behold! Alas! to what a long series of childish - and superstitious devotions, and unscriptural impositions must - they have been habituated, before they could sit as silent - spectators of such an anti-Christian scene!” - -Besides this general onslaught on Moravian _ritualism_, Whitefield, -in foot-notes, ridicules the absurdity of the “married women” of the -Moravian community “being ordered to wear blue knots; the single women, -pink; those who are just marriageable, pink and white; widows past -child-bearing, white; and those who were not so, blue and white.” -He also describes a ludicrous, or rather theatrical and repulsive -scene, in Hatton Garden, at the celebration of the birthday of Hannah -Nitschmann; and then proceeds to the subject of Moravian fraud and -bankruptcy. He writes:―― - - “I have another question to propose to your lordship. Pray, - my lord, did any of the apostles or _leaders_ of the primitive - churches ever usurp an authority, not only over people’s - consciences, but properties, or draw in the members of their - respective congregations to dispose of whole patrimonies at - once, or to be bound for thousands more than they knew they were - worth? And yet your lordship knows this has been done again and - again, in order to serve the purposes of the Brethren; and that, - too, at or very near the time, when, in order to procure an - Act in their favour, they boasted to an English Parliament how - immensely rich they were.” - -Whitefield then specifies some of the Moravian debts; and concludes by -speaking of the “horrid equivocations, untruths, and low artifices,” -made use of to obtain such enormous loans:―― - - “At present,” says he, “I shall add no more, but earnestly say - _Amen_ to that part of the Brethren’s litany, ‘From untimely - projects, and from unhappily becoming great, keep us, our - good Lord and God!’ And as heartily praying, that the glorious - Jesus may prosper all that is right, and give grace to correct - and amend all that is wrong, among all His people of all - denominations, I subscribe myself, my lord, your lordship’s most - obedient humble servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -This was plain speaking. Perhaps some will think that Whitefield’s -interference was offensively officious; but it must be borne in mind, -that, besides being bound to take a general interest in everything -pertaining to the religion of the land, Whitefield was closely -associated with the Moravians at the beginning of his ministry; -and that, in his extensive itinerancy, he still came into frequent -contact with them. And, further, though it may be still contended that -Whitefield might have been more usefully employed, there cannot be a -doubt that he now rendered a great and lasting service to the Moravian -community; for his letter to Zinzendorf helped to check and to correct -the extravagance and the absurdly ritualistic practices, into which the -Unitas Fratrum had fallen. - -Whitefield’s “letter” created almost as great a sensation as Rimius’s -“Narrative”; and, in whole or in part, was reprinted in the magazines -and newspapers of the day. The Moravians were angry. Peter Bohler -declared publicly, in the pulpit, that Whitefield’s letter “was all a -lie.” James Hutton spoke of “many bulls of Bashan roaring madly against -the Count; and describing him as a Mahomet, a Cæsar, an impostor, a -Don Quixote, a devil, the beast, the man of sin, the Antichrist.”[321] -He also sent the following threatening letter “to the publisher of the -_Public Advertiser_”:―― - - “SATURDAY, _June 2, 1752_. - - “You, sir, have published such an extract of Mr. Whitefield’s - libel in your paper, as is punishable by law; which example - of yours the country newspapers and the London magazines have - followed. - - “I would have you immediately consider well, whether you are - liable or no; and, if you find yourself so, to let me know what - steps you think to take to avoid a prosecution. - - “A submission in the _Public Advertiser_, next Monday, - expressing your sorrow for having published that extract - (without at all entering into the merits of the cause, whether - true or false), and asking pardon of the persons reflected on - therein, seems to me the best and only way of preventing that - prosecution, which else, in all probability, will very soon - begin. - - “I am, sir, yours, - - “JAMES HUTTON.” - -A similar letter was sent to the publisher of the _Daily Gazetteer_. -The Archbishop of Canterbury, likewise, received an anonymous epistle, -not written, but made up of words, taken out of printed books, of -different types, and pasted upon a sheet of paper:―― - - “MY LORD,――Our Moravian Church having subsisted above 1700 years, - and you being the chief of a Church, which is her puny sister, - your Grace ought not to suffer that villain Rimius publicly to - vilify our right reverend and valuable patron and us. The man - is quite stupid, else he would have known that he, being but a - single person, and deeply in debt, can do us no hurt. We are a - multitude, a parliamentary constitution, a church that stands - upon a rock, and have treasures inexhaustible, and can hold out - against him, and all the rest of our enemies. But we shall soon - make him flee his country; or he shall meet with a fate which he - scarce expects.”[322] - -Bohler and Zinzendorf both wrote to Whitefield; and, as their letters -are of historical importance, they are here given _in extenso_:―― - - “_May 8, 1753._ - - “SIR,――I pity you very much that you suffer yourself to - be so much imposed on, and to print your impositions so - inconsiderately. - - “You have now attempted a second time to ruin my character. You - represent me as the inventor of an _artificial mount_,[323] etc. - You build upon that, two assertions: 1. That I invented it as - a means to encourage a certain gentleman in his undertakings. - 2. That I did it to make up a quarrel with him, by these means. - Now I can attest, with a good conscience, before God, that I had - no hand in inventing, or contriving, or executing, etc., such an - _artificial mound and picture_, etc.; and both your conclusions, - that you build on it, drop of course. - - “You also assert, that, I and others paid our devotions in a - certain room, of which you please to give a description; but you - really are in this point also grossly imposed upon. By whom? By - an apostate! - - “The person against whom you chiefly level your letter, is so - maliciously misrepresented therein, that really you yourself - will be ashamed of it one day before God and man. It would have - been ingenuous in you to have asked some of your old friends, - whether the charges you lay against us be true. But that, - you have not done. You will perhaps say to me, ‘You can clear - yourself in print.’ But this sounds, in my ears, as if a drunken - man would pelt one with dirt, and then say, ‘Now I will shew you - water where you can wash yourself again.’ I, for my part, have - always abhorred paper war; for I think the result of such a - war, for a child of God, is no other than _vinco seu vincor, - semper ego maculor_ (conquering or conquered, I am dishonoured). - And, besides that, I think it incumbent upon an honest man, - when he rashly and heedlessly has cast an aspersion upon his - fellow-creatures――fathered actions upon an innocent person of - whom he was altogether ignorant――and, with the most prejudicial - assertions, charged a body of people with faults of which they, - neither in whole nor in part, are guilty――to do all in his - power to remove such aspersions of which he is the author or - propagator. - - “Dear Mr. Whitefield, when the secret intentions of man, - together with all his unjust deeds and actions, will be judged, - how glad would you be then, not to have treated our Society, in - general; and, in particular, that venerable person against whom - your letter is chiefly levelled; and poor me, in so injurious, - yea, I may say, impudent and wicked a manner. - - “But, perhaps, my dear and merciful Saviour may give you grace, - that I may, a second time, be asked pardon by you; which I, - for your sake, heartily desire; but, for my sake, am entirely - unconcerned about; who, as an unworthy servant of my dear Lord - Jesus Christ, who was slain for His enemies, shall continue to - love and pray for you. - - “PETER BOHLER.” - -To say the least, this is an odd, evasive letter, unworthy of the -man who had taught the Wesleys the way of salvation by faith in Jesus -Christ. Zinzendorf’s is no better:―― - - “_May 8, 1753._ - - “REV. SIR,――As I read no newspapers, I knew nothing of your - ‘Expostulatory Letter,’ till a worthy clergyman of the Church of - England communicated to me his copy but yesterday. - - “You are a preacher, I suppose, of Christ; therefore, though you - are, it seems, an utter stranger to me, you may guess why you - see no reply to your letter. - - “In private, I tell you so much, that you are mistaken in the - chief point you urge with more zeal than knowledge. - - “As yet, I owe not a farthing of the £40,000 you are pleased - to tell me of; and, if your precipitate officiousness should - save me and those foreigners, you forewarn so compassionately, - from that debt, your zeal would prove very fatal to the English - friends you pity, it seems, no less than the German. - - “As for the distinction in the dress of our women, pray consider - that St. Paul has thought it worth his while to make certain - regulations about the head-dress; and you may remain more quiet, - as you have no notion what our ordinances are. - - “If some brethren, in their Easter Liturgy, make use of - French-horns, (which they are to answer for, not I, for my chapel - has none,) let the synod consider of it. - - “I have not seen the pamphlet you tell us of. It is dedicated - to the Archbishop, you say. If the author got the permission of - his Grace fairly, then the thing is serious indeed; yet, I shall - have nothing to say to Mr. Rimius. - - “I make but one observation for your good, sir. Are you sure - that all the quotations out of the Bible are true? If so, is it - possible that the interpretations, which some eighty different - sects of Christians give to the passages in which they oppose - each other, can be the true meaning of the author? Are all those - which are made out of your own books to be depended upon? For - my own part, I find that the single passage you borrow from Mr. - Rimius is an imposition upon the public, as gross as if St. Paul, - when he says, ‘We have but one God the Father,’ etc., should be - charged with denying the divinity of Jesus. As thousands of our - people are satisfied, that I oppose that meaning of the said - quotation, with all my credit in the Church; and have supported - my opposition, with all my substance and that of my family, - above these thirty years; and will continue so long as I have a - shirt left; what must they think when they see my book quoted in - that manner?[324] I add no more. - - “As your heart is not prepared to love me, nor your - understanding to listen to my reasons, I wish you well, sir, - and am your loving friend, - - “LOUIS.”[325] - -These were unsatisfactory and discreditable letters, and not at all an -answer to Whitefield’s charges. The truth is, a satisfactory answer was -impossible. There can be no question, that the Moravians had begun to -practise a _ritualism_ the most silly; and that their expenditure had -brought them to the very verge of bankruptcy and disgraceful ruin.[326] - -It would be wearisome and unprofitable to pursue the subject. Suffice -it to say, that, in the month of November, 1753, a pamphlet, of -forty-three pages, was published with the following uncouth title: -“He who is a Minister of the Gospel, and highly esteems the Sufferings -of the Lamb, his Introduction to the Method or Way of the Evangelical -Church of the Brethren in dealing with Souls. To which is prefixed, -A short Answer to Mr. Rimius’s long uncandid Narrative. And a Lesson -for Mr. Whitefield to read before his Congregation.” The bulk of the -pamphlet was a translation of Zinzendorf’s German treatise, entitled, -“Method with Souls,” etc., and requires no attention; but that section -of it which relates to Whitefield may be quoted:―― - - “If Mr. Whitefield had been more acquainted with the customs - of the primitive Christians, he need not have asked, ‘Did the - primitive Christians visit the graves of the deceased?’ - - “As to the illuminations, they are no part of the worship, and - cannot concern him. - - “As to their debts, he has no business to trouble himself about - them. He will never be asked to pay them; for he, among the - Brethren, to whom the Lord has been most bountiful, has taken - upon himself to discharge them. - - “As his intelligence has been from such as St. Paul - distinguishes by the name of false brethren, any man, possessed - of common sense, may know what regard it deserves. - - “One fault among the Brethren is, that they do not abound with - charity sermons, and look sharp after the plate, as is done he - knows where and by whom. - - “By this time, I doubt not, Mr. Whitefield is able to answer his - own queries; and, I hope, wishes he had taken Paul’s advice to - Timothy: ‘Foolish and unlearned _questions_ avoid, knowing that - they do gender strifes.’” - -On the other side, there was published a pamphlet, whose title will -convey an idea of its contents:――“A true and authentic Account of -Andrew Frey; containing the occasion of his coming among the Hernhuters, -or Moravians; his Observations on their Conferences, Casting Lots, -Marriages, Festivals, Merriments, Celebrations of Birth-days, Impious -Doctrines, and Fantastic Practices, Abuse of Charitable Contributions, -Linen Images, Ostentatious Profuseness, and Rancour against any who -in the least differ from them; and the Reasons for which he left them; -together with the Motives for publishing this Account. Faithfully -translated from the German.”[327] - -All this disreputable contention prepared the way for Bishop Lavington -to publish, two years afterwards, his “Moravians Compared and Detected.” -(8vo. 180 pp.) - -It is time to return to Whitefield’s gospel wanderings, and -correspondence. - -About the middle of the month of May, he left London for a tour in -Wales, and made “a circuit of about seven hundred miles.”[328] He -preached above twenty times, at Narberth, Pembroke, Haverfordwest, and -other places; and was again in London on the 7th of June. The Moravian -controversy filled his mind and crushed his heart. To his old secretary, -John Syms, who had joined the Moravians, and who had basely threatened -a revelation of some of Whitefield’s secret affairs, he wrote:―― - - “HAVERFORDWEST, _May 27, 1753_. - - “MY DEAR MAN,――Though my wife has not forwarded the letter, she - says you have sent me a threatening one. I thank you for it, - though unseen, and say unto thee, if thou art thus minded, ‘What - thou doest, do quickly.’ Blessed be God, I am ready to receive - the most traitorous blow, and to confess, before God and man, - all my weaknesses and failings, whether in public or private - life. I laid my account of such treatment, before I published my - ‘Expostulatory Letter.’ Your writing in such a manner convinces - me more and more, that Moravianism leads men to break through - the most sacred ties of nature, friendship, and disinterested - love. - - “My wife says, you write, that, ‘_I am drunk with power_ and - _approbation_.’ Wast thou with me so long, my dear man, and hast - thou not known me better? What power didst thou know me ever to - grasp at? or, what power am I now invested with? None, that I - know of, except that of being a poor pilgrim. As for approbation, - God knows, I have had little else besides the cross to glory in, - since my first setting out. May that be my glory still! - - “My wife says, you write, that ‘I promised not to print.’ I - remember no such thing. I know you advised me not to do so, - but I know of no promise made. If I rightly remember, I had not - then read Rimius; but, after that, I both heard and saw so many - things, that I could not, with a safe conscience, be silent. - - “My wife says, you write, ‘the bulk of my letter is not truth.’ - So says Mr. Peter Bohler; nay, he says, ‘it is all a lie;’ and, - I hear, he declares so in the pulpit; so that, whether I will - or not, he obliges me to clear myself in print. If he goes on - in this manner, he will not only constrain me to print a third - edition, but also to publish a dreadful heap that remains behind. - My answers to him, the Count, and my old friend Hutton, are - almost ready. I cannot send them this post, but may have time - before long. - - “O, my dear man, let me tell thee, that the God of truth and - love hates lies. That cause can never be good, that needs - equivocations and falsehoods to support it. You shall have none - from me. I have naked truth. I write out of pure love. The Lord - Jesus only knows what unspeakable grief I feel, when I think - how many of my friends have so involved themselves. If anything - stops my pen, it will be concern for them, not myself. I value - neither name nor life itself, when the cause of God calls me to - venture both. Thanks be to His great name, I can truly say, that, - for many years past, no sin has had dominion over me; neither - have I slept with the guilt of any known, unrepented sin lying - upon my heart. - - “I wish thee well in body and soul, and subscribe myself, my - dear John, your very affectionate, though injured, friend for - Christ’s sake, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -To another friend, Whitefield wrote as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _June 8, 1753_. - - “Mr. S―――― can tell you what concern the Brethren’s awful - conduct has given me. Surely, if the Redeemer had not supported - me, I should, within these two months, have died of grief. But I - will say no more; Jesus knows all things. He will not long bear - with guile. I and the Messrs. Wesley are very friendly. I like - them, because they let the world see what they are at once. I - suspect something wrong, when so much secresy is required.” - -Two days after writing this, Whitefield opened his new Tabernacle, -on which occasion he preached, in the morning, from Solomon’s prayer -at the dedication of the temple; and, in the evening, from 1 Chron. -xxix. 9: “Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, -because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and -David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” It is needless to -add, that the building “was crowded almost to suffocation in every -part.”[329] - -The Tabernacle being built and opened, Whitefield felt himself at -liberty to “take the field.” Accordingly, on June 20, he started off to -Portsmouth, where he spent about a week. Having fulfilled his mission -there, he set out for the north of England. He had “two good meetings” -at Olney. At Northampton, “several thousands attended.” Leicester -was “a cold place; but the people stood very attentive, and some were -affected.” At Nottingham, “a great multitude came to hear, but a son -of Belial endeavoured to disturb them.” At Sheffield, he had “two good -meetings,” and a congregation “consisting of several thousands.” At -Rotherham, “after preaching, a young man was set at liberty, who had -been groaning under the spirit of bondage for four years.” At Leeds -thousands attended daily; and, on the Lord’s-day, it was computed that -near twenty thousand were present. At Birstal[330] and Bradford, “many -thousands flocked together.” “At York,” he says, “I preached four -times; twice we were disturbed, and twice we had sweet seasons.” Thus -did he preach all the way from London to Newcastle where he arrived on -Saturday, July 14. Three days afterwards, he wrote to the Countess of -Huntingdon:―― - - “NEWCASTLE, _July 17, 1753_. - - “I wrote to your ladyship just before I set out for Portsmouth, - and thought to have written again at my return, but was hindered - by staying only one night in London. Ever since, I have been - on the range for lost sinners; and, blessed be God! I have - been much owned by Him who delights to work by the meanest - instruments. Sometimes I have scarce known whether I have been - in heaven or on earth. I came hither on Saturday, and have - preached seven times, and once at Sunderland, where a great - multitude attended, and were deeply impressed. At five in the - morning, the great room[331] is filled; and, on the Lord’s-day, - the congregation out of doors was great indeed. Surely the shout - of a King has been amongst us. All is harmony and love. I am now - going to a place called Sheep-hill, and shall return to preach - here again in the evening. To-morrow I set forward to Scotland. - This may be communicated to Mr. Charles Wesley, to whom I would - write if I had time.” - -The _Scots’ Magazine_ for 1753 (p. 361) says:―― - - “Mr. George Whitefield arrived at Edinburgh July 20th; went - thence to Glasgow on the 27th; returned to Edinburgh August 3rd; - and set out for London on the 7th. He preached daily, morning - and evening, when at Edinburgh, in the Orphan Hospital Park; and, - when at Glasgow, in the Castle-yard, to numerous audiences. In - his sermons at Glasgow, he declaimed warmly against a play-house, - lately erected within the enclosure in which he preached. - The consequence was, that, before his departure, workmen were - employed to take it down, to prevent its being done by ruder - hands.” - -Whitefield went to Scotland, not with his usual buoyancy. Under date of -“Edinburgh, July 21,” he wrote:―― - - “The inward discouragements I have felt against coming to - Scotland have been many. I have left a people full of fire. - Thousands and thousands flocked to hear the glorious gospel. - I have heard of awakenings in every place. Saints have been - revived, and heaven, as it were, has come down on earth. We have - enjoyed perpetual Cambuslang seasons. My heart is quite broken - to think poor Scotland is so dead.” - -He, however, plunged into his work, and not without success. In another -letter, dated “Glasgow, July 25, 1753,” he says:―― - - “Yesterday, I was enabled to preach five times, and, I suppose, - the last time to near twenty thousand. At Edinburgh, I preached - twice every day to many thousands, among whom were many of - the noble and polite. Attention sits on the faces of all; and - friends come round me, like so many bees, to importune me for - one week’s longer stay in Scotland.” - -As already stated, Whitefield started, from Edinburgh to London, on -Tuesday, August 7th. On Wednesday, he preached at Berwick, and again -on Thursday morning. On Thursday night, he arrived at Alnwick, and “it -being the time of the races,” he preached on the words, “So run that ye -may obtain.” He writes:―― - - “Whilst I was discoursing, the gentlemen came down from the race, - and surrounded the congregation, and heard very attentively. - The next morning, at five, I preached again; and, about noon, - at a place called Placey; and, in the evening, about nine, at - Newcastle, where a great number expected me, and my text was, - ‘At midnight, a cry was made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh.’” - -On the Sunday following, he wrote to Mr. Gillies, of Glasgow:―― - - “I am to preach three times every day this week. This promise - supports me――‘As thy day is, so shall thy strength be.’ By the - enclosed, you will see the devil owes me a grudge for what was - done at Glasgow. Would it not be proper to insert a paragraph to - contradict it?” - -Next day, August 13th, he wrote to another friend:―― - - “My route is now fixed. After preaching here” (Newcastle) “and - hereabouts three times each day, I am to leave this place on - Thursday; to be at Stockton on Sunday; at Osmotherley on Monday - noon; lie at Topcliff, and reach York, by way of Boroughbridge, - on Tuesday next; and then come forwards to Leeds. - - “I could not finish this letter last night. It is now Tuesday - morning. Surely heaven came down amongst us, under the last - evening’s preaching. It was almost too much for my body. I must - away to Horsley to preach, from whence I am to return here to - preach again this evening. Thrice a day tries me, but in the - Lord have I righteousness and strength. If you hear of a mob - being raised, by my preaching, at Glasgow, assure your friends - there was none; but Satan owes me a grudge for speaking against - the play-house.” - -It is important to bear in mind, that, at nearly all, if not actually -all, the places in the north of England, where Whitefield preached, -there were meeting-houses and Societies belonging to his friend Wesley. -In truth, whatever might be the case in London, Whitefield, in the -country, was Wesley’s fellow-labourer. There was no formal and avowed -union between the two, and, on some important doctrines, they differed; -but wherever Whitefield went, Wesley’s people were prepared to welcome -him; and he was equally prepared to do them all the good he could.[332] -Osmotherley[333] is mentioned in the foregoing extract. This was a -small moorland village, quite out of Whitefield’s way to London, and -difficult of access; but one of Wesley’s Societies had been formed -even here, and they were about to erect a chapel. On no other ground, -except that Whitefield, without professing it, was acting as Wesley’s -lieutenant, is it possible to account for Whitefield’s visits to places -like Osmotherley, Placey, Horsley, Sheephill, Stockton, and others -which might be mentioned. - -The mob at Glasgow has been named. The explanation is, the proprietor -of a play-house was supposed to be so affected by Whitefield’s -preaching, that he, at once, began to take down the roof of his edifice. -Either through malice or misinformation, several of the newspapers of -the day represented this as being done by a mob, under the exciting -influence of Whitefield’s ministry.[334] Whitefield had been so often -mobbed himself, that he had no wish to be announced as allied to mobs. -Hence, before he left Newcastle, he wrote the following letter, which -was printed, by the publishers, in the _Newcastle Journal_:―― - - “NEWCASTLE, _August 17, 1753_. - - “GENTLEMEN,――By your last Saturday’s paper, I find that some - Edinburgh correspondent has informed you, that, when I was - preaching at Glasgow on the 2nd inst., to a numerous audience, - near the play-house lately built, I inflamed the mob so much - against it, that they ran directly from before me, and pulled it - down to the ground; and that several of the rioters, since then, - have been taken up, and committed to jail. But, I assure you, - this is mere slander and misinformation. It is true, indeed, - that I was preaching at Glasgow, to a numerous auditory, at - the beginning of this month; and that I thought it my duty - to shew the evil of having a play-house erected in a trading - city――almost, too, before the very door of the university. And - this, by the help of God, if called to it, I should do again. - But that I inflamed the mob, or that they ran directly from me, - and pulled the play-house down, or that the rioters were taken - up and put into prison, is entirely false. - - “I suppose all this took its rise from the builder taking down - the roof of the house himself. You must know that the walls of - this play-house were part of the old palace of the Bishop of - Glasgow, and only had a board covering put upon them during - the time of the players being there. They being gone, the owner - (whether convinced by anything that was said, I cannot tell) - began to take off the roof several days before I left that place; - so that, if there had been any riot, doubtless I should have - seen it. - - “No, gentlemen, your correspondent may assure himself that I - am too much a friend to my God, my king, and my country, to - encourage any such thing. I know of no such means of reformation, - either in church or state. The weapons of a Christian’s warfare - are not carnal. And therefore, if you please to inform the - public and your Edinburgh correspondent of the mistake, in - to-morrow’s paper, you will oblige, Gentlemen, - - “Your very humble servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -On leaving Newcastle, Whitefield continued to visit towns and villages, -where Wesley had formed Societies, and everywhere his gigantic labours -were attended with marvellous success. The following extracts from two -letters to the Countess of Huntingdon will convey an idea of the scenes -he witnessed:―― - - “YORK, _September 11, 1753_. - - “Last Saturday, I returned to Leeds, whence I had been absent - a fortnight. What the glorious Emmanuel gave us to see and - feel, is inexpressible. What a sacrament at Haworth! We used - thirty-five bottles of wine on the occasion. I have been as far - as Bolton, Manchester, and Stockport. At the last place, so much - of the Divine presence came amongst us, that it was almost too - much for our frail natures to bear. Everywhere the congregations - looked like swarms of bees; and the more I preached, the more - eager they seemed to be. At Birstal, last Lord’s-day, there were - near twenty thousand; and, on Monday morning, the parting at - Leeds was the most affecting I ever saw. Last night, I came - hither, and preached with quietness. This morning, I am setting - out for Lincolnshire. Besides travelling, I have been enabled - to preach thrice a day frequently. I hear of scores of souls who - have been awakened. They tell me that a hundred have been added - to the Sunderland Society.[335] Never did I see the work more - promising. God be merciful to me a sinner, and give me an humble, - thankful heart!” - - “LONDON, _September 26, 1753_. - - “Yesterday, the good and never-failing Redeemer brought me and - mine to London, where I expect to stay only a few days. During - the last three months, I have been enabled to travel about - twelve hundred miles, and to preach about one hundred and eighty - sermons, to many, very many, thousands of souls. More glorious - seasons I never saw. My last excursion has been to York, - Lincolnshire, Rotherham, Sheffield, Nottingham, and Northampton, - where, I believe, near ten thousand came to hear last Lord’s-day.” - -Though Whitefield had built and opened his new Tabernacle, he was not -inclined to “_nestle_” in it. Within ten days after his arrival in -London, he resumed his itinerancy. On Saturday, October 6th, he had “a -blessed season at Olney;” and, next day, “two glorious opportunities” -at Northampton. On Monday, October 8th, he preached at Oxenden and -Bosworth; on Tuesday, at Kettering and Bedford; and on Wednesday, at -Bedford and Olney. He then set out for Staffordshire, and preached -“at Birmingham and several adjacent places.” Three weeks after his -departure from London, he wrote as follows:―― - - “WOLVERHAMPTON, _October 27, 1753_. - - “My last, I think, was from Nantwich. Since then, I have been - breaking up new ground.[336] I have preached four times at - Alpraham, in Cheshire, where the Lord was with us of a truth; - and where He had prepared my way, by blessing several of my poor - writings. At Chester, I preached four times; a great concourse - attended; all was quiet;[337] several of the clergy were present; - and the word came with power. I have since heard that the most - noted rebel in the town was brought under deep conviction, - and could not sleep night or day. At Liverpool, the way was - equally prepared. A person, who had been wrought on by some - of my printed sermons, met me at landing, and took me to his - house.[338] A great number, at a short notice, were convened; - all were quiet; and some came under immediate conviction. Wrexham - has been a rude place; and, upon my coming there, the town was - alarmed, and several thousands came to hear. Some of the baser - sort made a great noise, and threw stones, but none touched me, - and, I trust, our Lord got Himself the victory. The next day, - near Alpraham, we had another heaven upon earth. The morning - after, I intended to preach near Nantwich, where a Methodist - meeting-house has lately been pulled down. Here Satan roared. - The mob pelted Mr. D――――[339] and others much, but I got off - pretty free, and had opportunity of preaching quietly a little - out of town. Last night, I preached here, in the dark, to a - great number of hearers. I am now bound for Wednesbury, Dudley, - and Kidderminster.” - -Eleven days after writing this, Whitefield had returned to London; but, -two days afterwards, he was off to Gloucester, and the west of England. -The following was addressed to the Rev. Mr. Gillies, of Glasgow, who -had requested him to point out those parts of his Journals which it -might be desirable to insert in the “Historical Collections,” then in -course of preparation for the press:―― - - “GLOUCESTER, _November 16, 1753_. - - “REVEREND AND VERY DEAR SIR,――I received your kind letter, and - would have sent the Journals immediately, but knew not how. My - wife promised to embrace the first opportunity that offered; - and I hope, ere long, they will come safe to hand. As for my - pointing out particular passages, it is impracticable. I have - neither leisure nor inclination so to do. My doings and writings - appear to me in so mean a light, that I think they deserve no - other treatment than to be buried in eternal oblivion. - - “Great things were done in and about Newcastle; but far greater - did we see afterwards in Yorkshire, Lancashire, etc. Since - then, I have been another tour, and have preached at Liverpool, - Chester, Coventry, Birmingham, Dudley, Wednesbury, Kidderminster, - Northampton, Bedford, etc. At present, I am in my native county, - where the Lord has given us several precious meetings. After a - few days’ sojourning here, I am bound for Bristol and Plymouth; - and, in about three weeks, I purpose to betake myself to my - winter quarters.” - -Whitefield arrived at Bristol on November 19th, and wrote, as follows, -to Thomas Adams:―― - - “BRISTOL, _November 21, 1753_. - - “Never before had I such freedom in Gloucestershire. Showers of - blessings descended from above. I came here on Monday evening, - and to my great disappointment, found that the new Tabernacle - is not finished, so that I know not well what to do. However, - we had a good time last night at the Hall. - - “Your motion to go to Norwich, I much approve of. Whatever - others design, that is nothing to us. Simplicity and godly - sincerity will carry all before them in the end. O that the - sons of Zeruiah could be persuaded to let us alone! But how - then should we be able to approve ourselves sons of David? By - thorns and briars, the old man must be scratched to death. O - this crucifixion work! Lord Jesus, help us to go through with - it! He will, He will. I commend thee and thine to His almighty - protection and never-failing mercy: and remain, my very dear man, - - “Yours most affectionately, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -A word of explanation. After the termination of James Wheatley’s -ministry at Norwich, it became a serious question who was to occupy his -Tabernacle there. The Society he had gathered was composed of persons -far from perfect. Considerable wrangling ensued; but, until 1758, the -Norwich Tabernacle was chiefly supplied by the preachers connected with -Whitefield’s Tabernacle in Moorfields. It then passed into the hands of -Wesley; who, in 1763, gave it up as a hopeless undertaking. For twelve -years after that, it was occupied by the Rev. John Hook, grandfather -of the Rev. Dr. Hook, Dean of Worcester, and of Theodore Hook, the -celebrated novelist. In 1775, James Wheatley let it to Lady Huntingdon, -at an annual rent of £40. It is not necessary to pursue its history -further.[340] - -Then, in reference to the Bristol Tabernacle. Almost from the -commencement of their career, the followers of Whitefield and of Wesley -had held separate services at Bristol. Wesley had had a chapel there -ever since the year 1739. Up to the present, Whitefield had none. -Considering the peculiar position held by Whitefield, as belonging to -no party and yet the friend of all, it is difficult to imagine why he -now sanctioned the erection of a chapel for himself, except that he -and his special adherents were well aware, that many, belonging to -the upper classes of society, who were in the habit of visiting the -Hotwells, would not attend Wesley’s meeting-house, but would be likely -to sit under the more popular ministry of his friend Whitefield. Be -that as it may, the Countess of Huntingdon exerted her influence to -obtain the necessary funds for a new erection. Lord Chesterfield sent -her £20;[341] but added, “I must beg _my name_ not to appear _in any -way_. Lady Chesterfield is active among her friends, and, I doubt -not, you will reap the benefit of her solicitations.” The Earl of Bath -sent £50, and said, “It gives me unfeigned pleasure to hear of the -good effects of Mr. Whitefield’s preaching at Bristol, and amongst -the colliers.” The result of Lady Huntingdon’s efforts was, the -new Tabernacle was now nearly completed, and Whitefield had come to -open it.[342] The dedication services were held on Sunday, November -25th.[343] Hence the following letter to a friend:―― - - “BRISTOL, _December 1, 1753_. - - “We have enjoyed much of God at Bristol. Twice I preached in - my brother’s great house to the quality, amongst whom was one - of Cæsar’s household.[344] On Sunday last, I opened the new - Tabernacle. It is large, but not half large enough. Would the - place contain them, I believe near as many would attend as do in - London.” - -This is all that Whitefield has recorded concerning the consecration -of the Bristol Tabernacle. The day after its opening, he set out on a -preaching tour in Somersetshire; but says:―― - - “The weather was so violent, and my call to London likely to - be so speedy, that I turned back. On Tuesday, at seven in the - evening, I preached in the open air to a great multitude. All - was hushed and exceeding solemn. The stars shone very bright, - and my hands and body were pierced with cold; but what are - outward things, when the soul within is warmed with the love - of God?” - -While Whitefield was opening the Bristol Tabernacle, Wesley was seized -with an illness, which all his friends expected to prove fatal. Just -at the same time, the wife of Charles Wesley caught the small-pox at -Bristol, and was in the greatest danger. Between this excellent lady -and the Countess of Huntingdon there existed a close intimacy and -friendship; and, whenever the Countess was in Bristol, Charles Wesley -and his wife always received a warm welcome to her house. Charles was -now in London, visiting his apparently dying brother; but was greatly -needed by his wife in Bristol. In this emergency, Lady Huntingdon -hurried Whitefield to the metropolis, to enable Charles Wesley to pay -a visit to his seemingly dying wife.[345] This brief statement will -help to explain the following beautifully pathetic letters, written by -Whitefield, at this afflictive period. The first was probably addressed -to the noted Methodist at Leeds, William Shent:―― - - “BRISTOL, _December 3, 1753_. - - “I have been preaching the last week in Somersetshire. The fire - there warmed and inflamed me, though I preached in the open air - on Tuesday evening at seven o’clock, as well as on Wednesday and - Thursday. I purposed to go as far as Plymouth, but Providence - has brought me back, and I am now hastening to London, to pay - my last respects to my dying friend. It may be, that shortly - Mr. John Wesley will be no more. The physicians think his disease - a galloping consumption. I pity the Church; I pity myself; but - not him. We must stay behind in this cold climate, whilst he - takes his flight to a radiant throne. Poor Mr. Charles will now - have double work.” - -On the same day, Whitefield wrote to both the Wesleys. The first of the -ensuing letters was addressed to Charles; the second to John. - - “BRISTOL, _December 3, 1753_. - - “Being unexpectedly brought back from Somersetshire, and hearing - you are gone on such a mournful errand, I cannot help sending - after you a few sympathising lines. The Lord help and support - you! May a double spirit of the ascending Elijah descend and - rest on the surviving Elisha! Now is the time to prove the - strength of Jesus yours. A wife, a friend, and brother, ill - together! Well, this is our comfort, all things shall work - together for good to those that love God. - - “If you think proper, be pleased to deliver the enclosed. It - is written out of the fulness of my heart. To-morrow, I leave - Bristol, and purpose reaching London on Saturday. Glad shall - I be to reach heaven first; but faith and patience hold out a - little longer. Yet a little while, and we shall be all together - with our common Lord. I commend you to His everlasting love, and - am, my dear friend, with much sympathy, yours, etc., - - “G. WHITEFIELD.” - - “BRISTOL, _December 3, 1753_. - - “REVEREND AND VERY DEAR SIR,――If seeing you so very weak, when - leaving London, distressed me, the news and prospect of your - approaching dissolution have quite weighed me down. I pity - myself and the Church, but not you. A radiant throne awaits you, - and, ere long, you will enter into your Master’s joy. Yonder He - stands with a massy crown, ready to put it on your head, amidst - an admiring throng of saints and angels; but I, poor I, who have - been waiting for my dissolution these nineteen years, must be - left behind, to grovel here below! Well, this is my comfort, it - cannot be long ere the chariots will be sent even for worthless - me. If prayers can detain them, even you, reverend and very dear - sir, shall not leave us yet; but, if the decree is gone forth, - that you must now fall asleep in Jesus, may He kiss your soul - away, and give you to die in the embraces of triumphant love! If - in the land of the dying, I hope to pay my last respects to you - next week. If not, reverend and very dear sir, F-a-r-e-w-e-ll! - _I prae sequar, etsi non passibus aequis._ My heart is too big: - tears trickle down too fast; and you, I fear, are too weak for - me to enlarge. Underneath you may there be Christ’s everlasting - arms! I commend you to His never-failing mercy, and am, reverend - and very dear sir, your most affectionate, sympathising, and - afflicted younger brother, in the gospel of our common Lord, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[346] - -Ten days later, Whitefield wrote again to Charles Wesley, as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _December 13, 1753_. - - “MY DEAR FRIEND,――The Searcher of hearts alone knows the - sympathy I have felt for you and yours; and in what suspense my - mind has been concerning the event of your present circumstances. - I pray and enquire, and enquire and pray again; always expecting - to hear the worst. Ere this can reach you, I expect the lot will - be cast, either for life or death. I long to hear, that I may - partake, like a friend, either of your joy or sorrow. Blessed - be God for the promise, whereby we are assured that all things - work together for good to those who love Him! This may make us, - at least, resigned, when called to part with our Isaacs. But - who knows the pain of parting, when the wife and the friend - are conjoined? To have the desire of one’s eyes cut off with a - stroke, what but grace, omnipotent grace, can enable us to bear - it? But who knows? perhaps the threatened stroke may be recalled; - and my dear friend enjoy his dear yoke-fellow’s company a - little longer. Surely the Lord of all lords is preparing you for - further usefulness by these complex trials. We must be purged, - if we would bring forth more fruit. - - “Your brother, I hear, is better. To-day I intended to have seen - him; but Mr. Blackwell sent me word, he thought he would be out - for the air. I hope Mr. Hutchinson[347] is better. But I can - scarce mention anybody now, but dear Mrs. Wesley. Pray let me - know how it goes with you. My wife truly joins in sympathy and - love. Night and day indeed you are remembered by, my dear friend, - yours, etc., - - “G. WHITEFIELD.”[348] - -A week afterwards, Whitefield wrote another letter to his beloved -friend, full of jubilant thankfulness that the health of the afflicted -ones was improving. - - “LONDON, _December 20, 1753_. - - “MY DEAR FRIEND,――I most sincerely rejoice, and have given - private and public thanks, for the recovery of your dear - yoke-fellow. My pleasure is increased by seeing your brother so - well, as I found him on Tuesday at Lewisham. O that you may both - spring afresh, and your latter end increase more and more! Talk - not of having no more work to do in the vineyard! I hope all our - work is but just beginning. I am sure it is high time for me to - do something for Him who has done and suffered so much for me. - Near forty years old, and such a dwarf! The winter come already, - and so little done in the summer! I am ashamed, I blush, and am - confounded. And yet, God blesseth us here. Truly, His outgoings - are seen in the Tabernacle. The top-stone is brought forth: we - will now cry, ‘Grace! grace!’ I must away. Our joint respects - attend you all. I hope Mr. Hutchinson mends. I hear his brother - is dead. My most dutiful respects await our elect lady.”[349] - -These touching letters not only exhibit the warm friendship existing -between Whitefield and the two Wesleys, but also unfold the tenderness -of Whitefield’s feelings, and his profound sympathy with distress. -Many others might have been inserted, as illustrative of the same moral -excellencies; but, for want of space, they have been excluded. - -Mrs. Grinfield, one of the ladies at the court of King George II., has -been mentioned, as having been greatly blessed by Whitefield’s ministry. -On his return to London, Whitefield visited her; and wrote as follows -to the Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “LONDON, _December 15, 1753_. - - “Yesterday morning, I obeyed your ladyship’s commands, and - carried the enclosed to Mrs. Grinfield, at St. James’s Palace. - I was much satisfied with my visit, and am much rejoiced to - find that she seems resolved to shew out at once. The court, I - believe, rings of her, and, if she stands, I trust she will make - a glorious martyr for her blessed Lord. Oh that your ladyship - could see your way clear to come up! Now seems to be the time - for a fresh stir. Few have either courage or conduct to head a - Christian party amongst persons of high life. That honour seems - to be put upon your ladyship,――and a glorious honour it is. - - “On Tuesday, I am to dine with Mr. John Wesley, who was - yesterday, for a few minutes, at the Foundery; but, I hear, his - lungs are touched. I cannot wish him to survive his usefulness. - It is poor living to be nursed; but our Lord knows what is best - for His children. I wish I might have the use of West Street - Chapel once or twice a week. Many want to hear at that end of - the town. The Messrs. Wesley are quite welcome to all the help - I can give them.” - -At Christmas, Whitefield’s old friend, the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, and -the great Virginian preacher, the Rev. Samuel Davies, came to England, -as a deputation, to solicit subscriptions for the new college, founded -by Governor Belcher, at Princeton. Their mission was an important -one. The Presbyterian churches in the six colonies of New York, New -Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina were looking -to this college for their future supply of ministers.[350] Under such -circumstances, and quite apart from the respect which Whitefield felt -for Governor Belcher, the errand of the two American ministers was -sure to have his sympathy and help. He wrote a recommendatory letter -to the Marquis of Lothian, and, through him, introduced the strangers -to the Presbyterians of Scotland. The result of their visit was, they -obtained contributions from England and Scotland, which “amply enabled -the trustees to erect a convenient edifice for the accommodation of -the students, and to lay a foundation for a fund for the support of -necessary instructors.”[351] - -Whitefield refers to this in the following letter to the Rev. Mr. -Gillies, of Glasgow:―― - - “LONDON, _December 27, 1753_. - - “REVEREND AND VERY DEAR SIR,――I am surprised to find, by your - last kind letter, that my poor Journals are not come to hand. - My wife informs me that they were sent to one Mr. E――――, who was - to send off goods the very next day. - - “Perhaps it will please you to hear that Messrs. Tennent and - Davies supped with me last night. May the good Lord prosper - the work of their hands! I hope they will be introduced soon - to the Marquis of Lothian, and, by him, to Lord Leven. I shall - help them all I can. At the great day, all things will be laid - open.[352] - - “Would you think it, I am this day thirty-nine years of - age.[353] Did not business require my attendance, I could - lock myself up, and lie prostrate all the day long in deep - humiliation before God. My dear sir, let none of my friends cry - to such a sluggish, unprofitable worm, ‘Spare thyself.’ Rather, - spur me on, I pray you, with an ‘Awake, sleeper, and begin to - do something for thy God!’ The Lord being my helper, I will. Do - Thou strengthen me, my Lord and my God! and I will go for Thee, - at Thy command, to the uttermost parts of the earth. O break, - break my heart; Look to Him, whom thou hast pierced! Look and - love; look and mourn; look and praise! Thy God is yet thy God! - - “Every day, sir, we hear of fresh work. Scores of notes are put - up by persons brought under conviction; and God’s people are - abundantly refreshed. Last night, the glory of the Lord filled - the Tabernacle. I cannot tell you half. I am lost in wonder. For - the present, my dear sir, adieu!” - -In such a spirit Whitefield ended the year 1753. On Tuesday, January 1, -1754, he preached, in the Tabernacle, to a densely crowded congregation, -from the parable of the barren fig-tree. His American friends, Tennent -and Davies, were present, and the latter wrote: “Though the discourse -was incoherent, it seemed to me better calculated to do good to mankind -than all the accurate, languid discourses I had ever heard. After the -sermon, I enjoyed his pleasing conversation at his house.” - -Whitefield spent the first two months of 1754 in London, and was fully -occupied, partly in preaching, and partly in preparing for his intended -voyage to America. He wrote: “I meet with my share of trials. Every -sermon preached this winter has been fetched out of the furnace. But -what are we to expect, as Christians and ministers, but afflictions? -Our new Tabernacle is completed, and the workmen all paid. What is best -of all, the Redeemer manifests His glory in it. Every day, souls come -crying, ‘What shall we do to be saved?’ I expect, in a fortnight, once -more to launch into the great deep, with about ten or twelve destitute -orphans under my care.”[354] He embarked at Gravesend, on the 7th of -March; and, in another chapter, we must follow him. - - - - - _FIFTH VISIT TO AMERICA._ - - MARCH 1754 TO MAY 1755. - - -NINE days after leaving England, the ship, in which Whitefield sailed, -anchored in Lisbon harbour, where it remained about a month. This -was a long detention for Whitefield and his “destitute orphans;” but -he usefully employed the time in making himself acquainted with the -full-blown Popery of the metropolis of Portugal. His letters on this -subject fill twenty-four closely printed pages, in his collected works. -At his return to England, in 1755, four of these letters were printed, -with the title, “A brief Account of some Lent and other Extraordinary -Processions and Ecclesiastical Entertainments, seen last Year at Lisbon. -In four Letters to an English Friend. By George Whitefield.” (8vo. 29 -pp.) Whitefield’s letters were extensively quoted by the newspapers and -magazines of the day; and even the _Monthly Review_――no great friend to -Whitefield――said, “Our celebrated itinerant preacher expresses a just -and manly resentment of the miserable bigotry of the Portuguese, and -the priestly delusion with which they are led into even more ridiculous -fopperies than ever disgraced the pagan theology.”[355] - -What did Whitefield see? Extracts from the letters――as brief as -possible――shall supply an answer. - - “LISBON HARBOUR, _March 17, 1754_. - - “Yesterday we anchored in this port. We are now lying before - a large place, where we see hundreds going to worship in their - way. We have just been at ours. Though sent without a friend, - yet I am not left alone. ‘O my God, Thy presence on earth, Thy - presence in heaven, will make amends for all!’ Indeed, Jesus - Christ is a good master. He has given me the affections of all - on board, and as kind a captain as we could desire.” - - “LISBON HARBOUR, _March 19, 1754_. - - “As yet, I have not been on shore, but expect to go to-morrow. - To an eye fixed on Jesus, how unspeakably little do all - sublunary things appear! My dear sir, let us be laudably - ambitious to get as rich as we can towards God. The bank of - heaven is a sure bank. I have drawn thousands of bills upon it, - and never had one sent back protested. God helping me, I purpose - lodging my little earthly all there. I hope my present poor - but valuable cargo will make some additions to my heavenly - inheritance.” - - “LISBON, _March 21, 1754_. - - “This leaves me an old inhabitant of Lisbon. A very reputable - merchant has received me into his house, and every day shews me - the ecclesiastical curiosities of the country. All is well on - board; and Lisbon air agrees with me extremely. I hope what I - see will help to qualify me better for preaching the everlasting - gospel. O pray for me; and add to my obligations by frequently - visiting my poor wife. Kindnesses shewn to her, during my - absence, will be double kindnesses.” - - “LISBON, _March 26, 1754_. - - “I have been here above a week. I have seen strange and - incredible things,――not more strange than instructive. Never did - civil and religious liberty appear to me in such a light as now. - What a spirit must Martin Luther and the first Reformers have - been endued with, who dared to appear as they did for God! Lord, - hasten the happy time, when others, excited by the same spirit, - shall perform like wonders! O happy England! O happy Methodists, - who are Methodists indeed! And all I account such, who, being - dead to sects and parties, aim at nothing else but a holy method - of living to and dying in the blessed Jesus.” - - “LISBON, _March 29, 1754_. - - “O my dear Tabernacle friends, what a goodly heritage has the - Lord vouchsafed you! Bless Him, O bless Him, from your inmost - souls, that you have been taught the way to Him, without the - help of fictitious saints! Thank Him, night and day, that to you - are committed the lively oracles of God! Adore Him continually - for giving you to hear the Word preached with power; and pity - and pray for those who are led blindfold by crafty and designing - men!” - - “LISBON, _April 1, 1754_. - - “On my arrival here, what engaged my attention most was the - number of crucifixes and little images of the Virgin Mary, and - of other real or reputed saints, which were placed in almost - every street, or fixed against the walls of the houses almost - at every turning. Lamps hung before them; the people bowed to - them as they passed along; and near some of them stood little - companies, singing with great earnestness. - - “Soon after my arrival, I saw a company of priests and friars - bearing lighted wax tapers, and attended by various sorts of - people, some of whom had bags and baskets of victuals in their - hands. After these, followed a mixed multitude, singing, and - addressing the Virgin Mary. In this manner, they proceeded to - the prison, where all was deposited for the use of the poor - persons confined therein. - - “At another time, I saw a procession of Carmelite friars, - parish priests, and brothers of the order, walking two by two, - in divers habits, holding a long lighted wax taper in their - right hands. Among them, was carried, upon eight or ten men’s - shoulders, a tall image of the Virgin Mary, in a kind of man’s - attire, with a fine white wig on her head, and much adorned with - jewels and glittering stones. At some distance from the Lady, - under a large canopy supported by six or eight persons, came a - priest, holding in his hand a noted relic. After him, followed - thousands of people, singing all the way. These processions, - from one convent to another, were made daily, for the purpose - of obtaining rain. - - “In a large cathedral church, I saw a wooden image of our - blessed Lord, clothed with purple robes, and crowned with - thorns, and surrounded with wax tapers of prodigious size. He - was attended by many noblemen, and thousands of spectators of - all ranks and stations, who crowded from every quarter, and, in - their turns, were admitted to perform their devotions. This they - did by kneeling, and kissing the _Seigneur’s_ heel, by putting - their left and right eye to it, and then touching it with their - beads.” - - “LISBON, _April 3, 1754_. - - “On Friday, I saw a procession chiefly made up of waxen or - wooden images, carried on men’s shoulders through the streets, - and intended to represent the life and death of St. Francis, - the founder of one of their religious orders. They were brought - from the Franciscan convent, and were preceded by three persons - in scarlet habits, with baskets in their hands, in which they - received the alms of the spectators, for the benefit of the poor - prisoners. After these, came two little boys, in party-coloured - clothes, with wings fixed on their shoulders, in imitation of - little angels. Then appeared the figure of St. Francis, very - gay and beau-like, as he used to be before his conversion. In - the next, he was introduced under conviction, and consequently - stripped of his finery. Then was exhibited an image of our - blessed Lord, in a purple gown, with long black hair, and St. - Francis lying before Him, to receive His orders. Then came the - Virgin Mother, with Christ her son on her left hand, and St. - Francis making obeisance to them both. Here, if I remember - aright, he made his first appearance in his friar’s habit, with - his hair cut short, but not yet shaved in the crown of his head. - After a little space, followed a mitred cardinal gaudily attired, - and St. Francis almost prostrate before him, to be confirmed - in his office. Soon after this, he was metamorphosed into a - monk, his crown shorn, his habit black, and his loins girt with - a knotted cord. Here he prayed to our Saviour, hanging on a - cross, that the marks of the wounds in His hands, feet, and - side, might be impressed on him; and the prayer was granted, by - a representation of red waxen strings, reaching from those parts - of the image to the corresponding parts of St. Francis’s body. - In a little while, St. Francis was carried along, as holding - up a house which was falling. Then he was brought forth lying - in his grave, the briars and nettles under which he lay being - turned into fine and fragrant flowers. After this, he was borne - along upon a bier covered with a silver pall, and attended by - four friars lamenting over him. He then appeared, for the last - time, drawing tormented people out of purgatory with his knotted - cord, which the poor souls caught and held most eagerly. Then - came a gorgeous friar, under a splendid canopy, bearing in - his hand a piece of the holy cross. After him, followed two - more little winged boys; and then a long train of fat and - well-favoured Franciscans, with their _calceis fenestratis_, - as Erasmus calls them; and so the procession ended. - - “One night, about ten o’clock, I saw a train of near two hundred - penitents, making a halt, and kneeling in the street, whilst - a friar, from a high cross, with a crucifix in his hand, was - preaching to them and the populace with great vehemence. Sermon - being ended, the penitents went forwards, and several companies - followed after, with their respective preaching friars at their - head, bearing crucifixes. These they pointed to and brandished - frequently, and the hearers as frequently beat their breasts - and clapped their cheeks. At proper pauses, they stopped and - prayed, and one of them, before the king’s palace, sounded the - word _penitentia_ through a speaking trumpet. The penitents - themselves were clothed and covered all over with white linen - vestments, only holes were made for their eyes to peep out at. - All were bare-footed, and all had long heavy chains fastened - to their ancles, which, when dragged along the street, made - a dismal rattling. Some carried great stones on their backs. - Others had in their hands dead men’s bones and skulls. Some bore - large crosses upon their shoulders; whilst others had their arms - extended, or carried swords with their points downwards. Most of - them whipped and lashed themselves, some with cords, and others - with flat bits of iron. Had my dear friend been there, he would - have joined me in saying, that the whole scene was horrible; - so horrible it was, that, being informed it was to be continued - till morning, I was glad to return whence I came about midnight.” - - “LISBON, _April 12, 1754_. - - “I have now seen the solemnities of a _Holy Thursday_, which - is a very high day in Lisbon, and particularly remarkable for - the grand illuminations of the churches, and the king’s washing - twelve poor men’s feet. I got admittance into the gallery where - the ceremony was performed. It was large, and hung with tapestry, - one piece of which represented the humble Jesus washing the feet - of His disciples. Before this, upon a small eminence, sat twelve - men in black. At the upper end, and in several other parts of - the gallery, were sideboards with large gold and silver basins - and ewers most curiously wrought; and near these a large table - covered with a variety of dishes, set off and garnished after - the Portuguese fashion. Public high mass being over, his majesty - came in attended with his nobles. The washing of feet being - ended, several of the young noblemen served up dishes to the - king’s brother and uncles. These again handed them to his - majesty, who gave, I think, twelve of them to each poor man. - The whole entertainment took up near two hours. - - “After dinner, we went to see the churches. Many of them were - hung with purple damask trimmed with gold. In one of them was a - solid silver altar of several yards’ circumference, and near - twelve steps high; and in another a gold one, still more - magnificent, of about the same dimensions. Its basis was studded - with many precious stones, and near the top were placed silver - images, in representation of angels. Each step was filled with - large silver candlesticks, with lighted wax tapers in them. The - great altars of other churches were illuminated most profusely. - Go which way you would, nothing was to be seen but illuminations - within, and hurry without; for all persons, princes and crowned - heads themselves not excepted, are obliged on this day to visit - seven churches or altars, in imitation of our Lord’s being - hurried from one tribunal to another, before He was condemned to - be hung upon the cross.” - - “LISBON, _April 13, 1754_. - - “On Good Friday, I witnessed, in a large church belonging to - the convent of St. De Beato, the crucifixion of the Son of God. - Upon a high scaffold, hung in the front with black bays, and - behind with purple silk damask laced with gold, was exhibited - an image of the Lord Jesus at full length, crowned with thorns, - and nailed on a cross between two figures of like dimensions, - representing the two thieves. At a little distance, on the right - hand, was placed an image of the Virgin Mary, in plain long - ruffles, and a kind of widow’s weeds, her veil of purple silk, - and a wire glory round her head. At the foot of the cross, lay, - in a mournful, pensive posture, a living man, dressed in woman’s - clothes, who personated Mary Magdalen. Not far off, stood a - young man, in imitation of the beloved disciple. He was dressed - in a loose green silk vesture and bob-wig. Near the front of - the stage, stood two sentinels in buffs, with formidable caps - and long beards. Directly in the front, stood another, yet more - formidable, with a large target in his hand. From behind the - purple hangings, came out about twenty little purple-vested - winged boys, each bearing a lighted wax taper, and wearing a - crimson and gold cap. At their entrance upon the stage, they - bowed to the spectators, and then kneeled, first to the image on - the cross, and then to that of the Virgin Mary. At a few yards’ - distance, stood a black friar, in a pulpit hung with mourning. - When he had preached about a quarter of an hour, a confused - noise was heard near the great front door. Four long-bearded - men entered, two carrying a ladder on their shoulders, and two - bearing large gilt dishes, full of linen, spices, etc. Upon - their attempting to mount the scaffold, the sentinels presented - the points of their javelins to their breasts. Upon this, a - letter from Pilate was produced; and the sentinels withdrew - their javelins. The four men then ascended the stage, and - retired to the back of it. All the while, the black friar - continued declaiming; Magdalen wrung her hands; and John stood - gazing on the crucified. The ladders were erected and ascended. - The superscription and crown of thorns were taken off. White - rollers were put round the arms of the image. The nails, which - fastened the hands and feet, were knocked out. The orator lifted - up his voice, and almost all the hearers beat their breasts - and smote their cheeks. The body was gently let down; Magdalen - received the feet into her wide-spread handkerchief; and John - seized the upper part of it in his clasping arms, and, with - his fellow-mourners, helped to bear it away. Great preparations - were made for its interment. It was wrapped in linen and spices; - and, being laid upon a bier richly hung, was carried round the - churchyard in grand procession. The image of the Virgin Mary - was chief mourner, and John and Magdalen, with a whole troop - of friars bearing wax tapers, followed after. In about fifteen - minutes, the corpse was brought back, and deposited in an open - sepulchre. John and Magdalen attended the obsequies; but the - image of the Virgin Mary was placed upon the front of the stage, - in order to be kissed, adored, and worshipped by the people. - Thus ended this Good Friday’s tragic-comical, superstitious, - idolatrous farce. I cannot stay to see what they call their - _Hallelujah_ and grand devotions on Easter-day. That scene is - denied me. The wind is fair, and I must away.” - -Thus terminated Whitefield’s visit to the city of Lisbon, a city -containing 36,000 houses, 350,000 inhabitants, a cathedral, forty -parish churches, as many monasteries, and a royal palace; and yet -a city which, a year and a half afterwards, by an earthquake, which -shook almost the whole of Europe, was reduced to a heap of ruins, and -in which, in six minutes, not fewer than 60,000 persons met with an -untimely death. The terrific judgment was not unmerited. No act of -the Supreme Ruler is capricious. Some of the sights which Whitefield -witnessed were hateful, hideous caricatures of the greatest and most -solemn truths and facts ever made known to human beings. They were -theatrical idolatries, which no system, except Paganism and Popery, -would dare to practise. Popery in Lisbon was unchecked, and, -therefore, undisguised. In England and America, it chiefly existed in -lurking-places. The thing, as it really is, Whitefield had never seen -till he went to the Portuguese metropolis. Favourable circumstances -are always needful for its full development. The system is essentially -_semper idem_; and if the sights seen by Whitefield are not _at -present_ seen in England, the reason is, not because the Popish -hierarchy deem them wrong, but, because such profanities are -impracticable. - -Whitefield was about a month in Lisbon, without preaching a single -sermon. Why? To have attempted preaching would have ensured his -immediate expulsion or imprisonment. His heart yearned over the -deluded inhabitants, but he was powerless to afford them help. On -hearing of the just judgment of 1755, he wrote, “O that all who were -lately destroyed in Portugal had known the Divine Redeemer! Then the -earthquake would have been only a rumbling chariot to carry them to God. -Poor Lisbon! How soon are all thy riches and superstitious pageantry -swallowed up!” - -Whitefield, for once in his life, was gagged and silent; but his time -was not unprofitably spent. He was learning lessons which could not -be learned in England or America, and which, he hoped, would make him -a better man and a better preacher, to the end of life. He became a -stauncher Protestant, and felt more than ever how invaluable were the -privileges enjoyed by the inhabitants of Great Britain. “Every day,” -said he, “I have seen or heard something that has a tendency to make me -thankful for the glorious Reformation. O that our people were equally -reformed in their lives, as they are in their doctrines and manner of -worship! But alas! alas! O for another Luther! O for that wished-for -season, when everything that is antichristian shall be totally -destroyed by the breath of the Redeemer’s mouth, and the brightness of -His appearing!” “O with what a power from on high must those glorious -reformers have been endued, who dared first openly to oppose and -to stem such a torrent of superstition and spiritual tyranny! And -what gratitude we owe to those who, under God, were instrumental -in saving England from a return of such spiritual slavery, and such -blind obedience to the papal power! To have had a papist for our king; -a papist, if not born, yet, from his infancy, nursed up at Rome; a -papist, one of whose sons is advanced to the ecclesiastical dignity -of a cardinal, and both of whom are under the strongest obligations to -support the interests of that Church, whose superstitions and political -principles they have imbibed from their earliest days! Blessed be God, -the snare is broken, and we are delivered. O for Protestant practices -to be added to Protestant principles! O for an acknowledgment to the -ever-blessed God for our repeated deliverances!” “The present is a -silent, but, I hope, an instructive period of my life. Surely England, -and English privileges, civil and religious, will be dearer to me than -ever. The preachers here have also taught me something; their action -is graceful. _Vividi oculi――vividae manus,――omnia vivida._ Surely our -English preachers would do well to be a little more fervent in their -address. They have truth on their side. Why should superstition and -falsehood run away with all that is pathetic and affecting?” - -Whitefield set sail, for America, on Saturday, April 13th, and, after -a pleasant passage of six weeks’ duration, landed, in South Carolina, -on May 26th. With his “orphan-charge,” he, at once, proceeded to -Bethesda, in Georgia. After a short stay at his Orphanage, he returned -to Charleston, where, on July 12, he wrote, “The Bethesda family -now consists of above a hundred. He, who fed the multitude in the -wilderness, can and will feed the orphans in Georgia.” Eight days -afterwards, when “on board the _Deborah_” bound for New York, he -wrote:―― - - “I found and left my orphan family comfortably settled in - Georgia. The colony, as well as Bethesda, is now in a thriving - state. I have now a hundred and six black and white persons to - provide for. The God whom I desire to serve will enable me to - do it. I stayed about six weeks in Carolina and Georgia. My poor - labours have met with the usual acceptance; and I have reason to - hope a clergyman has been brought under very serious impressions. - My health has been wonderfully preserved. My wonted vomitings - have left me; and though I ride whole nights, and have been - frequently exposed to great thunders, violent lightnings, and - heavy rains, yet I am rather better than usual.” - -On July 26th, Whitefield landed at New York, where he continued about -a week. He wrote:―― - - “NEW YORK, _July 28, 1754_. - - “Here our Lord brought me two days ago; and, last night, I had - an opportunity of preaching on His dying, living, ascending, and - interceding love, to a large and attentive auditory. Next week, - I purpose going to Philadelphia, and then shall come here again, - in my way to Boston. Whether I shall then return to Bethesda, - or embark for England, is uncertain. I fear matters will not be - settled at the Orphan House, unless I go once more. I have put - some upon their trial, and shall want to see how they behave. - I owe for three of the negroes, who were lately bought, but hope - to be enabled to pay for them at my return from the north. My - God can and will supply all wants. His presence keeps me company, - I find it sweet to run about for Him. I find the door all along - the continent as open as ever, and the way seems clearing up - for the neighbouring islands. Had I a good private hand, I could - send you the account of my family; but perhaps I may deliver it - to you myself.” - -Further brief extracts from his letters will enable the reader to track -Whitefield in his wanderings. - - “New York, July 30. To-morrow, God willing, I preach at Newark; - on Wednesday, at New Brunswick; and hope to reach Trent Town - that night. Could you not meet me there? You must bring a chair: - I have no horse. O that the Lord Jesus may smile on my feeble - labours! I trust He has given us a blessing here. Yesterday, I - preached thrice: this morning I feel it. Welcome weariness for - Jesus!” - - “Philadelphia, August 7th. Yesterday, I was taken with a - violent cholera morbus, and hoped, ere now, to have been where - the inhabitants shall no more say, ‘I am sick.’ But I am brought - back again. May it be to bring more precious souls to the - ever-blessed Jesus! This is all my desire. My poor labours - seem to be crowned here, as well as at New York. I received - the sacrament at church on Sunday; and have preached in the - Academy; but I find Mr. Tennent’s meeting-house abundantly more - commodious.” - - “Philadelphia, August 15. My late sickness, though violent, has - not been unto death. With some difficulty, I can preach once a - day. Congregations increase rather than decrease. The time of my - departure is fixed for next Tuesday; and all the following days, - till Sunday, are to be employed between this and New Brunswick. - Whilst I live, Lord Jesus, grant I may not live in vain!” - - “Philadelphia, August 17. Were you on this side the water, - you would find work enough. There is a glorious range in the - American woods. It is pleasant hunting for sinners. Thousands - flock daily to hear the word preached.” - - “New York, September 2. Blessed be God, we have had good seasons - between Philadelphia and New York. In the New Jerusalem, yet - more glorious seasons await us. Some time this week, I expect to - sail for Rhode Island.” - -It is impossible to determine where the next three weeks were spent; -but, after that, his journeys may be traced. The first of the following -extracts is taken from a letter addressed to the Countess of Huntingdon. -Whitefield appears to have visited New Jersey for the purpose of being -present at the opening of a new session of Governor Belcher’s New -Jersey College, the president and trustees of which, with almost -unseemly haste, began to exercise the powers conferred upon them by the -royal charter obtained from George the Second only six years before. -They created Whitefield an M.A.!――a dubious honour, which the B.A. of -Pembroke College, Oxford, for ten or twelve years afterwards, had good -taste enough not to use.[356] - - “Elizabeth Town (New Jersey), September 30. I am now at Governor - Belcher’s, who sends your ladyship the most cordial respects. - His outward man decays, but his inward man seems to be renewed - day by day. I think he ripens for heaven apace. Last week was - the New Jersey commencement, at which the president and trustees - were pleased to present me with the degree of A.M. The synod - succeeded. Such a number of simple-hearted, united ministers, - I never saw before. I preached to them several times, and the - great Master of assemblies was in the midst of us. To-morrow, I - shall set out, with the worthy president,[357] for New England; - and expect to return back to the Orphan House through Virginia. - This will be about a two thousand mile circuit.” - -In another letter, written on the same day, Whitefield says:―― - - “Just two months ago, I arrived at New York, from South - Carolina; and, ever since, have been endeavouring to labour for - the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. Sinners have been awakened, - saints quickened, and enemies made to be at peace with me. In - general, I have been enabled to travel and preach twice a day. - Everywhere, the door has been opened wider than ever.” - -It has been already stated, that, about the year 1750, Georgia was -placed under a kind of civil government, in lieu of the military one, -which had been exercised from the time when the colony was founded; and -that James Habersham, Whitefield’s first manager at Bethesda, and now a -merchant at Savannah, was appointed provincial secretary. A change had -become imperative. There was a general discontent among the inhabitants. -They quarrelled with one another and with their magistrates. They -complained; they remonstrated; and, finding no satisfaction, many -of them removed to other colonies. Of the two thousand emigrants -who had come from Europe, not above six or seven hundred were left. -The mischief grew worse and worse every day; until, at length, the -Government revoked the grant to the trustees, took the province into -their own hands, and placed it on the same footing as Carolina.[358] -On August 6, 1754, his Majesty King George II., in council, appointed -John Reynolds, Esq., “to be Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of -Georgia;” and James Habersham, “to be Secretary and Registrar.”[359] -The following letter, addressed to Habersham, refers to these events:―― - - “BOSTON, _October 13, 1754_. - - “MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,――It has given me concern, that I have not - been able to write one letter to Georgia, since my arrival at - New York. Sickness, travelling, and preaching prevented me. - - “This letter leaves me at Boston, where, as well as in other - places, the word has run and been glorified. People are rather - more eager to hear than ever. After staying a short time here, - I purpose to go through Connecticut to New York, and thence, by - land, to Georgia. - - “Blessed be God, that a governor is at length nominated. I wish - you joy of your new honour. May the King of kings enable you - to discharge your trust, as becomes a good patriot, subject, - and Christian! I wish I knew when the governor intends being in - Georgia. I would willingly be there to pay my respects to him. - - “O my dear old friend, and first fellow-traveller, my heart is - engaged for your temporal and eternal welfare. You have now, - I think, a call to retire from business, and to give up your - time to the public. I have much to say when we meet. God deals - most bountifully with me. Enemies are made to be at peace, and - friends everywhere are hearty.” - -Glimpses will be obtained of Whitefield’s labours, at Boston and other -places, in the following extracts from his letters:―― - - “Boston, October 14. Surely my coming here was of God. At Rhode - Island, I preached five times. People convened immediately, and - flocked to hear more eagerly than ever. The same scene opens - at Boston. Thousands waited for, and thousands attended on, - the word preached. At the Old North (church), at seven in the - morning, we generally have three thousand hearers, and many - cannot come in. Convictions fasten; and many souls are comforted. - Dr. Sewall has engaged me once to preach his lecture. The polite - are taken, and opposition falls. I preach at the _Old_ and the - _New North_ (churches). Mr. Pemberton and Dr. Sewall continue to - pray for me. A governor for Georgia being nominated, determines - my way thither. The door opens wider and wider. Pray tell Mr. - H――――, that I left his horse a little lame, at Long Island, - with one who, in contempt, is called _Saint_ Dick. All hail such - reproach!” - - “Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 24. About a month ago, - I wrote you a few lines from New Jersey. Since then, I have - advanced about three hundred miles further northward. But what - have I seen? Dagon falling everywhere before the ark; enemies - silenced, or made to own the finger of God; and the friends of - Jesus triumphing in His glorious conquest. At Boston, though - the four meeting-houses, in which I preached, will hold about - four thousand, yet, at seven o’clock in the morning, many were - obliged to go away, and I was helped in through the window. In - the country, a like scene opens. I am enabled to preach always - twice, and sometimes thrice a day. Thousands flock to hear, - and Jesus manifests His glory. I am now come to the end of my - _northward_ line, and, in a day or two, purpose to turn back, - and to preach all the way to Georgia. It is about a sixteen - hundred miles journey. Jesus is able to carry me through. Into - His almighty and all-gracious hands I commend my spirit. Gladly - would I embark for England, but I should leave my American - business but half done, if I were to come over now.” - - “Portsmouth, October 25. At Salem, we were favoured with a sweet - Divine influence. Sunday (October 20) was a high day at Ipswich, - where I preached thrice. Hundreds were without the doors. On - Monday, at Newbury, the like scene opened twice. On Tuesday - morning, also, we had a blessed season. Too many came to meet - and bring me into Portsmouth, where I preached on Tuesday - evening; also twice the next day. Yesterday, I preached at York - and Kittery. In the evening, I waited on General Pepperell,[360] - who, with his lady, was very glad to see me. I am now going to - Greenland; and, to-morrow, shall preach at Exeter. The Sabbath - (October 27) is to be kept at Newbury. Monday, I am to preach - thrice,――at Rowley, Byfield, and Ipswich; Tuesday, at Cape Ann; - and Wednesday night, or Thursday morning, at Boston.” - - “Rhode Island, November 22. With great difficulty, I am got to - this place, where people are athirst to hear the word of God. - I shall, therefore, stay, God willing, till Monday, and then - set out to Connecticut, in my way to New York, which I hope to - reach in about a fortnight. O that you may see me humbled under - a sense of the amazing mercies which I have received during this - expedition! It seems to me to be the most important one I was - ever employed in. Very much have I to tell you when we meet.” - -The next is an extract from a letter addressed to the Rev. John Gillies, -of Glasgow:―― - - “RHODE ISLAND, _November 25_. - - “Is it true that your father-in-law and your dear yoke-fellow - are dead? I sympathise with you from my inmost soul. Surely - your time and mine will come ere long. Meanwhile, may I be - doing something for my God! I am now going towards Georgia, - from Boston, where my reception has been far superior to that - of fourteen years ago. There, and at other places in New England, - I have preached near a hundred times since the beginning of - October; and, thanks be to God! we scarce had so much as one dry - meeting. Not a hundredth part can be told you. In Philadelphia, - New Jersey, and New York, the great Redeemer caused His word - to run and be glorified. In Georgia, I expect to see our new - governor. Blessed be God! Bethesda is in growing circumstances; - and I trust it will more and more answer the end of its - institution. I was exceedingly delighted at New Jersey - commencement. Surely that college is of God. The worthy - president, Mr. Burr, intends to correspond with you. O that I - could do it oftener! but it is impracticable. Travelling, and - preaching, always twice and frequently thrice a day, engross - almost all my time. However, neither you nor any of my dear - Glasgow friends are forgotten by me. No, no; you are all - engraven upon my heart. O that God may give you hearts to - remember poor sinful and hell-deserving me! Fain would I - continue a pilgrim for life. - - ‘Christ’s presence doth my pains beguile, - And makes each wilderness to smile.’ - - “I have a fourteen hundred miles ride before me; but _nil - desperandum, Christo duce, auspice Christo_.” - -More than a month intervenes between the date of this letter to -Mr. Gillies, and the next preserved letter of Whitefield. The reader -must try to imagine the great preacher gradually pursuing his immense -horseback-ride, making the primeval forests ring with his songs of -praise, and preaching the gospel of his Master, twice or thrice every -day. His Christmas was spent in Maryland. Hence the following:―― - - “BOHEMIA, MARYLAND, _December 27_. - - “I have been travelling and preaching in the northern provinces - for nearly five months. I suppose I have ridden near two - thousand miles, and preached about two hundred and thirty times; - but to how many thousands of people cannot well be told. O what - days of the Son of man have I seen! God be merciful to me an - ungrateful sinner! - - “I am now forty years of age, and would gladly spend the day - in retirement and deep humiliation before that Jesus, for whom - I have done so little, though He has done and suffered so much - for me. - - “About February, I hope to reach Georgia; and, at spring, to - embark for England. There, dear madam, I expect to see you once - more in this land of the dying. If not, ere long, I shall meet - you in the land of the living, and thank you, before men and - angels, for all favours conferred on me. To-morrow, God willing, - I move again. Before long, my last remove will come; a remove - into endless bliss.” - -Thus rejoicing in the hope of a blissful immortality did Whitefield -enter upon the year 1755. Early in the month of January, he made his -way to Virginia, a province which he had visited in 1746. For nearly -eight years, the Rev. Samuel Davies had been labouring here with -self-consuming earnestness. His eloquent, faithful, and powerful -preaching had been bitterly opposed; but it had been attended with -great success. His home was at Hanover, about twelve miles from -Richmond; and, as early as 1748, he had collected seven congregations, -which assembled in seven meeting-houses duly licensed, some of them, -however, being forty miles distant from each other. In three years, he -had obtained three hundred communicants, and had baptized forty slaves. -He had had a long controversy with the Episcopalians, who denied that -the English Act of Toleration extended to Virginia; and, with great -learning and eloquence, he had contended the point in the Virginian -court, with the famous Peyton Randolph, first President of the American -Congress. During his visit to England, in 1754, he had obtained, from -the English Attorney-General, a declaration that the Toleration Act -did extend to Virginia, which, of course, gave him greater confidence -in the legality of his proceedings. Besides this, in 1751, a new -governor of the province had been appointed, whom Whitefield and his -friends expected to be more favourable to evangelistic efforts than -his predecessor had been. Robert Dinwiddie was brother-in-law of -Whitefield’s old friend, the Rev. Mr. McCulloch, of Cambuslang. He -had been clerk to a collector of customs, in the West Indies, whose -enormous frauds he detected, and exposed to the Government; and, for -this disclosure, was rewarded by the appointment to Virginia. In a -letter to Mr. McCulloch, dated “July 19, 1751,” Whitefield wrote:―― - - “Mr. Davies’s one congregation is multiplied to seven. - He desires liberty to license more houses, and to preach - occasionally to all, as there is no minister but himself. This, - though allowed in England, is denied in Virginia, which grieves - the people very much. The commissary is one of the council, and, - with the rest of his brethren, no friend to the Dissenters. The - late governor was like-minded. I, therefore, think Mr. Dinwiddie - is raised up to succeed him, in order to befriend the Church of - God, and the interest of Christ’s people. They desire no other - privileges than what dissenting Protestants enjoy in our native - country. This, I am persuaded, your brother-in-law will be glad - to secure to them.”[361] - -Under these altered circumstances, Whitefield met with a most -favourable reception. Hence the following extracts from his letters. -The first is taken from a letter to Charles Wesley:―― - - “January 14, 1755. I suppose my circuit already has been two - thousand miles; and, before I reach Bethesda, a journey of six - hundred more lies before me. Scenes of wonder have opened all - the way. A thousandth part cannot be told. In Virginia, the - prospect is very promising. I have preached in two churches, and, - this morning, am to preach in a third. Rich and poor seem quite - ready to hear. Many have been truly awakened.”[362] - - “Virginia, January 13. I have not been here a week, and have - had the comfort of seeing many impressed under the word every - day. Two churches have been opened, and a third (Richmond) I am - to preach in to-morrow. I find prejudices subside, and some of - the rich and great begin to think favourably of the work of God. - Several of the lower class have been with me, acknowledging what - the Lord did for them when I was here before.” - - “Virginia, January 17. I am now on the borders of North Carolina, - and, after preaching to-morrow in a neighbouring church, I - purpose to take my leave of Virginia. Had I not been detained so - long northward, what a wide and effectual door might have been - opened. Here, as well as elsewhere, rich and poor flock to hear - the everlasting gospel. Many have come forty or fifty miles; and - a spirit of conviction and consolation seemed to go through all - the assemblies. Colonel R――――, a person of distinction, opened - one church for me, invited me to his house, and introduced - me himself to the reading desk. Blessed be God, I see a vast - alteration for the better. O for more time, and for more souls - and bodies! Lord Jesus, twenty times ten thousand are too few - for Thee!” - -Of Whitefield’s ride from Virginia to Georgia, no record now exists; -neither is there any information respecting his work at Bethesda. As -usual, his sojourn at the Orphan House was brief; for, on February -26th, he had returned to Charleston, whence, towards the end of March, -he embarked for England. The following are extracts from two letters -addressed to his housekeeper at Bethesda:―― - - “Charleston, March 3, 1755. Through Divine goodness, we arrived - here last Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, Mr. E―――― was - solemnly ordained. The trials I have met with have brought - my old vomitings upon me. My soul has been pierced with many - sorrows. But, I believe, all is intended for my good. Amidst all, - I am comforted at the present situation of Bethesda. I hope you - will walk in love, and that the children will grow in years and - grace. I pray for you all, night and day.” - - “Charleston, March 17, 1755. Had I wings like a dove, how - often would I have fled to Bethesda, since my departure from - it! I could almost say, that the last few hours I was there were - superior in satisfaction to any hours I ever enjoyed. But I must - go about my heavenly Father’s business. For this, I am a poor, - but willing pilgrim, and give up all that is near and dear - to me on this side of eternity. This week, I expect to embark - in the _Friendship_, Captain Ball; but am glad of the letters - from Bethesda before I start. They made ♦me weep, and caused - me to throw myself prostrate before the prayer-hearing and - promise-keeping God. He will give strength, He will give power. - Fear not. You are now, I believe, where the Lord would have you - be, and all will be well. I repose the utmost confidence in you, - and believe I shall not be disappointed of my hope. I should - have been glad if the apples had been sent in the boat; they - would have been useful in the voyage. But Jesus can stay me - with better apples. May you and all my dear family have plenty - of these! I imagine it will not be long before I return from - England.” - -Whitefield set sail about March 27th; and, after a six weeks’ voyage, -landed at Newhaven, on the 8th of May. More than eight years elapsed -before his next visit to America. - - - - - _EIGHT YEARS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM._ - - 1755 TO 1763. - - -WHITEFIELD and the Wesleys were now not the only evangelical clergymen -in London. Not to mention others, there was the Rev. Thomas Jones, -of St. Saviour’s, Southwark,――a young man of feeble health, but whose -preaching was characterised by great eloquence and power. There was -the Rev. Martin Madan, founder and first chaplain of the Lock Hospital, -near Hyde Park Corner. And there was the Rev. William Romaine, who -had been at Oxford at the same time Whitefield and the Wesleys were, -but without becoming an Oxford Methodist,――one of the most popular -preachers in the metropolis, and now curate of St. Olave’s, Southwark. -The ministry of such men occasioned Whitefield unmingled joy. One of -his first letters, after his arrival in England, was addressed to the -Countess of Huntingdon, in which, with a full heart, he wrote: “Glad -am I to hear that so many have lately been stirred up to preach the -crucified Saviour. Surely that Scripture must be fulfilled, ‘And many -of the priests also were obedient to the word.’ The work is of God, and -therefore must prosper.” - -In a letter to Governor Belcher, on the same subject, he remarked:―― - - “London, May 14, 1755. The word has still free course in this - metropolis. The poor, despised Methodists are as lively as - ever; and, in several churches, the gospel is now preached with - power. Many in Oxford are awakened to a knowledge of the truth; - and, almost every week, I have heard of some fresh minister, - who seems determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him - crucified.” - -This was a most important movement,――the commencement of that great -change which gradually came over the Church of England, until hundreds -of its pulpits were filled with converted men, weekly preaching the -doctrines which Whitefield and the Wesleys preached. For sixteen years, -the three Methodist itinerants had been scattering seed, which, in many -thousands of instances, had sprung up, and was bearing fruit; but now a -new fact occurred,――the seed-sowers were being multiplied. In a letter -to a lady, in 1752, stating the case of a poor divinity student, who -needed help, Whitefield wrote: “Every student’s name is Legion. Helping -one of these, is helping thousands.” No wonder that he now exulted in -the increase of gospel ministers. - -During his recent visit to America, the Rev. Aaron Burr and the -trustees of New Jersey College conferred on Whitefield an M.A. degree. -Within a week after his return to England, Whitefield commenced an -endeavour to return the compliment. He had formed a high opinion of -Mr. Burr, and wished him to be honoured; but, apart from this, he -doubtless thought that the college would be helped if its president -were made a doctor of divinity. The Marquis of Lothian had been a -generous benefactor of the college, and, through him, Whitefield hoped -to procure the coveted distinction. In a letter to the Marquis, he -spoke of the college as “the purest seminary” he had known, and added, -“If the degree of doctor of divinity could be procured for Mr. Burr, -the present president, it would make an addition to its honours.” The -Marquis replied, “The University of Edinburgh desire me to obtain some -account of Mr. Burr’s literature, or performances. This I hope you -will send; and a diploma will be immediately transmitted.” Whitefield’s -answer, which deserves insertion, was as follows:―― - - “Mr. Burr was educated at Yale College, in Connecticut, New - England; and, for his pregnant abilities and well-approved piety, - was unanimously chosen to succeed the Rev. Mr. Dickinson,[363] - in the care of New Jersey College. It would have delighted - your lordship to have seen how gloriously he filled the chair - last year, at the New Jersey commencement. His Latin oration - was beautifully elegant, and was delivered with unaffected, - yet striking energy and pathos. As a preacher, disputant, - and head of a college, he shines in North America; and the - present prosperity of New Jersey College is greatly owing to - his learning, piety, and conduct. The students revere and love - him. Your lordship might have testimonials enough from good - Governor Belcher, Mr. Jonathan Edwards,[364] _cum multis aliis_. - I believe they would all concur in saying that, of his age, now - upwards of forty, there is not a more accomplished deserving - president in the world. As for anything of his in print, that - can be referred to, I can say nothing, except a little pamphlet - lately published,[365] in which he has animated the people - against the common enemy, and discovered a close attachment - to the interest of our rightful sovereign, King George. - This piece of Mr. Burr’s I have in London, and hope it is in - Scotland. I wish the diploma may be transmitted against the next - commencement. It will endear your lordship more and more to the - good people of America.”[366] - -To say the least, there was a great amount of large-heartedness in this -attempt to distinguish the college of a church with which Whitefield -was not officially connected. - -After his arrival in England, Whitefield spent about six weeks in -London, where his preaching was as popular as ever. Writing to the -Countess of Huntingdon, on May 27th, he said:―― - - “What a blessed week have we had! Sinners have come like a cloud, - and fled like doves to the windows. What a happiness is it to be - absorbed and swallowed up in God! To have no schemes, no views, - but to promote the common salvation! This be my happy lot!” - -In another letter, dated “London, June 7th,” he wrote:―― - - “It will rejoice you to hear that the glorious gospel of - Jesus Christ gets ground apace. Several of the clergy, both in - town and country, have been lately stirred up to preach Christ - crucified, in the demonstration of the Spirit, and with power. - This excites the enmity of the old Serpent. The greatest - venom is spit against Mr. Romaine, who, having been reputed a - great scholar, is now looked upon and treated as a great fool, - because he himself is made wise unto salvation, and is earnestly - desirous that others should be. Methinks I hear you say, ‘O - happy folly!’ May this blessed leaven diffuse itself through the - whole nation! The prospect is promising. Many students at Oxford - are earnestly learning Christ. Dear Mr. Hervey has learnt and - preached Him some years. As for myself, I can only say, ‘Less - than the least of all,’ must be my motto still. I labour but - feebly, and yet Jesus owns my labours. People still flock to the - gospel, like doves to the windows. Will you be pleased to accept - of my _Lisbon_ letters?[367] My little Communion book is not - yet out. God be praised! there is a time coming when we shall - need books and ordinances no more, but shall be admitted into - uninterrupted communion and fellowship with the blessed Trinity - for ever.” - -The “little Communion book” here mentioned was a 12mo. volume, of 140 -pages, with the following title: “A Communion Morning’s Companion. By -George Whitefield, A.B., late of Pembroke College, Oxford, and Chaplain -to the Right Honourable the Countess of Huntingdon. London, 1755.” The -book consists of: 1. Meditations on the five last Questions and Answers -of the Catechism of the Church of England. Extracted from Bishop Ken. -2. The Order for Administration of the Lord’s Supper. After the pattern -of Bishop Wilson. 3. Fifty-nine Sacramental Hymns, and seventeen -Doxologies, extracted from several authors. Except a few written by -the Wesleys, most of the hymns are pious doggerel. The extracts from -Ken and Wilson are intensely religious, and, to a devout mind, must be -useful. The book had an extensive sale. As early as 1758, it had passed -through a third edition; The following is taken from Whitefield’s -preface:―― - - “There is but little in this ‘Communion Morning’s Companion’ - of my own; and, as it is intended purely for the assistance of - the professed members of the Church of England, I thought it - most advisable to extract the meditations and practical remarks - on the public form of administration from our own bishops. I - particularly fixed on Bishop Ken, not only because his sweet - meditations on the Redeemer’s passion were some of the first - things that made a religious impression on my own soul, but - because he was one of those seven bishops who were sent to - the Tower for making a noble stand against popish tyranny and - arbitrary power in the latter end of the reign of King James - the Second. Imagining that the words ‘_real presence_,’ though - evidently meant by the good bishop only of the Redeemer’s - _spiritual presence_ (which is all the presence I know of), - might stumble some, I erased them, and also made a few - alterations in some other passages, which, by some, might be - judged objectionable. - - “As for those who are against any offices or set forms at - all, I shall only say, ‘Let not him who useth a form judge - him who useth it not; and let not him who useth it not despise - him who doth use it.’ Though I profess myself a minister of - the Established Church, and never yet renounced her articles, - homilies, or liturgy, I can and, if God’s providence direct my - course thither again, shall join in occasional communion with - the churches of New England and Scotland, being persuaded there - are as many faithful ministers among them as in any parts of the - known world.” - -About the middle of the month of June, Whitefield set out on a three -weeks’ tour to Gloucester, Bristol, and the west of England. “Thousands -and thousands,” says he, “flocked in Gloucestershire; and here, in -Bristol, the congregations fall little short of those in London.” At -Bath, he preached several times in the house of Lady Gertrude Hotham; -Lord Chesterfield, Mrs. Grinfield, Mrs. Bevan,[368] and other members -of the aristocracy being among his hearers. - -On the 1st of July, Lady Anne Hastings, after a short illness, was -removed to her eternal rest, in the sixty-fifth year of her age.[369] -Whitefield heard of this event at Bristol, and, on his return to London, -wrote as follows to the Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “LONDON, _July 11, 1755_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――Yesterday, about noon, after being worn - down with travelling, and preaching twice and thrice a day in - Gloucestershire, at Bath, and Bristol, a gracious Providence - brought me to town. At Bristol, I heard of the death of good - Lady Anne. Alas! how many has your ladyship lived to see go - before you! An earnest this, I hope, that you are to live to a - good old age, and be more and more a mother in Israel. A short, - but sweet character. God knows how long I am to drag this crazy - load, my body, along. Blessed be His holy name! I have not - one attachment to earth. I am sick of myself, sick of the - world, sick of the Church, and am panting daily after the full - enjoyment of my God. John Cennick is now added to the happy - number of those who are called to see Him as He is.[370] I do - not envy, but I want to follow after him. - - “The fields at Bristol and Kingswood were whiter and more ready - to harvest than for many years past. If the new Tabernacle at - Bristol were as large as that in London, it would be filled. - Thrice last Sunday, and twice the Sunday before, I preached in - the fields to many, many thousands. At Bath, we had good seasons. - Good Lady Gertrude, Mrs. Bevan, and Mrs. Grinfield, were very - hearty. God was with us of a truth. O for an humble, thankful - heart! I am now looking up for direction what course to steer - next. I suppose it will be northward.” - -Whitefield spent about another month in London. It was at this period -that Cornelius Winter, then a boy in the thirteenth year of his age, -was induced to hear Whitefield preach. Cornelius was an orphan, whose -father had been a shoemaker, and his mother a laundress. At the age of -eight, he was admitted into the Charity School of St. Andrew’s, Holborn. -He then became the inmate of a workhouse. When his “schooling closed,” -he “had merely learned to write, without being set to put three figures -together, or to learn one line in any of the tables.” The half-hungered -child next became errand boy, and a sort of general drudge in the -kitchen and the workshop of a distant relative, Mr. Winter, watergilder, -in Bunhill Row. His master was bad-tempered, and a drunkard, and often -beat young Cornelius so unmercifully that the lad sometimes wished -to die. The boy regularly attended the Church of St. Luke, in Old -Street, but says, he had “strong prejudices against the Methodists and -Dissenters.” “However,” he writes, “when my clothes were disgracefully -bad, which was sometimes the case, I absconded from my own church, -and occasionally wandered into a meeting-house. At last, I got to -hear Mr. Whitefield, and was particularly struck with the largeness -of the congregation, the solemnity that sat upon it, the melody of the -singing, and Mr. Whitefield’s striking appearance, and his earnestness -in preaching. From this time, I embraced all opportunities to hear -him.”[371] - -Whitefield remained in London till the commencement of the month -of August, when, unexpectedly, he was requested, by Colonel and Mrs. -Galatin, and the Countess of Huntingdon, to go to Norwich, and re-open -the Tabernacle built for Wheatley, Wesley’s expelled itinerant preacher. -Wesley already had a mongrel Society in Norwich, and disapproved of -Whitefield’s preaching in an apparently opposition chapel.[372] He -complained to Whitefield, who replied as follows:―― - - “NORWICH, _August 9, 1755_. - - “REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,――Till Tuesday evening” (August 5th) - “I knew no more of coming to Norwich than a child unborn. Had - I been well enough, and my private business permitted, I should - have been some miles on my way towards Donington Park. This I - told Mr. Hartley, and acquainted him with every step. He should - have written himself, and not retailed our conversation. As - I expect to be in town some time next week, I choose to defer - writing more till we have a personal interview. My time is too - precious to be employed in hearkening to, or vindicating myself - against, the false and invidious insinuations of narrow and - low-life informers. Never was I more satisfied of my call to - any place than of my present call to Norwich. The Redeemer - knows the way that I take. I came hither purely for His glory, - without the least design to make a party for myself, or to - please or displease any other party whatsoever. In this way, and - in this spirit, through His divine assistance, I hope to go on. - Blessed be His name! I trust my feeble labours have not been in - vain. Sin, I hope, has been prevented, errors detected, sinners - convicted, saints edified, and my own soul sweetly refreshed. - But I must add no more. That Jesus may give us all a right - judgment in all things, and keep all parties from giving a - wrong touch to the ark, is and shall be the constant prayer of, - reverend and dear sir, yours most affectionately in our common - Lord, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -The Society at Norwich were the most refractory set of Methodists in -the United Kingdom. It would be a bootless task to write their history. -Suffice it to say, that Whitefield was satisfied with his visit. -“Here,” says he, “there has undoubtedly been a glorious work of God. -Twice a day, both gentle and simple flock to hear the word; and, I -think, it comes with power.”[373] “Notwithstanding offences have come, -I scarce ever preached a week together with greater freedom.”[374] -After he left, the Rev. William Cudworth took his place, and, -henceforth, became Wesley’s enemy, and the dangerous friend of the -gentle Hervey. Cudworth was assisted by Wheatley and Robert Robinson, -the latter a youth of twenty, but afterwards the famous Baptist -minister at Cambridge. They established preaching stations in the -surrounding villages; and, at Forncett, about twelve miles from Norwich, -a Tabernacle was erected. About five years after this, from 1758 to -1763, the Norwich Tabernacle seems to have been occupied by Wesley and -the preachers in connection with him. He then abandoned it, utterly -despairing to keep in order James Wheatley’s “lambs.” Indeed, he -designates them “_bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke_, who had never had -any rule or order among them, but every man did what was right in his -own eyes.” Lady Huntingdon next bought the Tabernacle for £900, and -vested it in seven trustees, who were to manage its secular concerns, -and appoint or dismiss its ministers at their pleasure.[375] - -Notwithstanding the foregoing letter addressed to Wesley, there -continued to be misgiving. It also seems that, at first, Cudworth and -Wheatley found it difficult to co-operate. When Whitefield got back to -London, he wrote, as follows, to the turbulent Norwich Methodists:―― - - “LONDON, _August 26, 1755_. - - “MY DEAR FRIENDS,――I received your kind letters, and likewise - one from Mr. Wheatley; and, last night, a long one from Mr. - Cudworth; but, alas! I have no time for controversy. To their - own Master they must both either stand or fall. All I can say, - in your present circumstances, is, that you had best make a - trial, and let matters, for a while, stand as they are. I have - sent letters, if possible, to prevent the spreading, at least - the _publishing_, of any further tales. Meanwhile, do you - strengthen yourselves in the Lord your God. The cause is His. I - believe you honestly embarked in it, for His great name’s sake, - and He will help you out of all. To-morrow, I must away to the - north. Follow me with your prayers; and assure yourselves that - you and yours, and the dear people of Norwich, will not be - forgotten by me. If ever the Redeemer should bring me thither - again, I can then converse with Mr. Wheatley and Mr. Cudworth - face to face; but I beg to be excused from writing, when I think, - by so doing, I can do no service. The Lord clothe us all with - humility, and give us all true simplicity and godly sincerity!” - -On August 27, Whitefield left London for the north of England. On his -way, he spent two or three days with his friend Hervey, at the rectory -of Weston-Favell. Hervey had just published, in three octavo volumes, -his “Theron and Aspasio,” part of which work had been submitted -to Wesley in manuscript, for his revision. Wesley and Hervey had -already become alienated, for Wesley had made more corrections in -the manuscript than Hervey liked. At all events, on January 9, 1755, -Hervey wrote to Lady Frances Shirley: “Mr. John Wesley takes me roundly -to task on the score of predestination; at which I am much surprised, -because this doctrine (be it true or false) makes no part of my scheme. -I cannot but fear he has some sinister design. I do not charge such -an artifice, but sometimes I cannot help forming a suspicion.”[376] -In the interval, Wesley had written to Hervey a long letter, freely -animadverting on “Theron and Aspasio,” and begging him to lay aside -the phrase, “the imputed righteousness of Christ,” adding, “It is not -scriptural, it is not necessary, it has done immense hurt.” Hervey, for -once in his lovely life, neglected to exercise his natural gentleness. -Wesley’s letter offended him, and he declined to acknowledge it; but, -whilst Whitefield was his guest, he wrote to his Baptist friend, the -Rev. John Ryland: “I find, by private intelligence, that Mr. Wesley has -shewn his letter in London, and has thought proper to animadvert upon -me, by name, from his pulpit.” - -There can be little doubt that Whitefield was Hervey’s informant. -Affairs among these old Oxford Methodists were in a ticklish state. It -is a mournful fact, that, chiefly through the machinations of William -Cudworth, the friendship between Hervey and Wesley was not renewed; -but it was otherwise with the large-hearted Whitefield. In his Journal, -under the date, November 5th, 1755, Wesley wrote: “Mr. Whitefield -called upon me; disputings are now no more; we love one another, -and join hand in hand to promote the cause of our common Master.” -Charles Wesley, also, wrote to his old friend a poetical epistle,[377] -breathing with Christian love, from which the following lines are -taken:―― - - “Come on, my Whitefield! (since the strife is past, - And friends at first are friends again at last,) - Our hands, and hearts, and counsels let us join - In mutual league, t’ advance the work divine; - Our one contention now, our single aim, - To pluck poor souls as brands out of the flame; - To spread the victory of that bloody cross, - And gasp our latest breath in the Redeemer’s cause. - - * * * * * - - “In a strange land I stood, - And beckon’d thee to cross th’ Atlantic flood: - With true affection wing’d, thy ready mind - Left country, fame, and ease, and friends behind, - And, eager all heaven’s counsels to explore, - Flew through the watery world and grasp’d the shore. - Nor did I linger, at my friend’s desire, - To tempt the furnace, and abide the fire: - When suddenly sent forth, from the highways - I call’d poor outcasts to the feast of grace; - Urg’d to pursue the work, by thee begun, - Through good and ill report, I still rush’d on, - Nor felt the fire of popular applause, - Nor fear’d the torturing flame in such a glorious cause. - - * * * * * - - “One in His hand, O may we still remain, - Fast bound with love’s indissoluble chain; - (That adamant which time and death defies, - That golden chain which draws us to the skies!) - His love the tie that binds us to His throne, - His love the bond that perfects us in one; - His love, (let all the ground of friendship see,) - His only love constrains our hearts t’ agree, - And gives the rivet of eternity!” - -Just at the time when Whitefield left America, the ministers of -George the Second announced to Parliament that a war with France was -inevitable. The Committee of Supply eagerly voted a million of money -for the defence of their American possessions; and Admiral Boscawen -was sent with a fleet towards the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to intercept -a French fleet which had been prepared in the forts of Rochefort and -Brest, and which was carrying reinforcements to the French Canadians. -America was now in martial confusion. Among others, Whitefield’s old -friend Sir William Pepperell had gone to the field of action; and -Whitefield, while a guest at Hervey’s, wrote to Lady Pepperell and -her daughter, to cheer them in the colonel’s absence, as follows:―― - - “WESTON-FAVELL, _August 30, 1755_. - - “DEAR MISS,――A few days past, as I was going into the Tabernacle - to read letters, yours came to hand. Immediately, I read it - among the rest, and you and my other New England friends had - the prayers of thousands. How did I wish to be transported to - America! How did I long to stir up all against the common enemy, - and to be made instrumental of doing my dear country some little - service! Dear New England,――dear Boston lies upon my heart! - Surely the Lord will not give it over into the hands of the - enemy. He has too many praying ministers and praying people - there, for such a dreadful catastrophe.” - - “WESTON-FAVELL, _August 30, 1755_. - - “DEAR MADAM,――I find you are once more called to give up your - honoured husband for his country’s good. The God whom you serve - will richly reward you for such a sacrifice, and be better to - you than seven husbands. I long to hear that he is returned - victorious. He is gone upon a good cause, and under the conduct - of the best general, even the Captain of our salvation. To Him - I am praying, night and day, for the temporal and spiritual - welfare of dear, never-to-be-forgotten New England. Courage, - dear madam, courage! A few more partings, a few more changes, - a few more heart-breakings, heart-purifying trials, and we shall - be safely landed.” - -Such were Whitefield’s feelings at the commencement of the Seven Years’ -War, which was ended by the Peace of Paris, February 10, 1763. The -terrific strife kept Whitefield from his beloved America for the space -of eight long years, and, during this lengthened period, many and great -were his anxieties concerning his Orphan House, and his transatlantic -friends; but more of this anon. An extract from another letter, written -at Hervey’s, and addressed to a rich, but miserly American, is too -characteristic to be omitted. - - “WESTON-FAVELL, _August 30, 1755_. - - “Your friends everywhere take notice, that the sin which doth - most easily beset you is a too great love of money; and this, - in many cases, makes you act an unfriendly part. If God should - suffer our enemies to prevail, you will wish you had laid up - more treasure in heaven. Blessed be God, mine is out of the - reach of men or devils. Strange that five per cent. from man - should be preferred to a hundredfold from Christ! A word to the - wise is sufficient. I am looking out for more news from dear - America. May the late defeat be sanctified! Adieu, my dear Mr. - V――――! _Non magna loquimur, non magna scribimus, sed vivimus_, - is the Christian’s motto. Mr. D―――― can _English_ it.” - -On Sunday, August 31st, Whitefield preached twice, not in his -friend Hervey’s church, but at Northampton. He then proceeded to -Lady Huntingdon’s, at Donington Park. At Liverpool, on September 12th, -“some fallow ground was broken up;” at Bolton, “the cup of many ran -over;” at Manchester, “people heard most gladly;” at Leeds and Bradford, -“what many felt was unutterable;” and at York, “a smart gentleman -was touched.” On reaching Newcastle-on-Tyne, Whitefield wrote to the -Countess of Huntingdon, as follows:―― - - “NEWCASTLE, _September 24, 1755_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――I know not how long it is since I left - your ladyship; but this I know, a sense of the satisfaction - I felt when at Donington still lies upon my heart. Were I - not called to public work, waiting upon, and administering to - your ladyship in holy offices would be my choice and highest - privilege. - - “The only new ground that has been broken up is Liverpool. There - the prospect is promising. I preached in a great square on the - Lord’s-day, and the alarm, I hear, went through the town. At - Bolton, the cup of God’s people ran over; and at Manchester we - had large auditories and blessed seasons. At Leeds, we felt what - is unutterable; and at Bradford, last Sunday, the congregation - consisted of at least ten thousand.[378] But, oh, how has my - pleasure been alloyed at Leeds! I rejoiced there with trembling; - for, unknown to me, they had almost finished a large house, - in order to form a separate congregation.[379] If this scheme - succeeds, an awful separation, I fear, will take place amongst - the Societies.[380] I have written to Mr. Wesley, and have done - all I could to prevent it. O this self-love, this self-will! It - is the devil of devils! - - “I write this from Newcastle, where the people, twice a day, - hear the gospel gladly. What to do now, I know not. Calls on all - sides are very loud, and it is too late to go either to Ireland - or Scotland. O my God! winter is at hand, and, in the summer, - how little has been done for Thee! I cannot bear to live at this - poor dying rate.” - -Whitefield spent ten or a dozen days in the neighbourhood of Newcastle, -and then set out for London, where he arrived on October 30th. The -following are extracts from his letters:―― - - “LONDON, _October 31, 1755_. - - “Last night, a never-failing God brought me from the north of - England, where I have been enabled to preach twice and thrice - a day to many, many thousands, for two months past. And yet - I cannot die. Nay, they tell me I grow fat. Never did I see - the word more blessed, or so many thousands run after it with - greater greediness. Next to inviting them to Christ, I have - always taken care to exhort them to pray for King George, and - our dear friends in America.” - - “LONDON, _November 1, 1755_. - - “On Thursday evening, I came to town, after having preached - about a hundred times, and travelled about eight hundred miles. - For more than ten days together, I preached thrice a day. O that - I could preach three hundred times! All would be infinitely too - little to testify my love to Jesus. After about a week’s stay - here, I hope to move westward. O winter! winter! Haste and fly, - that I may again set out! Yesterday, I waited upon the Countess - Delitz, and, on Thursday, I am to dine with her ladyship.” - - “LONDON, _November 8, 1755_. - - “I hear you have been sitting night and day in council. - All we can do on this side the water is to pray. This, I - trust, thousands are doing every day. I seldom preach without - mentioning dear New England. Blessed be God! the prospect is - promising here. In the north of England, the word runs and is - glorified more than ever. In London, people flock like doves to - the windows.” - -To Lady Huntingdon, who had gone to Clifton Hotwells, Bristol, -Whitefield wrote:―― - - “LONDON, _November 10, 1755_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――Your ladyship’s kind and condescending - letter found me just returned from Chatham. The court, in the - best sense of the word, is now removed to Clifton. For there - only is the real court kept, where Jesus reigns, and where He - has erected a spiritual kingdom in the heart. All besides this - is only tinsel and glitter. Here alone is real and abiding - happiness to be found. O for further searches into the heights - and depths of God! O for further leadings into the chambers of - that selfish, sensual, and devilish imagery, that yet lie latent - in my partly renewed heart! This self-love, what a _Proteus_! - This self-will, what a _Hydra_! This remaining body of sin and - death, what an _Antichrist_! what a scarlet whore! what a hell! - what a red dragon! what a cursed monster is it! How hard, how - slow, he dies! O what gratitude do I owe to the Bruiser of this - serpent’s head! O for a heart gladly to embrace every cross, - every trying dispensation, that may have a tendency to poison, - or starve the old man, and cherish, promote, or cause to bloom - and blossom the graces and tempers of the new! Ordinances, - providences, doctrines are of no service to believers, except - as they are attended with this mortifying and life-giving power. - Happy family, who have this one thing in view! Happy retirement, - that is improved to this blessed purpose! Happy, therefore, good - Lady Huntingdon, and the other elect ladies, who are determined - thus to go hand in hand to heaven! All hail, ye new-born, - heaven-born souls! Ye know, by happy experience, that Jesus is - an inward as well as outward Saviour. Were even annihilation - to follow death, who would not but have this redemption whilst - they live? But glory, glory be to God! it is only the dawning - of an eternal day, the beginning of a life that is ere long - to be absorbed in never-ceasing, uninterrupted fruition of the - ever-blessed Triune Deity. O the depth, the height of this love - of God! It passeth human and angelic knowledge. My paper only - permits me to add, that I am, ever-honoured madam, - - “Your ladyship’s most dutiful and ready servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Soon after this, Whitefield joined her ladyship at Bristol, where he -spent about a month, but, to a great extent, was prevented preaching. -Hence the following:―― - - “BRISTOL, _November 30_. - - “For near ten days past, I have preached in pain, occasioned by - a sore throat, which I find now is the beginning of a quinsy. - The doctor tells me silence and warmth may cure me; but (if I - had my will) heaven is my choice, especially if I can speak no - longer for my God on earth. However, painful as the medicine of - silence is, I have promised to be very obedient, and, therefore, - I have not preached this morning.” - -Whitefield returned to London towards the end of December, and closed -the year by writing to the Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “LONDON, _December 31, 1755_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――Your ladyship’s kind and condescending - letter should not have been so long unanswered, had not bodily - weakness, and my Christmas labours, prevented my writing. It has - been a joyful-mourning season. Saturday last being my birthday, - my soul was deeply exercised, from morning till evening, in - thinking how much, in one-and-forty years, I had sinned against - God, and how little I have done for Him. This impression yet - lies deep upon my heart, and, therefore, I purpose to end the - old year by preaching on these words, ‘I abhor myself, and - repent in dust and ashes.’ O that all things belonging to the - old man may die in me, and all things belonging to the new man - may live and grow in me! But, alas! this is a work of time. - Every day and every hour must we be passing from death to life. - Mortification and vivification make up the whole of the Divine - work in the new-born soul. - - “But shall I conceal the goodness of my long-suffering Master? - No, I dare not; for, in spite of my unworthiness, He still - continues to smile upon my poor ministrations. A noble chapel is - now opened in Long Acre, where I am to read prayers and preach - twice a week. Hundreds went away last night, who could not come - in; but those who could, I trust, met with Jesus.” - -Long Acre has just been mentioned,――Long Acre, with the London theatres -on the left, and Wesley’s West Street chapel on the right,――then a -fashionable street; now, to a great extent, consisting of workshops -for making and exhibiting all kinds of carriages. In the theatres, John -Rich, the harlequin, with a kind of dumb eloquence, was electrifying -his audiences by the mere gesticulations of his body. Catherine -Clive was cleverly acting the characters of chambermaids, fashionable -ladies, country girls, romps, hoydens, dowdies, superannuated beauties, -viragoes, and humorists. David Garrick, who once said “I would give a -hundred guineas if I could only say ‘Oh!’ like Mr. Whitefield,” was the -celebrated manager of the theatre in Drury Lane. Margaret Woffington -was an admired favourite at Covent Garden. And Samuel Foote was at the -height of his popularity. - -The chapel in Long Acre[381] was rented by the Rev. John Barnard, one -of Whitefield’s early converts, who was now an Independent minister, -but afterwards became a Sandemanian, and was ultimately expelled by -that Society for entertaining too exalted notions of his preaching -powers.[382] - -The Dean of Westminster, who, in some capacity, claimed some sort of -clerical jurisdiction in Long Acre, was Zachary Pearce, D.D., the son -of a distiller in Holborn; from 1748 to 1756, was Bishop of Bangor; -and, afterwards, Bishop of Rochester;――an accomplished scholar, a -perspicuous writer, a feeble orator, an active prelate, and a hearty -hater of the Methodists. - -Whitefield had long wished to have a West-end chapel, which might serve -as the meeting-house, not only of the rich in general, but especially -of the distinguished persons who were accustomed to assemble in the -mansions of the Countess of Huntingdon, Lady Frances Shirley, and Lady -Gertrude Hotham. - -These brief memoranda will help to explain the allusions in the -following extracts from Whitefield’s letters. - -The first is taken from a letter addressed to the Rev. John Gillies, of -Glasgow:―― - - “London, January 22, 1756. Ever since I came from the north, - I have had a violent cold and sore throat, which threatened - an inflammatory quinsy. One physician prescribed a _perpetual - blister_, but I have found _perpetual preaching_ to be a better - remedy. When this grand catholicon fails, it is over with me. - You will pray that, if I must put out to sea again, it may be - to take fresh prizes for my God. Every day brings us fresh news - of newly awakened souls. Both at this and the other end of the - town (where I now preach in a chapel twice a week), there is a - glorious stirring among the dry bones.” - -The next is from a letter written to the Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “London, January 29, 1756. I know not how soon I may be called - before my superiors. The sons of _Jubal_ and _Cain_ continue to - serenade me at Long Acre chapel. They have been called before - a justice; and, yesterday, the Bishop of Bangor sent for them, - and enquired where I lived. My house is pretty public, and the - ‘Bishop of souls’ shall answer for me. One, who subscribes to - hire men to make the noise, has been pricked to the heart, and - can have no rest till he speaks with me. Thus Jesus gets Himself - the victory. One of the enclosed extracts comes from a person - who, a few weeks ago, was a confirmed Deist; now, I trust, he is - a little child. The Redeemer speaks, and it is done; He commands, - and new creatures instantaneously arise before Him.” - -Did these “sons of Jubal and Cain” belong to the adjoining theatres? -Perhaps they did. Still, it is curious that Wesley, in West Street -chapel, had never been disturbed by their unwelcome serenading; and -it is equally remarkable, that though Bishop Pearce did his utmost to -silence Whitefield in Long Acre, he seems not at all to have interfered -with Wesley in a neighbouring street. The annoyance, to Whitefield -and his _West-end_ congregation, was great; but he was more wishful -to convert the serenaders than to punish them. Hence the following, -addressed to the gentleman who had brought some of the disturbers -before a magistrate:―― - - “January 30. Gratitude constrains me to send you a few lines of - thanks for the care and zeal you have exercised in suppressing - the late disorders at Long Acre chapel. I hear that some unhappy - man has incurred the penalty inflicted by our salutary laws. As - peace, not revenge, is the thing aimed at, I should rejoice if - this could be procured without the delinquents suffering any - further punishment. Perhaps what has been done already may be - sufficient to deter others from any further illegal proceedings; - and that will be satisfaction enough for me.” - -But for the meddling of Bishop Pearce, it is possible, perhaps probable, -that these disreputable disturbances might have ceased; but, two days -after writing thus to the gentleman who had commenced a prosecution -of the noisy musicians, Whitefield received a letter from the Bishop, -in which he prohibited Whitefield’s further preaching in the Long Acre -chapel. This led to an important correspondence between the prelate -and the preacher. Whether his lordship had a legal right to issue -such a prohibition, ecclesiastical lawyers must determine; but, to -say the least, his action had the appearance of episcopal persecution. -The Bishop’s letters to Whitefield have not been published; for, with -contemptible cowardice, Pearce informed Whitefield that, if he dared -to publish them, he must be prepared to undergo the penalty due to -the infringement of “the privilege of a peer!” Still, the substance of -his letters may be gathered from Whitefield’s answers; and, as these -answers contain an explanation and a defence of the course of conduct -which Whitefield had pursued for nearly the last twenty years, they are -inserted here at greater length, than, under other circumstances, they -would have been. - - “TABERNACLE HOUSE, _February 2, 1756_. - - “MY LORD,――A few weeks ago, several serious persons, chosen to - be a committee for one Mr. Barnard, applied to me, in the name - of Jesus Christ, and a multitude of souls desirous of hearing - the gospel, to preach at a place commonly called Long Acre - chapel. At the same time, they acquainted me, that the place - was licensed; that Mr. Barnard either had taken or was to take - it for a certain term of years; that he had preached in it for - a considerable time, as a Protestant Dissenting minister; but - that, notwithstanding this, I might use the Liturgy if I thought - proper, so that I would but come and preach once or twice a week. - - “Looking upon this as a providential call from Him, who, in - the days of His flesh, taught all who were willing to hear, - _on a mount_, _in a ship_, or by _the sea-side_, I readily - complied; and I humbly hope that my feeble labours have not - been altogether in vain. - - “This being the case, I was somewhat surprised at the - prohibition I received from your lordship this evening. For, - I looked upon the place as a particular person’s property; - and being, as I was informed, not only unconsecrated, but also - licensed according to law, I thought I might innocently preach - the love of the crucified Redeemer, and loyalty to the best - of princes, our dread sovereign King George, without giving - any just offence to Jew or Gentile, much less to any bishop - or overseer of the Church of God. As I have, therefore, given - notice of preaching to-morrow evening, and every Tuesday and - Thursday whilst I am in town, I hope your lordship will not look - upon it as _contumacy_, if I persist in prosecuting my design, - till I am more particularly apprized wherein I have erred. - - “Controversy, my lord, is what I abhor; and, as raising - popular clamours and ecclesiastical dissensions must be quite - unseasonable, especially at this juncture, when _France_ and - _Rome_, and _hell_ ought to be the common butt of our resentment, - I hope your lordship will be so good as to inform yourself - and me more particularly about this matter; and, upon due - consideration, as I have no design but to do good to precious - souls, I promise to submit. But, if your lordship should judge - it best to decline this method, and I should be called to answer - for my conduct, either before a spiritual court, or from the - press, I trust the irregularity I am charged with will appear - justifiable to every true lover of English liberty, and (what - is _all_ to me) will be approved of at the awful and impartial - tribunal of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, in obedience - to whom I beg leave to subscribe myself, your lordship’s most - dutiful son and servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -The Bishop of Bangor replied to this straightforward letter; but, of -course, his threat, as a peer of the realm, suppressed his -communication. Whitefield’s next letter was as follows:―― - - “TABERNACLE HOUSE, _February 16, 1756_. - - “MY LORD,――I this evening received your lordship’s kind letter; - and, though it is late, and nature calls for rest, I now sit - down to give your lordship an explicit answer. - - “God can witness, that I entered into holy orders, according - to the form of ordination of the Church of England, with a - disinterested view to promote His glory, and the welfare of - precious and immortal souls. For near twenty years, as thousands - can testify, I have conscientiously defended her Homilies - and Articles, and, upon all occasions, have spoken well of - her Liturgy. So far from renouncing these, together with her - discipline, I earnestly pray for the due restoration of the one, - and daily lament the departure of too many from the other. But, - my lord, what can I do? - - “When I acted in the most regular manner, and when I was - bringing multitudes, even of Dissenters, to crowd the churches, - without any other reason being given than that too many followed - after me, I was denied the use of the churches. Being thus - excluded, and many thousands of ignorant souls, that perhaps - would neither go to church nor meeting-houses, being very hungry - after the gospel, I thought myself bound in duty to deal out to - them the bread of life. - - “Being further ambitious to serve my God, my king, and my - country, I sacrificed my affections, and left my native soil, in - order to begin and carry on an Orphan House in the infant colony - of Georgia, which is now put upon a good foundation. This served - as an introduction, though without design, to my visiting the - other parts of his Majesty’s dominions in North America; and I - humbly hope that many in that foreign clime will be my joy and - crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. - - “Nay, my lord, if I were not assured that the blessed Redeemer - has owned me for the real conversion and turning of many - from darkness to light, the weakness of my decaying body, the - temptations that have beset my soul, and the violent opposition - with which I have met, would long since have led me to accept - some of those offers that have been made me to nestle, and by - accepting which I might have screened myself from the obloquy - and contempt which, in some degree or other, I meet with every - day. But, hitherto, without eating a morsel of the Church of - England’s bread, I still continue to use her Liturgy, wherever - a church or chapel is allowed me, and preach up her Articles, - and enforce her Homilies. Your lordship, therefore, judgeth me - exceeding right, when you say, ‘I presume you do not mean to - declare any dissent from the Church of England.’ Far be it from - me. No, my lord, unless thrust out, I shall never leave her; and - even then I shall still adhere to her doctrines, and pray for - the restoration of her discipline, to my dying day. - - “Fond of displaying her truly protestant and orthodox principles, - especially when Church and State are in danger from a cruel and - popish enemy, I am glad of an opportunity of preaching, though - it should be in a meeting-house; and I think it discovers a good - and moderate spirit in the Dissenters, who quietly attend on the - Church service, as many have done, and continue to do at Long - Acre chapel, while many, who style themselves the faithful sons - of the Church, have endeavoured to disturb and molest us. - - “If the lessor of this chapel has no power to let it, or if - it be not legally licensed, I have been deceived; and if, upon - enquiry, I find this to be the case, I shall soon declare, in - the most public manner, how I have been imposed upon. But if - it appears that the lessor has a right to dispose of his own - property, and that the place is licensed, and as some good, I - trust, has been done by this foolishness of preaching, surely - your lordship’s candour will overlook a little irregularity, - since, I fear, that, in these dregs of time wherein we live, we - must be obliged to be irregular, or we must do no good at all. - - “My lord, I remember well (and O that I may more than ever - obey your lordship’s admonition!) that awful day, wherein I was - ordained priest, and when authority was given me, by my honoured - friend and father, good Bishop Benson, to preach the word of - God; but never did I so much as dream that this was only a - local commission, or that the condition annexed, ‘Where you - shall be lawfully appointed thereunto,’ was to confine me to any - particular place, and that it would be unlawful for me to preach - out of it. It is plain my Lord Bishop of Gloucester did not - think so; for when his secretary brought a license for me, his - lordship said, it would cost me thirty shillings, and therefore - I should not have it. And when, after being presented to the - late Bishop of London, I applied to him for a license, his - lordship was pleased to say I was going to Georgia, and needed - none. Accordingly, I preached in most of the London churches, - under his lordship’s immediate inspection; and why any other - license than my letters of orders should now be required, I - believe no substantial, I am positive no scriptural, reason can - be assigned. - - “It is true, as your lordship observes, there is one canon that - says, ‘No curate or minister shall be permitted to serve in - any place, without examination and admission of the Bishop of - the Diocese.’ And there is another, as quoted by your lordship, - which tells us, ‘Neither minister, churchwarden, nor any other - officers of the Church shall suffer any man to preach within - their chapels, but such as, by shewing their license to preach, - shall appear unto them to be sufficiently authorised thereunto.’ - But, my lord, what curacy or parsonage have I desired, or do - I desire to be admitted to serve in? or, into what church or - chapel do I attempt to intrude myself, without leave from the - churchwardens or other officers? Being, as I think, without - cause, denied admission into the churches, I am content to take - the field, and, when the weather will permit, with a table for - my pulpit, and the heavens for my sounding-board, I desire to - proclaim to all the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. Besides, - my lord, if this canon should be always put into full execution, - I humbly presume, no bishop or presbyter can legally preach at - any time out of the diocese in which he is appointed to serve; - and, consequently, no city incumbent can even occasionally be - lawfully assisted by any country clergyman; or even can a bishop - himself be lawfully permitted to preach a charity sermon out of - his own diocese, without a special license for so doing. - - “As for the other canon which your lordship mentions, and which - runs thus, ‘Neither shall any minister, not licensed as is - aforesaid, presume to appoint or hold any meetings for sermons, - commonly termed, by some, prophecies or exercises, in market - towns or other places, under the said pains,’――I need not inform - your lordship, that it was originally levelled against those who - would not conform to the Church of England, and that, too, in - such high-flying times as not one of the present moderate bench - of bishops would wish to see restored. If this be so, how, my - lord, does this canon belong to me, who am episcopally ordained, - and have very lately published a small tract recommending the - communion office of the Church of England? - - “But, my lord, to come nearer to the point in hand. And, for - Christ’s sake, let not your lordship be offended with my using - such plainness of speech. As in the presence of the living God, - I would put it to your lordship’s conscience, whether there - is one bishop or presbyter, in England, Wales, or Ireland, who - looks upon our canons as his rule of action? If this opinion - be true, we are all perjured with a witness, and, in a very - bad sense of the word, _irregular indeed_. If the canons of - our Church are to be implicitly obeyed, may I not say, ‘He, - who is without the sin of acting illegally, let him cast the - first stone at me, and welcome.’ Your lordship knows full well, - that canons and other Church laws are good and obligatory, - when conformable to the laws of Christ, and agreeable to the - liberties of a free people; but, when invented and compiled - by men of little hearts and bigotted principles, to hinder - persons of more enlarged souls from doing good, or being more - extensively useful, they become mere _bruta fulmina_; and, - when made use of as cords to bind the hands of a zealous few, - who honestly appear for their king, their country, and their - God, they may, in my opinion, like the withes with which the - Philistines bound Samson, very legally be broken. As I have - not the canons at present before me, I cannot tell what pains - and penalties are to be incurred for such offence; but, if - any penalty is incurred, or any pain to be inflicted on me, - for preaching against sin, the Pope, and the devil, and for - recommending the strictest loyalty to the best of princes, his - Majesty King George, in this metropolis, or in any other part - of his Majesty’s dominions, I trust, through grace, I shall be - enabled to say,―― - - ‘All hail reproach, and welcome pain!’ - - “There now remains but one more particular in your lordship’s - letter to be answered,――your lordship’s truly apostolical canon, - taken out of 2 Cor. x. 16,――upon reading of which, I could not - help thinking of a passage in good Mr. Philip Henry’s life. - It was this. Being ejected out of the Church, and yet thinking - it his duty to preach, Mr. Henry used, now and then, to give - the people of Broad-Oaks, where he lived, a gospel sermon; and - one day, as he was coming from his exercise, he met with the - incumbent, and thus addressed him: ‘Sir, I have been taking the - liberty of throwing a handful of seed into your field.’ ‘Have - you?’ said the good man. ‘May God give it His blessing! There - is work enough for us both.’ This, my lord, I humbly conceive, - is the case, not only of your lordship, but of every minister’s - parish in London, and of every bishop’s diocese in England; and, - therefore, as good is done, and souls are benefited, I hope your - lordship will not regard a little irregularity, since, at the - worst, it is only the irregularity of doing well. But, supposing - this should not be admitted as an excuse at other seasons, I - hope it will have its weight at this critical juncture, wherein, - if there were ten thousand sound preachers, and each preacher - had a thousand tongues, they could not be too frequently - employed in calling upon the inhabitants of Great Britain to - be upon their guard against the cruel and malicious designs of - _France_, of _Rome_, and of _hell_. - - “After all, my lord, if your lordship will be pleased to apply - to Mr. Barnard himself, who, I suppose, knows where the place - is registered; or if, upon enquiry, I shall find that the lessor - has no power to let it, as I abhor every dishonourable action, - after my setting out for Bristol, which I expect to do in a - few days, I shall decline preaching in the chapel any more. - But, if the case should appear to be otherwise, I hope your - lordship will not be angry, if I persist in this, I trust, not - unpardonable irregularity; for, if I decline preaching in every - place, merely because the incumbent may be unwilling I should - come into his parish, I fear I should seldom or never preach at - all. This, my lord, especially at the present juncture, when all - our civil and religious liberties are at stake, would to me be - worse than death itself. - - “I humbly ask pardon for detaining your lordship so long; but, - being willing to give your lordship all the satisfaction I could, - I have chosen rather to sit up and deny myself proper repose, - than to let your lordship’s candid letter lie by me one moment - longer than was absolutely necessary. - - “I return your lordship a thousand thanks for your favourable - opinion of me, and for your good wishes; and, begging the - continuance of your lordship’s blessing, and earnestly praying - that, whenever your lordship shall be called hence, you may give - up your account with joy, I beg leave to subscribe myself, my - lord, your lordship’s most dutiful son and servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Such was Whitefield’s midnight letter to Bishop Pearce. Its length is -gigantic, but, throughout, it is pointed, manly, and respectful; and, -because of its historical facts, and its statement of the principles -which regulated Whitefield’s life, it is of great importance. A summary -of it could not have done it justice. - -A week later, Whitefield wrote a third letter to the bishop, informing -him he had ascertained that the chapel was duly licensed, and that Mr. -Barnard’s committee were resolved to retain possession of it. He added, -“As your lordship would undoubtedly choose that the Church liturgy -should be read in it sometimes, rather than it should be entirely -made use of in a Nonconformist way, I hope your lordship will not -be offended, if I go on as usual after my return from Bristol. I am -sorry to inform your lordship, that, notwithstanding the admonitions -which, I hear, your lordship has given them, some unhappy persons have -still endeavoured to disturb us, by making an odd kind of noise in a -neighbouring house. I hear that some of them belong to your lordship’s -vestry, and, therefore, wish you would so far interpose, as to order -them once more to stop their proceedings.” - -Whitefield went to Bristol; and, on Sunday, March 14, opened his -“spring campaign, by preaching thrice in the fields, to many thousands, -in Gloucestershire.”[383] Immediately after this he returned to London, -and found it necessary to write again to Bishop Pearce. - - “TABERNACLE HOUSE, _March 20, 1756_. - - “MY LORD,――Upon my coming up to town, I found, to my great - surprise, that the disturbances near Long Acre chapel had been - continued. On Thursday evening last, when I preached there - myself, they were rather increased. Some of the windows were - stopped up, to prevent, in some degree, the congregation being - disturbed by the unhallowed noise; but large stones were thrown - in at another window, and one young person was sadly wounded. - - “This constrains me to beg your lordship to desire the persons, - belonging to your lordship’s vestry, to desist from such - irregular proceedings. For my own irregularity in preaching, - I am ready at any time to answer; and were I myself the only - sufferer, I should be entirely unconcerned at any personal - ill-treatment I might meet with in the way of duty. But to have - the lives of his Majesty’s loyal subjects endangered, when they - come peaceably to worship God, is an irregularity which, I am - persuaded, your lordship will look upon as unjustifiable in the - sight of God, and of every good man. - - “Your lordship will allow that, as a subject of King George, and - a minister of Jesus Christ, I have a right to do myself justice; - and, therefore, I hope, if the disturbances be continued, that - your lordship will not be offended, if I lay a plain narration - of the whole affair, together with what has passed between your - lordship and myself, before the world. I beg you not to look - upon this as a threatening. I scorn any such mean procedure. - But, as Providence seems to point out such a method, I hope your - lordship will have no just reason to censure me if I do it.” - -The bishop replied, and Whitefield wrote to him again, as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _March 25, 1756_. - - “Your lordship needed not to inform me of the privilege of - a peer, to deter me from publishing your lordship’s letters, - without first asking leave. Nothing shall be done in that - way, which is the least inconsistent with the strictest honour, - justice, and simplicity. But, if a public account of the - repeated disturbances at Long Acre chapel be rendered necessary, - I hope your lordship will not esteem it unreasonable in me, to - inform the world what previous steps were taken to prevent and - stop them. - - “Such a scene, at such a juncture, and under such a government, - as has been transacted in your lordship’s parish, in the house - or yard of Mr. Cope, who, I hear, is your lordship’s overseer, - ever since last _Twelfth-day_, I believe is not to be met with - in English history. It is more than noise. It is _premeditated - rioting_. Drummers, soldiers, and many of the baser sort, have - been hired by subscription. A copper furnace, bells, drums, - clappers, marrow-bones, and cleavers, and such-like instruments - of reformation, have been provided for them, and repeatedly have - been used by them, from the moment I have begun preaching, to - the end of my sermon. By these horrid noises, many women have - been almost frightened to death; and mobbers have, thereby, been - encouraged to come and riot at the chapel door during the time - of divine service; and, after it has been over, have insulted - and abused me and the congregation. Not content with this, the - chapel windows, while I have been preaching, have repeatedly - been broken by large stones of almost a pound weight, which, - though levelled at me, missed me, but sadly wounded some of my - hearers. If your lordship will only ride to Mr. Cope’s house, - you will see the scaffold, and the costly preparations for such - a noise upon it, as must make the ears of all who shall hear it - to tingle. - - “I am informed that Mr. C―――― and Mr. M―――― are parties greatly - concerned. I know them not, and I pray God never to lay this - ill and unmerited treatment to their charge. If no more noise - is made, I assure your lordship no further resentment shall be - made. But if they persist, I have the authority of an apostle, - on a like occasion, to appeal unto Cæsar. I have only one - favour to beg of your lordship. As the above-named gentlemen are - your lordship’s parishioners, I request that you desire them, - henceforward, to desist from such unchristian, such riotous, and - dangerous proceedings. Whether, as a chaplain to a most worthy - peeress, a presbyter of the Church of England, and a steady - disinterested friend to our present happy constitution, I have - not a right to ask such a favour, I leave to your lordship’s - mature deliberation. Henceforward, I hope to trouble your - lordship no more.” - -Certainly, it was high time to bring matters to a crisis. The Rev. -Zachary Pearce, D.D., though himself the son of a rich distiller in -Holborn, and though the husband of a wife, who, as the daughter of -another Holborn distiller, brought him a large fortune, was a pluralist. -Twenty-three years ago, by the exertions of the Earl of Macclesfield, -he had been presented with the fat living of St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, -even after it had been promised to another man. For seventeen years, -he had been dean of Winchester; and, in 1748, had exchanged the deanery -for the bishopric of Bangor. And now, in this memorable year of 1756, -the Duke of Newcastle conferred upon him the see of Rochester and -the deanery of Westminster. No doubt, it was in his capacity of vicar -of St. Martin’s, that this wealthy pluralist prohibited Whitefield’s -preaching in Long Acre, and, if he did not actually employ, yet -connived at the noisy ruffians who disturbed Whitefield’s services. -Whitefield’s language to the Bishop of Bangor was too respectful. Such -a man deserved rebuke, quite as strong as the liquors, by which his own -father and the father of his wife had made their fortunes. - -Notwithstanding all the efforts of Whitefield to obtain peace, the -disturbances at Long Acre were continued. Besides this, early in -the month of April, Whitefield received three anonymous letters, -threatening him with “a certain, sudden, and unavoidable stroke,” -unless he desisted from preaching, and refrained from prosecuting the -rioters of Long Acre. It is impossible to suspect Bishop Pearce of -being implicated in the sending of these disgraceful threats; but there -can be little doubt that the known animosity of himself and others gave -encouragement to the masked assassins. For years past, the bishops and -clergy of the Established Church, comparatively speaking, had ceased -from their open and violent persecution of the poor itinerant preacher; -but their rancorous feelings towards him, perhaps, were not at all -abated. Even free-thinking Dr. Herring, Archbishop of Canterbury, who -was now within twelve months of his decease, wrote, in the very midst -of the Long Acre riots, to William Duncombe, Esq., as follows:―― - - “CROYDON HOUSE, _January 25, 1756_. - - “Your judgment is right. Whitefield is Daniel Burgess[384] - _redivivus_; and, to be sure, he finds his account in his - joco-serious addresses. Wesley, with good parts and learning, - is a most dark and saturnine creature. His pictures may frighten - weak people, who, at the same time, are wicked; but, I fear, - he will make few converts, except for a day. I have read his - ‘Serious Thoughts’;[385] but, for my own part, I think the - rising and setting of the sun is a more durable argument for - religion than all the extraordinary convulsions of nature - put together. Let a man be good on right principles, and - then _impavidum ferient ruinae_. So far, Horace was as good a - preacher as any of us. I have no constitution for these frights - and fervours; and, if I can but keep up to the regular practice - of a Christian life, upon Christian reasons, I shall be in - no pain for futurity; nor do I think it an essential part of - religion, to be pointed at for any foolish singularities. The - subjects of the Methodist preaching, you mention, are excellent - in the hands of wise men, not enthusiasts. As to their notion - that men are by nature devils, I can call it by no other name - than wicked and blasphemous, and the highest reproach that man - can throw upon his wise and good Creator. - - “I am, etc., - - “THOMAS CANTUAR.”[386] - -Under the circumstances of the time, Whitefield was almost driven to -seek redress. First of all, he consulted the Honourable Hume Campbell, -brother of Lady Jane Nimmo, and solicitor to the Princess of Wales, -Lord Clerk Registrar of Scotland, and one of Whitefield’s occasional -hearers. In a letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, dated “Canterbury, -April 10, 1756,” Whitefield wrote:―― - - “The noise at Long Acre has been infernal. I have reason to - think there was a secret design for my life. Some of my friends - were sadly used; they applied for warrants; and that occasioned - the sending of a threatening letter. I have written to Sir - Hume Campbell for advice. Here all is peaceable. It is most - delightful to see the soldiers flock to hear the word; officers - likewise attend very orderly.” - -On his return to London, Whitefield was introduced to the Earl of -Holdernesse, one of his Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State. Hence -the following to Lady Huntingdon:―― - - “LONDON, _April 18, 1756_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――Since my last, from Canterbury, I have - received two more threatening letters. My greatest distress - is, how to act so as to avoid rashness on the one hand, and - timidity on the other. I have been introduced to the Earl of - Holdernesse, who received me very courteously, and seemed to make - no objection against issuing a reward for the discovery of the - letter-writer. Whether I had best accept the plan, I know not. - Sir Hume Campbell says the offence is not felony; and he advises - me to put all concerned into the Court of King’s Bench. Lord - Jesus, direct me, for Thy mercy’s sake! A man came up to me in - the pulpit, at the Tabernacle; God knows what was his design. I - see no way for me to act, than, either resolutely to persist in - preaching and prosecuting, or entirely to desist from preaching, - which would bring intolerable guilt upon my soul, and give the - adversary cause to blaspheme. Blessed be God! I am quite clear - as to the occasion of my suffering. It is for preaching Christ - Jesus, and loyalty to King George. Alas! alas! what a condition - would this land be in, were the Protestant interest not to - prevail! If Popery is to get a footing here, I should be glad - to die by the hands of an assassin. I should then be taken away - from the evil to come.” - -The result of all this battling with the vestry mobs of Bishop Pearce, -and of the apprehension created by these anonymous popish menaces, was -the publication of the following announcement in the _London Gazette_ -of May 1, 1756, and in the two next succeeding numbers of that official -journal. The italics and spelling are as they appear in the original:―― - - “WHITEHALL, _April 30, 1756_. - - “Wheras it has been humbly represented to the King that an - anonimous letter, without date, directed, _To Doctor Whitefield, - at his Tabernacle, by the Foundery in Moorfields_, was, on the - 6th of this instant April, received by the Reverend Mr. George - Whitefield, by the penny post; and that two other letters, - viz., one of them dated the 7th of the present month of April, - subscribed, Your Friendly Adversary, and directed, _To Mr. - Whitefield, at his Tabernacle, near Hogston, beyond the Upper - Moorfields_; and the other, anonimous, without date, and - directed, _To the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, at the Tabernacle, near - Moorfields_, were also received by the said Reverend Mr. George - Whitefield, by the penny post, on the 8th of this instant - April; and that the said letters, written in very abusive terms, - contained threats of injury and destruction to the said Reverend - Mr. George Whitefield; His Majesty, for the better discovering, - and bringing to justice the persons concerned in writing and - sending the said three letters, as above-mentioned, or any one, - or more, of them, is pleased to promise his most gracious pardon - to any one of them, who shall discover his, or her, accomplice, - or accomplices therein, so that he, she, or they, may be - apprehended and convicted thereof. - - “HOLDERNESSE. - - “And as a further encouragement, James Cox, jeweller, in Racquet - Court, Fleet Street, does hereby promise a reward of twenty - pounds, to be paid by him, to the person or persons making such - discovery as aforesaid, upon the conviction of one or more of - the offenders. - - “JAMES COX.” - -So ended one of the toughest battles that Whitefield ever fought, -but its issue was of great importance; for, before the appearance of -the third advertisement in the _London Gazette_, Whitefield had taken -successful steps for the erection of his own Tottenham Court Road -chapel, where, for awhile, at least, he and his people were permitted -to worship God in peace. But more of this anon. - -Remembering that Wesley and his Society were permitted, throughout -the whole of these disgraceful proceedings, to conduct their services, -in their neighbouring West Street chapel, in perfect quietude, it is -difficult to account for the disturbances Whitefield had to encounter -in Long Acre. Were the “infernal” noises, in the first instance, -promoted by the adjoining theatres? Probably they were. Wesley’s -preaching in West Street was regarded, by dramatical actors, with less -alarm than Whitefield’s in Long Acre. They, probably, felt that, with -the great dramatical preacher so near to them, they might soon have -to utter a wailing cry, analogous to that of the old Ephesians, under -circumstances somewhat similar: “Not only is this our craft in danger -to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess -Diana should be despised, and her magnificence destroyed.” But, -even admitting that the theatres began the noises, there cannot be -a doubt that the vestries of the Church continued them. Bishop Pearce -undeniably prohibited Whitefield’s preaching; and, considering his -hatred of the Methodists, perhaps, it is not ungenerous to suppose that -he secretly did more than this. As it respects the three threatening -letters, it is probable that they emanated, neither from the theatre -nor Church, but from popish politicians, who, during the “seven years’ -war,” which was now in terrific progress, were full of angry excitement, -and far more active than they often seemed to be. Whitefield had -bitterly offended them by the publication of a “Short Address,” a copy -of which he sent to Bishop Pearce on February 23;[387] and, as there -can be little doubt that this small publication had to do with the -riots and the threatening letters, a brief description of it may be -useful. - -The title was, “A Short Address to Persons of all Denominations, -occasioned by the Alarm of an intended Invasion. By George Whitefield, -Chaplain to the Right Honourable the Countess of Huntingdon. London, -1756.” (8vo. pp. 20.) The pamphlet had a large sale, not only in -Great Britain, but in America. Even during this selfsame year of -1756, as many as six editions were issued at Boston in New England. -Its publication was opportune. A Royal Proclamation had recently -been published in the _London Gazette_, setting forth that the king -commanded all officers and ministers, civil and military, within their -respective counties, to cause the coasts of England to be carefully -watched, and, in case of any hostile attempt to land upon them, to -immediately order all horses, oxen, and cattle, which might be fit for -draught or burden, and not actually employed in his Majesty’s service, -and also, as far as practicable, all other cattle and provisions, to -be removed at least twenty miles from the place where such a hostile -attempt was made, so as to prevent them falling into the hands of -the enemy. Besides this, “on the 6th of February, a public fast was -observed, by all ranks of the people. The churches and meeting-houses -were thronged; and there was, in appearance, an entire cessation -from business throughout London and the suburbs, and all over the -kingdom.”[388] From such facts the reader may imagine the state of the -country, when Whitefield wrote his “Short Address.” The following are -extracts from it:―― - - “An insulting, enraged, and perfidious enemy is now advancing - nearer and nearer to the British borders. Not content with - invading and ravaging our rightful sovereign King George’s - dominions in America, our popish adversaries have now the - ambition to attempt, at least to threaten, an invasion of - England itself; hoping, no doubt, thereby, not only to throw - us into confusion at home, but also to divert us from more - effectually defeating their malicious designs abroad. That such - a design is now actually on foot, the late Royal Proclamation - renders indisputable.” - -Having referred to the recent public fast, Whitefield proceeds to -say:―― - - “Artful insinuations have been industriously published, in order - to lay all the blame of this war upon us. But bold assertions - and solid proofs are two different things; for it is plain, - beyond all contradiction, that the French, fond of rivalling - us both at home and abroad, have unjustly invaded his Majesty’s - dominions in America; and have also, by the most vile artifices - and lies, been endeavouring to draw the six nations of Indians - from our interest. In short, almost all their proceedings, since - the late treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, have been little else than a - tacit declaration of war. But He that sitteth in heaven, we may - humbly hope, laughs them to scorn; and, as He once came down to - confound the language of those aspiring projectors, who would - fain have built a tower, the top of which should reach to heaven, - so, we trust, He will frustrate the devices of our adversary’s - most subtle politicians, and speak confusion to all their - projects; who, by aiming at universal monarchy, are attempting - to erect a more than second Babel.” - -Whitefield goes on to shew that good Christians may be soldiers, and -writes:―― - - “The British arms were never more formidable, than when our - soldiers went forth in the strength of the Lord; and, with a - Bible in one hand, and a sword in the other, cheerfully fought - under His banner, who has condescended to style Himself ‘a - man of war.’ What Bishop Saunderson says of study may be said - of fighting: ‘Fighting without prayer is atheism, and prayer - without fighting is presumption.’ I would be the more particular - on this point, because, through a _fatal scrupulosity_ against - bearing arms, even in a defensive war, his Majesty has been in - danger of losing the large province of Pennsylvania, the very - centre and garden of all North America. Such very scrupulous - persons, grasping at every degree of worldly power, and, by - all the arts of worldly policy, labouring to monopolize and - retain in their own hands all parts both of the legislative - and executive branches of civil government, certainly act a - most inconsistent part. Say what we will to the contrary, civil - magistracy and defensive war must stand or fall together. Both - are built upon the same basis; and there cannot be a single - argument urged to establish the one, which does not corroborate - and confirm the other.” - -Whitefield then adverts to the recent earthquakes, at Lisbon and -elsewhere, and proceeds to say:―― - - “Were even the like judgments to befal us, they would be - but small, in comparison of our hearing that a French army, - accompanied with a popish pretender, and thousands of Romish - priests, was suffered to invade England, and to blind, deceive, - and tyrannize over the souls and consciences of the people - belonging to this happy isle. How can any serious and judicious - person be so stupid to all principles of self-interest, and so - dead to all maxims of common sense, as to prefer a French to an - English government; or a popish pretender, born, and bred up in - all the arbritary and destructive principles of the court and - Church of Rome, to the present _Protestant succession_, settled - in the illustrious line of Hanover?” - -Whitefield next refers to popish persecutions of Protestants, and -remarks:―― - - “After perusing this,” (a late declaration of ‘his Most - Christian Majesty’ Louis XV.,) “read, also, I beseech you, the - shocking accounts of the horrid butcheries and cruel murders - committed on the bodies of many of our fellow-subjects in - America, by the hands of _savage Indians_, instigated thereto - by more than _savage popish priests_.[389] And if this be - the beginning, what may we suppose the end will be, should a - _French_ power, or popish pretender, be permitted to subdue - either us or them? Speak, _Smithfield_, speak, and, by thy - dumb but persuasive oratory, declare to all who pass by and - over thee, how many _English_ Protestant martyrs thou hast seen - burnt to death in the reign of the cruel popish queen, to whom - the present pretender to the _British_ throne claims a distant - kindred! Speak, _Ireland_, speak, and tell how many thousands - and tens of thousands of innocent, unprovoking Protestants were - massacred, in cold blood, by the hands of cruel Papists, within - thy borders, about a century ago! Speak, _Paris_, speak, and - say, how many thousands of Protestants were once slaughtered, to - serve as a bloody dessert, to grace the solemnity of a marriage - feast! Speak, _Languedoc_, speak, and tell how many Protestant - ministers have been lately executed; how many more of their - hearers have been dragooned and sent to the galleys; and how - many hundreds are now lying in prisons, fast bound in misery - and iron, for no other crime than that unpardonable one in the - _Romish_ Church, hearing and preaching the pure gospel of the - meek and lowly Jesus! - - “And think you, my countrymen, that _Rome_, glutted with - Protestant blood, will now rest satisfied, and say, ‘I have - enough’? No, on the contrary, having through the good hand - of God upon us, been kept so long fasting, we may reasonably - suppose, that, the popish priests are only grown more voracious, - and, like so many hungry and ravenous wolves pursuing harmless - and innocent flocks of sheep, will with double eagerness, - pursue after, seize upon, and devour their wished-for Protestant - prey; and, attended with their bloody red coats, these Gallic - instruments of reformation, who know they must either fight or - die, will necessarily breathe out nothing but threatening and - slaughter, and carry along with them desolation and destruction, - go where they will.” - -This was strong language, but, under the circumstances, not too -strong.[390] No wonder, however, that infuriated Papists sent the -writer threatening letters. Whitefield expresses his confidence -in God’s interposition, and in England’s “glorious fleet,” and -“well-disciplined army;” and then finishes with the following -peroration:―― - - “If we can but make God our friend, we need not fear what - _France_ and _Rome_ and _hell_ can do against us. All the - malicious efforts and designs of men and devils shall, so far - from obstructing, be made to subserve the enlargement of His - interests, who, in spite of all the strivings of the potsherds - of the earth, will hold the balance of _universal monarchy_ in - His own hands, and, at last, bring about the full establishment - of that blessed kingdom, whose law is truth, whose King is love, - and whose duration is eternity. _Fiat! fiat!_ Amen and amen!” - -These are long quotations, but they help to shew the excited state -of public feeling in 1756; and, perhaps, they may help the reader -to understand the secrets of the disgraceful clangours, riots, and -threatening letters already mentioned. - -In his pamphlet, Whitefield refers to the persecution of Protestants -in France. Much might be said respecting this; but suffice it to -remark, that, on the general fast day, February 6th, Whitefield made -a collection in his Tabernacle, eighty pounds of which he devoted to a -fund which was being raised for the assistance of these poor persecuted -people.[391] Remembering that, in 1756, money was probably of four -times greater worth than it is at present, this collection of the poor -Methodists was a noble one; but even this fell far short of the sum, -which Whitefield, three months afterwards, obtained, within a week, -towards the erection of his Tottenham Court Road chapel. Hence the -following, addressed to the Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “LONDON, _May 2, 1756_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――Various have been my exercises since - I wrote you last; but, I find, all things happen for the - furtherance of the gospel. I suppose your ladyship has seen - his Majesty’s promise of pardon to any who will discover the - letter-writer; and this brings you the further news of my - having taking a piece of ground, very commodious to build - on, not far from the Foundling Hospital. On Sunday, I opened - the subscription, and, through God’s blessing, it has already - amounted to near £600. If He is pleased to continue to smile - upon my poor endeavours, and to open the hearts of more of His - dear children to contribute, I hope, in a few months, to have - what has long been wanted,――a place for the gospel at the other - end of the town. This evening, God willing, I venture once more - to preach at Long Acre. The enemy boasts that I am frightened - away; but the triumph of the wicked is short. On Tuesday next, - I hope to set out for Wales.” - -The site of Whitefield’s new chapel was surrounded by fields and -gardens. On the north side of it, there were but two houses. The next -after them, half a mile further, was the “Adam and Eve” public-house; -and thence, to Hampstead, there were only the inns of “Mother Red -Cap” and “Black Cap.”[392] The chapel, when first erected, was seventy -feet square within the walls. Two years after it was opened, twelve -almshouses and a minister’s house[393] were added. About a year after -that, the chapel was found to be too small, and it was enlarged to its -present dimensions of a hundred and twenty-seven feet long, and seventy -feet broad, with a dome a hundred and fourteen feet in height. Beneath -it were vaults for the burial of the dead; and in which Whitefield -intended that himself and his friends, John and Charles Wesley, should -be interred. “I have prepared a vault in this chapel,” Whitefield used -to say to his somewhat bigotted congregation, “where I intend to be -buried, and Messrs. John and Charles Wesley shall also be buried there. -We will all lie together. You will not let them enter your chapel -while they are alive. They can do you no harm when they are dead.”[394] -The lease of the ground was granted, to Whitefield, by General George -Fitzroy, and, on its expiration in 1828, the freehold was purchased for -£14,000. The foundation-stone of the chapel was laid in the beginning -of June, 1756, when Whitefield preached from the words, “They sang -together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because -He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the -people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because -the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.” (Ezra iii. 11.)[395] -Among others present on the occasion, were the Rev. Thomas Gibbons, -one of the Tutors of the Dissenting Academy at Mile End; Dr. Andrew -♦Gifford, Assistant Librarian of the British Museum; and the celebrated -Rev. Benjamin Grosvenor, D.D., for many years the pastor of the -Presbyterian congregation in Crosby Square, and who, after preaching -in London for half a century, had recently retired into private life. -The chapel was opened for divine worship on November 7, 1756, when -Whitefield selected, as his text, the words, “Other foundation can no -man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. iii. 11).[396] - -Tottenham Court Road chapel has a history well worthy of being -written. From this venerable sanctuary sprang separate congregations in -Shepherd’s Market, Kentish Town, Paddington, Tonbridge chapel, Robert -Street, Crown Street, and Craven chapel.[397] Much also might be said -of the distinguished preachers who, in olden days, occupied its pulpit: -Dr. Peckwell, De Courcy, Berridge, Walter Shirley, Piercy, chaplain -to General Washington, Rowland Hill, Torial Joss, West, Kinsman, -Beck, Medley, Edward Parsons, Matthew Wilks, Joel Knight, John Hyatt, -and many others; but want of space prevents the insertion of further -details. Whitefield’s Tabernacle in Moorfields has been demolished, and -a Gothic church erected on its site.[398] Whitefield’s Tottenham Court -Road chapel is now his only erection in the great metropolis; and long -may it stand as a grand old monument, in memory of the man who founded -it! Thousands have been converted within its walls, and never was it -more greatly needed than at the present day. - -No sooner had Whitefield raised £600 towards the erection of his -intended chapel, than away he went to the west of England, where he -spent about a month. He preached at Bristol, Bath, Westbury, Gloucester, -Bradford, Frome, Warminster, Portsmouth, and other places. One letter, -written during this preaching tour, must be inserted. - -The Rev. Thomas Haweis, D.D., was now a student at Christ Church -College, Oxford. He had been educated at the Grammar School, Truro, -and had been converted under the preaching of the Rev. Samuel Walker, -whose ministry, in that town, during the last few years, had been the -means of turning a large number of people “from darkness to light, and -from the power of Satan unto God.” Young Haweis had formed a Society -at Oxford,[399] analogous to the “Holy Club” of the Wesleys and their -friends, more than a quarter of a century previous to this. He and -a few of his fellow-collegians, all animated by the same views and -feelings, met together, in his room, at stated times, for the purpose -of reading the Greek Testament, and of conversing on religious subjects. -Mr. Walker, the Methodist clergyman of Truro, in a letter, dated “April, -1757,” wrote, “Tom Haweis is at Christ Church, and doing service among -a few of the young gentlemen there. He tells me, he is remarked as -a dangerous fellow; and adds, that Romaine has been again in the -university pulpit, where he preached imputed righteousness, but, it is -said, will be allowed to preach no more there.”[400] In another letter, -written a few months afterwards, Walker remarked, “Tom Haweis has good -speed at Oxford. There are pretty many already coming to him in private, -and he hopes very well of a few of them.”[401] Haweis, in fact, had -founded a second Society of “Oxford Methodists,” a Society which grew -into such importance, and became so obnoxious to the heads of houses, -as to lead, in 1768, to the expulsion of six students, belonging to -Edmund Hall, “for holding Methodistical tenets, and taking upon them to -pray, read, and expound the Scriptures in private houses.”[402] - -As yet, Whitefield had never met with Haweis, but he had heard of him, -and, while at Bristol, he addressed to him the following letter:―― - - “BRISTOL, _May 20, 1756_. - - “MY VERY DEAR SIR,――For so I must address you, having had you - in a peculiar manner upon my heart, ever since I read a letter - that came from you some months ago. It bespoke the language of - a heart devoted to Jesus. Glory be to God! that there are some - young champions coming forth. Methinks, I could now sing my - _nunc dimittis_ with triumphant joy. Though I decrease, may you - increase! O that you may be kept from conferring with flesh and - blood! O that you may be owned and blessed of God! I believe - you will, and never more so than when you are reviled and - despised by man. It is a fatal mistake to think we must keep - our characters in order to do good. This is called _prudence_; - in most, I fear, it is _trimming_. Honesty I find always to be - the best policy. Them who honour Jesus, He will honour. Even - in this world, if we confess Him, His truth, and His people, we - shall receive a hundredfold. But whither am I going? Excuse the - overflowings of a heart that loves you dearly for the glorious - Redeemer’s sake. I am here preaching His cross. Next week, I - have thoughts of being at Bath and Westbury. I lead a pilgrim - life. Ere long, I hope my heavenly Father will take me home. I - am ambitious; I want to sit upon a throne. Jesus has purchased a - throne and heaven for me. That you may have an exalted place at - His right hand, is the prayer of, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -On his return to London, Whitefield took advice respecting the trust -deed to be drawn up for his new chapel, and wrote to the Countess of -Huntingdon as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _June 4, 1756_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――At Bristol, the Redeemer caused us to - triumph, and likewise in Gloucestershire, and at Bradford, Frome, - Warminster, and Portsmouth, where I have been the last three - weeks. I am now come to London, for about ten days, to keep - Pentecost. I trust it will be a Pentecost to many souls at Long - Acre. - - “Blessed be God! a new building is now in progress at Tottenham - Court Road. We have consulted the Commons about putting it under - your ladyship’s protection. This is the answer: ‘No nobleman - can license a chapel; a chapel cannot be built and used as such, - without the consent of the parson of the parish; and, when it - is done with his consent, no minister can preach therein without - license of the Bishop of the diocese.’ There seems then to be - but one way,――to license it as our other houses are: and thanks - be to Jesus for that liberty, which we have.” - -From this it is evident that Whitefield wished his new erection to be a -chapel in connection with the Established Church; and, that, because of -the difficulties mentioned, he was driven to avail himself of the Act -of Toleration, and license it as a Dissenting meeting-house. - -Whitefield had another trouble of a different kind. William Law, one -of the oracles of the Oxford Methodists, had become a Behmenite; and -Wesley had recently published a large pamphlet, with the title, “A -Letter to the Rev. Mr. Law, occasioned by some of his late writings.” -(8vo. 102 pp.) This production has never been entirely reprinted, an -extract only being given in Wesley’s collected works. Its language -in some places was unusually, perhaps undeservedly, severe. At all -events, Law was deeply offended; and, what was more amusing, Whitefield -was implicated, by its being rumoured that he was a party to the -publication of Wesley’s letter. The following, to Lady Huntingdon, -refers to this:―― - - “LONDON, _June 10, 1756_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――I have just come from bed, where I have - been sweating for a cold and colic. From your ladyship’s kind - and condescending letter, I see your ladyship is touched in - a very tender point. Generous minds are always thus affected, - when a friend is abused. I find more and more, that our own - mother’s children will be permitted to be angry with us. The - contradiction of saints is more trying than that of sinners. - I do not deny, that I might say, ‘Some of Mr. Law’s principles, - in my opinion, are wrong;’ but that I ever put Mr. Wesley upon - writing, or had any active hand in his pamphlet, is utterly - false. I think it is a most ungentlemanlike, injudicious, - unchristian piece. However, Mr. Law knows too much of the Divine - life, not to see some call even in this cross; and I hope your - ladyship will not suffer it to burden your mind any longer. - - “My present work in London seems to be over, and, on Monday - or Tuesday next, I hope to set out for Bristol, and then come, - through Leicestershire, on my way to Scotland. This, I hope, - will be a three months’ circuit. The prospect in London is very - promising. Every day we hear of fresh conquests.” - -Whitefield did not set out to Bristol until June 22; and, instead of -proceeding thence to Scotland, he returned to London on July 9. The -following letters belong to this period. - -Whitefield had a large family in America; but, because of the war, he -could not visit it. He wrote to his housekeeper there as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _June 21, 1756_. - - “Nothing in your last letter concerns me, except your having the - least suspicion that I was not pleased with your conduct, or was - not satisfied with your being at Bethesda. I know of no person - in the world that I would prefer to you. I think myself happy - in having such a mother for the poor children, and am persuaded - God will bless you more and more. I care not how much the family - is lessened. As it is a time of war, this may be done with great - propriety; and the plantation will have time to grow. Never - fear; Jesus will stand by a disinterested cause. I have aimed - at nothing, in founding Bethesda, but His glory and the good - of my country. Let Lots choose the plain; God will be Abraham’s - shield and exceeding great reward. All is well that ends well. - To-morrow, I set out upon a long range.” - -The next letter is curious and full of interest. Benjamin Franklin, -who, in later years, through unhappy embroilments, became an enemy -of England, and took an active part in bringing about the American -revolution, was, at present, one of the most loyal subjects of King -George the Second. Only a year before, when the expedition of General -Braddock, to dispossess the French of some of their encroachments, was -in preparation, a difficulty arose for want of waggons, and Franklin, -at the risk of ruining his own fortunes, supplied not fewer than a -hundred and fifty. After this, he was instrumental in passing a militia -bill, and was appointed colonel of the Philadelphia regiment of twelve -hundred men, which command he held until the troops were disbanded -by order of the English government. In the midst of these exciting -occurrences, Franklin wrote to Whitefield, as follows:―― - - “NEW YORK, _July 2, 1756_. - - “DEAR SIR,――I received your favour of the 24th of February with - great pleasure, as it informed me of your welfare, and expressed - your continued regard for me. I thank you for the pamphlet - you enclosed to me.[403] As we had just observed a provincial - fast on the same occasion, I thought it very seasonable to - be published in Pennsylvania; and accordingly reprinted it - immediately. - - “You mention your frequent wish that you were a chaplain to - the American army. I sometimes wish that you and I were jointly - employed by the Crown to settle a colony on the Ohio. I imagine - that we could do it effectually, and without putting the nation - to much expense; but, I fear, we shall never be called upon - for such a service. What a glorious thing it would be to settle - in that fine country a large, strong body of religious and - industrious people! What a security to the other colonies, - and advantage to Britain, by increasing her people, territory, - strength, and commerce! Might it not greatly facilitate the - introduction of pure religion among the heathen, if we could, - by such a colony, shew them a better sample of Christians than - they commonly see in our Indian traders?――the most vicious and - abandoned wretches of our nation! Life, like a dramatic piece, - should not only be conducted with regularity, but, methinks, it - should finish handsomely. Being now in the last act, I begin to - cast about for something fit to end with. Or, if mine be more - properly compared to an epigram, as some of its lines are but - barely tolerable, I am very desirous of concluding with a bright - point. In such an enterprise, I could spend the remainder of - life with pleasure: and I firmly believe God would bless us with - success, if we undertook it with a sincere regard to His honour, - the service of our gracious king, and (which is the same thing) - the public good. - - “I thank you cordially for your generous benefactions to the - German schools. They go on pretty well; and will do better, - when Mr. Smith, who has at present the principal charge of them, - shall learn to mind party-writing and party-politics less, and - his proper business more; which, I hope, time will bring about. - - “I thank you for your good wishes and prayers; and am, with - the greatest esteem and affection, dear sir, your most obedient - humble servant, - - “BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. - - “My best respects to Mrs. Whitefield.”[404] - -As is well known, this remarkable man wound up the drama of his -eventful life, not by founding a new English colony on the Ohio, but by -assisting to wrest the colonies which England already had, from English -government, and by becoming the plenipotentiary of the rebellious -provinces to the court of France! - -After his return from Bristol, on July 9, Whitefield, with the -exception of a run to Kent, employed nearly the next three weeks in -London. Hence the following letters, the first to the Countess of -Huntingdon, the second to his housekeeper at Bethesda:―― - - “LONDON, _July 17, 1756_. - - “EVER-HONOURED MADAM,――Your kind letter found me just returned - from Bristol, and just setting out for Maidstone and Chatham, - where I have been to preach the gospel, and to visit a poor - murderer.[405] I hope my labours were not altogether vain in - the Lord. I am now preparing for my northern expedition. My - motions must be very quick, because I would hasten to Scotland - as fast as possible, to have more time at my return. Eternity! - Eternity! O how I do long for thee! But, alas, how often must - we be like pelicans in the wilderness, before we arrive there! - Solitariness prepares for the social life, and the social life - for solitariness again. Jesus alone is the centre of peace and - comfort in either situation. Springs fail; the Fountain never - can, nor will.” - - “ISLINGTON, _July 27, 1756_. - - “Pray lessen the family as much as possible. I wish I had none - in the house but proper _orphans_. The plantation would then - suffice for its support, and debts be paid; but we must buy - our experience. Troubles seem to beset us here; but we are - all secure in God. His gospel flourishes in London. I am just - returned from preaching it at Sheerness, Chatham, and in the - camp. This afternoon or to-morrow I set off for Scotland.” - -Whitefield arrived at Leeds on Sunday evening, August 1. The account -of his labours during the next fortnight is contained in the following -letter:―― - - “SUNDERLAND, _August 14, 1756_. - - “It is now a fortnight since I came to Leeds. On the Sunday - evening, a few hours after my arrival, many thousands were - gathered in the fields, to whom Jesus enabled me to speak with - some degree of power. The following week, I preached, in and - about Leeds, thrice almost every day, to thronged and affected - auditories. On Sunday last, at seven in the morning, the - congregation consisted of about ten thousand; at noon and in the - evening, at Birstal, of near double the number. Though hoarse, - the Redeemer helped me to speak, so that all heard. It was - a high day. In the evening, several hundred of us rode about - eight miles, singing and praising God. The next morning, I - took a sorrowful leave of Leeds, preached at Tadcaster[406] at - noon, and at York in the evening. God was with us. On Tuesday, - I preached twice at York. Delightful seasons. On Wednesday, at - Warstall, about fifty miles off; on Thursday, twice at Yarm; and - last night and this morning here. After spending my Sabbath here, - and visiting Shields,[407] Newcastle, and some adjacent places, - I purpose to go on to Scotland.” - -The Sunday spent at Bradford and Birstal was a day never to be -forgotten; and the singing cavalcade, at the end of it, has hardly -ever been equalled. Among the thousands then assembled, was a boy, -sixteen years of age, upon whom Whitefield’s sermons had a powerful -and permanent effect. They led to his conversion; and the youth, then -an apprentice, became the well-known Rev. John Fawcett, D.D., for -fifty-four years, one of the most faithful preachers among the West -Yorkshire mountains. After hearing Whitefield at Bradford, early in the -morning, young Fawcett trudged ten or a dozen miles to Birstal, where -Whitefield stood on a platform, at the foot of a hill near the town, -and, on the slopes of the hill, had twenty thousand people grouped -before him, “thousands of whom, during the delivery of his two sermons, -vented their emotions by tears and groans. Fools who came to mock, -began to pray.”[408] - -One of the places “about Leeds,” at which Whitefield preached, was -Haworth, where a scaffold was erected in the churchyard, and he took -for his text, “Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope” (Zech. -ix. 12). Here, again, there was a young Yorkshireman who never forgot -that memorable season. Samuel Whitaker wrote: “I got among the crowd -nearly under the scaffold, and it was the most affecting time I ever -experienced. Mr. Whitefield spoke as if he had been privy to all my -thoughts, words, and actions, from the tenth year of my age. The day -following, I heard him at Leeds; and the day after that, at Bradford.” -Twelve months subsequent to this, Samuel Whitaker became a member of -Wesley’s Society; for many years was a class-leader and local-preacher -at Keighley; and, exactly sixty years after first hearing Whitefield at -Haworth, tranquilly expired, in the eighty-second year of his age.[409] - -Whitefield has left no account of his labours in Scotland; but the -following particulars, taken from the _Scots’ Magazine_ for 1756, will -partly fill up the gap. - -He arrived at Edinburgh, on Friday, August 20, where he remained for -the next three weeks, and “preached every day, morning and evening, in -the Orphan Hospital Park, to very numerous audiences” (p. 414). - -On Friday, September 10, he went to Glasgow, where he preached the same -evening, twice on Saturday, and four times on Sunday, September 12, to -large congregations. - -Six days afterwards, he returned to Edinburgh; and, as the new governor -of Georgia desired to converse with him, before embarking for the -colony, Whitefield started for England, on Wednesday, September 22.[410] - -The _Scots’ Magazine_ proceeds to say: “Before Mr. Whitefield set out -for Glasgow, the managers of the Orphan Hospital made him a present -of fifty guineas to defray his travelling charges; but he returned -ten guineas, saying that forty guineas were sufficient to defray the -charges, and likewise to pay upwards of £14, which he had laid out -here for coarse linen to be sent to his Orphan House in Georgia. For -accommodating the audience, when he preached, the managers had erected -seats in the park; and, though only a halfpenny each was asked from the -hearers for their seats, the money thence arising, and the collections -at the park gates, amounted to upwards of £188 sterling; so that the -hospital has about £120 clear gain, over and above the expense of the -seats, and the present made to Mr. Whitefield.” - -The magazine relates further, that “scarcity at home” had induced -a greater number of Highlanders than usual to come to Edinburgh for -“harvest work.” The harvest, however, was not ready. They had nothing -to live upon. “Contributions were set on foot, to give them two meals -a day at the poorhouse; and, on the evening of September 21, after -a sermon suitable to the occasion by Mr. Whitefield, a collection -was made for them, in the Orphan Hospital Park, which amounted to £60 -11s. 4d. sterling, of which half a guinea was given by Mr. Whitefield -himself” (p. 465). - -To these items of intelligence may be added the following from the -_Edinburgh Courant_: “During his stay, Mr. Whitefield preached, morning -and evening, in the Orphan Hospital Park, not excepting the evening -of the day on which he arrived, or the morning of that on which he -departed. As he was frequently very explicit in opening the miseries -of popish tyranny and arbitrary power, and very warm in exhorting his -hearers to loyalty and courage at home, and in stirring them up to pray -for the success of his Majesty’s forces, we have reason to believe that -his visit, at this juncture, has been particularly useful.” - -In 1756, a considerable number of Wesley’s preachers and Societies were -strongly inclined to declare themselves Dissenters. Charles Wesley was -excessively annoyed; and, as soon as his brother’s annual conference -was ended, he set out to entreat the Methodists “to continue steadfast -in the communion of the Church of England.” Throughout life, Whitefield -was a peace-maker, and, on his return from Scotland, he rendered -service for which Charles Wesley was profoundly thankful. Under the -date of Friday, October 8, Charles wrote:―― - - “Returning to Leeds, I met my brother Whitefield, and was much - refreshed by the account of his abundant labours. I waited on - him in our Room, and gladly sat under his word.” - - Again: “Sunday, October 10. At Birstal, my congregation was less - by a thousand or two, through George Whitefield preaching to-day - at Haworth.” - - “Monday, October 11. Hearing Mr. Whitefield and Mr. Grimshaw - were returning to our watch-night, I waited for them at their - lodgings, with zealous, humble, loving Mr. Crook. It rained so - hard, that Mr. Whitefield was agreeably surprised, at eight, - to find our House as full as it could cram. They forced me to - preach first; which I did from Zech. xiii.: ‘The third part I - will bring through the fire.’ My brother George seconded me in - the words of our Lord: ‘I say unto all, Watch.’ The prayers and - hymns were all attended with a solemn power. Few, if any, went - unawakened away.” - - “Manchester, Monday, October 25. Here I rejoiced to hear of the - great good Mr. Whitefield has done in our Societies. He preached - as universally as my brother. He warned them everywhere against - apostacy; and strongly insisted on the necessity of holiness - _after_ justification, illustrating it with this comparison: - ‘What good will the king’s pardon do a poor malefactor dying - of a fever? So, notwithstanding you have received forgiveness, - unless the disease of your nature be healed by holiness, ye - can never be saved.’ He beat down the separating spirit, highly - commended the prayers and services of our Church, charged our - people to meet their bands and classes constantly, and never to - leave the Methodists, or God would leave them. In a word, he did - his utmost to strengthen our hands, and deserves the thanks of - all the churches, for his abundant labour of love.”[411] - -The author of “The Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon” states, -that, in his itinerancy through Lancashire, Whitefield was accompanied -by the Revs. Messrs. Grimshaw, Ingham, and Milner, and that, among -other places, they visited Manchester, Stockport, and Chinley.[412] -From an old manuscript ‘History of Methodism in Leigh,’ it appears, -that Whitefield also visited Shackerley, where, at that time, a large -number of Unitarians were located, the disciples of Dr. Taylor, the -divinity tutor of the Unitarian Academy at Warrington. The writer -relates, that, Whitefield preached on Shackerley Common, and that a -man, a mile distant, leaning upon a gate, distinctly heard many of his -sentences, was convinced of sin, and soon converted. - -Whitefield’s own account of his labours in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and -Cheshire, is extremely meagre. On his return to London, from what he -calls his “thousand miles’ northern circuit,”[413] he wrote to the -Countess of Huntingdon, as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _October 27, 1756_. - - “I wrote you a few lines, not long ago, from Leeds. Since then, - I have been in honest Mr. Grimshaw’s and Mr. Ingham’s rounds, - preaching upon the mountains to many thousands. One, who was - awakened three years ago, is gone to heaven, and desired to be - buried in the spot where she was converted. The sacrament at - Mr. Grimshaw’s was awful; and the watch-night at Leeds exceeding - solemn. I would have continued my circuit, but I found that - preaching so frequently in those cold districts was bringing on - my last year’s disorder. Being, therefore, grown very prudent, - I am come to open our new chapel in Tottenham Court Road. Lord, - what am I, that Thou shouldest suffer me to put a pin in Thy - tabernacle! Never did I know the fields more ready unto harvest, - than I have seen them in the north.” - -Builders, in former days, were more expeditious than at present. -Whitefield’s chapel was neither a small nor a flimsy structure, and yet, -only half a year after its commencement, it was ready for being opened! - -Whitefield was now in his “winter quarters,” where he remained for the -next six months;――an unusually long period for him to spend in London. -The following extracts from his letters will, it is hoped, interest the -reader:―― - - “London, November 17, 1756. At Tottenham Court chapel, we have - had some glorious earnests of future blessings. My constant - work now is preaching about fifteen times a week. This, with a - weak appetite, want of rest, and much care lying upon my mind, - enfeebles me. But the joy of the Lord is my strength; and my - greatest grief is, that I can do no more for Him, who has done - and suffered so much for me.” - -The Rev. Henry Venn was now one of the most active clergymen of the -Church of England. Besides being curate of Clapham, he held three -lectureships in the city. His _regular_ duties consisted of a full -service at Clapham on the Sunday morning; a sermon, in the afternoon, -at St. Alban’s, Wood Street; and another, in the evening, at St. -Swithin’s, London-stone. On Tuesday morning, a sermon at St. Swithin’s; -on Wednesday morning, at seven o’clock, at St. Antholin’s; and, on -Thursday evening, at Clapham.[414] Whitefield had become acquainted -with him, and wrote to Hervey, at Weston-Favel, as follows:―― - - “London, December 9, 1756. I hope that my dear friend prospers - both in soul and body. Conviction and conversion work goes on - here. Lord, keep us from tares! All is well at Clapham. I have - expounded there twice. God has met with us in our new building.” - -To the Rev. Aaron Burr, the President of New Jersey College, for -whom he had done his best to obtain a D.D. degree from the Edinburgh -University, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “London, December 9, 1756. Night and day, our hands are lifted - up for dear America; but, I fear, we are to be brought into - far greater extremity, both at home and abroad, ere deliverance - comes. I am sorry you have not your degree. It is ready, if - testimonials were sent from those who know you. This not being - done, it looks as though the character given you on this side - the water was not justly founded. I wish you would write oftener. - How glad would I be to see America, but my way is hedged up. - The awakening both in town and country continues. More ministers - are coming out to preach the gospel. I am strengthened to preach - fourteen times a week, and I trust it is not in vain.” - - “London, December 15, 1756. Last Sunday, in the new chapel, - there was a wonderful stirring among the dry bones. Some great - people came, and begged they might have a constant seat: an - earnest this, I believe, of more good things to come.” - - “London, December 30, 1756. God is doing wonders in the new - chapel. Hundreds went away last Sunday morning, who could not - come in. On Christmas Day, and last Tuesday night (the first - time of burning candles), the power of the Lord was present, - both to wound and to heal. A neighbouring doctor has baptized - the place, calling it ‘Whitefield’s Soul-Trap.’ I pray that - it may be a _soul-trap_ indeed, to many wandering sinners. - Abundance of people round about, I hear, are much struck. O - for humility! O for gratitude! O for faith! Wherefore should I - doubt? Surely Jesus will carry me through, and help me to pay - the workmen.” - -In such a spirit, Whitefield ended another year of his eventful life. -He was now attracting to his meeting-house some of the “_great people_” -of the western parts of the metropolis; and, yet, his preaching was as -faithful as ever. Let the following serve as a specimen:―― - - “Woe unto you, who are at ease in Zion, and, instead of staying - to be tempted by the devil, by idleness, self-indulgence, and - making continual provision for the flesh even tempt the devil - to tempt you! Woe unto you, who, not content with sinning - yourselves, turn factors for hell, and make a trade of tempting - others to sin! Woe unto you, who either deny Divine revelation, - or never use it, but to serve a bad turn! Woe unto you, who - sell your consciences, and pawn your souls, for a little worldly - wealth or honour! Woe unto you, who climb up to high places, in - Church or State, by corruption, bribery, extortion, cringing, - flattery, or bowing down to, and soothing the vices of those - by whom you expect to rise! Woe unto you! for, whether you will - own the relation or not, you are of your father the devil; for - the works of your father you do. I tremble for you. How can you - escape the damnation of hell?”[415] - -Such preaching was needed in the days of Whitefield, and it is equally -needed now. For lack of it, thousands, even in churches and chapels, -are dreaming elysian dreams, while in the utmost danger of perishing. - -In more respects than one, the year 1756 was a year of turmoil; but -the Methodists were not without their friends. One pamphlet, published -during the year, undesignedly in Whitefield’s favour, had the following -inordinately long title: “The Great Secret Disclosed; or an Infallible -Salve for Opening the Eyes of all such as the God of this World has -Blinded; by once applying which, the Person will be able to see the -true cause why Religion decays amongst us, and why Methodism started -up, and daily increases; and, with it, all that train of Vice and -Immorality so common to be met with in every corner of the Nation; -with an effectual method for bringing about a Reformation by destroying -Methodism.” (8vo. 52 pp.) - -The title shews that the pamphlet was not _intended_ to promote the -interests of Methodism. Like Balaam, the writer purposed to curse his -enemies, and, yet, he blessed them. Two extracts must suffice. - - “It is generally reported that Mr. Whitefield has a hundred - thousand followers, most of whom, before his preaching, were the - vilest of mankind, but are now sober and religious persons, good - members of society, and good subjects of the king. It is also - said that Mr. Wesley’s preaching has had as good an effect on - the like numbers; most of whom have been brought to be members - of the Church of England; namely, to baptize their children, - and to receive the sacrament there: for, as he and his brother - preach only betimes in a morning and in the evening, and order - their followers to go, the other parts of the day, to their - respective places of worship; and, as most of them went to - no place of worship before, and as such always looked upon - themselves as Church people, they go, forenoon and afternoon, - to its services. Thus, instead of weakening the Church, by - taking members from it, the Methodists have strengthened it, by - adding thousands of members to it; for the Methodists, properly - speaking, are no Church, having no ordinances administered among - them.[416] - - “Mr. Whitefield seems to have been the first whom the clergy of - a whole nation agreed to prevent preaching, without ever proving - that he had broken either the ecclesiastical, moral, or national - law. His chief crime was that he appeared to be in earnest both - in reading prayers and preaching.” - -The author’s “effectual method” to destroy Methodism was: 1. That -the clergy should “treat the Methodists as Church members, and not -molest them in performing the duties of religion;” and, 2. They should -“out-pray and preach them.” - -Another pamphlet, of the same Balaam-like character, was published in -1756, with the title, “Methodism Displayed, and Enthusiasm Detected; -intended as an Antidote against, and a Preservative from, the delusive -Principles and unscriptural Doctrines of a Modern _Sett_ of seducing -Preachers; and as a Defence of our Regular and Orthodox Clergy, from -their unjust Reflections.” (8vo. 36 pp.) - -This was an enigmatical production. After giving to the “_Modern Sett -of seducing Preachers_” a number of hard names, the author writes as -follows:―― - - “If for a steady adherence and firm attachment to the doctrines - of the Church of England I am accounted a _Methodist_, I am - content. May I live and die a Church of England _Methodist_! - A _Methodist_! Why, really it is a simple and inoffensive name, - and I do not see much reason to be ashamed of it. The world - does not usually fix this apellation upon persons of an openly - wicked and scandalously sinful life. A gaming, pleasure-taking, - playhouse-frequenting person, who lives in debauchery and excess - of drinking, is sure to escape the name of _Methodist_. Nor - has a minister that name given him, who, notwithstanding his - solemn declarations, subscriptions, and oaths to assent to and - to abide by the Articles of our Church, preaches contrary to - them,――denies the _fall of man_,――_original sin_,――contends for - justification by works, instead of by faith,――is an enemy to - the doctrine of imputed righteousness,――from whose sermons - you seldom hear the name of Jesus, or the agency and influence - of the Holy Spirit, unless utterly to deny, inveigh against, - and explode all spiritual _inspiration_ and inward feelings: - these and such-like preachers escape from the imputation of - _Methodism_. So, again, that decent, regular person, who, freed - from the _irksome care of souls_, comfortably lolls in his - chariot, thinks it is time for him to have done with praying and - preaching, and, therefore, has _left off trade_, and is content - with a bare £1000 per annum Church preferment; he, who loves - the Church, rails at your popular, mob-driving preachers, and - is sure they would not take half the pains they do, if views of - money-getting were not at the bottom,――this sort of gentleman - stands very clear of being deemed a Methodist.” - -Another extract must be given. The picture it draws was not a -caricature. - - “Take knowledge of that _thing_. He is parson of St――――’s church. - Lest the people should be seduced and deceived by hearing the - doctrines of the Church of England preached, he denies these - true ministers[417] the pulpit, and says they are _Enthusiasts_; - and the people, as ignorant as himself, join the cry. An - enthusiast! What is that? Oh, ’tis the cant word of the day - for the many-headed monster, the bugbear of the times. ‘Ah,’ - says a constant church-goer, ‘I heard one of those preachers - at our church. He preached such a sermon! It was almost an hour - long, and he said downright, that all unconverted people were - in a state of damnation, and would go to hell, if they did not - believe on the Lord Jesus! Truly, he set the parish in an uproar, - for we are not used to such sort of preaching. Thank God for a - good parson, say I; for the Sunday after our parson (God bless - him!) preached a sermon against such doctrine; and, though he - was no longer than a quarter of an hour, he made us all easy - again. He told us we were in no danger of going to hell, and - that there was no fear of our being damned, for we were all - good _Christians_, if we paid every one their own, and did as - we would be done by.’” - -Whitefield began the year 1757 with mingled feelings. He rejoiced -because of the prosperity of the work of God; he was distressed by -political and Church contentions; and he was full of care respecting -his distant Orphan House. Hence the following selections from his -letters:―― - - “LONDON, _January 12, 1757_. - - “A wide door seems to be opening at Tottenham Court chapel. - The word flies like lightning in it. O that it may prove a - Bethel――a house of God――a gate of heaven! I believe it will. As - the awakening continues, I have some hopes that we are not to be - given up. Alas! alas! we are _testing_ and _contesting_, while - the nation is bleeding to death. We are condemning this and that; - but sin, the great mischief-maker, lies unmolested, or rather - encouraged by every party.” - -To his housekeeper at Bethesda, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “LONDON, _February 5, 1757_. - - “Tottenham Court chapel is made a Bethel, and the awakening - increases every day. O that it were so in Georgia! Surely the - great Shepherd and Bishop of souls will bless you, for taking - care of the lambs in that distant wilderness. Mr. P.’s leaving - Bethesda sadly distresses me. I desire that all, who are capable, - may be put out, and the family reduced as low as possible, till - the war is over, and the institution out of debt. Lord, remember - me and all my various concerns! God bless and direct you in - every step! He will, He will. What is to become of us here, God - only knows. A year perhaps may determine. The best sign is, that - the awakening continues.” - -Four years ago, Whitefield had published his pamphlet against -Zinzendorf and the Moravians. Things since then had altered for the -better. Hence the following:―― - - “LONDON, _February 17, 1757_. - - “O to be an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile! - Simplicity and godly sincerity are all in all. A want of - this, I fear, has led the Count into all his mistakes. With - great regret, I speak or write of any people’s weaknesses; - but I thought Divine Providence called me to publish what you - mention. The Redeemer gave it His blessing. I do not find that - their fopperies are continued, and I hear also that they have - discharged many debts.” - -At this period, one of the most popular of the metropolitan actors was -a young man of twenty-seven――Edward Shuter, born in a cellar adjoining -Covent Garden――“the offspring of a chairman on the one side, and of an -oyster-woman on the other.” He had been a marker at a billiard table, -and a tapster at a public-house. He had joined a company of strolling -players, among whom, by his drolleries and good nature, he soon -acquired the appellation of _Comical Ned_. At length, Garrick engaged -him at Drury Lane. “He was so thoroughly acquainted,” says a critical -authority, “with the _vis comica_, that he seldom called in those -common auxiliaries, grimace and buffoonery, but rested entirely on -genuine humour. He had strong features, and a peculiar turn of face, -which, without any natural deformity, he threw into the most ridiculous -shapes.” His facetiousness was irresistible. Being in disgrace, on -one occasion, for some irregularity in his performance, the audience -demanded an apology, and vehemently called for him, after he had made -his exit. At the time they were vociferating “Shuter! Shuter!” an -actress happened to be the only person on the stage, when Shuter, -poking out his comical face, from behind one of the scenes, called out, -“Don’t _shoot her_!” which restored the good temper of the spectators -for the rest of the evening. - -It is a strange fact, that, this remarkable man――“the greatest comic -genius I ever saw,” said Garrick[418]――was now one of Whitefield’s -constant hearers. Hence the following to the Countess of Huntingdon:―― - - “LONDON, _March 2, 1757_. - - “Not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but some come to - hear at Tottenham Court. Shuter, the player, always makes one - of the auditory, and, as I hear, is much impressed, and brings - others with him.” - -The good Countess, from this, was led to take an interest in Shuter’s -welfare. In a letter, to Lady Fanny Shirley, she says:―― - - “I have had a visit from Shuter, the comedian, whom I saw - in the street, and asked to call on me. He was wonderfully - astonished when I announced my name. We had much conversation; - but he cannot give up his profession for another more reputable. - He spoke of Mr. Whitefield with great affection, and with - admiration of his talents. He promised to come some other time, - when he had more leisure for conversation. Poor fellow! I think - he is not far from the kingdom.”[419] - -It is related that on one occasion, when Shuter was in the height of -his reputation, as the representative of “Ramble,” and while he was -seated in a pew exactly in front of the pulpit of Tottenham Court -chapel, Whitefield was inviting sinners to the Saviour, with his -accustomed earnestness, and, at the moment, caught Shuter’s eye, and -exclaimed, “And thou, poor _Ramble_, who hast long _rambled_ from Him, -come thou also. Oh, end thy _ramblings_ by coming to Jesus!”[420] This, -certainly, was more personal than polite; but poor Shuter bore it. Long -after, when his friends used to rate him as a Methodist, he would say, -“A precious _method_ is mine! No, I wish I were; for if any be right, -the Methodists are.”[421] - -On Monday, April 25, Whitefield set out for Scotland. Sixteen days -afterwards, he arrived in Edinburgh, where he at once commenced -preaching in his old open-air cathedral, the Orphan Hospital Park, -and, for nearly a month, preached twice a day, morning and evening, -“to very numerous audiences.”[422] - -In all respects, this was a memorable visit. A week after Whitefield’s -arrival, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland met at -Edinburgh, Charles, the ninth Baron of Cathcart, being his Majesty’s -commissioner,――“a nobleman no less distinguished for the virtues which -adorn private life, than he was eminent for all those which exalt -a public character. In the capacity of father, husband, and friend, -his lordship had few equals, and was exceeded by none in discharging, -with dignity and ability, the duties of the high stations in which -he had been placed by his sovereign.”[423] The Rev. William Leechman, -D.D., Professor of Divinity in the University of Glasgow, was chosen -moderator. Leechman was a celebrated preacher, a popular lecturer, “a -man,” says Sir Henry Moncreiff, “of primitive and apostolic manners, -equally distinguished by his love of literature and his liberal -opinions.”[424] The sessions of the Assembly were continued from the -19th to the 30th of May, and Whitefield attended every one of them. -“On Saturday, the 28th, he dined, by invitation, with the commissioner, -(though not at the same table,) and said grace after dinner.”[425] -Much important business was transacted. A committee was appointed “to -consider the laws relating to the _election_ and _qualifications of -members of Assembly_.” An act of the Synod of Argyle, “that the use -of sermons on the Saturday before, and Monday after, dispensing the -sacrament of the Lord’s supper, be discontinued in all time coming,” -occasioned a long debate, but was ultimately approved. A minister was -arraigned for attending a theatre. A second minister, accused of the -same offence, pleaded “that he had gone to the playhouse only once, and -_endeavoured to conceal himself in a corner_.” Lengthened discussions -followed, and a resolution was passed, “earnestly recommending the -several Presbyteries to take care that none of their ministers do, -upon any account, attend the theatre.” Another resolution was approved, -forbidding “_simoniacal practices_.” Several cases of “_double -presentation_” to livings had to be decided. A scandal respecting the -Rev. William Brown occupied considerable time; but the result was, the -Assembly “assoilzied Mr. Brown.” Appeals and petitions from ministers -were heard, and resolutions were passed respecting the fund for -ministers’ widows, and “anent ministers making _agreements with their -heritors_ concerning the extent of their stipends.” - -Listening to learned and long debates on these and kindred subjects -was Whitefield’s daily recreation between his morning and evening -preachings. - -On June 6, he set out for Glasgow, where he continued several -days.[426] An extract from the _Scots’ Magazine_ for 1757, page 322, -may be welcome:―― - - “In a letter from Glasgow, of June 19, we have the following - account: ‘On Monday last, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, at the desire - of several of our magistrates, preached a sermon for the benefit - of the poor of this city, from Mark vi. 34. At the conclusion of - his discourse, he pressed the charity with many solid arguments. - A number of the magistrates and elders stood up to collect at - the outside of the congregation; who went away with regularity, - and gave their contributions very cheerfully. The whole amounted - to £58 sterling, which is all to be applied to the relief of our - poor. After the sermon, the magistrates waited on Mr. Whitefield, - and thanked him for this good office, which has given great and - general satisfaction.’” - -At Whitefield’s farewell sermon in the Orphan Hospital Park, Edinburgh, -there was a young Scotchman present, who afterwards became one of -Wesley’s most faithful and sturdy itinerants. Thomas Rankin, born at -Dunbar, was now resident at Leith, and came to Edinburgh to hear the -great preacher. He writes:―― - - “I had often before had thoughts of hearing Mr. Whitefield; but - so many things had been said to me of him, that I was afraid - I should be deceived. He preached in the field adjoining the - Orphan House yard. His text was Isaiah xxxiii. 13–17. The sermon - exceeded all the sermons I ever heard. About the middle of - it, I ventured to look up, and saw all the crowds around Mr. - Whitefield bathed in tears. I listened with wonder and surprise, - and had such a discovery of the plan of salvation as I had never - known before. I was astonished at myself that I had listened to - the idle tales concerning him, and thereby have been kept from - hearing a burning and shining light, who had been instrumental - in the hand of God for the good of so many thousands of souls. - When I understood he was about to leave Edinburgh, I was - distressed. I remembered more of that sermon than of all the - sermons I had ever heard. I had a discovery of the unsearchable - riches of the grace of God in Christ Jesus; as also of how a - lost sinner was to come to God, and obtain mercy through the - Redeemer. From this time, I was truly convinced of the necessity - of a change of heart.”[427] - -As already stated, Thomas Rankin became one of ♦Wesley’s most valuable -preachers. His labours, both in England and in America, were of great -importance; and, if no other end had been accomplished by Whitefield’s -present visit to the Scotch metropolis, the conversion of Rankin was an -ample compensation for all his toil and travelling. - -Whitefield’s account of his visit is brief and imperfect. He writes on -May 31st: “Attendance upon the Assembly, and preaching, have engrossed -all my time.” In another letter, dated Glasgow, June 9, 1757, he -remarks:―― - - “At Edinburgh, I was so taken up all day, and kept up so late at - night, that writing was almost impracticable. Surely, my going - thither was of God. I came there on the 12th of May, and left - the 6th of June, and preached just fifty times. To what purpose, - the great day will discover. I have reason to believe to very - good purpose. Being the time of the General Assembly, (at which - I was much pleased,) many ministers attended, perhaps a hundred - at a time. Thereby prejudices were removed, and many of their - hearts were deeply impressed. About thirty of them, as a token - of respect, invited me to a public entertainment. The Lord High - Commissioner also invited me to his table; and many persons of - credit and religion did the same in a public manner. Thousands - and thousands, among whom were a great many of the best rank, - daily attended on the word preached; and the longer I stayed, - the more the congregations and Divine influence increased. Twice - I preached in my way to Glasgow; and, last night, opened my - campaign here. The cloud seems to move towards Ireland. How - the Redeemer vouchsafes to deal with me there, you shall know - hereafter.” - -Whitefield’s previous visit to Ireland had been greatly blessed. The -people longed to give him another welcome. One section of his converts -had laid the foundation of a prosperous Moravian church. Another had -formed a Baptist congregation. A number of others were scattered, and -needed encouragement.[428] He went to help them, and his visit was -memorable. To the day of his death, a deep scar in his head was a -memento of it.[429] He shall tell his own story. - - “DUBLIN, _June 30, 1757_. - - “The door is open, and indeed the poor Methodists want help. - Here, in Dublin, the congregations are very large, and very - much impressed. The Redeemer vouchsafes to me great freedom in - preaching, and arrows of conviction fly and fasten. One of the - bishops told a nobleman, he was glad I was come to rouse the - people. The nobleman himself told me this yesterday. Alas! that - so few have the ambition of coming out to the help of the Lord - against the mighty. Not one clergyman, in all Ireland, is as - yet stirred up to come out _singularly_ for God. Pity, Lord, for - Thy mercy’s sake! I think God will yet appear for the Protestant - interest. My route now is to Athlone, Limerick, and Cork; and to - return here about July 21st.” - - “DUBLIN, _July 3, 1757_. - - “The infinitely condescending Jesus still vouchsafes to follow - the chief of sinners with His unmerited blessing. In Scotland, - His almighty arm was most powerfully revealed; and here, in - Dublin, many have begun to say, ‘What shall we do to be saved?’ - Congregations are large, and very much impressed. All sorts - attend, and all sorts seem to be affected. I should be glad - to come to London, but cannot in conscience as yet. Not one - minister, either in the Church or among the Dissenters, in this - kingdom, as far as I can hear, appears boldly for God. To-morrow, - therefore, I purpose to set out for Athlone, Limerick, and - Cork. God only knows where, after that, will be the next remove. - Perhaps to London; perhaps to the north of Ireland, which, - I hear, lies open for the gospel. Winter must be the London - harvest. O for more labourers, who will account the work itself - the best wages! - - “July 5. Since writing the above, I have been in the wars; but, - blessed be God, am pretty well recovered, and going on my way - rejoicing. Pray hard.” - - “_July 9, 1757._ - - “You have heard of my being in Ireland, and of my preaching to - large and affected auditories in Mr. Wesley’s spacious room. - When here last, I preached in a more confined place on the - week-days, and once or twice ventured out to Oxmanton Green, - a large place like Moorfields, situated very near the barracks, - where the _Ormond_[430] and _Liberty_ (that is, _high and low - party_) _Boys_ generally assemble every Sunday, to fight with - each other. The congregations then were very numerous, the word - seemed to come with power, and no noise or disturbance ensued. - This encouraged me to give notice, that I would preach there - again last Sunday afternoon. - - “I went through the barracks, the door of which opens into the - Green, and pitched my tent near the barrack walls, not doubting - of the protection, or at least interposition, of the officers - and soldiery, if there should be occasion. But how vain is the - help of man! Vast was the multitude that attended. We sang, - prayed, and preached, without much molestation; only, now and - then, a few stones and clods of dirt were thrown at me. It being - war time, I exhorted my hearers, as is my usual practice, not - only to fear God, but to honour the best of kings; and, after - the sermon, I prayed for success to the Prussian arms.[431] - - “All being over, I thought to return home the way I came; but, - to my great surprise, access to the barracks was denied, so that - I had to go near half a mile, from one end of the Green to the - other, through hundreds and hundreds of papists, etc. Finding - me unattended, (for a soldier and four Methodist preachers,[432] - who came with me, had forsook me and fled,) I was left to their - mercy. Their mercy, as you may easily guess, was perfect cruelty. - Vollies of hard stones came from all quarters, and every step - I took, a fresh stone struck, and made me reel backwards and - forwards, till I was almost breathless, and was covered all over - with blood. My strong beaver hat served me, as it were, for a - skullcap for a while; but, at last, that was knocked off, and my - head left quite defenceless. I received many blows and wounds; - one was particularly large near my temples. Providentially, - a minister’s house stood next door to the Green. With great - difficulty I staggered to the door, which was kindly opened to, - and shut upon me. Some of the mob, in the meantime, broke part - of the boards of the pulpit into splinters, and beat and wounded - my servant grievously in his head and arms, and then came and - drove him from the door of the house where I had found a refuge. - - “For a while, I continued speechless, expecting every breath - to be my last. Two or three of my friends, by some means, got - admission, and kindly washed my wounds. I gradually revived, but - soon found the lady of the house desired my absence, for fear - the house should be pulled down. What to do, I knew not, being - near two miles from Mr. Wesley’s place. Some advised one thing, - and some another. At length, a carpenter, one of the friends - who came in, offered me his wig and coat, that I might go off - in disguise. I accepted of them, and put them on, but was soon - ashamed of not trusting my Master to secure me in my proper - habit, and threw them off in disdain. Immediately, deliverance - came. A Methodist preacher, with two friends, brought a coach; - I leaped into it, and rode, in gospel triumph, through the oaths, - curses, and imprecations of whole streets of papists, unhurt. - - “None but those who were spectators of the scene can form an - idea of the affection with which I was received by the weeping, - mourning, but now joyful Methodists. A Christian surgeon was - ready to dress my wounds, which being done, I went into the - preaching place, and, after giving a word of exhortation, joined - in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to Him, who makes our - extremity His opportunity, and who stills the noise of the waves, - and the madness of the most malignant people. - - “The next morning, I set out for Port Arlington, and left my - persecutors to His mercy, who out of persecutors has often made - preachers.”[433] - -The hard knocks Whitefield received from the Dublin papists did not -prevent the carrying out of his plan to visit the towns already -mentioned. Hence the following:―― - - “CORK, _July 15, 1757_. - - “Everywhere the glorious Emmanuel so smiles upon my feeble - labours, that it is hard to get away from Ireland. At - Port-Arlington, Athlone, Limerick, and this place, the word has - run and been glorified. Arrows of conviction seem to fly; and the - cup of many has been made to run over. I have met with some hard - blows from the Dublin rabble; but, blessed be God! they have not - destroyed me.” - -In another letter, addressed to the Rev. John Gillies, of Glasgow, and -dated, “Wednesbury, Staffordshire, August 7, 1757,” he wrote:―― - - “Though Mr. Hopper promised to write you an historical letter, - from Dublin, I cannot help dropping you a few lines from this - place. At Athlone, Limerick, Cork, and especially at Dublin, - where I preached near fifty times, we had Cambuslang seasons. - With the utmost difficulty, I came away. The blows I received - were like to send me where all partings would have been over. - But, I find, we are immortal till our work is done.” - -Whitefield found it difficult to get away; but it is a notable fact -that he never went again. This was his last visit to Ireland! He -went but twice, and both of his visits put together were not of three -months’ continuance. Wesley made twenty visits, most of them of long -duration. Ireland’s debt to Whitefield is but small; but to Wesley -great. - -After an absence of about four months, Whitefield got back to London. -One of the first things that claimed his attention was the business of -his Orphan House, which had recently been visited by the governor of -Georgia. The following was addressed to his housekeeper:―― - - “LONDON, _August 26, 1757_. - - “I think myself happy, in finding you are satisfied in your - present situation. I would rather have you to preside over the - orphan family than any woman I know. I do not love changes. - Sometimes I wish for wings to fly over; but Providence detains - me here.[434] I fear a dreadful storm is at hand. Lord Jesus, - be Thou our refuge! At Dublin, I was like to be sent beyond the - reach of storms. A most blessed influence attended the word in - various parts of Ireland; and here, in London, the prospect is - more and more promising. As to outward things, all is gloomy. - I hope Bethesda will be kept in peace. I am glad the governor - has been to visit the house. May God make him a blessing to the - colony! I wish you would let me know how the English children - are disposed of. I would fain have a list of black and white, - from time to time. Blessed be God for the increase of the - negroes! I entirely approve of reducing the number of orphans as - low as possible; and I am determined to take in no more than the - plantation will maintain, till I can buy more negroes. Never was - I so well satisfied with my assistants as now.” - -Whitefield’s stay in London was short. Accompanied by the Revs. Martin -Madan and Henry Venn, he soon set out, on a six weeks’ journey, to the -west of England. Extracts from two of his letters will furnish an idea -of his spirit and his work. - - “EXETER, _September 28, 1757_. - - “Blessed be God! I can send you good news concerning Plymouth. - The scene was like that of Bristol, only more extraordinary. - Officers, soldiers, sailors, and the dockmen attended, with the - utmost solemnity, upon the word preached. Arrows of conviction - flew and fastened; and I left all God’s people upon the wing for - heaven. Blessed be the Lord Jesus for ordering me the lot of a - _cast-out_! I am glad that Mr. Madan and Mr. Venn returned safe. - May an effectual door be opened for both! If so, they will have - many adversaries. If the weather should alter, I may be in town - before long; if not, I may range farther. This spiritual hunting - is delightful sport, when the heart is in the work.” - -The next is taken from a letter to the Rev. John Gillies. The -“Counsellor” mentioned was Mr. Madan, who, before his ordination, -practised at the bar. - - “LONDON, _October 16, 1757_. - - “REVEREND AND VERY DEAR SIR,――I thank you for your sympathising - letter sent to Ireland. The Friend of sinners stood by me, or - I had been stoned to death. Stones were thrown at me, not for - speaking against the papists in particular, but, for exciting - all ranks to be faithful to King Jesus, and to our dear - sovereign King George, for His great name’s sake. - - “Seven gospel ministers were together at Bristol, when the - Counsellor preached. We have had blessed seasons, for these six - weeks last past, at Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol, Gloucester, and - Gloucestershire. This comes from my winter quarters.” - -Whitefield was again in London, where he continued for seven months. - -The “Counsellor,” the Rev. Martin Madan, was now a red-hot evangelist. -He had preached through Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, -Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire.[435] The number of -Methodist clergymen was rather rapidly increasing. Besides Whitefield, -the Wesleys, Hervey, Grimshaw, Romaine, Madan, Venn, Walker, and others -already mentioned in this biography, there were now the Rev. James -Stillingfleet, ultimately rector of Hotham, in Yorkshire; the Rev. -Mr. Downing, chaplain to the Earl of Dartmouth; and the Rev. William -Talbot, LL.D., vicar of Kineton, in Warwickshire, a man of aristocratic -family.[436] In this year, 1757, not fewer than five of these earnest -clergymen, Messrs. Walker, Talbot, Downing, Stillingfleet, and Madan, -at the request of Lord Dartmouth,[437] had preached at Cheltenham.[438] -On three or four occasions, Mr. Downing obtained the pulpit of the -parish church; but the rector and the churchwardens interposed, and -the zealous Methodist was excluded. Lord Dartmouth then opened his -own house for preaching, twice a week; and, sometimes, the seminary of -Mr. Samuel Wells was used for the same purpose.[439] In a letter to the -Countess of Huntingdon, his lordship wrote:―― - - “I wish your ladyship would use your influence with Mr. - Whitfield and Mr. Romaine to pay us a visit. Mr. Stillingfleet - has been obliged to return to Oxford, and I know not where to - direct to Mr. Madan or Mr. Venn. Mr. Talbot has promised to come - as soon as possible; and, next month, I expect good Mr. Walker, - of Truro. The rector was so displeased with Mr. Downing - preaching, and the great crowds who flocked to hear him, that - he excluded him from the pulpit after three or four sermons, and - refused to admit Mr. Stillingfleet, though I said everything I - could to induce him to do so. Since then, I have opened my house, - but find it too small for the numbers who solicit permission to - attend. I have no hopes of again obtaining the use of the parish - church.” - -Just at this time, Madan came to Cheltenham, and was soon after -joined by Venn, and by Maddock, the latter the curate of Hervey, of -Weston-Favel. Contrary to the expectations of Lord Dartmouth, both -Madan and Venn were several times admitted to the parish pulpit. Then -came Whitefield, and an immense crowd collected, expecting that he -also would preach in the church. Attended by Lord and Lady Dartmouth, -and by Messrs. Madan, Venn, Talbot, and Downing, the renowned preacher -proceeded to the church door. They found it closed against them. -Whitefield, never at a loss for pulpits, mounted a neighbouring -tombstone, and preached. The Rev. Henry Venn shall tell the remainder -of the story. In a letter to Lady Huntingdon, he wrote:―― - - “Under Mr. Whitefield’s sermon, many, among the immense crowd - that filled every part of the burial ground, were overcome with - fainting. Some sobbed deeply; others wept silently; and a solemn - concern appeared on the countenance of almost the whole assembly. - When he came to impress the injunction in the text (Isaiah - li. 1) his words seemed to cut like a sword, and several in - the congregation burst out into the most piercing bitter cries. - Mr. Whitefield, at this juncture, made a pause, and then burst - into a flood of tears. During this short interval, Mr. Madan and - myself stood up, and requested the people to restrain themselves, - as much as possible, from making any noise. Twice afterwards, we - had to repeat the same counsel. O with what eloquence, energy, - and melting tenderness, did Mr. Whitefield beseech sinners to be - reconciled to God! When the sermon was ended, the people seemed - chained to the ground. Mr. Madan, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Downing, and - myself found ample employment in endeavouring to comfort those - broken down under a sense of guilt. We separated in different - directions among the crowd, and each was quickly surrounded by - an attentive audience, still eager to hear all the words of this - life. - - “The next day, a like scene was witnessed, when dear Mr. - Whitefield preached to a prodigious congregation from Isaiah - lv. 6. In the evening, Mr. Talbot preached at Lord Dartmouth’s, - to as many as the rooms would hold. Hundreds crowded round his - lordship’s residence, anxiously expecting Mr. Whitefield to - preach. Exhausted as he was from his exertions in the morning, - when he heard that there were multitudes without, he stood - upon a table near the front of the house, and ♦proclaimed the - efficacy of the Saviour’s blood to cleanse the vilest of the - vile. - - “Intelligence of the extraordinary power attending the word - soon spread, and the next day we had Mr. Charles Wesley and - many friends from Bristol, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Rodborough, - and the villages in the neighbourhood; but all loud weeping and - piercing cries had subsided, and the work of conversion went on - in a more silent manner. For several days, we have had public - preaching, which has been well attended, and much solid good has - been done. - - “Mr. Whitefield and myself purpose leaving this for London the - day after to-morrow; and Mr. Madan and Mr. Talbot go in a few - days to Northamptonshire.”[440] - -This was a glorious “mission week,” in Cheltenham churchyard, a hundred -and twenty-nine years ago. It is rather remarkable that Whitefield -himself has left no account of it; but, shortly after, he wrote, as -follows, to Mr. Madan, pursuing his “mission” work in Northamptonshire. - - “LONDON, _November 3, 1757_. - - “Your kind letter was very acceptable. Ere now, I trust, the - Redeemer has given you the prospect of the barren wilderness - being turned into a fruitful field. Never fear. Jesus will - delight to honour you. Every clergyman’s name is Legion. Two - more are lately ordained.[441] The kingdom of God suffereth - violence, and, if we would take it by force, we must do violence - to our softest passions, and be content to be esteemed unkind - by those whose idols we once were. This is hard work; but, Abba, - Father, all things are possible with Thee! - - “Blessed be God! for putting it into your heart to ask my pulpit - for a week-day sermon. Are we not commanded to be instant in - season and out of season? If dear Mrs. Madan will take my word - for it, I will be answerable for your health. The joy resulting - from doing good will be a continual feast. God knows how long - our time of working may last. This order undoes us. As affairs - now stand, we must be disorderly, or useless. O for more - labourers! - - “I am told thousands went away last Sunday evening from - Tottenham Court, for want of room. Every day produces fresh - accounts of good being done. At this end of the town, the word - runs, and is glorified more and more. Last Friday, we had a - most solemn fast. I preached thrice. Thousands attended; and, - I humbly hope, our prayers entered into the ears of the Lord of - Sabaoth. More bad news from America about our fleet. God humble - and reform us! Go on, my dear sir, and tell a sinful nation, - that sin and unbelief are the accursed things which prevent - success. Thus, at last, we shall deliver our souls, and be free - from the blood of all men. - - “That you may return to London in all the fulness of the - blessings of the gospel of Christ, is and shall be the prayer of, - dear sir, - - “Yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -While Whitefield was acquiring new friends, he was losing old ones. -Jonathan Belcher, governor of the province of New Jersey, died on -August 31, 1757; and Aaron Burr, President of New Jersey College, -within a month afterwards. “The deaths of Governor Belcher, and -President Burr,” wrote Whitefield, “are dark providences; but Jesus -lives and reigns. Lord, raise up Elishas in the room of ascended -Elijahs!”[442] - -Whitefield’s correspondence was enormous. As a rule, no letters have -been introduced in the present work, except such as contained facts -and statements illustrative of his work and history. Mere _friendly_ -letters, though existing in great numbers, have been excluded. As a -specimen of hundreds of others, which might have been inserted, the -following, hitherto unpublished, may be welcome. They relate to the -marriage of the grandfather and grandmother of James Rooker, Esq., -solicitor, at Bideford, by whom they have been courteously lent:―― - - “LONDON, _November 15, 1757_. - - “DEAR MISS MOLLY,――Though weak in body, yet, as perhaps it may - be the last time I may write to you in your present position, be - pleased to accept a few valedictory lines. - - “I think you may cheerfully say, ‘I will go with the man.’ - Providence seems to have directed you to one who, I trust, will - love you as Christ loves the Church. My poor prayers will always - follow you. That you may be a mother in Israel, and, in every - respect, be enabled to walk as becometh the wife of a true - minister of Jesus Christ, is, and shall be, the ardent desire of, - dear Miss Molly, your affectionate friend and ready servant for - Christ’s sake, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD. - - “To Miss Molly Shepherd.” - - “LONDON, _January 17, 1758_. - “_Seven in the morning._ - - “REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,――I wish you joy, from my inmost soul, - of being married to one of the best-women, and of being admitted - into one of the best families in England. I never had the least - doubt of your affair being of God. You have called Jesus and His - disciples to the marriage; and your letter sent me to my knees - with tears of joy and strong cryings that the God and Father of - our Lord Jesus may bless you both. You need not ask, my dear sir, - the continuance of my friendship. I value you as a dear minister - of Christ, and as the husband of one who was presented by her - honoured father at the table of the Lord. I doubt not of her - being a help-meet for you,――a mother in Israel. May you, like - Zachary and Elizabeth, be enabled to walk in all the ordinances - and commandments of the Lord blameless! I am glad the dear - little female flock at Bideford will have such an agreeable - addition to their society. That grace, mercy, and peace may be - multiplied on them and you, is, and shall be, the hearty prayer - of, reverend and dear sir, your affectionate friend and ready - servant in our common Lord, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD. - - “My wife joins in cordial respects. - “To the Rev. Mr. Lavington.” - -Scores of such letters might be introduced,――the spontaneous effusions -of a warm-hearted Christian friendship. - -Whitefield’s incessant and arduous labours began to affect his health. -Hence the following extracts from his correspondence:―― - - “London, November 26, 1757. Last week, my poor feeble labours - almost brought me to the grave; but preaching three times, - yesterday, on account of the late success of the Prussians, - has somewhat recovered me. It was a high day: thousands and - thousands attended.” - - “London, December 14, 1757. By New Year’s Day, I hope, we shall - be able to discharge our Tottenham Court chapel debts. Every day - proves more and more that it was built for the glory of Christ, - and the welfare of many precious and immortal souls. But my - attendance on that, and the Tabernacle too, with a weak body, - outward cares, and inward trials, has, of late, frequently - brought me near to my wished-for port. I am brought to the short - allowance of preaching but once a day, and thrice on a Sunday. - - “Round the Tottenham Court chapel there is a most beautiful - piece of ground, and some good folks have purposed erecting - almshouses on each side, for godly widows. I have a plan for - twelve. The whole expense will be £400. We have got £100. The - widows are to have half a crown a week. The sacrament money, - which will be more than enough, is to be devoted to this purpose. - Thus will many widows be provided for, and a standing monument - be left, that the Methodists were not against good works.” - -Thus did Whitefield end the year 1757 in caring for widows, as, for the -last twenty years, he had cared for orphans. - -He began the new year, 1758, with a devout outburst of patriotic -gratitude. As already stated, Frederick, King of Prussia, had recently -won a most important battle; and Whitefield wished to recognize -the hand of God in the defeat of his country’s enemies. “Monday, -January 2,” says the _Gentleman’s Magazine_ for 1758, p. 41, “was -observed as a day of thanksgiving, at the chapel in Tottenham Court -Road, by Mr. Whitefield’s people, for the signal victories gained by -the King of Prussia over his enemies.” - -It was a trial to Whitefield to be obliged to preach but once a day on -week-days, and thrice on Sundays; but, as usual, he was thankful and -jubilant. The debt on the chapel in Tottenham Court Road was paid; his -friend Martin Madan had become a son of thunder; numbers of sinners -were being saved; and the political horizon was growing brighter. The -following are extracts from his letters:―― - - “London, January 12, 1758. A more effectual door than ever seems - to be opening in this metropolis. A counsellor, lately ordained, - turns out a Boanerges. Thousands and thousands flock to hear the - everlasting gospel. Let us wrestle in prayer for each other.” - - “London, January 17, 1758. What can reconcile us to stay longer - on earth, but the prospect of seeing the kingdom of the Lord - Jesus advanced? It is very promising in London. Mr. Madan is a - Boanerges. The chapel is made a Bethel. Blessed be God! all the - debt is paid.” - -The godly and benevolent John Thornton, Esq., was now a young man -rising rapidly into notice. In his house, at Clapham, Whitefield -frequently expounded to large assemblies.[443] To Miss Gideon,[444] -the friend and correspondent of Venn, Whitefield wrote as follows:―― - - “London, February 3, 1758. I am reduced to the short allowance - of preaching once a day, except thrice on a Sunday. At both ends - of the town, the word runs and is glorified. The champions in - the Church go on like sons of thunder. I am to be at Clapham - this evening. Mr. Venn will gladly embrace the first opportunity. - Bristol, in all probability, will be my first spring excursion.” - -In another letter, of the same date, he wrote:―― - - “The plan concerted some time ago is likely to be put into - execution. The trenches for the wall are begun; and, by the - 1st of May, the almshouses are to be finished. If possible, I - would furnish them, that the poor might be sure of goods, as - well as a house. The thing has scarce, as yet, taken wind. By - thoughtfulness, frequent preaching, and a crazy tabernacle, my - nightly rests are continually broken; but the joy of the Lord is - my strength. I hope ere long to be where I shall keep awake for - ever.” - -The next letter, addressed to Professor Francke, of Germany, though -containing but little additional information, is too interesting to be -omitted. - - “LONDON, _March 5, 1758_. - - “MOST REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,――Through grace, the fields are as - ready to harvest as ever. In the summer, I range; and, with a - table for my pulpit, and the heavens for my sounding-board, I - am enabled, generally thrice a day, to call to many thousands - to come to Jesus that they may have life. In the winter, I am - confined to London; but, to my great mortification, through - continual vomitings, want of rest, and of appetite, I have been - reduced, for some time, to the short allowance of preaching - only once a day, except Sundays, when I generally preach thrice. - Thousands attend every evening, at both ends of the town; and, - on Sundays, many, many go away for want of room. The Divine - presence is amongst us, and every week produces fresh instances - of the power of converting grace. - - “Blessed be God! we meet with no disturbances in town, and very - seldom in the country; but last year, while I was preaching - in the fields in Ireland, a popish mob was so incensed at my - proclaiming the Lord our Righteousness, and at my praying for - our good old King, and the King of Prussia, that they surrounded, - stoned, and almost killed me. But we are immortal till our work - is done. Glad should I have been to have died in such a cause. - - “Mr. Wesley has Societies in Ireland and elsewhere; and, though - we differ a little in some principles, yet brotherly love - continues. When itinerating, I generally preach among his people, - as freely as among those who are called our own. - - “In London, several new flaming preachers are come forth; and - we hear of others, in various parts of the kingdom, who seem - determined to know and preach nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him - crucified. - - “Thousands and thousands are now praying daily for success to - the Prussian and Hanoverian arms. Your fast-days were kept here - with great solemnity; and will be so again, God willing, when - I know the day. Our Joshuas are in the field. Many a Moses is - gone up into the mount to pray. ‘_Nil desperandum Christo duce, - auspice Christo._’ He who wrought such wonders for the Prussian - monarch last year, can repeat them this. The distresses of - German Protestants, we look upon as our own. We have also - endeavoured to give thanks for the great mercy vouchsafed your - Orphan House, and the Protestant cause.” - -In the third week of the month of May, Whitefield left his “_winter_ -quarters,” and set out for the west of England, and for Wales. He began -his journey in a one-horse chaise; but driving prevented his reading, -and the vehicle nearly shook him to pieces.[445] His servant, also, -“who rode the fore-horse, was often exceedingly splashed with dirt, -when the roads were bad.” For such reasons, Whitefield wished to -exchange his humble conveyance for a more convenient one. He arrived -at Gloucester, on Saturday, May 20; and, on the following day, preached -thrice and administered the holy sacrament. On Tuesday, May 23, he came -to Bristol, and, for the next five days, preached twice daily, either -at Bristol, Bath, or Kingswood. His chaise still troubled him, and he -longed for “a good four-wheel carriage for £30 or £40.” “I would not,” -says he, “lay out a single farthing, but for my blessed Master.” On -Monday, May 29, in the best way he could, he started for Wales. On -his return to Bristol, he wrote a series of letters to a number of -his aristocratic friends. The following are extracts:―― - -To the Countess Delitz:―― - - “Bristol, June 16, 1758. Never was I brought so low as on my - late circuit in Wales; but, as far as I can hear, it was one of - the most prosperous I ever took. Twice every day, thousands and - thousands attended, in various towns in South Wales; and, on the - Sundays, the numbers were incredible. Welcome, thrice welcome, - death in such a cause!” - -To Captain H――――y:―― - - “Bristol, June 16, 1758. The Welsh roads have almost demolished - my open one-horse chaise, as well as me. I am almost ashamed of - your being put to so much trouble, in procuring a close chaise - for me; but I like the purchase exceeding well. The legacy is - wonderful. I can give it away with a good grace. At present, I - think the Orphan House shall have the whole. It is much wanted - there.” - -To Lady Huntingdon:―― - - “Bristol, June 17, 1758. This leaves me returned from Wales. It - proved a most delightful trying circuit. I suppose your ladyship - has heard how low I have been in body,――scarce ever lower,――not - able to sit up in company all the time, yet strengthened to - travel without food, and to preach to thousands every day. The - great congregation at Haverfordwest consisted of near fifteen - thousand. O for some disinterested soul to help at the chapel - during the summer season! Spiritual, divine ambition, whither - art thou fled? But I see such honours are reserved for few. I - rejoice in the increase of your ladyship’s spiritual routs; and - can guess at the consolations such uncommon scenes must afford - you.” - -The “spiritual routs,” here mentioned, were meetings held twice a week, -in the house of the Countess of Huntingdon, and at which Romaine, Madan, -and Venn officiated. They were remarkable gatherings, and included, -among others, the Duchess of Bedford, the Duchess of Grafton, Lady Jane -Scott, Lord and Lady Dacre, Mr. and Lady Anne Connolly, Lady Elizabeth -Keppell, Lady Betty Waldegrave, Lady Coventry, Lord Weymouth, Lord -Tavistock, the Duchess of Hamilton, the Duchess of Richmond, Lady -Ailesbury, Lord and Lady Hertford, Lady Townsend, Lord Trafford, Lord -Northampton, Lady Hervey, Lady Pembroke, Lady Northumberland, Lady -Rebecca Paulet, Lord Edgecumbe, Lord Lyttleton, Lady Essex, etc., -etc.[446] It is impossible to estimate the far-reaching results of -meetings like these. A current of Christian influence was created, -which affected a large portion of the aristocracy of the land, and, -through them, a countless number of other people. - -Whitefield bewails the want of men to preach in his Tottenham Court -Road chapel. At this very time, he was corresponding with a young -man, twenty-three years of age, Robert Robinson, afterwards the famous -Dissenting minister at Cambridge. Robinson had recently left London, -and gone to Norwich. Here, on May 10, 1758, he wrote Whitefield a long -letter, telling him that, six years ago, curiosity drew him to the -Tabernacle, to pity Whitefield’s folly, and to abhor the doctrines -he preached. Whitefield took for his text, “O generation of vipers, -who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Robinson says, he -“went pitying the poor deluded Methodists; but came away envying their -happiness.” He constantly attended the Tabernacle for two years and -seven months before he found peace with God. He had now begun to preach, -and writes:―― - - “How often do I tremble lest I should run before I am sent; yet - I dare not say the Lord has left me without witness. Multitudes - of people come to hear the word, both in Norwich and the - country.”[447] - -Whitefield replied to Robinson’s letter as follows:―― - - “BRISTOL, _May 25, 1758_. - - “Why did you not make your case known to me before you left - London? What motives induced you to leave it? How came you to - go to Norwich? What prospect have you of a growing people? You - may send a line to London, and it will be forwarded to me in the - country. I have now opened my summer’s campaign. The Redeemer - has given us a good beginning. Who knows but we shall have a - glorious ending? He is all in all. You find that He strengthens - and blesses you in His work, and causes your rod to bud and - blossom. That your bow may abide in strength, that you may be - clothed with humility, and that the arms of your hands may be - continually strengthened by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob, - is the earnest prayer of your affectionate friend in our common - Lord, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[448] - -Robinson answered Whitefield’s questions:―― - - “You ask, sir, why I did not make myself known to you in London? - The plain truth is this, I had such a sense of my unworthiness, - that I thought your conversation too great an honour for me to - enjoy.” - -Robinson assigns as his reasons for leaving London, the desire of his -relatives to see him; a hope that residing in the country would improve -his health; and especially a fear that, if he stayed, his London -friends would make him preach before God called him. As to the reason -of his going to Norwich, he writes:―― - - “My intention was to settle in the farming business in the - country; but there I found many souls awakened, who had the word - preached but now and then. We met in the evenings to sing and - pray and speak our experience. They often solicited me to preach - among them, as did some neighbouring Dissenting ministers. I - long refused; till they wrung their hands, and wept bitterly, - and told me they were starving for the word. With many doubts - and fears, I, at last, agreed to their request. People came from - adjacent towns to hear me. I was invited higher up the country. - At length, some of Mr. Wheatley’s friends informed him of me. - He sent his clerk, entreating me to come to Norwich. I did come; - and, according to the present appearance of things, I apprehend - I shall be fixed here.” - -In reply to Whitefield’s fourth question, Robinson remarked:―― - - “As to the ‘prospect of a growing people,’――sometimes I think - it bids fair for it; sometimes I think otherwise. The church I - preach to has near forty members, and many more are desirous of - being received. On the Lord’s-day, we have several hundreds of - hearers, who seem very serious, and enquiring the way to Zion. - On the week-days, we have abundance of people to hear; and, I - hope, the Lord does not let His word return void. The country - people frequently send for me, on the days I do not preach at - Norwich; and multitudes come to hear, so that the preaching - houses will not hold them. However, I can go upon the commons; - and, blessed be God! there is room there; and, what is best of - all, there is room enough and to spare in my Master’s house. By - the time I have preached in public, and have visited, exhorted, - and prayed with the people in private, and have kept a little - time to enjoy my God in my closet, I find my day is gone; but it - is an honour to be busy for Christ. O that my soul may be found - living and dying in it! - - “My dear sir, I rejoice in your prosperity in the gospel. Go - where I will, I find some of your spiritual children;――some - awakened by hearing you, and some by reading your sermons. Dear - sir, go on preaching; and we will go on praying for you; and who - knows what a prayer-hearing God may do? I am really ashamed of - my long letter; but, methinks, I am now opening my heart to a - tender father, who, I trust, will excuse my infirmities. - - “I remain, dear sir, your affectionate son and servant in Christ, - - “ROBERT ROBINSON.”[449] - -Thus did Robert Robinson become a preacher,――a man who rose to -sufficient eminence to have one of his publications discussed in -both the House of Commons and the House of Lords; whose learning and -services were such as to procure for him the offer of the diploma -of D.D. from a Scotch University; and yet, lamentable to relate, who -became so loose in his theology as to die under the imputation of being -a Socinian. - -After his return from Wales, Whitefield’s stay in London was brief. -Towards the end of July, he set out for Scotland; in journeying towards -which, he formed an acquaintance with another recently converted -clergyman, who, for nearly thirty years afterwards, annually rendered -important service in Whitefield’s London chapels. John Berridge, the -well-known Vicar of Everton, had recently found peace with God, through -faith in Christ; and, six months after the time of Whitefield’s visit, -occurred those puzzling phenomena, the _stricken cases_, mentioned in -Wesley’s Journal. It is rather remarkable, that, though Whitefield’s -preaching was much more sensational than Wesley’s, no such effects -seem to have been witnessed at Everton by him, as were witnessed by his -friend. At all events, if such happened, he is silent concerning them. -All that is known of his visit, is contained in the following letter:―― - - “NEWCASTLE, _July 31, 1758_. - - “All the last week was taken up in preaching at Everton, - St. Neots, Keysoe, Bedford, Olney, Weston-Favel, Underwood, - Ravenstone, and Northampton. Four clergymen lent me their - churches, and three read prayers for me in one day. I preached - also in John Bunyan’s pulpit; and, at Northampton, I took the - field. Good seasons at all the places. Mr. Berridge, who was - lately awakened at Everton, promises to be a burning and shining - light. Yesterday, we had good times here; and, to-morrow, I - shall set off for Edinburgh. My bodily strength increases but - very little. Sometimes I am almost tempted to turn back; but I - hope to go forward, and shall strive, as much as in me lies, to - die in this glorious work.” - -Whitefield arrived at Edinburgh on August 4, and, despite physical -weakness, preached, for nearly a month, in the Orphan Hospital Park, -to enormous congregations, morning and evening, every day.[450] -Mr. Gillies invited him to Glasgow; but he replied:―― - - “I fear your kind invitation cannot be complied with. For above - three months past, I have been so weak, that I could scarcely - drag the crazy load along. I preach at Edinburgh twice a day; - but I grow weaker and weaker. I suppose you have heard of the - death of Mr. Jonathan Edwards. Happy he!” - -In another letter he wrote:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _August 19, 1758_. - - “I came here a fortnight ago, very low indeed; but, by preaching - about thirty times, I am a good deal better. Multitudes, of all - ranks, flock twice every day. I thought to have moved on Tuesday - next, but, as it is the race week, and my health is improving, - friends advise me to stay.” - -On August 29, he went to Glasgow, where he remained a week. Here, after -one of his sermons, he made a collection, amounting to nearly £60, on -behalf of a Society, established in 1727, for educating and putting to -trades the sons of Highlanders, and of which the Duke of Argyll was the -principal member.[451] - -Whitefield also preached three thanksgiving sermons, for the taking -of Cape Breton, by Boscawen, Amherst, and Wolfe; for the defeat of the -Russians, at the great battle of Custrin, by Frederick, King of Prussia; -and for the victory over the Austrians and Imperialists, at Crevelt, by -Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. “By his warm and repeated exhortations -to loyalty, and a steady adherence to the Protestant interest,” said -the _Glasgow Courant_, “Mr. Whitefield’s visit here has been useful to -the community in a civil, as well as a religious, light.” - -On September 6, Whitefield returned to Edinburgh, and, during another -week, preached twice every day. On September 13, he set out for London. -“By his visit,” says the _Scots’ Magazine_, “the Edinburgh Orphan -Hospital has drawn upwards of £200, by the collections at the entry to -the Park, and by the seat-rents.” - -Remembering the value of money in 1758, these were enormous sums. No -wonder, that, even on such a ground, the canny Scots were always ready -to give to Whitefield a hearty welcome. - -Glimpses of his preaching tour to London will be obtained in the -following extracts from his letters:―― - - “DARLINGTON, _September 21, 1758_. - - “At Edinburgh and Glasgow, my health grew better, and I was - enabled to preach always twice, and sometimes thrice a day, to - very large and affected auditories. In my way to Newcastle, I - preached twice; and thrice in and about that place. Yesterday, - I hope, some gospel seed fell on good ground at Durham and - Bishop-Auckland. I am now on my way to Yarm, and hope next - Lord’s-day to be at Leeds.” - - “LEEDS, _October 11, 1758_. - - “Though I have preached twice and sometimes thrice a day for - above a fortnight past, preaching does not kill me. God has - been giving blessed seasons. By next Lord’s-day, I am to be at - Rotherham and Sheffield. Change of weather will alone drive me - to winter quarters. Lord, prepare me for winter trials! They are - preparative for an eternal summer.” - -To his friend Mr. Gillies, of Glasgow, he wrote:―― - - “ROTHERHAM, _October 15, 1758_. - - “Since my leaving Scotland, in various parts of the north of - England, as at Alnwick, Newcastle, Leeds, etc., the ever loving, - altogether lovely Jesus has manifested His glory. Thousands - and thousands have flocked twice, and sometimes thrice a day to - hear the word. Never did I see the fields whiter for a spiritual - harvest. Praise the Lord, O our souls! If the weather continues - fair, I hope to prolong my summer’s campaign. It shocks me to - think of winter quarters yet. How soon does the year roll round! - Lord Jesus, quicken my tardy pace! As they were in debt, at - Leeds, for their building,[452] last Lord’s-day I collected for - them near £50. Lord Jesus, help me to know no party but Thine! - This, I am persuaded, is your catholic spirit. O for an increase - of it among all denominations!” - -From Sheffield, Whitefield proceeded to Staffordshire; and intended to -go from there to Bristol; but “change of weather and the shortness of -the days drove” him to his “winter quarters.” On reaching London, he -wrote:―― - - “October 28. My health is somewhat improved, but a very little - thing soon impairs it. Lord, help me! How very little can I do - for Thee! We have had fine gospel seasons. Grace! grace!”[453] - -These fragmentary records are truly marvellous. How a man, in such -health, performed such labours, for months together, it is difficult to -imagine. - -Once again in London, his Orphan House demanded his attention. The -family had been reduced, and he now had it in his “power to pay off all -Bethesda’s arrears.” He sent a number of “Bibles and other books.” “He -longed for an opportunity” to go himself; but the war prevented him, -and he knew not how to get supplies for his two London chapels. He was, -however, quite satisfied with the management of his housekeeper, and -sent her “ten thousand thousand thanks.” He wished his superintendent -to consign him “a little rice and indigo,” that his “friends might see -some of the Orphan House produce.” Taken altogether, his affairs in -Georgia were less embarrassing than usual.[454] - -During the year, Whitefield had gained a new clerical friend, in -Berridge of Everton; but, before it ended, he lost a friend, whom he -dearly loved. James Hervey died on Christmas-day, 1758. Within a week -of this mournful occurrence, Whitefield wrote the following pathetic -letter to the dying rector of Weston-Favel:―― - - “LONDON, _December 19, 1758_. - - “And is my dear friend indeed about to take his last flight? - I dare not wish your return into this vale of tears. But our - prayers are continually ascending to the Father of our spirits - that you may die in the embraces of a never-failing Jesus, and - in all the fulness of an exalted faith. O when will my time - come! I groan in this tabernacle, being burdened, and long to be - clothed with my house from heaven. Farewell! My very dear friend, - f――a――r――e――well! Yet a little while, and we shall meet,―― - - ‘Where sin, and strife, and sorrow cease, - And all is love, and joy, and peace.’ - - “There Jesus will reward you for all the tokens of love which - you have showed, for His great name’s sake, to yours most - affectionately in our common Lord, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - - “P.S. God comfort your mother, and relations, and thousands and - thousands more who will bewail your departure!”[455] - -In the year 1758, Whitefield, comparatively speaking, “had rest” from -persecution. The only exception was in the case of scurrilous Dr. Free, -Vicar of East Coker, and Lecturer at St. Mary Hill, London, and at -Newington, Surrey. On Whitsunday, this vehement defender of the Church, -preached a sermon, before the University, at St. Mary’s, Oxford, which -he immediately published, with a “Preface” and an “Appendix,” and a -“Dedication” to the Archbishop of Canterbury. (8vo. 65 pp.) In his -“Dedication,” Free informs the Archbishop, that, Wesley and Whitefield -“have, by _secret_ advances, so far _stolen_ upon the _common people_, -as to seduce _many_ of all _denominations_ from their proper _pastors_; -and, aided by this _mixed_ multitude, they threaten the Church of -England, the _bulwark_ of the _Protestant_ cause, with a general -_alteration_, or total _subversion_.” Free’s “Appendix” chiefly -consists of extracts from Whitefield’s Journals, by which he pretends -to prove――1. That the “Methodists experiment upon women in _hysteric_ -fits, and upon young persons in _convulsions_, under pretence of -exorcising devils.” 2. That Whitefield professed to have received -“extraordinary inspirations in his _office_ as a _preacher_.” 3. That -he and others had “attempted to set up a new form of church-government, -through the kingdom, in contempt of the _authority_ of the _Bishops_, -and without any _authority_ from the state.” 4. That they had -propagated “_atheistical doctrines and propositions_, quite destructive -to the morality and well-being of a state.” 5. That they had “abused -the _clergy_ in _general_, and the _great lights_ of the Church in -_particular_.” 6. That they “imagined God had made them the instruments -of a _great work_.” 7. That they used “religiously amorous, melting, -and rapturous expressions.” - -Whitefield treated the ravings of the Rev. Dr. Free with silent -contempt. Wesley wrote the doctor two “letters,” and then left him “to -laugh, and scold, and witticise, and call names, just as he pleased.” - -Little is known respecting Whitefield’s health, labours, and success, -during the first four months of 1759. - -On the 4th of January, the Countess of Huntingdon went to Bristol to -meet Wesley, who accompanied her to Bath, and preached, to several of -the nobility, in her house. Early in February, her ladyship returned -to London, and, on Friday, the 16th, the day appointed for a public -fast, she went to the Tabernacle, where Whitefield addressed an immense -congregation from the words, “Rend your hearts, and not your garments.” -At half-past eight in the evening, she heard Wesley at the Foundery, -where he preached, to an overflowing multitude, from “Seek the Lord -while He may be found.” Her ladyship, profoundly impressed with a -conviction of the necessity and power of prayer, arranged for a series -of intercession meetings in her own mansion. On Wednesday, February 21, -the officiating ministers were Whitefield, Charles Wesley, Venn, and -Thomas Maxfield. On Friday, the 23rd, the meeting was conducted by -Romaine, Wesley, Madan, and Jones. On Tuesday, the 27th, Wesley writes: -“I walked with my brother and Mr. Maxfield to Lady Huntingdon’s. -After breakfast, came in Messrs. Whitefield, Madan, Romaine, Jones, -Downing, and Venn, with some persons of quality, and a few others. -Mr. Whitefield, I found, was to have administered the sacrament; but -he insisted upon my doing it: after which, at the request of Lady -Huntingdon, I preached on 1 Cor. xiii. 13. O what are the greatest -men, to the great God! As the small dust of the balance.”[456] Charles -Wesley adds to this account, by saying, “My brother preached, and won -all our hearts. I never liked him better, and was never more united to -him since his unhappy marriage. We dined at Mr. Madan’s, who took us -in his coach.”[457] On Wednesday, the 28th, the service was conducted -by Wesley, Venn, and Madan, and, at its close, Whitefield delivered a -short exhortation. On Thursday, March 1, the Rev. Thomas Jones preached, -and Romaine prayed. On Friday, the 2nd, Charles Wesley gave an address, -and Whitefield, Romaine, Downing, and Venn prayed. - -These remarkable meetings seem to have been concluded on Tuesday, -March 6, when, besides the clergymen already mentioned, there was -another present, who afterwards attained a distinguished eminence――John -Fletcher, the immortal Vicar of Madeley. First of all, the sacrament -was administered by Whitefield. Among the communicants were the Earl -and Countess of Dartmouth, the Countess of Chesterfield, Lady Gertrude -Hotham, Sir Charles Hotham, Mrs. Carteret, Mrs. Cavendish, Sir Sidney -Halford Smythe, Mr. Thornton (of Clapham), the Rev. Messrs. Venn, -Jones, Maxfield, Downing, Fletcher, and others. Whitefield addressed -the communicants; “and all were touched to the heart,” said Lady -Huntingdon, “and dissolved in tears.” Whitefield, Romaine, and Madan -prayed. The sacramental service being ended, the Earls of Chesterfield -and Holderness, and several others of distinction, were admitted. -Whitefield preached, with his accustomed eloquence and energy, from -“Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.” The word, -remarked Lady Huntingdon, “drew sighs from every heart, and tears -from every eye. Mr. Fletcher concluded with a prayer, every syllable -of which appeared to be uttered under the immediate teaching of the -Spirit; and, he has told me since, that, he never had more intimate -communion with God, or enjoyed so much of His immediate presence, as -on that occasion.”[458] - -Glorious men, and glorious meetings! No wonder God was present! Who -can estimate the results of these godly gatherings? Fresh from such -meetings, the Countess of Huntingdon went to Brighton, longing, panting, -and praying for the salvation of sinners. She carried to the mansions -of the nobility the influence of the services held in her London -residence. She took to the houses of the poor the glad tidings of -salvation. A soldier’s wife, at Brighton, manifested such anxiety, -that the Countess was induced to repeat her visit. The apartment was -contiguous to a public bakehouse, and the people, who came to the -oven, listened, through a crack in the partition, to her ladyship’s -conversations, readings, expositions, and prayers. In a little while, -she had, in this humble home, a regular congregation. At first, none -but females were admitted; but a blacksmith, named Joseph Wall, a man -notorious for his profligacy, by some means, gained admission, was -converted, and, for a period of twenty-nine years, adorned the doctrine -of God his Saviour. The Countess had become a _preacheress_, and a -successful one! In the midst of her Brighton meetings she sent for -Whitefield. Whitefield went. His first sermon was preached under a tree, -in a field behind the White Lion Inn. Among his hearers was a youth, -eighteen years of age, Thomas ♦Tupper, ready to stone the preacher, -but who was so affected by Whitefield’s cry of “Turn ye! turn ye!” -that he was converted, and became the predecessor of the well-known -William Jay of Bath. Another convert, gained on the spot, was Edward -Gadsby, who, for more than a quarter of a century afterwards, “walked -in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” After this, -conversions were multiplied; and the Countess built a small, but neat -meeting-house, on the site of the present one in North Street, the -expense of which she, either wholly, or in part, defrayed by the sale -of her jewels. In 1761, the chapel was opened by Martin Madan; and, -in succession, Romaine, Berridge, Venn, and Fletcher, severally took -charge of the congregation.[459] - -As usual, Whitefield was greatly encouraged by the prosperity of the -work of God in London. In a letter to his housekeeper at Bethesda, -dated “March 26, 1759,” he wrote, “We live in a changing world, but -Bethesda’s God liveth for ever and ever. His word runs and is glorified -daily, especially at Tottenham Court. Strange! that nobody will relieve -me, that I may once more flee to America. But, heavenly Father, our -times are in Thine hands: do with us as seemeth good in Thy sight!” - -Before leaving London for his “spring campaign,” Whitefield issued -a small publication with the following title: “A Sermon on Christ -Crucified. Preached at Paul’s Cross, the Friday before Easter. By John -Foxe, the Martyrologist. With a recommendatory preface by the Rev. Mr. -Whitefield. London, 1759.” - -Nothing need be said of John Foxe’s sermon, but Whitefield’s preface is -too good to be omitted. - - “To all who attend on the word, preached at the Tabernacle, near - Moorfields, and at Tottenham Court chapel. - - “MY DEAR HEARERS,――The ensuing discourse was lately put into my - hands. The title-page informs you when, where, and by whom it - was delivered――namely, near two hundred years ago, in the open - air, from a pulpit made in the shape of a cross in Cheapside, - commonly called Paul’s Cross, and by that venerable man of God, - Mr. John Foxe, Prebend of St. Paul’s, whose Book of Martyrs was, - by order of the government in Queen Elizabeth’s reign, fixed - in all churches, and remains in many to this day. Though some - of the expressions in this sermon may seem to be obsolete, and - others want a little explication, I choose to publish it in its - native dress, not only on account of its being designed for the - instruction and comfort of heavy-laden souls, who are too deeply - impressed to mind the elegancy and correctness of the words and - phrases, but also chiefly that you might have a specimen of that - foolishness of preaching, which, in the days of our forefathers, - was so mighty through God to the pulling down of the outward - strongholds of popery in these kingdoms; and what was infinitely - more (though less discernible by the natural man), the mightier - inward strongholds of sin and corruption, in the hearts of both - Papists and Protestants. - - “And would to God, that not only all the ministers of our - Established Church, but of all the Protestant Reformed Churches, - were not only almost, but altogether, such preachers! How would - their hearers’ hearts then burn within them, whilst they were - opening to them, from the Scriptures, man’s original apostacy - from God,――the only means of reconciliation through faith in - the blood of Christ,――a universal morality, as the sole fruit - and proof of such a faith,――an establishment and growth in grace - here,――and, as the blessed and certain consequences of all these, - a perfect consummation of bliss, both of body and soul, in the - full and eternal enjoyment of a Triune God in the kingdom of - heaven hereafter. These are the grand truths delivered in the - following sermon. - - “My chief reason for dedicating it to you is to let you see - that the doctrines you daily hear are no new doctrines, but the - very same which were preached two hundred years ago, and that in - the streets too, by the excellent compilers of the Liturgy and - Articles, and who had the honour of being banished and burned, - in the bloody reign of Queen Mary, for adhering to the same. - And, if it should ever happen in our times, that any of their - true-born faithful sons and successors should be excluded pulpits, - denied licenses, or put into spiritual courts for preaching in - the same manner, let them remember, that we live under a reign, - when, though pulpits are shut, the highways and hedges lie open. - Paul’s Cross, as I am informed, was burnt down at the Fire of - London; but Christ crucified, whom Paul preached, may yet be - exalted in the streets and lanes of the city. Our Lord has given - us a universal commission: ‘Go ye, and preach the gospel to - every creature.’ When thrust out of the synagogues, a mountain, - a ship were his pulpit, and the heavens were his sounding-board. - Thus Latimer, Cranmer, Ridley, and Mr. John Foxe, the famous - martyrologist, preached. And who needs be ashamed of copying - after such unexceptionable examples? But I am detaining you too - long. Haste, and read; and if, in reading, you feel what I did, - you will be glad of this sermon. - - “I am, my dear hearers, your affectionate friend and ready - servant, in our common Lord, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD. - - “London, May 4, 1759.” - -A few days after the date of this Protestant preface, Whitefield left -London on another of his gospel tours. Hence the following:―― - - “BRISTOL, _May 25, 1759_. - - “This day se’nnight, I came hither. The next day, the spring - campaign was opened. On the Lord’s-day, we took the field. - Thousands and thousands attended: full as many as in London. The - power of the Lord was present at the three meetings, as well as - at the holy sacrament. Ever since, I have been enabled to preach - twice, and sometimes thrice a day. Never did I see the Bristol - people more attentive or impressed. My body feels the heat, but - no matter. If souls are benefited, all is well.” - -Leaving Bristol, Whitefield made his way to Scotland, arriving at -Edinburgh on Saturday, the 30th of June.[460] Three days afterwards, -he wrote as follows:―― - - “Edinburgh, July 3, 1759. There has been a long interval between - my last and this. My quick motions and frequent preaching have - been the causes. O what am I that I should be employed for - Jesus! In Gloucestershire, the cup of many of His people ran - over. In Yorkshire, I preached for a week twice a day. Great - congregations! great power! Blessed be the name of the Great God - for ever and ever! Here, also, people, high and low, rich and - poor, flock as usual, morning and evening. I am growing fat; but, - as I take it to be a disease, I hope I shall go home the sooner. - Happy they who are safe in harbour.” - -Whitefield spent nearly seven weeks in Scotland, a fortnight in Glasgow, -and the remainder of the time in Edinburgh. Of course, his cathedral -in the latter city was the Orphan Hospital Park, as usual, where he -preached every morning and evening without exception. He did the same -in Glasgow, only on the two Sundays that he was there, he preached ten -times! He set out for London on Tuesday, August 14;[461] but, before -following him, further extracts from his letters must be given. To the -Rev. John Gillies, he wrote:―― - - “Edinburgh, July 7, 1759. I purpose to see Glasgow; but cannot - as yet fix the day. I preach, and people flock as usual; but - Scotland is not London. The Redeemer is doing wonders there. - Every post brings fresh good news. God’s Spirit blows when and - where it listeth. O for a gale before the storm! I expect one is - at hand. The refuge is as near. Jesus is our hiding-place. O for - a hiding-place in heaven! When will my turn come? Some say, not - yet; for I am growing fat. So did Mr. ♦Darracott a little before - he died.” - -Whitefield’s obesity was one of his troubles. He disliked it; for it -was cumbersome, and made his work more difficult. It was not the result -of less labour, or of more physical indulgence. Disease had already -seized the strong, active man, and, as Whitefield judged, this was one -of its early symptoms. It helped, however, to cure him of a fault. “My -friend Mr. Whitefield,” says Romaine, “one day told me, that there was -a time in his life when he thought he had never well closed a sermon -without a lash at the _fat_, downy doctors of the Establishment. -‘At that period,’ said he, ‘I was not lean myself, though much -slenderer than since. I went on, however, and seldom failed to touch -pretty smartly upon the objects of my dissatisfaction, till one day, -on entering the pulpit at Tottenham Court Road, I found the door -apparently narrowed, and moved in obliquely. The idea then struck me, -that I was becoming, at least in appearance, a downy doctor myself; -and, from that time, I never more made the downy doctors a subject of -castigation.’”[462] - - “Edinburgh, July 12, 1759. It is well that there is a heaven to - make amends for our disappointments on earth. It is a dead time - in Scotland. There is little or no stirring among the dry bones. - It is not so in London, and several other parts of England. On - Monday, God willing, I go to blow the gospel trumpet at Glasgow. - Lord, what am I, that I should be one of Thy run-abouts! If this - be to be vile, Lord, make me more vile.” - - “Glasgow, July 18, 1759. I see the disease, but know not how to - come at a cure. I dread a corpulent body; but it breaks in upon - me like an armed man. O that my heart may not wax gross at the - same time! Congregations in Scotland are very large.” - -During his present visit to Scotland, Whitefield preached nearly -a hundred times, to ever-increasing congregations. His collections, -for the Orphan Hospital, amounted to £215. In most of his sermons, -he stirred up the zeal of the people for God, for King George II., -and for their country. His last service, on Sunday evening, August 12, -was a thanksgiving sermon for the victory of Prince Ferdinand of -Brunswick over the French, at Minden, on July 31. Another fact also -must be mentioned. Miss Henderson, a young lady of considerable -fortune, offered him a gift of £700, which he courteously refused. -She then proposed to give it to his Orphan House; but, for some reason, -this offer also was declined.[463] This was the mercenary man, who, -according to his enemies, was always endeavouring to amass a fortune -for himself! - -At the end of August, Whitefield was once more in London, and, a -fortnight afterwards, wrote the following concerning his Orphan -House:―― - - “London, September 13, 1759. Your letter, dated May 25, which - I received yesterday, gave me unspeakable satisfaction. God - be praised for your success in silk-worms! God be praised that - Bethesda is out of debt! God be praised for all His tender - mercies to me and mine! Praise the Lord, O our souls! I wish - some of the children could be bred up for the ministry. What a - pity that I cannot have a grammar school! I shall think and pray, - and then write to you on this head. It is a most discouraging - thing, that good places cannot be found for the boys when fit to - go out. By this means, they are kept in the house beyond their - time, both to their own hurt, and to the further expense of - the institution. Could you let me know what stock of cattle you - have, and what hogs you kill? The more particular you are about - everything, the better. I long for the account. I am glad you - received the books. More are to be sent from Scotland. I do not - much care for R――――’s being at Bethesda, unless he is a true - penitent. How does my nephew go on?” - -It is a remarkable fact, that hardly anything is known of Whitefield’s -public ministry for the next five months. During this interval, however, -he is not entirely shrouded from the public eye. - -Nearly sixty years ago, had died the Rev. Samuel Clarke, M.A., one -of the noble brotherhood of Christian clergymen, ejected from their -pulpits by the Act of Uniformity in 1662. His father was one of the -best oriental scholars of the age; and father and son combined quitted -livings worth £600 a year. The son settled at High Wycombe,――“a -man of considerable learning; a good critic, especially in the -Scriptures; a great textuary; an excellent preacher; a great enemy -of superstition and bigotry; yet zealous for unaffected piety and -extensive charity.”[464] He was the author of several works, but his -principal publication was “Annotations on the Bible,”――a work designed -at the Oxford University, and the labour of his life. A new edition of -this valuable, but almost unknown, Commentary, was published in 1759; -and, for the new edition, Whitefield wrote a recommendatory preface, -which is dated “London, October 1, 1759.” No useful end would be -answered by the insertion of Whitefield’s preface. A brief extract -from it must suffice:―― - - “In my poor opinion, next to holy Mr. Matthew Henry’s - incomparable Comment upon the Bible, the Rev. Samuel Clarke’s - Annotations seem to be the best calculated for universal - edification. Though short, they contain, generally speaking, - a full and spiritual interpretation of the most difficult - words and phrases. A great many parallel scriptures are most - judiciously inserted. And an analysis of the contents of every - book and chapter is added. It may be, that, the curious and very - critical reader may meet with a few exceptionable expressions; - but, alas! if we forbear reading any book or comment, till we - meet with one that will suit every taste, and is liable to no - exception, I fear, we must never read at all. The best of men’s - books, as well as the best of men themselves, are but men and - the books of men, at the best. It is the peculiar property of - Thy life, and of Thy Book, O blessed Jesus! to be exempt from - all imperfections.” - -News having arrived of Boscawen’s capture of the Toulon fleet off -Cape Lagos, in Portugal; and of the victory on the heights of Abraham, -and the surrender of Quebec, Whitefield, too impulsive to wait for -royal proclamations, preached three thanksgiving sermons, on Friday, -October 19. This, forsooth! gave great offence to the notorious -anti-Methodist, Dr. Free, who wrote:―― - - “From Mr. Whitefield’s great _booth_, we had a pompous article - in _St. James’s Evening Post_, of October 20, 1759, stating - that, the day before, ‘the Rev. Mr. Whitefield preached three - thanksgiving sermons, two in the morning at the Tabernacle, - and one at his chapel at Tottenham Court, to numerous audiences - of persons of distinction.’ By which, it appears, that, - being _without law_, he did not think it decency to wait - till his Majesty appointed the day of thanksgiving; but - pert,――forward,――an enthusiast,――he sounds his own trumpet, - sets up his own standard, and is attended in his irregularities - by numerous persons of distinction.”[465] - -Dr. Free was not the only clergyman who pleased himself by attacking -Whitefield. The Rev. Mr. Downes, rector of St. Michael’s, Wood Street, -and lecturer of St. Mary-le-Bow, published his “Methodism Examined and -Exposed” (8vo. 106 pp.), in which Whitefield and Wesley were abused -with a vehemence unbefitting a Christian minister.[466] - -Towards the end of the year, Whitefield stirred a nest of hornets. He -preached a sermon against attending theatres. This evoked a sixpenny -pamphlet, with the title, “A Discourse concerning Plays and Players. -Occasioned by a late and very extraordinary Sermon, in which some -sentiments relative to the above subjects were delivered in a very -copious and affecting manner, from the Pulpit of a certain popular -Preacher of the Society called Methodists.” The writer of the pamphlet -professed to be a Methodist himself. As such, he had long entertained -an “ignorant” zeal against theatres; but he had recently been cured of -his “blind prejudice,” by conversing with a comedian, and by seeing -Garrick act. In consequence of this conversion, he had been much -offended by the sermon in question, because it threatened attenders -at theatres with damnation. Whitefield’s sermon brought upon him other -attacks, besides this of a professed Methodist; but it must suffice at -present to insert an extract from the _Monthly Review_, for November, -1759, in which the “Discourse” of the theatre-going Methodist is -noticed:―― - - “We hope the pious orator, Mr. Whitefield, made some reserve in - favour of those who frequent the theatres in the neighbourhood - of Moorfields, Tottenham Court, Cow Cross, and Broad St. Giles. - But, after all, it were no wonder, that a Whitefield, or a - Wesley should be jealous of so powerful a rival as a Garrick; - or even a Woodward, a Shuter, or a Yates. However, it must - be allowed uncharitable in any performers, or managers, thus - to consign each other’s audiences to the devil. We hope our - good friends of Drury Lane and Covent Garden have never been - chargeable with such unfair and unchristian dealings. Emulation - is certainly commendable, while accompanied with honesty - and decency; and if we can improve and extend our traffic by - furnishing a better commodity than another can, why, it is all - fair; but neither decency nor honesty will allow us to break - the windows, or to abuse or frighten away the customers, of _our - rivals in trade_.” - -These were the first mutterings of one of the most violent storms that -ever burst upon the head of Whitefield; but more of this anon. - -Whitefield began the year 1760 by enlarging the Tottenham Court chapel, -opened only three years before. He wrote to a friend in America:―― - - “London, February 5, 1760. I am growing very corpulent, but, I - trust, not too corpulent for another voyage, when called to it. - Every day the work increases. On Sunday last, a new enlargement - of the chapel was opened, and a great concourse of people - assembled.” - -Immediately after this, Whitefield published a 12mo. pamphlet of -twenty-four pages, entitled “Russian Cruelty; being the substance -of several Letters from sundry Clergymen, in the New Marche of -Brandenburg.” The letters are full of horrible details respecting -the cruelties practised by the Russian army in Germany; and, in his -preface, Whitefield ardently asks for sympathy and help on behalf -of the distressed Protestants in that country. The preface is dated -“March 2, 1760.” Friday, March 14, was appointed to be observed by a -general fast; and, on the Sunday previous, says _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, -“the Rev. Mr. Whitefield preached at his Tabernacle, at Tottenham Court -Road, to a very numerous audience. In his discourse, he took occasion -to mention the cruelties exercised by the Russian Cossacks upon the -Protestant subjects of the Duchy of Mecklenburg, and earnestly to -recommend a collection for their relief on the day of the public fast. -The money is to be paid into the hands of the minister of the Lutheran -chapel in London, by him to be transmitted to Germany, and there to -be distributed in a proper manner to the objects worthy of relief.” -Remembering the worth of money a hundred years ago, Whitefield’s -collections were enormous. The following is taken from _Lloyd’s Evening -Post_, of March 17, 1760:―― - - “On the Fast-day, upwards of £400 were collected at Mr. - Whitefield’s chapel in Tottenham Court Road, and at the - Tabernacle, in Moorfields, for the relief of the distressed - Protestants in and about Custrin, in the New Marche of - Brandenburg; many of whom have been not only plundered and - stripped of all they had, but have likewise been cruelly - tortured and abused by the savage Cossacks and other irregular - troops of the Russian army.”[467] - -It is a strange and disgraceful coincidence, that, on the very -Fast-day, when Whitefield was so nobly exerting himself to redress -the Russian cruelties in Germany, one of Whitefield’s friends, within a -dozen miles of London, was being treated with cruelty dishonourable to -the character of old England. Hence the following taken from _Lloyd’s -Evening Post_, of March 21, 1760:―― - - “Last Friday (the Fast-day) a terrible riot happened at Kingston, - in Surrey, occasioned by a Methodist preacher, who came there, - and assembled a great number of people together in a barn to - hear him. Whilst he was preaching, an impudent fellow threw some - dirt at him, which created a great disturbance; and the mob, at - last, dragged the preacher into the street, and rolled him in - a ditch; and, had it not been for the humanity and good-nature - of a gentleman near the spot, who took him into his house, - he, in all likelihood, would have been murdered. Some of the - Inniskilling dragoons being there among the mob, with their - swords, wounded and bruised several of the people, and put the - whole town into an uproar; but, by the prudent behaviour of - their commanding officer, all ill consequences were prevented. - He ordered the drums to beat, assembled the dragoons in the - yard of the Sun Inn, and kept them there for some time, and - then ordered them to their quarters.” - -One of the notable events of 1760 was the trial and the execution of -the half mad and intensely wicked Earl Ferrers, for the brutal murder -of Mr. Johnson, his steward. The notorious Earl being nearly related -to the Countess of Huntingdon, she and all her Methodist friends felt -a profoundly painful interest in the case. The trial, which lasted -three days, commenced in Westminster Hall, on April 16. Charles Wesley -writes:―― - - “April 17, 1760. Yesterday morning, my heart was overwhelmed - with sorrow. Not in my own will did I enter the place of - judgment. George Whitefield and his wife sat next me. The lords - entered with the utmost state: first the barons, then the lords, - bishops, earls, dukes, and Lord High Steward. Most of the royal - family, the peeresses, and chief gentry of the kingdom, and the - foreign ambassadors were present, and made it one of the most - august assemblies in Europe; but the pomp was quite lost upon - me.”[468] - -After his condemnation, the Earl was often visited, in the Tower of -London, by the Countess of Huntingdon, and twice by Whitefield, to whom -he behaved with great politeness. At her ladyship’s request, Whitefield -repeatedly offered up public prayer for the unhappy murderer. “That -impertinent fellow,” said Horace Walpole, “told his enthusiasts that -my lord’s heart was stone.” So it was. Earl Ferrers ended his ignoble -life, on the scaffold, May 5, 1760. “With all his madness,” sneered the -flippant writer just mentioned, “Lord Ferrers was not mad enough to be -struck with Lady Huntingdon’s sermons. The Methodists have nothing to -brag of his conversion, though Whitefield prayed for him, and preached -about him.”[469] - -At the period when Whitefield was visiting Earl Ferrers in the Tower, -there was another convict, belonging to another class of society, -who secured his pity and attentions. Robert Tilling, coachman to Mr. -Lloyd, a merchant living in Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate Street, had -presented himself at the bedside of his master, at four o’clock in the -morning of February 19; pointed a pistol at his head; demanded the keys -of his escritoir; and threatened to blow out his brains, unless the -demand was granted. The keys were given up; the merchant was robbed -of his money; the coachman was arrested; was tried at the Old Bailey; -confessed his crime; was sentenced to be hanged; and, in company with -three others, was executed, at Tyburn, on Monday, April 28. The body -was conveyed to Whitefield’s Tabernacle in Moorfields, where, _horresco -referens!_ it was exposed to the public view. On April 30, it was -carried to Tindall’s burying ground in Bunhill Fields. The rest of -the story may be told by an extract from _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, of -the 5th of May:―― - - “We are informed that there was a prodigious concourse of people - to hear Mr. Whitefield speak in Bunhill Fields, at the grave - of Robert Tilling; some think not less than twenty thousand. - There was no burial office read; but, after the corpse had been - laid in the ground some time, Mr. Whitefield came, and, in a - declamatory way, shewed how the wages of sin was death,――gave - some account of the malefactor’s penitence,――exhorted all - in general to turn from their vices and come to Christ,――and - pressed all servants in particular to take warning by the - criminal’s execution, and shew all fidelity to their masters.” - -Having “spent all the last winter in London,” Whitefield set out, in -the month of May, on another of his evangelistic tours. First of all, -he went to Gloucestershire; in June he went to Wales; in July, to -Bristol; and in August came back to London. In September and October, -he had “a ramble of two months in Yorkshire;”[470] after which, as -usual, he returned to his “winter quarters,” in the metropolis.[471] -Hardly anything is known of these preaching journeys. The following are -extracts from his letters:―― - - “Bristol, July 5, 1760. When in the fields, ten thousand, - perhaps more, assemble here. When under cover, there are more - than the Tabernacle will hold; at least, in the evening. Every - time, the house is a Bethel, a house of God, a gate of heaven. I - thought my wife’s illness would have hastened me to London; but, - as she is now recovering, I would fain proceed in my summer’s - campaign. I am persuaded I am the better for your prayers. Never - were they more charitably bestowed. I am a worm, and no man. - O blessed Jesus, how good Thou art! With all Thy other mercies, - give, O give me an humble and a thankful heart!” - - “Bristol, July 8, 1760. I have sympathised with you, in respect - to your fears about the _Indian_ war. Lord Jesus, grant the - Indians may not come near Bethesda! In heaven, all alarms will - be over. I long for those blessed mansions. But nothing kills - me. My wife was lately just got into harbour, but is driven back - again. Blessed be God, we are sure of getting in at last. Jesus - is our pilot. I am going on in my old way, saving that I grow - fatter and fatter every day. Lord, help me to work it down! But - it seems working will not do it.” - - “London, August 15, 1760. How do I long to hear of God’s - appearing for Georgia and Bethesda! I trust the Indians will not - be permitted to disturb a family planted by God’s own right hand, - and for His own glory. But the Divine judgments are a great deep. - I trust some Bethesda letters will soon put me out of suspense. - I wrote to you by the convoy that took your new governor. I hope - he will behave friendly to the Orphan House. If we make the Lord - Jesus our friend, all will be well. Many here are seeking His - friendship. Satan is angry. I am now mimicked and burlesqued - upon the public stage. All hail such contempt! God forbid that - I should glory, save in the cross of Jesus Christ! It is sweet! - It is sweet! What a mercy is it, that we have got an abiding - inheritance in the kingdom of heaven! Of this we can never be - robbed. _Hallelujah!_” - -It is a remarkable fact, that, though the burlesquing of Whitefield, in -1760, was a most disgraceful, and almost unparalleled outrage against -all propriety, the above and another introduced hereafter are the only -instances, in Whitefield’s published letters, where he mentions it. The -subject is disgusting; but it must be noticed. - -Samuel Foote was born at Truro, in Cornwall. His father was member of -Parliament for Tiverton. Young Foote was educated at Worcester College, -Oxford. On leaving the University, he became student of law in the -Temple. He married a young lady of a good family and some fortune; -but, their tempers not agreeing, harmony did not long subsist between -them. Foote now launched into all the fashionable follies of the age, -gambling not excepted; and, in a few years, squandered all his money. -His necessities led him to the stage. In 1747, when about twenty-six -years of age, he opened the little theatre in the Haymarket, taking -upon himself the double character of author and performer. His first -dramatic piece was called “The Diversions of the Morning,” and was -chiefly a description of several well-known living persons. For years -after, Foote continued to select, for the entertainment of the town, -such public characters as seemed most likely to amuse the attendants -at his theatre. In 1760, he published and performed “The Minor,” a -filthy and profane burlesque of Whitefield and his followers. Six -years afterwards, he broke his leg, and was compelled to undergo an -amputation. His last piece was brought out in 1776, and was called -“The Trip to Paris.” In this, he made a pointed attack on the character -of the Duchess of Kingston. The Lord Chamberlain interdicted the -performance. Foote made some alterations in the play, and brought it -out under the title of “The Capuchin.” In this, he levelled his satire, -not only against the Duchess, but against her bosom friend, Dr. Jackson, -the editor of a newspaper. Foote grew in wickedness, as he grew in -years. He was charged with an unnatural crime, but was acquitted. The -man, however, who had been stigmatizing public and living persons, -for the last thirty years, was annoyed at being stigmatized himself. -His spirits sank; his health failed; and, while on the stage, he was -seized with paralysis. Soon afterwards, he set out for France; but died -suddenly, at Dover, on October 21, 1777. He was privately interred in -Westminster Abbey.[472] “Foote,” said Boswell to Johnson, both of whom -were well acquainted with the zany, “Foote has a great deal of humour.” -Johnson: “Yes, sir.” Boswell: “He has a singular talent for exhibiting -character.” Johnson: “Sir, it is not a talent――it is a vice: it is what -others abstain from. It is not comedy, which exhibits the character of -a species, as that of a miser gathered from many misers: it is a farce, -which exhibits individuals.” Boswell: “Pray, sir, is not Foote an -infidel?” Johnson: “I do not know, sir, that the fellow is an infidel: -but if he be an infidel, he is an infidel as a dog is an infidel; that -is to say, he has never thought upon the subject.”[473] - -This profane and filthy-minded comedian was the author of the infamous -production, which brought upon Whitefield an unequalled torrent of -abuse and ridicule. Its title was, “The Minor, a Comedy, written by -Mr. Foote. As it is now acting at the New Theatre in the Hay-Market. -By authority from the Lord Chamberlain.[474] _Tantum Religio potuit -suadere malorum._ London, 1760.” (8vo. 91 pp.) - -“The Minor” was first acted early in July, 1760.[475] It would be -far worse than offensive to give an outline of it in a work like this. -How educated and respectable people could listen to such ribald and -blasphemous outpourings it is difficult to imagine. The whole thing -is so steeped in lewdness, that it would be criminal even to reproduce -the plot. Suffice it to say, that Foote was not only the author of the -piece, but its chief actor. He performed the three characters, “Shift,” -“Smirk,” and “Mrs. Cole.” He declaimed against “the Itinerant Field -Orators, who are at declared enmity with common sense, and yet have -the address to poison the principles, and, at the same time, to pick -the pockets of half our industrious fellow-subjects.” He lays it down, -that, “ridicule is the only antidote against this pernicious poison. -Methodism is a madness that arguments can never cure; and, should -a little wholesome severity be applied, persecution would be the -immediate cry. Where then can we have recourse but to the comic muse? -Perhaps the archness and severity of her smile may redress an evil, -that the laws cannot reach, or reason reclaim.” Such, forsooth, -were the virtuous motives which prompted Foote, in the profanest -language, and in the character of a _bawd_, to ridicule the greatest -evangelist of his age, and one whom all men now delight to honour. In -a literary point of view, “The Minor” is despicable; in a moral, it is -_unquotable_. - -The Countess of Huntingdon waited on the Duke of Devonshire, the Lord -Chamberlain, and requested its suppression; but was told her request -could not be granted. She had an interview with Garrick, who professed -to be offended with the comedy;[476] and yet, shortly after, admitted -it into his own theatre in Drury Lane. - -In the very month when it first appeared, even the _Monthly Review_, no -friend to the Methodists, condemned it. Hence the following:―― - - “The spirit of puffing, which so strongly characterizes the - present age, is become so universal, that almost every class - seems to be moved by it. In time past, it was chiefly confined - to quack doctors, booksellers, and advertising tailors; but - now even the wits of the town are seized by it, and every - farce-writer ostentatiously styles his _petit piece_ of three - acts, a comedy. This of Mr. Foote’s is one of the number; - but it no more deserves the title of a comedy than ‘The Stage - Coach,’ ‘The Devil to Pay,’ or any of those inferior dramatic - productions, which usually appear as the humble attendants upon - works of the higher order――the tragedies and comedies of _five - acts_. - - “The success of the present performance, during the - representation, arose from the author’s extraordinary talent - at mimicry; but it is not calculated to please equally in - the perusal. The satire levelled at the great leader of the - Methodists seems to be extremely out of character. It is no - less unjust to Mr. Whitefield, than absurd, to suppose a man - of his penetration, either conniving at, or being the dupe of, - an old bawd’s hypocrisy, in continuing to follow her iniquitous - occupation, while she frequents the Tabernacle, and cants about - the new birth. And when we are told that an occasional hymn - is given out, and a thanksgiving sermon preached, on occasion - of Mother Cole’s (Douglas’s) recovery from sickness, who can - forbear smiling――not with approbation of the conceit, but, - with contempt for the author of such improbable scandal? We - despise and abhor all enthusiastic flights, and high pretentions - to extraordinary sanctity, as much as Mr. Foote can do; but, - without entering into the enquiry whether or not these are - proper objects of playhouse ridicule, it is most certain, that - no man, or body of men, ought to be charged with more than they - are guilty of; and that there is not a juster maxim in the moral - world, than, ‘_Give the devil his due[477]_.’” - -In the month of August,[478] 1760, there appeared a pamphlet with the -title, “Christian and Critical Remarks on a Droll, or Interlude, called -‘The Minor,’ now acting by a Company of Stage-Players in the Hay-Market, -and said to be acted by Authority; in which the Blasphemy, Falsehood, -and Scurrility of that Piece are properly considered, answered, and -exposed. By a Minister of the Church of Christ. London, 1760.” (8vo. -41 pp.) The writer says Foote “has gone beyond any of his competitors -in debauching, if possible, and debasing the stage. He has done this, -by doing that which nobody else in these kingdoms had the confidence to -attempt; I mean by the introduction of real and living characters into -his pieces.” And then, it is correctly added, “The name of the Spirit -of God is bandied about from the mouth of vagabond to vagabond, in -order to raise a laugh in honour of the devil.” - -A month later, was published a 4to. shilling pamphlet, entitled, “A -Satyrical Dialogue between the celebrated Mr. F――te and Dr. Squintum,” -which the _Monthly Review_ pronounced, “Dirty trash: intended to vilify -Mr. Whitefield.” Also, a folio publication (price 1s.), with the title, -“A Letter of Expostulation from the Manager of the Theatre in Tottenham -Court, to the Manager of the Theatre in the Hay-Market, relative to a -new Comedy, called ‘The Minor.’” In this infamous and lewd production, -Whitefield is represented as being jealous of Foote in gulling the -public, and, therefore, proposes that they become partners. Much of it -cannot be quoted. The following are among the less objectionable lines. -Addressing Foote, Whitefield, at the Tabernacle, is made to say:―― - - “Your talent of humour shall have its full swing, - Here pleasure and profit are both on the wing: - Love-feasts――and ladies intriguing――and cash―― - Keep on but the vizor,――have at ’em slap-dash―― - No bait shall be wanting the trade to advance, - We’ll now and then tip ’em a drum and a dance.” - -In the month of October, the storm was continued, and, if possible, -became more furious. A long letter was inserted in _Lloyd’s Evening -Post_, in which, after praising Foote for his mimicry in “The Minor,” -the writer adds: “Religion is too sacred (be it exercised in ever so -absurd a manner) to become the butt of public mockery. If the exercise -of it should be unwarrantable, the laws will check it, without calling -theatrical buffoonery to their assistance.” - -Three months before, as soon as “The Minor” appeared, there was -published, a shilling pamphlet, with the false title: “A Genuine -Letter from a Methodist Preacher in the Country, to Laurence Sterne, -M.A., Prebendary of York.” Now, in the month of October, the same -“nonsensical and profane” thing was re-issued with an altered title: -“A Letter from the Rev. George Whitefield, B.A., to the Rev. Laurence -Sterne, M.A., the supposed Author of ‘The Life and Opinions of Tristram -Shandy.’” Even the _Monthly Review_ now became indignant, and said, -“The impudence of our low dirty, hedge-publishers is risen to a most -shameful height. To take such scandalous liberties with names, as is -here done with that of Mr. Whitefield, is surely insufferable in any -well-regulated community. If it is not in that gentleman’s power to -procure redress of such a flagrant injury, it is high time to provide -the means of punishing such audacious proceedings for the future.” - -The volatile Foote also added to his previous crime, the publication -of an 8vo. pamphlet, of 40 pages, entitled, “A Letter from Mr. Foote -to the Reverend Author of the Remarks, Critical and Christian, on ‘The -Minor.’” The mendacious reviler writes:―― - - “I am extremely puzzled in what manner to address you; it being - impossible to determine, from the title you assume, whether you - are an authorised pastor, or a peruke-maker,――a real clergyman, - or a corn-cutter.” - -Again:―― - - “I have heard George Whitefield’s mother frequently declare that - he was a dull, stupid, heavy boy, totally incapable of their - business at the ‘Bell,’ a principal inn at Gloucester. - - “The force and miserable effects of Whitefield’s mystic - doctrines are obvious enough. _Bedlam_ loudly proclaims - the power of your preacher, and scarce a street in town but - boasts its tabernacle; where some, from interested views, and - others――unhappy creatures! mistaking the idle offspring of a - distempered brain for divine inspiration, broach such doctrines - as are not only repugnant to Christianity, but destructive even - to civil society. - - “I believe Whitefield is too cunning to let anybody into the - secret as to the quantity of wealth he has amassed; but, from - your own computation of males fit to carry arms, who are listed - in his service, and the price they are well known to pay for - admittance, even into the gallery of his theatre, I should - suppose his annual income must double the primate’s. To this - may be added private benefactions and occasional contributions.” - -One more specimen of Foote’s audacious scurrility must suffice. He -concludes his pamphlet thus:―― - - “You a reformer! Are these the proofs of your mission? Repent, - and, by way of atonement and mortification, summon your - misguided flock; reveal your impious frauds, and restore the - poor deluded people to their senses and their proper pastors. - If you still persist, I must, after your example, conclude - with wishing that those teachers amongst you, who are mad, were - confined closely in _Bedlam_, and those who are wicked, were - lodged safely in _Bridewell_; and then, I think the public would - get rid of you all. But, whilst you continue triumphantly at - large, spiritualized and divine as you may think yourselves, - I shall still take the liberty to follow you, as the boy did - Philip, with a loud memento that you are merely men.” - -The reader must pardon these long extracts from such a writer; for, -without them, it is difficult to convey an adequate idea of what a -sensitive man like Whitefield must have suffered from the publication -of such falsehoods and abuse. Unfortunately more must follow. - -In the month of November, Garrick permitted “The Minor” to be acted in -Drury Lane Theatre, but with some insignificant alterations, the chief -of which was, in lieu of a filthy and profane sentence, which cannot be -quoted, Mrs. Cole, the bawd, was represented as saying, “Dr. Squintum -washed me with the soap-suds and scouring sand of the Tabernacle, and -I became as clean and bright as a pewter-platter.”[479] The theatre was -crowded, and thus even Garrick, as well as Foote, began to make money -by holding up Whitefield to the ridicule of the large and fashionable -assemblies of the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. It was now that one -of the personal friends of Whitefield stepped into the lists. The -Rev. Martin Madan[480] published an 8vo. pamphlet of 48 pages, -entitled, “A Letter to David Garrick, Esq.; occasioned by the intended -Representation of ‘The Minor’ at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane.” In -an advertisement, Mr. Madan states that the first performance of ‘The -Minor’ in Drury-Lane had been fixed for October 25, but the sudden -death of King George the Second, on the morning of that day, occasioned -a short postponement. Madan refrains from discussing “the absolute -unlawfulness of stage entertainments,” because that point had been -“ably and unanswerably proved by the masterly pen of the Rev. Mr. -William Law.” He says, “Mr. Whitefield knows nothing of the writing of -this letter;[481] and I will not say one word in behalf of him. I shall -put him as much out of the case as if there was no such man breathing. -I profess no attempt to defend anything but the truths of the Bible, -and consequently the religion of this country, as by law established.” -Madan declares that, instead of “The Minor” being styled a comedy, it -deserved the name of “A Dramatic Libel against the Christian Religion;” -and, by quotations, proceeds to state his reasons, for this assertion, -adding:―― - - “Does Mr. Garrick think such language as this is fit for the - entertainment of polite ears? Would any one imagine that these - speeches, if weighed one moment in the balance of reason (to - say nothing of religion), could possibly be introduced, with the - least degree of approbation, before any audience, except the - inhabitants of Bridewell or Newgate? I blush for my countrymen, - when I recollect, that even this _vile stuff_ was attended to in - the Hay-Market, by crowded audiences, for above thirty nights, - and that with applause; whereas it was dismissed, with deserved - abhorrence, after being _one_ night _only_ offered to the people - of Ireland, at one of their theatres. This I have been credibly - informed of, and believe it to be true.” - -After furnishing other quotations from “The Minor,” Madan again -addresses Garrick thus:―― - - “Now, sir, give me leave to appeal to your own _good sense_ and - _judgment_, whether, upon the foregoing view of ‘The Minor,’ - you think it a proper entertainment for his Majesty’s comedians - to exhibit, or his Majesty’s subjects to attend to; whether - you think there is such a veneration for our holy religion - among the people, as to need any retrenchment; and whether - making the language of the Scriptures and the doctrines of the - gospel ridiculous, can be likely to answer any other end, than - increasing the daily growth of impiety and infidelity amongst - people of all degrees?” - - “As to Mr. Foote, I would charitably think, that all the - knowledge he has of the several expressions and doctrines he - has ridiculed, is, in consequence of his attendance upon the - preaching of Mr. Squintum, in order to laugh at him. Hence - he thought (as he had not been used to such language) that - they were the vapours of a distempered brain, and treated them - accordingly; so that, like Solomon’s madman, he has been casting - about firebrands, arrows, and death, and saying, ‘Am I not in - sport?’ I hope, however, Mr. Foote will endeavour to inform - himself better, and then make what amends he can to the public, - for having been the promoter of an open attack upon the truths - and _language_ of the _sacred volume_, by the mouths of the - most profligate and wicked of the people; for we can hardly walk - the streets, but we hear ballads, in which the _very words_ of - our blessed Saviour are blasphemed, and treated as the _rare - doctrine_ of Dr. Squintum.” - -It is hoped that quotations like these will justify the treating of -this subject at so great a length. To say nothing of Foote, and his -lewd audiences in the little theatre in the Haymarket, it was a serious, -almost a national, crime and evil when such profanity and pollution -were introduced into His Majesty’s Theatre Royal, in Drury Lane; and -when, prompted by such a high example, Grub Street began to supply -ballads, of the same horrible description as the farce of Foote, to -the boys and girls, the drunkards and profligates, of England’s great -metropolis.[482] - -Besides Mr. Madan’s pamphlet, another was published, in Whitefield’s -favour, in November, 1760, namely: “A Letter to Mr. Foote, occasioned -by his Letter to the Reverend Author of the Christian and Critical -Remarks on ‘The Minor;’ containing a Refutation of Mr. Foote’s Pamphlet, -and a full Defence of the Principles and Practices of the Methodists. -By the Author of the Christian and Critical Remarks.” (8vo. 28 pp.) - -This was a well-written pamphlet; but another, by the same author, -published in the same month, was not so prudently composed. Its title -was, “An Exhortatory Address to the Brethren in the Faith of Christ. -Occasioned by a Remarkable Letter from Mr. Foote to the Reverend Author -of Christian and Critical Remarks on ‘The Minor.’ With a serious word -or two on the present Melancholy Occasion. By a Minister of the Church -of Christ.” The “serious word or two” spoilt all the rest; for the -author rashly insinuated that the encouragement given to Foote was the -sin which had brought upon the nation a Divine judgment, in the recent -sudden death of George II. As might be expected, this gave an advantage -to Foote and to his friends. On reading the pamphlet, the _Monthly -Review_ exclaimed, “_O thou wrong-headed leader of the wrong-heads! -Fie on thee! Fie on thee!_” - -On the other side, a long letter, filling nearly a page, was inserted -in _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, of November 14. It began as follows: “We now -have the pleasure of seeing Methodism ushered in in comic characters, -and the ridiculous gesture of the Tabernacle Impostor mimicked in the -easier attitude of the stage.” The writer proceeds to criticise what -he calls Methodism’s “favourite tenet, the _grace of assurance_, good -works being not significant;” and then wishes “we had some formal -Court of Judicature, to detect the cunning cant and hypocrisy of all -pretenders to sanctity and devotion, for then we should be able to -guard against those who preach to us salvation with a view to make us -undergo a _temporal fleecing_.” With a sneer, he concludes thus:―― - - “What a monstrous piece of inhumanity are we venerators of - apostolic doctrine and episcopal dignity to these pretended - saint errants and non-apostolical preachers! To complete their - unhappiness, we have made them a theatrical scoff, and the - common jest and scorn of every chorister in the street.” - -Five days afterwards, there appeared, in the same journal, a letter -by Wesley, replying to this “very angry gentleman,” whom he presumed -to be “a retainer of the theatre.” This evoked a disgracefully abusive -answer, on November 24, which concluded with the polite assertion, that -“arguing with Methodists is like pounding fools in a mortar.” Wesley -again replied, on December 3; and his opponent, angrier than ever, in a -long epistle, on December 12. In one of his quiet, but caustic letters, -Wesley concluded the correspondence on December 26. - -During this lengthened controversy, between Wesley and his nameless -adversary, two more pamphlets were given to the public. The first -was entitled, “A Letter to Mr. F――te. Occasioned by the Christian -and Critical Remarks on his Interlude, called ‘The Minor.’ To -which is added an Appendix, relative to a Serious Address to the -Methodists themselves.” (12mo. 28 pp.) The thing was full of banter -and badness,――bespattering Whitefield, and extolling Foote. The second -was an equally vile production: “Observations, Good or Bad, Stupid or -Clever, Serious or Jocular, on Squire Foote’s Dramatic Entertainment, -entitled ‘The Minor.’ By a Genius.” (12mo. 15 pp.) In the _Genius’s_ -estimation, “the _fable_ of ‘The Minor’ is pretty and entertaining; the -_manners_ happily described; the _sentiments_ just and natural; and the -_language_ easy and spirited!!!” The critique of the _Monthly Review_ -on this production of “a Genius” was contained in a single line: “All -the humour of this lies in the title-page.” - -These lengthened details may be somewhat tedious; but they show the -terrible _fracas_ in which Whitefield was involved during the year -1760. This certainly was one of the most painful years of his eventful -life. The persecution also was novel. He had been abused by clergymen -in England, Scotland, and America, by pamphleteers learned and -illiterate, and by mobs; but now, for the first time, he was ridiculed -by theatrical comedians and their friends. Other opponents had been -severe; but, as a rule, they had not been ribald and profane. Now it -was otherwise. The farce of Foote, and the ballads in the streets, were -steeped in blasphemy and filth. And yet, with the exception already -mentioned, they are never noticed in any of Whitefield’s published -letters. That he suffered――keenly suffered――it is impossible to doubt; -but there is no evidence that he murmured or complained. No man more -fully realized the truth and meaning of the Saviour’s beatitude, -“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and -shall say all manner of evil against you _falsely_, for my sake.” - -“The Minor” was not the only farce published against Whitefield. At -least, three other kindred productions were printed during the ensuing -year. First, there was “An Additional Scene to the Comedy of ‘The -Minor.’ London, 1761.” (8vo. 19 pp.) In this, Whitefield was described -as “a priestly-looking man, with a cast in his eyes, and wearing a -white flaxen wig,” and who, on being introduced to Foote, presented a -comedy of his own composing, and requested Foote to act it. Then, there -was “The Register Office: a Farce of Two Acts. Acted at the Theatre -Royal in Drury Lane. By J. Reed. London, 1761.” (8vo. 47 pp.) A filthy -thing, in which Whitefield is called “Mr. Watchlight,” instead of -“Dr. Squintum;” and “Mrs. Snarewell” answers to “Mrs. Cole” in “The -Minor” by Foote. “Lady Wrinkle” and “Mrs. Snarewell” are both _dramatis -personæ_ in the printed farce; but a foot-note states, “These two -characters were not _permitted_ to be played.” Then, finally, there -was “The Methodist: a Comedy: being a Continuation and Completion of -the Plan of ‘The Minor’ written by Mr. Foote: as it was intended to -have been acted at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, but for obvious -reasons suppressed. With the original Prologue and Epilogue. London, -1761.” (8vo. 60 pp.) This, if possible, was even more profane and -polluted than “The Minor” itself; and, though not acted, it soon passed -through three editions. “Squintum” and “Mrs. Cole” were both among the -leading characters; but to quote what they are made to say would be -a crime. Half a dozen lines, however, taken from the prologue, may be -given:―― - - “No private pique this just resentment draws, - Or brands a wretched _Squintum_, or his cause; - But, since the laws no punishment provide - For such as draw the multitude aside, - The poet seizes the corrective rod, - To scourge the bold blasphemer of his God.” - -A disgusting specimen of the audacious falsehoods of the _blaspheming_ -Foote! To use one of Whitefield’s own expressions, none but a wretched -being, “_half a beast and half a devil_,” could have written “The -Minor” and “The Methodist.” The following is the _Monthly Review’s_ -critique on the latter of these infamous productions:―― - - “Mr. Foote’s ‘Minor’ is the foundation of this despicable - superstructure, by means of which the scandalous abuse of - Mr. Whitefield, under the opprobrious name of Dr. Squintum, - is carried to such a height, as, in our judgment, reflects - the utmost disgrace upon literature.”[483] - -It is mournful to relate, that the wretched Foote hunted Whitefield, -with undiminished hatred, to the end of Whitefield’s life. Two months -after the great preacher’s death, in 1770, Foote was acting “The -Minor” in the theatre at Edinburgh. The first night’s audience was -large; but the indecency of the piece so shocked the people, that, -at the following night’s performance, only ten of the female sex had -effrontery sufficient to witness such profane impurity. Meanwhile, -the news arrived of Whitefield’s decease, and loud was the outcry -against ridiculing the man after he was dead. The Revs. Dr. Erskine, -Dr. Walker, and Mr. Baine denounced Foote’s outrageous behaviour from -their respective pulpits. “How base and ungrateful,” exclaimed the -last-mentioned minister, “is such treatment of the dead! and that, -too, so very nigh to a family of orphans, the records of whose hospital -will transmit Mr. Whitefield’s name to posterity with honour, when -the memory of others will rot. How illiberal such usage of one, whose -seasonable good services for his king and country are well known; and -whose indefatigable labours for his beloved Master were countenanced by -heaven!”[484] - -Here, while the buffoon, as it were, gesticulates, capers, and makes -grimaces over Whitefield’s corpse, we take our leave of Foote for ever. - -Before passing from the year 1760, one more publication must be -mentioned. Its title was “Pious Aspirations for the use of Devout -Communicants, either before, at, or after the Time of Receiving. -Founded on the History of the Sufferings of Christ, as related by -the Four Evangelists. Extracted from the English Edition of the three -Volumes of the Rev. Mr. J. Rambach, late Professor of Divinity in the -University of Giessen. By George Whitefield, Chaplain to the Right -Honourable the Countess of Huntingdon. London, 1760.” (12mo. 104 pp.) -This little book is often beautiful, and always intensely earnest and -devout. - -The first glimpse of Whitefield, in 1761, is on February 21, when he -wrote as follows:―― - - “London. The distance that Plymouth lies from London, is one - great cause of my coming there so seldom. What can I do, who - have so many calls, and so few assistants? London must be minded; - for, surely, there the word runs, and is glorified more and - more. I returned in post-haste, last month, from Bristol. Both - in going and coming, dear Mr. H―――― and I were in great jeopardy. - Once the machine fell over; and, at another time, we were - obliged to leap out of the post-chaise, though going very fast. - Blessed be God, we received little hurt. Good was to be done. On - the Fast-day, near £600 were collected for the German and Boston - sufferers. Grace! grace! I wish you had collected at Bristol. - When can you move? Pray let me know directly. I want my wife to - ride as far as Plymouth. Nothing but exercise will do with her.” - -The general fast, here mentioned, was held on Friday, February 13. On -that day, Whitefield preached early in the morning, at the Tabernacle, -from Exodus xxxiv. 1, etc., and collected £112. In the forenoon, at -Tottenham Court Road, he selected, as his text, “Blow the trumpet in -Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly.” Here the collection was -£242. In the evening, he preached again in the Tabernacle, choosing for -his text, “The Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into -the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” -The third collection amounted to £210.[485] The ridicule of Foote, so -far from lessening, had increased Whitefield’s popularity. On the day -in question, not only did his congregations crowd the two chapels, but -comprised an assemblage of the aristocracy of England rarely witnessed -in a Methodist meeting-house. Among others present, there were the -Countess of Huntingdon, Lady Chesterfield, Lady Gertrude Hotham, Lady -Fanny Shirley, Lord Halifax, Lord Holdernesse, Secretary of State; Lord -Bute, who soon succeeded him in his office; the Duke of Grafton, then -rising rapidly into public life; Lady Harrington; Charles Fox then a -boy, but, afterwards, the celebrated statesman and orator; William Pitt, -Lord Villiers, and Soame Jennys, who held office in the Board of Trade, -and acquired imperishable fame by his “View of the Internal Evidences -of the Christian Religion.” The collections, made on the occasion, -were for a twofold purpose, partly for the benefit of the plundered -Protestants in the Marche of Brandenburg, and partly to relieve the -distresses of the inhabitants of Boston, in New England, where a fire -had destroyed nearly four hundred dwelling-houses. No wonder that they -amounted to upwards of £560.[486] - -Soon after this, Whitefield received assistance in his London work, -from Berridge, of Everton, late moderator of Cambridge. Hence the -following extracts from his letters:―― - - “LONDON, _February 23, 1761_. - - “The Redeemer’s work is upon the advance. All opposition is - over-ruled for the furtherance of the gospel. A new instrument - is raised up out of Cambridge University. He has been here - preaching like an angel of the churches.” - -Again, to the Rev. John Gillies, of Glasgow:―― - - “LONDON, _March 14, 1761_. - - “One Mr. Berridge, late moderator of Cambridge, has been - preaching here with great flame. The awakening is rather greater - than ever. Satan’s artillery has done but little execution. - - “‘Thoughts are vain against the Lord, - All subserve His standing word; - Wheels encircling wheels must run, - Each in course to bring it on. - Hallelujah!’” - -The truth is, Whitefield needed help. During his late visit to the -city of Bristol, he had caught a cold, which so seriously affected his -health, that, in one of the London newspapers, it was announced that he -was dead.[487] His illness disabled him during the whole of the months -of March and April. Hence the following, from _Lloyd’s Evening Post_:―― - - “April 13. The Rev. Mr. Whitefield is so well recovered from his - late illness, that he appeared abroad on Saturday last. - - “April 29. The Rev. Mr. Whitefield was so well on Sunday, as to - assist in administering the sacrament of the Lord’s supper.” - -The following letters were written when Whitefield was convalescent:―― - - “CANONBURY HOUSE, _April 27, 1761_. - - “MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,――Accept a few lines of love unfeigned - from a worthless worm, just returning ♦from the borders of the - eternal world. O into what a world was I launching! But the - prayers of God’s people have brought me back. Lord Jesus, let - it be for Thy glory, and the welfare of precious and immortal - souls! O how ought ministers to work before the night of - sickness and death comes, when no man can work! You will - not cease to pray for me, who am indeed less than the least - of all. Weakness forbids my enlarging. Hearty love to all - who are so kind as to enquire after a hell-deserving, but - redeemed, creature. Not only pray, but also give thanks to the - never-failing Emmanuel, who has been ease in pain, health in - sickness, life in death, to yours, for His great name’s sake, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -The next was addressed to the Rev. John Gillies, of Glasgow. - - “CANONBURY HOUSE, _May 2, 1761_. - - “Indeed, my dear friend, the news you have heard was true. I - have been at the very gates of what is commonly called death. - They seemed opening to admit me, through the alone righteousness - of the blessed Jesus, into everlasting life. But, at present, - they are closed again. For what end, an all-wise Redeemer can - only tell. I have, since my illness, once assisted a little - at the Lord’s supper, and once have spoken a little in public. - But my locks are cut. Natural strength fails. Jesus can renew; - Jesus can cause to grow again. By His divine permission, I - have thoughts of seeing Scotland. If I relapse, that will be a - desirable place to go to heaven from. I love, I love the dear - people of Scotland! Ten thousand thanks to you, and all my dear - Glasgow friends.” - -It is a disgraceful fact, that, while Whitefield was thus tottering -back from the margin of the grave, the _St. James’s Chronicle_, of -April 28, filled a column and a half of its folio sheet, with what it -was pleased to call “Similes, Metaphors, and Familiar Allusions made -use of by Dr. Squintum.” Only the last in the list shall be given. - - “I will tell you the very picture of damned souls in hell. Have - you never seen a potter’s oven, where he bakes his pots? Now the - longer these pots bake, the harder they grow. Just so does one - of these damned souls. God keep you and me, dear brethren, from - ever being one of their unhappy number! (Sighing by the people.)” - -For the next twelve months, Whitefield was an invalid, and, with a -few exceptions, was obliged to refrain from preaching. The following -extracts from his letters are painfully interesting. His health was -gone, and yet, when he could, he tried to preach. - - “PLYMOUTH, _June 5, 1761_. - - “Through Divine mercy, I am somewhat improved in my health - since my leaving London. At Bristol, I grew sensibly better, but - hurt myself by too long journeys to Exeter and hither. However, - blessed be God! I am now recovered from my fatigue, and hope - bathing will brace me up for my glorious Master’s use again. - The few times I have been enabled to preach, the infinitely - condescending Redeemer has breathed upon the word. Who knows but - I may get my wings again? Abba, Father, all things are possible - with Thee!” - - “BRISTOL, _June 11, 1761_. - - “These few lines leave me rather hurt by my late western - journey. I strive to put out to sea as usual, but my shattered - bark will not bear it. If this air does not agree with me, - I think of returning, in a few days, to my old nurses and - physicians. Blessed be God for an interest in an infinitely - great, infinitely gracious, and sympathising, unchangeable - Physician! I hope you and yours enjoy much of His heart-cheering - consolations. These have been my support in my younger days; - these will be my cordials in the latter stages of the road. - Jesus lives when ministers die.” - -In the beginning of July, Whitefield had returned to London. Meanwhile, -news had arrived of the English fleets having taken Belleisle, on -the coast of Brittany, and Dominica in the West Indies. Pondicherry, -also, the capital settlement of the French in the East Indies, had been -surrendered to the British troops, and the English were left undisputed -masters of the rich coast of Coromandel, and of the whole trade of the -vast Indian Peninsula, from the Ganges to the Indus. Considering how, -for the last quarter of a century, Whitefield’s whole soul had been -absorbed in the great work of preaching Christ and saving souls, it is -curious to see him so profoundly interested in the war which was now -raging in the four quarters of the earth, and in the victories won by -the British arms. Hence the following:―― - - “London, July 6, 1761. Blessed be God, I am better! Blessed be - God that you are so likewise! Who knows what rest and time may - produce? Oh to be blanks in the hands of Jesus! When shall this - once be? What good news by sea and land! Grace! Grace!” - -Wesley was now in Yorkshire, and was anxious about the health of -his old and much-loved friend. He had been in company with Venn, who -had become vicar of Huddersfield, and Venn had created fears that -Whitefield’s labours and life were almost ended. Hence, in a letter -to Mr. Ebenezer Blackwell, the London banker, Wesley wrote:―― - - “Bradford, July 16, 1761. Mr. Venn informs me that Mr. - Whitefield continues very weak. I was in hope, when he wrote - to me lately, that he was swiftly recovering strength. Perhaps, - sir, you can send me better news concerning him. What need have - we, while we do live, to live in earnest!”[488] - -For weeks after this, Whitefield was almost entirely silent. To an -afflicted friend, he wrote:―― - - “LONDON, _October 13, 1761_. - - “MY DEAR FELLOW-PRISONER,――I hope the all-wise Redeemer is - teaching us to be content to be buried ourselves, and to bury - our friends. This is a hard but important lesson. I have not - preached a single sermon for some weeks. Last Sunday, I spoke a - little; but I have felt its effects ever since. Father, Thy will - be done! Glory be to God, that some good was done at Plymouth! - The news drove me to my knees, and stirred up an ambition to - be employed again. I have met with changes. My two old servants - are married, and gone. Mr. E――――” (query John Edwards?) “has - preached for me some time. As yet, the congregations are kept - up.” - -Immediately after this, Whitefield set out for Edinburgh, to obtain -medical advice. While halting at Leeds, he received news of the death -of one of his assistants at Bethesda; and wrote as follows:―― - - “Leeds, October 24, 1761. I am still in this dying world, but - frequently tempted to wish the report of my death had been - true, since my disorder keeps me from my old delightful work - of preaching. But Jesus can teach us to exercise our passive as - well as active graces. Fain would I say, ‘Thy will be done!’ - I know now what nervous disorders are. Blessed be God that they - were contracted in His service! I am riding for my health; but - I think a voyage would brace me up. I impute my present disorder, - in a great measure, to the want of my usual sea voyages. - - “What sudden changes here! O that my great change were come! - Happy Polhill! Bethesda’s loss is thy gain! To be carried to - heaven in an instant; from a ship’s cabin into Abraham’s bosom; - O what a blessing! God sanctify and make up the loss! We shall - find few Polhills. - - “I see you are running in arrears. Some way or other, I trust, - they will be discharged. But I would have the family reduced as - low as can be. The keeping of those who are grown up hurts them, - and increases my expense. I have little comfort in many whom I - have assisted. But our reward is with the Lord. I can at present - bear very little of outward cares.” - -Five days later, Whitefield had reached Newcastle, where he wrote the -following to Mr. Robert Keen, of London:―― - - “NEWCASTLE, _October 29, 1761_. - - “MY DEAR STEADY FRIEND,――Hitherto the Lord has helped me. - Surely His mercy endureth for ever. I bear riding sixty miles a - day in a post-chaise quite well. Friends, both here and at Leeds, - are prudent, and do not press me to preach much. But, I hope, - I am travelling in order to preach. If not, Lord Jesus help - me to drink the bitter cup of a continued silence with a holy - resignation, believing that what is, is best! Everywhere, as I - came along, my spiritual children gladly received me. I hope you - go on well at London. It is the Jerusalem――the Goshen. To-morrow, - I may set forwards towards Edinburgh.” - -At Edinburgh, Whitefield consulted four eminent physicians.[489] There -are only two more letters to tell the remainder of his story during the -year 1761: the first addressed to the Rev. John Gillies, of Glasgow; -the second to Mr. Robert Keen, of London. - - “Edinburgh, November 9, 1761. Though I have been very ill since - my coming to Edinburgh, yet I must come to see my dear friends - at Glasgow. I cannot be there till noon on the 12th inst. Little, - very little, can be expected from a dying man.” - - “Leeds, December 1, 1761. It is near ten at night and I am to - set off to-morrow in the Leeds stage for London. Silence is - enjoined me for a while by the Edinburgh physicians. They say my - case is then recoverable. The great Physician will direct.” - -The poor fellow apparently was dying; but, even under such -circumstances, his enemies could not restrain their malice. It -is a painful thing to advert again to hostile publications, but -Whitefield’s history cannot be fully told without it. Some, belonging -to 1761, have been already noticed; others, unfortunately, are, as yet, -unmentioned:―― - -1. “A Funeral Discourse, occasioned by the much-lamented Death of Mr. -Yorick, Prebendary of Y――k, and Author of the much-admired ‘Life and -Opinions of Tristram Shandy.’ Preached before a very mixed Society of -_Jemmies_, _Jessamies_, _Methodists_, and _Christians_, at a nocturnal -meeting in Petticoat Lane; and now Published, at the unanimous request -of the hearers, by Christopher Flagellan, A.M. London, 1761.” (8vo. -48 pp.) It is enough to say that this profane and filthy production was -dedicated to “the Right Honourable the Lord F――――g, and _to the very -facetious Mr. Foote_!” - -2. “A Journal of the Travels of Nathaniel Snip, a Methodist Teacher of -the Word. Containing an Account of the many Marvellous Adventures which -befel him in his way from the town of Kingston-upon-Hull to the City -of York. London, 1761.” (8vo. 32 pp.) This was an infamous production, -full of burlesque and banter; but the foot-note, at the end of it, will -be quite enough to satisfy the reader’s craving:―― - - “As Snip’s manuscript concludes thus abruptly, I beg leave - to finish the whole with an account of what I observed at a - puppet show, exhibited at one of the principal towns in the - west of Yorkshire. Punch was introduced in the character of - Parson Squintum, the field-preacher, holding forth to a number - of wooden-headed puppets, mostly composed of old women and - ungartered journeymen of different callings. The more noise - Punch (_alias_ Squintum) made, the more the audience sighed and - groaned. At last, _Squintum_ said something about _a woman with - the moon under her feet_, and pointed up to the sky, on which he - desired them to fix their eyes with steadfastness. They did so; - and, while their eyes were thus fixed, he very fairly picked all - their pockets, and stole off. Oh, Punch, Punch! Thou Alexander - the Coppersmith! thou Ananias Inlignante! what will become of - thee hereafter, for thus vilifying the _Inspired of Heaven_, the - _Grand Obstetrix_ of those _chosen few_, who are _impregnate_ - with the _New Birth_!” - -3. A third of these malignant productions _professed_ to have for -its author the most notorious quack of the age, “Dr. Rock,” and was -entitled, “A Letter to the Reverend Mr. G――e Wh――――d, A.B., late -of Pembroke College, Oxford.” (12mo. 8 pp.) The purport of this -bantering tract was, a proposal that, as Rock and Whitefield were -both quacks, they should enter into partnership. The thing displayed -cleverness,――perhaps too great to affiliate it on the great empiric. -One or two extracts must suffice:―― - - “If you set up for a copy of St. Paul (as it is observed you - do, even to the mimicking of Raphael’s picture of him at Hampton - Court), I do the same by the old stager――_Hypocrites_, I think - they call him. If you undertake to cleanse and purify the soul, - I do the like by the body. If you are an enemy to the regular - drones of your profession, I am as much to those of ours. If you - profess to serve the public for the sake of the public, so do - I. Do you pocket the fee when it is offered?――I do the same. Are - the mob your customers?――they are mine likewise. Are you called - a quack in _doctrinals_?――I bear the same reproach in practice. - Are you the scorn and jest of men of sense?――I want but very - little of being as much their jest and scorn as you. In a word, - as it is said that you turn the brains of your patients, it is - affirmed, with equal truth, that I destroy the constitutions of - mine.” - -Supposing Whitefield might have objections to the proposed partnership, -Rock pretends that he has objections too; for, says he:―― - - “Nobody, I thank God, can upbraid me with devouring widows’ - houses; leading captive silly women; confounding the peace and - ruining the substance of families; preaching up Christ, and - playing the devil; blindly recommending charity, and, at the - same time, guilty of the worst oppression by squeezing the last - mite out of the pockets of the poor.” - -Dr. Rock concludes by stating that Whitefield “is a public pest, an -incendiary of the worst kind, and a deceiver of the people.” - -This was bad to bear, especially for a man in Whitefield’s state of -health; but more must follow:―― - -4. “The Crooked Disciple’s Remarks upon the Blind Guide’s Method -of Preaching for some years; being a Collection of the Principal -Words, Sayings, Phraseology, Rhapsodies, Hyperboles, Parables, and -Miscellaneous Incongruities of the Sacred and Profane, commonly, -repeatedly, and peculiarly made use of by the Reverend Dr. Squintum, -delivered by him, _viva voce ex Cathedra_, at Tottenham Court, -Moorfields, etc. A work never before attempted. Taken _verbatim_ -from a constant attendance. Whereby the honesty of this Preacher’s -intentions may be judged of from his own doctrine. By the learned -John Harman, Regulator of Enthusiasts. London, 1761.” (8vo. 48 pp.) - -This was one of the vilest pamphlets ever published. Its trash cannot -be quoted. It is enough to say that, besides “A Short Specimen of the -Rev. Dr. Squintum’s Extemporary Sermons,” it contains what it calls one -of Whitefield’s prayers, prefaced thus:―― - - “The following preamble is Dr. Squintum’s fervent, solemn form - of prayer; delivered by him in an attitude similar to that of - _Ajax_, in _Ovid’s Metamorphoses_. His body erect, his hands - extended, his face thrown upwards, with his eyes gazing towards - the stars. _Torvo vulto, tendens ad sidera palmas._ Alternately - changing from his theatrical astonishments into violent - enthusiastical agitations and distortions, accompanied with - weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth! _Strange vicissitudes!_ - which he strictly keeps up to, throughout the whole of his - preaching.” - -5. “The Spiritual Minor. A Comedy. London.” (8vo. 32 pp.) Another -infamous production, with a “Prologue,” by Mrs. Cole, and an -“Epilogue,” by Dr. Squintum. The _dramatis personæ_ are Mr. Squintum, -Mr. Rakish, Mr. Screamwell, Mr. Scruple, Mr. Cheatwell, Feeble, -Mrs. Cole, and Miss Ogle. - -All this is extremely loathsome, and worthy of Foote, the comedian. -Two other names, much more respectable than Doctor Rock and John -Harman, must now be introduced. - -6. Jonas Hanway, the distinguished merchant, traveller, and -philanthropist, was now in the fiftieth year of his age. Eight years -before, he had published his travels, in four 4to. volumes, under the -title of “An Historical Account of the Caspian Trade over the Caspian -Sea; with a Journal of Travels from London, through Russia, into -Persia, etc.; to which are added the Revolutions of Persia during -the present Century, with the particular History of the Great Usurper, -Nadir Kouli.” In 1754, he called the attention of the Government to the -bad state of the streets in London and Westminster. In 1756, he took -steps which ultimately led to the establishment of the Marine Society. -In 1758, he made strenuous exertions to improve the Foundling, and -to establish the Magdalen Hospitals. And now, in 1761, he published -“Reflections, Essays, and Meditations on Life and Religion; with a -Collection of Proverbs in Alphabetical Order; and Twenty-eight Letters, -written occasionally on several subjects――viz., The Absurd Notions of -the Sect called Methodists; The Customs of foreign Nations in regard -to Harlots; The Lawless Commerce of the Sexes; The Repentance of -Prostitutes; And the great Humanity and Beneficence of the Magda_lane_ -Charity. By Mr. Hanway. London, 1761.” (Two vols., 8vo., pp. 280 -and 317.) - -As Mr. Hanway became so notable a man, that, two years after his death, -a monument, by public subscription, was erected to his memory, in -Westminster Abbey; his sentiments on Whitefield deserve insertion. At -all events, the critique of the benevolent old bachelor, who had the -courage to be the first who appeared in the streets of London carrying -an umbrella, will, perhaps, amuse the reader. - - “I intended, a long while since,” says he, “to hear Mr. - Whitefield at Tottenham Court, and I have at length compassed - my design. The _prayers_ were performed with as much devotion - as one generally finds at any church, and, as well as I remember, - without any _excursions_ foreign to the Church Service. Fame - had represented him to me as a great _orator_; but in this I - was a little disappointed, not but he performs, upon the whole, - _tolerably well_. The _tunes_ and _concordance_ of the singing - are also very _proper_ and agreeable; though I thought that - _psalms_, or _anthems_, would be better than _hymns_; or the - true harmony of sense and numbers, than such _poor poetry_ as - was sung. - - “When he began his _sermon_, the oddness of some of his - _conceits_, his _manner_, and turn of _expression_, had I not - been in a place of public _worship_, would have excited my - laughter. As he went on, I became _serious_, then _astonished_, - and at length _confounded_. My confusion arose from a mixture - of _sorrow and indignation_, that any man bearing the name of - a _minister_ of our _meek and blessed Redeemer_, or the dignity - of the _Christian priesthood_, should demean himself like an - inhabitant of _Bedlam_. I thought I saw human nature in distress, - as much as in the cells of _lunatics_; with this difference, - that he was permitted to go abroad, and make others as _mad_ as - himself; which he might be able to accomplish by means of the - _credulity of his audience_, joined to the _art_ of making them - think that himself and his _fraternity_ are the only people _in - their senses_. - - “I must inform you, that, opposite to this _celebrated_ preacher, - sat a dozen or more of old women, of that class who, within this - half-century, might easily have been persuaded, by _threats_ or - _promises_, that they had rode in the air on _broomsticks_, and, - confessing it, might have been put to death by people as much - bewitched as themselves. Their intellectual powers are so far - decayed, that they do not distinguish between _receiving alms_, - in relief of their misery, and _receiving hire_, as _hummers - and hawers_. This is the denomination given, by many sober - persons, to these _old women_, some of whom, I am assured, have - _confessed_ that they are retained ♦by hire, for _sighing and - groaning_.” - -Mr. Hanway proceeds to say that he had been to the Haymarket, to see -“The Minor” acted, but “had not health, nor patience to sit out above -half of it.” He adds:―― - - “I wish the _principles_ of the Methodists may be understood - more clearly by being brought on the _stage_; but I question if - the character of the _bawd_, in ‘The Minor,’ has any existence, - and, if so, the whole fabric of the _drama_ is built on false - grounds. If it does exist, is it so proper a subject for the - theatre, as for _St. Luke’s Hospital_? This dramatic piece - may possibly intimidate some from becoming _Methodists_; but, - however _popular_ it may be, I am very doubtful concerning the - _propriety_ of the measure, as to the end of correcting the - _enthusiasm_ in question. It is said, that, this comedy ‘has - shaken the _pillars of Tottenham Tabernacle_,’ and I must add, - that, I believe no harm would happen were it to tumble, provided - the poor people, who frequent it, were at their _work_, or - saying their prayers in their parish churches. - - “As to the _peruke_ and _shoemaker_ declaimers, whose - recommendation is consummate impudence, warm imaginations, - and the remembrance of texts which they have no capacity to - understand, it would be an indignity offered to the Christian - priesthood to call such persons _Teachers_ or _Preachers_ of the - Gospel. And as to the _gentlemen_ of Methodistical tenets, who - have had a scholastic education, how few among them are there - who would not _face about to the right_, for the consideration - of a good ecclesiastical benefice. I have very _particular - reasons_ to believe the major part of them would conform to - Church orthodoxy and _intelligible_ Christianity, if they did - not find a better living in another way.” - -7. So much for the eccentric Jonas Hanway. Another pamphleteer――much -more able, though not so well known to fame――must now be introduced. -Whitefield had already been attacked by the Bishop of London, the -Bishop of Lichfield, and the Bishop of Exeter. Now, he came under -the lash of the Rev. John Green, D.D., Bishop of Lincoln. In 1760, -Dr. Green published an 8vo. pamphlet of seventy pages, addressed to -Berridge, of Everton; but that must be passed without further notice. A -year later, he issued another pamphlet with the title, “The Principles -and Practices of the Methodists farther considered; in a Letter to the -Reverend Mr. George Whitefield. Cambridge, 1761.” (8vo. 74 pp.) The -Bishop of Lincoln wrote with great ability. The chief fault to be found -with him is, that, he based his strictures upon the first editions of -Whitefield’s Journals, and his “Short Account of God’s Dealings with -him,” published in 1740. This was hardly fair, because Whitefield, -since then, had, more than once, publicly expressed his regret -for having used certain loose and extravagant expressions in these -productions. Dr. Green was either not acquainted with Whitefield’s -apologies, or he chose, for some hidden purpose, not to acknowledge -them. Anyhow, remembering that such apologies had been made, and that -Whitefield’s health was now even dangerously affected, paragraphs, like -the following, were neither courteous nor fair:―― - - “In that curious repository of religious anecdotes, called your - Journals, I have often seen and pitied the distress you have - been in between strength of inclination and want of ability; - when you have recited several things, which bordered on the - marvellous, and which, notwithstanding, you did not care to - vouch for miraculous. - - “All the exalted things you have said, and all the wonderful - things you have done, will pass, I fear, with many, only for the - frenzy and rant of fanaticism. They will be apt to think your - journeyings the effects of a roving and itinerant temper, and - ascribe them to a strong tincture of that heroical passion, by - which so many saints of the Romish communion have been actuated. - - “Though possessed of so happy a talent at opening the hearts - and purses of the people, that you were traduced under the - name of ‘the Spiritual Pickpocket,’ yet you have not ventured - to trust your support to the precarious offerings of voluntary - contribution. Though you have not chosen to put yourself in a - situation to claim any legal dues; yet you have lately dispensed - your instructions, on the stipulation of certain periodical - payments, and under the sanction of that unquestionable truth, - ‘that the labourer is worthy of his hire.’ - - “We have instances on record, how an audience has been dissolved - into tears by an orator, without knowing a single syllable of - that which he uttered; have been moved by the efficacy of words - which they did not understand, and by the goodly appearance of - the speaker, whom they knew nothing of, to yield the sincerest - proofs of their convictions by a liberal supply of such good - things as he wanted. Some incidents of the same sort are said - to have happened to yourself, and that the bare sight of your - blessed gown and wig, though out of the reach of that elocution - which so much surprises, and that pathos which so much moves, - has not only softened the hearts and moistened the eyes, but - drawn large pecuniary supplies to your charitable designs from - the pity and benevolence of your female disciples.” - -These were taunts unworthy of a bishop of the Established Church, and -undeserved by poor afflicted Whitefield. Doubtless, they were painful; -but they were patiently endured. - -Whitefield’s health was somewhat better. On January 8, 1762, he wrote: -“The Scotch journey did me service. I preached on New Year’s Day, and -am to do so again to-morrow. I had a violent fall upon my head, from -my horse, last Thursday, but was not hurt. Mr. Berridge is here, and -preaches with power. Blessed be God that some can speak, though I am -laid aside!” - -No information exists as to how Whitefield spent the first three months -of 1762. He still, however, was the subject of disgraceful persecution. -During this interval, there was published a small 8vo. volume (price 2s. -6d.), entitled, “A Plain and Easy Road to the Land of Bliss, a Turnpike -set up by Mr. Orator ――――.” No good end would be answered by quotations -from it. “It is,” said the _Monthly Review_, “contemptible for its -stupidity. It is a filthy, obscene thing, for which the dirty author -ought to be washed in a horse-pond.”[490] - -In April, Whitefield went to Bristol, where he continued for about a -month. The following extracts from his letters will shew the progress -he was making:―― - - “Bristol, April 17, 1762. Bristol air agrees with me. I have - been enabled to preach five times this last week, without being - hurt. Were the door open for an American voyage, I believe it - would be serviceable in bracing up my relaxed tabernacle. But - He who knoweth all things, knoweth what is best. I see more and - more, that grace must be tried. O for a heart to be made willing - to be nothing, yea, less than nothing, that God may be all in - all!” - - “Bristol, April 18, 1762. Sunday. This morning I have been - administering the ordinance; and this evening I hope to be upon - my throne again. Who knows but I may yet be so far restored as - to sound the gospel trumpet for my God? The quietness I enjoy - here, with the daily riding out, seems to be one very proper - means. Be this as it will, I know ere long I shall serve our - Lord without weariness. A few more blows from friends, and from - foes, and the pitcher will be broken. Then the wicked one will - cease from troubling, and the weary traveller arrive at his - wished-for rest.” - - “Bristol, May 4, 1762. I see it is always darkest before the - break of day. O that we could always remember that blessed - promise, ‘At evening-tide it shall be light’! The archers have - of late shot sorely at me and grieved me; but blessed be God for - a little revival in my bondage. For these three weeks past, I - have been enabled to preach four or five times a week; but you - would scarce know me, I am so swollen, and so corpulent. Blessed - be God for the prospect of a glorious resurrection!” - -On his way back to London, Whitefield wrote as follows:―― - - “Rodborough, May 21, 1762. I hope to be in London on Tuesday - or Wednesday next. Through Divine mercy, preaching four or five - times a week has not hurt me; and twice or thrice I have been - enabled to take the field: in my opinion, a greater honour than - to be monarch of the universe. London cares and London labours, - I expect, will bring me low again; but I hope soon to slip away, - and to get strength, and then to hunt for precious souls again. - How gladly would I bid adieu to ceiled houses, and vaulted - roofs! Mounts are the best pulpits, and the heavens the best - sounding-boards. O for power equal to my will! I would fly from - pole to pole, publishing the everlasting gospel of the Son of - God. I write this at a house built for dear Mr. Adams.[491] From - his window is a prospect perhaps of thirty miles. I have wished - you here with your telescope. But if the footstool is so - glorious, what must the throne be!” - - “London, May 28, 1762. I am just now come to town for a few days, - sensibly better for my country excursion. Once more, I have had - the honour of taking the field, and have now some hopes of not - being as yet quite thrown aside as a broken vessel. Help me to - praise Him, whose mercy endureth for ever.” - -In the month of June, Whitefield sailed to Holland, where his health -was further benefited. At the end of July, he was preaching at Norwich, -and wrote:―― - - “Norwich, July 31, 1762. The trip to Holland, last month, was - profitable to myself, and, I trust, to others. If my usefulness - is to be continued in London, I must be prepared for it by a - longer itinerancy both by land and water. At present, blessed - be God! I can preach once a day; and it would do your heart good - to see what an influence attends the word. All my old times are - revived again. On Monday next, God willing, I shall set forwards - to Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, etc.” - -Ten days after this, Whitefield attended the annual Conference of -Wesley and his itinerants, in the town of Leeds. This was a notable -assembly, for, besides the brave band of Wesley’s helpers, there were -present the two Wesleys, Whitefield, Romaine, Madan, Venn, and, last -but not least, the Countess of Huntingdon![492] Wesley wrote:―― - - “We had great reason to praise God for His gracious presence, - from the beginning to the end.” - -From Leeds, Whitefield proceeded to his beloved Scotland, where he -wrote:―― - - “Edinburgh, September 2, 1762. I am just this moment returned - from Glasgow, where I have been enabled to preach every day, - and twice at Cambuslang. Auditories were large, and Jesus smiled - upon my feeble labours.” - - “Edinburgh, September 9. I came here a week ago. Since then, I - have been helped to preach every day. The kirk has been a Bethel. - Grace! Grace! On Monday, the 13th inst., I shall set off. Follow - me with your prayers.” - -On Sunday, September 19, Whitefield was at Sunderland;[493] and on the -following Sunday at Leeds. Here he wrote to his friend, Mr. Robert Keen, -as follows:―― - - “I am just now setting forwards towards London, but fear I - cannot reach it before Sunday. My chaise wanted repairing here. - O how good hath Jesus been to a worthless worm! Once a day - preaching, I can bear well; more hurts me. What shall I do with - the Chapel and Tabernacle? Lord Jesus, be thou my guide and - helper! He will! He will! Send word to the Tabernacle that you - have heard from me. We have had sweet seasons.” - -The “Seven Years’ War” was now nearly ended. The campaign of 1762 was -eminently successful. Frederick the Great and Prince Ferdinand had -been victorious in Germany; Burgoyne had aided Portugal in repelling -the Spaniards; and the English fleet and army in the West Indies -had taken the Carribbean Islands and Havannah. Lord Bute, the prime -minister of England, strongly desired peace, for the English people -were complaining loudly of increased taxation. He engaged the neutral -king of Sardinia to propose to the court of France negotiations for -a termination of the war. Louis XV., like a drowning man, caught at -the proposal. The Duke of Bedford was selected as plenipotentiary and -ambassador extraordinary to Paris; and the high-born and gallant Duke -de Nivernois came to London in the same capacity. This was in September; -and the negotiations proceeded with such rapidity, that _preliminaries_ -for peace were signed at Fontainebleau on the 3rd of November following. - -In consequence of these events, Whitefield now had a prospect of -carrying out his long-cherished wish to visit his Orphan House, and -his numerous friends, across the Atlantic. He wrote, as follows, to -the housekeeper of his Orphanage:―― - - “London, October 15, 1762. I wish to answer your letter in - person. I hope the time is now drawing near. I count the weeks, - and days, and hours. Blessed be God that you live in such - harmony! A house thus united in Jesus will stand. I write this - in great haste. I am enabled to preach once a day. Give thanks! - give thanks!” - -In November, Whitefield went to Bristol, where his “congregations were -large, and a most gracious gale of Divine influence attended the word -preached.” Having promised to visit Plymouth, he wrote to his friend -there, the good Andrew Kinsman:―― - - “Let grand preparations be made,――as a candle, a book, and a - table; above all, much prayer, that I may not again relapse at - Plymouth, as the Bristol people say I shall do, by coming at - this season of the year.” - -On reaching Plymouth, he wrote:―― - - “Plymouth, December 4, 1762. Being under a positive promise to - come here before I left England, I embraced this opportunity. - Through mercy, I preached last night, and find no hurt this - morning. Many young people, I hear, are under great awakenings. - O to begin to wage an eternal war with the devil, the world, and - the flesh! I would fain die sword in hand.” - -Whitefield had an old trusty servant, Mrs. Elizabeth Wood,[494] to whom -he wrote as follows:―― - - “Plymouth, December 5, 1762. You did very wrong, in not letting - me know of your mother’s necessities. She was a widow indeed; - but now she is above the reach of everything. I am weary of the - world, of the Church, and of myself. I cannot get up to London - till near Christmas Day. As affairs are there circumstanced, - everything there tends to weigh me down. O that patience may - have its perfect work! Let me always know your wants. It is your - own fault if you lack anything, whilst I have a farthing.” - -Kind-heartedness was a prominent trait in Whitefield’s character. It -was during this, or some other visit to Plymouth, that an incident -occurred which is worth telling. “Come,” said Whitefield to his -friend and host, Andrew Kinsman, “come, let us go to some of the poor -and afflicted of your flock. It is not enough that we labour in the -pulpit; we must endeavour to be useful out of it.” Away the two friends -went, and Whitefield not only gave counsel to those they visited, -but monetary aid. Kinsman reminded him that his finances were low, -and that he was more bountiful than he could afford. “Young man,” -replied Whitefield, “it is not enough to pray, and to put on a serious -countenance: ‘pure religion and undefiled is this, to visit the -fatherless and widows in their affliction,’ and to administer to their -wants. My stock, I grant, is nearly exhausted, but God will soon send -me a fresh supply.” In the evening, a gentleman called, and asked to -see Whitefield. “Sir,” said he, “I heard you preach yesterday: you are -on a journey, as well as myself; and, as travelling is expensive, will -you do me the honour of accepting this?” The present was five guineas, -and came from a man noted for his penuriousness. “Young man,” cried -Whitefield, on his return to Kinsman, “young man, God has soon repaid -what I bestowed. Learn, in future, not to withhold when it is in the -power of your hand to give.”[495] - -Whitefield, on his way to London, halted at Bristol, and wrote to -Kinsman, as follows:―― - - “Bristol, December 12, 1762. We got here yesterday, all well, - excepting that I lost my watch in the way. If it teach me to be - more on my _watch_ in the best things, the loss will be a gain. - Lord, help me in everything to give thanks! I do not repent my - Plymouth journey. Thanks to you all for your great kindnesses. - Thanks, eternal thanks, to the God of all, for giving us His - presence! It is better than life. I have not yet seen your - daughter; but I hear she is well. Tell Sarah not to murder so - dear a child. Hugging to death is cruelty indeed. Adieu! I must - away to sacrament. O for such a one as we had last Sunday! Mind - and get up in a morning to pray, before you get into shop.” - -Whitefield wished to embark for America; but, before doing so, had -a difficulty to encounter. He had erected two large and flourishing -chapels in London, which, in consequence of the sites on which they -stood being granted to himself on lease, were practically his own -property. The money by which the chapels had been built was not his; -and he felt that it would be unjust if, by his decease, they came into -the possession of his heirs and successors. Hence, as he was hoping -soon to sail, and as his health was such as to render his return to -England a doubtful matter, he was anxious to have the Tabernacle and -the Tottenham Court Road chapel so settled, that the purpose for which -they had been erected might never be frustrated. Hence the following to -Mr. Robert Keen:―― - - “_January 15, 1763._ - - “MY DEAR FRIEND,――Do meet me to-morrow, at one o’clock, at - Mr. B――――n’s, Canonbury House. I have something of importance - to communicate. It is to beseech you, jointly with Mr. Hardy and - Mr. B――――n,[496] as trustees, to take upon you the whole care of - the affairs of Tottenham Court chapel, and of the Tabernacle, and - all my other concerns in England. This one thing being settled, - I have nothing to retard my visit to America, to which I think - there is a manifest call at this time, both as to the bracing up - my poor, feeble, crazy body, and adjusting all things relating - to Bethesda. Your accepting this trust will take off a ponderous - load that oppresses me much.” - -There can be little doubt, that, Messrs. Keen and Hardy consented to -take the management of the two chapels during Whitefield’s absence -in America; but it is also clear that no trust deed, transferring the -chapels to these two gentlemen, was at that time executed. Hence the -following clause in Whitefield’s will, dated March 22, 1770:―― - - “Whereas there is a building, commonly called the Tabernacle, - set apart many years ago for Divine worship, I give and bequeath - my said Tabernacle, with the adjacent house in which I usually - reside, when in London, with the stable and coach-house in - the yard adjoining, together with all books, furniture, and - everything else whatsoever, that shall be found in the house - and premises aforesaid; and also the buildings commonly called - Tottenham Court chapel, together with all the other buildings, - houses, stable, coach-house, and everything else whatsoever - which I stand possessed of in that part of the town,――to my - worthy, trusty, tried friends, Daniel West, Esq., in Church - Street, Spitalfields, and Mr. Robert Keen, woollen-draper in - the Minories, or the longer survivor of the two.” - -This is a curious clause. In the year of his decease, Whitefield -evidently believed the London chapels and their adjacent premises -to be his own property, but he had no wish for them to pass to his -representatives and heirs. His desire was that they should be used in -perpetuity, for preaching the same glorious gospel, as he had preached -for more than the last thirty years; and hence the above bequest. The -oddness of the thing, however, is, that Whitefield’s will created no -_trust_; and that, by it, these two chapels became as absolutely the -property of Messrs. West and Keen as they had been his own. - -It is only right to add, that, in making his will, Whitefield was his -own lawyer. At all events, the will was in his own handwriting. And, -further, it is due to Mr. West and Mr. Keen to say, that, though they -might have appropriated this property to their own private use, they -faithfully carried out the intentions of Whitefield, and managed the -chapels, not for their own benefit, but, for the glory of God and the -good of their fellow-men. Mr. Keen died on January 30, 1793; and Mr. -West on September 30, 1796.[497] The last-mentioned gentleman, as the -survivor of the two “trusty friends” mentioned in Whitefield’s will, -bequeathed the property to Samuel Foyster and John Wilson, both of them -well known in the Christian world. This, however, is not the place to -pursue the history of the glorious old Tabernacle in Moorfields, and of -the aristocratic chapel in Tottenham Court Road. - -Whitefield took leave of his London congregations on Wednesday, -February 23, when he preached a farewell sermon, from “The grace of our -Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” In the earlier parts of this -biography, lengthened extracts were given from Whitefield’s sermons, -for the purpose of conveying an idea of the character of his preaching, -at that period of his ministry. For the same purpose, other extracts -from sermons, belonging to the present date, may be given here. - -In the sermon, preached on February 23, 1763, Whitefield is reported as -having said:―― - - “‘The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you _all_.’ It - is not said, all ministers, or all of this or that particular - people; but with all believers. Mr. Henry said, he desired to be - a Catholic, but not a Roman Catholic. There is a great reservoir - of water from which this great city is supplied; but how is it - supplied? Why, by hundreds and hundreds of pipes. Does the water - go only to the Dissenters, or to the Church people,――only to - this or that people? No: the pipes convey the water to all; and, - I remember, when I saw the reservoir, it put me in mind of the - great reservoir of grace, the living water that is in Christ - Jesus. - - “What a horrid blunder has the Bishop of Gloucester been guilty - of! What do you think his lordship says, in order to expose the - fanaticism of the Methodists? ‘Why,’ says he, ‘they say they - cannot understand the Scriptures without the Spirit of God.’ - Can any man understand the Scriptures without the Spirit of - God helps him? Jesus Christ must open our understanding to - understand them. The Spirit of God must take of the things of - Christ, and shew them unto us. So, also, with respect to all - ordinances. What signifies my preaching, and your hearing, if - the Spirit of God does not enlighten? I declare I would not - preach again, if I did not think that God would accompany the - word by His Spirit.” - - “Are any of you here unconverted? No doubt too many. Are any - of you come this morning, out of curiosity, to hear what the - babbler has to say? Many, perhaps, are glad it is my last sermon, - and that London is to be rid of such a monster; but surely you - cannot be angry with me for my wishing that the grace of God may - be with you all. O that it may be with every unconverted soul! - O man! what wilt thou do if the grace of God is not with thee? - My brethren, you cannot do without the grace of God when you - come to die. Do you know that without this you are nothing but - devils incarnate? Do you know that every moment you are liable to - eternal pains? Don’t say I part with you in an ill humour. Don’t - say that a madman left you with a curse. Blessed be God! when I - first became a field-preacher, I proclaimed the grace of God to - the worst of sinners; and I proclaim it now to the vilest sinner - under heaven. Could I speak so loud that the whole world might - hear me, I would declare that the grace of God is free for all - who are willing to accept of it by Christ. God make you all - willing this day!” - -Was Whitefield still a Calvinist? Language like this can hardly be -harmonized with Whitefield’s holding the doctrine of election, and, by -consequence, the doctrine of reprobation. Two or three extracts from -other sermons, preached at this period of his history, may be useful. - - “Woe! woe! woe! to those who, in the hour of death, cannot say, - ‘God is my refuge.’ O what will you do, when the elements shall - melt with fervent heat? when the earth with all its furniture - shall be burnt up? when the archangel shall proclaim, ‘Time - shall be no more!’ Whither then, ye wicked ones, ye unconverted - ones, will ye flee for refuge? ‘O,’ says one, ‘I will flee to - the mountains.’ Silly fool! flee to the mountains, that are - themselves to be burnt up! ‘O,’ say you, ‘I will flee to the sea.’ - That will be boiling! ‘I will flee to the elements.’ They will - be melting with fervent heat. I know of but one place you can go - to, that is to the devil. God keep you from that! Make God your - refuge. If you stop short of this, you will only be a sport for - devils. There is no river to make glad the inhabitants of hell: - no streams to cool them in that scorching element. Were those in - hell to have such an offer of mercy as you have, how would their - chains rattle! how would they come with the flames of hell about - their ears! Fly! sinner, fly! God help thee to fly to Himself - for refuge! Hark! hear the word of the Lord! See the world - consumed! See the avenger of blood at thy heels! If thou dost - not take refuge in God to-night, thou mayest to-morrow be damned - for ever.[498] - - “Tremble for fear God should remove His candlestick from among - you. Labourers are sick. Those who did once labour are almost - worn out; and others bring themselves into a narrow sphere, and - so confine their usefulness. There are few who like to go out - into the fields. Broken heads and dead cats are no longer the - ornaments of a Methodist. These honourable badges are now no - more. Languor has got from the ministers to the people; and, - if you don’t take care, we shall all be dead together. The Lord - Jesus rouse us! Ye Methodists of many years’ standing, shew the - young ones, who have not the cross to bear as we once had, what - ancient Methodism was.[499] - - “Don’t be angry with a poor minister for weeping over them who - will not weep for themselves. If you laugh at me, I know Jesus - smiles. I am free from the blood of you all. If you are damned - for want of conversion, remember you are not damned for want - of warning. You are gospel-proof; and, if there is one place - in hell deeper than another, God will order a gospel-despising - Methodist to be put there. God convert you from lying a-bed - in the morning! God convert you from conformity to the world! - God convert you from lukewarmness! Do not get into a cursed - Antinomian way of thinking, and say, ‘I thank God, I have the - root of the matter in me! I thank God, I was converted twenty - or thirty years ago; and, though I can go to a public-house, and - play at cards, yet, I am converted; for once in Christ, always - in Christ,’ Whether you were converted formerly or not, you are - perverted now. Would you have Jesus Christ catch you napping, - with your lamps untrimmed? Suffer the word of exhortation. I - preach feelingly. I could be glad to preach till I preached - myself dead, if God would convert you. I seldom sleep after - three in the morning; and I pray every morning, ‘Lord, convert - me, and make me more a new creature to-day!’” - -These extracts are neither eloquent, nor particularly instructive; -but they serve to shew the declamatory and colloquial style used by -Whitefield in the latter period of his ministry. His sermons were -_earnest talk_, full of anecdotes, and ejaculatory prayers. - -It is only just to add, that the sermons, from which the foregoing -extracts are taken, were not written and published by Whitefield -himself, nor yet with his permission. They were “taken verbatim in -shorthand, and faithfully transcribed by Joseph Gurney;” and were -“Revised by Andrew Gifford, D.D.” The sermons, in Gurney’s volume, -issued in 1771, were eighteen in number; but, two or three were -published separately previous to that. To one of these, Whitefield -raised strong objections. “It is not _verbatim_,” said he; “in -some places Mr. Gurney makes me to speak false concord, and even -nonsense.”[500] The publication of Gurney’s volume (8vo. 455 pp.) -created great unpleasantness. In the first instance, Whitefield’s -executors consented to the publication, and agreed to remunerate the -transcriber for his labour; but, when half the sermons were “worked -off,” they were so dissatisfied with them, that they informed the -shorthand writer, they were “not able to recommend them to the public.” -No doubt, the objections of the executors were well founded; but -still, though the sermons might not be reported with perfect accuracy, -they may be fairly taken as a specimen――though an imperfect one――of -Whitefield’s style of preaching during the last few years of his -eventful life. - -After his farewell sermon, at the Tabernacle, on February 23, -Whitefield set out for Scotland. On his way, he preached for Berridge -at Everton;[501] Berridge, together with Thomas Adams, having engaged -to supply his place in London.[502] He visited Sheffield, and preached -in Wesley’s, unplastered, though white-washed, chapel in Mulberry -Street, taking as his text, Romans v. 11. Here, as in the extract -above given, he warned the people against resting satisfied with a -_past_ conversion. “In your Bibles,” said he, “you have registered -your births; and some of you the time when you were born again; but -are you new creatures _now_?”[503] - -On March 4, he arrived at Leeds, and here, besides preaching, he -employed himself in writing his “Observations on some Fatal Mistakes, -in a Book lately published, and entitled, ‘The Doctrine of Grace; or, -the Office and Operations of the Holy Spirit Vindicated from the -Insults of Infidelity and the Abuses of Fanaticism. By William, Lord -Bishop of Gloucester.’ In a Letter to a Friend. By George Whitefield, -A.M., late of Pembroke College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Countess -of Huntingdon. London, 1763.” (12mo. 35 pp.)[504] - -This was, I believe, the first instance in which, in England, A.M. was -attached to Whitefield’s name; and even now the degree, conferred by -New Jersey College in 1754, was not appropriated by Whitefield himself, -but was foolishly used by his friends, who printed his pamphlet after -he embarked for America. - -So far as the Methodists were concerned, the book of Bishop Warburton -was levelled against Wesley, rather than against Whitefield. The worst, -indeed, almost the only sneer against Whitefield, was, that, though -both Wesley and he were mad, Whitefield was “the madder of the two.” -Wesley’s reply to Warburton was published in a 12mo. volume of 144 -pages; but, with a single exception, need not be quoted here. In answer -to one of the Bishop’s contemptuous remarks, that Whitefield set up -himself as Wesley’s rival, Wesley says: “We were[505] in full union; -nor was there the least shadow of rivalry or contention between us. I -still sincerely ‘praise God for His wisdom in giving different talents -to different preachers;’ and particularly for His giving Mr. Whitefield -the talents which I have not.” - -Whitefield’s “Observations” were smartly and rather ably written; but -two extracts must suffice. He admits that the “modern defenders of -Christianity, in their elaborate and well-meant treatises, against -the attacks of Infidels and Free-thinkers, have shewn themselves, as -far as human learning is concerned, to be masters of strong reasoning, -nervous language, and conclusive arguments;” but they lacked a “deep -and experimental knowledge of themselves, and of Jesus Christ.” With -regard to Bishop Warburton in particular, he affirms, that, his -lordship, “in his great zeal against fanaticism, and to the no small -encouragement of infidelity, has, as far as perverted reason and -disguised sophistry could carry him, robbed the Church of Christ of -its promised Comforter; and, thereby, left us without any supernatural -influence or Divine operations whatsoever” (pp. 5, 6). Then turning to -Warburton’s abuse of the Methodists, Whitefield remarks:―― - - “To set these off in a ridiculous light, this writer runs from - Dan to Beersheba; gives us quotation upon quotation out of the - Rev. Mr. John Wesley’s Journals; and, to use his own simile - upon another occasion, by a kind of Egyptian husbandry, draws - together whole droves of obscene animals, of his own formation, - who rush in furiously, and then trample the Journals, and this - sect, under their feet. Our author calls the Rev. Mr. John - Wesley ‘paltry mimic, spiritual empiric, spiritual martialist, - new adventurer.’ The Methodists, according to him, are ‘modern - apostles, the saints, new missionaries, and illuminated doctors.’ - Methodism itself is modern saintship; Mr. Law begat it; Count - Zinzendorf rocked the cradle; and the devil himself was midwife - to their new-birth” (p. 24). - -In reference to Wesley’s Journals and his own, Whitefield says:―― - - “Whatever that indefatigable labourer, the Rev. Mr. John Wesley, - may think of his, I have long since publicly acknowledged that - there were, and doubtless, though now sent forth in a more - correct attire, there are yet many exceptionable passages in my - Journals. And I hope it will be one of the constant employments - of my declining years to humble myself daily before the Most - High God, for the innumerable mixtures of corruption which - have blended themselves with my feeble, but, I trust, sincere - endeavours to promote the Redeemer’s glory. If his lordship - had contented himself with pointing out, or even ridiculing, - any such blemishes, imprudences, or mistakes, in my own, or in - any of the Methodists’ conduct or performances, I should have - stood entirely silent. But when I observed his lordship, through - almost his whole book, not only wantonly throwing about the - arrows and firebrands of scurrility, buffoonery, and personal - abuse, but, at the same time, taking occasion to vilify, and - totally deny the operations of the blessed Spirit, by which - alone his lordship, or any other man, can be sanctified and - sealed to the day of eternal redemption, I must own that I was - constrained to vent myself to you, as a dear and intimate friend, - in the manner I have done. Make what use of it you please. - - “At present, I am on the road to Scotland, in order to embark - for America; and only add, that the method used by his lordship - to stop, will rather serve to increase and establish what he is - pleased to term a ‘sect of fanatics.’ Bishop Burnet prescribed - a much better way to stop the progress of the Puritan ministers. - ‘_Out-live, out-labour, out-preach_ them,’ said his lordship. - That the Rev. Mr. John Wesley himself, that famed leader of the - Methodists, and every Methodist preacher in England may be thus - outed and entirely annihilated is, and shall be, the hearty - prayer of George Whitefield” (pp. 33–35). - -Having completed his pamphlet at Leeds, Whitefield proceeded to -Newcastle, where he wrote:―― - - “NEWCASTLE, _March 13, 1763_. - - “MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,――I cannot go further without dropping - you a few lines. They leave me thus far advanced in my journey - to Scotland. My friends write me word, that the ship _Jenny_, - Captain Orr, a very discreet person, sails from Greenock to - Boston the middle of April. You will pray that the God of the - sea and dry land will give me a safe and speedy passage. On - the road, we have been favoured with some sweet seasons. I have - preached at Everton, Leeds, Kippax, Aberford, and this place. - Next Sabbath I hope to be at Edinburgh. On my way, I finished a - little thing in answer to the present Bishop of Gloucester. If - my friends think proper to print it, you will find a testimony - left behind me for the good old Puritans and free-grace - Dissenters, whom he sadly maligns.” - -Whitefield arrived at Edinburgh, as he expected; but, instead of -sailing in the middle of April, his embarkation was deferred until the -4th of June. During this unexpected detention, his old friend Wesley -came to Scotland, and wrote: “Sunday, May 22. At Edinburgh, I had the -satisfaction of spending a little time with Mr. Whitefield. Humanly -speaking, he is worn out; but we have to do with Him who hath all power -in heaven and earth.”[506] Though “worn out,” Whitefield continued -preaching, as often as he could. He spent eleven weeks in Scotland, and, -towards the end of that interval, had an alarming illness. In _Lloyd’s -Evening Post_, for June 6, it was announced, “The Rev. Mr. Whitefield -is so ill in Scotland, as not to be able to embark for America.” -But, four days later, the same journal contained the following: “Last -week, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, being recovered from his indisposition, -sailed from Greenock, on board the _Fanny_, Captain Galbraith, bound -to Rappahanock, in Virginia.”[507] - -The best glimpses of Whitefield, during his stay in Scotland, will -be obtained by brief extracts from his letters. To his old servant, -Elizabeth Wood, he wrote:―― - - “Edinburgh, March 19. I was quite concerned to see you so ill. I - charge you to want for nothing. Speak to Messrs. Keen and Hardy: - they will supply you at any time. Do not be afraid to go near - the Tabernacle House. I will own and stand by my dear, steady, - and faithful servants and helpers. Such a one you have been. O - for heaven! There are no thorns and briars amongst God’s people - there. In about a month, I expect to sail.” - -In a letter to a friend, he said:―― - - “Edinburgh, March 26, 1763. After my return from Glasgow, I may - be here a fortnight. My poor body is so far restored, that I - can mount the gospel throne once a day. Perhaps the sea air may - brace me up a little more; but, after all, it is only like the - glimmering of a candle before it goes out. Death will light it - up in a better world. O that I had done more for the blessed - Jesus! O that I could think more of what He has done for me! The - Edinburgh prescriptions have been blessed to me. My spirits are - much brisker than when here last.” - -To Mr. Keen, who now, in conjunction with Mr. Hardy, had the management -of his London chapels, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “Edinburgh, March 26, 1763. I thank you for your kind letter; - and thank the Lord of all lords that matters go on so well. I - am more than easy. The Lord has directed my choice, and will - bless, assist, and reward those employed. Ten thousand thanks - to you all. You may act as you please with respect to Mr. ――――. - His attending the Tabernacle when I was well, and leaving it - ever since I have been sick, does not look well at all; but - please yourselves, and you will please me. Do not consult me - in anything, unless absolutely necessary. On Monday, I am going - to see about the ship. I am sorry my little piece, entitled - ‘_Observations_,’ etc., is not come out yet.” - -In another letter to Mr. Keen, he observed:―― - - “Leith, May 14, 1763. Why so fearful of writing a long letter? - The longer the better. Though disappointed in embarking, by - reason of sickness, I can read and write, and hope soon to get - upon my throne again. I have been able to go upon the water - to-day for several hours. Others can die, but I cannot. Father, - Thy will be done! What a God do I serve! Physicians, friends on - every side of me! And what is all in all, the great Physician - comforting my soul! Thank, O thank Him in behalf of a worthless - worm!” - -Whitefield’s last letter, before his departure, was the following:―― - - “GREENOCK, _June 4, 1763_. - - “MY DEAR FRIEND,――A thousand thanks for your kind letters. Jesus - is kind. I am better, and just going on board the _Fanny_, bound - to Rappahanock, in Virginia. Yours to good Lady Huntingdon is - taken care of. I hear her daughter died well,[508] and that - her ladyship is comforted and resigned. Blessed be God! Adieu! - Follow me with your prayers. - - “Ever yours, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Thus ended Whitefield’s eight years’ wanderings in the United Kingdom -of Great Britain and Ireland. During this interval, he had reached -the zenith of his usefulness and fame. His health was now broken; and, -though he lived for seven years afterwards, he, comparatively speaking, -continued to be, what Wesley called him, a “worn-out” man. - - - - - _SIXTH VISIT TO AMERICA._ - - JUNE 4, 1763, TO JULY 8, 1765. - - -WHITEFIELD’S voyage to America was long, but pleasant. Nearly twelve -weeks were spent upon the ocean. His letters will best display his -feelings. - - “AT SEA, _July 15, 1763_. - - “This leaves me looking towards Virginia, but only as a harbour - in my way to an infinitely better port, from whence I shall - never put out to sea again. I have been surprisingly kept up - during the voyage,――long, but not tedious. Jesus has made the - ship a Bethel. I have enjoyed that quietness which I have in - vain sought after for some years on shore. Not an oath has - been heard even in the greatest hurry. All has been harmony and - love. But my breath is short, and, since my relapse in Scotland, - I have little hope of much further public usefulness. A few - exertions, like the last struggles of a dying man, are all that - can be expected from me.” - -On landing in Virginia, Whitefield wrote two pastoral letters, one to -his “dear Tabernacle hearers;” the other to those at Tottenham Court -Road. Both were written on the same day, and the following is an -extract:―― - - “VIRGINIA, _September 1, 1763_. - - “For some weeks, I was enabled to preach once a day when in - Scotland, and, I trust, not without Divine efficacy. But, - being taken ill of my old disorder at Edinburgh, I had to - remain silent for near six weeks, and sometimes I thought my - intended voyage would be retarded, at least, for one year longer. - Having, however, obtained a little strength, I embarked, for the - eleventh time, in the ship _Fanny_, and I have not been laid by - an hour, through sickness, since I came on board. Everything has - been suitable to my low estate,――a large and commodious cabin, - a kind captain, and a most orderly and quiet ship’s company, who - gladly attended whenever I had breath to preach. Often, often - have I thought of my dear London friends, when I guessed they - were assembled together; and as often prayed, when I knew that - they were retired to rest, that He, who keepeth Israel, would - watch over them, and make their very dreams devout. How I am to - be disposed of, when on dry land, is best known to God. Had I - strength equal to my will, I could fly from pole to pole. Though - wearied, and now almost worn out, I am not weary of my blessed - Master’s service, O love Him! Love Him! Make Him your portion, - and He will be your confidence for ever. Through His leave, I - hope to see you again next year. Meanwhile, as long as I have - breath, it shall be my heart’s desire and prayer to God, that - the labours of the dear servants of Jesus, who are called to - preach amongst you, may be so blessed that I may not be missed - a single moment.” - -As soon as he left the ship, Whitefield set out for a cooler climate -than that of Virginia. Hence the following:―― - - “VIRGINIA, _September 7, 1763_. - - “We are now on dry land. Christian friends, whom I never before - heard of, were prepared to receive me; and I have preached four - times. This leaves me on my way to Philadelphia, still visited - with my old disorder. Well: He that cometh will come, and will - not tarry. Blessed are all they who wait for Him.” - - “PHILADELPHIA, _September 29, 1763_. - - “Ebenezer! Hitherto the Lord hath helped! I have been here above - a week; but am still an invalid. When you write, mention nothing - but what relates to the eternal world. I have no thoughts to - throw away on the trifling things of time. Tender love to all - who are travelling to the New Jerusalem.” - -Whitefield spent two months among his old acquaintance at Philadelphia, -but his health was not improved. His interest, however, in the work of -God was as profound as ever. To his friend Mr. Keen, he wrote:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _October 21, 1763_. - - “The bearer of this is a young, sober gentleman, intended for - the temple, and will be glad to see and hear Mr. Romaine, and - other gospel ministers. I hope all are flaming for God. Some - young bright witnesses are rising up in the Church here. I - have already conversed with about forty new-creature ministers, - of various denominations. I am informed that sixteen hopeful - students were converted at New Jersey College last year. What - an open door, if I had strength! But, Father, Thy will be done! - Blessed be His name, I can preach now and then. Last Tuesday, we - had a remarkable season among the Lutherans. Children and grown - people were much impressed. If possible, I intend returning with - Mr. Habersham (now here) to Georgia.” - -Poor Whitefield was not able to fulfil his intentions. Instead of -visiting his Orphan House, he was, for more than a year, obliged to -content himself with writing to its managers. The following is an -extract from the first of these letters:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _November 8, 1763_. - - “MY VERY DEAR FRIENDS,――Man appoints; and God, for wise reasons, - disappoints. All was ready for my coming, by land, to you at - Bethesda, with Mr. Habersham; but several things concurred to - prevent me; and the physicians all agree, that the only chance - I have for growing better, is to stay and see what the cold - weather will do for me. At present, I make a shift to preach - twice a week; but, alas! my strength is perfect weakness. What - a mercy that Jesus is all in all! You will let me hear from you - very particularly. I want to know the present state of all your - affairs in every respect.” - -There was, however, another reason, besides his state of health, why -he deferred his visit to Bethesda. True, after the long “Seven Years’ -War,” peace had been proclaimed between France and England; but, during -the war, the opponents had cruelly employed the Indians in carrying out -their purposes; and now it was far from easy to keep the Indians quiet. -Hence the following, addressed to Mr. Robert Keen:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _November 14, 1763_. - - “I am about to make my first excursion, to the New Jersey - College. Twice a week preaching, is my present allowance. - Many, of various ranks, seem to be brought under real concern. - Physicians are absolutely against my going to Georgia, till I - get more strength. Besides, it is doubtful whether the southern - Indians will not break out; and, therefore, a little stay in - these parts may, on that account, be most prudent.” - -Towards the end of November, Whitefield and Habersham started from -Philadelphia; but, instead of getting to Georgia, Whitefield was -obliged to halt at New York, where he remained about two months. -Extracts from his letters written here will be useful. - - “NEW YORK, _December 1, 1763_. - - “Some good impressions have been made in Philadelphia, and - we had four sweet seasons at New Jersey College, and two at - Elizabeth Town, on my way hither. Some said they resembled old - times. My spirits grow better; but thrice a week is as often - as I can preach. To-day, I begin here, and have thoughts of - returning with Mr. Habersham to Georgia, but am fearful of - relapsing by such a fatiguing journey.” - -Again, Whitefield was unable to proceed to Georgia. Hence the -following, written to the managers of his Orphan House:―― - - “NEW YORK, _December 7, 1763_. - - “MY DEAR FRIENDS,――What a mortification it is to me not to - accompany my dear Mr. Habersham to Bethesda. Assure yourselves, - I shall come as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I have desired - Mr. Habersham to assist in supervising and settling the accounts, - and to give his advice respecting the house, plantation, etc. - I beg you will be so good as to let me have an inventory of - every individual thing, the names and number of the negroes, - and what you think is necessary to be done every way. I would - only observe in general, that I would have the family lessened - as much as may be, and all things contracted into as small a - compass as possible. Once more, adieu, though, I trust, but for - a short season. My heart is too full to enlarge. I purpose going - to New England; but it will be better to go to heaven. Come, - Lord Jesus, come quickly.” - - “NEW YORK, _December 16, 1763_. - - “Jesus continues to own the feeble labours of an almost worn-out - pilgrim. Every day, the thirst for hearing the word increases, - and the better sort come home to hear more of it. I must go soon - to New England. Cold weather and a warm heart suit my tottering - tabernacle best.” - - “NEW YORK, _December 18, 1763_. - - “I am in better health than when I wrote last. Preaching thrice - a week agrees pretty well with me this cold season of the year. - I am apt to believe my disorder will be periodical. New Jersey - College is a blessed nursery, one of the purest, perhaps, in - the universe. The worthy president and three tutors are all - bent upon making the students both saints and scholars. I was - lately there for a week. The Redeemer vouchsafed to own the word - preached. Prejudices in New York have most strangely subsided. - The better sort flock as eagerly as the common people, and are - fond of coming for private gospel conversation.” - -The year 1763 will be suitably closed by a warm-hearted letter to -Charles Wesley. - - “NEW YORK, _December 26, 1763_. - - “MY DEAR OLD FRIEND,――Once more I write to you from this dying - world. Through infinite, unmerited mercy, I am helped to preach - twice or thrice a week, and never saw people of all ranks more - eager in Philadelphia and in this place, than now. Lasting - impressions, I trust, are made. At New Jersey College, we had - sweet seasons among the sons of the prophets, and I have had the - pleasure of conversing with new-creature ministers of various - denominations. Ere long, we shall join the elders about the - throne. Then shall we all greatly marvel, and try who can shout - loudest, ‘He hath done all things well.’ Neither you, nor your - brother, nor the highest archangel in heaven, shall, if possible, - outdo even me, though less than the least of all. Continue to - pray for me, as such. I hope your brother lives and prospers. - Remember me to your dear yoke-fellow, and all enquiring friends; - and assure yourselves of not being forgotten in the poor - addresses of, my dear friend, - - “Yours in Jesus, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[509] - -In more than one of these extracts, Whitefield makes grateful mention -of his conversing with what he calls “_new-creature ministers_.” -This is a notable fact. Compared with his first visits to America, -the difference, in this respect, was great. It ought always to be -remembered, that the revival, in the days of Whitefield and the -Wesleys, was remarkable, not only for the quickening of churches -and the saving of sinners, but also for the raising up of a host of -converted ministers, in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and America. -This was not the least of its glorious results. - -Whitefield longed to be at Bethesda, but the hope of being benefited by -the colder atmosphere of the northern colonies still detained him. The -following is taken from another letter addressed to the managers of his -Orphan House:―― - - “New York, January 12, 1764. The cold braces me up a little. - I am enabled to preach twice or thrice a week. Congregations - continue very large, and, I trust, saving impressions are made - upon many. O for a blessed gale of Divine influences when we - meet at Bethesda! From thence, or from Charlestown, I purpose - to embark for England. But future things belong to Him, who, - whatever may be our thoughts, always orders all things well.” - -The following extract from the _Boston Gazette_ confirms the foregoing -statements, respecting Whitefield’s congregations in New York:―― - - “New York, January 23, 1764. The Rev. Mr. George Whitefield has - spent seven weeks with us, preaching twice a week, with more - general acceptance than ever. He has been treated with great - respect by many of the gentlemen and merchants of this place. - During his stay, he preached two charity sermons: one on the - occasion of the annual collection for the poor, when double - the sum was collected that ever was upon the like occasion; - the other for the benefit of Mr. Wheelock’s Indian School, at - Lebanon, in New England, for which he collected (notwithstanding - the prejudices of many people against the Indians) the sum of - £120. In his last sermon, he took a very affectionate leave of - the people of this city, who expressed great concern at his - departure. May God restore this great and good man (in whom - the gentleman, the Christian, and the accomplished orator - shine forth with such lustre) to a perfect state of health, - and continue him long a blessing to the world, and the Church - of Christ!” - -Immediately after this, Whitefield set out for New England, and, on -his way, preached in Long Island, Shelter Island, and other places. On -arriving at Boston, about February 13, he received a hearty welcome, -not only from his old acquaintance, but from the people in general. -His enormous collections, in 1761, for the distressed Protestants in -Germany, and for the sufferers by the great fire at Boston, have been -already mentioned. Now, as was fitting, the Boston people thanked him -for his assistance. Hence the following:―― - - “Boston, February 20. Monday last, at a very general meeting of - the freeholders and other inhabitants of this town, it was voted - unanimously that the thanks of the town be given to the Rev. - Mr. George Whitefield, for his charitable care and pains in - collecting a considerable sum of money in Great Britain, for the - benefit of the distressed sufferers by the great fire in Boston, - 1760. And a respectable committee was appointed to wait on Mr. - Whitefield, to inform him of the vote, and present him with a - copy thereof; which committee waited upon him accordingly, and - received the following answer:―― - - “GENTLEMEN,――This vote of thanks for so small an instance of - my goodwill to Boston, as it was entirely unexpected, quite - surprises me. Often have I been much concerned that I could do - no more upon such a distressing occasion. That the Redeemer may - ever preserve the town from such-like melancholy events, and - sanctify the present afflictive circumstances to the spiritual - welfare of all its inhabitants, is the hearty prayer of, - - “Gentlemen, your ready servant in our common Lord, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[510] - -A few days after this, Whitefield wrote to his friend, Mr. Robert Keen, -as follows:―― - - “Boston, March 3, 1764. I have received letters from my wife and - Mr. C――――, dated in October and November. I have been received - at Boston with the usual warmth of affection. Twice have we seen - the Redeemer’s stately steps in the great congregation. But, as - the small-pox is likely to spread through the town, I purpose - making my country tour, and then to return to Boston in my way - to the south. Invitations come so thick and fast from every - quarter, that I know not what to do. I cannot boast of acquiring - much additional bodily strength. The cool season of the year - helps to keep me up. Twice a week is as often as I can, with - comfort, ascend my throne. Till I hear from you, and see what is - determined concerning Bethesda, I cannot think of undertaking a - long voyage. Sometimes I fear my weakness will never allow me to - go on shipboard any more. But I will wait.” - -Whitefield lived to be a blessing to his fellow-creatures. He had just -been thanked, by the inhabitants of Boston, for the assistance he had -rendered them in 1761. Now, his heart was set on helping others. - -A hundred and thirty-four years ago, the Puritans of New England had -advanced £400 towards the erection of a college at Newton, which, on -the founding of the college there, had its name changed to Cambridge. -In 1638, the Rev. John Harvard, minister of Charlestown, near Boston, -died, and bequeathed to the college one half of his estate and all his -library. In honour of its benefactor, the college henceforth was called -“Harvard College.” There cannot be a doubt that this venerable school -of learning exerted a powerful influence in forming the character of -the people of New England. Magistrates and men of wealth were profuse -in their donations to its funds; and once, at least, every family in -the colony gave to the Harvard College twelvepence, or a peck of corn, -or its value in unadulterated wampumpeag.[511] Now, in 1764, a great -calamity had befallen this, the oldest college in America. Its library -was burnt. Whitefield heard of this, and wished to render some -assistance. - -Further. In 1754, the Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, D.D., first president -of Dartmouth College, founded a charity school, at Lebanon, for -the education of Indian youths, with a view of preparing them for -labouring as missionaries, interpreters, or schoolmasters, among the -Indian tribes. He now had more than twenty of these young men under -his care and management, his school being supported partly by private -subscriptions, and partly by assistance rendered by the Legislatures -of Connecticut and Massachusetts, and by the Commissioners in Boston -of the Scotch Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge. The idea -was a noble one, though its ultimate success was not so great as some -expected. - -Four years ago, Whitefield had rendered valuable assistance to -Dr. Wheelock.[512] In a letter, dated “London, 1760,” he wrote:―― - - “Upon mentioning and a little enforcing your Indian affair, the - Lord put it into the heart of the Marquis of Lothian to hand me - £50. You will not fail to send his lordship a letter of thanks - and some account of the school. Now the great God has given us - Canada, what will become of us, if we do not improve it to His - glory and the conversion of the poor heathen? Satan is doing - what he can here to bring the work into contempt, by blasphemy - and ridicule at both the theatres. But you know how the bush - burned and was not consumed; and why? Jesus was, and is in it. - Hallelujah! My hearty love to the Indian lambs.”[513] - -This letter was written in the midst of the terrible persecution -arising out of the performance of Foote’s infamous farce, “The Minor.” -Whitefield’s interest in the temporal and eternal welfare of the -heathen Indians was as profound as ever; and, hence, he now made -a fresh application to his friends, not only on behalf of Harvard -College, but of Wheelock’s school. Hence the following, addressed to -a friend in London:―― - - “Concord, twenty miles from Boston, March 10, 1764. In New York, - we saw blessed days of the Son of man; and, in my way to these - parts, a Divine influence has attended the word preached, in - various places. How would you have been delighted to have seen - Mr. Wheelock’s Indians! Such a promising nursery of future - missionaries, I believe, was never seen in New England before. - Pray encourage it with all your might. I also wish you could - give some useful Puritanical books to Harvard College Library, - lately burnt. Few, perhaps, will give such; and yet a collection - of that kind is absolutely necessary for future students, and - to poor neighbouring ministers, to whom, I find, the books - belonging to the library are freely lent from time to time. You - will not be angry with me for these hints. I know your ambitious, - greedy soul: you want to grow richer and richer towards God. O - that there may be in me such a mind! But my wings are clipped. - I can only preach twice or thrice a week with comfort. And yet - a wider door than ever is opened all along the continent.” - -Notwithstanding his ill-health, Whitefield continued preaching, and, as -usual, with great success. To Mr. Charles Hardy, one of the managers of -his London chapels, he wrote:―― - - “Portsmouth, March 23, 1764. How was my heart eased by receiving - yesterday your kind letter, dated October 22. If you and dear Mr. - Keen will continue to manage when I am present, as well as when - I am absent, it may give another turn to my mind. At present, - my way is clear to go on preaching till I can journey southward. - The enclosed will inform you of what has been done by one sermon - at Providence, formerly a most ungodly place. At Newbury, which - I left yesterday, there is a stir indeed. On Lord’s-day, I shall - begin here. O for daily fresh gales!” - -A month after this, Whitefield had returned to Boston, and wrote as -follows to Mr. Dixon, the superintendent of his Orphan House:―― - - “Boston, April 20, 1764. I have been at my _ne plus ultra_ - northward, and am now more free, and capable of settling my - affairs southward. When that is done, how cheerfully could I - sing, ‘Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace!’ I - hope you are not offended at my giving a power of attorney to - Mr. Habersham. It was not owing to a distrust of any of you, but - only, in _case of my death_, that he might testify to the world - the integrity of your actions, and the veracity of your accounts. - I am persuaded, he will not desire to interfere, but will act - and consult jointly with yourselves, as occasion offers; and you - will go on in your old way. I wish I was assured of your stay - at Bethesda. I am satisfied, you will not distress me by leaving - the place destitute of proper help. My tottering tabernacle - will not bear grief, especially from those whom I so dearly - love, and who have served the institution so faithfully and - disinterestedly for so many years. What I have in view for - Bethesda, may be better spoken of when we meet, than by letter. - By my late excursions, I am brought low; but rest and care - may brace me up again for some little further service for our - glorious Emmanuel. A most blessed influence has attended the - word in various places, and many have been made to cry out, - ‘What shall we do to be saved?’” - -Whitefield now entertained the thought of an escape to the southern -colonies; but “the Boston people sent a hue and cry after” him, and -brought him back.[514] He resumed his ministry among them on April 24, -and, as far as he was able, continued to preach to them for about the -next eight weeks. They begged “for a six o’clock morning lecture,” and -he was willing to accede to their request, saying, “I would fain die -preaching.”[515] To Mr. Charles Hardy, he wrote:―― - - “Boston, June 1, 1764. You see where this leaves me. Friends - have constrained me to stay here, for fear of running into the - summer’s heat. Hitherto, I find the benefit of it. I am much - better in health, than I was this time twelvemonth, and can now - preach thrice a week to large auditories without hurt. Every - day I hear of some brought under concern. This is all of grace. - In about a fortnight, I purpose to set forward on my southern - journey. It will be hard parting; but heaven will make amends - for all.” - -Whitefield left Boston, as he intended, and travelled to New York, -where he continued for about three months. In reference to his New -England visit, he wrote to Mr. Keen, as follows:―― - - “New York, June 25, 1764. The New England winter campaign is - over, and I am thus far on my way to Georgia. Mr. Smith, my - faithful host, at Boston, writes thus: ‘Your departure never - before so deeply wounded us, and the most of this people. They - propose sending a book full of names to call you back. Your - enemies are very few, and even they seem to be almost at peace - with you.’ To crown the expedition, after preaching at Newhaven - College, and when I was going off in the chaise, the president - came to me, and said, the students were so deeply impressed by - the sermon, that they were gone into the chapel, and earnestly - entreated me to give them one more quarter of an hour’s - exhortation. Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but unto Thy - free and unmerited grace be all the glory!” - -Whitefield’s health continued better; and, besides preaching in the -chapels of New York, he, at the beginning of August, mentions his -having preached twice in the open air.[516] His popularity was enormous. -Hence the following to Mr. Keen:―― - - “New York, August 25, 1764. Still I am kept, as it were, - a prisoner in these parts, by the heat of the weather. All - dissuade me from proceeding southward till the latter end of - September. My late excursions upon Long Island have been blessed. - It would surprise you to see above a hundred carriages at every - sermon in this new world. I am, through infinite mercy, still - kept up. I wrote to Mr. Hardy and my dear wife very lately by - a friend; and I have sent many letters, for a _letter-day_, to - the care of Mrs. E――――s, in Bristol.” - -Towards the end of September, Whitefield removed to Philadelphia, -whence he again wrote to Mr. Keen:―― - - “Philadelphia, September 21, 1764. After a most solemn and - heart-breaking parting at New York, I am come thus far in my way - to Georgia. There I hope to be about Christmas; and in spring - to embark for England. However, let what will become of the - substance, I herewith send you my shadow. The painter, who gave - it me, having now the ague and fever, and living a hundred miles - off, I must get you to have the drapery finished; and then, if - judged proper, let it be put up in the Tabernacle parlour. I - have only preached twice here, but the influence was deep. I am - better in health than I have been these three years. I received - the hymn-books.”[517] - -Immediately after his arrival, Whitefield, by request, preached at -the commencement of a new term of the College of Philadelphia,――an -establishment which he pronounced to be “one of the best regulated -institutions in the world.”[518] The provost of the college was the -Rev. William Smith, D.D., a native of Scotland, and educated at the -University of Aberdeen,――an episcopally ordained clergyman, and a -gentleman whose learning and popular talents contributed greatly to -raise the character of the college over which he presided. - - “Dr. Smith,” says Whitefield, “read prayers for me; both the - present and the late governor, with the head gentlemen of the - city, were present; and cordial thanks were sent to me from all - the trustees, for speaking for the children, and countenancing - the institution. This is all of God. To me nothing belongs but - shame and confusion of face. O for a truly guileless heart!”[519] - -While at Philadelphia, Whitefield wrote the following characteristic -letter to his old friend Wesley:―― - - “PHILADELPHIA, _September 25, 1764_. - - “REV. AND DEAR SIR,――Your kind letter, dated in January last, - did not reach me till a few days ago. It found me here, just - returned from my northern circuit; and waiting only for cooler - weather to set forwards for Georgia. Perhaps that may be my _ne - plus ultra_. But the gospel range is of such large extent, that - I have, as it were, scarce begun to begin. Surely nothing but - a very loud call of Providence could make me so much as think - of returning to England as yet. I have been mercifully carried - through the summer’s heat; and, had strength permitted, I might - have preached to thousands and thousands thrice every day. - Zealous ministers are not so rare in this new world as in other - parts. Here is room for a hundred itinerants. Lord Jesus, send - by whom Thou wilt send! Fain would I end my life in rambling - after those who have rambled away from Jesus Christ. - - ‘For this let men despise my name; - I’d shun no cross; I’d fear no shame; - All hail reproach!’ - - “I am persuaded you are like-minded. I wish you and all your - dear fellow-labourers great prosperity. O to be kept from - turning to the right hand or the left! Methinks, for many years, - _we_ have heard a voice behind us, saying, ‘This is the way; - walk ye in it.’ I do not repent being a poor, despised, cast-out, - and now almost worn-out itinerant. I would do it again, if I - had my choice. Having loved His own, the altogether lovely Jesus - loves them to the end. Even the last glimmerings of an expiring - taper, He blesses to guide some wandering souls to Himself. In - New England, New York, and Pennsylvania, the word has run and - been glorified. Scarce one dry meeting since my arrival. All - this is of grace. In various places, there has been a great - stirring among the dry bones. - - “If you and all yours would join in praying over a poor - worthless, but willing pilgrim, it would be a very great act - of charity, he being, though less than the least of all, - - “Rev. and very dear sir, - - “Ever yours in Jesus, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[520] - -Whitefield continued a month at Philadelphia; and, on leaving it, -about October 21, exclaimed, “O what blessings have we received in -this place! Join in crying, Hallelujah!”[521] - -On his departure from Philadelphia, Whitefield proceeded to Virginia, -and to North and South Carolina. He met with the “new lights” at -almost every stage: a nickname given to evangelical preachers and their -converts, and analogous to that of “Methodists” in England. The present -was a marvellous contrast when compared with the state of things, at -the time of Whitefield’s first visit to Virginia a quarter of a century -before; and no wonder that he wrote, “It makes me almost determine to -come back early in the spring. Surely the Londoners, who are fed to -the full, will not envy the poor souls in these parts, who scarce know -their right hand from the left.” - -On December 3, he left Charleston for Georgia, and, about a week -afterwards, reached Savannah,――more than a year and a half from the -time of his embarkation for America. His detention, in the northern -colonies, had been long; but no time was wasted after his arrival. -Within a week, he had the boldness to ask the governor of Georgia, and -the two Houses of Assembly, for a grant of two thousand acres of land, -to enable him to convert his Orphan House into a college. The story -will be best told by the insertion of Whitefield’s “Memorial,” and the -answers it evoked:―― - - “To His Excellency James Wright, Esq., Captain-General and - Governor-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Province of Georgia, and - to the Members of His Majesty’s Council in the said Province. - - “The Memorial of George Whitefield, Clerk, - - “_Sheweth_,――That about twenty-five years ago, your memorialist, - assisted by the voluntary contributions of charitable and - well-disposed persons, at a very great expense, and under many - disadvantages, did erect a commodious house, with necessary - out-buildings, suitable for the reception of orphans, and other - poor and deserted children; and that with the repair of the - buildings, purchase of negroes, and supporting a large orphan - family for so many years, he hath expended upwards of £12,000 - sterling, as appears by the accounts, which from time to time - have been audited by the magistrates of Savannah. - - “That your memorialist, since the commencement of this - institution, hath had the satisfaction of finding, that, by - the money expended thereon, not only many poor families were - assisted, and thereby kept from leaving the Colony in its infant - state, but also that a considerable number of poor helpless - children have been trained up; who have been, and now are, - useful settlers in this and the neighbouring Provinces. - - “That in order to render the institution aforesaid more - extensively useful, your memorialist, as he perceived the - colony gradually increasing, hath for some years past designed - within himself, to improve the original plan, by making further - provision for the education of persons of superior rank; who - thereby might be qualified to serve their king, their country, - or their God, either in Church or State. That he doth with - inexpressible pleasure see the present very flourishing state of - the Province; but with concern perceives that several gentlemen - have been obliged to send their sons to the northern Provinces; - who would much rather have had them educated nearer home, and - thereby prevent their affections being alienated from their - native country, and also considerable sums of money from being - carried out of this into other Provinces. - - “Your memorialist further observes, that there is no seminary - for academical studies as yet founded southward of Virginia; and - consequently if a College could be established here (especially - as the late addition of the two Floridas renders Georgia more - centrical for the southern district) it would not only be highly - serviceable to the rising generation of the Colony, but would - occasion many youths to be sent from the British West India - Islands and other parts. The many advantages accruing thereby - to this Province must be very considerable. - - “From these considerations, your memorialist is induced - to believe, that the time is now approaching, when his - long-projected design for further serving this his beloved - Colony, shall be carried into execution. - - “That a considerable sum of money is intended speedily to - be laid out in purchasing a large number of negroes, for the - further cultivation of the present Orphan House and other - additional lands, and for the future support of a worthy, - able president, and for professors, and tutors, and other good - purposes intended. - - “Your memorialist therefore prays your Excellency and Honours - to grant to him in _trust_, for the purposes aforesaid, two - thousand acres of land, on the north fork of the Turtle River, - called the Lesser Swamp, if vacant, or where lands may be found - vacant, south of the River Altamaha. - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD. - - “Savannah, in Georgia, _December 18, 1764_.” - -Whitefield’s case was a strong one. There cannot be a doubt that -Georgia had had no benefactor superior to himself; and it must also be -admitted further, that his proposed academy, or college, was greatly -needed. In addition to this, there was another fact favourable to -the success of his application. His old friend, James Habersham, the -first Superintendent of his Orphanage, was now raised to the dignity -of being the “president of the Upper House of Assembly.” Under such -circumstances, it is not surprising, that, only two days after the date -of Whitefield’s Memorial, the following “Address” was presented to the -Governor of Georgia:―― - - “The Address of both Houses of Assembly, Georgia. - - “To His Excellency James Wright, Esq., Captain-General and - Governor-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Province of Georgia. - - “MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,――We, his Majesty’s most dutiful - and loyal subjects, the Council and Commons House of Assembly - of Georgia in General Assembly met, beg leave to acquaint your - Excellency that with the highest satisfaction, we learn that - the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield has applied for lands, in order - to the endowment of a College in this Province. The many and - singular obligations Georgia has been continually laid under to - that reverend gentleman, from its very infant state, would in - gratitude induce us, by every means in our power, to promote - any measure he might recommend; but, in the present instance, - where the interest of the Province, the advancement of religion, - and the pleasing prospect of obtaining proper education for our - youth, so clearly coincide with his views, we cannot in justice - but request your Excellency to use your utmost endeavours to - promote so desirable an event, and to transmit home our sincere - and very fervent wishes, for the accomplishment of so useful, so - beneficent, and so laudable an undertaking. - - “By order of the Upper House, - - “JAMES HABERSHAM, _President_. - - “_December 20, 1764._ - - “By Order of the Commons House, - - “ALEX. WYLLY, _Speaker_.” - -The reply of the governor of Georgia was as courteous and generous as -the address of the Houses of Assembly:―― - - “GENTLEMEN,――I am so perfectly sensible of the very great - advantage which will result to the Province in general, from - the establishment of a seminary for learning here, that it gives - me the greatest pleasure to find so laudable an undertaking - proposed by the Rev. Mr. Whitefield. The friendly and zealous - disposition of that gentleman, to promote the prosperity of this - Province, has been often experienced; and you may rest assured, - that I shall transmit your address home, with my best endeavours - for the success of the great point in view. - - “JAMES WRIGHT. - - “_December 20, 1764._” - -These documents greatly redound to Whitefield’s honour, and are too -important to be omitted in the memoirs of the poor, persecuted preacher. -Another of the same class must also be inserted. On three previous -occasions, Whitefield’s Orphan House accounts had been subjected to -an official audit. On April 16, 1746, it was ascertained that, up to -that date, Whitefield had expended £5,511 17s. 9¼d.; and had received, -£4,982 12s. 8d.; leaving him out of pocket, £529 5s. 1¼d. From that -date to February 25, 1752, he expended £2,026 13s. 7½d., and received -£1,386 8s. 7½d., leaving another deficiency of £640 5s. From February -25, 1752, to February 19, 1755, he spent £1,966 18s. 2d., towards which -he received £1,289 2s. 3d., leaving a third deficiency amounting to -£677 15s. 11d. On the 9th of February, 1765, the fourth audit of the -accounts took place, from which it appeared that, during the last ten -years, Whitefield had expended the sum of £3,349 15s. 10d., and had -received £3,132 16s. ¼d., he being a fourth time out of pocket to the -amount of £216 19s. 9¾d. These four deficiencies put together make -£2,064 5s. 10d., the amount of Whitefield’s own private contributions -to his Orphanage in Georgia. Remembering that the value of money then -was four times greater than its value now, this was an enormous sum for -the unbeneficed Methodist clergyman to give. Whitefield was born and -bred in a public-house; the expense of his collegiate education had -been met partly by private benefactions, and partly by his submitting -to perform the drudgeries of a college servitor; the only church living -that he had ever had was Savannah, and even that only for a few short -months; fixed income he had none; all his life, he had contentedly -and joyously relied on Providence for the supply of his daily needs. -Providence had never failed him. He had had enough, and to spare. To -say nothing of his other gifts, in London and elsewhere, it was now -officially and publicly declared that, out of his own private purse, -he had given more than £2,000 to his Orphan House in Georgia. The two -attestations, declaring this, were as follows:―― - - “GEORGIA. - - “Before me, the Honourable Noble Jones, Esq., senior, one of - the Assistant Justices for the Province aforesaid, personally - appeared the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, and Thomas Dixon of - the Province aforesaid, who, being duly sworn, declare that the - accounts relating to the Orphan House, from folio 82 to folio - 98 in this book, amounting on the debit side to £3,349 15s. 10d. - sterling, and on the credit side to £3,132 16s. ¼d., contain, - to the best of their knowledge, a just and true account of all - the monies collected by, or given to them, or any other, for - the use or benefit of the said house, and that the disbursements, - amounting to the sum aforesaid, have been faithfully applied to, - and for the use of the same. - - “_Signed_, { GEORGE WHITEFIELD, - { THOMAS DIXON. - - “_February 9, 1765._ - - “Sworn this 9th day of February, 1765, before me, in - justification whereof I have caused the seal of the General - Court to be affixed. - - “_Signed_, N. JONES. _Sealed._” - - “GEORGIA. - - “Before me, the Honourable Noble Jones, Esq., senior, personally - appeared James Edward Powell and Grey Elliot, Esqrs., members of - His Majesty’s Honourable Council for the Province aforesaid, who, - being duly sworn, declare that they have carefully examined the - accounts containing the receipts and disbursements, for the use - of the Orphan House of the said Province, and that, comparing - them with the several vouchers, they find the same not only - just and true in every respect, but kept in such a clear and - regular manner, as does honour to the managers of that house; - and that, on a careful examination of the several former audits, - it appears that the sum of £2,064 5s. 10d. has, at several times, - been given by the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield for the use of the - said house; and that, in the whole, the sum of £12,855 5s. 4¾d. - has been laid out for the same house since the 7th of January, - 1739, to this day. Also, that it doth not appear that any charge - has ever been made by the said Rev. Mr. Whitefield, either for - travelling charges or any other expenses whatever; and that no - charge of salary has been made for any person whatever, employed - or concerned in the management of the said house. - - “_Signed_, { JAMES EDWARD POWELL, - { GREY ELLIOT. - - “_February 9, 1765._ - - “Sworn this 9th day of February, 1765, before me, in - justification whereof I have caused the seal of the General - Court to be affixed. - - “_Signed_, N. JONES. _Sealed._” - -These are lengthy documents to insert, but the honour of Whitefield’s -memory requires them; and they, also, without the need of further -evidence, triumphantly acquit the great itinerant from the numerous -mercenary charges, which, from time to time, were brought against him. -No wonder that poor afflicted Whitefield was full of gratitude. The -following extracts from his letters will be welcome:―― - - “Bethesda, January 14, 1765. I have been in Georgia above - five weeks. All things, in respect to Bethesda, have gone on - successfully. God has given me great favour in the sight of the - Governor, Council, and Assembly. A memorial was presented for - an additional grant of lands, consisting of two thousand acres. - It was immediately complied with. Both houses addressed the - Governor in behalf of the intended College. As warm an answer - was given; and I am now putting all in repair, and getting - everything ready for that purpose. Every heart seems to leap - for joy, at the prospect of its future utility to this and - the neighbouring colonies. The only question now is, whether - I should embark directly for England, or take one tour more to - the northward. He, who holdeth the stars in His right hand, will - direct in due time. I am here in delightful winter quarters. - Peace and plenty reign at Bethesda. His Excellency dined with me - yesterday, and expressed his satisfaction in the warmest terms. - Who knows how many youths may be raised up for the ever-loving - and altogether lovely Jesus? Thus far, however, we may set - up our Ebenezer. Hitherto, the bush has been burning, but not - consumed. Lord, I believe; help Thou my unbelief!” - - “Bethesda, February 3, 1765. We have just been wishing some - of our London friends were here. We have lovefeasts every day. - Nothing but peace and plenty reign in Bethesda, this house of - mercy. God be praised for making the chapel, in London, such - a Bethel. I believe it will yet be the gate of heaven to many - souls. Whether we live or die, we shall see greater things. - Remember, my dear friend, to ask something worthy of a God to - give. Be content with nothing short of Himself. His presence - alone can fill and satisfy the renewed soul.” - - “Bethesda, February 13, 1765. A few days more, and then - farewell Bethesda, perhaps for ever. The within audit, I sent - to the Governor. Next day, came Lord J. A. G――――n, to pay his - Excellency a visit. Yesterday morning, they, with several other - gentlemen, favoured me with their company to breakfast. But how - was my Lord surprised and delighted! After expressing himself - in the strongest terms, he took me aside, and informed me that - the Governor had shown him the accounts, by which he found - what a great benefactor I had been;――that the intended College - would be of the utmost utility to this and the neighbouring - Provinces;――that the plan was beautiful, rational, and - practicable;――and that he was persuaded his Majesty would highly - approve of it, and also favour it with some peculiar marks of - his royal bounty. At their desire, I went to town, and dined - with him and the Governor at Savannah. On Tuesday next, God - willing, I move towards Charleston, leaving all arrears paid - off, and some cash in hand, besides the last year’s whole crop - of rice, some lumber, the house repaired, painted, furnished with - plenty of clothing, and provision till the next crop comes in, - and perhaps some for sale. Only a few boys will be left, two of - whom are intended for the foundation; so that, this year, they - will be getting rather than expending. Near ten boys and girls - have been put out. The small-pox has gone through the house, - with the loss of about six negroes and four orphans. Before - this, I think not above four children have been taken off these - twenty-four years. As an acknowledgment of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon’s - faithfulness and care, I have made them a present of a bill of - exchange drawn upon you. And now, farewell, my beloved Bethesda! - surely the most delightfully situated place in all the southern - parts of America.” - -On Thursday, February 21, Whitefield arrived at Charleston,[522] where -he wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, and other friends, as follows:―― - - “Charleston, March 5, 1765. My very dear, dear friends. Often - have we thought and talked of Bethesda. No place like that for - peace, and plenty of every kind. This leaves me, aiming, in my - poor way, to do a little for Him, who has done and suffered so - much for me. People of all ranks fly to the gospel, like doves - to the windows. The word begins to fall with great weight, and - all are importunate for my longer stay; but next week I expect - to move. The negroes’ shirts, etc., are in hand. O that these - Ethiopians may be made to stretch out their hands unto God! I - feel a great compassion for them.” - - “Charleston, March 15, 1765. I have had a most pleasant winter. - Words cannot well express what a scene of action I leave behind. - My American work seems as yet scarce begun. My health is better; - and every day the word of God runs and is glorified more and - more. In two days, my wilderness range commences afresh. In - about six weeks, I hope to see Philadelphia. From thence, they - say, I am to set sail for my native country. But heaven, a - blessed, long-wished for heaven, is my home.” - - “Wilmington, Cape Fear, March 29, 1765. Thus far hath the Lord - brought me in my way to Philadelphia. We had a most cutting - parting from Charleston. I preached thrice in my way to this - place. At the desire of the mayor and other gentlemen, I shall - stay till next Sunday. This pilgrimage kind of life is the very - joy of my heart. Ceiled houses and crowded tables I leave to - others. A morsel of bread, and a little bit of cold meat, in a - wood, is a most luxurious repast. Jesus’ presence is all in all, - whether in the city or the wilderness.” - -Whitefield seems to have spent about a month in the journey between -Charleston and Philadelphia, but has left no detailed account of his -labours. Possibly, he made another tour through Virginia and Maryland. -Indeed, this seems to be hinted in the letter about to be quoted. -He was now on his way to England, but he wished to be permanently -exempt from the responsibility of supplying the pulpits and managing -the affairs of his London chapels. Hence the following addressed to -Mr. Keen:―― - - “Newcastle, 30 miles from Philadelphia, May 4, 1765. I am just - come here, in my way to embark from Philadelphia. But how shall - I do it? All along, from Charleston to this place, the cry is, - ‘For Christ’s sake, stay and preach to us.’ O for a thousand - lives to spend for Jesus! He is good, He is good! His mercy - endureth for ever. Help, help, my dear English friends, to bless - and praise Him! Thanks be to God! all outward things are settled - on this side the water. The auditing the accounts, and laying a - foundation for a college, have silenced enemies and comforted - friends. The finishing this affair confirms my call to England; - but I have no prospect of being able to serve the Tabernacle - and the chapel. I cannot preach once now, without being quite - exhausted. How, then, shall I bear the cares of both those - places? I must beg you and dear Mr. Hardy to continue trustees - when I am present, as well as in my absence. I am praying night - and day for direction. The word runs here, and is glorified; but - the weather, for two days, has been so hot, that I could scarce - move. I dread the shaking of the ship; but if it shakes this - tottering frame to pieces, it will be a trading voyage indeed.” - -Instead of finding a ship at Philadelphia, as he expected, Whitefield -was obliged to proceed to New York, where he embarked on June 9, and, -after a quick passage of twenty-eight days, landed in England on July 7. - -During his absence in America, Whitefield was, comparatively speaking, -exempt from persecution. The principal exception was a maniacal attack -by John Harman, who published an 8vo. shilling pamphlet, with the title, -“Remarks upon the Life, Character, and Behaviour of the Rev. George -Whitefield, as written by himself, from the Time of his Birth to the -Time he Departed from his Tabernacle.” - -There also appeared in _Lloyd’s Evening Post_ an article, which was a -combination of censure and eulogy. The writer condemned “the incoherent, -wild, and unconnected jargon” of Whitefield and his friends; but, -at the same time, he acknowledged they had greater success than the -regular clergy of the Church of England. He was profoundly grieved -to witness “irreverent behaviour” at the Church services,――such as -the “gaping and yawning” of the people, “picking their noses, and -rubbing their faces, admiring and exposing to admiration their little -finger with its ring on, and staring all round the church, even when -rehearsing the most solemn prayers.” All this he attributed to the -clergy’s “being taken up with too great eagerness for the things of -this life,” and also to their “sloth and idleness.” On the other hand, -the Methodist preacher “strains his voice to the utmost, that every one -may hear, and affects a tone of voice and manner of pronunciation” most -likely to impress and please his hearers. “In this really severe and -fatiguing manner of utterance, he gives long discourses, and exposes -his person anywhere, in any corner, on any dunghill, and gets well -pelted every now and then.” - - - - - _WHITEFIELD’S LAST FOUR YEARS IN GREAT BRITAIN._ - - FROM JULY 7, 1765, TO SEPTEMBER 5, 1769. - - -UPON the whole, Whitefield’s health was not improved by his visit to -America. He had worked when others would have rested. If he had them -with him, which perhaps is doubtful, he had worn “gown and cassock,” -when it would have been more prudent to have lounged and travelled -in a tourist’s dress. No doubt, his preaching in America had been -of inestimable service; but he came back to England scarcely able to -preach at all. On his arrival, he thus wrote to Mr. Keen:―― - - “Plymouth, July 12, 1765. I left the Halifax packet, from New - York, near the Lizard; and, by the blunder of a drunken fellow, - missed the post on the 8th inst. I want a gown and cassock. - Child, in Chancery Lane, used to make for me, and perhaps knows - my measure. Amazing, that I have not been measured for a coffin - long ago! I am very low in body, and, as yet, undetermined - what to do. Perhaps, on the whole, it may be best to come on - leisurely, to see if my spirits can be a little recruited. You - may write a few lines, at a venture, to Bristol. Had I bodily - strength, you would find me coming upon you unawares; but that - fails me much. I must have a little rest, or I shall be able to - do nothing at all.” - -Six days after this, he was at Bristol, in “a fine commodious house, -and kept from much company,” but still begging “not to be brought into -action too soon.” He wrote, “The poor old shattered bark has not been -in dock one week for a long while.” - -A fortnight afterwards, he arrived in London, and wrote as -follows, probably to one of his old assistants, John Edwards, now -Congregationalist minister in Leeds:―― - - “London, August 3, 1765. I am very weak in body, but gratitude - constrains me to send you a few lines of love unfeigned, - for your labours during my absence abroad. I rejoice to hear - they were blessed. Our friends tell me that the sound of your - Master’s feet was heard behind you. To Him, and Him alone, be - all the glory! Thanks be to God! we do not go a warfare at our - own charges. The Captain of our Salvation will conquer for, and - in us. Let us but acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He will - direct and prosper all our paths. Our enemies shall be at peace - with us. The very ravens――birds of prey――shall be obliged to - come and feed us. O for an increase of faith! I hope you have - refreshing times from the presence of the Lord, among your - own flock. O to end life well! Methinks, I have now but one - more river to pass over,――Jordan; and we know who can carry - us over, without being ankle deep. Yet a little while, and all - true labourers shall enter into the joy of their Lord. Amen! - Hallelujah!” - -Despite his wish that Messrs. Keen and Hardy would continue to manage -his London chapels, Whitefield was obliged to obtain supplies for them -himself. To Mr. Andrew Kinsman, whom he was accustomed to address as -his “dear Timothy,” he wrote:―― - - “London, September 20, 1765. Pray, when are we to have the - honour of a visit from you? I believe more than three weeks - are elapsed since you came to Bristol. Mr. Adams[523] is to - be your colleague here. I purpose for both of you to preach at - the” (Tottenham Court Road) “chapel as well as at the Tabernacle. - Write an immediate answer, fixing your time of coming; and - you must not think of returning soon. I have been better in - health for a week past than I have been for these four years. - My wife,[524] last night, returned well, from Bury. She indulges - this morning, being weary; but, I take it for granted, that, you - and I rise at five. Mr. Adams’s room will be large enough for you - to breathe in. I shall never breathe as I would, till I breathe - in heaven.” - -Mr. Kinsman, in reply, evidently proposed that, if he came to supply -in London, Whitefield should supply in Bristol. Apart from his health, -Whitefield had no liking for this proposal. His labours at Bristol -had not been so successful and happy as in other places. Hence the -following extract from a second letter to Mr. Kinsman:―― - - “LONDON, _September 28, 1765_. - - “Nothing is wanting at Bristol, London, and elsewhere, but - labourers full of the first old Methodistical spirit; but where - to get them is the question. Those, who are thus minded, are - almost worn out. I would gladly fly to Bristol if I could; but - I see it is best to be here for some time. Besides, things have - always been at such a low ebb, when I have been at Bristol, and - matters carried on with so little spirit, that I have generally - come away mourning. If a few, such as Mr. Collet,[525] would - exert themselves steadily and perseveringly, and if proper - preachers were sent, something might be done to purpose; but, - as neither of these things is likely to happen, my expectations - are not much raised. However, the residue of the Spirit is in - the Redeemer’s hands. Fain would I have you up at London for some - time, at this season. Mr. D――r expects to see you in a clerical - habit about Christmas. He asked me if I would get him a scarf? - I answered, that, you must have one first. You may guess how - he smiled. However, I really intend you shall preach in the” - (Tottenham Court Road) “chapel. I want you also to read the - letters, and give me leave to comment upon them, as my breath - will allow.” - -Without unduly commenting on Whitefield’s letter, there are five -facts in it, which must be apparent to every careful reader;――three of -them interesting, and two of great importance. 1. Tottenham Court Road -chapel was considered to occupy a higher position, than the Tabernacle -in Moorfields. 2. Meetings for reading letters were still held -among Whitefield’s followers. 3. Bristol was not one of Whitefield’s -favourite preaching places. 4. _In Whitefield’s opinion, Methodist -preachers were already deteriorated._ 5. _That, without right preachers -and a working Church, spiritual progress is next to impossible._ - -On October 1, Whitefield set out for Bath. For twenty-five years, the -Countess of Huntingdon had been accustomed to visit that fashionable -city. Wherever she went, she took her religion with her, for her -religion was a part of herself. Her position, in many respects, was -new and peculiar. She seemed to be a combination of Puritan, Churchman, -Dissenter, and Reformer. Her chief characteristic, however, was -heartfelt and practical religion. Her lighted “candle” was never “put -under a bushel.” On all suitable occasions, she was ready to speak of -the sins and errors of her early life, and to tell of her conversion -to God, and to insist that the same change is necessary in all. At -Bath, she had conversed on religious subjects, with many of the most -distinguished personages of the time. Whitefield, Charles Wesley, -and others, had conducted religious services in her lodgings, and the -services had been attended by considerable numbers of the aristocracy, -who would have declined to enter an ordinary Methodist meeting-house. -To meet the case of such, her ladyship, years ago, had built chapels -of her own at Brighton, and at Bristol; and now she erected a third at -Bath; and, soon afterwards, built a fourth at Tunbridge Wells,――all of -them places of fashionable resort. - -The chapel at Bath being completed, the Countess summoned six clergymen -of the Church of England to the opening, namely, Whitefield, Romaine, -Venn, Madan, Shirley,[526] and Townsend.[527] On October 6, Whitefield -and Townsend preached, and an immense crowd attended, including a -large number of the nobility, who had been specially invited by her -ladyship.[528] Whitefield mentions this event in the following letter -addressed to Mr. Keen:―― - - “BATH, _October 7, 1765_. - - “The Chapel is extremely plain, and yet equally grand. A most - beautiful original![529] All was conducted with great solemnity. - Though a very wet day, the place was very full; and assuredly - the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, by His presence, - consecrated and made it holy ground. I preached in the morning, - and Mr. Townsend in the evening. I am to preach to-morrow night, - and have hopes of setting off on Wednesday morning.” - -Whitefield, probably, spent the remainder of the year in London. Wesley -breakfasted with him on October 28, and spoke of him as “an old, old -man, fairly worn out in his Master’s service, though he has hardly seen -fifty years.”[530] No doubt, he preached as often as he could. He was -also occupied with his project for converting his Orphan House into a -college. In a letter to Mr. Dixon, his manager, he wrote:―― - - “LONDON, _October 26, 1765_. - - “Bethesda matters are likely to come to a speedy and happy issue. - We talk of my coming over again. It is not impossible, if my - health admits. At present, blessed be God! I am better than I - was last year. The word runs and is glorified in London.” - -This was written only two days before he and Wesley breakfasted -together. Evidently, he scarcely considered his case so serious as -Wesley did. Hopefulness, throughout life, was one of his prominent -characteristics. This was true at present, both in reference to his -health and to the affairs of Bethesda. He was pushing the proposal for -a college as much as possible; but the accomplishment of his wish was -more remote than he expected. He had sent a memorial to the king, in -which he embodied nearly the whole of his memorial to the Governor and -Council of Georgia. That to the king concluded thus:―― - - “Upon the arrival of your memorialist, he was informed that this - address, ‘of the General Assembly to the Governor of Georgia,’ - was remitted to, and laid before the Lords Commissioners for - Trade and Plantations; and, having received repeated advices - that numbers both in Georgia and South Carolina are waiting - with impatience to have their sons initiated in academical - exercises, your memorialist therefore prays that a charter, - upon the plan of New Jersey College, may be granted; upon which - your memorialist is ready to give up his present trust, and make - a free gift of all lands, negroes, goods, and chattels, which - he now stands possessed of in the Province of Georgia, for the - present founding, and towards the future support of a college, - to be called by the name of Bethesda College, in the Province - of Georgia.” - -At this stage of the business, Bethesda must be left until the -beginning of the year 1767. - -One of the first of Whitefield’s good deeds, in 1766, was to heal a -breach. Four years before, Wesley’s Society in London had been thrown -into great confusion, by a large number of its members using the most -fanatical expressions in reference to the doctrine of Christian -Perfection. Thomas Maxfield, generally reputed (though incorrectly) -to have been the first layman, whom Wesley authorised to preach, and -George Bell, a corporal in the Life Guards, and who, for a season, -seemed to be insane, became the chief agitators. The result was a -great scandal, a reduction of Wesley’s metropolitan Society from 2,800 -members to 2,200, and a Society debt of more than £600. After many -strange vicissitudes, Bell was brought back to a better state of -feeling, and Whitefield was the means of it. Wesley writes:―― - - “January 3, 1766. Mr. Bell called upon me, now calm, and in his - right mind. God has repressed his furious, bitter zeal, by means - of Mr. Whitefield.” - -And again, a month later:―― - - “January 31. Mr. Whitefield called upon me. He breathes nothing - but peace and love. Bigotry cannot stand before him, but hides - its head wherever he comes.”[531] - -Another event occurred about the same time, but of a painful character. -In _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, for February 10, 1766, the following -announcement was made:―― - - “Lately died suddenly, at the Countess of Huntingdon’s, at Bath, - Mr. James Whitefield, formerly a merchant of Bristol, and - brother of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield.” - -At the commencement of the year, Whitefield was invited to Sheerness, -where there existed a Society of what might be considered his followers. -Some of Wesley’s preachers had visited the town. The simple-minded, -but somewhat bigoted people took alarm. They were angry at their -Calvinistic enclosure being approached by Arminian forces. Cornelius -Winter, then in Kent, heard of this, and went and preached to them, -from――“Gideon said unto him, O my lord, if the Lord be with us, why -then is all this befallen us? And where be all His miracles which our -fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us out of Egypt? but -now even the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of -the Midianites.”[532] - -The people now wanted Whitefield to visit them, and his affecting and -admonitory answer was as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _January, 18, 1766_. - - “DEARLY BELOVED,――Not want of love, but of leisure and health, - has occasioned you the trouble of writing a second letter. And - now I am sorry to acquaint you, that it is not in my power to - comply with your request. For want of more assistance, I am - confined in town, with the care of two important posts, when - I am only fit to be put into some garrison, among the invalids, - to stand by an old gun or two. However, my former ambition still - remains, and, through the help of your prayers, who knows but - I may yet be strengthened to annoy the enemy? If others are - blessed to do any execution, God forbid that I should hinder, - though in all things they follow not with us. Let the Lord send - by whom He will send. So that Christ is preached, and holiness - promoted, I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” - -Whitefield was glad to get away from London. The care of his two -chapels was too much for him. He went to Bath and Bristol, and was -willing, if not wishful, to visit Wales. Hence the following to -Mr. Keen:―― - - “Bristol, March 17, 1766. A desire to be free from London cares - has made me indifferent about frequent hearing from thence. If - dear Mr. Howell Davies will continue to officiate, I have a mind - to visit Wales for him. Last Friday evening, and twice yesterday, - I preached at Bath, to thronged and brilliant audiences.[533] - I am told it was a high day. The glory of the Lord filled the - house. To-morrow, God willing, I return thither. Mr. Townsend - is too ill to officiate. If any urgent business requires, be - pleased to direct either to this place or Bath. Pray shew my - wife this. Cordial respects attend her, yourself, dear Mr. Hardy - and sisters, and Mr. Howell Davies. Many think old times are - coming round again.” - -At this period, England was visited by a man who rose to great -notoriety. Samson Occum was a descendant of Uncas, the celebrated -chief of the Mohegans, and was born at Mohegan, about the year 1723. -His parents led a wandering life, dwelt in wigwams, and depended -chiefly upon hunting and fishing for subsistence. During the religious -excitement, at the time of Whitefield’s first visits to America, Occum -was converted, chiefly by the preaching of Whitefield and Gilbert -Tennent, and became desirous of acting as the teacher of his tribe. -In a year or two, he learned to read the Bible, and then went to the -Indian school of Mr. Wheelock, of Lebanon. Here he remained for four -years. During the next ten or eleven years, he taught a school among -the Indians, and also preached to them, in their own language. Many of -his hearers became Christians. He lived in a house covered with mats, -and changed his abode twice a year, to be near the planting ground in -the summer, and the woods in the winter. Amongst his various toils for -sustenance, he was expert with his fish-hook and his gun; he bound old -books for the people at East Hampton; and made wooden spoons, cedar -pails, piggins, and churns. In 1759, he was ordained by the Suffolk -Presbytery. During his late visit to America, Whitefield met with -Occum, took him along with him in his travels, and sometimes heard -him preach.[534] Now, in 1766, in company with the Rev. Mr. Whitaker, -Occum was sent to England, to obtain subscriptions towards the support -of Wheelock’s school.[535] He was the first Indian preacher who -had visited Great Britain. The chapels, in which he preached, were -thronged. Between February 16, 1766, and July 22, 1767, he delivered, -in various parts of the kingdom, above three hundred sermons. He and -Mr. Whitaker met with the most liberal patronage from Christians of -all denominations, and of all ranks in society. His majesty, King -George III., gave a subscription of £200, and the whole contributions, -in England and Scotland, amounted to £12,500.[536] After his return, -Occum sometimes resided at Mohegan, but was often employed in missionary -labours among distant Indians. In 1786, he removed to Brotherton, near -Utica, in the neighbourhood of the Stockbridge Indians, where he died -in 1792.[537] Upwards of three hundred Indians attended his funeral. -A portrait of him appeared in the _Evangelical Magazine_ for 1808. -Whitefield refers to him and his mission, in the following letter to -the Rev. Mr. Gillies, of Glasgow:―― - - “LONDON, _April 25, 1766_. - - “REVEREND AND VERY DEAR SIR,――Not want of love, but of leisure - and better health, has prevented you hearing from me more - frequently. I find I cannot do as I have done; but, through - infinite mercy, I am enabled to ascend my gospel-throne three - or four times a week; and a glorious influence attends the word. - People have a hearing ear, but we want more preachers. - - “The prospect of a large and effectual door opening among the - heathen is very promising. Mr. Occum, the Indian preacher, is - a settled humble Christian. The good and great, with a multitude - of lower degree, heard him preach last week at Tottenham Court - chapel, and felt much of the power and presence of our common - Lord. Mr. Romaine has preached, and collected £100; and, I - believe, seven or eight hundred pounds more are subscribed. Lord - Dartmouth espouses the cause most heartily, and His majesty has - become a contributor. The King of kings, and Lord of all lords, - will bless them for it. - - “I trust you and all my other dear friends at Glasgow are so - grown as to become tall cedars in the spiritual Lebanon. I pray - for them, though I cannot write to them. I hope all is well at - Cambuslang. Blessed be God! all will be well in heaven. I will - not interrupt you. You want to say, _Amen! Hallelujah!_ I only - add, when upon the mount, put in a word for an old friend, who - retains his old name, ‘the chief of sinners, less than the least - of all saints’――but, for Jesus Christ’s sake, - - “Reverend and very dear sir, your willing servant, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Shortly after this, Whitefield formed a friendship with Thomas -Powys, Esq., a gentleman in Shropshire, of large fortune and of high -connections, who, in conjunction with Sir Richard Hill, in that county, -became conspicuous for zeal in the cause of God and truth.[538] To -Mr. Powys, Whitefield wrote as follows:―― - - “Tottenham Court, May 15, 1766. Though at present almost in - a breathless state, by preaching last night, yet I hope to be - strengthened to give the holy sacrament at seven next Sunday - morning; and, if able, to preach afterwards at ten. If good - Mr. R―――― and lady will come, at near seven, to the Chapel - House, they shall be conducted to a proper place. I wish them - a Pentecost, not only on Whit-Sunday, but every day, every hour, - and every moment of their lives.” - -In the month of June, Whitefield set out for Bath and Bristol. He -complained of the continuance of his “feverish heat,” and drank the -water of the Hot Wells twice a day; but managed, at six o’clock, in the -mornings, “to call thirsty souls to come and drink of the water of life -freely.”[539] - -On his return to London, he and the Wesleys met several days in -succession, for the purpose of promoting a closer union between -themselves and the Countess of Huntingdon. Wesley had set out on one -of his gospel tours, but was summoned back to join in these important -conferences. He writes:―― - - “My brother and I conferred with Mr. Whitefield every day; and, - let the honourable men do what they please, we resolved, by - the grace of God, to go on, hand in hand, through honour and - dishonour.”[540] - -One of their arrangements was, that the Wesleys should preach in the -chapels of the Countess of Huntingdon, as Whitefield, for many years, -had been accustomed to preach in theirs. Charles Wesley was delighted. -In a letter to his wife, he wrote:―― - - “London, August 21, 1766. Last night, my brother came. This - morning, we spent two blessed hours with George Whitefield. The - threefold cord, we trust, will never more be broken. On Tuesday - next, my brother is to preach in Lady Huntingdon’s Chapel at - Bath. That and all her chapels (not to say, as I might, herself - also) are now put into the hands of us three.”[541] - -Some, however, were dissatisfied. In another letter to his “Dear Sally,” -written within three weeks afterwards, he remarks:―― - - “September 9, 1766. This morning, I spent in friendly, - close conference with George Whitefield, who is treated most - magnificently, by his own begotten children, for his love to - us.”[542] - -On the other hand, the Countess of Huntingdon approved of the -arrangements made. In a letter to Wesley, she wrote:―― - - “September 14, 1766. I am most highly obliged by your kind offer - of serving the chapel at Bath during your stay at Bristol. _I - do trust that this union which is commenced_ will be for the - furtherance of our faith and mutual love to each other. It is - for the interest of the best of causes that we should all be - found, first, faithful to the Lord, and then to each other. - I find something wanting, and that is, a meeting now and then - agreed upon, that you, your brother, Mr. Whitefield, and I, - should, at times, regularly communicate our observations upon - the general state of the work. Light might follow, and would be - a kind of guide to me, as I am connected with many.”[543] - -This “quadruple alliance,” as Charles Wesley called it, lasted till -Whitefield’s death. Then, as all readers of Methodist history are well -aware, there was, in more respects than one, a distressing rupture. - -Whitefield continued his pulpit labours, as far as he was able; and -also wrote letters in abundance. Hence the following extracts from his -correspondence. - -John Fawcett, afterwards Doctor of Divinity, and, for above half a -century, a laborious minister of Christ in Yorkshire, had recently -begun to preach, and, having been convinced of sin under Whitefield’s -ministry, he wrote to him, asking his advice. Part of the answer was -as follows:―― - - “London, September 1, 1766. I have been so often imposed upon - by letters from strangers, that it is high time to be a little - more cautious” [in answering them]. “Besides, bodily weakness - prevents my writing as formerly; but your letters seem to - evidence simplicity of heart. If truly called to the glorious - work of the ministry, of which I can be no judge at this - distance, I wish you much prosperity in the name of the Lord. - The language of my soul is, ‘Would to God that all the Lord’s - servants were prophets!’ A clear head, and an honest, upright, - disinterested, warm heart, with a good elocution, and a moderate - degree of learning, will carry you through all, and enable you - to do wonders. You will not fail to pray for a decayed, but, - thanks be to God! not a disbanded soldier. Whether I shall ever - visit Yorkshire again, is only known to Him, who holdeth the - stars in His right hand.”[544] - -The next extract is from a letter addressed to a gentleman at -Wisbeach:―― - - “London, September 25, 1766. I am sorry your letter has been - so long unanswered; but bodily weakness, and a multiplicity of - correspondents, at home and abroad, must be pleaded as excuses. - The shout of a King is yet heard in the Methodist camp. Had - I wings, I would gladly fly from pole to pole; but they are - clipped by the feeble labours of thirty years. Twice or thrice - a week, I am permitted to ascend my gospel-throne. Pray that - the last glimmering of an expiring taper may be blessed to the - guiding of many wandering souls to the Lamb of God.”[545] - -The next was written to Mr. Gustavus Gidley, an officer of Excise, who -was the principal founder of Wesley’s Society in Exeter, and the chief -promoter of Wesley’s first chapel in that city:―― - - “London, October 2, 1766. The love of Christ constrains me - to wish you joy. Of what? Of being made partaker of the grace - and cross of Christ. You will find that both are inseparably - connected. God be praised that you have an inclination to invite - others to partake of your joy in the Lord. Thus, your brother - Matthew the publican did. He made a feast. Jesus, that friend - of publicans and sinners, was there. With such He is now; and - with such, to all eternity, He will be surrounded in the kingdom - of glory. There you and I must strive which will shout loudest, - ‘Grace, grace!’ And why should not this contest begin on earth? - It will, it must, if the kingdom of God be _within us_. Look - continually unto Jesus. That He may be the Alpha and Omega――the - beginning and end of all your thoughts, words, and deeds, is the - earnest prayer of, dear sir, - - “Your brother sinner, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[546] - -Not unfrequently was Whitefield accused of disloyalty. From first to -last, all such charges were absolutely false and calumnious. If he -erred at all, it was in expressing his attachment to the throne and -government of the day, in language stronger than they merited. His -eulogiums of George II. were extravagant, but it would be unjust to -designate them insincere. Everywhere, at home and abroad, he availed -himself of every opportunity to evince his fidelity to his rightful -sovereign, and his respect for the House of Hanover. This, at the time, -was of more than ordinary importance. Jacobite and popish plots were -numerous. Traitors existed in abundance. Loyal men were needed, and -declarations of loyalty were of greater value than at present, when -treason is not so rampant as it was in the days of the Pretender. Such -facts will help to explain the following incident:―― - -On October 1, Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline Matilda, sister of -George III., at the age of sixteen, was married to the worthless king -of Denmark. The ceremony was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, -in the Grand Council Chamber at St. James’s, in the presence of the -Royal Family and a large number of the English nobility. The puny -king of Denmark was not present; but Her Royal Highness’s brother, -the Duke of York, acted as his proxy. On the day after the marriage, -at half-past six o’clock in the morning, the young queen set out for -Harwich, to embark for Denmark, being escorted by a detachment of -Horse Guards, and a numerous train of attendants. On the same day, -says _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, “The Rev. Mr. Whitefield preached, at -the Tabernacle, in praise of the queen of Denmark, and concluded with -a fervent prayer for her preservation and good journey.” - -This was an odd kind of service for worn-out Whitefield to undertake; -but loyalty to the House of Hanover led him for once to use his -“gospel-throne” in sounding the praises, not of King Jesus, but of -the unfortunate queen of Denmark. - -Among others, who now began to render assistance in Whitefield’s -London chapels, was the saintly Fletcher, vicar of Madeley.[547] It -is not improbable that this was one of the results of the “quadruple -alliance,” formed two months before. Be that as it may, the following -extract from Whitefield’s letter to Mr. Powys will interest the -reader:―― - - “London, November 1, 1766. Dear Mr. Fletcher is become a - scandalous Tottenham Court preacher. I trust he will come down - into your parts, baptized with the Holy Ghost. Dear Mr. Romaine - has been much owned in good Lady Huntingdon’s chapel” (at Bath). - “I am to go thither next week. Dear Mr. Madan is detained at - Aldwinkle, by his children having the small-pox in town. The - shout of a King is yet heard in the Methodist camp. The glorious - cry, ‘What shall I do to be saved?’ is frequently sounding in - our years. Had we more reproach, and were we more scandalous, - more good would be done. Several promise well. Some say - _shibboleth_ with a good grace, and very proper accent; others, - as yet, can only say _sibboleth_; but I have heard of one who - can teach the tongue of the stammerer to speak plain. Good Lady - Huntingdon is an excellent school-mistress in this way. But - I must have done. A dear company of ministerial cast-outs are - coming to breakfast under my despised roof. I cannot die. Cold - bathing and cool weather brace me up.” - -Whitefield went to Bath, as he intended; and, whilst there, wrote to -his faithful friend, Mr. Keen, as follows:―― - - “Bath, November 12, 1766. I have been low ever since my coming - here. The Bath air, I believe, will never agree with me long. - However, if good is done, all will be well. They tell me, that - Sunday and last night were seasons of power. Some, we trust, - were made willing. I hope you enjoy much of God in town. Surely, - London is the Jerusalem of England. Happy they who know the day - of their visitation! Remember me to all at the Tabernacle. I - hope to write to Mr. Fletcher to-morrow or next day.” - - “Bath, November 20, 1766. On Tuesday evening, I preached at - Bristol, to a very crowded auditory, though the weather was - very foul. Last night” (Wednesday) “I administered the sacrament - there. We used near eight bottles of wine. I trust some tasted - of the new wine of the kingdom. I want just one week more to - settle Bristol affairs; and have, therefore, written to dear - Mr. Jesse[548] to stay two or three weeks at London. Mr. Howell - Davies,[549] who, they say, is expected here next week, may then - officiate for that space of time at Bath, and, at Mr. Jesse’s - leaving London, may go up to town. I beg that Captain Joss - would go through with the Tabernacle work, and stick to it - with his whole heart. I hope, at farthest, to be in London by - next Tuesday se’nnight, and to preach at the Tabernacle the - following evening. I was afraid my wife would get cold by her - late excursions, as, at other times, she is so much confined. - Be pleased to show this to her.” - - “Bristol, November 23, 1766. Such a numerous brilliant assembly - of the mighty and noble, I never saw attend before at Bath. - Everything is so promising, that I was constrained to give - notice of preaching next Sunday. Congregations have been very - large and very solemn. O what Bethels has Jesus given to us! O - that God would make my way into every town in England! I long to - break up fresh ground. I am just come here, weary, but am going - to speak a few words.” - -Captain Joss has just been mentioned, and deserves further notice. -Torial Joss was born on September 29, 1731, at Auck-Medden, a small -village, on the sea coast, about twenty miles north of Aberdeen. His -father died when Torial was very young; his mother neglected him; and -he went to sea. The vessel in which he sailed was taken by the French, -and he became an inmate of a foreign prison, where his sufferings -were great. At the age of fifteen, he returned to Scotland; was seized -by a press-gang; and sent on board a man-of-war. He made his escape; -travelled to Sunderland; and bound himself an apprentice to the captain -of a coasting vessel, belonging to Robin Hood’s Bay. By overhearing -a religious conversation, and by reading the works of Bunyan, and “The -Whole Duty of Man,” he was converted. The Methodist preachers visited -Robin Hood’s Bay; a number of the people were convinced of sin; and -Wesley came and formed them into a Society. Previous to this, Torial -had begun to pray and exhort in public; and Wesley encouraged him to -continue. He was now about eighteen years of age, and became a member -of Wesley’s Society. When his apprenticeship expired, he was appointed -first mate of his captain’s vessel. Wherever the ship put into port, he -tried to preach, and, in some instances, suffered cruel persecution. At -Shields, a press-gang dragged him through the town, amid shoutings and -triumph, and sent him on board a tender, where he was kept a prisoner -for seven weeks. The profane swearing and the obscene language of -the crew were terrific trials; and, added to this, having but twenty -minutes in forty-eight hours on deck, he was nearly suffocated with -the foul air and heat. Soon after his release, he was made captain -of a ship, set up regular worship, and, as often as the weather would -permit, preached regularly to his crew. During a long detention at -Berwick-upon-Tweed, his preaching to the crowds was so successful, -that a gentleman wrote to Whitefield, telling him Joss was sailing to -London, in a vessel named the _Hartley Trader_, but which the people -nicknamed “The Pulpit.” On arriving in the Thames, Joss was surprised -by being told that Whitefield had announced him to preach in the -Tabernacle. Whitefield was so gratified with the sermon, that he urged -the captain to quit the compass, the chart, and the ocean, for the -Christian pulpit. After considerable delay, Joss, in 1766, yielded to -Whitefield’s wish, and, henceforth, acted as one of his assistants. -In London, his congregations were crowds, and his sermons full -of converting power. Four or five months every year he spent in -itinerating, regularly visiting Bristol, Gloucestershire, and South -Wales, and, occasionally, other parts of the kingdom. In Wales, -especially, the people followed him in multitudes, and, on Sundays, -would travel twenty miles to hear him. He died in 1797, and was -interred in Tottenham Court Road chapel.[550] Berridge used to call -him “The Archdeacon of Tottenham.”[551] - -Another of Whitefield’s helpers must be introduced. Captain Scott, son -of Richard Scott, Esq., of Betton, in the county of Salop, belonged -to the 7th regiment of dragoons. He was present at the famous battle, -at Minden, on the 1st of August, 1759, attached to the cavalry of the -right wing, commanded by Lord George Sackville. After this, he became -the subject of powerful religious impressions, and made it his daily -practice to read the psalms and lessons of the day. In due time, he -heard Romaine, and found peace with God. He soon began to preach. -Fletcher of Madeley, in a letter to Lady Huntingdon, wrote:―― - - “I went last Monday to meet Captain Scott――a captain of the - truth, a bold soldier of Jesus Christ. He boldly launches into - an irregular usefulness. For some months, he has exhorted his - dragoons daily; for some weeks, he has preached publicly at - Leicester, in the Methodist meeting-house, in his regimentals, - to numerous congregations, with good success. The stiff regular - ones pursue him with hue and cry; but, I believe, he is quite - beyond their reach. I believe this _red coat_ will shame many - a black one. I am sure he shames me.” - -Whitefield heard of the military preacher, and, on February 12, 1767, -wrote to him as follows:―― - - “What, not answer so modest a request as to send dear Captain - Scott a few lines! God forbid! I must again welcome him into - the field of battle. I must entreat him to keep his rank as - a captain, and not suffer any persuasions to influence him to - descend to the lower degree of a common soldier. If God shall - choose a red-coat preacher, who shall say unto Him, ‘What doest - Thou?’ - - ‘Strong in the Lord’s almighty power, - And armed in panoply divine, - Firm may’st thou stand in danger’s hour, - And prove the strength of Jesus thine. - The helmet of salvation take; - The Lord the Spirit’s conquering sword; - Speak from the word; in lightning speak; - Cry out, and thunder from the Lord.’ - - “Gladly would I come, and, in my poor way, endeavour to - strengthen your hands; but, alas! I am fit for nothing but, - as an invalid, to be put into some garrison, and then put my - hand to some old gun. Blessed be the Captain of our salvation - for drafting out young champions to reconnoitre and attack the - enemy. You will beat the march in every letter and bid the common - soldiers not halt, but go forward. Hoping one day to see your - face in the flesh, and more than hoping to see you crowned with - glory in the kingdom of heaven, I am, my dear captain, yours in - our all-glorious Captain-General, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[552] - -As yet, Whitefield had not seen Captain Scott; but he requested him -to come and preach in London. “I have invited the captain,” said -Whitefield to the Tabernacle congregation, “to bring his artillery to -the Tabernacle rampart, and try what execution he can do here.” Soon -after this, Captain Scott sold his commission, and, for upwards of -twenty years, was one of the supplies of the Tabernacle pulpit.[553] - -In this same year, 1766, Whitefield entered into correspondence with -another distinguished man, who was destined, for a brief period, to -be one of his successors at the Tabernacle and at Tottenham Court Road -chapel. Rowland Hill, the sixth son of Sir Rowland Hill, Bart., was now -twenty-one years of age. He had been to school at Eton, and, for the -last two years, had been an undergraduate at Cambridge. Here he became -intimately acquainted with good old Berridge, of Everton, and scarcely -a week elapsed without their holding religious intercourse with each -other. Rowland, even now, was full of religious fire and energy and -boldness. He had already been the means of awakening anxiety about -their souls in several of his fellow-students. He had also visited -the gaol, and the sick, and had begun to preach in several places in -Cambridge, and in the adjacent villages. This brought upon him the -severest censure of his college. Mobs also commenced to insult him; -and, at length, the opposition he encountered became so serious, that -he wrote to Whitefield for advice. Whitefield’s reply was as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _December 27, 1766_. - - “About thirty-four years ago, the master of Pembroke College, - where I was educated, took me to task for visiting the sick, - and going to the prisons. In my haste, I said, ‘Sir, if - it displeaseth you, I will go no more.’ My heart smote me - immediately. I repented, and went again. He heard of it, - and threatened; but, for fear he should be looked upon as - a persecutor, let me alone. The hearts of all are in the - Redeemer’s hands. I would not have you give way, no not for - a moment. The storm is too great to hold long. Visiting the - sick and imprisoned, and instructing the ignorant, are the very - vitals of true and undefiled religion. If threatened, denied - degree, or expelled for _this_, it will be the best degree you - can take――a glorious preparative for, and a blessed presage - of, future usefulness. I have seen the dreadful consequences - of giving way and looking back. How many, by this wretched - cowardice, have been turned into pillars, not of useful, but of - useless salt! _Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum._ Now - is the time to prove the strength of Jesus yours. If opposition - did not so much abound, your consolations would not so abound. - Blind as he is, Satan sees some great good coming. We never - prospered so much at Oxford, as when we were hissed at and - reproached as we walked along the street. Go on, therefore, - my dear man, go on. Old Berridge, I believe, would give you - the same advice. You are honoured in sharing his reproach and - name. God be praised, that you are helped to bless when others - blaspheme. Do not drop the Bible and old books. You write good - sense. Nothing is wanting but to write it in a proper manner. - God bless, direct, and prosper you! He will, He will. Good Lady - Huntingdon is in town. She will rejoice to hear you are under - the cross. You will not want her prayers, or the prayers of, my - dear young honest friend, - - “Yours, in the all-conquering Jesus, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.[554] - - “To Mr. Rowland Hill, - - “At St. John’s College, Cambridge.” - -For above thirty years, Whitefield had been the butt of persecution, -and, therefore, was not unprepared to give advice to young Rowland -Hill. He was still hunted by the hatred of his enemies. Among other -publications, there was issued, about this period, a sixpenny pamphlet, -in folio, with the title, “The Celebrated Lecture upon Heads,” most -of which is too coarse and blasphemous to be quoted. One specimen, -concerning Whitefield, must suffice. - - “Behold here one of the _righteous over-much_――yet nought doth - he give away in charity! No, no! He is the bell-wether of the - flock, who hath broken down _orthodoxy’s bounds_, and now riots - on the _common of hypocrisy_. With _one_ eye he looks up to - heaven, to make his congregation think he is _devout_, that’s - his _spiritual_ eye; and with the other eye he looks down to - see what he can get, and that’s his _carnal_ eye; and thus, - with jokes flowing down his face, he says, or seems to say, - or, at least with your permission, we’ll attempt to say for him, - ‘Bretheren! bretheren! bretheren! The word bretheren comes from - the Tabernacle, because we all _breathe-there-in_. If ye want - _rouzing_, I’ll _rouze_ you. I’ll beat a _tat-too_ upon the - parchment cases of your consciences, and whip the _devil_ about - like a _whirl-a-gig_.’” - -_Quantum sufficit!_ The remainder is a great deal worse than this. - -Another pamphlet of the same description, price eighteen-pence, was -entitled “The Methodist and Mimic. A Tale in Hudibrastic Verse. By -Peter Paragraph. Inscribed to Samuel Foote, Esq.” The gist of this foul -publication is, that Whitefield sends one of his congregation to Foote, -with a proposal that the comedian should turn preacher; and, of course, -Samuel Foote, Esq., rejects the proposal with disdain. - -One more must be mentioned: “The Methodist. A Poem. By the Author of -the Powers of the Pen, and the Curate. London, 1766.” (4to. pp. 54.) -Some parts of this impious publication are obscene, and attribute -to Whitefield behaviour of the most infamous and impure description. -The general purport of it is to describe the devil making a tour of -discovery, to find some one to manage his affairs on earth, so that he -himself might have leisure to attend to his government in hell. With -this object in view, - - “he searched, without avail, - Each meeting, dungeon, court, and jail, - Each mart of villainy, where vice - Presides, and virtue bears no price.” - -But nowhere could he find an agent suited to his mind, till he got to -Tottenham Court Road chapel, where he discovered Whitefield. For the -sake of gold, Whitefield became his terrestrial viceroy, and swore -fealty to him. One of the devil’s requirements was, that, because what -Whitefield _did_ was contrary to what he _said_, his eyes ought to -look different ways; and, accordingly, they were twisted. Describing -Whitefield’s sermons, the writer says:―― - - “He knows his _Master’s_ realm so well, - His sermons are a _map_ of hell, - An _Ollio_ made of conflagration, - Of _gulphs_ of brimstone, and _damnation_, - _Eternal torments_, _furnace_, _worm_, - _Hell-fire_, a _whirlwind_, and a _storm_.” - -An apology is almost needed for the insertion of such profanity as -this, and yet, without it, it is impossible to convey to the reader -an adequate idea of the ridicule and odium cast upon dying Whitefield. -Vile as are the extracts given, much viler remain unquoted. - -Whitefield concluded the year 1766 by writing one of his characteristic -letters to Thomas Powys, Esq., who was entertaining, at his mansion -in Shropshire, during Christmastide, the Rev. Messrs. Venn, Ryland, -Dr. Conyers, and Powley, vicar of Dewsbury.[555] - - “AT MY TOTTENHAM COURT BETHEL, - - “_Six in the Morning, December 30, 1766_. - - “MY VERY DEAR SIR,――The Christmas holiday season has prevented - me sending an immediate answer to your last kind letter. - The love therein expressed shall be returned, by praying - for the writer’s whole self, and the honourable, Christian, - and ministerial circle with which you are at present happily - surrounded. _Four Methodist parsons!_ Honourable title! so long - as it is attended with the cross. When fashionable, we will drop - it. _Four Methodist parsons!_ Enough, when Jesus says, ‘Loose - them and let them go,’ to set a whole kingdom on fire for God. - I wish them prosperity in the name of the Lord. - - “To-morrow, God willing, and on Thursday also, with many - hundreds more, I intend to take the sacrament upon it, that I - will begin to be a Christian. Though I long to go to heaven, to - see my glorious Master, what a poor figure shall I make, among - saints, confessors, and martyrs, without some deeper signatures - of His divine impress――without more scars of Christian honour! - - “Our truly noble mother in Israel is come to London full of them. - _Crescit sub pondere virtus._ Happy they who have the honour of - her acquaintance! Highly honoured are the ministers, who have - the honour of preaching for and serving her! - - “O this single eye,――this disinterested spirit,――this freedom - from worldly hopes and worldly fears,――this flaming zeal,――this - daring to be singularly good,――this holy ambition to lead the - van! O, it is, what? a heaven upon earth! O for a plerophory of - faith! to be filled with the Holy Ghost! This is the grand point. - All our lukewarmness, all our timidity, all our backwardness - to do good, to spend and be spent for God,――all is owing to - our want of more of that faith, which is the inward, heartfelt, - self-evident demonstration of things not seen. - - “But whither am I going? Pardon me, good sir. I keep you from - better company. Praying that all of you (if you live to be - fifty-two) may not be such dwarfs in the Divine life as I am, - I hasten to subscribe myself, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Whitefield began the year 1767 by writing a preface to the third -edition of the collected works of Bunyan, published in two large folio -volumes (pp. 856 and 882), admirably printed, and containing curious -and well-executed illustrations. The title was, “The Works of that -Eminent Servant of Christ, Mr. John Bunyan, Minister of the Gospel, -and formerly Pastor of a Congregation at Bedford. With Copperplates, -adapted to the Pilgrim’s Progress, the Holy War, etc., in Two Volumes. -The Third Edition. To which are now added The Divine Emblems, and -several other Pieces, which were never printed in any former Collection, -with a Recommendatory Preface by the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., -Chaplain to the Right Honourable the Countess of Huntingdon. London: -printed for W. Johnston, in Ludgate Street; and E. and C. Dilly, in the -Poultry, near the Mansion House. 1767.”[556] - -Whitefield’s preface is dated January 3, 1767. Two extracts from it -must suffice. In reference to the fact that Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress -was written in Bedford Gaol, Whitefield remarks:―― - - “Ministers never write or preach so well as when under the - cross. The Spirit of Christ and of glory then rests upon them. - It was this, no doubt, that made the Puritans of the last century - such burning and shining lights. When cast out by the black - Bartholomew Act, and driven from their respective charges to - preach in barns and fields, in the highways and hedges, they, in - an especial manner, wrote and preached as men having authority. - Though dead, by their writings they yet speak. A peculiar - unction attends them to this very hour. For these thirty years - past, I have remarked that the more true and vital religion - has revived, either at home or abroad, the more the good old - Puritanical writings, or the authors of a like stamp, who lived - and died in the communion of the Church of England, have been - called for.” - -Then again, with reference to what, throughout the whole of his career, -was one of Whitefield’s favourite virtues, namely, catholicity of -spirit, he writes:―― - - “I must own that what more particularly endears Mr. Bunyan to my - heart is this, he was of a catholic spirit. The want of _water - adult baptism_, with this man of God, was no bar to outward - Christian communion. And I am persuaded, that if, like him, we - were more deeply and experimentally baptized into the benign - and gracious influences of the blessed Spirit, we should be - less baptized into the waters of strife, about circumstantials - and non-essentials. We should have but one grand, laudable, - disinterested strife, namely, who should live, preach, and exalt - the ever-loving, altogether lovely Jesus most.” - -Just at this period, Whitefield took under his patronage a young man, -who, if not a tinker, was quite as poor as the “immortal dreamer.” -Cornelius Winter, the son of a shoemaker, and bred in a workhouse, -was now in the twenty-fifth year of his age. For twelve long years, -he had been the drudge and the butt of a drunken brute in Bunhill Row. -The poor workhouse lad had been converted by attending Whitefield’s -Tabernacle, and had become a member of its Society. During the last -year or two, he had been an itinerant preacher, and now he applied -to Whitefield to send him, as a minister, to America. Whitefield -replied:―― - - “LONDON, _January 29, 1767_. - - “DEAR MR. WINTER,――Your letter met with proper acceptance. - The first thing to be done now is to get some knowledge of the - Latin language. We can talk of the method to be pursued, at - your return to London. Mr. Green[557] would make a suitable - master. No time should be lost. One would hope that the various - humiliations you have met with were intended as preparations for - future exaltations. The greatest preferment under heaven is to - be an able, painful, faithful, successful, suffering, cast-out - minister of the New Testament. That this may be your happy lot - is the hearty prayer of yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[558] - -On coming to London, Cornelius Winter waited upon Whitefield. He -writes:―― - - “Mr. Whitefield gave me a mild reception. The interview was - short. He said he should expect me to preach in the Tabernacle - next morning at six o’clock, and he appointed a time when - I should come to him again. I heard him in the evening. He - announced that a stranger, recommended by Mr. Berridge, would - preach on the morrow morning. I had little rest that night, and - prayed, rather than studied for the service.” - -This was in February, 1767. The result was, Whitefield desired Winter -to procure testimonials from the places he had visited, and also to -write him an account of his conversion. Winter says:―― - - “For several days, Mr. Whitefield kept me in suspense. At - last, he set me upon a little business, and told me he should - expect me to preach two mornings in the week. He appointed - me particular times when I was to call upon him; and, besides - sending me upon errands, of which he always had a great number, - he set me to transcribe some of his manuscripts. He shewed - himself much dissatisfied with my writing and orthography; but - he desired me to take a lodging near the chapel, where he could - conveniently send for me; gave me a little money to defray my - expenses; and, by degrees, brought me into a capacity to be - useful to him. Soon after, he proposed my going to Mr. Green’s - for a few hours in the day, to be initiated into the Latin - grammar; but he interrupted the design by requiring a close - attention to his own business, and the large demand he made of - my pulpit services. A single quarter of a year closed my school - exercise, in which I hardly gained knowledge enough to decline - _Musa_. It was plain Mr. Whitefield did not intend to promote - my literary improvement. Indeed, he said, Latin was of little - or no use, and that they who wish to enter upon it late in life, - had better endeavour to acquire a good knowledge of their mother - tongue. Having recently attended Mr. Wesley’s conference, and - having heard him speak to the same effect, he was confirmed in - this sentiment, and discouraged my perseverance. - - “Perhaps it would be putting the picture of so valuable a man, - as Mr. Whitefield was, into too deep a shade, to say that he was - not a fit person for a young man in humble circumstances to be - connected with. He was not satisfied with deficient abilities, - but he did not sufficiently encourage the use of the lamp - for their improvement. The attention of a youth, designed - for the ministry, was too much diverted from the main object, - and devoted too much to objects comparatively trifling. I was - considered as much the steward of his house as his assistant - in the ministry. While I was kept in bay and at anchor, many, - piloted by him, set sail, and I at last knew not whether I was - to indulge a hope for America or not. My fidelity being proved, - I became one of the family, slept in the room of my honoured - patron, and had the privilege to sit at his table. I judged I - was where I should be, and was determined never to flinch from - the path of duty, nor intentionally to grieve the man, who had - many burdens upon him, and for whom I could have laid down my - life.”[559] - -Considering the circumstances of Cornelius Winter, there is a little -unseemly grumbling in the foregoing extract; but let it pass. The -quondam workhouse boy seems to have been an inmate of Whitefield’s -house for about eighteen months; and as he is the only one, _thus -privileged_, who has left behind him any account of Whitefield’s -domestic habits and public life, this is a fitting place to introduce -what he says concerning the patron to whom he owed so much. - -In reference to the composition of sermons, the mode of conducting -public services, and action in the pulpit, Winter writes:―― - - “The time Mr. Whitefield set apart for preparations for the - pulpit, during my connection with him, was not distinguished - from the time he appropriated to other business. If he wanted to - write a pamphlet, he was closeted; nor would he allow access to - him, except on an emergency, while he was engaged in the work. - But I never knew him engaged in the composition of a sermon, - until he was on board ship, when he employed himself partly in - the composition of sermons, and partly in reading the history - of England. He had formed a design of writing the history of - Methodism, but never entered upon it. He was never more in - retirement on a Saturday than on another day; nor sequestered - at any particular time for a period longer than he used for his - ordinary devotions. I never met with anything like the skeleton - of a sermon among his papers, with which I was permitted to - be familiar, and I believe he knew nothing of such a kind of - exercise as the planning of a sermon. - - “Usually, for an hour or two before he entered the pulpit, he - claimed retirement; and, on the Sabbath morning especially, he - was accustomed to have Clarke’s Bible, Matthew Henry’s Comment, - and Cruden’s Concordance within his reach. His frame at that - time was more than ordinarily devotional; I say more than - ordinarily, because, though there was a vast vein of pleasantry - usually in him, the intervals of conversation then appeared to - be filled up with private ejaculation and with praise. - - “His rest was much interrupted, and he often said at the close - of an address, ‘I got this sermon when most of you were fast - asleep.’ He made very minute observations; and, in one way or - another, the occurrences of the week, or of the day, furnished - him with matter for the pulpit. When an extraordinary trial - was going on, he would be present, and I have known him, at the - close of a sermon, avail himself of the formality of the judge - putting on the black cap to pronounce sentence. With his eyes - full of tears, and his heart almost too big to admit of speech, - he would say, after a momentary pause, ‘I am now going to put - on my condemning cap. Sinner, I must do it. I must pronounce - sentence upon thee.’ And then, in a strain of tremendous - eloquence, he would recite our Lord’s words, ‘Depart, ye cursed.’ - It was only by hearing him, and by beholding his attitude and - his tears, that the effect could be conceived. - - “My intimate knowledge of him enables me to acquit him of the - charge of affectation. He always appeared to enter the pulpit - with a countenance that indicated he had something of importance - to divulge, and was anxious for the effect of the communication. - His gravity on his descent was the same. As soon as he was - seated in his chair, he usually vomited a considerable quantity - of blood. - - “He was averse to much singing after preaching, supposing it - diverted attention from the subject of his sermon. Nothing - awkward, nothing careless appeared about him in the pulpit. - Whether he frowned or smiled, whether he looked grave or - placid, it was nature acting in him. Professed orators might - object to his hands being lifted up too high, and it is to be - lamented that in that attitude, rather than in any other, he is - represented in print. His own reflection upon that picture was, - when it was first put into his hands, ‘Sure I do not look such - a sour creature as this sets me forth. If I thought I did, I - should hate myself.’ The attitude was very transient, and always - accompanied by expressions which would justify it. He sometimes - had occasion to speak of Peter going out and weeping bitterly; - and, then, he had a fold of his gown at command, which he put - before his face with as much gracefulness as familiarity. - - “I hardly ever knew him go through a sermon without weeping, and - I believe his were the tears of sincerity. His voice was often - interrupted by his affection; and I have heard him say in the - pulpit, ‘You blame me for weeping, but how can I help it, when - you will not weep for yourselves, though your souls are upon - the verge of destruction, and, for aught I know, you are hearing - your last sermon!’ Sometimes he wept exceedingly, stamped loudly - and passionately, and was frequently so overcome, that nature - required some little time to compose itself. - - “When he treated upon the sufferings of our Saviour, it was with - great pathos. As though Gethsemane were in sight, he would cry, - stretching out his hand, ‘Look yonder! What is that I see? It is - my agonizing Lord!’ And, as though it were no difficult matter - to catch the sound of the Saviour praying, he would exclaim, - ‘Hark! Hark! Do you not hear?’ This frequently occurred; but - though we often knew what was coming, it was as new to us as - if we had never heard it before. - - “The beautiful apostrophe, of the prophet Jeremiah, ‘O earth, - earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord!’ was very subservient - to him, and was never used impertinently. He abounded with - anecdotes, which, though not always recited verbatim, were very - just as to the matter of them. On the Sabbath morning, he dealt - far more in the explanatory and doctrinal mode of preaching, - than, perhaps, at any other time; and occasionally made a little, - but by no means improper, shew of learning. If he had read - upon astronomy in the course of the week, you would be sure - to discover it. He had his charms for the learned as well as - for the unlearned. The peer and the peasant alike went away - satisfied. - - “This was his work, in London, at one period of his life. After - administering the Lord’s supper to several hundred communicants - at half-past six o’clock in the morning, he, in the forenoon, - read the Liturgy, and preached full an hour. In the afternoon, - he again read prayers and preached. At half-past five, he - preached again, and, afterwards, addressed a large Society. - At the Society meeting, widows, married people, young men, and - spinsters were placed separately in the area of the Tabernacle. - Hundreds used to stay, and receive from him, in a colloquial - style, various exhortations, comprised in short sentences, and - suitable to their various stations. - - “Perhaps he never preached greater sermons than at six in the - morning; for at that hour he did preach, winter and summer, on - Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. At these times, - his congregations were of the select description. Young men - received admonitions similar to what were given in the Society - meetings. ‘Beware of being golden apprentices, silver journeymen, - and copper masters,’ was one of the cautions I remember - being given. His style was now colloquial, with little use of - motion; pertinent expositions, with suitable remarks; and all - comprehended within the hour. - - “Christian experience principally was the subject of his - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening lectures; when, - frequently having funeral sermons to preach, the character and - experience of the dead helped to elucidate the subject. - - “Mr. Whitefield adopted the custom of the inhabitants of New - England, in their best days, of beginning the Sabbath at six - o’clock on Saturday evenings. The custom could not be observed - by many, but it was convenient to a few. Now ministers of - every description found a peculiar pleasure in relaxing their - minds from the fatigues of study. It was also an opportunity - peculiarly suited to apprentices and journeymen in some - businesses, which allowed of their leaving work sooner than on - other days, and of availing themselves of, at least, the sermon. - - “The peculiar talents he possessed can be but faintly guessed - from his sermons in print. The eighteen, taken in shorthand, and - faithfully transcribed by Mr. Gurney, have been supposed to do - discredit to his memory, and, therefore, they were suppressed; - but much of his genuine preaching may be collected from them. - They were far from being the best specimens that might have been - produced. He preached many of them when, in fact, he was almost - incapable of preaching at all. His constitution, long before - they were taken, had received its shock, and all of them, except - the two last, were the productions of a Wednesday evening, when, - by the business of the day, he was fatigued and worn out. He - was then like an ascending Elijah, and many were eager to catch - his dropping mantle. In the sermons referred to, there are many - jewels, though not connected in proper order. Whatever invidious - remarks may be made upon his written discourses, they cannot - invalidate his preaching. Mr. Toplady called him the prince of - preachers, and with good reason, for none in our day preached - with the like effect.” - -So much in reference to Whitefield as a preacher, to which may be -added another fact stated by Cornelius Winter, namely, that, excepting -Andrew Kinsman, most of Whitefield’s substitutes at the Tabernacle -and at Tottenham Court chapel were very inferior preachers to himself, -and that, in consequence, the congregations, during his absence, were -greatly diminished. Notwithstanding this, however, “conversions were -very frequent.”[560] - -Winter’s portraiture of Whitefield will not be perfect without the -addition of what he says respecting the renowned preacher’s private -character and habits. He continues:―― - - “Mr. Whitefield was accessible but to few. He was cautious in - admitting people to him. He would never be surprised into a - conversation. You could not knock at his door and be allowed - to enter at any time. ‘Who is it?’ ‘What is his business?’ - and such-like enquiries usually preceded admission; and, if - admission were granted, it was thus, ‘Come to-morrow morning at - six o’clock, perhaps five, or immediately after preaching. If - later, I cannot see you.’ - - “A person consulting him upon going into the ministry, might - expect to be treated with severity, if not well recommended, or - if he had not something about him particularly engaging. One man, - on saying, in answer to his enquiry, that he was a tailor, was - dismissed with, ‘Go to rag-fair, and buy old clothes.’ Another, - who was admitted to preach in the vestry one winter’s morning - at six o’clock, took for his text, ‘These that have turned - the world upside down have come hither also.’ ‘That man shall - come here no more,’ said Mr. Whitefield. ‘If God had called - him to preach, he would have furnished him with a proper text.’ - A letter well written, as to style, orthography, and decency, - would prepossess him much in favour of a person. - - “He used too much severity to young people, and required too - much from them. He connected circumstances too humiliating with - public services, in a young man with whom he could take liberty; - urging that it was necessary as a curb to the vanity of human - nature, and referred to the young Roman orators, who, after - being exalted by applauses, were sent upon the most trifling - errands. His maxim was, if you love me, you will serve me - disinterestedly; hence he settled no certain income, or a very - slender one, upon his dependants, many of whom were sycophants, - and, while they professed to serve him, underhandedly served - themselves. Through this defect, his charity in Georgia was - materially injured, owing to the wrong conduct of some who - insinuated themselves into his favour by humouring his weakness, - and letting him act and speak without contradiction. He was - impatient of contradiction, but this is a fault to be charged - upon almost all great people. - - “No time was to be wasted; and his expectations generally went - before the ability of his servants to perform his commands. He - was very exact to the time appointed for his stated meals. A - few minutes’ delay would be considered a great fault. He was - irritable, but soon appeased. Not being patient enough, one day, - to receive a reason for his being disappointed, he hurt the mind - of one who was studious to please; but, on reflection, he burst - into tears, saying, ‘I shall live to be a poor peevish old man, - and everybody will be tired of me.’ He never commanded haughtily, - and always took care to applaud when a person did right. He - never indulged parties at his table; but a select few might now - and then breakfast with him, dine with him on a Sunday, or sup - with him on a Wednesday night. In the last-mentioned indulgence, - he was scrupulously exact to break up in time. In the height of - a conversation, I have known him abruptly say, ‘But we forget - ourselves;’ and, rising from his seat and advancing to the door, - would add, ‘Come, gentlemen, it is time for all good folks to be - at home.’ - - “Whether only by himself, or having but a second, his table must - be spread elegantly, though it produced but a loaf and a cheese. - He was unjustly charged with being given to appetite. His table - was never spread with variety. A cow-heel was his favourite - dish, and I have known him cheerfully say, ‘How surprised would - the world be, if they were to peep upon Dr. Squintum, and see - a cow-heel only upon his table.’ He was extremely neat in his - person, and in everything about him. Not a paper must be out - of place, or be put up irregularly. Each part of the furniture, - likewise, must be in its proper position before we retired to - rest. He said he did not think he should die easy, if he thought - his gloves were not where they ought to be. There was no rest - after four in the morning, nor sitting up after ten in the - evening. - - “He never made a purchase without paying the money immediately. - He was truly generous, and seldom denied relief. More was - expected from him than was meet. He was tenacious in his - friendship. He felt sensibly when he was deserted, and would - remark, ‘The world and the church ring changes.’ He dreaded the - thought of outliving his usefulness. He often dined among his - friends; and usually connected a comprehensive prayer with his - thanksgiving when the table was dismissed, in which he noticed - particular cases relative to the family. He never protracted his - visit long after dinner. He often appeared tired of popularity; - and said, he almost envied the man who could take his choice of - food at an eating-house, and pass unnoticed. He apprehended he - should not glorify God in his death by any remarkable testimony; - and he desired to die suddenly.” - -Cornelius Winter’s critique on Whitefield is unartistic, but it is not, -on that account, the less valuable. Facts are not lost among words, -as is the case too often, in the philosophic and eloquent eulogies, -or censures, written by men who have a greater wish to display their -own cleverness than to pourtray the life and character of the person -on whom they exercise their skill. In some of his statements, Winter -may have been, unconsciously to himself, somewhat swayed by his -relationship to Whitefield; but, generally speaking, his description -of Whitefield’s preaching, and of his spirit and habits in domestic -life, is the most exact that has ever yet been published. The foregoing -extracts may be long, but they were written by a man who, during -Whitefield’s last two years in England, read prayers in Whitefield’s -Tottenham Court Road chapel, assisted in Whitefield’s study, sat at -Whitefield’s table, and occupied a bed in the same room as Whitefield -did. The man knew his master, and wrote with the utmost frankness -concerning him. - -It is now time to return to Whitefield’s history. Little is known -concerning him during the first three months of 1767. They seem, -however, to have been chiefly spent in London, where his “feeble hands -were full of work.”[561] - -The Orphan House in Georgia still occupied his attention. He was -anxious for “Bethesda to put on its college dress.”[562] The warm -friendship between him and Wesley yet continued. On Ash-Wednesday, -March 4, Wesley wrote, “I dined at a friend’s with Mr. Whitefield, -still breathing nothing but love.”[563] On the 20th of the same month, -the Countess of Huntingdon, at Brighton, had all her chaplains around -her, and Whitefield re-opened her ladyship’s enlarged chapel, in that -town, by preaching, to a crowded congregation, from “Grow in grace, and -in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: to Him be glory -both now and for ever. Amen.”[564] - -In April, Whitefield set out for Norwich, and visited Rowland Hill -and his Society, at Cambridge, on his way.[565] A month later, he -was introduced to a young clergyman, who, afterwards, became famous. -Richard de Courcy was the descendant of an ancient and respectable -family in Ireland, and was distantly related to Lord Kinsale. He -had been educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and, at the age of -twenty-three, had received deacon’s orders, and become curate of the -Rev. Walter Shirley. Being invited to preach in St. Andrew’s Church, -Dublin, his fame brought a crowded congregation. Whilst the prayers -were being read, and because the young preacher was a reputed Methodist, -the pulpit was seized by order of the metropolitan, Dr. Arthur Smythe, -and De Courcy was not allowed to enter it. Upon this, he immediately -left the church; the congregation followed him; and, mounting a -tombstone, he at once commenced preaching in the open air. This was a -crime too great to be forgiven. The bishop refused to ordain him priest. -Shirley wrote to the Countess of Huntingdon, and, at her request, -De Courcy came to England, expecting, by the help of her ladyship, -to obtain ordination by an English bishop. On arriving in London, he -immediately called on Whitefield at the Tabernacle House. Whitefield -being told who he was, took off his cap, and bending towards De Courcy, -and, at the same time placing his hand on the deep scar in his head, -said, “Sir, this wound I got in your country for preaching Christ.” De -Courcy was captivated, and became Whitefield’s guest, Cornelius Winter -being charged to take care of him. The next day, which was Sunday, the -young Hibernian preached in Tottenham Court Road chapel, and, by his -sermon, laid the foundation of his future popularity. Whitefield and he -became ardent friends.[566] - -About the middle of the month of May, Whitefield set out for the west -of England and Wales. His progress will be best told by extracts from -his letters. On arriving at Rodborough, where his old assistant, Thomas -Adams, lived and preached, he wrote to Mr. Keen as follows:―― - - “Rodborough, May 13, 1767. My new horse failed the first night; - but, through mercy, we got here last evening. I was regaled with - the company of some simple-hearted, first-rate old Methodists, - of near thirty years’ standing. God willing, I am to preach - to-morrow morning, and to have a general sacrament on Friday - evening. Perhaps, I may move after Sunday towards Wales; but, - I fear, I shall be obliged to take post-horses. I care not, - so that I can ride post to heaven. Hearty love to all who are - posting thither, hoping myself to arrive first. This tabernacle - often groans under the weight of my feeble labours. O when shall - I be unclothed! When, O my God, shall I be clothed upon! But I - am a coward, and want to be housed before the storm.” - -A week after this, he reached Gloucester, where he spent several days, -and wrote as follows:―― - - “Gloucester, May 20, 1767. We have had good seasons at - Rodborough. I have been out twice in the fields. Lady Huntingdon - has been wonderfully delighted. She and her company lay at - Rodborough House. Dear Mr. Adams is about to be married to a - good Christian nurse. He is sickly in body, but healthy in soul.” - - “Gloucester, May 21, 1767. I have preached twice in the open - air. Thousands and thousands attended. I am about to preach here - this morning, in my native city. On Sunday I hope to take to - Rodborough wood again. Good Lady Huntingdon and her company were - wonderfully delighted. They honoured dear Mr. Adams’s house with - their presence. He is but poorly, and wants a nurse. Perhaps, - before next Sunday, he may be married to a simple-hearted, plain, - good creature, who has waited upon him and the preachers near - twenty years. She has no fortune, but is one who, I think, will - take care of, and be obedient to him, for Christ’s sake.” - - “Gloucester, May 25, 1767. I am just setting out in a - post-chaise for Haverfordwest; and I have therefore drawn upon - you” (Mr. Keen) “for £20. This is expensive; but it is for One - who has promised not to send us a warfare on our own charges. - We had a most blessed season yesterday. Thousands and thousands - heard, saw, and felt. Mr. Adams preached in the evening, on - ‘The Lord is my portion, therefore will I trust in Him.’ A good - text for a new-married man. I have advised him to preach next on - these words, ‘The Lord’s portion is His people.’ He is now here.” - - “Haverfordwest, May 31, 1767, Sunday. I am just come from my - field-throne. Thousands and thousands attended by eight in the - morning. Life and light seemed to fly all around. On Tuesday, - God willing, I am to preach at Woodstock; on Friday, at Pembroke; - here again next Sunday; and then for England. Rooms are not so - lofty or large, prospects not so pleasant, bedsteads not so easy, - in these parts, as in some places in or near London; but all are - good enough for young and old pilgrims who have got good breath. - I have been pushing dear sick Mr. Davies to go out and preach - six miles off. He is gone finely mounted, and, I am persuaded, - will return in high spirits. Who knows but preaching may be - our grand catholicon again? This is the good, Methodistical, - thirty-year-old medicine.” - - “Gloucester, June 10, 1767. Blessed be God, I am got on this - side the Welsh mountains! Blessed be God, I have been on the - other side! What a scene last Sunday![567] What a cry for more - of the bread of life! But I was quite worn down. I am now better - than could be expected. To-morrow, God willing, my wife shall - know what route I take. O when shall I begin to live to Jesus, - as I would! I want to be a flame of fire.” - -A week after this, Whitefield was in London. During his absence, he -had tried to secure the services of Fletcher of Madeley, and Fletcher’s -reply to his application is too characteristic to be omitted:―― - - “MADELEY, _May 18, 1767_. - - “REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,――Your mentioning my poor ministrations - among your congregations opens again a wound of shame that was - but half healed. I feel the need of asking God, you, and your - hearers’ pardon, for weakening the glorious matter of the gospel - by my wretched, broken manner, and spoiling the heavenly power - of it by the uncleanness of my heart and lips. I should be - glad to go and be your curate some time this year; but I see - no opening, nor the least prospect of any. What between the - dead and the living, a parish ties one down more than a wife. - If I could go anywhere this year, it should be to Yorkshire, to - accompany Lady Huntingdon, according to a design that I had half - formed last year; but I fear that I shall be debarred even from - this. I set out, God willing, to-morrow morning for Trevecca, - to meet her ladyship there, and to show her the way to Madeley, - where she proposes to stay three or four days in her way to - Derbyshire. What chaplain she will have there I know not; God - will provide. I rejoice that, though you are sure of heaven, - you have still a desire to inherit the earth, by being a - _peacemaker_. Somehow, you will enjoy the blessings that others - may possibly refuse. - - “Last Sunday seven-night, Captain Scott preached, to my - congregation, a sermon, which was more blessed, though preached - only upon my horse-block, than a hundred of those I preach in - the pulpit. I invited him to come and treat her Ladyship next - Sunday with another, now the place is consecrated. If you should - ever favour Shropshire with your presence, you shall have the - captain’s or the parson’s pulpit at your option. Many ask me - whether you will not come to have some fruit here also. What - must I answer them? I, and many more, complain of a stagnation - in the work. What must we do? Everything buds and blossoms - around us, yet our winter is not over. I thought Mr. Newton,[568] - who has been three weeks in Shropshire, would have brought - the turtle-dove along with him; but I could not prevail upon him - to come to this poor Capernaum. I think I hardly ever met his - fellow for a judicious spirit. Still, what has God done in him - and in me? I am out of hell, and mine eyes have seen something - of His salvation. Though I must and do gladly yield to Mr. - Newton and all my brethren, yet I must and will contend, that my - being in the way to heaven makes me as rich a monument of mercy, - as he, or any of them. - - “I am, reverend and dear sir, your willing, though halting and - unworthy servant, - - “JOHN FLETCHER.” - -Rowland Hill has been mentioned. Though not ordained, and still -an undergraduate at St. John’s College, Cambridge, he had begun to -preach. He had also formed a small Society of his fellow-students, -and was infusing into them a portion of his own ardent zeal. For -these proceedings he was bitterly assailed. His father and mother were -decidedly opposed to the action he had taken. His superiors in the -University condemned, in the strongest terms, what they were pleased -to call his infringements of discipline; and hints were given him of a -refusal of testimonials and his degree, as the probable result of his -irregularities. In the midst of all this, Whitefield wrote to him as -follows:―― - - “HAVERFORDWEST, _June 4, 1767_. - - “MY DEAR PROFESSOR,――I wish you joy of the late high dignity - conferred upon you――higher than if you were made the greatest - professor in the University of Cambridge.[569] The honourable - degrees you intend giving to your promising candidates, I trust, - will excite a holy ambition, and a holy emulation. Let me know - who is first honoured. As I have been admitted to the degree of - doctor for near these thirty years, I assure you I like my field - preferment, my airy pluralities, exceeding well. - - “For these three weeks past, I have been beating up for fresh - recruits in Gloucestershire and South Wales. Thousands and - thousands attended. Good Lady Huntingdon was present at one of - our reviews. Her ladyship’s aide-de-camp preached in Brecknock - Street; and Captain Scott, that glorious field-officer, lately - fixed his standard upon dear Mr. Fletcher’s horse-block at - Madeley. Being invited thither, I have a great inclination - to lift up the Redeemer’s ensign, next week, in the same - place;――with what success, you and your dearly beloved candidates - for good old Methodistical contempt shall know hereafter. God - willing, I intend fighting my way up to town. Soon after my - arrival thither, I hope thousands and thousands of vollies - of prayers――energetic, effectual, fervent, heaven-besieging, - heaven-opening, heaven-taking prayers――shall be poured forth for - you all. - - “Oh, my dearly beloved and longed for in the Lord, my bowels - yearn towards you. Fear not to go without the camp. Keep open - the correspondence between the two Universities.[570] Remember - the praying legions. They were never known to yield. God bless - those who are gone to their respective _cures_! I say not - _livings_,――a term of too modern date. Christ is our life. - Christ is the Levite’s inheritance. Greet your dear young - companions whom I saw. They are welcome to write to me when - they please. - - “I am, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[571] - -At this period, there was great excitement in the English colonies -of America respecting the proposed introduction of bishops of the -Established Church. The Rev. Thomas Bradbury Chandler, D.D., was now in -the forty-first year of his age. He had graduated at Yale College, but, -in 1751, came to England, and was episcopally ordained. He returned -to America as a missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the -Gospel in Foreign Parts, and became rector of St. John’s Church, at -Elizabeth Town, New Jersey, where he long maintained a high character -for talent and learning. In the present year, 1767, he published “An -Appeal to the Public in Behalf of the Church of England in America,” -and dedicated his able performance to Secker, Archbishop of Canterbury. -The object of it was to secure the designation of two or more bishops, -to reside and to exercise episcopal jurisdiction in ♦the transatlantic -settlements. - -He alleged that the appointment of commissaries had been a failure, -and that, as a consequence, such appointments had ceased for near -twenty years. The result of this was, the episcopal clergy in America -had no ecclesiastical superiors to unite or to control them; they were -independent of each other; and the people were free from all restraints -of ecclesiastical authority. For want of bishops, candidates for the -ministry had to come to England for ordination, at great hazard and -expense; and, because of this, numerous congregations were without -ministers. In the province of New Jersey, there were twenty-one -churches and congregations, eleven of which were entirely destitute of -clergymen, and there were but five to supply the pulpits of the other -ten. In Pennsylvania, there were in the city of Philadelphia three -churches, and but two ministers; and, in the rest of the province, -the number of the churches was twenty-six, and that of the clergy -only seven. In North Carolina, there were six clergymen, to supply the -wants of twenty-nine parishes, each parish containing a whole county. -Another argument adduced by Dr. Chandler was “the impossibility -that a bishop residing in England should be sufficiently acquainted -with the characters of those coming to them for Holy Orders. To this -it was owing, that ordination had been sometimes fraudulently and -surreptitiously obtained by such wretches, as were not only a scandal -to the Church, but a disgrace to the human species.” Dr. Chandler -further stated that the white population of America numbered about -three millions; and that, of these, about a third were professed -members of the Church of England; “the Presbyterians, Independents, -and Baptists were not so many; and the Germans, Papists, and other -denominations, amounted to more.” Besides these three millions, however, -there were, in the different colonies, about 840,000 negroes, most of -whom “belonged to the professors of the Church of England.” And there -were also the native Indians, the conversion of whom had been almost -altogether neglected. It was proposed that the “two or more bishops” -to be sent should “have no authority, but purely of a spiritual and -ecclesiastical nature; that they should not interfere with the property -or privileges, whether civil or religious, of Churchmen or Dissenters; -that, in particular, they should have no concern with the Probate of -Wills, Letters of Guardianship and Administration, or Marriage Licences, -nor be judges of any cases relating thereto; but that they should only -ordain and govern the clergy, and administer confirmation to those who -might desire it.” It was also proposed that they should be supported, -not by _tithes_, but by “perquisites such as the people might freely -grant them;” by the interest arising from a fund already in existence -for the purpose, in connection with the Society for the Propagation of -the Gospel in Foreign Parts; and, if need were (which was not likely), -by the levying of a tax at the rate of fourpence in £100. - -Such was the substance of Dr. Chandler’s temperate “Appeal,”――an -appeal which embodied the general views and feelings of the clergy and -members of the Church of England in America. Considerable excitement -existed previous to its publication; but now the subject became one -of the great controversies of the day. An American writer affirms -that “it had more to do with the American Revolution than is generally -supposed.”[572] The _American Whig_, a weekly newspaper, stoutly -opposed the scheme of Dr. Chandler. So also did the _Philadelphia -Centinél_. Their articles on the subject were reprinted in several -of the colonies; and a general agitation followed. The chief opponent, -however, was Dr. Chauncy, minister in Boston, who, more than twenty -years before, had made a vigorous onslaught upon Whitefield and his -co-revivalists. The general apprehension was, that the taxation of -the colonies, and the proposal to send them bishops, were parts of the -same system, the object of which was to infringe upon the political -and religious privileges of the people. Chauncy and his friends were -afraid, and perhaps not without reason, that the power and influence -of the government were being used to give ascendancy to the Episcopal -Church. They were angry with the Society for the Propagation of the -Gospel in Foreign Parts for sending so many of their clergy to New -England, where they were not wanted. At this time, there were at least -five hundred and fifty educated ministers in the province, and not a -town, unless just settled, without a pastor. Besides, the clergy thus -sent were arrogant. They spoke of all the inhabitants of the town, in -which they lived, as _their_ parishioners, and as bound both by the -law of God and the state to be in communion with the Church of England. -Other churches were represented as mere excrescences or fungosities, -and their ministers were declared to be unauthorised, and their -ordinances invalid. All this naturally created opposition among the -non-episcopal churches. And, further, though Dr. Chandler professed -that the bishops to be sent would be no burden to the population, -the people feared it would be otherwise. Already the support of the -episcopal clergy had been thrown upon the community in South Carolina, -Virginia, and Maryland; and it was thought to be possible and probable -that the bishops, if sent, would have to be sustained, at least in -part, by the public taxes. - -Amid this state of things, Whitefield commenced a correspondence -with the Archbishop of Canterbury, respecting the conversion of -his Orphanage into a College; and a remembrance of the facts just -noticed will help to a better understanding of some parts of that -correspondence. The letters are too long to be inserted _in extenso_, -but their substance shall be given. They were first published in -the month of May, 1768, with the title, “A Letter to his Excellency -Governor Wright, giving an Account of the Steps taken relative to the -converting the Georgia Orphan House into a College; together with the -Literary Correspondence that passed upon that Subject between his Grace -the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Reverend Mr. Whitefield. To which -also is annexed the Plan and Elevation of the present and intended -Buildings,[574] and Orphan House Lands adjacent, By G. Whitefield, -A.M., late of Pembroke College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Countess -of Huntingdon. London, 1768.” (8vo. 31 pp.) - -In his letter to “Governor Wright,” Whitefield mentions the deep -interest which his Excellency and the Council of Georgia had taken -in the scheme to convert the Orphan House into a College. He relates -that, since his return to England, in 1765, he had exerted his utmost -efforts to accomplish this; but various circumstances had impeded the -fulfilment of his plan. He had “delivered a memorial into the hands -of the late Clerk of his Majesty’s most honourable Privy Council.” -The memorial had been “transmitted to the Lord President;” and the -Lord President had submitted it “to the consideration of his Grace -the Archbishop of Canterbury.” He (Whitefield) had had “a literary -correspondence” with his Grace; but the correspondence, and the -negotiations, were now ended. He, therefore, wished to lay an account -of the whole transactions before his Excellency, and the Council and -Assembly of Georgia, and also before “all the other American colonists, -and the public in general.” - -Whitefield commenced his correspondence with the Archbishop on June 17, -1767, and terminated it on February 12, 1768, within six months of his -Grace’s death. - -He begins by reminding the Primate that the Lord President had -submitted his memorial to his Grace’s consideration, and that the Earl -of Dartmouth had put into his hands a copy of the intended charter for -the College. The Archbishop had made “judicious corrections,” and had -suggested that the charter should provide that the president of the -College should be a member or minister of the Church of England. In -reply to this, Whitefield writes:―― - - “I cannot in honour and conscience _oblige_ the master of the - Georgia College to be a member or minister of the Church of - England. Such an obligation has greatly retarded the progress - of the College of New York; as, on the contrary, the letter - signed by your Grace, Proprietor Penn, and the late Dr. Chandler, - engaging that the College of Philadelphia shall be continued on - a _broad bottom_, has promoted the growth of that institution. - The trustees of that seminary (as your Grace is pleased to - observe) have agreed ‘That their provost shall always be a - minister of the Established Church.’ But they are not thereto - enjoined by their charter. That is entirely silent concerning - this matter. Their agreement is purely voluntary. The wardens - of the College of Georgia will not be prohibited by charter - from following the example of the trustees of the College of - Philadelphia,” if they choose. - - “The first master will assuredly be a clergyman of the Church - of England. By far the majority of the intended wardens are, and - always will be, members of that communion; and, consequently, - the choice of a master will always run in that channel. I - also desire that some worthy duly qualified minister of that - Church may be always found for this office. But, as persons of - all denominations have been contributors, I dare not confine - or fetter the future electors. The monies for the erecting - a college in New York were given by persons of all religious - persuasions, in confidence that the college would be founded on - an enlarged basis; and great numbers think themselves injured - by its being confined within its present contracted boundary. - Hence, many fine promising youths are sent from the college in - their native city to that of New Jersey. I dread giving the same - occasion of offence, and, therefore, am determined to avoid it - in the wording of the Georgia College charter.” - -The Archbishop had further suggested that the charter should provide -for the daily use of the liturgy of the Church of England in the -College, and that the doctrines to be taught in it should be specified. -Whitefield objected to these suggestions, and wrote:―― - - “For the same reasons, I dare not enjoin the daily use of our - Church liturgy. I myself love to use it. I have fallen a martyr, - in respect to bodily health, to the frequent reading it in - Tottenham Court chapel. It has, also, been constantly read twice - every Sunday in the Orphan House, from its first institution to - this very day. The wardens, likewise, when the power is devolved - upon them, may determine this point as they please. But I cannot - enjoin it by charter; and have, therefore, in the accompanying - draught, not only omitted the paragraph concerning public prayer, - but also that concerning doctrinal articles. - - “Your Grace further wisely observes, ‘His Majesty should be - well advised, whom he names for the first master.’ I trust he - will be so. I believe the Earl of Dartmouth will be so good as - to present the first master to your Grace’s approbation; but, - in the meanwhile, you may be assured the lot will not fall upon - me. My shoulders are too weak for such an academical burden. My - capacity is by no means extensive enough for such a scholastic - trust. To be a Presbyter at large is the station which Divine - Providence has called me to for near thirty years past. During - that space, I trust my eye has been single, and my views - disinterested; and my highest, my only ambition is that the - last glimmerings of an expiring taper may be blessed to guide - some wandering sinners to the practical knowledge of the great - Shepherd and Bishop of souls. - - “I desire to bless His name, that I have been spared long enough - to see the colony of the once-despised Georgia, and the yet more - despised Orphan House, advanced to such a promising height. My - honoured friend and father, good Bishop Benson, from his dying - bed, sent me a benefaction for it of ten guineas, and poured - forth his dying breathings for its future prosperity. That your - Grace may be instrumental in promoting its welfare, when turned - into a College, is the earnest prayer of, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -On July 1, the Archbishop acknowledged the receipt of Whitefield’s -letter, and stated that he had put Whitefield’s draught of a charter -for the College into the hands of the Lord President, who had promised -to consider it, but, meanwhile, desired to know how Whitefield proposed -to endow the College. Whitefield replied to this three days afterwards -to the following effect:―― - - “The present annual income of the Orphan House is between four - and five hundred pounds sterling. The house is surrounded with - 1,800 acres of land. The number of negroes employed on this - land, in sawing timber, raising rice for exportation, and corn, - with all other provisions for the family, is about thirty. - The College will also be immediately possessed of 2,000 acres - of land near Altamaha, which were granted me by the Governor - and Council, when I was last in Georgia; and 1,000 acres more, - left, as I am informed, by the late Rev. Mr. Zububuhler.[575] By - laying out £1,000 in purchasing an additional number of negroes, - and allowing another £1,000 for repairing the house and building - the two intended wings, the present annual income may easily and - speedily be augmented to £1,000 per annum. - - “Out of this standing fund may be paid the salaries of the - master, professors, tutors, etc., and also small exhibitions be - allowed for orphans or other poor students, who may have their - tutorage and room-rent gratis, and act as servitors to those who - enter commoners. - - “At present, I would only further propose, that the negro - children, belonging to the College, shall be instructed, in - their intervals of labour, by one of the poorer students, as - is done now by one of the scholars in the present Orphan House. - And I do not see why provision may not likewise be made for - educating and maintaining a number of Indian children, which, - I imagine, may easily be procured from the Creeks, Choctaws, - Cherokees, and the other neighbouring nations.” - -Such was Whitefield’s scheme. Further correspondence followed. The Lord -President expressed the opinion that the head of the College must be -a member of the Church of England, and that “the public prayers in the -College should not be extempore ones, but the liturgy of the Church, -or some part thereof, or some other settled and established form.” -Whitefield’s reply is dated, “Tottenham Court, October 16, 1767.” He -again objected to any clause being inserted in the charter, making -it _obligatory_ that the head of the College should be a member of -the Established Church. He reminded the Archbishop that “by far the -greatest part of the Orphan House collections and contributions came -from _Dissenters_, not only in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, -South Carolina, and Scotland, but in England also.” He stated that, -since the announcement of the design to turn the Orphan House into a -College, and of the approval of that project by the Governor, Council, -and Assembly of Georgia, he had visited most of the places where the -benefactors of the Orphan House resided, and had frequently been asked, -“Upon what bottom the College was to be founded?” To these enquiries he -had answered, indeed, he had declared from the pulpit, that “it should -be upon a _broad bottom, and no other_.” He then continues:―― - - “This being the case, I would humbly appeal to the Lord - President, whether I can answer it to my God, my conscience, my - king, my country, my constituents, and Orphan House benefactors - and contributors, both at home and abroad, to betray my trust, - forfeit my word, act contrary to my own convictions, and greatly - retard and prejudice the growth and progress of the institution, - by narrowing its foundation, and thereby letting it fall upon - such a bottom, as will occasion general disgust, and most justly - open the mouths of persons of all denominations against me. This - is what I dare not do.” - -Whitefield concludes by telling the Archbishop, that, as the influence -of his Grace, and of the Lord President, “will undoubtedly extend -itself to others of His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council,” he -will not trouble them again about the business, but will himself “turn -the charity into a more generous and extensively useful channel.” - -Thus the matter ended. Whitefield tried to convert his Orphan House -into a College; but, because the Lord President of the Privy Council, -and the Archbishop of Canterbury, insisted that it should practically -be an institution of the Church of England, by insisting that its -provost should be a member of that Church, his design, together with -that of the governor and rulers of Georgia, was frustrated. He was -well aware, that, in the present state of excited feeling among the -non-episcopalians of America, it would have been worse than useless to -turn his Orphanage into a Church of England College. His decision was, -at once, just and prudent. When the correspondence with the Archbishop -was concluded, Whitefield wrote as follows “To his Excellency James -Wright, Esq., Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of the Province of -Georgia”:―― - - “Thus, may it please your Excellency, concluded my - correspondence with his Grace; and, I humbly hope, the Province - of Georgia will, in the end, be no loser by this negotiation. - For, I now purpose to superadd a public academy to the Orphan - House, as the College of Philadelphia[576] as constituted a - public academy, as well as charitable school, for some time - before its present college charter was granted in 1755.” - -Whitefield then suggests that the Orphan House estate, which, for three -years, had been neglected, should be vigorously improved, so as to make -permanent provision for the maintenance of indigent orphans, and to -convert the Orphan House itself into a suitable academy for opulent -students. He proposes to send from England proper masters to “prepare -for academical honours the many youths, in Georgia and the adjacent -provinces, waiting for admission.” He expresses his willingness to -settle the whole estate upon trustees, with the proviso, that no -opportunity should be neglected “of making fresh application for a -college charter, upon a _broad bottom_, whenever those in power might -think it for the glory of God, and the interest of their king and -country, to grant the same.” And he concludes by hoping, that, in this -way, his “beloved Bethesda will not only be continued as a house of -mercy for poor orphans, but will be confirmed as a seat and nursery of -sound learning and religious education, to the latest posterity.” - -On Whitefield’s return to London, in the month of June, 1767, he -continued his correspondence with Rowland Hill. The latter had left -Cambridge, for the long vacation, and had returned to Hawkstone, the -residence of his father. Here he was warmly welcomed by Richard, his -elder brother, who, like himself, had lately become a village preacher, -and a visitor of prisons; but his parents were profoundly grieved at -his religious irregularities; and his walks, amid the beautiful scenery -of his father’s grounds, were often sorrowful. To cheer him and his -brother, Whitefield wrote as follows:―― - - “LONDON, _July 14, 1767_. - - “Blessed be God, for what he has done for your dear brother! - A preaching, prison-preaching, field-preaching esquire strikes - more than all black gowns and lawn sleeves in the world. If I am - not mistaken, God will let the world, and His own children too, - know that He will not be prescribed to, in respect to men, or - garbs, or places, much less will He be confined to any order, - or set of men under heaven. I wish you both much, very much, - prosperity. You will have it. This is the way: walk in it. - Both the Tabernacle and the chapel pulpits shall be open to a - captain or an esquire sent of God. The good news from Oxford is - encouraging.[577] Say what they will, preaching should be one - part of the education of a student in divinity. _Usus promptos - facit._ Write often and let me know how you go on. What says - your friend Mr. Powys. God bless him, and help him to go - forwards!”[578] - -A week later, Whitefield wrote again:―― - - “London, July 21, 1767. I hope, ere this comes to hand, you - will have taken your second degree. A good degree indeed! To - be a preacher,――a young preacher,――a mobbed, perhaps, a stoned - preacher,――O what an honour! How many prayers will you get, when - I read your letter at the Tabernacle! And the prayers of so many - dear children of God will do you no hurt. When we are fighting - with Amalek below, it is good to have a Joshua praying for us - above. Jesus is our Joshua――Jesus is our intercessor. He liveth, - He ever liveth to make intercession, especially for His young - soldiers. Yonder, yonder He sits! Whilst praying, He reaches - out a crown. At this distance, you may see written in capital - letters, ‘_Vincenti dabo_.’ All a gift――a free gift, though - purchased by His precious blood. Tell churchmen, tell meetingers, - tell the wounded, tell all of this. Tell them when you are - young; you may not live to be old. Tell them whilst you are - an undergraduate; you may be dead, buried, glorified, before - you take a college degree. Tell those who would have you spare - yourself, that time is short, that eternity is endless, that the - Judge is before the door. God bless you! God bless you! Yours in - Jesus, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Before proceeding with Whitefield’s history, extracts from three other -letters, to Rowland Hill, may be welcome:―― - - “London, August 6, 1767. The enclosed made me pity, smile, and - rejoice: pity the writer’s ignorance, smile at his worn-out - sarcasms, and rejoice that you are called to be a living martyr - for our common Lord. Fear not; only go forward. You know Jesus, - and, by preaching, will know more. If you write, let him know - that Jesus has revealed Himself not only _to_ you by His word, - but _in_ you by His spirit; that you look upon those whom he is - pleased to term _fanatics_, as the excellent of the earth; and - that you choose rather to suffer reproach with them, than to - enjoy all the pleasures of sense, and all the preferments in the - world.” - - “London, August 8, 1767. God be praised, if another of your - brothers is gained! What grace is this! Four or five out of one - family! It is scarcely to be paralleled. Who knows but the root, - as well as the branches, may be taken by and by. Steadiness and - perseverance, in the children, will be one of the best means, - under God, of convincing the parents. Their present opposition, - I think, cannot last very long. If it does, to obey God rather - than man, when forbidden to do what is undoubted duty, is the - invariable rule. Our dear Penty[579] is under the cross at - Cambridge; but _crescit sub pondere_. I should be glad if any - one’s exhibition was taken from him for visiting the sick, - etc.[580] It would vastly tend to the furtherance of the Gospel; - but Satan sees too far, I imagine, to play such a game now. - Let him do his work――he is only a mastiff chained. Continue to - inform me how he barks, and how far he is permitted to go in - your parts; and God’s people shall be more and more stirred up - to pray for you all, by yours, in our all-conquering Emmanuel, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[581] - - “London, August 26, 1767. Go to Jesus. Learn to pray of the - threatened apostles. (Acts iv. 23–30.) I am afraid they will - only threaten. If an expulsion should be permitted, it will - take place, I believe, only for a little time, and will soon - be repented of. Thousands of prayers were put up for you last - Monday, at the Tabernacle letter-day. The verses sung were - these:―― - - ‘Give him thy strength, O God of pow’r! - Then, let men rage and devils roar, - Thy faithful witness he shall be: - ’Tis fixed, he can do all through Thee.’” - -While Whitefield was acquiring new friends, he was faithful to his -old. The friendship between him and Wesley was never tenderer than -now. During the month of August, Wesley held his annual Conference, -in London, and wrote:―― - - “1767, August 18. Tuesday. I met in Conference with our - assistants and a select number of preachers. To these were added, - on Thursday and Friday, Mr. Whitefield, Howell Harris, and many - stewards and local preachers. Love and harmony reigned from the - beginning to the end.”[582] - -Such a re-union of old friends, fellow-labourers, and fellow-sufferers, -must have been delightful. A trio, like Wesley, Whitefield, and Howell -Harris, was a sight worth seeing,――three great reformers, because three -great revivers of pure and undefiled religion. - -In reference to this Conference, Thomas Olivers remarks:―― - - “Mr. Whitefield not only attended the Conference, but also - invited the preachers to the Tabernacle, ordered them to be - placed round the front of his galleries, and preached a good - sermon, to encourage them in their holy calling. When he had - done, he took them to his house, by ten or twenty at a time, - and entertained them in the most genteel, the most hospitable, - and the most friendly manner.” - -Olivers, who was one of the preachers thus entertained, continues:―― - - “While Mr. Whitefield lived, he was glad to confirm his love - to the members of Mr. Wesley’s Societies, by preaching in their - chapels, by sitting at their tables, by lying in their beds, and - by conversing with them, late and early, in the most friendly - and Christian manner. When he preached in Mr. Wesley’s pulpits, - in the north of England, he several times did me the honour - of making my house his home. On all such occasions, multitudes - can tell what expressions of the highest esteem he frequently - made use of, in exhorting Mr. Wesley’s Societies; in keeping - lovefeasts, and watch-nights with them; in his table talk; and - as he travelled with them by the way. Nay, strange as it may - seem, he has been known to say, that he found _more Christian - freedom_ among Mr. Wesley’s people than he did among his own in - London. As to the preachers in connexion with Mr. Wesley, these - have frequently received very great marks of Mr. Whitefield’s - esteem. In private, he conversed with them, as with _brethren_ - and _fellow-labourers_. In public, he frequently said far - greater things in their favour than Mr. Wesley thought it - prudent to say. He never seemed happier than when he had a - number of them about him. When he had opportunity, he gladly - attended our Conferences; sometimes _listening_ to our debates, - and at others _joining_ in them. On these occasions, he more - than once favoured us with a suitable sermon; and often said - such things in our behalf, as decency forbids me to mention.”[583] - -A testimony like this from a man of great acuteness, and inflexible -veracity, is more than ordinarily valuable. Immediately after Wesley’s -Conference, Whitefield was anxious to make another of his gospel tours. -Writing to his old assistant, Thomas Adams, on August 14, he says:―― - - “I have been sick; but, blessed be God! I am better. Who knows - but I may be strengthened to take a trip to Scotland. This itch - after itinerating, I hope, will never be cured till we come - to heaven. Though laymen occupy the pulpits, both at Tottenham - Court chapel and the Tabernacle, the congregations increase. - ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord - of hosts.’ No weapon, formed against Sion, shall or can prosper. - Our Thursday morning six o’clock lecture at the Tabernacle is - crowded.” - -Whitefield was not able to extend his “trip” as far as Scotland; -but he travelled what he called his “northern circuit,” reaching, at -least, from Sheffield to Newcastle. He started about the beginning of -September, and, on his way, preached at Northampton and Sheffield. He -arrived at Leeds on Thursday, September 10,[584] accompanied by the -Countess of Huntingdon. Here, they were joined by Captain Scott, who -preached to amazing crowds.[585] - -From Leeds, Whitefield proceeded further north. He preached at York; -and, among many other curious entries in the old book of the Methodist -Society in that city, is the following: “1767. September 16. By -expenses on account of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, 14s. 9d.” - -On reaching Newcastle, he wrote, as follows, to Mr. Keen:―― - - “NEWCASTLE, _September 20, 1767_. - - “MY DEAR, VERY DEAR FRIEND,――Preaching and travelling prevent - writing. Through unmerited mercy, I am well; but, for several - reasons, I decline going to Scotland this fall. I have a blessed - Methodist field, street-preaching plan before me. This afternoon, - in the Castle Garth. To-morrow, Sunderland. Next day, at - Mr. Romaine’s mother’s door (at Hartlepool.)[586] Then to - Yarm, etc. You may venture to direct for me at Mr. William - Shent’s, peruke-maker, at Leeds; but send me no bad news, unless - absolutely necessary. Let me enjoy myself in my delightful - itinerancy. It is good, both for my body and soul. I have been - enabled to preach in the street at several places; and hope - to go to Guisborough, Whitby, Scarborough, Malton, York, Leeds, - Liverpool, Chester, Manchester, etc., etc. You shall know - particulars as we go on. Tender love to all friends. Golden - seasons! Golden seasons! Grace! Grace!” - -Immediately after Whitefield’s departure from London, Bartholomew -Carrol and three other burglars broke into his house, stole a large -quantity of linen and other articles, were arrested, and committed -for trial at the Old Bailey.[587] In the following letter to Mr. Keen, -Whitefield refers to this unpleasantness:―― - - “Thirsk, September 28, 1767. Never was I so long a stranger to - London affairs before. What part of the paragraph is true, about - the commitment of several persons for a certain robbery? I hope - that death will not be the consequence to any of the criminals. - Father, convict, and convert them for Thy infinite mercy’s sake! - I should be glad to ramble till their trial is over. I trust - there will be no necessity of my appearing in person. To-morrow, - God willing, I go to Dr. Conyers.[588] He earnestly desires to - see me. Where the next remove will be, I know not. Be pleased to - direct to Leeds. Every stage, more and more, convinces me, that - old Methodism is the thing. Hallelujah!” - -Two days after the date of this letter, Whitefield was at Leeds, and -wrote: “I have been enabled to go forth into the highways and hedges, -into the streets and lanes of the towns and cities. Good old work! Good -old seasons! Help, help to praise Him, whose mercy endureth for ever!” -Whitefield’s labours were still of sufficient importance to attract -the attention of the public press. _Lloyd’s Evening Post_ of October 2 -had the following announcement: “For about a fortnight past, the Rev. -Mr. Whitefield has been travelling, and preaching, at York, Thirsk, -Yarm, Hartlepool, Stokesley, Sunderland, and Newcastle, where his -congregations have been very numerous.” - -Whitefield was requested to visit Fletcher at Madeley, but the distance, -and the season of the year, deterred his going. He, however, spent two -or three days at Huddersfield,[589] with Venn, who had recently lost -his wife by death. While in Venn’s home of sorrow, he wrote:―― - - “Huddersfield, October 6, 1767. How is death scattering his - arrows all around us? The call to us is loud, very loud. Its - language is quite articulate. ‘Watch and pray, for ye know not - at what day or hour the Son of Man cometh.’ What is this world? - Nothing, less than nothing. What is the other world? An eternity - of endless misery or endless bliss. We have no time to trifle, - to be light, foolish, or worldly-minded.” - -It ought to be kept in mind, that, in all the towns mentioned in -the foregoing extracts, Wesley and his preachers had already formed -Societies, and that Whitefield went among them, not as Wesley’s -rival, but as his helper. For many years, in his country excursions, -Whitefield, without ostentatiously professing it, acted in this -capacity,――an important fact, which Whitefield’s biographers, for -some reason, have not noticed. Whitefield and Wesley were never firmer -friends than now. Writing to Mrs. Moon, of Yarm, a few weeks after -Whitefield’s return to London, Wesley says:―― - - “In every place where Mr. Whitefield has been, he has laboured - in the same friendly, Christian manner. God has indeed - effectually broken down the wall of partition which was between - us. Thirty years ago we were one; then the sower of tares - rent us asunder; but now a stronger than he has made us one - again.”[590] - -On reaching London, Whitefield, in a jubilant strain, wrote to his old -helper, Thomas Adams:―― - - “LONDON, _October 12, 1767_. - - “MY VERY DEAR TOMMY,――Good-morrow! This comes to enquire how you - and yours do. I am just returned from my northern circuit. It - has been pleasant, and, I trust, profitable. Praise the Lord, - O our souls! Everywhere the fields have been white, ready unto - harvest. I am become a downright street and field preacher. I - wish the city, and want of riding, may not hurt me. No nestling, - no nestling on this side Jordan. Heaven is the believer’s only - resting place. Mr. Joss has been much blessed here.” - -If possible, Whitefield was more popular than ever, as the following -extract from _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, of October 30, will tend to -show:―― - - “Wednesday morning, October 28, was preached, by the Rev. Mr. - Whitefield, at his Tabernacle near Moorfields, a sermon, for the - benefit of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge among - the Poor, by distributing Bibles and other good books, before - a very polite audience of upwards of six thousand people, and - above forty ministers of different persuasions. Near £200 was - collected.”[591] - -In reference to this remarkable service, on a busy week-day morning, -Whitefield simply says: “I would reflect upon Wednesday with humility -and gratitude. Lord, what am I? ‘Less than the least of all,’ must be -my motto still.” - -Whitefield’s text on this occasion was “Thy kingdom come.” The -collection was four times larger than usual, and eighty persons became -new subscribers. After his sermon, Whitefield dined with the ministers -present at Draper’s Hall, and was treated with great respect.[592] - -The troubles of Rowland Hill and his associates, at Cambridge, -have been repeatedly mentioned, and are alluded to in the following -letter, addressed “To the Rev. Mr. Fletcher, Rector of Madeley, near -Bridgenorth, Shropshire”:―― - - “London, October 22, 1767. What more offences! Surely, my dear - friend, you must have done Satan some late harm; otherwise, I - think, he would not be so angry. I hope he has lost some ground - in the north. Street and field-preaching were made very pleasant - to me, and, I trust, they were equally profitable. Our truly - noble Lady Sussex sends good news from Bath. She recovers - strength apace. There is hot work at Cambridge. One dear youth - is likely to be expelled. Mr. Lee is suspended without private - admonition, or having a moment’s warning. What would become of - us, if a hook were not put into the leviathan’s jaws? Adieu! In - great haste, but greater love, I hasten to subscribe myself, my - dear sir, yours in our all-conquering Emmanuel, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[593] - -The storm, which, in one of the universities, burst a few months -afterwards, was already brewing. The Methodist students, both at -Cambridge and Oxford, were in trouble; and Whitefield did his best -to comfort and encourage them. Hence the following extracts from his -letters, written at this period:―― - - “London, October 23, 1767. By your brother’s letter, it appears - the hour of expulsion is not yet come. Surely they will not be - so imprudent, or act so contrary to the laws of English liberty. - I long to know what statutes they say you have broken, and what - concessions have been made. Your diocesan will make a strict - enquiry. I wish you could recollect all circumstances; the - rise and progress of the present contest; with all the various - pleadings, threats, conferences, _pro_ and _con_. If confined - to college, this will be a good exercise for you. You may lodge - it in court, as a proof whether you understand to write plain - English, or sound, practical, experimental divinity. This can - do you no harm; it may do good. Do, therefore, set about it. Who - knows? Sauls may yet become Pauls.” - - “London, October 24, 1767. Supposing you made this addition to - the motto of your coat of arms,――‘_Nemo me impune lacessit_?’ He - who toucheth God’s people, toucheth the apple of His eye. That - is a very tender part. I am glad your diocesan is expected soon. - I have no expectation of his beating a retreat. ‘To arms! to - arms!’ must be the watchword now. The company of the Son of Man - is never so sweet as when He walks with us in the fiery furnace. - Nothing can stand before an honest, truly Israelitish heart. - Those who endeavour to entangle Christ’s followers in their talk, - will, in the end, be entangled themselves.” - - “London, November 14, 1767. All know my mind. Go forward, I - think, is the royal word of command. We may then indeed have a - Red Sea to pass through; but the threatening waves shall become - a wall on the right hand and on the left. I am ashamed to find - so many silenced by mere _bruta fulmina_.” - - “London, December 1, 1767. You meet like apostles now; but, when - they met between the time of our Lord’s death and resurrection, - what trouble did they endure, for fear of the Jews? But be - not discouraged. Continue instant in prayer. A risen, an - ascended Jesus, will yet appear in the midst of you, renew your - commission, and endue you with power from on high. O think of - this, ye little college of cast-outs! Do not deny Him in any - wise.” - -On the day the last extract was written, the Earl of Buchan died at -Bath. For some time, his lordship had been in declining health. In Bath, -as long as his health permitted, he was a most regular attendant at the -chapel of the Countess of Huntingdon, and was in the constant habit of -hearing Whitefield, Wesley, Romaine, Shirley, Venn, Townsend, Fletcher, -and other Methodist clergymen, who supplied the pulpit there. His death -was most triumphant. A few days before its occurrence, Lady Huntingdon -went to see him, at his particular request. As soon as he could speak, -he said: “I have no foundation of hope whatever, but in the sacrifice -of the Son of God. I have nowhere else to look,――nothing else to depend -upon for eternal life; but my confidence in Him is as firm as a rock.” -Among his last sayings, were the words, “Happy! happy! happy!” Thus,―― - - ――“on his dying lips, - The sound of glory quiver’d.” - -“His lordship’s departure,” wrote Lady Huntingdon, “was not only happy, -but triumphant and glorious.” - -The event, to these grand old Methodists, was too important to pass -unimproved. Whitefield was summoned from London; and, for five days, -in the chapel of the Countess of Huntingdon, a series of services were -held, which, probably, have no parallel. “The corpse of the late Earl -of Buchan,” says _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, of December 16, “lay in state, -at the Countess of Huntingdon’s chapel, from Sunday to Thursday night. -Two sermons on the occasion were preached each day by the Rev. Mr. -Whitefield and others.” - -The story, however, will be best told in the words of Whitefield -himself. To the Reverend Walter Shirley, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “Bath, Tuesday, December 8, 1767. The Earl of Buchan sweetly - slept in Jesus last week. His corpse lies deposited in the - chapel of good Lady Huntingdon, and is not to be removed - till next Friday morning. There have been public prayers and - preaching twice every day. The noble relatives constantly attend, - and all is more than solemn. Great numbers, of all ranks, crowd - to see and hear. The Earl died like the patriarch Jacob; he - laid his hands on, and blessed his children; assured them of his - personal interest in Jesus; called most gloriously on the Holy - Ghost; cried, ‘Happy! happy!’ as long as he could speak; and - then――you know what followed.” - -In another letter, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “Bath, Wednesday, December 9, 1767. All has been awful, and more - than awful. Last Saturday evening, before the corpse was taken - from Buchan House, a word of exhortation was given, and a hymn - sung, in the room where the corpse lay. The young Earl stood - with his hands on the head of the coffin; the Countess Dowager - on his right hand; Lady Ann and Lady Isabella on his left; - and their brother Thomas[594] next to their mother, with Miss - Orton, Miss Wheeler, and Miss Goddle on one side. All the - domestics, with a few friends, were on the other. The word of - exhortation[595] was received with great solemnity, and most - wept under the parting prayer. At ten, the corpse was removed - to good Lady Huntingdon’s chapel, where it was deposited (within - a place railed in for that purpose), covered with black baize and - the usual funeral concomitants, except escutcheons. - - “On Sunday morning all attended, in mourning, at early sacrament. - They were seated by themselves, at the feet of the corpse; - and, with their head servants, received first, and a particular - address was made to them. Immediately after receiving, these - verses were sung for them:―― - - ‘Our lives, our blood, we here present, - If for Thy truths they may be spent; - Fulfil Thy sovereign counsel, Lord,―― - Thy will be done, Thy name ador’d! - - Give them Thy strength, O God of pow’r! - Then let men rave or devils roar, - Thy faithful witnesses they’ll be; - ’Tis fixed――they can do all through Thee.’ - - Then they received this blessing: ‘The Lord bless you and keep - you! The Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you! The - Lord cause His face to shine upon you, and give you peace!’ and - so returned to their places. Sacrament being ended, the noble - mourners returned to good Lady Huntingdon’s house, which was - lent them for the day. - - “At eleven, public service began. The bereaved relations sat in - order within, and the domestics around the outside of the rail. - The chapel was more than crowded. Near three hundred tickets, - signed by the present Earl, were given out to the nobility and - gentry, to be admitted. All was hushed and solemn. Proper hymns - were sung, and I preached on these words, ‘I heard a voice from - heaven, saying unto me, Write, blessed are the dead that die - in the Lord.’ Attention sat on every face, and deep and almost - universal impressions were made. - - “The like scene, and if possible more solemn, was exhibited in - the evening; and I was enabled to preach a second time. A like - power attended the word, as in the morning. - - “Ever since, there has been public service and preaching twice a - day. This is to be continued till Friday morning. Then all is to - be removed to Bristol, in order to be shipped for Scotland. The - inscription on the coffin runs thus:―― - - “His life was honourable, - His death blessed; - He sought earnestly peace with God;―― - He found it, - With unspeakable joy, - Alone in the merits of Christ Jesus, - Witnessed by the Holy Spirit to his soul. - He yet speaketh: - ‘Go thou, and do likewise.’” - -These were strange scenes, but who can find fault with them? And who -can estimate their permanent influence upon the eleventh Earl of Buchan, -and upon his illustrious brother, then only seventeen years of age, but -afterwards Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain? - -Whitefield continued preaching at Bath, Bristol, and Kingswood, till -December 21, when he set out for London. Meanwhile, the young Earl of -Buchan had also come to town, from his father’s funeral in Scotland, -and, at once, associated himself with Lord and Lady Dartmouth, Mrs. -Carteret, Mrs. Cavendish, and a numerous circle of distinguished -persons, the friends of Whitefield and the Methodists. Whitefield -refers to this, in the following letter to the Rev. John Gillies:―― - - “London, December 28, 1767. The present noble Earl of Buchan, - I believe, has got the blessing. He seems to determine to know - nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. He has behaved - in the most delicate manner to the Countess, and other noble - survivors. He stands here in town against all opposition, like - an impregnable rock; and I humbly hope will prove the Daniel - of the age. He has already been thrown into a den of lions; - but he has One with him, who stops the lions’ mouths. You will - encourage all God’s people to pray for him. What if you wrote - him a line? I am sure it will be taken kindly; for I know he - honours and loves you much. - - “I am now fifty-three years old. Did you ever hear of such a - fifty-three years’ old barren fig-tree? So much digging, so - much dunging; and yet so little fruit. God be merciful to me a - sinner! A sinner! A sinner! A sinner! He is merciful! His mercy - endureth for ever! He yet vouchsafes to bless my feeble labours.” - -The young Earl of Buchan did not disappoint Whitefield’s hopes -concerning him. Besides maintaining the dignity of the Scottish -peerage, and becoming an ardent lover and promoter of literature and -the fine arts, he made a public avowal of his religious principles; -and, though this drew down upon him the laugh and lash of wits and -witlings, he defied their sneers, and dared “to be singularly good;” -and, acting under the advice of the Countess of Huntingdon, appointed -Venn, Fletcher, and Berridge to be his chaplains.[596] - -Benjamin Franklin, the poor printer, was now a man of great distinction. -He had visited Holland, Germany, and France; and, for the last two -years, had been in England. The degree of LL.D. had been conferred upon -him by the three Universities of St. Andrew’s, Edinburgh, and Oxford. -In France Louis XV. had shown him marked attention. But, in the midst -of all his honours, he still respected his old friend Whitefield. The -following letter, which the great preacher addressed to Franklin, is -highly characteristic of the writer:―― - - “TOTTENHAM COURT, _January 21, 1768_. - - “MY DEAR DOCTOR,――When will it suit you to have another - interview? The” (Bethesda) “College affair is dormant. For above - a week, I have been dethroned, by a violent cold and hoarseness. - Who but would work and speak for God while it is day! ‘The night - cometh when no man can work.’ Through rich grace, I can sing, ‘O - death, where is thy sting?’ but only through Jesus of Nazareth. - Your daughter, I find, is beginning the world. I wish you joy - from the bottom of my heart. You and I shall soon go out of - it. Ere long we shall see it burst. Angels shall summon us to - attend on the funeral of time; and we shall see eternity rising - out of its ashes. That you and I may be in the happy number of - those who, in the midst of the tremendous blaze, shall cry Amen! - Hallelujah! is the hearty prayer of, my dear Doctor, - - “Yours, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[597] - -Not long after this, Franklin wrote to Whitefield respecting the -disturbances at Boston, which resulted in the American rebellion. -Though his affection for Whitefield was undoubtedly sincere, he found -it difficult to conceal his scepticism even when writing to his friend. -The following is an extract from his letter:―― - - “I am under continued apprehensions that we may have bad news - from America. The sending soldiers to Boston always appeared to - me a dangerous step; they could do no good, they might occasion - mischief. When I consider the warm resentment of a people who - think themselves injured and oppressed, and the common insolence - of the soldiery who are taught to consider that people as in - rebellion, I cannot but fear the consequences of bringing them - together. It seems like setting up a smith’s forge in a magazine - of gunpowder. I _see_ with you that our affairs are not well - managed by our rulers here below; I wish I could _believe_ with - you, that they are well attended to by those above; I rather - suspect, from certain circumstances, that though the general - government of the universe is well administered, our particular - little affairs are perhaps below notice, and left to take the - chance of human prudence or imprudence, as either may happen to - be uppermost. It is, however, an uncomfortable thought, and I - leave it.” - -No wonder that Whitefield endorsed his friend’s letter with the words, -“_Uncomfortable_ indeed! and, blessed be God, _unscriptural_; for we -are fully assured that ‘the Lord reigneth,’ and are directed to cast -_all_ our care on Him, because He careth for us.”[598] - -Lady Huntingdon was multiplying her chapels; but none of them were -episcopally consecrated. Whitefield, the Wesleys, Romaine, Madan, -Fletcher, and other Methodist clergymen preached in them as far as they -had opportunity; but, it was evident, that, without lay evangelists, -the work would be impeded. Captain Scott, Captain Joss, Thomas Adams, -and others rendered efficient help to Whitefield in his London chapels; -but they were not sufficient to meet the growing wants of himself and -the Countess. Hence, her ladyship began to make preparation for the -training of converted and zealous men to supply the existing pulpits, -and to extend the work. At Trevecca, not far from the residence of -Howell Harris, stood an ancient structure, part of an old castle, -erected in the reign of Henry II. The date over the entrance is 1176. -This venerable ruin belonged to Harris, who rented it to the Countess, -for the purpose of its being turned into a sort of ministerial college. -The repairs were now in hand, and Harris acted as supervisor. In a -letter addressed to him, she wrote:―― - - “London, February 22, 1768. I think the work cannot be finished, - for the furniture, before June; and, therefore, conclude the - opening of the school must be delayed until the end of August. - I shall be glad to have an exact account of the expenses as they - go on. - - “What must I say of this poor city? Religion is _fashion_, not - faith. Disputing and church party is the subject of all I see. - Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitefield hold up their heads above it. - Sandeman principles make some noise. May my soul and spirit, - life, mind, and talents, be ever devoted to Christ alone!”[599] - -The proposal of her ladyship was to admit none into her school -except such as were truly converted to God, and resolved to dedicate -themselves to His service. They were to be at liberty to stay three -years, during which time they were to have their education gratis, with -every necessary of life, and a suit of clothes once a year. Afterwards, -those who desired it might enter into the ministry, either in the -Established Church, or among Protestants of any other denomination. -The plan for the examination of candidates was drawn up, and approved -of by Romaine, Venn, Wesley, and others; and Fletcher was fixed upon to -be the president.[600] - -Little did the Countess think that the time was near when such a -provision would become more important than either she or any of her -advisers had imagined. A storm had long been gathering, in both the -Oxford and Cambridge Universities; and now it burst. A correspondent -of _Lloyd’s Evening Post_[601] wrote as follows:―― - - “St. Edmund’s Hall is the place where a lady sends all those - who have a mind to creep into Orders. The other day, several of - the undergraduates of that Hall disobliged their tutor; and this - one spark set their whole Methodistical foundation on fire. The - tutor went immediately to their visitor, and laid open all their - proceedings, upon which he appointed a meeting of the heads of - houses, where seven of them, one of whom is a gentleman commoner, - were accused of their several offences. One, I think, was for - procuring a false testimonium;[602] another for preaching in - the fields before he was in orders; a letter was read publicly, - which the tutor had received from a gentleman, testifying that - this man had made him a very good periwig only two years before; - two or three for frequenting illicit conventicles; but another - was accused only of ignorance, impudence, and disobedience, - and is acquitted. All the others were expelled, not only for - the offences I have mentioned, but, likewise, for preaching - doctrines contrary to the Church of England.” - -The “lady” referred to in this letter was the Countess of Huntingdon; -but there is not the slightest proof of the accusation brought against -her.[603] It might contain a modicum of truth; but the base part of the -allegation was false and slanderous. The names of the undergraduates -were Benjamin Kay, James Matthews, Thomas Jones, Thomas Grove, Erasmus -Middleton, and Joseph Shipman. This is not the place to relate the -history of the six expelled students; but, it may be added, that, Mr. -Kay was of respectable family, and an excellent scholar. Mr. Matthews, -who was charged with having been instructed by Fletcher, of Madeley, -with being the associate of known Methodists, and with attending -illicit conventicles, was afterwards received into Lady Huntingdon’s -Academy at Trevecca. Thomas Jones was the periwig-maker, but, for -some time, had resided with John Newton, curate of Olney, under -whose instruction he had acquired a knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew -Scriptures. Besides the crime of being brought up to the trade of a -hair-dresser, he was accused of praying, singing hymns, and expounding -the Scriptures in private houses. After his expulsion, he was ordained, -became curate of Clifton, near Birmingham, and married the sister of -the poet Cowper’s friend, the Lady Austin. Mr. Grove confessed to the -Archbishop of Canterbury that he had been led into irregularities; -the Chancellor consented to his re-admission; but the Vice-Chancellor -refused; and the future history of the submissive undergraduate is -unknown. Mr. Middleton was ordained in Ireland by the Bishop of Down; -became curate of Romaine and Cadogan; wrote his _Biographia Evangelica_; -and finally was presented to the rectory of Turvey, in the county of -Bedford. Mr. Shipman, after his expulsion, was admitted to the Academy -of the Countess of Huntingdon at Trevecca. His ministry was soon ended; -but, at Plymouth, Bristol, Rodborough, and Haverfordwest, his preaching -was singularly useful. He died October 31, 1771. - -The tutor, who preferred the charges against the Methodist students, -was Mr. Higson, who was not always _compos mentis_, and had been -treated as insane. The Vice-Chancellor was the Rev. Dr. Durell, who -was the determined enemy of the accused. Their friend, the Rev. Dr. -Dixon, was the principal of their college. Their judges were Drs. -Durell, Randolph, Fothergill, Nowell, and Atterbury. The expulsion took -place on March 11, 1768.[604] - -The event, as might be expected, created a national sensation. A large -number of persons warmly approved of the sentence of the judicial junta; -among whom was the famous Dr. Johnson. “Sir,” said Johnson to his -friend Boswell, “the expulsion was extremely just and proper. What have -they to do at a University, who are not willing to be taught, but will -presume to teach? Where is religion to be learnt but at a University? -Sir, they were examined, and found to be mighty ignorant fellows.” -Boswell: “But was it not hard, sir, to expel them, for I am told they -were good beings?” Johnson: “I believe they might be good beings, -but they were not fit to be in the University of Oxford. A cow is a -very good animal in the field, but we turn her out of a garden.”[605] -Johnson’s similitude was more forcible than appropriate; but, even -admitting that, in a literary point of view, the expelled were not -fit for the University, it may be asked, who were responsible for -their admission? Really, their only crimes were, that some of them had -been ignobly bred, and all of them had sung, and prayed, and read the -Scriptures in private houses. In this respect, they were not alone. -Dr. Stillingfleet, Fellow of Merton College, and afterwards Prebendary -of Worcester; Mr. Foster, of Queen’s College; Mr. Pugh, of Hertford -College; Mr. Gordon, of Magdalen; Mr. Clark, of St. John’s; and -Mr. Halward, of Worcester College, had done just the same; but these -were gentlemen whom it would have been somewhat perilous to treat -with the same collegiate tyranny that was exercised towards the humble -undergraduates who were ignominiously expelled. - -The latter, however, were not without friends. Rowland Hill and his -Methodist associates, Pentycross, Simpson, Robinson, and others, at -Cambridge, were in intimate communion with them; and Rowland Hill’s -brother, afterwards Sir Richard Hill, became their principal defender. -He published his “Pietas Oxoniensis.” (8vo. 85 pp.); which was answered -by Dr. Nowell, principal of St. Mary’s Hall. Other pamphlets, _pro et -con_, were issued, too numerous to be mentioned here; but Whitefield’s -must have attention. It was the last he published, and was entitled, -“A Letter to the Reverend Dr. Durell, Vice-Chancellor of the University -of Oxford; occasioned by a late Expulsion of Six Students from Edmund -Hall. By George Whitefield, M.A., late of Pembroke College, Oxford; and -Chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon.” (8vo., 50 pp.) The “Letter” -was dated, “London, April 12, 1768,” and was one of Whitefield’s most -spirited productions. In reply to “one article of impeachment, namely, -that some of” the six expelled students “were of trades before they -entered the University,” he reminded the Vice-Chancellor that there -was no “evil or crime worthy of expulsion” in this, for “God took -David from the sheep-fold;” “David’s Lord had for his reputed father a -carpenter, and, in all probability, worked at the trade of a carpenter -Himself;” He “chose poor fishermen to be His apostles;” and St. Paul -“laboured with his own hands, and worked at the trade of a tent-maker.” - -In reference to the charge of using extempore prayer, Whitefield -argued, that, though the “English liturgy is one of the most excellent -forms of public prayer in the world,” yet no form “can possibly suit -every particular case.” Besides, said he, “what great sinners must they -have been, who prayed, in an extempore way, before any forms of prayer -existed? The prayers we read of in Scripture,――the prayers which opened -and shut heaven, the effectual, fervent, energetic prayers of those -righteous and holy men of old, which availed so much with God, were -all of an extempore nature. And I am apt to believe, if, not only -our students and ministers, but private Christians, were born from -above, and taught of God, as those wrestlers with God were, they would -want forms of prayer no more than they did.”[606] “The crime of using -extempore prayer is not so much as mentioned in any of our law books; -and, therefore, a crime for which, it is to be hoped, no student will -hereafter be summoned to appear at the bar of any of the reverend -doctors of divinity, or heads of houses in the University of Oxford.” -“It is also to be hoped that as some have been expelled for extempore -praying, we shall hear of some being expelled for extempore swearing.” - -One extract must suffice respecting the charge of “singing hymns”:―― - - “Were the sons of the prophets more frequently to entertain - themselves thus, it would be as suitable to the ministerial - character as tripping up their heels, skipping and dancing at - the music of a ball-room, or playing a first fiddle at a concert. - The voice of spiritual melody would be as much to the honour of - the University as the more frequent noise of box and dice, at - the unlawful games of hazard and back-gammon.” - -On the subject of “giving private exhortations,” Whitefield aptly -observed:―― - - “Our all-wise Master sent His disciples on short excursions, - before He gave them the more extensive commission to go into - all the world; and were our students in general, under proper - limitations, to be thus exercised, they would not turn out to be - such mere novices, as too many raw creatures do when they make - their first appearance in the pulpit. I remember, above thirty - years ago, some young students had been visiting the sick and - imprisoned, and had been giving a word of exhortation in a - private house; and, upon meeting the minister of the parish on - their return to college, they frankly told him what they had - been doing; when he turned to them, and said, ‘God bless you! I - wish we had more such young curates;’――a more Christian sentence - this, than that of a late expulsion for the very same supposed - crimes and misdemeanours.” - -Whitefield proceeded to remind Dr. Durell of the effort which was being -made to establish the episcopacy in the American colonies, and of the -opposition of the colonists to the scheme, and then added:―― - - “That persons of all ranks, from Quebec down to the two Floridas, - are at this time more than prejudiced against it, is notorious; - but how will the thought of the introduction of lord bishops - make them shudder, if their lordships should think proper to - countenance the expulsion of religious students, whilst those - who have no religion at all meet with approbation and applause.” - -Turning to the general subject of Methodism, Whitefield continued:―― - - “It is notorious that the grand cause of these young men’s - expulsion was, that they were either real or reputed Methodists. - Scarce any now-a-days can pray extempore, sing hymns, go to - church or meeting, and abound in other acts of devotion, but - they must be immediately dubbed Methodists.” - -And then, in reference to the first Oxford Methodists, he added:―― - - “If worldly church preferments had been their aim, some of - them, at least, might have had ladders enough to climb up by; - but having received a kind of apostolical commission at their - ordination, they would fain keep up the dignity of an apostolic - character; and, therefore, without ever so much as designing - to enter into any political cabals, or civil or church factions, - without turning to the right hand or the left, or troubling the - world with a single sermon or pamphlet on the bare externals of - religion, they have endeavoured to have but one thing in view, - namely, to think of nothing, to know nothing, and to preach of - nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified; to spend and be - spent for the good of souls, and to glory in nothing saving in - the cross of Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto them - and they unto the world.” - -Such was Whitefield’s last description of the first Methodist preachers. -May this be the character of all their successors to the end of time! - -Of course, Whitefield’s “Letter” to Dr. Durell evoked replies; but only -one of these can be noticed here. It was entitled, “Remarks upon the -Rev. Mr. Whitefield’s Letter to the Vice-Chancellor of the University -of Oxford; in a Letter to the Rev. Mr. Whitefield. By a late Member of -the University of Oxford. Oxford, 1768.” (8vo., 62 pp.) Two or three -extracts from this angry and abusive production must be given. In -reference to Whitefield himself, the author says:―― - - “I address you without any hope of reforming you, for, it would - be absurd in me to prove a person insane, and, at the same - time, attempt to convince him of that insanity. That would be - supposing him in his senses in order to satisfy him that he is - out of them. My design is to deal with you as magistrates do - with an offender, whom they despair of bringing to any good. - They animadvert upon him for the good of others, and, by open - punishment, aim at suppressing the influence which his advice - or example may have had upon his acquaintance. - - “Your sermons are off-hand harangues,――mere enthusiastic - rant,――a wild rhapsody of nonsense,――the foam of an over-heated - imagination,――like old wives’ fables, or profane and - vain babblings,――proceeding from a spirit of pride and - ignorance. Such teachers as yourself, are blind leaders of the - blind,――jack-o’-lanthorn meteors, or _ignes fatui_, drawing - the mazed follower through briars and bogs, till he is plunged - into inextricable ruin. But, however absurd and ridiculous - your sermons――the _spuings_ of the heart upon the people, in - unconcocted sentences――they are tolerable in comparison of your - extempore prayers to the Deity.” - -This was hardly polite to come from “a late member of the University -of Oxford;” but let it pass, and listen to what the accomplished author -says of the six expelled students:―― - - “These low mechanics were moved with the spirit of pride and - ignorance, and had no other calls but of vanity, idleness, and - hunger; and, I make no doubt, had their attempt to creep through - some privy holes, or to climb over the fences into the ministry - been crowned with success, they would have scorned the dust from - whence they sprung, and, spurred on with the turbulent spirit - of ambition, would never have ceased clambering after the higher - places, and would even have been dissatisfied, though they - reached the highest round of the ecclesiastical ladder.” - -One sentence more from this elegant publication:―― - - “If a large stock of pride, with the profoundest ignorance, - and a brow harder than adamant, be sufficient to set up a - Methodistical spouter, what occasion is there to send him to - the University?” - -In order to get rid of a subject so unpleasant, it may be added -here, that, besides this, there were several other pamphlets published -against Whitefield and the Methodists during the year 1768. For -instance, there was “The Troublers of Israel, in which the Principles -of those who turn the World upside down are displayed. With a Preface -to the Rev. Dr. ――――. To which is prefixed a short introductory -Description of Modern Enthusiasts.” (4to.) A kind of opera, exceedingly -incoherent, and profanely foolish. 2. “Sermons to Asses” (12mo., 212 -pp.), dedicated to Whitefield, Wesley, Romaine, and Madan,――chiefly a -political publication, with a fling at the Methodists. 3. “Enthusiasm -Detected and Defeated. By Samuel Roe, A.M., Vicar of Stotfold, in -Bedfordshire.” (8vo., 319 pp.) Principally an attack on Wesley, but not -altogether exempting Whitefield. “I humbly propose to the legislative -powers,” said the Rev. Samuel Roe, “to make an example of Tabernacle -preachers, by enacting a law to _cut out their tongues_, who have -been the incorrigible authors of so many mischiefs and distractions -throughout the English dominions. And, by the said authority, to _cut -out the tongues_ of all field-teachers, and preachers in houses, barns, -or elsewhere, without apostolical ordination and legal authority, being -approved and licensed to enter upon that most sacred trust.” 4. “The -Hypocrite: a Comedy. As it is performed at the Theatre Royal in Drury -Lane” (8vo.),――in which a Tabernacle enthusiast occupied a prominent -position. - -Then, in 1769, before Whitefield sailed for America, there were -published: 1. “Methodism, a Popish Idol; or the Danger and Harmony -of Enthusiasm and Separation. By Booth Braithwaite.” (8vo.) “A raving -pamphlet,” said the _Monthly Review_, “against sectaries, with abundant -zeal, little knowledge, and less charity.” 2. “A Letter to a Young -Gentleman at Oxford, intended for Holy Orders” (8vo.),――in ardent -language warning the “young gentleman” against Confessionalists, -Monthly Reviewers, Blasphemers, Reprobates, and Methodists. 3. “The -Pretences of Enthusiasts Considered and Confuted; a Sermon preached -before the University of Oxford, at St. Mary’s, June 26, 1768. By -William Hawkins, M.A., Prebendary of Wells. Published by desire.” -(8vo., 27 pp.) Mr. Hawkins confesses that he has “little hope of -converting spiritual dishonesty, or convincing religious infatuation;” -but he insists that “all pretences of illiterate laymen, and ignorant -mechanics, _to expound the way of God more perfectly_, in consequence -of supernatural inspiration and spiritual illumination, are plainly -to be resolved into the artifice of imposture, or the insanity of -enthusiasm.” - -On the other hand, there was published a curious and well-executed -engraving, of folio size, entitled, “The Tree of Life: likewise a View -of the New Jerusalem, and this present Evil World; with the Industry -of Gospel Ministers in endeavouring to pluck sinners from the wrath -to come.” The copy before me is the only one I have ever seen, or -heard of; and, therefore, a brief description of it may be welcome. -The “Tree of Life” is large and fantastic. Its roots are entitled, -“Glorious,” “Gracious,” “Holy,” “Just,” “Wise,” “Almighty,” and -“Omnipresent.” On its stem and two lowest branches is a representation -of the crucified Saviour. Its twelve fruits are “Everlasting Love,” -“Election,” “Pardon,” “Righteousness,” “Refuge,” “Security,” “Peace,” -“Sanctification,” “Promises,” “Good-will,” “Perseverance,” and “Eternal -Redemption.” Its foliage is inscribed with the words, “Circumcision,” -“Baptism,” “Fasting,” “Temptation,” “Victory,” “Poverty,” “Obedience,” -“Shame,” “Reproach,” “Imprisonment,” “Stripes,” “Buffeting,” “Death,” -and “Resurrection.” “The New Jerusalem” is resplendent with the divine -glory, and is surrounded with lovely scenery. “The present Evil World,” -at the bottom of the picture, contains a large number of male and -female figures, some of them in “the Broad Way,” others indulging in -“the Pride of Life,” and others in “Chambering and Wantonness.” In -the right hand corner is the “Bottomless Pit,” with sundry demons, -and ablaze with fire; while, at its mouth, sits “Babylon, Mother -of Harlots,” with a large goblet in her hand; and out of the pit an -avaricious-looking wretch is endeavouring to escape, for the purpose -of clutching his money bags, which are inscribed with the word -“Extortion,” but a grinning fiend has seized him by the long flowing -hair of his head, and prevents him going farther. In the midst of one -crowd, Wesley is preaching, and represented as crying, “Believe on -the Lord Jesus Christ.” In another crowd, _close_ to the “Bottomless -Pit,” stands Whitefield, the likeness excellent, and bearing a strong -resemblance to the portrait in the present volume. The multitude -around him evince great excitement. One man, on his right hand, cries, -“What shall I do to be saved?” Another, on his left, whose coat-tail -a demon grasps, exclaims, “Save, Lord, or I perish.” And Whitefield, -in the midst, dressed in full canonicals, and with hands uplifted, -shouts, “Behold the Lamb.” The whole thing is ludicrous; but it was -friendly, and, no doubt, was published in favour of Whitefield and -his fellow-labourer. Whether it was calculated to answer the artist’s -purpose is another question. Sometimes man has need to pray, “Save me -from my friends!” - -To return to Whitefield’s history. Little is known of his proceedings -during the first four months of 1768. The interval seems to have been -spent in London, and, doubtless, was well employed in preaching and -other religious duties. On Wednesday, March 23, he had to perform -a painful duty, to which he had been long accustomed. James Gibson, -attorney-at-law, had been found guilty of the crime of forgery, and -had been sentenced to suffer death. On the morning of the culprit’s -execution, Whitefield attended him in Newgate prison, prayed with him, -and administered to him the holy sacrament. Gibson, a good-looking man -of about forty-five years of age, professed to rely on the merits of -his Saviour; and, in a mourning coach, dressed in black, and wearing a -ruffled shirt, was driven to Tyburn, where his behaviour was devout and -manly, and his sentence was executed.[607] - -At Whitsuntide, Whitefield visited Tunbridge Wells, Lewes, and Brighton. -At the first of these places, Lady Huntingdon had procured a permanent -residence, on Mount Ephraim; and Whitefield preached twice in the open -air. “Very many,” says her ladyship, “were cut to the heart. Sinners -trembled exceedingly before the Lord, and a universal impression seemed -to abide upon the multitude. Truly God was in the midst of us to wound -and to heal.”[608] - -The following letter, addressed to Whitefield by Rowland Hill, refers -to this visit to Tunbridge Wells, but is chiefly valuable as containing -a sketch of the proceedings of the Methodist students at Cambridge, and -as exhibiting some of the peculiarities of young Rowland’s character:―― - - “CAMBRIDGE, _May 12, 1768_. - - “REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR,――I am glad to hear we are to expect a - smaller edition of your valuable ‘Letter.’[609] I doubt not but - it will be of further utility. It has been read much in this - place. That and the _Shaver_[610] have been sent for to all the - coffee-houses in this University; so that, no doubt, all our - heads have seen all that has been written. But if you think it - any advantage to send each of our heads a separate copy, I will - contrive my best to get it done. - - “God be praised for what is doing by the endeavours of dear Lady - Huntingdon at Tunbridge Wells! How wonderfully is she carried - from one place of dissipation to another! How glorious is her - continued progress! - - “Blessed be God! we are not without being steeped more than ever - in shame in this place; or, as the old proverb goes, we have - eaten shame and drank after it, and I trust it digests well. - Though we always endeavour to keep clear of a mob, in letting - no more know than our different houses will hold, yet, in spite - of all that can be done, more or less of the gown constantly - attend. The Lord, through much grace, generally keeping me clear - of the fear of man, gives me some little strength to tell you all - about it; and, as I find burs generally stick faster to people’s - clothes than roses, I am sometimes apt to deal in that rough - ware. They have hitherto always stood, like poor brow-beaten - things, with much attention till we have done, when they - generally get together to compare notes, which they afterwards - retail among others of the University, drest up in a droll - fashion, well embellished, with the addition of many ludicrous - lies. - - “This makes all, as I pass the streets, stop to wonder at me, - as a strange oddity; but, as I am more than ever convinced - that the only way God ever will carry on His work, is by the - manifestation of His own almighty power, without any of our - assisting influence or trimming, I find the only way to meet - with a blessing is to be honest and open in telling them the - simple truth, and leaving God to bless it. This, I trust, has, - in some measure, been the case at Cambridge. Four of the many - gownsmen, that have been at times my hearers of late, have never - missed an opportunity of attending, and have been at much pains - to enquire the time and place of our meeting. After hearing, - they wish me a good eve; and, when absent, speak respectfully - of the word. Many others, too, having been convinced in their - judgments, approve of its being right; while others, filled with - the hottest madness, dress me up as a fool, and cudgel me as a - knave. - - “The other night, the mob of the gown, which raised a second - of the town, ran so high at the house where we had a meeting, - that the constable, who is a friend, was forced to attend, - that no riot might ensue; but, as I thought to be attended with - constables was yet too high an honour for such a poor beginner, - I hope it was nothing more than what Christian prudence would - advise, to be more private the next time, and be contented - with a house full, attended only with a few gownsmen by way - of bringing up the rear. - - “As for our Doctors, ’tis remarkable how very patiently they - bear with my conduct, as they now know that as I have but - a little while to stay, an expulsion from Cambridge would - hardly answer. They seem now to have come to the following - compromise――that I am to continue to be possessor of my - _professorship_, and to be still bishop over all their parishes, - provided I will be contented with houses or barns, and leave - them alone with quiet possession of their streets, fields, - and churches, and, by and by, they will be glad to sign my - _testimonium_, in order to get rid of me. Thus, in the end, - I hope, through grace, I shall be enabled to make good what - I promised to one, who asked me, when we enthusiasts intended - to stop. My answer was, ‘Not at all, till such time as we have - carried all before us.’ - - “I am in the greatest hope that the Lord will soon give dear - ―――― a heart to help me. He is a steady, warm, lively Christian, - and grows prodigiously, and bids by far the fairest for the - predicted phœnix of any that are in this place. - - “Do continue to be earnest in prayer to God for us. I want much - humbling. Spiritual pride, at present, is my grand temptation. - - “Having not any spare time, I am forced to write thus in haste, - and conclude with subscribing myself your poorest son and - servant for Christ’s sake, - - “ROWLAND HILL.”[611] - -The foregoing letter is valuable for its facts, if for nothing else. -Rowland Hill was evincing courage hardly inferior to that of the first -Oxford Methodists. Without courting persecution, he was not afraid of -it. To be laughed at was not pleasant, but it was not heeded. Rowland -was no longer threatened with expulsion; but he was made the object of -collegiate ridicule. Eight months after this, he proceeded to his B.A. -degree, and his name appeared in the list of honours. - -There can be no doubt that one of the best ways to propagate any -new creed or system is to implant it in the national Universities. -Whether designedly or otherwise, Methodism had thus been rooted at -both Oxford and Cambridge. The Heads of Houses at Oxford did their -utmost to destroy it. Those at Cambridge were not so ruthless. Why? -Was it because the expelled at Oxford were of low degree? and because -the Cambridge leader, Rowland Hill, was the son of an English baronet? -Perhaps it was. - -Whitefield was generally jubilant. His path was often rough and -difficult, but he pursued it singing. The following was addressed to -Captain Joss:―― - - “LONDON, _May 17, 1768_. - - “MY DEAR MAN,――Go forward! go forward! is the watchword of - the present day. Never mind the envious cry of elder brethren. - Had they been hearkened to, the Prodigal must never have come - home, nor Goliath’s head have been cut off. All temple-builders, - especially when called to work in the field, must endure, not - only the contradiction of sinners, but, the contradiction of - saints. Happy are they who are so deeply engaged in building as - not to have time to hearken to either. I long to come and lend - a helping, though feeble hand. But Welsh horses move slowly. If - the Welsh apostle comes, I purpose, in the Whitsun week, to make - a short excursion into Sussex and Kent, and then for Bristol. - - “Blessed be God! the shout of a King is heard in our camps. Let - us march forward, with palms of victory in our hands, crying, - ‘Hallelujah! The Lord God omnipotent reigneth!’” - -A month after the date of this letter Whitefield was in Edinburgh; but -how he went, and why he went, no one seems to know. His popularity, -however, in the northern metropolis, was as great as ever. Hence he -writes:―― - - “EDINBURGH, _June 15, 1768_. - - (TO MR. KEEN) “You would be delighted to see our Orphan - House Park assemblies; as large and attentive as ever. - Twenty-seven-year-old friends and spiritual children remember - the days of old. They are seeking after their first love, and - there seems to be a stirring among the dry bones. I cannot tell - you when I shall move. Probably within a fortnight.” - - “EDINBURGH, _July 2, 1768_. - - (TO MR. ANDREW KINSMAN) “My dear Timothy, I am much obliged to - you for your staying in London, till I return from Scotland. My - journey hither was certainly of God. Could I preach ten times a - day, thousands and thousands would attend. I have been confined - for a few days, but, on Monday or Tuesday next, hope to mount my - throne again. O to die there! Too great, too great an honour to - be expected! I thank my wife for her kind letter just received. - I am here only in danger of being hugged to death. Friends of - all ranks seem heartier and more friendly than ever. All is - of Grace! Grace! I go on in my old way, without turning to the - right hand or to the left. Providence says every day, ‘This is - the way; walk in it.’ Tender love to all, particularly to my - dear wife. Next post she may expect to hear from me.” - - “EDINBURGH, _July 9, 1768_. - - (TO MR. KEEN) “God be praised that all is so well in London. - Everything goes on better and better here; but I am so worn down - by preaching abroad, and by talking at home almost all the day - long, that I have determined to set off for London next Tuesday. - As you do not mention my wife, I suppose she is out of town.” - -Exactly a month after this, Whitefield’s wife was dead. On his return -to London, she was attacked with fever, and died on August 9. Five -days afterwards, he preached her funeral sermon;[612] and, noticing -her fortitude, remarked,――“Do you remember my preaching in those -fields by the old stump of a tree? The multitude was great, and many -were disposed to be riotous. At first, I addressed them firmly; but -when a desperate gang drew near, with the most ferocious and horrid -imprecations and menaces, my courage began to fail. My wife was -then standing behind me, as I stood on the table. I think I hear her -now. She pulled my gown, and, looking up, said, ‘George, play the -man for your God.’ My confidence returned. I spoke to the multitude -with boldness and affection. They became still, and many were -deeply affected.”[613] A monument to the memory of Whitefield’s -wife was put up in Tottenham Court Road chapel, with the following -inscription:[614]―― - - “To the memory of Mrs. Whitefield, who, after thirty years’ - strong and frequent manifestations of her Redeemer’s love, mixed - with strong and frequent strugglings against the buffetings of - Satan, and many sicknesses and indwellings of sin, was joyfully - released, August 9, 1769.”[615] - -Whitefield submitted to his bereavement with Christian resignation. Two -days after he preached his wife’s funeral sermon, he wrote, in a letter -to Captain Joss:――“Let us work whilst it is day. The late unexpected -breach is a fresh proof that the night soon cometh, when no man can -work. Pray, where may I find that grand promise made to Abraham after -Sarah’s death? May it be fulfilled in you, whilst your Sarah is yet -alive! Sweet bereavements, when God Himself fills up the chasm! Through -mercy I find it so. Adieu.” - -On Wednesday, August 24, Whitefield opened the College of the Countess -of Huntingdon at Trevecca, by preaching from the words: “In all places -where I record My name, I will come unto thee, and bless thee.” The -next day, he gave an exhortation to the students, from: “He shall be -great in the sight of the Lord.” And, on Sunday, August 28, preached -in the court before the College, to a congregation of thousands, from: -“Other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid, which is -Jesus Christ.”[616] - -He then hurried back to London, where he arrived on September 1. His -health was broken, and he was again an invalid. In a letter, dated -September 6, he wrote to a sick and suffering friend:―― - - “Why should not one invalid write to another? What if we should - meet in our way to heaven unembodied,――freed from everything - that at present weighs down our precious and immortal souls? For - these two days past I have been almost unable to write: to-day, - I am, what they call better.” - -Immediately after this, he ruptured a blood-vessel; and, on -September 12, remarked:―― - - “I have been in hopes of my departure. Through hard riding, - and frequent preaching, I have burst a vein. The flux is, in - a great measure, stopped; but rest and quietness are strictly - enjoined.”[617] - -Rashly enough, Whitefield re-commenced preaching before the month was -ended. One of his friends, Mr. Middleton, died a triumphant death, -and Whitefield must preach a funeral sermon. His text was, “I have -chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” The word “chosen” gave -him an opportunity to dwell upon the doctrine of election. “I know -no other doctrine,” said he, “that can truly humble man; for either -God must choose us, or we must choose God.” As usual, his sermon was -interspersed with anecdotes, one of which may be given here. “A noble -lady,” said Whitefield, “told me herself, that when she was crying on -account of one of her children’s death, her little daughter came to her -and said, ‘Mamma, is God Almighty dead, you cry so?’ The lady replied, -‘No.’ ‘Mamma, will you lend me your glove?’ said the child. The -mother let her take it; and, in due time, asked for it again. ‘Mamma!’ -remarked the child, ‘shall I cry because you have taken back your -glove? And shall you cry because God has taken back my sister?’”[618] -A reference is made to the death and burial of Mr. Middleton in the -following extract from a letter:―― - - “London, September 26, 1768. For some days, the flux of blood - has stopped entirely. Praise the Lord, O my soul! Mr. Middleton - is now made perfectly whole. He was buried from the Tabernacle - last Wednesday evening, and a subscription is opened for his - four orphans.” - -“Where is Mr. Middleton now?” cried Whitefield in the sermon just -mentioned. “Where is my dear fellow-labourer, that honest, that steady -man of God? If in the midst of torture, he could answer his daughter -and say, ‘Heaven upon earth! heaven upon earth!’ surely now that he -sees God, and sees Christ, he must cry, ‘Heaven in heaven!’” - -A few weeks after this, Whitefield set out for Bath and Bristol; and -began to have a longing to go to his orphans at Bethesda. He writes:―― - - “Bristol, November 12, 1768. Bethesda lies upon my heart night - and day. Something must be determined speedily. As, I trust, my - eye is single, God will assuredly direct my goings. Hitherto, He - has helped. He will do so to the end. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” - -By the end of November, he was back to London, and wrote:―― - - “November 30, 1768. Many thought I should not hold out from Bath - to London; but I cannot as yet go to Him whom my soul loveth. - Last Sunday, I creeped up to my gospel-throne; this evening, - the same honour is to be conferred upon me. Mr. Wright is going - with his brothers to Georgia to finish the wings of the intended - College, and repair the present buildings.” - -Whitefield’s weakness continued; but he preached as often as he -was able. “I love the open bracing air;” said he, on December 14; -“preaching within doors, and especially to crowded auditories, is apt -to make us nervous.” - -In another letter, dated “December 15,” he remarked:―― - - “You cannot tell how low my late excursion to Bath and Bristol - brought me. I would leave future events to God, and, like you - merchants, would improve the present _now_. Time is short; - eternity is endless. I have considered the affair of the picture. - What think you? A limner, who lately drew me, and hung the - picture in the Exhibition, asks forty guineas for a copy.[619] I - shall not mind him, but send a bust taken several years ago. It - shall be presented as a token of my hearty, hearty love to the - Orphan House at Edinburgh, and its never-to-be-forgotten friends.” - -The first three months of the year 1769 were spent in London. -Whitefield was extremely feeble. Wesley wrote:―― - - “1769. Monday, January 9. I spent a comfortable and profitable - hour with Mr. Whitefield, in calling to mind the former times, - and the manner wherein God prepared us for a work which it had - not then entered into our hearts to conceive.” - -And again:―― - - “Monday, February 27. I had one more agreeable conversation with - my old friend and fellow-labourer, George Whitefield. His soul - appeared to be vigorous still, but his body was sinking apace; - and, unless God interposes with His mighty hand, he must soon - finish his labours.”[620] - -Comparatively speaking, these three months were a time of inaction; -and yet, to Whitefield and others, they were a time of great enjoyment. -Lady Huntingdon was now in London, and, at her residence in Portland -Row, Cavendish Square, there were delightful re-unions of Methodist -clergymen. Whitefield, the two Wesleys, Romaine, Venn, and others, were -often assembled there, for preaching, sacramental administration, and -Christian fellowship. On the 10th of January, Whitefield administered -the sacrament, and Wesley preached on, “By grace are ye saved, through -faith.” A week afterwards, Romaine administered the Lord’s Supper, -and Whitefield preached. On February 28, Whitefield was present, but -wholly unable to take any active part in the services of the day. The -Rev. Messrs. Green and Elliott administered the sacrament and Romaine -preached. Sometimes Venn administered, and at others preached. When -he was able, Whitefield would preach in her ladyship’s drawing-room -on several days successively. At the last meeting, previous to the -Countess leaving London, Charles Wesley exhorted all present to “stand -fast in one mind and in one judgment;” Romaine administered the Lord’s -Supper; Venn and Whitefield prayed; and all sang the glorious doxology, -“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.”[621] - -By the month of March, Whitefield’s health was considerably improved. -In letters, addressed to his old friend, Thomas Adams, he wrote:―― - - “London, March 11, 1769. My very dear Tommy. Through infinite - mercy, I am enabled to preach thrice a week, besides engaging - in other occasional exercises. The shout of the King of kings - is amongst us. After Easter, I hope to make an elopement to - Gloucestershire, and some western parts. I feel the loss of my - right hand[622] daily; but right hands and right eyes must be - parted with for Him, who ordereth all things well.” - - “London, March 31, 1769. Through infinite mercy, I have been - enabled to preach four days successively. We have been favoured - with a blessed Passover season: all to make us shout louder, - ‘Grace! Grace!’” - -Whitefield still longed to get away to his beloved Bethesda. On -March 17, he wrote to Mr. Dixon, his manager there:――“I am every day, -every hour, almost every moment, thinking of, and preparing for America. -A pilgrim life to me is the sweetest on this side eternity.” No wonder -that Whitefield wished to be at his Orphan House. He had sent workmen -to erect the new buildings already mentioned, and, only eight days -after the date of this letter to Mr. Dixon, the foundation stones -were laid with as much ceremonial pomp as the colony of Georgia could -contribute. Hence the following letter, dated “Savannah, in Georgia, -March 29, 1769,” and published in _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, of June 2:―― - - “The Rev. Mr. George Whitefield having sent over proper workmen - to erect the necessary additional buildings for the intended - Academy at the Orphan House, on Saturday last, being the - anniversary of laying the foundation of that house in the year - 1739, his Excellency, the Governor, attended by most of the - members of the Honourable Council and a great number of other - gentlemen, after the service of church was performed, and - a sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Samuel Frink, Rector of - Christ Church parish, laid the foundation of both the intended - wings; and the whole company, being entertained at dinner in - a plentiful and decent manner, returned to their habitations - seemingly much pleased with the occasion of their meeting, - and their treatment there. From this beginning, we have the - most sanguine hopes, that, in a short time, we shall enjoy the - advantage of educating our youth within ourselves; a benefit we - have, in a great measure, been deprived of, for want of such an - establishment.” - -Early in April, Whitefield set out to Bath, on a visit to the -Countess of Huntingdon. Here and in the neighbourhood, he spent a -month, preaching at a large number of places, to most of which he -was accompanied by her ladyship, and by Lady Anne Erskine.[623] -Bath and Bristol were the chief scenes of action; but he had “a -good field-preaching at Kingswood;” had “a blessed day in Bradford -_church_;” and also another in “the fields at Frome, where thousands -attended.” He had “golden seasons” at Chippenham, Castle-Combe, -Dursley, Rodborough, Painswick, Gloucester, and Cheltenham. On his -way back to London, he wrote, to Captain Joss:―― - - “Rodborough, Thursday, May 11, 1769. Ebenezer! Ebenezer! Blessed - seasons at Chippenham, Castle-Combe, and Dursley, in our way - from Frome. Have been enabled to preach five times this week. - It is good to go into the highways and hedges. Field-preaching, - field-preaching for ever!” - -A week after this, he was in London, and wrote to Thomas Adams, at -Rodborough, in the most jubilant strain:―― - - “London, Thursday, May 18, 1769. My very dear old friend. - On Monday we reached Letchlade, on Tuesday Maidenhead, and - yesterday London. Never was Rodborough so endeared to me, as - at this last visit. Old friends, old gospel wine, and the great - Governor ordering to fill to the brim! - - ‘O to grace what mighty debtors!’ - - “If we should die singing that hymn, what then? Why, then, - welcome, welcome eternity! Christ’s grace will be sufficient for - us. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” - -The next three months were chiefly spent in London. Whitefield -complained of a “hoarseness, gotten in the highways and hedges;” but he -was as full of holy buoyancy as ever. He had now determined to sail for -America, and began to make the necessary preparations for his voyage. -He bought “Osnaburg linen,” for his negroes; he begged maps and books -for his Bethesda Institution; and, in thanking his friend Mr. Keen for -a benefaction to his Orphanage, wrote: “Our Lord will write Himself -your debtor for it. His interest is pretty good――‘a hundredfold.’ A -hundredfold! What can the most avaricious trader desire more?” - -One of his last public services was the opening of the Countess of -Huntingdon’s chapel at Tunbridge Wells. This took place on Sunday, -July 23. The Countess, Lady Anne Erskine, Lady Buchan, and Miss Orton -went with him.[624] Early in the morning, a large number of persons -assembled at the front of Lady Huntingdon’s residence, and, in the -open air, sang hymns and prayed, till the time announced for the -commencement of public service in the chapel. “Never,” said her -ladyship, “can I forget the sensations of pleasure I felt, on being -awoke by the voice of praise and thanksgiving.” The chapel, of course, -was thronged. De Courcy read the prayers of the Established Church; and, -then, a large crowd not being able to get inside the chapel, Whitefield -came out, followed by those who had joined in the reading of the -liturgy, and preached to the assembled thousands, from “How dreadful -is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is -the gate of heaven.”[625] The sermon was said to be “a perfect piece -of oratory.” “Look yonder!” cried the preacher, as he stretched out -his hands “Look yonder! What is that I see? It is my agonizing Lord! -Hark! hark! hark! Do not you hear? O earth, earth, earth, hear the -word of the Lord!” Simple words, but producing effects which cannot -be described. In connection with these and all Whitefield’s utterances, -the reader must bear in mind that Whitefield’s face was language, his -intonation music, and his action passion. Garrick used to say of him, -that, he could make men weep or tremble by his varied pronunciation of -the word “Mesopotamia.” This was an exaggeration; but it expressed the -opinion of the greatest of theatrical orators concerning the power of -Whitefield’s eloquence. - -The day at Tunbridge Wells, a hundred and seven years ago, was probably -one of the most remarkable in the history of that resort of fashionable -gaiety. After Whitefield’s sermon, the sacrament of the Lord’s supper -was administered, at which four clergymen attended, besides Whitefield -himself. During the day, three of these clergymen, at three different -times, preached to the assembled multitudes, from a small mount raised -for that purpose at the front of the chapel.[626] One of these was -Richard de Courcy,[627] the fervid young Irishman, already mentioned, -and whose talent and eloquence made him immensely popular. The chapel -itself, said _Lloyd’s Evening Post_[628], “has been inspected by some -ingenious artists, and is looked upon to be the most complete piece of -Gothic architecture that has been constructed for many years!” - -Whitefield’s days in England were now nearly ended. In a letter to -Captain Joss, dated “Tottenham Court, August 9, 1769,” he wrote:―― - - “My hands and heart are full. Last night, I went on board - the _Friendship_. The captain is to dine with me to-morrow. - I expect to sail the first week in September. You must then be - in town.[629] Mr. Brooksbanks will supply your place. I hope - all things will be settled on a right plan. I have the greatest - confidence in you. I only wish some means may be found to save - the late great expense of coach hire. It has mounted very high.” - -In another letter, dated ten days later, and addressed to Mr. Adams, -Whitefield wrote:―― - - “My very dear Tommy, talk not of taking a personal leave. - You know my make. Paul could stand a _whipping_, but not a - _weeping_ farewell. Many thanks for your intended present. God - bless you and yours! God bless all our never-to-be-forgotten - Gloucestershire friends! I can no more. Adieu! Cease not to pray - for, my very dear steady old friend, - - “Less than the least of all, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Six days after this, on Friday night, August 25, Whitefield held one of -his last sacramental services in England. This was in the Tabernacle, -near Moorfields. Nearly two thousand communicants were present![630] - -On the Sunday following, he preached his last sermon in Tottenham Court -Road chapel. The text was, Genesis xxviii. 12–15. A few extracts must -be given. Besides the interest they possess as being among Whitefield’s -_last words_ in England, they will help to illustrate his style of -preaching, when his work was nearly ended. - - “When we are travelling in the woods of America, we are obliged - to light a fire; and that keeps off the beasts from us. I have - often got up in the night, and said to them that were with - me (and God forbid I should ever travel with any one, even a - quarter of an hour, without speaking something of Jesus!)――‘This - fire,’ said I, ‘is like the fire of God’s love, which keeps off - the devil and our own lusts from hurting our souls.’ - - “It comforts me much, I assure you, to think that, whenever - God shall call for me, angels will carry me into the bosom of - Abraham; but it comforts me more to think, that, as soon as they - lay hold of me, my first question to them will be, ‘Where is my - _Master_? Where is my _Jesus_?’ And that, after all my tossings - and tumblings here, I shall be brought to see His face at last. - - “It is now high time for me to preach my own _funeral sermon_. - I am going, for the thirteenth time, to cross the Atlantic. - When I came from America last, my health was so bad that I - took leave of all friends on the continent, from one end to - the other, without the least design of returning to them again. - But, to my great surprise, God has been pleased to restore to - me some measure of strength; and, though I intended to give up - the Orphan House into other hands, God has so ordered it, that - his Grace the late Archbishop of Canterbury refused me a charter, - unless I would confine it to episcopacy. I could not, in honour, - comply with this, as Dissenters, and other serious people of - different denominations, had contributed towards its support. - I would sooner cut off my head than betray my trust. I always - meant the Orphan House to be kept upon a broad bottom, for - people of all denominations. I hope, by the 25th of March next, - all intended alterations and additions will be completed, and a - blessed provision be made for many hundreds; and a comfortable - support for poor orphans and poor students. This is my only - design in going. I intend to travel all along the continent. - I am going in no public capacity. I am going trusting in God - to bear my charges. I call heaven and earth to witness that I - have never had the love of the world one quarter of an hour in - my heart. I might have been rich; but now, though this chapel - is built, and though I have a comfortable room to live in, I - assure you I built the room at my own expense. It cost nobody but - myself anything, and I shall leave it with an easy mind. I have - thought of these words with pleasure, ‘I will bring thee again - to this land.’ I know not whether that will be my experience; - but, blessed be God! I have a better land in view. I do not - look upon myself at home till I land in my Father’s house. My - greatest trial is to part with those who are as dear to me as my - own soul. O keep close to God, my dear London friends. I do not - bid you keep close to chapel. You have always done that. I shall - endeavour to keep up the word of God among you during my absence. - I might have had a thousand a year out of this place, if I had - chosen it. When I am gone to heaven, you will see what I have - got on earth. I do not like to speak now, because it might be - thought boasting.”[631] - -Whitefield’s last sermon[632] in London was preached in the Tabernacle, -Moorfields, at seven o’clock on Wednesday morning, August 30.[633] -The text he selected was, John x. 27, 28. The sermon (if so it may be -called) was earnest talk, incoherent, and, some would say, egotistic; -but it was interspersed with characteristic sentences. - - “Sheep,” said Whitefield, “love to be together. They don’t love - to be alone. You seldom see a sheep by itself; and Christ’s - people may well be compared to them in this. Oh, think some, if - we had great people on our side, the King, Lords, and Commons! - What then? Alas! alas! Do you think the Church of God would go - on a bit the better? No! no! Religion never prospers when it - has too much sunshine. Dr. Marryat was not ashamed to preach - in _market language_; and I once heard him say at Pinner’s Hall, - ‘God has a great dog to fetch His sheep back when they wander.’ - Yes, when God’s people wander, He sends the devil after them, - and suffers him to bark at them; but instead of barking them - further off, he only barks them back again to the fold of - Christ.” - -In another part of his discourse, Whitefield, unnecessarily if not -egotistically, stated that, before he was twenty-two years of age, -he had the offer of two parishes, by Benson, Bishop of Gloucester; -that, when he first came to London, most of the metropolitan churches -were open to him; and that twelve or fourteen constables had to guard -the doors of the churches where he preached. He then referred to his -intention to turn the Orphan House into a College; and highly eulogised -Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, his “old servants” there, and also the Messrs. -Wright and Mr. Crane, whom he had sent out to execute the improvements -and additions to the building. He concluded as follows:―― - - “This is the thirteenth time of my crossing the mighty waters. - It is a little difficult at this time of life; but I delight in - the cause, and God fills me with a peace that is unutterable. I - expect many trials while on board. Satan always meets me there; - but God, I believe, will keep me. I thank God, I have the honour - of leaving everything quite well and easy at both ends of the - town. If I am drowned, I will say, if I can, while I am drowning, - ‘Lord, take care of my English friends!’ Some of you, I doubt - not, will be gone to Christ before my return; but, though parted, - it will be to meet again for ever. God grant that none who - weep now at my parting, may weep at our meeting at the day of - judgment! Come, sinner, come, see what it is to have eternal - life! Haste! haste! haste away to the great, the glorious - Shepherd! I care not what shepherds you are under, so that you - are kept near the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. The Lord - bless you and keep you! The Lord make His face shine upon you, - and be gracious unto you! The Lord lift up His countenance upon - you, and give you peace!” - -Such was Whitefield’s final benediction upon his Tabernacle -congregation, on Wednesday _morning_, August 30. In point of fact, -this was a _second_ farewell sermon, in the same building; for, on the -Wednesday night previous, he had addressed those of the congregation -who were unable to attend a week-day morning service. His sermon, on -that occasion, was, in all respects, superior to his final one. The -text was, “And thy God thy glory” (Isaiah lx. 19). He then made his -last London collection. - - “The Tabernacle has been repaired,” said he; “and I wish - to leave it unencumbered. I told my friends, I would make a - collection. Remember, it is not for me, but for yourselves――for - the place where you are to meet, when I am tossing on the water, - and in a foreign clime. The arrears are nearly £70. I hope you - will not run away. If you can say, God is my glory, you will - not push one upon another, as though you would lose yourselves - in a crowd, and say, Nobody sees me. Does not God Almighty see - you? You must excuse me. I cannot say much more. I beg you will - excuse me from a particular parting with you. Take my public - farewell. I will pray for you when in the cabin; I will pray for - you when tempests are about me; and this shall be my prayer, ‘O - God, be Thou their God! and grant their God may be their glory!’” - -A few other extracts, from Whitefield’s last sermons in London, may be -welcome. They are taken from the 8vo. volume, published by Gurney -immediately after Whitefield’s death.[634] - - “_The Devil’s Children._――‘O,’ says one, ‘I never felt the - devil.’ I am sure thou mayest feel him now. Thou art _dadda’s_ - own child. Thou art speaking the very language of the devil; and - he is teaching thee to deny thy own father. Graceless child of - the devil, if thou hast never felt the devil’s fiery darts, it - is because the devil is sure of thee. He has got thee into a - damnable slumber. May the God of love awaken thee before real - damnation comes!” (p. 262.) - - “_Persecution._――Our suffering times will be our best times. I - know I had more comfort in Moorfields and on Kennington Common, - especially when rotten eggs, cats, and dogs were thrown upon - me,――I had more comfort in these burning bushes than I have - had when I have been in ease. I remember when I was preaching - at Exeter, and a stone made my forehead bleed, the word came - with double power; and a labourer, wounded at the same time by - another stone, came to me and said. ‘The man gave me a wound, - but Jesus healed me; I never had my bonds broken till my head - was’” (p. 268). - - “_Penitents._――I have reason to believe, from the notes put - up at both ends of the town, that many of you have arrows of - conviction stuck fast in your souls. I have taken in near two - hundred, at Tottenham Court Road, within a fortnight. God is - thus at work. Let the devil roar; we will go on in the name of - the Lord” (p. 280). - - “_Self-condemnation._――I wish I could make you all angry. I am a - sad mischief-maker; but I don’t want to make you angry with one - another. Some people, who profess to have grace in their hearts, - seem resolved to set all God’s people at variance. They are like - Samson’s foxes with firebrands in their tails, setting fire to - all about them. Are any of you come from the Foundery, or any - other place, to-night? I care not where you come from. I pray - God you may all quarrel; that is, I want you to fall out with - your own hearts” (p. 289). - - “_Baptismal Controversy._――It is a strange thing how bigots can - set the world on fire by throwing water at one another; and that - people cannot be baptized, without shewing that the chief thing - they have been baptized into, are the waters of strife. This is - making sport for the devil. For my part, I do not enter into the - debate about infant or adult baptism, nor yet about its mode. - I believe you might as well attempt to draw two parallel lines, - and bring them to meet at some certain place, as to bring these - learned combatants together; for, of all disputants, religious - disputants are the most obstinate and fiery” (p. 297). - - “_Catholicity._――The world pretty well knows the temper of my - mind, both in respect to politics and church-government. I am - a professed avower of moderation. I don’t care whether you go - to church or meeting. I profess to be a member of the Church of - England; but, if they will not let me preach in a church, I - will preach anywhere. All the world is my parish; and I will - preach wherever God gives me an opportunity. You will never find - me disputing about the outward appendages of religion. Don’t - tell me you are a Baptist, an Independent, a Presbyterian, a - Dissenter: tell me you are a Christian. That is all I want. This - is the religion of heaven, and must be ours upon earth” (p. 310). - - “_Whitefield’s Salary._――I intend to give you a parting word on - Sunday evening, and to take my last farewell in the ensuing week, - for I must have a day or two to dispatch my private business. - As this place has been repaired, and I am wishful to leave - everything clear before I go, a collection must be made for - defraying the expense incurred. The world thinks I am very rich. - A man, the other day, sent me word, that, if I did not lay £30 - in a certain place, I should be killed. You yourselves, perhaps, - think I get a great deal for preaching here; and, therefore, now - that I am going away, I will tell you my stated allowance for - preaching at the Tabernacle. I have no more from this place than - £100 a year; and, yet, when I asked last night how the accounts - stood, I was told there were £50 arrears. ‘Well,’ I said, - ‘ungrateful as it is to me, I will make a collection, that all - may be left free.’ There are not six people in this Tabernacle - from whom I have had the value of a guinea from last January to - the present month of August; nor have I had a guinea from all - the ordinances of the place towards bearing the expenses of my - voyage” (p. 372). - -These _Whitefieldiana_ might easily be multiplied, but sufficient -have been given to shew the familiar, and (as some will think) the -objectionable style used by Whitefield at the close of his public -ministry. His sermons now, as compared with those he published at the -commencement of his career, were notably inferior. As compared with the -sermons preached and printed by Wesley, they were a perfect contrast. -They were neither scriptural expositions nor doctrinal disquisitions; -but free and easy talk, intermixed with anecdotes, personal -reminiscences, and quaint quotations. Matthew Henry’s Exposition was -Whitefield’s favourite Commentary; and to this circumstance Wesley -attributed the quaintness of Whitefield’s style. In the preface to his -“Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament,” published in 1765, Wesley, -with an obvious reference to Whitefield, says:―― - - “I omit” (in these Notes) “abundance of Mr. Henry’s quaint - sayings and lively antitheses; as, ‘God feeds His _birds_. Shall - He not feed His _babes_?’ I used once to wonder, whence some, - whom I greatly esteem, had so many pretty turns in preaching. - But when I read Mr. Henry, my wonder ceased. I saw they were - only copying after him: although probably without designing - it. They generally consulted his exposition of their text, and - frequently just before preaching. And, hence, little witticisms - and a kind of archness insensibly stole upon them, and took - the place of that strong, manly eloquence, which they would - otherwise have learned from the inspired writers.” - -Two of Whitefield’s _last sermons in England_ were preached at -Gravesend, on Sunday, September 3, 1769. Hence the following, taken -from _St. James’s Chronicle_, for September 7: “On Saturday last, the -Rev. Mr. Whitefield went from town to Gravesend, where he preached, on -Sunday morning, in the Methodist Tabernacle, and, in the evening, in -the Market Place.” Whitefield himself writes:―― - - “Sunday, September 3. Preached this morning at the Methodist - Tabernacle, from John xii. 32. The congregation was not very - large, but God gave me great freedom of speech. In the afternoon, - I preached in the Market Place, from Genesis iii. 13, to a much - larger, but not more devout auditory. In the outskirts, some - were a little noisy, but most were very attentive, and I was - enabled to lift up my voice like a trumpet. The evening was - spent, as the night before, with my Christian friends from - London.” - - “Monday, September 4. Had my dear Christian friends on board - to breakfast with me this morning. Conversation was sweet, - but parting bitter. However, I was helped to bear up; and, - after their departure the Divine Presence made up the loss of - all.”[635] - - - - - _SEVENTH VISIT TO AMERICA._ - - SEPTEMBER, 1769, TO SEPTEMBER, 1770. - - -WHITEFIELD embarked for America on September 4th; but it was not -until the end of the month that he looked his last look on glorious -old England. His detentions were annoying; but they gave him the -opportunity of writing last letters to his friends.[636] Extracts from -these will be welcome. - -To his old assistant, Thomas Adams, of Rodborough, he wrote:―― - - “On board the _Friendship_, (Captain Ball,) September 5, 1769. - Six in the morning. My very dear Tommy, I could not write you - whilst ashore, but drop you a few lines now I am come on board. - Just now we have taken up the anchor; and I trust my anchor - is within the veil. I have not been in better spirits for - some years; and I am persuaded this voyage will be for the - Redeemer’s glory, and the welfare of precious souls. Our parting - solemnities have been exceedingly awful. O England! England! God - preserve thee from every threatening storm!” - -To a lady and her daughter, at Gravesend, who had shewn him kindness, -he thus expressed his thanks:―― - - “September 6, 1769. God bless and reward you and your daughter! - Gravesend Bethels, I trust, will not easily be forgotten. I - am sure you do not forget to pray for a very worthless worm. - Jesus, the never-failing, ever-loving, altogether-lovely Jesus, - comforts me.” - -To other friends Whitefield wrote:―― - - “September 7, 1769. I am comforted on every side. Fine - accommodations. A civil captain and passengers. All willing to - attend on divine worship. Praise the Lord, O my soul! I am brave - as to my bodily health. Grace! Grace!” - - “September 8, 1769. O these partings! Without Divine support, - they would be intolerable. But with that, we can do even this - and everything besides, which we are called to do or suffer. - Everything turns out beyond expectation, as to bodily health, - ship accommodation, and civility of passengers. I only want - somebody with more brains about me. O the privilege and honour - of leaving a little all, for the great unfailing All, the - ever-blessed God!” - -To his faithful friend, Mr. Robert Keen, Whitefield addressed the -following:―― - - “September 8, 1769. Ebenezer! Ebenezer! Hitherto the Lord helps. - We have had contrary winds to the Downs, but not violent. The - young soldiers are not yet sick, though the ship has some motion. - I seem to be now, as I was thirty years ago. Praise the Lord, - O my soul! The care of my annual pensioners, with all money - matters, I must beg you to take wholly into your hands.” - -His letter to Wesley shall be given at full length:―― - - “THE DOWNS, ON BOARD THE ‘FRIENDSHIP,’ _September 12, 1769_. - - “REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR,――What hath God wrought _for_ us, _in_ - us, _by_ us! I sailed out of these Downs almost thirty-three - years ago. O the height, the depth, the length, the breadth of - Thy love, O God! Surely it passeth knowledge. Help, help us, - O heavenly Father, to adore what we cannot fully comprehend! - I am glad to hear that you had such a Pentecost season at - the College.[637] One would hope that these are earnests of - good things to come, and that our Lord will not remove His - candlestick from among us. Duty is ours. Future things belong to - Him, who always did, and always will, order all things well. - - ‘Leave to His sovereign sway, - To choose and to command; - So shall we wondering own His way, - How wise, how strong His hand.’ - - “Mutual Christian love will not permit you, and those in - connection with you, to forget a willing pilgrim, going now - across the Atlantic for the thirteenth time. At present, I am - kept from staggering; being fully persuaded that this voyage - will be for the Redeemer’s glory, and the welfare of precious - and immortal souls. O to be kept from flagging in the latter - stages of our road! _Ipse, Deo volente, sequar, etsi non - passibus aequis._ Cordial love and respect await your brother, - and all that are so kind as to enquire after, and be concerned - for, - - “Reverend and very dear sir, - - “Less than the least of all, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[638] - -It is a remarkable fact that, at the very time Whitefield was making -his last voyage to America, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor, -Wesley’s first two missionaries to the same field of labour, were being -borne, through the same storms and tempests, to their destination. -Whitefield’s work in America was nearly ended; but he had prepared the -way for Wesley’s preachers, and for the founding of a church, now the -largest on that immense continent. - -Three days before Whitefield wrote to Wesley, he and his -fellow-voyagers encountered a tremendous storm. One ship, in their -immediate neighbourhood, was wrecked; and, when opposite to Deal, the -_Friendship_ became _wind-bound_, and was detained three weeks. This -gave Whitefield an opportunity to stand once more on the shores of his -native land. It so happened, that, just as the ship arrived at Deal, -the Rev. Dr. Gibbons, the eminent tutor of the Dissenting Academy at -Mile End, and the Rev. Mr. Bradbury, of Ramsgate, came to Deal for the -purpose of ordaining a young Dissenting minister. Having ascertained -that the _Friendship_ was lying in the Downs, Gibbons and Bradbury -went on board, and so urgently desired Whitefield to come on shore, -that, contrary to his intention, he left the ship, and attended the -ordination services. Mr. Bradbury prevailed upon him to go to Ramsgate, -where he preached on Friday and Saturday, September 15 and 16. These -were Whitefield’s _last sermons_ in England.[639] They are referred -to in the following extracts from Whitefield’s letters. Writing to -Mr. Robert Keen, he said:―― - - “Deal, September 14, 1769. For wise reasons, we are detained in - the Downs. Who knows but it may be to awaken some souls at Deal? - A peculiar providence brought me here. Warm-hearted Dr. Gibbons - came on board to pay me a visit, was sick, lay in my state-room, - and learnt experimentally to pray for those who occupy their - business in great waters. Mr. Bradbury, of Ramsgate, and young - Mr. G――――ner, who was ordained yesterday, followed after. At - their request, I came ashore yesterday morning. The ordination - was very solemn. I have not been more affected under any public - ministrations a great while. At the request of many, I preached - in the evening to a crowded auditory; and spent the remainder of - the night in godly conversation. If the wind continues contrary, - perhaps I may make an elopement to Margate. I wish I could see - my sermon that is printed. If I die, let not the Hymn Book be - cashiered. I am glad to hear of the _Amens_ at Tottenham Court. - The ship that was lost has been taken up and brought in. The - passengers escaped in the boat. What are we that we should be - preserved? Grace! Grace!” - -In another letter to Mr. Keen, Whitefield wrote:―― - - “Deal, September 15, 1769. Mr. Bradbury put me under an arrest, - and is carrying me away to Ramsgate. I hope to arrest some - poor runaway bankrupts for the Captain of our Salvation. For - Christ’s sake, let all means be used to keep up and increase the - Tottenham Court and Tabernacle Societies.” - -In a third letter to the same gentleman, is the following:―― - - “Deal, September 17, 1769. I have just returned from Ramsgate, - and am going on board. Never did any creature shew greater - civility, heartiness, politeness, and generosity than Mr. - Bradbury. His friends were hearty too. I preached on Friday - and Saturday. It was hard parting this morning. I expect a long - passage, but all is well. I could not go to Margate.” - -Whitefield’s congregations at Ramsgate were not large, but attentive, -and the behaviour of the people delighted him.[640] Early on Sunday -morning, he hastened back to Deal, went on board, and preached in the -afternoon; but it was not until the Tuesday following that the ship -again set sail, and even then the attempt to proceed turned out a -failure. Whitefield wrote:―― - - “Monday, September 25. Weighed anchor last Tuesday morning, - with a small favourable gale and fine weather. So many ships, - which had lain in the Downs, moving at the same time, and gently - gliding by us, together with the prospect of the adjacent shore, - made a most agreeable scene. But it proved a very transient - one. By the time we got to Fairlee, the wind backened, clouds - gathered, very violent gales succeeded, and, for several days, - we were so tossed, that, after coming over against Brighton, - the captain turned back (as did many other ships), and anchored - off New Romney and Dungenness. Lord, in Thine own time, Thou - wilt give the winds a commission to carry us forward towards our - desired port.”[641] - -It was not until nine weeks after this that Whitefield landed in -America. His travelling companions were Cornelius Winter and Mr. Smith. -His time was chiefly spent in writing letters, composing sermons, and -reading the History of England. Whenever the weather would permit, he -preached, with his accustomed energy, to the crew and passengers, all -of whom treated him with profound respect. Sometimes he suffered great -languor, and depression;[642] but, upon the whole, he was, at the end -of his voyage, in better health than he had been for years past.[643] -Arriving at Charleston on Thursday, November 30, he commenced preaching -on the following afternoon, and, for ten days, continued to delight and -profit large congregations. Mr. Wright, his manager at Bethesda, met -him; and, on Sunday, December 10, he and his party set sail for Georgia. -Hence the following, addressed to Mr. Keen:―― - - “Charleston, December 9, 1769. So much company crowds in, that, - together with my preaching every other day, etc., I have scarce - the least leisure. To-morrow, I set off by water to Georgia, the - roads being almost impassable by land. Mr. Wright is come to go - with me, and acquaints me that all is in great forwardness at - Bethesda.” - -The voyage to Savannah was made in an open boat. Cornelius Winter -writes:――“We had a pleasant passage through the Sounds, and frequently -went on shore, and regaled ourselves in the woods. The simplicity -of the negroes, who rowed us, was very diverting. We stopped at a -plantation called Port Royal, where we were most kindly refreshed -and entertained; and safely arrived at Savannah on December 14. Mr. -Whitefield was cheerful and easy, and seemed to have lost a weight -of care.” - -At the beginning of the year 1770, Whitefield was at his beloved -Bethesda, and wrote:―― - - “Bethesda, January 11, 1770. Everything here exceeds my most - sanguine expectations. I am almost tempted to say, ‘It is good - to be here.’ But all must give way to gospel-ranging. Divine - employ! - - ‘For this let men revile my name, - I’d shun no cross, I’d fear no shame.’ - - “I hope London friends meet with enough of this. It is bad, more - than bad, when the offence of the cross ceaseth. This cannot be, - till we cease to be crucified to the world, and the world ceases - to be crucified unto us: and, when that is the case, things are - very bad.” - -Four days after this, Whitefield wrote his last letter to Charles -Wesley, a letter breathing with the love of a warm-hearted friendship -of more than thirty years’ continuance. It shall be given in its -entirety:―― - - “BETHESDA, _January 15, 1770_. - - “MY VERY DEAR OLD FRIEND,――I wrote to your honoured brother - from on board ship. Since then what wonders have I seen! what - innumerable mercies have I received!――a long, trying, but, I - humbly hope, profitable passage. - - “My poor, feeble labours were owned in Charleston; and - everything is more than promising in Georgia. The increase of - this once so much despised colony is indescribable. Good, I - trust, is doing at Savannah, and Bethesda is like to blossom - as the rose; the situation most delightful, very salubrious, - and everything excellently adapted for the intended purpose. - All admire the goodness, strength, and beauty of the late - improvements. In a few months, the intended plan, I hope, will - be completed, and a solid, lasting foundation laid for the - support and education of many as yet unborn. Nothing is wanted - but a judicious and moderately learned single-hearted master. - Surely the glorious Emmanuel will point out one in His own due - time. Do pray. I am sure, prayers put up above thirty years ago - are now being answered; and, I am persuaded, we shall yet see - greater things than these. Who would have thought that such - a worthless creature as this letter-writer should live to be - fifty-five years old? I can only sit down and cry, ‘What hath - God wrought!’ My bodily health is much improved, and my soul is - on the wing for another gospel range. - - “You and all your connexions will not cease to pray for me. I - would fain begin to do something for my God. My heart’s desire - and incessant prayer to the God of my life is, that the word of - the Lord may prosper in your hands, and run and be glorified - more and more. O to work while it is day! O to be found on the - full stretch for Him who was stretched, and who groaned, and - bled, and died for us! Unutterable love! I am lost in wonder and - amazement, and, therefore, although with regret, I must hasten - to subscribe myself, my very dear sir, less than the least of - all, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD. - - “P.S. Cordial love awaits your whole self, and enquiring friends, - and all that love the ever-living, altogether-lovely Jesus - in sincerity. I hope to write to your honoured brother soon. - Brethren, pray for us.”[644] - -Sunday, January 28, was a remarkable day in the history of Bethesda. -James Wright, Esq. (created a baronet in 1772), Governor of Georgia, -the Council of Georgia, the House of Assembly with their president, -James Habersham, Esq., and a large number of colonists, assembled at -Whitefield’s Orphan House, for the purpose indicated in the following -extract from the Journals of the House of Assembly:―― - - “COMMONS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, _January 29, 1770_. - - “Mr. Speaker reported, that he, with the House, having waited - on the Reverend Mr. Whitefield, in consequence of his invitation, - at the Orphan House Academy, heard him preach a very suitable - and pious sermon on the occasion; and, with great pleasure, - observed the promising appearance of improvement towards - the good purposes intended, and the decency and propriety of - behaviour of the several residents there; and were sensibly - affected, when they saw the happy success which has attended - Mr. Whitefield’s indefatigable zeal for promoting the welfare of - the province in general, and the Orphan House in particular. - - “Ordered, that this report be printed in the _Gazette_. - - “JOHN SIMPSON, Clerk.” - -The article printed in the _Georgia Gazette_, and which Gillies gives -in his “Life of Whitefield,” states, among other things, that “the two -additional wings for apartments for students were a hundred and fifty -feet each in length, and were in a state of forwardness.” Instead, -however, of inserting here the official announcement of the Georgian -Legislature, a letter, written the day after the rulers of the Province -assembled at Bethesda, is introduced, as containing the same facts, but -in greater detail. It was addressed to a friend in London:―― - - “SAVANNAH, _January 29, 1770, Monday morning_. - - “You would have been pleased to have been at the Orphan House - Academy yesterday, where his Excellency our Governor, the Hon. - the Council, and the Commons House of Assembly, were agreeably - entertained in consequence of an invitation given them by the - Founder, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield. Everything was conducted - with much decency and order. His Excellency was received at - the bottom door by the officers, orphans, and other domestics; - and was then escorted upstairs by Mr. Whitefield, through a - gallery near sixty feet long, into a large room thirty feet in - length, with six windows, canvassed and made ready for blue paper - hangings. In a room of the same extent over against it (intended - for the library, and in which a considerable number of books is - already deposited), was prepared, on a long table and adjacent - sideboard, cold tongue, ham, tea, etc., for the gentlemen to - refresh themselves with, after their ten miles’ ride, from - Savannah. Between eleven and twelve, the bell rung for public - worship. A procession was formed in the long gallery, and moved - forward to the chapel in the following order: The orphans, in - round, black, flat caps, and black gowns; the chaplain in his - gown; the workmen and assistants; the steward and superintendent, - with their white wands; the clerk of the chapel; the Founder - in his university square cap, with the Rev. Mr. Ellington, now - missionary at Augusta, and designed to be chaplain, and teacher - of English and elocution at the Orphan House Academy; then his - Excellency, followed by his Council and the Chief Justice; then - the Speaker, succeeded by the other Commons, and a number of - gentlemen and strangers, among whom were the Governor’s two sons. - As the procession moved along, the clerk of the chapel began - a doxology, the singing of which was harmonious and striking. - At the chapel door, the orphans, officers, and domestics broke - into ranks on the right hand and the left; and, as his Excellency - with his train went up the chapel stairs, the orphans sang,―― - - ‘Live by heaven and earth ador’d, - Three in One, and One in Three, - Holy, holy, holy Lord, - All glory be to Thee!’ - - “The Governor being seated fronting the chapel door, in a great - chair, with tapestry hangings behind, and a covered desk before - him, divine service began. Mr. Ellington read prayers; and then - Mr. Whitefield enlarged, for about three-quarters of an hour, on - ‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; - his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the - Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the - day of small things?’ (Zech. iv. 9, 10.) His whole paraphrase - was pertinent and affecting; but when he came to give us an - account of the small beginnings of our now flourishing Province, - of which he was an eye-witness; and also of the trials and - hardships, obloquy and contempt, he had undergone in maintaining, - for so long a term, such a numerous orphan family, in such - a desert; as well as the remarkable supports and providences - that had attended him in laying the foundation, and raising - the superstructure of the Orphan House Academy to its present - promising height; especially when he came to address his - Excellency, the Council, Speaker, etc., etc.,――the whole - auditory seemed to be deeply affected; and his own heart seemed - too big to speak, and unable to give itself proper vent. Sermon - being ended, all returned in the same manner as they came, the - clerk, orphans, etc., singing as they walked,―― - - ‘This God is the God we adore, - Our faithful, unchangeable friend, - Whose love is as large as His power, - And neither knows measure nor end. - ’Tis Jesus, the first and the last, - Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home; - We’ll praise Him for all that is past, - And trust Him for all that’s to come.’ - - “In about half an hour the bell rung for dinner. All went - down, in order, to a large dining room, intended hereafter for - academical exercises. It is forty feet long, with eight sash - windows, and the Founder’s picture, at full length, at the upper - end. Two tables, the one long and the other oval, were well - covered with a proper variety of plain and well-dressed dishes. - After dinner, two toasts were given by his Excellency, viz., - ‘The King,’ and ‘Success to the Orphan House College.’ The whole - company broke up, and went away, in their several carriages, - about five in the afternoon. One thing gave me particular - pleasure: when the Governor drank ‘The King,’ Mr. Whitefield - added, ‘And let all the people say, Amen;’ upon which a loud - amen was repeated from one end of the room to the other. - - “Upon the whole, all seemed most surprisingly pleased with their - spiritual and bodily entertainment, as well as with the elegance, - firmness, and dispatch of the late repairs, and additional - buildings and improvements. The situation is most salubrious and - inviting; the air free and open; and a salt-water creek, which - will bring up a large schooner east and west, ebbs and flows - at a small distance from the house. I suppose there might be - above twenty carriages, besides horsemen; and there would have - been as many more, had not the invitation been confined, by way - of compliment, to the Governor, Council, and Commons House of - Assembly. A strange sight this, in the once despised, deserted - Province of Georgia, where, as Mr. Whitefield told us in his - discourse, about thirty years ago, scarce any person of property - lived; and lands, which now sell for £3 an acre, might have been - purchased almost for threepence. - - “But I must have done. Excuse me for being so prolix. - Yesterday’s scene so lies before me, that, to tell you the truth, - I wanted to vent my feelings. If Mr. Whitefield intends, as I - am informed he does, to give a more general invitation to the - gentlemen in and about Savannah, I will endeavour to be amongst - them. Accept this hasty scribble (as I hear the ship sails - to-morrow), as a mark of my being, dear sir, your obliged friend - and servant.” - -The “more general invitation,” mentioned at the close of this long -letter, was issued. Hence the following extract from the _Georgia -Gazette_:―― - - “Bethesda, January 29, 1770. A more particular application - being impracticable, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield takes this method - of begging the favour of the company of as many gentlemen and - captains of ships in and about Savannah, as it may suit to - accept this invitation, to dine with him at the Orphan House - Academy next Sunday. Public service to begin exactly at eleven - o’clock. - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Of this second assembly at Bethesda, no record now exists. Bethesda -was ten miles from Savannah, a considerable distance for the rulers -and legislators of Georgia to travel. They all went by Whitefield’s own -invitation. They gratefully acknowledged the great service which he had -rendered, not only to the Orphan House in particular, but to Georgia in -general. They had “a handsome and plentiful dinner.” This could hardly -be avoided, considering the distance the company had travelled; but -the entertainment would have been more appropriate on a weekday than -on a Sunday.[645] The new buildings were in a state of forwardness, -and were tasteful, and well executed. Whitefield’s sermon was “suitable -and pious.” And the behaviour of the Orphan House inmates was decent -and proper. Perhaps, the official reports of the Assembly and of the -_Gazette_ of Georgia were, in some respects, more eulogistic than they -should have been. At all events, Whitefield’s _Sunday_ entertainment, -his orphans, and Mr. Wright, the architect and builder of his -additional accommodations, were unfavourably regarded by certain of his -friends in England. Berridge, often his honest and hearty assistant at -Tottenham Court Road, in a letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, dated -May, 1771, observed:―― - - “Cornelius Winter, who went to Georgia with Mr. Whitefield, - says there are but few orphans in the House, and no symptoms of - grace in any. Mr. Wright has the management of the whole house, - and seems neither to have zeal nor grace enough for the work. - Mr. Whitefield made a sumptuous feast on a Sunday, for all the - better-dressed people, intending to renew this every year by - way of commemoration; but I hope you will put a stop to this - _guttling_ business. I wish the Orphan House may not soon become - a mere blue-coat hospital and grammar school. If Mr. Fletcher - would go to Georgia for a year, things might be on a better - footing. I never could relish Mr. Wright; he seems a mere - cabinet-maker, without godliness.”[646] - -Berridge was dissatisfied; but it is only fair to add, that, when -he thus wrote to Lady Huntingdon, he was looking at things through -the spectacles of young Cornelius Winter, and that Winter was -disappointed and soured because Whitefield had not done all he wished -in endeavouring to obtain for him episcopal ordination. - -Whitefield’s sermon on this memorable Sunday was one of his best; -but want of space prevents the insertion of lengthened extracts. He -expressed the opinion that the colonies in America were likely to -become “one of the most opulent and powerful empires in the world.” He -told his congregation that, when he first came to Georgia, “the whole -country almost was left desolate, and the metropolis, Savannah, was but -like a cottage in a vineyard, or as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers.” -He reminded them that it had been reported to the House of Commons, -that “the very existence of the colony was, in a great measure, if not -totally, owing to the building and supporting of the Orphan House.” -One peculiar feature of his sermon was his addressing personally -and severally the different sections of his congregation. “I dare -not conclude,” said he, “without offering to your Excellency our -pepper-corn of acknowledgment for the countenance you have always shewn -Bethesda, and for the honour you did us last year in laying the first -brick of yonder wings: in thus doing, you have honoured Bethesda’s -God.” Then turning to his old friend Habersham, now President of the -Upper House of Assembly, Whitefield said: “Next to his Excellency, -my dear Mr. President, I must beg your acceptance both of thanks and -congratulation. For you were not only my dear familiar friend, and -first fellow-traveller in this infant province, but you were directed -by Providence to this spot; you laid the second brick of this house; -and watched, prayed, and wrought for the family’s good. You were a -witness of innumerable trials, and were the partner of my joys and -griefs. You will have now the pleasure of seeing the Orphan House a -fruitful bough, its branches running over the wall. For this, no doubt, -God has smiled upon and blessed you, in a manner we could not expect, -much less design. May He continue to bless you with all spiritual -blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! Look to the rock from -whence you have been hewn; and may your children never be ashamed -that their father married a real Christian, who was born again under -this roof!” Whitefield then proceeded to address the “Gentlemen of -his Majesty’s Council,” and the “Speaker and Members of the General -Assembly,” and, finally, his “Reverend Brethren,” and “the inhabitants -of the colony” in general. - -After his sermon, a speech was delivered by one of Whitefield’s -orphans;[647] then came the “handsome and plentiful dinner;” and so -ended the proceedings of the memorable Sunday at Bethesda, January 28, -1770. - -Five days after this, Whitefield and his manager, Thomas Dixon, -appeared “before the Honourable Noble Jones, Esq., Senior Assistant -Justice for the Province of Georgia,” for the purpose of being sworn -that the Orphan-house accounts, from February 9, 1765, to the present -date, and which amounted on the debit side to £2,548 17s. 0½d., and on -the credit side to £1,313 19s. 6¾d., “contained, to the best of their -knowledge, a just and true statement of all the monies received and -expended during this period. The accounts thus presented were handed to -James Edward Powell and Grey Elliot, members of his Majesty’s Council -for Georgia, who, after carefully examining them, swore, before Noble -Jones, that they were perfectly correct; and added:―― - - “We find that the whole of the sums expended on account of - the Orphan House amount to £15,404 2s. 5¼d. sterling, and the - whole receipts to £12,104 19s. 1½d.; and that the benefactions - of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield to the Orphan House have, at - different times, amounted to £3, 299 3s. 3¾d. sterling; and that - no charge whatever has been made by the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, - either for travelling charges or otherwise, nor any other charge - for the salary of any person whatever, employed or concerned - in the management of the said Orphan House; and that clear and - distinct vouchers for the whole amount of the sums expended - have been laid before us, except for four articles, amounting - together to £40 1s. 1d., being monies expended and paid by the - said Mr. Whitefield on several occasions, the particulars of - which are laid before us, but no receipt had been by him taken - for the same. - - “JAMES EDWARD POWELL. - “GREY ELLIOT. - - “Sworn this second day of February, 1770, before me; in - justification whereof, I have caused the seal of the general - Court to be affixed. - - “N. JONES.” - -This is a notable document. The Orphan House had been built thirty -years, and had been continuously maintained. The sum of £15,404 had -been expended, and, excepting £40, vouchers for the whole of this -amount were now produced. Not a penny had been paid out of the general -fund to either Whitefield of any of his managers; and Whitefield -himself, out of his own private means, had contributed £3299 3s. 3¾d.! -As a curiosity, the following general balance sheet of receipts and -expenditure, from December, 1738, to February, 1770, taken from the -Orphan House’s authenticated book, may interest the reader:―― - - RECEIPTS. £ s. d. - - Benefactions and Collections in England 4471 0 6¼ - Ditto, in Scotland 978 2 5½ - Ditto, in Georgia 275 5 7½ - Ditto, in Charleston 567 1 9¾ - Ditto, in Beaufort 16 10 7 - Ditto, in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, etc. 1809 6 10½ - Ditto, in Lisbon 3 12 0 - Cash received for payment of boarders, cocoons, - rice, lumber, indigo, provisions, etc. 3983 19 3 - The Rev. Mr. Whitefield’s benefactions, being - the sums expended more than received 3299 3 3¾ - ────────────── - £15,404 2 5¼ - ══════════════ - - EXPENDITURE. £ s. d. - - To April 16, 1746—Sundries, per audit 5511 17 9¼ - To Feb. 25, 1752, do. 2026 13 7½ - To Feb. 19, 1755, do. 1966 18 2 - To Feb. 9, 1765, do. 3349 15 10 - To Feb. 2, 1770, do. 2548 17 0½ - ────────────── - £15,404 2 5¼ - ══════════════ - -During the thirty years that had elapsed since the Orphan House was -built, 140 boys and 43 girls had been “clothed, educated, maintained, -and suitably provided for;” and, besides these, “many other poor -children had been _occasionally_ received, educated, and maintained.” - -The Orphan House family now consisted of _whites_: Managers and -carpenters, 9; boys, 15; girl, 1; total, 25. And of _negroes_: Men 24, -of whom 16 were fit for any labour; 7 old, but capable of some service; -and 1 so old as to be useless; women, 11, of whom 8 were capable of the -usual labour; 2 old, but able to assist in the business of the house; -and 1 almost incapable of any service; children, 15, all employed as -far as their strength permitted; total, 50. - -The lands granted to Whitefield, in _trust_ for his Orphan House, were -a tract of 500 acres, called Bethesda, on which the Orphan House was -erected; another of 419 acres, called Nazareth; a third of 419 acres, -called Ephratah, on which were the principal planting improvements; -and a fourth of 500 acres, adjoining Ephratah, and called Huntingdon. -Besides these, three other tracts, amounting to 2,000 acres, and -contiguous to the former, had been granted to him, _in trust_, for -the endowment of his College. - -As one object of Whitefield’s present visit to America was to start his -College, or, to speak more properly, his Academy, he drew up a set of -Rules, to be observed by the inmates of his establishment, of which the -following is a summary:―― - - 1. Morning Prayer was to begin constantly, every day in the year, - at half-past five o’clock. Evening Prayer every night. On every - Sunday, besides a short prayer with a psalm or hymn early in - the morning, full Prayers and a Sermon at ten; the same at three - in the afternoon; a short prayer and a hymn at half-past six in - the evening; the first Lesson to be read at dinner; the same at - supper; and a short hymn at each meal. - - 2. Great care to be taken, that all read, write, speak, and - behave properly. - - 3. All the statutes to be read to every student at admission, - and thrice a year, at Easter, Whitsuntide, and Christmas, - publicly. - - 4. No cards, dice, or gaming of any kind to be allowed, on pain - of expulsion; and no music but divine psalmody. - - 5. All to be taught _Bland’s Manual Exercise_, but not bound to - attend on musters or other exercises, unless on account of an - alarm. - - 6. No one to be suffered to run into arrears for above half a - year; and a certain amount of caution money to be paid. - - 7. All students to furnish their own rooms, and to sleep on - mattresses. - - 8. No one suffered to go to Savannah without leave. - - 9. Breakfast at seven; dinner at twelve; supper at six, through - all the year; and the utmost neatness to be observed and - maintained in every room. - - 10. All orphans and students to learn and repeat the Thirty-nine - Articles. - - 11. The Homilies[648] to be read publicly, every year, by the - students in rotation. - - 12. All to be thoroughly instructed in the history of Georgia, - and the constitution of England, before being taught the history - of Greece and Rome. - - 13. The young negro boys to be baptized and taught to read; the - young negro girls to be taught to work with the needle. - - 14. The following divinity books to be read:――The Commentaries - of Henry, Doddridge, Guise, Burkit, and Clarke; Wilson’s - Dictionary, Professor Francke’s Manuductio, Doddridge’s Rise and - Progress, Boston’s Fourfold State, and his book on the Covenant, - Jenks on the Righteousness of Christ, and also his Meditations, - Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio, Hall’s Contemplations, and other - works, Edwards’s Preacher, Trapp on the Old and New Testament, - Poole’s Annotations, Warner’s Tracts, Leighton’s Comment on the - first Epistle of Peter, Pearson on the Creed, Edwards’s Veritas - Redux, and Owen and Bunyan’s Works. - -It is a singular fact, that, except reading, writing, history, and -divinity, Whitefield entirely omits the education to be given. To -prevent a recurrence to the subject, the future history of Whitefield’s -Orphanage and Academy may here be added to the foregoing details. - -By his will, Whitefield bequeathed the Orphan House and other buildings, -together with all the lands already mentioned, and also all his negroes, -to the Countess of Huntingdon, for the same purposes as he himself held -them. The Governor and Council of Georgia had expected the property -to be placed under their direction, and considerable disappointment -was felt. Most, however, of the religious people in the colony were -satisfied; and a letter from her ladyship to the Governor and Council -reconciled even many of them to the disposition in her favour.[649] -The Countess determined to send from England a president and master -for the Orphan House, and, at the same time, to dispatch a number of -her Trevecca students as missionaries to the Indians and to the people -in the back settlements. The students, summoned from all parts of the -kingdom, assembled at Trevecca, on the 9th of October, 1772. The Hon. -and Rev. Walter Shirley, the Rev. Mr. Glascott, the Rev. John Crosse, -afterwards vicar of Bradford, and the Rev. Mr. Piercy, rector of -St. Paul’s, Charleston, met them. Public services were held daily -for a fortnight. At the end of the month, Piercy and the missionaries -embarked for Georgia. Piercy was to be the president of the Orphan -House, the Rev. Mr. Crosse was to be the master, and the Countess’s own -housekeeper was sent to regulate the household matters according to her -ladyship’s direction.[650] The missionaries were welcomed by the people, -and, for a brief period, affairs at the Orphan House seemed to prosper. - -In the month of June, 1773, this historic edifice was burnt. Francis -Asbury, one of Wesley’s missionaries in America wrote:―― - - “New York, July 2, 1773. Arrived the sorrowful news of the - destruction of Mr. Whitefield’s Orphan House. As there was no - fire in the house, it was supposed to have been set on fire - by lightning. The fire broke out about seven or eight o’clock - at night, and consumed the whole building, except the two - wings.”[651] - -Lady Huntingdon lamented the loss, but wrote: “I could never wish -it for one moment to be otherwise, believing the Lord removed it out -of our way, and that it was not somehow on that right foundation of -simplicity and faith our work must stand upon.”[652] Honest Berridge, -of Everton, entertained the same opinion. “It excites in me no -surprise,” said he, “that the Orphan House is burnt. It was originally -intended for orphans, and as such was a laudable design; but it ceased -to be an Orphan House, in order to become a lumber-house for human -learning; and God has cast a brand of His displeasure upon it. But how -gracious the Lord has been to Mr. Whitefield, in preserving it during -his lifetime.”[653] - -This is not the place to recite the annoyances and troubles which -Whitefield’s bequest entailed on the Countess of Huntingdon. Suffice -it to say, that, in 1782, during the war with England, the Americans -confiscated the Orphan House estates;[654] and that, in 1800, when the -place was visited by a Methodist preacher, the two unburnt wings were -fast decaying. In one of them, lived a small family of whites; in part -of the other, a family of negro slaves, the remainder being converted -into a stable. The brick walls which formerly enclosed the whole of -the Orphan House premises were levelled with the ground, and, in many -places, the foundations were ploughed up. There was no school of any -kind; and the whole was rented for thirty dollars per annum.[655] - - “The ruins,” writes Dr. Stevens, “the only memorial of a - great and benevolent scheme, were also the memento of the - great Methodist evangelist. If the ostensible design of the - institution had failed, it had accomplished a greater result - which was destined never to fail; for it had been the centre of - American attraction to its founder, had prompted his thirteen - passages across the Atlantic, and had thus led to those - extraordinary travels and labours, from Georgia to Maine, - which quickened with spiritual life the Protestantism of the - continent, and opened the career of Methodism in the western - hemisphere.”[656] - -We return to Whitefield’s history. After the auditing of his Orphan -House accounts, he went to Charleston, where he remained about a month. -He was now in better health than he had been for many years, and was -“enabled to preach almost every day.” The establishment of his College, -however, was still a great anxiety. In a letter to Mr. Keen, dated -“Charleston, February 10, 1770,” he wrote:―― - - “I have, more than once, conversed with the Governor of Georgia, - in the most explicit manner, concerning an Act of the Assembly - for the establishment of the intended Orphan House College. - He most readily consents. I have shewn him a draught, which he - much approves of; and all will be finished on my return from the - northward. Meanwhile, the buildings will be carried on. Since - my being in Charleston, I have shewn the draught to some persons - of great eminence and influence. They highly approve of it, and - willingly consent to be some of the wardens: near twenty are to - be of Georgia, about six of this place, one of Philadelphia, one - of New York, one of Boston, three of Edinburgh, two of Glasgow, - and six of London. Those of Georgia and South Carolina are to be - qualified; the others to be only honorary corresponding wardens.” - -In the same month, Wesley wrote to Whitefield; and, because the letter -happened to be the last he addressed to his old friend, and because it -expressed Wesley’s opinions respecting the intended College, it shall -be given at full length. - - “LEWISHAM, _February 21, 1770_. - - “MY DEAR BROTHER,――Mr. Keen informed me some time since of - your safe arrival in Carolina; of which, indeed, I could not - doubt for a moment, notwithstanding the idle report of your - being cast away, which was so current in London. I trust - our Lord has more work for you to do in Europe, as well - as in America. And who knows, but, before your return to - England, I may pay another visit to the New World? I have been - strongly solicited by several of our friends in New York and - Philadelphia. They urge many reasons, some of which appear to - be of considerable weight; and my age is no objection at all; - for, I bless God, my health is not barely as good, but abundantly - better in several respects, than when I was five-and-twenty. But - there are so many reasons on the other side, that as yet I can - determine nothing: so I must wait for further light. Here I am: - let the Lord do with me as seemeth Him good. For the present, I - must beg of you to supply my lack of service, by encouraging our - preachers as you judge best, who are as yet comparatively young - and inexperienced;[657] by giving them such advices as you think - proper; and, above all, by exhorting them, not only to love one - another, but, if it be possible, as much as lies in them, to - live peaceably with all men. - - “Some time ago, since you went hence, I heard a circumstance - which gave me a good deal of concern; namely, that the College - or Academy in Georgia had swallowed up the Orphan House. Shall - I give my judgment without being asked? Methinks, friendship - requires I should. Are there not, then, two points which come - in view――a point of mercy, and a point of justice? With regard - to the former, may it not be inquired, Can anything on earth be - a greater charity, than to bring up orphans? What is a college - or an academy compared to this? unless you could have such - a college as perhaps is not upon earth. I know the value of - learning, and am more in danger of prizing it too much, than too - little. But, still, I cannot place the giving it to five hundred - students, on a level with saving the bodies, if not the souls - too, of five hundred orphans. But let us pass from the point - of mercy to that of justice. You had land given, and collected - money, for an Orphan House. Are you at liberty to apply this - to any other purpose,――at least, while there are any orphans in - Georgia left? I just touch upon this, though it is an important - point, and leave it to your own consideration, whether part - of it, at least, might not properly be applied to carry on the - original design. - - “In speaking thus freely, I have given you a fresh proof of - the sincerity with which I am your ever affectionate friend and - brother, - - “JOHN WESLEY.”[658] - -Wesley’s letter, though it may lack Whitefield’s gushing lovingness, -is the letter of a fond and faithful friend, and fully proves that, -to the last, the two great evangelists were not rivals, as some have -represented them, but affectionate and confiding fellow-workers. -Whitefield dearly loved Wesley, and by his actions shewed he did; -and Wesley equally felt for Whitefield warm affection. “In every -place,” said he, after Whitefield’s death, “I wish to shew all possible -respect to the memory of that great and good man.”[659] “I believe he -was highly favoured of God; yea, that he was one of the most eminent -ministers that has appeared in England, or perhaps in the world, during -the present century.”[660] - -Early in the month of March, Whitefield returned to Bethesda, where -he continued till near the end of April. In a letter to Mr. Keen, he -wrote:―― - - “SAVANNAH, _March 11, 1770_. - - “MY VERY DEAR WORTHY FRIEND,――Blessed be God, the good wine - seemed to be kept till the last at Charleston. Last Thursday” - (March 8) “I returned, and found all well at Bethesda. I am come - to town to preach this morning, though somewhat fatigued with - being on the water three nights. Upon the whole, however, I am - better in health than I have been for many years. Praise the - Lord, O my soul!”[661] - -Further extracts from letters to Mr. Keen will pourtray Whitefield’s -views and feelings at this period of his history. He was happy in a -luxuriant wilderness. - - “Bethesda, April 6, 1770. How glad would many be to see our - _Goshen_, our _Bethel_, our _Bethesda_! Never did I enjoy such - domestic peace, comfort, and joy, during my whole pilgrimage. - It is unspeakable, it is full of glory. Peace, unutterable - peace, attends our paths, and a pleasing prospect of increasing - prosperity is continually rising to our view. I have lately - taken six poor children, and purpose to add greatly to their - number. Dear Mr. Dixon and his wife are to sail next month for - Portsmouth. We part with great respect. Fain would I retain - such an old, tried, disinterested friend, in the service of the - sanctuary, and near my person; but what scheme to pursue I know - not, being so uncertain as to the path I shall be called to take. - A few months will determine: perhaps a few weeks.” - - “Bethesda, April 16, 1770. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! All is - well, all more than well here! Never, never did I enjoy such - domestic peace and happiness. I have taken in about ten orphans. - Prizes! prizes! Hallelujah! Join, join in praising Him whose - mercy endureth for ever! If possible, I shall write a line to - the Welsh brethren. They have indeed sustained a loss in the - death of Mr. Howell Davies. God sanctify it! Surely my turn will - come by-and-by.”[662] - - “Bethesda, April 20, 1770. We enjoy a little heaven upon earth - here. With regret, I go northward, as far as Philadelphia at - least, next Monday. Everything concurs to shew me, that Bethesda - affairs must go on, as yet, in their old channel. A few months - may open strange scenes. O for a spirit of love and moderation - on all sides, and on both sides of the water! In all probability, - I shall not return hither till November. Was ever man blessed - with such a set of skillful, peaceful, laborious helpers! O - Bethesda, my Bethel, my Peniel! My happiness is inconceivable. - Nine or ten orphans have been lately taken in. Hallelujah! - Hallelujah! Let chapel, tabernacle, heaven, and earth, resound - with hallelujah!” - - “Savannah, April 24, 1770. Five in the morning. I am just going - into the boat, in order to embark for Philadelphia. This will - prove a blessed year for me, at the day of judgment. Hallelujah! - Come, Lord, come! Mr. Robert Wright is a quiet, ingenuous, good - creature, and his wife an excellent mistress of the family. - Such a set of helpers I never met with. They will go on with - the buildings, while I take my gospel range to the northward.” - -Whitefield had now left his beloved Bethesda for ever. He arrived in -Philadelphia on Sunday, the 6th of May, and met with the missionaries -of his old friend Wesley, Messrs. Boardman and Pilmoor, whom he -encouraged to proceed to their arduous work.[663] Writing to Mr. Keen, -he says:―― - - “Philadelphia, May 9, 1770. I arrived here on the 6th instant. - The evening following, I was enabled to preach to a large - auditory, and am to repeat the delightful task this evening. - Pulpits and hearts seem to be as open to me as ever. Praise - the Lord, O our souls! I have my old plan in view, to travel in - these northern parts all summer, and return late in the fall to - Georgia. Through infinite mercy, I continue in good health, and - am more and more in love with a pilgrim life.” - - “Philadelphia, May 24, 1770. I have now been here nearly three - weeks. People of all ranks flock as much as ever. Impressions - are made on many, and, I trust, they will abide. To all the - _Episcopal Churches_, as well as to most of the other places of - worship, I have free access. My health is preserved; and, though - I preach twice on the Lord’s-day, and three or four times a week - besides, I am rather better than I have been for many years. - This is the Lord’s doing. To Him be all the glory!” - -Three weeks after this, Whitefield wrote again to Mr. Keen:―― - - “Philadelphia, June 14, 1770. I have just returned from a - hundred and fifty miles’ circuit, in which I have been enabled - to preach every day. So many new, as well as old, doors are open, - and so many invitations sent from various quarters, that I know - not which way to turn myself. However, at present I am bound for - New York, and so on further northward.” - -He arrived at New York on Saturday, June 23, and, in another letter to -Mr. Keen, remarked:―― - - “New York, June 30, 1770. I have been here just a week. Have - been enabled to preach four times, and am to preach again - this evening. Congregations are larger than ever. Next week, - I purpose to go to Albany: from thence, perhaps, to the Oneida - Indians. There is to be a very large Indian congress. Mr. - Kirkland accompanies me. He is a truly Christian minister and - missionary. Everything possible should be done to strengthen his - hands and his heart.” - -A word must be interposed respecting this valuable man. Samuel Kirkland -had been educated in Dr. Wheelock’s school, and in New Jersey College. -While at school, he had learned the language of the Mohawks; and, in -1764, commenced a journey to the Senecas, among whom he spent a year -and a half. In 1766, he was ordained a missionary to the Indians; and, -in 1769, removed with his wife to the Oneida tribe, for whose benefit -he laboured more than forty years. His son, Dr. Kirkland, became -president of Harvard College. No wonder Whitefield fell in love with -such a man. Unfortunately, no record of his visit to the “Indian -congress” now exists; but an idea of his enormous labours may be -gathered from the following letter to Mr. Keen:―― - - “New York, July 29, 1770. During this month, I have been above - a five hundred miles’ circuit, and have been enabled to preach - every day. The congregations have been very large, attentive, - and affected, particularly at Albany, Schenectady, Great - Barrington, Norfolk, Salisbury, Sharon, Smithfield, Powkeepsy, - Fishkill, New Rumburt, New Windsor, and Peckshill. Last night, - I returned hither, and hope to set out for Boston in two or - three days. O what a new scene of usefulness is opening in - various parts of this new world! All fresh work where I have - been. The Divine influence has been as at the first. Invitations - crowd upon me, both from ministers and people, from many, many - quarters. A very peculiar providence led me lately to a place - where a horse-stealer was executed. Thousands attended. The - poor criminal, hearing I was in the country, had sent me several - letters. The sheriff allowed him to come and hear a sermon - under an adjacent tree. Solemn! solemn! After being by himself - about an hour, I walked half a mile with him to the gallows. His - heart had been softened before my first visit. He seemed full - of Divine consolations. An instructive walk! I went up with him - into the cart. He gave a short exhortation. I then stood upon - the coffin; added, I trust, a word in season; prayed; gave the - blessing; and took my leave. I hope effectual good was done to - the hearers and spectators.” - -While travelling this “five hundred miles’ circuit,” Whitefield, one -day, dined, with a number of ministers, at the manse of his old friend, -the Rev. William Tennent. After dinner, as often happened, Whitefield -expressed his joy at the thought of soon dying and being admitted into -heaven; and, then, appealing to the ministers present, he asked if his -joy was shared by them. Generally they assented; but Tennent continued -silent. “Brother Tennent,” said Whitefield, “you are the oldest man -among us. Do you not rejoice that your being called home is so near at -hand?” “I have no wish about it,” bluntly answered Tennent. Whitefield -pressed his question, and Tennent again replied, “No, sir, it is no -pleasure to me at all; and, if you knew your duty, it would be none to -you. I have nothing to do with death. My business is to live as _long_ -as I can, and as _well_ as I can.” Whitefield was not satisfied, and a -third time urged the good old man to state, whether he would not choose -to die, if death were left to his own choice. “Sir,” answered Tennent, -“I have no choice about it. I am God’s servant, and have engaged to -do His business as long as He pleases to continue me therein. But now, -brother Whitefield, let me ask you a question. What do you think I -would say, if I were to send my man Tom into the field to plough, and -if at noon I should find him lounging under a tree, and complaining, -‘Master, the sun is hot, and the ploughing hard, and I am weary of my -work, and overdone with heat: do, master, let me go home and rest’? -What would I say? Why, that he was a lazy fellow, and that it was his -business to do the work I had appointed him, until I should think fit -to call him home.” For the present, at least, Whitefield was silenced, -and was taught, that it is every Christian man’s duty to say, “All the -days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come.”[664] - -Whitefield’s preaching was never more popular and powerful than now. -Sharon has been mentioned in the foregoing extract. The minister -here was the Rev. Cotton Mather Smith, who offered him his pulpit. -Whitefield selected his favourite subject, and preached from, “Ye -must be born again.” The immense congregation was moved and melted -throughout, but the pronunciation of the concluding words of the sermon, -it is said, produced a life-time impression on those who heard them: -“Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon this garden, that -the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into this garden, -and eat his pleasant fruits.” (Solomon’s Song, iv. 16.) Simple words, -but uttered in a manner and with a pathos which thrilled the enormous -crowd, and which caused many of them to follow him into the adjacent -towns for several successive days.[665] - -Another anecdote may be inserted here. An eminent shipbuilder being -invited to hear Whitefield, at first made several objections, but at -last was persuaded to go. “What do you think of Mr. Whitefield?” asked -his friend. “Think,” said he, “I never heard such a man in my life. I -tell you, sir, every Sunday, when I go to church, I can build a ship -from stem to stern, under the sermon; but, were it to save my soul, -under Mr. Whitefield, I could not lay a single plank.”[666] - -Whitefield sailed from New York on Tuesday, July 31st, and arrived at -New Port on the Friday following. With the exception of six days, on -five of which he was seriously ill, he preached daily until he died. -From August 4th to 8th inclusive, he preached at New Port; August 9th -to 12th, at Providence; August 13th, at Attleborough; and 14th, at -Wrentham. With the exception of the 19th, when he discoursed at Malden, -he officiated every day at Boston, from the 15th to the 25th. On August -26th, he preached at Medford; on the 27th, at Charlestown; and on the -28th, at Cambridge. The next two days were employed at Boston; August -31st, at Roxbury Plain; September 1st, at Milton; 2nd, at Roxbury; 3rd, -at Boston; 5th, at Salem; 6th, at Marble Head; 7th, at Salem; 8th, at -Cape Ann; 9th, at Ipswich; 10th and 11th, at Newbury Port; and 12th and -13th, at Rowley. On the 14th and two following days, he was disabled -by violent diarrhœa. From September 17th to 19th, he again preached at -Boston; and on the 20th, at Newton. The next two days he was ill, but -managed to travel from Boston to Portsmouth, where he preached on the -23rd to the 25th.[667] The 26th, he employed at Kittery; the 27th, at -Old York; the 28th, at Portsmouth; and the 29th, at Exeter.[668] At six -o’clock in the morning of the 30th, he died. - -Thus were spent the last two months of Whitefield’s life. He was too -much occupied to have time for his wonted correspondence with his -friends; but there are two letters, belonging to this interval, which -must be quoted: the first to Mr. Wright, his manager at Bethesda; the -second to his beloved and faithful friend, Mr. Keen, of London. - - “BOSTON, _September 17, 1770_. - - “DEAR MR. WRIGHT,――Blessed be God! I find all is well at - Bethesda; only I want to know what things are needed, that I - may order them from Philadelphia, by Captain Souder. Fain would - I contrive to come by him, but people are so importunate for my - stay in these parts, that I fear it will be impracticable. Lord - Jesus, direct my goings in Thy way! He will, He will! My God - will supply all my wants, according to the riches of His grace - in Christ Jesus. Two or three evenings ago, I was taken in the - night with a violent lax, attended with retching and shivering, - so that I was obliged to return to Boston. Through infinite - mercy, I am restored, and to-morrow morning hope to begin _to - begin_ again. Never was the word received with greater eagerness - than now. All opposition seems, as it were, for a while to cease. - I find God’s time is the best. The season is critical as to - outward circumstances. But when forts are given up, the Lord - Jesus can appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. He has - promised to be a wall of fire round about His people. This - comforts me concerning Bethesda, though we should have a Spanish - war. You will be pleased to hear I never was carried through the - summer’s heat so well. I hope it has been so with you, and all - my family. Hoping ere long to see you, I am, etc., - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -The letter to Mr. Keen, written only seven days before Whitefield’s -death, was to the following effect:―― - - “PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE, _September 23, 1770_. - - “MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,――By this time, I thought to be moving - southward: but never was greater importunity used to detain me - longer in these northern parts. Poor New England is much to be - pitied; Boston people most of all. How falsely misrepresented! - What a mercy that our Christian charter cannot be dissolved! - Blessed be God for an unchangeable Jesus! You will see, by the - many invitations enclosed, what a door is opened for preaching - His everlasting gospel. I was so ill on Friday, that I could - not preach, though thousands were waiting to hear. Well, the - day of release will shortly come, but it does not seem yet; - for, by riding sixty miles, I am better, and hope to preach here - to-morrow. I hope my blessed Master will accept of these poor - efforts to serve Him. O for a warm heart! O to stand fast in the - faith, to quit ourselves like men, and to be strong! May this - be the happy experience of you and yours! If spared so long, I - expect to see Georgia about Christmas. Still pray and praise. - I am so poorly, and so engaged when able to preach, that this - must apologize for not writing to more friends. It is quite - impracticable. Hoping to see all dear friends about the time - proposed, and earnestly desiring a continued interest in all - your prayers, I must hasten to subscribe myself, - - “My dear, very dear sir, - - “Less than the least of all, - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -This was Whitefield’s last letter; at all events, no letter of a -subsequent date has been published. - -Though Whitefield scarcely alludes to the circumstance, it ought to -be noted, that, the last six months of his life were spent in the -midst of great political excitement. It is a well-known fact, that the -inhabitants of the British colonies in America strongly objected to -pay taxes upon goods imported from England; and defended themselves by -the famous aphorism, “Taxation, without representation, is tyranny.” -So stout was their resistance, that, during the year 1769, the exports -of English merchants fell short of what they had been to the value -of three-quarters of a million sterling; and, since the year 1767, -the revenue, received by government from duties paid in America, had -decreased from £110,000 to £30,000. In consequence of this state of -things, Lord North, on the 5th of March, 1770, moved in the House of -Commons for leave to bring in a bill to repeal all the American taxes -and duties, except the duty upon tea. Great debates followed. On the -1st of May, the opposition called for the correspondence with the -American colonies. Eight days later, Burke moved eight resolutions -censuring the plan the government were pursuing. On the 14th of May, -Chatham moved that, in consequence of “the alarming disorders in his -Majesty’s American dominions,” an humble address be presented to the -king, beseeching him “to take the recent and genuine sense of the -people, by dissolving this present parliament, and calling another, -with all convenient dispatch.” - -So much as it regards England. In America, the excitement had -become dangerous. In nearly all the principal seaports of the -colonies, committees had been appointed, by the people, to examine -cargoes arriving from Great Britain, and to prevent the sale of taxed -commodities. At Boston, meetings were regularly held, and strong votes -of censure passed upon every one who dared to introduce or sell any -of the prohibited goods; and, still further to increase the odium and -danger of such departures from the popular will, the names of offenders -were published in the newspapers, with comments representing them as -slaves and traitors. - -As might naturally be expected, riots followed. In the month of -February, 1770, the shop of Theophilus Lillie was attacked. A friend of -Lillie’s seized a gun, and fired upon the assailants. The shot killed -Christopher Snider, a dirty boy, who, as “the first martyr to the -glorious cause of liberty,” was buried with great pomp, the procession -which followed the young reformer to his grave being a quarter of a -mile in length. In the meantime, the inhabitants of Boston, and the -soldiers quartered there, were perpetually quarrelling. No man in -a red coat could go through the streets without being insulted, and -no discipline could prevent the soldiers from retorting. Words led -to blows. On the 2nd of March, a private of the 29th Regiment got -into a quarrel, and was beaten by a set of ropemakers. A dozen of -the soldier’s comrades chastised the ropemakers, and made them run -for their very lives. The townspeople were exasperated, and armed -themselves with clubs. Meetings were held by the mob; and, on the 5th -of March, a crowd, with sticks and clubs, marched to Dock Square, and -made an attack upon the soldiers. Muskets were fired, and the rioters -ran away; but three were killed, and five were dangerously wounded. The -subject need not here be pursued at greater length. In point of fact, -the American Rebellion was begun, and, during the last six months of -his eventful life, Whitefield preached among the excited and angry -discontents. In some degree, he evidently sympathised with their -protests concerning their grievances; and, hence, the exclamations in -his last letter to Mr. Keen: “Poor New England is much to be pitied! -Boston people most of all! How falsely misrepresented!” No doubt, -both sides were misrepresented. The hour was pregnant with the most -disastrous events. For years afterwards, the roar and ravages of war -were terrific. Fortunately for himself, Whitefield escaped to the -land of love, and peace, and blessedness, while the storm was only -gathering, and before it burst in all its devastating deadliness. - -On Saturday morning, September 29, Whitefield set out from Portsmouth -to Boston, with the intention of preaching at Newbury Port next morning. -On the way, he was stopped at Exeter, fifteen miles from Portsmouth, -and was prevailed upon to give a sermon to the people there. A friend -said to him, “Sir, you are more fit to go to bed than to preach.” “True, -sir,” replied Whitefield; and then, clasping his hands, and looking up -to heaven, he added, “Lord Jesus, I am weary in Thy work, but not of it. -If I have not yet finished my course, let me go and speak for Thee once -more in the fields, seal Thy truth, and come home and die!” An immense -multitude assembled. He mounted a hogshead.[669] His text was, “Examine -yourselves, whether you be in the faith.” One, who was present, thus -described the preacher and his sermon:―― - - “The subject was ‘Faith and works.’ He rose up sluggishly and - wearily, as if worn down and exhausted by his stupendous labours. - His face seemed bloated, his voice was hoarse, his enunciation - heavy. Sentence after sentence was thrown off in rough, - disjointed portions, without much regard to point or beauty. At - length, his mind kindled, and his lion-like voice roared to the - extremities of his audience. He was speaking of the inefficiency - of works to merit salvation, and suddenly cried out in a tone of - thunder, ‘Works! works! a man get to heaven by works! I would as - soon think of climbing to the moon on a rope of sand!’”[670] - -Another gentleman, who was present, wrote:―― - - “Mr. Whitefield rose, and stood erect, and his appearance alone - was a powerful sermon. He remained several minutes unable to - speak; and then said, ‘I will wait for the gracious assistance - of God; for He will, I am certain, assist me once more to - speak in His name.’ He then delivered, perhaps, one of his best - sermons. ‘I go,’ he cried, ‘I go to rest prepared; my sun has - arisen, and by aid from heaven, has given light to many. It is - now about to set for――no, it is about to rise to the zenith of - immortal glory. I have outlived many on earth, but they cannot - outlive me in heaven. Oh, thought divine! I soon shall be in - a world where time, age, pain, and sorrow are unknown. My body - fails, my spirit expands. How willingly would I live for ever - to preach Christ! But I die to be _with_ Him.’”[671] - -Whitefield’s sermon was two hours in length,――characteristic of the -man, but, in his present health, quite enough to kill him. - -The Rev. Jonathan Parsons, who, for the last twenty-four years, had -been the Presbyterian minister at Newbury Port, met him at Exeter. In -piety, the two were kindred spirits. Mr. Parsons’ congregation was one -of the largest in America. As a preacher, he was eminently useful; his -imagination was rich, and his voice clear and commanding. He was well -skilled in the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages; and many were the -seals of his faithful ministry, which closed six years after that of -his friend Whitefield’s. - -After Whitefield’s enormous sermon, the two friends dined at Captain -Gillman’s, and then started for Newbury Port. On arriving there, -Whitefield was so exhausted, that he was unable to leave the boat -without assistance, but, in the course of the evening, he recovered -his spirits.[672] - -Newbury Port was an ordinary New England village; in fact, it remains -such at the present day,――its streets narrow, and not overcrowded with -either traffic or passengers.[673] It is a remarkable coincidence, -that, _exactly_ thirty years before his death, Whitefield, for the -first time, visited the place which contains his sepulchre. In his -Journal, he wrote:―― - - “Tuesday, September 30, 1740. Preached at Ipswich in the morning - to many thousands. There was a great melting in the congregation. - Dined. Set out for Newbury, another town twelve miles from - Ipswich, and arrived about three. Here again the power of the - Lord accompanied the word. The meeting-house was very large. - Many ministers were present, and the people were greatly - affected. Blessed be God!” - -Little did the great preacher think, that, on the same day, thirty -years afterwards, his work would terminate in the meeting-house’s manse. -The venerable building still stands, in a narrow lane, and, though -now used as two comfortable residences, the spacious entrance hall yet -exists, and likewise the fine oak staircase which led to the room in -which Whitefield died.[674] - -While Whitefield partook of an early supper, the people assembled at -the front of the parsonage, and even crowded into its hall, impatient -to hear a few words from the man they so greatly loved. “I am tired,” -said Whitefield, “and must go to bed.” He took a candle, and was -hastening to his chamber. The sight of the people moved him; and, -pausing on the staircase, he began to speak to them. He had preached -his last sermon; this was to be his last exhortation. There he stood, -the crowd in the hall “gazing up at him with tearful eyes, as Elisha -at the ascending prophet. His voice flowed on until the candle which -he held in his hand burned away and _went out in its socket_! The next -morning he was not, for God had taken him!”[675] - -Mr. Richard Smith, who had accompanied Whitefield from England, and had -attended him in his journeyings, followed him to his chamber. He found -him reading the Bible, and with Dr. Watts’s Psalms before him. -Whitefield drank some water-gruel, knelt by his bedside, engaged in -prayer, and then went to rest. He slept till two in the morning, when -he asked for cider, and drank a wine-glassful. - - “He panted for want of breath,” says Mr. Smith. “I asked him - how he felt. He answered, ‘My asthma is returning; I must have - two or three days’ rest. Two or three days’ riding, without - preaching, will set me up again.’ Though the window had been - half up all night, he asked me to put it a little higher. - ‘I cannot breathe,’ said he, ‘but I hope I shall be better - by-and-by. A good pulpit sweat to-day may give me relief. I shall - be better after preaching.’ I said to him, I wished he would - not preach so often. He replied, ‘I had rather wear out, than - rust out.’ He then sat up in bed and prayed that God would bless - his preaching where he had been, and also bless his preaching - that day, that more souls might be brought to Christ. He prayed - for direction, whether he should winter at Boston, or hasten - southward. He asked for blessings on his Bethesda College - and his family there; likewise on the congregations at the - Tabernacle and Tottenham Court chapel, and on all his English - friends. - - “He then lay down to sleep again. This was nigh three o’clock. - At a quarter to four he awoke, and said, ‘My asthma, my asthma - is coming on again. I wish I had not promised to preach at - Haverhill to-morrow. I don’t think I shall be able; but I shall - see what to-day will bring forth. If I am no better to-morrow, - I will take a two or three days’ ride.’ He then asked me to - warm him a little gruel; and, in breaking the firewood, I awoke - Mr. Parsons, who rose and came in. He went to Mr. Whitefield’s - bedside, and asked him how he felt. He answered, ‘I am almost - suffocated. I can scarce breathe. My asthma quite chokes me.’ - He got out of bed, and went to the open window for air. This was - exactly at five o’clock. Soon after, he turned to me, and said, - ‘I am dying.’ I said, ‘I hope not, sir.’ He ran to the other - window, panting for breath, but could get no relief. I went for - Dr. Sawyer; and, on my coming back, I saw death on his face. - We offered him warm wine with lavender drops, which he refused. - I persuaded him to sit down and put on his cloak; he consented - by a sign, but could not speak. I then offered him the glass of - warm wine; he took half of it, but it seemed as if it would have - stopped his breath entirely. In a little while, he brought up - a considerable quantity of phlegm. I was continually employed - in taking the mucus from his mouth, bathing his temples, and - rubbing his wrists. His hands and feet were as cold as clay. - When the doctor came, and felt his pulse, he said, ‘He is a dead - man.’ Mr. Parsons replied, ‘I do not believe it. You must do - something, doctor.’ He answered, ‘I cannot. He is now near his - last breath.’[676] And indeed so it proved; for he fetched but - one gasp, stretched out his feet, and breathed no more. This was - exactly at six o’clock.”[677] - -Thus died the most popular and powerful evangelist of modern times, -on Sunday morning, September 30, 1770. “I shall die silent,” remarked -Whitefield at the dinner table of Finley, the president of New Jersey -College: “I shall die silent. It has pleased God to enable me to bear -so many testimonies for Him during my life, that He will require none -from me when I die.” Whitefield’s words were strangely verified. In -this respect, his death was a contrast to that of his friend Wesley. - -Whitefield was interred on Tuesday, October 2. “At one o’clock, all the -bells in Newbury Port were tolled for half an hour, and all the ships -in the harbour hoisted signals of mourning. At two o’clock, the bells -tolled a second time. At three o’clock, the bells called to attend the -funeral.”[678] Meanwhile, a large number of ministers had assembled -at the manse of Mr. Parsons, and had spent two hours in conversation -respecting Whitefield’s usefulness, and in prayer that his mantle -might fall on them and others. The pall-bearers were the Revs. -Samuel Haven, D.D., of Portsmouth; Daniel Rogers, of Exeter; Jedediah -Jewet and James Chandler, of Rowley; Moses Parsons, of Newbury; and -Edward Bass, D.D.,[679] the first bishop of the Church of England -in Massachusetts. The funeral procession was a mile in length. About -6,000 persons crowded within the church, and many thousands stood -outside.[680] The corpse being placed at the foot of the pulpit, the -Rev. Daniel Rogers offered prayer, in which he confessed that he owed -his conversion to Whitefield’s ministry, and then exclaiming, “O my -Father! my Father!” stopped and wept as though his heart was breaking. -The scene was one never to be forgotten. The crowded congregation were -bathed in tears. Rogers recovered himself, finished his prayer, sat -down, and sobbed. [681] One of the deacons gave out the hymn beginning -with the line,―― - - “Why do we mourn departing friends?” - -Some of the people sang, and some wept, and others sang and wept -alternately. The coffin was then put into a newly prepared tomb, -beneath the pulpit; and, before the tomb was sealed, the Rev. Jedediah -Jewet delivered a suitable address, in the course of which he spoke -of Whitefield’s “peculiar and eminent gifts for the gospel ministry, -and his fervour, diligence, and success in the work of it.” “What a -friend,” cried Jewet, “he has been to us, and our interests, religious -and civil; to New England, and to all the British colonies on the -continent!”[682] After this, another prayer was offered, and the -immense crowd departed, weeping through the streets, as in mournful -groups they wended their way to their respective homes.[683] - -The sensation occasioned by the sudden decease of the “man greatly -beloved” was enormous. The people came in crowds, begging to be allowed -to see his corpse. Ministers of all denominations hastened to the -house of Mr. Parsons, where several of them related how his ministry -had been the means of their conversion. Two days before his death, -he had preached at Portsmouth, and one of his hearers was a young -man named Benjamin Randall, then unconverted, and also cherishing a -dislike to Whitefield. “O how wonderful he spoke!” wrote Randall. His -soul inflamed with love, his arms extended, and tears rolling from his -eyes――with what power he spoke!” At noon on Sunday, a stranger was seen -riding through the streets of Portsmouth, and crying at the different -corners, “Whitefield is dead! Whitefield is dead!” Young Randall heard -the announcement. It pierced his heart. He afterwards wrote: “It was -September 30, 1770――that memorable day! that blessed day to Whitefield! -that blessed day to me! A voice sounded through my soul, more loud -and startling than ever thunder pealed upon my ears, ‘_Whitefield is -dead!_’ Whitefield is now in heaven, but I am on the road to hell. -He was a man of God, and yet I reviled him. He taught me the way to -heaven, but I regarded it not. O that I could hear his voice again!” -Whitefield’s death led to Randall’s conversion. He became a Baptist -minister, and _founded_ the Free-Will Baptist denomination, which now -numbers sixty thousand church members, more than a thousand ministers, -two colleges, and one theological seminary; and also has its weekly -periodicals, its _Quarterly Review_, and its flourishing missions in -India.[684] - -The effect of Whitefield’s death upon the inhabitants of Georgia was -indescribable. All the black cloth in the colony was bought up. The -pulpit and desk, the chandeliers and organ, the pews of the Governor -and Council in the church at Savannah were draped with mourning; -and the Governor and members of the two Houses of Assembly went in -procession to the church, and were received by the organ playing a -funereal dirge.[685] A sum of money also was unanimously voted for -the removal of Whitefield’s remains to Georgia, to be interred at his -Orphan House; but the people of Newbury Port strongly objected, and the -design had to be relinquished. Forty-five years later, however, when -a new county was formed in Georgia, it received the name of Whitefield, -in memory of his worth and useful services.[686] - -Jesse Lee, in his “History of the American Methodists,” (page 36,) -remarks: “Mr. Whitefield had often felt his soul so much comforted in -preaching in the Presbyterian meeting-house at Newbury Port, that he -told his friends long before his death, that, if he died in that part -of the world, he wished to be buried under the pulpit of that house. -The people, who remembered his request, had it now in their power to -grant it; and they prepared a vault under the pulpit, where they laid -his body.” During the last hundred years, thousands of persons have -visited that vault; and, as time flows on, the numbers still increase. -The _Christian’s Magazine_, for 1790, inserted a startling letter, -written by “J. Brown, of Epping, Essex,” to the following effect:―― - - “In 1784, I visited my friends in New England, and, hearing that - Whitefield’s body was undecayed, I went to see it. A lantern and - candle being provided, we entered the tomb. Our guide opened the - coffin lid down to Whitefield’s breast. His body was perfect. - I felt his cheeks, his breast, etc.; and the skin immediately - rose after I had touched it. Even his lips were not consumed, nor - his nose. His skin was considerably discoloured through dust and - age, but there was no effluvium; and even his gown was not much - impaired, nor his wig.” - -If this were true in 1784, it had ceased to be a fact in 1796. -In a letter dated “Newbury Port, August 15, 1801,” William Mason -remarks: “About five years ago, a few friends were permitted to open -Whitefield’s coffin. We found the flesh totally consumed, but the -gown, cassock, and bands were almost the same as when he was buried in -them.”[687] After all, the two statements are not incompatible; and it -has been asserted, that “several other corpses are in the same state,” -as Whitefield’s was said to have been in fourteen years after his -decease, “owing to the vast quantities of nitre with which the earth -there abounds.”[688] - -A cenotaph in honour of Whitefield’s friends, John and Charles Wesley, -has recently been erected in Westminster Abbey. That is a distinction -which has not been conferred on Whitefield. - -Indeed, I am not aware that England has now any monument of Whitefield -whatever. Gillies says that, at the bottom of Mrs. Whitefield’s -monument, in Tottenham Court Road chapel, an inscription was placed in -memory of Whitefield himself; but that monument, years ago, was broken, -and has disappeared. The inscription, composed by Titus Knight, of -Halifax, is not worth quoting. One cenotaph exists――and, so far as -I know, only one, in either England or America. That is in the chapel -containing Whitefield’s bones and dust. It is a plain, but tasteful -tablet, surmounted by a flame burning from an uncovered urn; and its -history is the following. The Rev. Dr. Proudfit, a former pastor of the -old South Church, Newbury Port, remarked at its centenary anniversary -in 1856:―― - - “As my eye rests on that monument, let me recall the way in - which it came there. I called one evening on Mr. Bartlett. He - told me he had heard Whitefield, when he was boy, and had never - forgotten the impression made upon him by his preaching. He - expressed a desire to have a suitable monument erected to his - memory in this church. He asked if I would look after the matter, - and employ an eminent artist to do the work. I enquired how much - he was willing it should cost. ‘On that point,’ he replied, ‘I - leave you entirely at liberty. Let it be something worthy of a - great and good man.’ That monument, designed by Strickland, and - executed by Strothers, is the result. I used the liberty he gave - me moderately. Had it cost ten times as much, he would, no doubt, - have paid it cheerfully. When the artist presented the demand, - Mr. Bartlett gave him one hundred dollars above the amount. When - I was in England, the congregations at Tottenham Court and at - the Tabernacle intimated a desire to have Whitefield’s remains - removed to England; but when I told them what Mr. Bartlett had - done, they said, if any American gentleman was willing to give - £300 to do honour to Whitefield’s memory, America was well - entitled to his remains.”[689] - -This monument was not put up until the year 1828. The inscription, -written by Dr. Ebenezer Porter, of Andover,[690] is as follows:―― - - This Cenotaph - is erected, with affectionate veneration, - To the Memory of - THE REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, - Born at Gloucester, England, December 16, 1714; - Educated at Oxford University; ordained 1736. - In a ministry of thirty-four years, - He crossed the Atlantic thirteen times, - And preached more than eighteen thousand Sermons. - As a soldier of the cross, humble, devout, ardent, - He put on the whole armour of God: - Preferring the honour of Christ to his own interest, - repose, reputation, and life. - As a Christian orator, his deep piety, disinterested - zeal, and vivid imagination, - Gave unexampled energy to his look, utterance, and action. - Bold, fervent, pungent, and popular in his eloquence, - No other uninspired man ever preached to so large assemblies, - Or enforced the simple truths of the Gospel by motives so - persuasive and awful, and with an influence so powerful, - on the hearts of his hearers. - He died of asthma, September 30, 1770: - Suddenly exchanging his life of unparalleled labours - for his eternal rest.” - -It ought to be added that another, and more imposing, monument to -Whitefield’s memory, was proposed to be erected in 1839. In that year, -the Congregational ministers of Gloucestershire associated themselves -together in a society called the “Christian Union,” and determined to -preach, in the open air, in every town, village, and hamlet of their -county. They went forth, like the seventy of old, by two and two, in -the prosecution of their mission. While these services were being held, -many of the missioners met in a central town, when one of them proposed, -that, as the present year was “the centenary of Whitefield’s labours -in reviving the apostolic practice of open-air preaching,――that as -Whitefield was a native of Gloucester,――and that as Stinchcombe Hill -was one of the places where Whitefield preached a century ago,”――it -would be well to hold a monster meeting there for the promotion of -evangelical religion. The proposal was favourably received; and, on -Tuesday, July 30, nearly one hundred ministers and twenty thousand -people assembled on the summit of this memorable hill. Drs. Redford, -Ross, and Matheson, with the Rev. Messrs. East, Hinton, and Sibree, -preached upon appropriate subjects, previously announced; and hymns, -specially composed by J. Conder, Esq., and others, were sung on the -occasion. The rain, during the afternoon, fell in torrents, but, till -about five o’clock, when they adjourned to Dursley, the vast assemblage -preserved the utmost order and compactness. The party partook of dinner -and tea upon the hill, in large booths and tents erected for the day; -and the services were, in all respects, remarkable. A few fastidious -persons thought the preachers dwelt more on Whitefield than was seemly, -forgetting, however, that the design of the commemoration was specially -to use Whitefield’s character and example for the glory of God, the -illustration of piety, the instruction of the world, and the revival -of religion. The results were, the ministers of the county re-entered -with ardour upon their itinerant engagements, the churches of the -neighbourhood were refreshed, and several modes of perpetuating the -influence of Whitefield’s piety were proposed. - -At the half-yearly meeting of the Gloucestershire Association, held in -Bristol soon after, an “Address to the Christian Public” was read and -adopted, and afterwards published, to the following effect:―― - - “It is proposed to erect, by small subscriptions, a plain - monumental column, surmounted by a statue, on the summit - of Stinchcombe Hill, near Dursley, to commemorate the life - and labours of the Rev. George Whitefield. The site appears - peculiarly eligible, as being situated in the centre of his - native county, the scene of some of his earliest itinerant - labours, surrounded by churches established by his ministry, and - commanding a prospect of twelve or thirteen counties, together - with much of the Bristol Channel. A noble column, upon such - a base, to testify that tens of thousands regard his labours - as blessed of God to the revival of religion in our land, will - exert a moral influence which many may undervalue, but which few - can calculate. Thousands, as they travel on the great highway, - almost beneath the shadow of the statue, will think and talk of - Whitefield,――of his life, his labours, and his holy success, as - they have never done before. Its erection would open a chapter - in the book of providence, which many, who never enter our - sanctuaries, will be obliged to read; and will cherish, perhaps, - amongst themselves, an imitation of those zealous labours, which - God made so pre-eminently useful. We suggest a subscription - of a shilling each person; and hope, by this means, to erect - a magnificent testimonial of one who was in England as great - a blessing to his country, as he was in America an honour. - Whitefield was a man of no sect; the sphere of his labours had - no boundary; holding office, as it were, in every church, his - communion was with the pious of every name. In the erection of - this cenotaph all may unite――the Episcopalian, who would say - with Toplady, that ‘he was a true and faithful son of the Church - of England,’――the Dissenter, who considers his whole course - but practical independency,――the Calvinist, who admires his - conscientious adherence to the truth,――and, likewise, the - Wesleyan, who remembers him as, in life and death, the dearest - friend of Wesley.”[691] - -An instinctive awe pervades thoughtful men when in the presence of the -last earthly remains of those who wielded a controlling influence upon -their times. Napoleon lingered thoughtfully and reverently in the tomb -of Frederick the Great. The Prince of Wales took off his hat at the -grave of Washington. This may be a sort of hero-worship, but it is -not a weakness. Thousands have entered the vault beneath the pulpit at -Newbury Port, to look at the open coffin of Whitefield, the good and -eloquent. The coffin, apparently of oak, is yet undecayed, and rests -upon the coffin of a Mr. Prince, a blind preacher, and one of the first -pastors of the church. The skull, the bones of the arms, the backbone, -and the ribs are in good preservation. Many years ago, Mr. Bolton, an -Englishman, and one of Whitefield’s great admirers, wished to obtain -a small memento of the great preacher. A friend of Bolton’s stole the -main bone of Whitefield’s right arm, and sent it to England in a parcel. -Bolton was horrified with his friend’s sacrilegious act, and carefully -returned the bone, in 1837, to the Rev. Dr. Stearns, then pastor of the -church at Newbury Port. Great interest was created by the restoration -of Whitefield’s relic; a procession of two thousand people followed it -to the grave; and it was restored to its original position.[692] That -bone now lies crosswise near the region of the breast; and the little -box, in which it was returned, is laid upon the coffin.[693] - -The good taste of those who exhibit the dust and bones of Whitefield -may be fairly doubted; but so long as they are exposed to the public -view, Whitefield’s sepulchre will have its visitors. Of the numerous -descriptions published by those whose curiosity or piety had brought -them to Whitefield’s resting-place, one only shall suffice,――and that -by an outsider. Henry Vincent, the eloquent English lecturer, thus -described his visit in 1867[694]:―― - - “We descended into a cellar, through a trap-door behind the - pulpit, and entered the tomb of the great preacher. The upper - part of the lid of Whitefield’s coffin opens upon hinges. - We opened the coffin carefully, and saw all that was mortal - of the eloquent divine. The bones are blackened, as though - charred by fire. The skull is perfect. I placed my hand upon - the forehead, and thought of the time when the active brain - within throbbed with love to God and man; and when those silent - lips swayed the people of England, from the churchyard in - Islington to Kennington Common,――from the hills and valleys - of Gloucestershire to the mouths of the Cornish mines, and on - through the growing colonies of America. In these days of High - Church pantomime, would it not be well to turn our attention to - the times of Whitefield and his glorious friend Wesley? Not by - new decorations and scenery,――not by candles and crosses,――not - by what Wycliffe boldly called the ‘priests’ rags,’――not by - Pan-Anglican Synods, or by moaning out bits of Scripture in - unearthly chants; but by such lives as those of Whitefield - and Wesley, are the people to be reached and won. I confess - that, as an Englishman, I envy America the possession of the - earthly remains of dear George Whitefield; but perhaps it is - appropriate that, while England claims the dust of Wesley, the - great republic should be the guardian of the dust of his holy - brother.”[695] - -The Americans are proud of their possession, and, to this day, not only -preserve his sepulchre, but, at Newbury Port, still use in the pulpit -the old Bible out of which Whitefield was wont to read his texts, and -still keep the old chair in which he died, and still shew the ring -taken from the finger of his corpse. - -Excepting the value of the copyright of his publications, Wesley died -almost penniless; and the same would have been Whitefield’s case, but -for certain legacies bequeathed to him only a short time before his -death. By the decease of his wife, in 1768, he became possessed of -£700. Mrs. Thomson, of Tower Hill, bequeathed him £500; Mr. Whitmore, -£100; and Mr. Winder, £100;[697] making a total of £1,400. This, in -round figures, was the sum disposed of in Whitefield’s “last will and -testament.” The Orphan House buildings, furniture, slaves, and lands -might be regarded as property held in trust, and, as such, were left -“to that elect lady, that mother in Israel, that mirror of true and -undefiled religion, the Right Honourable Selina, Countess-Dowager of -Huntingdon;”[698] and, in case of her death, to Whitefield’s “dear -first fellow-traveller, and faithful, invariable friend, the Honourable -James Habersham, Esq., President of His Majesty’s Honourable Council,” -in Georgia. The Tabernacle, and Tottenham Court Road chapel, with the -adjacent manses, coach-houses, stables, and other buildings, having -been erected, in great part, by the subscriptions of the public, were -also, in a certain sense, trust properties; and were left to be managed -by Whitefield’s “worthy, trusty, tried friends, Daniel West, Esq., -in Church Street, Spitalfields; and Mr. Robert Keen, woollen draper, -in the Minories.” The remainder of Whitefield’s bequests were as -follows:―― - - £ s. d. - Lady Huntingdon 100 0 0 - The Honourable James Habersham, for mourning 10 0 0 - Gabriel Harris, Esq., of Gloucester 50 0 0 - Ambrose Wright, a faithful servant 500 0 0 - Mr. Richard Whitefield, a brother 50 0 0 - Mr. Thomas Whitefield, a brother 50 0 0 - Mr. James Smith, a brother-in-law 80 0 0 - Mrs. Frances Hartford, a niece 70 0 0 - Mr. J. Crane, steward at the Orphan House 40 0 0 - Mr. Benjamin Stirk, for mourning 10 0 0 - Peter Edwards,[699] at the Orphan House 50 0 0 - William Trigg, at ditto 50 0 0 - Mr. Thomas Adams, of Rodborough 50 0 0 - Rev. Mr. Howell Davies, for mourning 10 0 0 - Mr. Torial Joss, for ditto 10 0 0 - Mr. Cornelius Winter, for ditto 10 0 0 - Mr. Ambrose Wright’s three brothers, for - ditto 30 0 0 - Ditto’s sister-in-law, for ditto 10 0 0 - Mr. Richard Smith 50 0 0 - The old servants in London, the widows, - etc., for mourning 100 0 0 - ───── ── ── - £1330 0 0 - ═════ ══ ══ - -The residue of Whitefield’s monies, if any, were to be given to the -Orphan House Academy. His wife’s gold watch, he bequeathed to James -Habersham; his wearing apparel, to Richard Smith; to his four executors, -James Habersham, Charles Hardy, Daniel West, and Robert Keen, each a -mourning ring; also, he added:―― - - “I leave a mourning ring to my honoured and dear friends and - disinterested fellow-labourers, the Rev. Messrs. John and - Charles Wesley, in token of my indissoluble union with them, in - heart and Christian affection, notwithstanding our difference in - judgment about some particular points of doctrine. Grace be with - all them, of whatever denomination, that love our Lord Jesus, - our common Lord, in sincerity.” - -The conclusion of Whitefield’s will is too characteristic to be -omitted:―― - - “To all my other Christian benefactors, and more intimate - acquaintance, I leave my most hearty thanks and blessing, - assuring them that I am more and more convinced of the undoubted - reality and infinite importance of the grand gospel truths, - which I have, from time to time, delivered; and am so far from - repenting my delivering them in an itinerant way, that, had I - strength equal to my inclination, I would preach them from pole - to pole, not only because I have found them to be the power of - God to the salvation of my own soul, but because I am as much - assured that the Great Head of the Church hath called me by - His Word, Providence, and Spirit, to act in this way, as that - the sun shines at noonday. As for my enemies, and misjudging, - mistaken friends, I most freely and heartily forgive them, and - can only add, that the last tremendous day will soon discover - what I have been, what I am, and what I shall be when time - itself shall be no more. And, therefore, from my inmost soul, - I close all, by crying, ‘_Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!_ Even - so, Lord Jesus! Amen and amen!’ - - “GEORGE WHITEFIELD.” - -Whitefield’s will was written by himself, and signed, at the Orphan -House, on March 22, 1770, in the presence of Robert Bolton, Thomas -Dixon, and Cornelius Winter, as witnesses. It was proved in the -Prerogative Court of Canterbury, on February 5, 1771.[700] - -When great men die, poets sing. So it was in the case of Whitefield. To -say nothing of poems printed in newspapers and magazines, the following -were a few of the elegies published separately: “Zion in Distress, an -Elegy on the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. By W. S.” “The -Bromsgrove Elegy, in blank verse, in which are represented the Subjects -of his Ministry, his Manner of Preaching, the Success of his Labours, -his excellent Moral Character, and his Death. By John Fellows, of -Bromsgrove, in Worcestershire.” “An Elegy. By Jacob Rowel.” “An Elegy, -exhibiting a brief History of the Life, Labours, and Glorious Death -of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. By T. Knight, Minister of the -Gospel at Halifax.”[701] “A Monody on the Death of the Rev. Mr. George -Whitefield.” “An Elegiac Poem, dedicated to the Memory of the Rev. Mr. -George Whitefield. By James Stevens, Preacher of the Gospel.” “Elegiac -Lines. By Rev. Mr. De Courcy.”[702] “A Pastoral. By the Rev. Walter -Shirley.”[703] - -All these were pious, and some of them respectable. The best published -was by Whitefield’s oldest friend: “An Elegy on the late Reverend -George Whitefield, M.A., who died September 30, 1770, in the 56th year -of his age. By Charles Wesley, M.A., Presbyter of the Church of England. -Bristol: 1771.” (8vo. 29 pp.) No one knew or loved Whitefield better -than Charles Wesley did; and the following extracts from his “Elegy” -may be acceptable:―― - - “And is my _Whitefield_ enter’d into rest, - With sudden death, with sudden glory blest? - Left for a few sad moments here behind, - I bear his image on my faithful mind; - To future times the fair example tell - Of one who lived, of one who died, so well, - Pay the last office of fraternal love, - And then embrace my happier friend above.” - - “Can I the memorable day forget, - When first we, by Divine appointment, met? - Where undisturb’d the thoughtful student roves, - In search of truth, through academic groves, - A modest, pensive youth, who mus’d alone, - Industrious the frequented path to shun: - An Israelite without disguise or art - I saw, I loved, and clasp’d him to my heart, - A stranger as my bosom friend carest, - And unawares receiv’d an angel-guest.” - - “Through his abundant toils, with fixt amaze, - We see reviv’d the work of ancient days; - In his unspotted life, with joy we see - The fervours of primeval piety: - A pattern to the flock by Jesus bought, - A living witness of the truths He taught,―― - He shew’d the man regenerate from above, - By fraudless innocence, and childlike love. - For friendship form’d by nature and by grace, - (His heart made up of truth and tenderness), - Stranger to guile, unknowing to deceive, - In anger, malice, or revenge to live, - Betwixt the mountain and the multitude, - His life was spent in prayer and doing good.” - - “Though long by following multitudes admir’d, - No party for himself he e’er desir’d, - His one desire to make the Saviour known, - To magnify the name of Christ alone: - If others strove who should the greatest be, - No lover of pre-eminence was he, - Nor envied those his Lord vouchsaf’d to bless, - But joy’d in theirs as in his own success, - His friends in honour to himself preferr’d, - And least of all in his own eyes appear’d.” - - “Single his eye, transparently sincere, - His upright heart did in his words appear, - His cheerful heart did in his visage shine; - A man of true simplicity divine, - Not always as the serpent wise, yet love - Preserv’d him harmless as the gentle dove; - Or if into mistake through haste he fell, - He shew’d what others labour to conceal; - Convinc’d, no palliating excuses sought, - But freely own’d his error, or his fault.” - - “Shall I a momentary loss deplore, - Lamenting after him that weeps no more? - What though, forbid by the Atlantic wave, - I cannot share my old companion’s grave, - Yet, at the trumpet’s call, my dust shall rise, - With his fly up to Jesus in the skies, - And live with him the life that never dies.” - -Charles Wesley often wrote more polished poetry than this, but his -loving lines truthfully pourtray some of the features of Whitefield’s -character, and, likewise, shew the profound affection which he -cherished for his brother George. - -Before leaving the poets, another extract may be welcome. There is no -evidence to shew that Whitefield and William Cowper were personally -acquainted, but John Newton and some other of Cowper’s friends were -among Whitefield’s most ardent admirers; and, therefore, it is not -surprising that Cowper should have enshrined the famous preacher in -his poesy. Soon after Whitefield’s death, Cowper wrote his well-known -poem, entitled “Hope,” in which Whitefield was graphically described -as follows:―― - - “Leuconomus (beneath well-sounding Greek) - I slur a name a poet must not speak, - Stood pilloried on infamy’s high stage, - And bore the pelting scorn of half an age, - The very butt of slander, and the blot - For every dart that malice ever shot. - “The man that mention’d _him_, at once dismiss’d - All mercy from his lips, and sneer’d and hiss’d; - His crimes were such as Sodom never knew, - And Perjury stood up to swear all true; - His aim was mischief, and his zeal pretence, - His speech rebellion against common sense; - A knave, when tried on honesty’s plain rule, - And when by that of reason, a mere fool; - The world’s best comfort was, his doom was pass’d, - Die when he might, he must be damn’d at last. - “Now, Truth, perform thine office; waft aside - The curtain drawn by prejudice and pride, - Reveal (the man is dead) to wondering eyes - This more than monster in his proper guise. - “He loved the world that hated him; the tear - That dropp’d upon his Bible was sincere. - Assail’d by scandal and the tongue of strife, - His only answer was a blameless life, - And he that forged and he that threw the dart, - Had each a brother’s interest in his heart. - Paul’s love of Christ, and steadiness unbribed, - Were copied close in him, and well transcribed; - He follow’d Paul; his zeal a kindred flame, - His apostolic charity the same; - Like him, cross’d cheerfully tempestuous seas, - Forsaking country, kindred, friends, and ease; - Like him he labour’d, and, like him content - To bear it, suffer’d shame where’er he went. - “Blush, Calumny; and write upon his tomb, - If honest eulogy can spare thee room, - Thy deep repentance of thy thousand lies, - Which, aim’d at him, have pierced the offended skies; - And say, Blot out my sin, confess’d, deplored, - Against Thine image in Thy saint, O Lord!” - -No higher eulogy on Whitefield than this of the poet Cowper can be -properly pronounced. It elaborates that of the celebrated Rev. Benjamin -Grosvenor, D.D., who, after listening to one of Whitefield’s sermons -about the year 1741, remarked, “If the Apostle Paul had preached to -this auditory, he would have preached in the same manner.”[704] - -“If you should die abroad,” said Mr. Keen, “whom shall we get to preach -your funeral sermon? Must it be your old friend the Rev. Mr. John -Wesley?” This question was often put, and as often Whitefield answered, -“He is the man.”[705] - -The news of Whitefield’s death reached London on November 5.[706] At -the time, Wesley was at Norwich; but, five days afterwards, he wrote:―― - - “Saturday, November 10, 1770. I returned to London, and had - the melancholy news of Mr. Whitefield’s death confirmed by his - executors, who desired me to preach his funeral sermon on Sunday, - the 18th.[707] In order to write this, I retired to Lewisham - on Monday; and, on Sunday following, went to the chapel in - Tottenham Court Road. An immense multitude was gathered together - from all corners of the town.[708] I was at first afraid that - a great part of the congregation would not be able to hear; but - it pleased God so to strengthen my voice, that even those at the - door heard distinctly. It was an awful season: all were still - as night; most appeared to be deeply affected; and an impression - was made on many, which one would hope will not speedily be - effaced. - - “The time appointed for my beginning at the Tabernacle was half - an hour after five; but it was quite filled at three; so I began - at four. At first, the noise was exceeding great; but it ceased - when I began to speak; and my voice was again so strengthened - that all who were within could hear, unless an accidental noise - hindered here or there for a few moments. O that all may hear - the voice of Him with whom are the issues of life and death; and - who so loudly, by this unexpected stroke, calls all His children - to love one another!” - -In addition to the services on November 18, Wesley, on two other -occasions, improved the death of his old and much-loved friend. Hence -the following extracts from his Journal:―― - - “Friday, November 23. Being desired by the trustees of the - Tabernacle at Greenwich to preach Mr. Whitefield’s funeral - sermon there, I went over to-day for that purpose; but neither - would this house contain the congregation. Those who could not - get in made some noise at first; but in a little while all were - silent. Here, likewise, I trust God has given a blow to that - bigotry which had prevailed for many years. - - “Wednesday, January 2, 1771. I preached, in the evening, at - Deptford, a kind of funeral sermon for Mr. Whitefield. In every - place, I wish to shew all possible respect to the memory of that - great and good man.” - -Wesley’s sermon was official; and was published, with the title, “A -Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. Preached at the -Chapel in Tottenham Court Road, and at the Tabernacle near Moorfields, -on Sunday, November 18, 1770. By John Wesley, M.A., late Fellow of -Lincoln College, Oxon., and Chaplain to the Right Honourable the -Countess-Dowager of Buchan. 1770.” (8vo. 32 pp.) - -No man was so well qualified to form a correct estimate of Whitefield’s -life as Wesley was. For thirty-seven years, they had been loving, frank, -confiding friends. Wesley was a singularly keen observer of human -character; and, moreover, he was without envy, was incapable of using -flattery, and was far too honest to say anything but what he thought. -In this instance, he took a text (Numbers xxiii. 10) without expounding -it. His sermon was simply a review of Whitefield’s “life, and death, -and character,” with an enquiry how his sudden removal ought to be -improved. The first dozen pages are filled with a condensed summary of -Whitefield’s Journals down to the year 1741;――“Journals,” says Wesley, -“which, for their artless and unaffected simplicity, may vie with any -writings of the kind.” And then, in reference to Whitefield’s labours -already sketched, Wesley adds:―― - - “How exact a specimen is this of his labours, both in Europe and - America, for the honour of his beloved Master, during the thirty - years that followed! as well as of the uninterrupted showers of - blessings wherewith God was pleased to succeed his labours! Is - it not much to be lamented, that anything should have prevented - his continuing this account till at least near the time when - he was called by his Lord to enjoy the fruit of his labour? If - he has left any papers of this kind, and his friends count me - worthy of the honour, it would be my glory and joy to methodize, - transcribe, and prepare them for the public view.” - -Wesley then gives an extract from the _Boston Gazette_, which he -virtually adopts as expressing his own opinions:―― - - “In his public labours, Mr. Whitefield has for many years - astonished the world with his eloquence and devotion. With what - divine pathos did he persuade the impenitent sinner to embrace - the practice of piety and virtue! Filled with the spirit of - grace, he spoke from the heart; and, with a fervency of zeal - perhaps unequalled since the days of the apostles, adorned the - truths he delivered with the most graceful charms of rhetoric - and oratory. From the pulpit he was unrivalled in the command - of an over-crowded auditory. Nor was he less agreeable and - instructive in his private conversation: happy in a remarkable - ease of address, willing to communicate, studious to edify.” - -Wesley next proceeds to give his own sketch of Whitefield’s character, -and which, abbreviated, is as follows:―― - - “Mention has already been made of his unparalleled _zeal_, - his indefatigable _activity_, his _tender-heartedness_ to the - afflicted, and _charitableness_ toward the poor. But should we - not likewise mention his deep _gratitude_ to all whom God had - used as instruments of good to him? of whom he did not cease - to speak in the most respectful manner, even to his dying - day.[709] Should we not mention, that he had a heart susceptible - of the most generous and the most tender _friendship_? I - have frequently thought, that this, of all others, was the - distinguishing part of his character. How few have we known - of so kind a temper, of such large and flowing affections! Was - it not principally by this that the hearts of others were so - strangely drawn and knit to him? Can anything but love beget - love? This shone in his very countenance, and continually - breathed in all his words, whether in public or private. Was - it not this, which, quick and penetrating as lightning, flew - from heart to heart? which gave life to his sermons, his - conversations, his letters? Ye are witnesses. - - “He was also endued with the most nice and unblemished _modesty_. - His office called him to converse, very frequently and largely, - with women as well as men; and those of every age and condition. - But his whole behaviour toward them was a practical comment on - that advice of St. Paul to Timothy, ‘_Intreat the elder women - as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity._’[710] - - “The _frankness and openness_ of his conversation was as - far removed from rudeness on the one hand, as from guile and - disguise on the other. Was not this frankness at once a fruit - and a proof of his _courage_ and _intrepidity_? Armed with these, - he feared not the faces of men, but used _great plainness of - speech_ to persons of every rank and condition, high and low, - rich and poor; endeavouring only _by manifestation of the truth_ - to _commend himself to every man’s conscience in the sight of - God_. - - “His _steadiness_ appeared in whatever he undertook for his - Master’s sake. Witness one instance for all, the Orphan House - in Georgia, which he began and perfected, in spite of all - discouragements. Indeed, in whatever concerned himself, he was - pliant and flexible. In this case, he was _easy to be intreated_, - easy to be either convinced or persuaded. But he was immoveable - in the things of God, or wherever his conscience was concerned. - None could persuade, any more than affright him, to vary in the - least point from that _integrity_, which was inseparable from - his whole character, and regulated all his words and actions. - - “If it be enquired, what was the foundation of this integrity, - or of his sincerity, courage, patience, and every other valuable - and amiable quality, it is easy to give the answer. It was not - the excellence of his natural temper; not the strength of his - understanding; it was not the force of education; no, nor the - advice of his friends. It was no other than faith in a bleeding - Lord; _faith of the operation of God_. It was _a lively hope - of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth - not away_. It was _the love of God shed abroad in his heart - by the Holy Ghost, which was given unto him_, filling his soul - with tender, disinterested love to every child of man. From - this source arose that torrent of _eloquence_, which frequently - bore down all before it; from this, that astonishing force of - _persuasion_, which the most hardened sinners could not resist. - This it was, which often made his _head as waters_, and his - _eyes as a fountain of tears_. This it was, which enabled him to - pour out his soul in _prayer_, in a manner peculiar to himself, - with such fulness and ease united together, with such strength - and variety both of sentiment and expression. - - “I may close this head with observing, what an honour it pleased - God to put upon His faithful servant, by allowing him to declare - His everlasting gospel in so many various countries, to such - numbers of people, and with so great an effect on so many of - their precious souls. Have we read or heard of any person since - the apostles, who testified the gospel of the grace of God, - through so widely extended a space, through so large a part - of the habitable world? Have we read or heard of any person, - who called so many thousands, so many myriads of sinners to - repentance? Above all, have we read or heard of any, who has - been a blessed instrument in the hand of God of _bringing_ so - many sinners from _darkness to light, and from the power of - Satan unto God_?” - -Like all Wesley’s writings, this sketch of Whitefield’s character -is concise, but terse, pointed, and comprehensive. He concludes by -improving Whitefield’s death. The grand lesson to be learned was to -“keep close to the _grand doctrines_ which” Whitefield “delivered; -and to drink into his _spirit_,” a lesson which the Methodists of -the present day have more need to study and to lay to heart than the -Methodists of any previous generation. - -The “_grand doctrines_” specified by Wesley were, that “There is _no -power_ (by nature) and _no merit_ in man. All power to think, speak, -or act aright, is in and from the Spirit of Christ: and all merit is -in the blood of Christ. All men are _dead in trespasses and sins_: all -are _by nature children of wrath_: all are _guilty before God_, liable -to death, temporal and eternal. We become interested in what Christ -has done and suffered, _not by works, lest any man should boast_; -but by faith alone. _We conclude_, says the Apostle, _that a man is -justified by faith, without the works of the law_. And _to as many as_ -thus receive Him, giveth He power _to become the sons of God: even to -those that believe in His name, who are born, not of the will of man, -but of God_. And except a man _be thus born again, he cannot see the -kingdom of God_. But all who are thus _born of the Spirit_, have _the -kingdom of God within them_. That _mind is in them which was in Christ -Jesus_, enabling them to _walk as Christ also walked_. His indwelling -Spirit makes them both holy in heart, and _holy in all manner of -conversation_.” - -These were the doctrines of Wesley, Whitefield, and the first -Methodists, _par excellence_, and no pulpit of the present age has -a right to be designated _Methodist_, in which these doctrines do -not occupy the same prominent position. “May they not,” says Wesley, -“be summed up, as it were, in two words, _The new birth_, and -_justification by faith_”? - -Immediately after the publication of his sermon, Wesley was attacked by -the _Gospel Magazine_, and charged “with asserting a gross falsehood,” -in saying that “the grand fundamental doctrines which Mr. Whitefield -everywhere preached,” were those just specified. In an unamiable -outburst of Calvinistic zeal, the editor maintained that Whitefield’s -“grand fundamental doctrines, which he everywhere preached, were the -everlasting covenant between the Father and the Son, and absolute -predestination flowing therefrom.” - -To this Wesley quietly replied:―― - - “I join issue on this head. Whether the doctrines of the - eternal covenant, and of absolute predestination, are the grand - fundamental doctrines of Christianity or not, I affirm again, - 1. That Mr. Whitefield did not everywhere preach these; 2. That - he did everywhere preach the new birth, and justification by - faith. - - “1. He did not everywhere preach the eternal covenant, and - absolute predestination. In all the times I myself heard him - preach, I never heard him utter a sentence, either on one or - the other. Yea, all the times he preached in West Street chapel, - and in our other chapels throughout England, he did not preach - these doctrines at all,――no, not in a single paragraph; which, - by the bye, is a demonstration that he did not think them the - fundamental doctrines of Christianity. - - “2. Both in West Street chapel, and all our other chapels - throughout England, he did preach the necessity of the new birth, - and justification by faith, as clearly as he has done in his two - volumes of printed sermons. Therefore all that I have asserted - is true, and proveable by ten thousand witnesses.”[711] - -It is scarcely necessary to add to Wesley’s delineation of his -much-loved friend and fellow-worker; and yet there are other sketches, -by those who were intimately acquainted with the great evangelist, -which may be briefly noticed. “Funeral sermons were preached in the -principal cities of America,”[712] including one at Newbury Port, -by the Rev. Jonathan Parsons; three at Savannah,[713] by the Rev. -Samuel Frink, rector, the Rev. Edward Ellington, and the Rev. John -Joachim Zubley,[714] Presbyterian; two at Charlestown, by the Revds. -Mr. Whitaker, and Josiah Smith; at least, one at Philadelphia, by the -Rev. James Sproat, D.D., the successor of Gilbert Tennent; and two -at Boston, one by the Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton, D.D., and the other by -the Rev. Samuel Cooper, D.D.[715] In England, sermons were preached -by Wesley, Venn, Romaine, Madan, John Newton, Berridge, Haweis, and -several other clergymen of the Church of England; also by the Rev. -Thomas Gibbons, D.D.; the Rev. John Trotter, D.D.; the Rev. John -Langford; the Rev. Samuel Brewer; the Rev. Charles Skelton;[716] and -others among the Dissenters.[717] Besides Wesley’s, the following -sermons were _published_:――1. “To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain. -A Funeral Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, -who died suddenly of a fit of the Asthma, at Newbury Port, at six of -the clock, Lord’s-day Morning, Sept. 30, 1770. The Sermon preached -the same day (afternoon), by Jonathan Parsons, A.M., and Minister of -the Presbyterian Church there. To which are added, An Account of his -Interment; the Speech over his Grave, by the Rev. Mr. Jewet; and some -Verses to his Memory, by the Rev. Thomas Gibbons, D.D. 1771.” (8vo. -35 pp.) 2. “Heaven, the Residence of the Saints: a Sermon, delivered -at the Thursday Lecture at Boston, in America, October 11, 1770. -By Ebenezer Pemberton, D.D., Pastor of a Church in Boston, 1771.” -(8vo. 31 pp.) 3. “The Reproach of Christ the Christian’s Treasure: -a Sermon preached at Christ Church, Savannah, in Georgia, on Sunday, -November 11, 1770. By Edward Ellington, V.D.M. London, 1771.” (8vo. -31 pp.)[718] 4. “A Minister Dead, yet Speaking. Being the Substance of -two Discourses, preached November 11, 1770. By the Rev. Mr. D. Edwards. -London.” (8vo. 24 pp.) 5. “A Token of Respect to the Memory of the Rev. -George Whitefield, A.M. Being the Substance of a Sermon preached on his -Death, at the Right Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel at Bath, -the 18th of November, 1770. By the Rev. Mr. Venn, London, 1770.” (8vo. -20 pp.) 6. “The Exalted State of the Faithful Ministers of Christ, -after Death, described and considered. A Sermon preached on Sabbath-day -Evening, December 2, 1770. By John Langford, Minister of the Gospel, -and Pastor of that part of the Church of Christ, meeting in Black’s -Fields, Southwark. London, 1770.” (8vo. 40 pp.) 7. “Grace and Truth, -or a Summary of Gospel Doctrine, considered in a Funeral Discourse, -preached on the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, A.B. By R. -Elliot, A.B. London, 1770.” (12mo. 46 pp.) - -From these, and from contemporaneous publications, many extracts -might be furnished. Mr. Parsons told his congregation that he had -enjoyed Whitefield’s friendship for thirty years; and that it was by -Whitefield’s “advice and influence” that he had settled at Newbury Port -a quarter of a century ago. Mr. Parsons continued:―― - - “When Mr. Whitefield first came to Boston, Dr. Coleman wrote - to me, that, ‘the wonderful man was come, and they had had a - week of sabbaths; that Mr. Whitefield’s zeal for Christ was - extraordinary; and yet he recommended himself to his thousands - of hearers, by his engagedness for holiness and souls.’ I soon - had opportunity to observe, that, wherever he flew, like a - flame of fire, his ministry gave a general alarm to all sorts - of people, though, before that, they had, for a long time, been - sunk into dead formality. Ministers and their congregations - seemed to be at ease; but Mr. Whitefield’s preaching appeared - to be from the heart. We were convinced that he believed the - message he brought to us, to be of the last importance. His - popularity exceeded all that I ever knew. The last sermon that - he preached only yesterday, though under the disadvantage of - a stage in the open air, was delivered with such clearness, - pathos, and eloquence, as to please and surprise the surrounding - thousands. As, for many years, he had been waiting and hoping - for his last change, he then declared that he hoped it was the - last time he should ever preach. His countenance shone like the - unclouded sun.” - -Dr. Pemberton, in his sermon, founded upon 1 Peter i. 4, observes:―― - - “I am not fond of funeral panegyrics, which are oftener adapted - to flatter the dead than to instruct the living. But where - persons have been distinguishedly honoured by heaven, and - employed to do uncommon service for God’s Church on earth, it - would be criminal ingratitude to suffer them to drop into the - dust without the most respectful notice. Posterity will view Mr. - Whitefield, in many respects, as one of the most extraordinary - characters of the present age. His zealous, incessant, and - successful labours, in Europe and America, are without a - parallel. We beheld here a new star arise in the hemisphere - of these western churches, and its salutary influences were - diffused through a great part of the British settlements in - these remote regions. We heard from a divine of the Church of - England those great doctrines of the gospel, which our ancestors - brought with them from their native country. In his repeated - progresses through the colonies, he was favoured with the same - success which attended him on the other side of the Atlantic. He - preached from day to day in thronged assemblies; yet his hearers - never discovered the least weariness, but always followed him - with increasing ardour. When in the pulpit, every eye was fixed - on his expressive countenance; every ear was charmed with his - melodious voice; all sorts of persons were captivated with the - propriety and beauty of his address. Many in all parts of the - land were turned from darkness to light, and from the power - of Satan unto God. He was no contracted bigot, but embraced - Christians of every denomination in the arms of his charity, and - acknowledged them to be children of the same Father, servants - of the same Master, heirs of the same undefiled inheritance. He - was always received by multitudes with pleasure when he favoured - us with his labours; but he never had a more obliging reception - than in his last visit. Men of the first distinction in the - province, not only attended his ministry, but gave him the - highest marks of respect. With what faithfulness did he declare - unto us the whole counsel of God! With what solemnity did he - reprove us for our increasing degeneracy! With what zeal did - he exhort us to remember from whence we were fallen, and repent - and do our first works, lest God should come and remove our - candlestick out of its place. On every occasion, he expressed - an uncommon concern for our _civil_ as well as our _religious_ - privileges, the dear-bought purchase of our heroic ancestors. - With what fervency did he pray that they might be transmitted - entire to the most distant posterity! He embraced every - opportunity, in public and private, to persuade us to lay aside - our party prejudices and passions, that with undivided hearts - we might unite in every proper method to secure our future - prosperity. Perhaps no man, since the apostolic age, preached - oftener, or with greater success. If we view his private - character, he will appear in the most amiable light: the polite - gentleman, the faithful friend, the engaging companion――above - all, the sincere Christian――were visible in the whole of his - deportment. With large opportunities of accumulating wealth, - he never discovered the least tincture of avarice. What he - received from the kindness of his friends, he generously - employed in offices of piety and charity. His benevolent mind - was perpetually forming plans of extensive usefulness. I have - not drawn an imaginary portrait, but described a character in - real life. I am not representing a perfect man; but this may - be said of Mr. Whitefield with justice, that, after the most - public appearances for above thirty years, and the most critical - examination of his conduct, no other blemish could be fixed upon - him, than what arose from the common frailties of human nature, - and the peculiar circumstances which attended his first entrance - into public life. The imprudences of inexperienced youth he - frequently acknowledged from the pulpit with a frankness which - will for ever do honour to his memory. He took care to prevent - any bad consequences that might flow from his unguarded censures - in the early days of his ministry. The longer he lived, the more - he evidently increased in _purity of doctrine_, in _humility, - meekness, prudence, patience_, and the other amiable virtues of - the _Christian life_.” - -A testimony like this, coming from, not only a distinguished minister, -but one who had been intimately acquainted with Whitefield for the last -thirty years, is of more than ordinary importance. - -The sermon, written by Cornelius Winter, and preached by the -Rev. Edward Ellington, in Whitefield’s old church in Savannah, is -respectable, but contains no facts not already noticed. The same may -be said respecting the Rev. D. Edwards’s two discourses. - -The sermon by the Rev. Henry Venn is what might be expected from a man -of his piety and talents; and as he and Whitefield were loving friends, -and Methodist co-workers, the following extract will be acceptable:―― - - “Mr. Whitefield’s doctrine was the doctrine of the Reformers, of - the Apostles, and of Christ; and the doctrine which he preached, - he eminently adorned by his zeal, and by his works. If the - greatness, extent, success, and disinterestedness of a man’s - labour can give him distinction amongst the followers of Christ, - we are warranted to affirm, that scarce any one of His ministers, - since the days of the apostles, has exceeded, scarce any one has - equalled, Mr. Whitefield.” - -Venn proceeds to state, that, for many years, Whitefield preached -from forty to sixty hours every week, besides “offering up prayers and -intercessions, and singing hymns and spiritual songs in every house to -which he was invited.” - -Mr. Langford’s sermon supplies no additional information respecting -Whitefield; neither does Mr. Elliot’s. Toplady wrote:―― - - “I deem myself happy in thus publicly avowing the inexpressible - esteem in which I held this wonderful man, and the affectionate - veneration which I must ever retain for the memory of one whose - acquaintance and ministry were attended with the most important - spiritual benefit to me, and to tens of thousands besides. - It will not be saying too much, if I term him the apostle - of the English empire, in point of zeal for God, a long - course of indefatigable and incessant labours, unparalleled - disinterestedness, and astonishing extensive usefulness. If the - most absolute command over the passions of immense auditories - be a mark of a consummate orator, he was the greatest of the - age. If the strongest good sense, the most generous expansions - of heart, the most artless but captivating affability, the most - liberal exemption from bigotry, the purest and most transpicuous - integrity, the brightest cheerfulness, and the promptest wit, - enter into the composition of social excellence, he was one - of the best companions in the world. If to be steadfast, and - unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; if a - union of the most brilliant with the most solid ministerial - gifts, ballasted by a deep and humbling experience of grace, - and crowned with the most extended success in the conversion - of sinners and the edification of saints, be signatures of a - special commission from heaven, Mr. Whitefield cannot but stand - highest on the modern list of Christian ministers. He was the - prince of preachers. On the whole, he was the least imperfect - character I ever knew. It appears, from a book in which this - great man of God minuted the times and places of his ministerial - labours, that he preached upwards of eighteen thousand sermons, - from the time of his ordination to that of his death. To which - we may add, upwards of one thousand four hundred and sixty - letters, written to his friends and acquaintance.”[719] - -John Newton, in a sermon, preached in his church at Olney, on November -11, said: “I have had some opportunities of looking over the history -of the Church in past ages, and I am not backward to say, that I have -not read or heard of any person, since the days of the apostles, of -whom it may more emphatically be said, ‘He was a burning and shining -light,’ than of the late Mr. Whitefield. The Lord gave him a manner -of preaching, which was peculiarly his own. He copied from none, and -I never met any one who could imitate him with success. Those who -attempted, generally made themselves disagreeable. Other ministers, -perhaps, could preach the gospel as clearly, and in general say the -same things; but, I believe, no man living could say them in his way.” - - “I bless God,” added the Olney curate, “that I have lived in - the time of Mr. Whitefield. Many were the winter mornings in - which I got up at four, to attend his Tabernacle discourses - at five; and I have seen Moorfields as full of lanthorns at - these times as, I suppose, the Haymarket is full of flambeaux - on an opera night. If any one were to ask me who was the second - preacher I ever heard, I should be at some loss to answer; but, - in regard to the first, Mr. Whitefield exceeded so far every - other man of my time, that I should be at none. He was the - original of popular preaching, and all our popular ministers are - only his copies.”[720] - -Honest Berridge took for his text, at Everton, “Help, Lord, for the -godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of -men.” He told his hearers that the £1,500, of which Whitefield had died -possessed, was money which he had only recently received. By the death -of his wife, two years ago, he had become entitled to £800; and the -remaining £700 had been bequeathed to him, in four separate legacies, -by friends not long deceased.[721] - -Many of the newspapers and magazines of the day contained sketches -of Whitefield’s career and character. The following, published in the -_Scots’ Magazine_, is a fair specimen of others:―― - - “Mr. Whitefield was well known over all the British empire, as a - faithful, laborious, and successful minister of the gospel of - Christ. The character of this truly pious and extraordinary - person must be deeply impressed upon the heart of every friend - to true, genuine, vital Christianity. For above thirty years, he - has astonished the world, as a prodigy of eloquence, by which he - was enabled to melt the most obdurate and stubborn sinners. - Though, in the pulpit, he often found it necessary _by the - terrors of the Lord to persuade men_, he had nothing gloomy - in his nature, being singularly charitable and tender-hearted; - and, in his private conversation, cheerful, communicative, and - entertaining. To the very meanest, he was always easy of access, - and ever ready to listen to, and relieve their bodily as well as - their spiritual necessities; shewing himself, in every respect, - a faithful steward of the extensive charities he drew from his - numerous and compassionate hearers. He constantly enforced upon - his audiences every moral duty, particularly industry in their - different callings, obedience to their superiors, and in a most - especial manner loyalty to our amiable Sovereign, never once - endeavouring in these distracted times to make a factious use - of the great influence he held among his numerous adherents.” - -The _Pennsylvania Journal_ also published a letter, dated “Boston, -October 1, 1770,” from which the following is an extract:―― - - “In his public performances, Mr. Whitefield has, for a long - course of years, astonished the world as a prodigy of eloquence - and devotion. With what divine pathos did he plead with the - impenitent sinner! Filled with the spirit of grace, he spoke - from the heart; and with a fervency of zeal perhaps unequalled - since the days of the Apostles. He was unrivalled in the command - of an ever-crowded and admiring auditory; nor was he less - entertaining and instructive in his private conversation. - Happy in a remarkable ease of address, willing to communicate, - studious to edify, and formed to amuse――such, in more retired - life, was he whom we now lament.”[722] - -Except the Wesleys, perhaps no one was better acquainted with -Whitefield than the Rev. Dr. Gillies, of Glasgow, whose “Memoirs of -Whitefield” were published in the month of June, 1772.[723] Omitting, -as far as possible, the traits of Whitefield’s character already -noticed, Dr. Gillies’ sketch may fitly close these eulogies by -Whitefield’s friends. - - “Mr. Whitefield’s person was graceful, and well proportioned. - His stature was rather above the middle size. His complexion was - very fair. His eyes were of a dark blue colour, and small, but - sprightly. He had a squint with one of them, occasioned either - by the ignorance, or carelessness of the nurse who attended him - in the measles, when he was about four years old. His features - were in general good and regular. His countenance was manly, - and his voice exceeding strong; yet both were softened with an - uncommon degree of sweetness. He was always very clean and neat, - and often said pleasantly, that ‘a minister of the gospel ought - to be without spot.’ His deportment was decent and easy, without - the least stiffness or formality; and his engaging polite manner - made his company universally agreeable. In his youth, he was - very slender, and moved his body with great agility of action, - suitable to his discourse; but about the fortieth year of his - age, he began to grow corpulent; which however, was solely - the effect of his disease, being always, even to a proverb, - remarkable for his moderation both in eating and drinking. - Several prints have been done of him, which exhibit a very bad - likeness. The best resemblance of him in his younger years, - before he became corpulent, is that mezzotinto scraping which - represents him at full length, with one hand on his breast, - and holding a small Bible in the other; but the late paintings, - the one by Mr. Hone,[724] and the other by Mr. Russell, are - certainly the justest likenesses of his person. - - “In reviewing the life of this extraordinary man, we are struck - with his unwearied diligence. Early in the morning, he rose to - his Master’s work, and, all the day long, was employed in a - continual succession of different duties. When he was visited - with any distress or affliction, preaching, as he himself tells - us, was his catholicon, and prayer his antidote against every - trial. When we consider what exertion of voice was necessary - to reach his large congregations,――also that he preached - generally twice or thrice every day, and often four times on - the Lord’s-day, and above all, the waste of strength and spirits - every sermon must have cost him, through the earnestness of his - delivery,――it is astonishing how his constitution held out so - long. - - “His eloquence was great, and of the true and noblest kind. - He was utterly devoid of all appearance of affectation. He - seemed to be quite unconscious of the talents he possessed. The - importance of his subject, and the regard due to his hearers, - engrossed all his concern. He spoke like one who did not seek - their applause, but was anxious for their best interests. And - the effect, in some measure, corresponded to the design. His - congregations did not amuse themselves with commending his - discourses, but entered into his views, felt his passions, and - were willing, for the time at least, to comply with his requests. - This was especially remarkable at his charity sermons, when - the most worldly-minded were made to part with their money in - so generous a manner, that, when they returned to their former - temper, they were ready to think that it had been conjured from - them by some inexplicable charm. - - “He had a strong and musical voice, and a wonderful command - of it. His pronunciation was not only proper, but manly and - graceful. He was never at a loss for the most natural and - strong expressions. The grand sources of his eloquence were an - exceeding lively imagination, and an action still more lively. - Every accent of his voice spoke to the ear; every feature of his - face, and every motion of his hands, spoke to the eye. The most - dissipated and thoughtless found their attention involuntarily - fixed; and the dullest and most ignorant could not but - understand. Had his natural talents for oratory been employed in - secular affairs, and been somewhat more improved by refinements - of art and embellishments of erudition, it is possible they - would soon have advanced him to distinguished wealth and renown. - - “But not to dwell longer on his accomplishments as an orator, - one thing remains to be mentioned of an infinitely higher order, - namely, the power of God, which so remarkably accompanied his - labours. It is here Mr. Whitefield is most to be envied. When - we consider the multitudes that were brought under lasting - religious impressions, and the multitudes that were wrought upon - in the same manner by the ministry of others, excited by his - example, we are led into the same sentiment with Mr. Wesley in - his funeral sermon, ‘What an honour hath it pleased God to put - upon His faithful servant!’ - - “True, this excellent character was shaded with some - infirmities. What else could be expected in the present condition - of humanity? But it ought to be observed, that, as there was - something very amiable in the frankness which prevented his - concealing them, so, through his openness to conviction, his - teachableness, and his readiness to confess and correct his - mistakes, they became still fewer and smaller as he advanced - in knowledge and experience. - - “When he first set out in the ministry, his youth and - inexperience led him into many expressions which were contrary - to sound doctrine, and which made many of the sermons he first - printed justly exceptionable; but reading, experience, and a - deeper knowledge of his own heart, convinced him of his errors, - and, upon all occasions, he avowed his belief of the Thirty-nine - Articles of the Church of England, and the Standards of the - Church of Scotland. ‘He loved his friend’ (Wesley), ‘but he - would not part with a grain of sacred truth for the brother of - his heart.’”[725] - -My task is nearly ended. I am not conscious of having omitted a -single fact, of any importance, in Whitefield’s history. His life is a -suggestive one; but want of space prevents enlargement on the countless -incidents in his remarkable career. These have been narrated with as -much clearness as the writer could command. The reader can form his own -reflections. Preachers, especially, will do well to make Whitefield the -subject of prayerful study. Let them try to imitate him in the use of -his matchless voice. A man had better not preach at all, than preach -so mumblingly that only half of what he says is heard. He vexes his -hearers without doing them any good. If Whitefield had tried to add to -his facial beauty, by omitting to shave his upper lip, even he would -not have spoken so distinctly and audibly as he did. Whitefield’s -preaching was always warm, earnest, pointed,――addressed to the heart -rather than the head. He left the impression that he intensely believed -what he said. “_Clear but cold_, is too descriptive of much modern -preaching. It is the frosty moonlight of a winter’s night, not the -warm sunshine of a summer’s day.”[726] If such had been Whitefield’s -preaching, what would his success have been? The man’s faith filled and -fired him with enthusiasm. On themes such as the ruin of man, the love -of God, the death of Christ, the salvation of souls, the felicities -of heaven, and the torments of hell, it was impossible for Whitefield -to be calm. If Whitefield had preached on _little subjects_, he might -have been as cool as many of his fellows, and might have courted favour -by yielding to the fastidious tastes of respectable congregations, -desiring the sentimental, the picturesque, and the imaginative, but -turning with disgust from the solemn, the alarming, the awakening. -Whitefield was not a coward. No fetters of custom, or trammels of -conventionality, could enslave him. He never unmanned himself by -prophesying smooth things, for fear of offending his auditors. His -life was spent in _testifying_ a _few_ great truths in which he had an -intense, divinely given, vivid faith,――truths, always unpopular among -philosophers, but truths everywhere needed by human beings,――the only -truths which meet the yearnings of human nature. Whitefield had no time -for lesser truths. He durst not amuse his hearers by preaching them. He -saw the people perishing, and he had not the hardihood to trifle in his -attempts to save them. His congregations always knew what would be the -substance of his sermons. Added to all this, Whitefield was full of -religious feeling. Except when sleeping, he seemed to pray and praise -always and everywhere. He was “full of faith and the Holy Ghost.” A -vivid spirituality inflamed his soul. His ideas of God and Christ, of -sin and holiness, of faith and pardon, of heaven and hell, were not -merely thoughts, but sentiments. Without this, Whitefield’s eloquence -would only have been elocution, and his sermons, instead of being -“mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,” would have -been――what?――theatrical orations! - -Whitefield left no “_Societies_,” as his friend Wesley did; but -Whitefield’s ministry was the means of converting tens of thousands -of sinners from the errors of their ways. O that this could be said -of twenty of the preachers of the present day! Their influence, -direct and indirect, would set “the kingdoms on a blaze.” Not a few of -Whitefield’s converts became ministers; and, as children often resemble -their parents, most of the ministers who owned Whitefield as their -spiritual father, were, though in an inferior degree, a resemblance -of himself, in their spirit, labours, and success. Except at the -Tabernacle and Tottenham Court Road, Whitefield created no “golden -candlestick” (Rev. i. 20), but he everywhere carried a torch kindled -at the altar of heaven, and with it lighted “candlesticks that had gone -out.” He is inseparably connected with the history of the _evangelical_ -party of the Church of England, beginning with men like Berridge, -Venn, Madan, Romaine, Newton, and others, and resulting in a fact of -inconceivable importance, namely, that, thousands of the pulpits of the -Established Church are now occupied by ministers of a kindred spirit. -Plenty of evidence has been furnished, in the first volume of the -present work, of the apathy and worldliness of the Congregationalists -of England and the Presbyterians of Scotland. The contrast between the -state of these churches in 1739 and 1876 is almost a contrast between -life and death. Whitefield is credited with having preached for the -Dissenters of England to a greater extent than he is entitled to; but -he did preach for them, in Northamptonshire, Herts, Gloucestershire, -and other places, and they, not improperly, attribute much of their -revived religion to his instrumentality. His usefulness in Scotland -is much more apparent and undoubted. With no wish to depreciate the -Erskines and their friends, it is not too much to say, that, Whitefield -was the first great agent of that resuscitation of religion, which has -effectually counteracted the Socinian and semi-infidel tendencies which -prevailed in the Presbyterian Churches across the border, and which -has infused into them the new and universal life they now exhibit. -Whitefield’s service to Ireland was small,――a contrast to that rendered -by his friend Wesley; but his usefulness in Wales was incalculable. -Though not the founder of the Calvinistic Methodists, he was, for years, -and until he resigned the honour, their elected moderator; and, to -the end of life, he took a warm and active interest in their welfare -and prosperity. Their chapels are found in every town and almost every -village of the Principality; their ordained ministers number more than -four hundred; their communicants nearly a hundred thousand; and their -hearers about a quarter of a million. What is called “Lady Huntingdon’s -Connection” was not formally established until thirteen years after -Whitefield’s death; but Whitefield chiefly, in connection with other -clergymen of the Established Church, had prepared the way for this; -and now, in the days of its decline, it possesses about half a hundred -chapels, and its Cheshunt College, the substitute of the one at -Trevecca, which Whitefield opened two years before he died. - -In other ways, Great Britain was immensely benefited by Whitefield’s -labours. Methodists especially, and other evangelists, must not -forget that Whitefield was the first who revived the good old practice -of preaching out of doors. He was not formally one of Wesley’s -“assistants;” but, for many years, he preached, in the north of -England, and other places, to Wesley’s congregations, and fostered and -promoted their religious life. His enormous collections, also, were, to -a great extent, the beginning of the marvellous beneficence which now -distinguishes the British churches. And, once again, his catholicity -of spirit greatly tended to usher in the age of friendliness among -professing Christians. - -All this may be said with truthfulness respecting the influence he -exerted in his native country; but, perhaps, his usefulness in America -was greater even than in England. An American author,[727] of great -eminence, observes:―― - - “The ‘Great Awakening’ here had commenced before his arrival, - but it was comparatively local, and its visible interest at - least had mostly subsided. Edwards and some of his ministerial - associates were yet praying and writing respecting it in New - England; and the Tennents, Blairs, Finley, Rowland, and others, - were devotedly labouring, in detail, in the Middle States, - against the moral stupor of the times; but Whitefield’s coming - at once renewed the revival and gave it universality, if not - unity. He alone of all its promoters represented it in all - parts of the country; and, at every repeated visit, renewed - its progress. In the South, he was almost its only labourer. - His preaching, and especially his volume of sermons, read by - Morris, founded the Presbyterian Church in Virginia; for, before - that period, there was not a Dissenting minister settled in - the colony. In the Middle States, Whitefield’s labours had a - profound effect. He was an apostle to Philadelphia; he rallied - around him its preachers, and stimulated them by his example. - In New Jersey and New York, he exerted a similar influence; - and the frequent repetition of his visits through about thirty - years did not allow the evangelical interests of the churches - to subside. The ministers in the Synod of New York more than - tripled in seven years after his first visit. In New England, - the effects of Edwards’s labours were reproduced and rendered - general by Whitefield’s frequent passages. One hundred and - fifty Congregational Churches were founded in less than twenty - years; and it has been estimated that about forty thousand - souls were converted in New England alone. The effects of - the great revival, of which Whitefield had thus become the - ostensible representative, have been profound and permanent. - The Protestantism of the United States has taken its subsequent - character from it; and the ‘Holy Club’ at Oxford maybe - recognized as historically connected with the evangelical - religion of all this continent. The effect of the ‘awakening’ on - the character of the ministers was one of its greatest results. - Since that period, the ‘evangelical’ character of the American - pastorate has not, as before, been exceptional, but general. - Its influence on the discipline of the Church was also one - of its most important blessings. It banished the ‘Halfway - Covenant,’ which had filled the eastern churches with unconverted - members. It made personal regeneration a requisite among the - qualifications for the Christian ministry; and it introduced - that general and profound conviction of the essential - spirituality of religion, and the necessary independence - of Church and State, which soon after began, and has since - completed, the overthrow of all legal connection between the two - throughout the country. It gave origin to Princeton College and - its distinguished Theological Seminary, and also to Dartmouth - College; for both were founded by Whitefield’s fellow-labourers, - and the Methodists of England contributed their money to both.” - -This, written by one so well acquainted with the history of America -as Dr. Stevens, deserves more than ordinary attention. One more fact -must be noticed, though included in the general statement just given. -There cannot be a doubt that Whitefield’s labours in America prepared -the way for Wesley’s itinerants. The first two, Richard Boardman and -Joseph Pilmoor, arrived before his last visit; and, in Philadelphia, he -gave them his blessing. That was in the year 1769. Now the _Methodist -Episcopal Church alone_ has 12 bishops;[728] 81 annual conferences; -10,923 itinerant preachers; 12,881 local preachers; 1,580,559 -church members; 15,633 church edifices, valued at $71,353,234; 5,017 -parsonages, valued at $9,731,628; 19,287 Sunday-schools; 207,182 -Sunday-school officers and teachers; and 1,406,168 Sunday-school -scholars. It has also two large “book concerns,” at New York, and at -Cincinnati; and 20 periodicals, published under the direction of the -General Conference, besides a number of others edited and published by -members of the Methodist Episcopal Church on their own responsibility. -It has publishing houses at Bremen in Germany; Gottenberg in Sweden; -in the city of Mexico; and at Foochow in China. It has seven _German_ -conferences, with 511 itinerant preachers; 556 local preachers; 47,698 -church members; 610 church edifices; 294 parsonages; 940 Sunday-schools; -7,908 Sunday-school officers and teachers; and 46,998 Sunday-school -scholars. Its Foreign Missionary Society has 369 missionaries and -assistant missionaries; 310 teachers; 16,127 church members; 111 -church edifices, valued at $396,171; 55 parsonages, valued at $70,750; -426 Sunday-schools; 18,971 Sunday-school scholars; and 180 day-schools, -with 5,329 pupils. Besides these, the same Foreign Missionary Society -employs 251 missionaries “among foreign populations in the United -States,” and 2,307 “domestic missionaries,” who have under their care -unitedly 56,241 church members. The Methodist Episcopal Church has its -“Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society,” with 19 missionaries; 100 schools; -108 Bible-women and teachers; 159 orphans; and an annual income of -$64,309. It has its “Freedmen’s Aid Society,” with an income of $86,560 -yearly. It has a “Tract Society,” the receipts of which, for the year -1874, were $19,840. It has 27 “universities and colleges,” with 216 -“instructors,” and 5,090 students; also 69 “academies and seminaries,” -with 504 “instructors,” and 14,100 students; the estimated value of -these collegiate properties being about seven million dollars. To -these must be added the “Boston University School of Theology,” with -90 students; the “Drew Theological Seminary,” with 125 students; the -“Garrett Biblical Institute,” with 156 students; the “Martin Mission -Institute,” with 10 students; and the “India Conference Theological -Seminary,” with 27 students. - -These statistics, which could be multiplied if it were desirable, -belong to the “Methodist Episcopal Church” alone; but, since it was -founded in 1769, the following Methodist Churches have seceded from it, -namely:―― - - Itinerant Local Church - Ministers. Preachers. Members. - ───────── ───────── ─────── - Methodist, Episcopal, South 3,485 5,356 712,765 - Coloured Methodist Episcopal 635 683 80,000 - African Methodist Episcopal 600 1,450 200,000 - African Methodist Episcopal Zion 1,200 800 225,000 - Evangelical Association 835 503 95,253 - United Brethren 967 1,709 131,850 - The Methodist Church 775 507 55,183 - Methodist Protestant Church 650 200 54,319 - American Wesleyan Church 250 190 20,000 - Free Methodists 90 80 6,000 - Primitive Methodists 20 25 2,800 - Congregational Methodists 23 9,500 - -The financial and other statistics of these seceding Methodist Churches -might easily be given; but it is enough to say, that, including the -mother of them all, “The Methodist Episcopal Church,” there are now, -in the United States of America, where Whitefield laboured with such -marvellous success, 20,453 ordained Methodist ministers; 24,384 lay -preachers; 3,173,229 church members; and, according to the returns of -the Government census of 1870, more than six millions and a half of -people, who, under the head of “Religious Denominational Preferences,” -entered themselves as “Methodists.” - - _Laus Deo!_ - - FINIS. - - - - - INDEX. - - NAMES OF PERSONS AND PLACES. - - - Aberdeen, i. 522. - - Aberdeen, Earl of, ii. 210. - - Aberford, ii. 234, 464. - - Abergavenny, i. 196, 530; ii. 79, 87, 225. - - Abingdon, i. 264. - - Abingdon (America), i. 332, 374. - - Adams, Rev. Dr. William, i. 10, 15. - - Adams, Thomas, ii. 57, 63, 114–119, 148, 148, 224, 287, 317, - 453, 462, 488, 517, 532, 534, 558, 560, 562, 569, 588, 609. - - Aglionby, William, i. 139. - - Ailesbury, Lady, ii. 407. - - Aldridge, ii. 86. - - Allen, William, i. 378. - - Allens Town (America), i. 384. - - Allt, William, ii. 112. - - Alnwick, ii. 285, 312, 412. - - Alpraham, ii. 315, 316. - - America, i. 127. - - Amwell (America), i. 379. - - Ancaster, Duchess of, i. 78, 160; ii. 209. - - Annapolis (America), i. 340. - - Appleton, Rev. Dr. Nathaniel, i. 423. - - Argyll, Duchess of, ii. 209. - - Asbury, Francis, ii. 584. - - Ashby, ii. 256, 258, 265, 269. - - Athlone, ii. 238, 273–275, 397. - - Attleborough (America), ii. 592. - - Avebury, ii. 111. - - Axminster, ii. 77. - - - Baddiley, Rev. William, ii. 242, 259. - - Badsey, i. 200, 201. - - Ball, Roger, ii. 274. - - Bandon, ii. 274, 275. - - Bangor, Bishop of, ii. 39. - - Barber, Jonathan, i. 445, 460, 476; ii. 24, 60. - - Barker, Rev. John, ii. 73. - - Barnard, Rev. John, ii. 355, 357, 362. - - Barnardcastle, ii. 313. - - Bartlett, Mr., ii. 603. - - Bascombe, Judge, ii. 181. - - Basingstoke, i. 175, 264–267. - - Baskinridge (America), i. 433. - - Bass, Rev. Dr. Edward, ii. 600. - - Bate, Rev. James, i. 289. - - Bateman, Rev. Richard Thomas, ii. 62, 160, 186, 189, 197, 214. - - Bath, i. 2, 73, 78, 106, 176, 184, 550; ii. 109, 161, 282, 345, - 346, 374, 406, 489, 493, 496, 500, 539, 557, 559. - - Bath, Earl of, ii. 193, 211, 318. - - Bath, Countess of, ii. 208, 249. - - Beard, Thomas, ii. 105. - - Beauclerk, Lord Sidney, ii. 37. - - Beaulieu, Earl of, ii. 210. - - Beaumont, James, ii. 109. - - Beaumont, John ii. 48, 49, 57. - - Bedford, i. 231; ii. 315, 410. - - Bedford, Rev. Arthur, i. 74, 151. - - Bedford, Duchess of, ii. 407. - - Belcher, Hon. Jonathan, i. 410, 418, 421, 425, 434; ii. 227, 252, - 255, 334, 341, 342, 402. - - Belfast, ii. 274, 276. - - Bell, George, ii. 492. - - Bell, William, ii. 304. - - Benezet, Anthony, i. 384. - - Bengeworth, i. 200. - - Bennet, John, ii. 235. - - Bennet, Rev. Mr., ii. 78, 253, 254. - - Bennett, Mr., i. 173. - - Benson, Bishop, i. 43, 47, 72, 106, 157–159, 261, 310, 349. - - Bermudas, ii. 179. - - Berridge, Rev. John, ii. 410, 417, 441, 452, 462, 504, 539–541, - 578, 584, 620, 625, 631. - - Bertie, Lady Eleanor, ii. 209. - - Berwick, ii. 262, 285, 312. - - Bethell, Mrs. Bridget, i. 106. - - Bevan, Mrs., ii. 345, 346. - - Beveridge, Bishop, i. 88. - - Bexley, i. 162, 239, 241–246, 249, 272. - - Bideford, ii. 78, 102, 254, 270. - - Birmingham, ii. 81, 82, 87, 113, 161, 315. - - Birstal, ii. 236, 285, 310, 315, 380–383. - - Bishop Auckland, ii. 412. - - Bishop Stortford, i. 251. - - ♦Bisset, Rev. John, i. 522; ii. 16. - - Bissicks, Thomas, i. 530, 536. - - Blackheath, i. 239, 241, 244–246, 272, 276, 277. - - Blackwell, Ebenezer, i. 255, 309, 378; ii. 236, 280. - - Blair, Rev. Dr. Robert, ii. 72. - - Blair, Rev. Samuel, i. 322, 386, 477. - - Blendon, i. 239. - - Boardman, Richard, ii. 571, 586, 588, 633. - - Bohemia (America), ii. 170, 178, 337. - - Bohler, Rev. Peter, i. 148, 379, 382, 437; ii. 303–305. - - Bolingbroke, Lord, ii. 194, 210, 215. - - Bolton, ii. 259, 285, 315, 352. - - Bolton, Duke of, ii. 37. - - Bolton, Robert, ii. 610. - - Boltzius, Rev. John Martin, i. 137, 141. - - Boscawen, Mrs., ii. 209. - - Boston (America), i. 407–411, 417, 424, 434, 476; ii. 12, 130, - 144–147, 152, 174, 335–337, 472, 475, 592–596, 600. - - Boswell, James, ii. 544. - - Boulter, Archbishop, i. 147. - - Bovey-Tracey, ii. 215. - - Bradbury, Rev. Mr., ii. 571, 572. - - Bradford (Wilts), ii. 374, 559. - - Bradford (Yorkshire), ii. 310, 352, 381. - - Brainerd, Rev. David, ii. 152. - - Braintree, ii. 112. - - Braithwaite, Booth, ii. 549. - - Brattle, Colonel, i. 423. - - Brecon, ii. 59. - - Brewer, Rev. Samuel, ii. 620. - - Brewood, ii. 112, 113. - - Brighton, ii. 416, 515, 551. - - Brislington, i. 185. - - Bristol, i. 2, 7, 33, 36, 73, 77, 78, 106, 177–186, 194, 258–263, - 474, 477–483, 533, 540, 547; ii. 54, 64, 109, 161, 204, 206, - 214, 216, 224, 229, 249, 270, 282, 317, 345, 346, 354, 363, - 374, 377, 399, 406, 407, 419, 427, 443, 452, 454, 487, 488, - 493, 496, 500, 539, 557, 605. - - Bristol (America), i. 384. - - Broad-Oaks, i. 249. - - Brockden, Mr., i. 436. - - Bromsgrove, ii. 82. - - Broughton, Rev. Thomas, i. 14, 54, 56, 60, 149, 349. - - Browne, Rev. Moses, ii. 264, 265, 268. - - Bryan, Hugh, i. 349, 448, 449, 459. - - Bryan, Jonathan, ii. 23. - - Buchan, Earl of, ii. 536–539. - - Buchan, Lady, ii. 560. - - Buckingham, Duchess of, i. 78, 160; ii. 37. - - Bunyan, John. ii. 507. - - Burder, Rev. George, ii. 563. - - Burgess, Rev. Daniel, ii. 365. - - Burlington, Earl of, ii. 210. - - Burr, Rev. Aaron, ii. 256, 337, 342, 385, 402. - - Burscough, Bishop, i. 146. - - Bute, Lord, ii. 440. - - Butler, Bishop, i. 66, 182, 233, 349. - - Butterfield, Colonel, ii. 181. - - Byles, Rev. Dr. Matthew, i. 411. - - Byrom, Dr., i. 254. - - - Caerleon, i. 167, 196. - - Caerphilly, i. 539. - - Cambridge, i. 516, 551. - - Cambridge (America), i. 409, 410, 418, 421, 423, 477, 495; - ii. 592. - - Cambuslang, ii. 2, 5, 6, 29, 454. - - Campbell, Hon. Hume, ii. 366. - - Campbell, Rev. Mr., i. 379. - - Campbell, Lady Betty, ii. 209. - - Canterbury, ii. 266. - - Cape Ann (America), ii. 592. - - Cape Breton (America), ii. 149. - - Cardiff, i. 188, 189; ii. 58. - - Cardigan, Lady, ii. 209. - - Carmarthen, ii. 58, 59, 226. - - Carolina (America), i. 129. - - Carteret, Mrs., ii. 416. - - Castle-Combe, ii. 559. - - Cathcart, Lord, ii. 391. - - Causton, Thomas, i. 142. - - Cennick, John, i. 467, 471, 483–485, 490, 492, 508, 523, 536, - 539, 548, 553; ii. 4–6, 40, 48, 49, 61, 98, 100, 103, 111, - 113, 114, 147, 148, 158, 174, 224, 238, 294. - - Chafford Common, i. 258. - - Chalford, i. 199. - - Chandler, Dr. Samuel, i. 67. - - Chandler, Rev. Isaac, i. 396. - - Chandler, Rev. James, ii. 600. - - Chandler, Rev. Dr. Thomas Bradbury, ii. 520. - - Chapman, Rev. William, i. 73, 193, 550, 552; ii. 54. - - Charleston (America), i. 345, 346, 357–359, 395, 401, 402, 404, - 405, 448–450, 459, 477; ii. 169, 179, 278, 279, 340, 484, - 573, 585, 587. - - Charlestown (America), i. 592. - - Charlton, i. 241, 254. - - Chatham, i. 272; ii. 264, 353, 379, 380. - - Chauncy, Rev. Dr. Charles, ii. 125–130. - - Checkley, Rev. Samuel, i. 409. - - Chelmsford, ii. 112. - - Cheltenham, i. 199; ii. 400, 401, 560. - - Chepstow, i. 197. - - Chester, ii. 316. - - Chester (America), i. 337, 386. - - Chesterfield, Countess of, ii. 244, 245, 415, 440. - - Chesterfield, Earl of, ii. 194, 211, 318, 345, 416. - - Cheyne, Dr., i. 106. - - Chinley, ii. 285, 384. - - Chippenham, ii. 77, 559. - - Christian Bridge (America), i. 339. - - Chubb, Thomas, i. 176. - - Church, Rev. Thomas, ii. 95–97. - - Cirencester, i. 255, 256, 264. - - Clap, Rev. Nathaniel, i. 406. - - Clap, Rev. Thomas, i. 430; ii. 134, 138. - - Clapham, ii. 385, 404. - - Clarke, Rev. Samuel, ii. 421. - - Clayton, Rev. John, i. 14, 56, 148, 149. - - Clements, William, ii. 108. - - Clive, Catherine, ii. 355. - - Coal-Pit Heath, i. 185. - - Cobham, Lady, i. 78, 160. - - Coc, Captain, i. 146. - - Cochrane, Colonel, i. 123. - - Cockman, Dr., i. 73. - - Cole, Rev. Thomas, i. 41, 204, 349. - - Collet, Mr., ii. 489. - - Collumpton, ii. 76. - - Colman, Rev. Dr. Benjamin, i. 330, 352, 408, 411, 417, 418, 425; - ii. 38, 127, 144, 621. - - Columbine, General, i. 117. - - Comihoy, i. 196. - - Concord (America), i. 425. - - Conjuet, Anthony, ii. 107. - - Connolly, Lady Anne, ii. 407. - - Conyers, Rev. Dr., ii. 506, 533. - - Cook, George, ii. 110, 111. - - Cooke, Rev. Samuel, ii. 142. - - Cooper, Rev. Dr. Samuel, ii. 620. - - Cooper, T., i. 118. - - Cooper, Rev. William, i. 408, 422, 424, 459. - - Corbusiers, Colonel, ii. 181. - - Cork, ii. 238–241, 245, 261, 274, 275, 397. - - Cottell, Isaac, ii. 111. - - Courcy, Rev. Richard de, ii. 516, 561, 611. - - Coventry, ii. 316. - - Coventry, Lady, ii. 407. - - Cowper, William, ii. 613. - - Cox, James, ii. 367. - - Cox, Lady, i. 106, 349. - - Crane, Mr. J., ii. 564, 609. - - Cross, George, ii. 112. - - Cross, Rev. Mr., i. 433, 434, 477. - - Crosse, Rev. John, ii. 584. - - Crossly, Rev. David, ii. 105. - - Croswell, A., i. 361. - - Cruttenden, Robert, ii. 98, 214, 217, 277. - - Cudworth, William, ii. 347, 348. - - Cumberland, Duke of, ii. 37. - - Cutler, Rev. Dr. Timothy, ii. 123. - - - Dacre, Lady, ii. 407. - - Dacre, Lord, ii. 407. - - Dagge, Mr., i. 178, 179. - - Darien, i. 139, 357. - - Darlington, ii. 411. - - Darney, William, ii. 316. - - Darracott, Rev. Risdon, ii. 75, 77, 113, 250, 419. - - Dartmouth, Countess of, ii. 415. - - Dartmouth, Earl of, ii. 399–401, 415, 495, 524, 525. - - Davenport, Rev. James, i. 446; ii. 126, 397. - - Davies, Rev. Henry, ii. 48. - - Davies, Rev. Howell, ii. 48, 57, 62, 187, 188, 493, 500, 518, - 588, 609. - - Davies, Rev. James, ii. 48. - - Davies, Rev. Samuel, ii. 166, 322–324, 338. - - Deal, i. 113, 114; ii. 184, 571. - - Delamotte, Charles, i. 60, 75, 130, 135, 250. - - Delamotte, Miss Elizabeth, i. 369. - - Delamotte, Mr., i. 241, 244, 246, 248–251, 271, 272, 370. - - Delamotte, William, i. 250, 355, 394, 415. - - Delany, Rev. Dr., i. 147. - - Delitz, Countess, ii. 209, 216, 225, 265, 406. - - Deptford, i. 109, 272, 485. - - Derby (America), i. 386. - - ♦Dickinson, Rev. Jonathan, i. 331; ii. 342. - - Dinwiddie, Governor, ii. 338. - - Dirleton, Lady, i. 533. - - Dixon, Rev. Dr., ii. 543. - - Dixon, Thomas, ii. 559, 564, 610. - - Doddridge, Rev. Dr. Philip, i. 66, 220, 231, 313; ii. 34, 71–77, - 195, 207, 255, 256, 260, 279, 290. - - Dodington, George Bubb, ii. 210. - - Dorchester (America), i. 397. - - ♦Dorrel, Captain, ii. 181. - - Downes, Rev. John, ii. 422. - - Downing, Rev. Mr., ii. 399–401, 415. - - Dublin, i. 147; ii. 235, 238, 273–275, 286, 394–397. - - Dudley, ii. 316. - - Dulwich, i. 241, 244. - - Dummer, i. 56–60, 62, 64, 176. - - Durant, Rev. Mr., i. 173. - - Durell, Rev. Dr., ii. 543–547. - - Durham, ii. 412. - - Dursley, ii. 53, 54, 559, 605. - - - East, Rev. Mr., ii. 605. - - Ebenezer (America), i. 392. - - Edgecumbe, Lord, ii. 407. - - Edinburgh, i. 518, 524, 528; ii. 4, 6, 161, 196–200, 261, 276, - 277, 284, 311, 312, 382, 391, 393, 394, 410, 411, 419, 445, - 454, 464, 554. - - Edwards, Rev. D., ii. 621, 623. - - Edwards, Elizabeth, i. 1. - - Edwards, Rev. Jonathan, i. 274, 426–429; ii. 19, 22, 32, 138, - 343, 410. - - Edwards, John, ii. 111, 161, 179, 286, 287, 352, 396, 487. - - Edwards, Peter, ii. 609. - - Edwin, Mrs., ii. 173. - - Eells, Rev. Nathaniel, ii. 130, 139. - - Egmont, Earl, i. 241. - - Elberton, i. 185. - - Elizabeth Town (America), i. 331, 383; ii. 334. - - Ellington, Rev. Edward, ii. 576, 609, 619, 621, 623. - - Elliott, Rev. R., ii. 558, 621, 624. - - Emerson, Rev. Daniel, i. 410. - - Emerson, Rev. Mr., ii. 144. - - Epworth, ii. 285. - - Erskine, David, i. 516. - - Erskine, Lady Anne, ii. 559, 560. - - Erskine, Lord Chancellor, ii. 537. - - Erskine, Rev. Ebenezer, i. 274, 497–510, 516; ii. 9, 22, 32. - - Erskine, Rev. Ralph, i. 216, 267–270, 274, 311, 333, 352, 376, - 461, 497–510, 517; ii. 15. - - Essex, Lady, ii. 407. - - Evans, John, ii. 108. - - Everton, ii. 410, 462, 464. - - Evesham, i. 200, 257. - - Exeter, ii. 67, 77, 113–119, 215, 217, 230, 232, 254, 270, 398, - 399, 498. - - Exeter (America), ii. 593, 596, 597. - - - Fagg’s Manor (America), i. 386. - - Falmouth, i. 459. - - Fawcett, Rev. Dr. John, ii. 381, 497. - - Fawcett, Rev. Mr., ii. 75, 77. - - Fellows, Mr. John, ii. 610. - - Ferrers, Earl, ii. 425. - - Ferrers, Lady, ii. 209. - - Finley, Rev. Dr. Samuel, ii. 167. - - Fisher, Rev. James, i. 497. - - Fitch, Rev. Jabez, ii. 121. - - Fitzroy, General George, ii. 373. - - Fitzwalter, Lady, ii. 209. - - Fletcher, Rev. John, ii. 415, 417, 499, 502, 518, 520, 535, 539, - 542, 543, 578. - - Foote, Samuel, ii. 355, 428–439, 505. - - Fox, Hon. Charles, ii. 440. - - Foxcroft, Rev. Thomas, i. 409, 410; ii. 140. - - Foxe, Rev. John, ii. 417. - - Francke, Professor, ii. 405. - - Frankland, Lady Anne, i. 159. - - Franklin, Benjamin, i. 337–339, 360, 374, 377, 439; ii. 228, 250, - 283, 378, 539, 629. - - Frederica (America), i. 138, 357; ii. 97. - - Frederick, King of Prussia, ii. 395, 441. - - Frederick, Prince of Wales, ii. 37. - - Free, Rev. Dr., ii. 413, 422. - - Freehold (America), i. 325, 326, 384. - - Frelinghuysen, Rev. T. J., i. 331. - - Frenchay, i. 186. - - Frey, Andrew, ii. 308. - - Frink, Rev. Samuel, ii. 559, 619. - - Frome, ii. 374, 559. - - - Gadsby, Edward, ii. 417. - - Galatin, Colonel, ii. 237, 259, 276, 346. - - Galatin, Mrs., ii. 237. - - Gambold, Rev. John, i. 14. - - Garden, Rev. Alexander, i. 142, 357, 359–364, 396–400, 404, 405, - 463, 477, 539. - - Gardiner, Colonel, ii. 33, 46. - - Gardiner, Lady Frances, ii. 33, 37, 262. - - Garrick, David, ii. 355, 390, 433. - - Gee, Rev. Joshua, i. 409; ii. 144. - - Georgia (America), i. 128, 140–142; ii. 23, 334. - - Germain, Lady Betty, ii. 209, 216. - - German Town (America), i. 337, 374. - - Gibb, Rev. Adam, i. 509–513; ii. 22, 200. - - Gibbons, Rev. Dr. Thomas, ii. 204, 214, 374, 571, 620. - - Gibbs, Rev. Mr., i. 177, 180. - - Gibraltar, i. 116–121. - - Gibson, Bishop, i. 65, 74, 157, 291, 310, 405, 546; ii. 87–94, - 197. - - Gibson, James, ii. 550. - - Gideon, Miss, ii. 405. - - Gidley, Gustavus, ii. 498. - - Gifford, Rev. Dr., ii. 243, 244, 374, 461. - - Gilbert, Colonel, ii. 181. - - Gill, Rev. Dr. John, i. 67. - - Gillies, Rev. John, i. 1; ii. 262, 284, 293, 312, 316, 323, 336, - 356, 397, 398, 410, 412, 419, 442, 445, 495, 627. - - Gillman, Captain, ii. 597. - - Gladman, Captain, i. 308, 339, 383. - - Glascott, Rev. Mr., ii. 584. - - Glasgow, i. 518; ii. 5, 197–199, 262, 276, 277, 284, 311–314, 382, - 392, 399, 410, 411, 419, 454, 465. - - Gloucester, i. 1–3, 7, 33, 48–53, 79, 106, 197, 256–258, 263, 480, - 539, 540, 548; ii. 52, 59, 83, 85, 87, 204, 206, 213, 224, - 249, 316, 345, 374, 406, 517, 559. - - Gloucester (America), i. 374. - - Godwin, E., ii. 109, 110. - - Grafton, Duke of, ii. 440. - - Grafton, Duchess of, ii. 407. - - Granville, Madam, i. 106. - - Graves, Rev. Charles Caspar, ii. 260. - - Gravesend, i. 111, 162, 239, 241, 272; ii. 568, 569. - - Green, Bishop, ii. 450. - - Green, Rev. Mr., ii. 558. - - Green, William, ii. 257. - - Greenwich (America), i. 374. - - Grenaw, Rev. Mr., i. 141. - - Grevil, Mrs., i. 167. - - Grey, Rev. Dr. Zachary, ii. 124, 125. - - Grigg, Rev. Mr., ii. 253. - - Grigsby, Rev. W., ii. 291. - - Grimshaw, Rev. William, ii. 218, 219, 234, 258, 293, 383, 384. - - Grinfield, Mrs., ii. 282, 322, 345, 346. - - Grosvenor, Rev. Dr. Benjamin, ii. 374, 614. - - Grove, Thomas, ii. 543. - - Gumley, Colonel, ii. 249. - - Gurney, Joseph, ii. 401, 565. - - Gwennap, ii. 253. - - - Habersham, James, i. 84, 110, 113, 114, 119, 122, 125, 140, 350, - 351, 388, 395, 461, 465, 476, 485, 491, 493, 517, 531, 538; - ii. 23, 25, 31, 36, 60, 148, 248, 334, 468, 469, 475, 480, - 575, 579, 608, 609. - - Haddington, Earl of, ii. 210. - - Haime, John, ii. 108, 232. - - Halifax, ii. 285. - - Halifax, Lord, ii. 440. - - Hall, Westley, i. 14, 62, 75, 155, 176, 349, 473. - - Hally, Rev. William, ii. 32. - - Hamilton, Duchess of, ii. 407. - - Hamilton, Lady Mary, i. 550; ii. 269. - - Hampstead (America), i. 416. - - Hampton (America), i. 416. - - Hampton Common, i. 256. - - Hampton, ii. 54, 63, 87. - - Hanway, Jonas, ii. 448. - - Hardy, Charles, ii. 457, 464, 475, 485, 566, 609. - - Harman, John, ii. 448, 486. - - Harrington, Lady, ii. 440. - - Harrington, Lord, ii. 244, 245. - - Harris, Gabriel, i. 34, 47, 74, 106, 157, 204, 206, 230; ii. 608. - - Harris, Howell, i. 167–171, 188–190, 196, 197, 204, 310, 314, 349, - 356, 413, 435, 471, 478, 486, 493, 515, 535–537, 541, 552, - 560, 561; ii. 28, 30, 36, 40, 47–52, 57, 58, 79, 84, 148, - 158–160, 163, 167, 168, 171–175, 179, 187–191, 202, 203, 213, - 224, 229, 234, 236, 247, 282, 531, 541. - - Harris, Rev. Sampson, i. 34, 76. - - ♦Hartford, Mrs. Frances, ii. 609. - - Hartlepool, ii. 532, 533. - - Hartley, Rev. Thomas, ii. 256, 265, 270, 290, 347. - - Harvard College, ii. 473. - - Hastings, Lady Anne, ii. 345. - - Hastings, Lady Betty, i. 58, 349. - - Hastings, Lady Frances, ii. 265, 269. - - Hastings, Lady Selina, ii. 269. - - Haughton, John, ii. 241, 245. - - Haven, Rev. Dr. Samuel, ii. 592, 600. - - Haverfordwest, ii. 226, 517, 518. - - Haweis, Rev. Dr. Thomas, ii. 375, 620. - - Hawkins, Rev. William, ii. 549. - - Haworth, ii. 234, 258, 259, 285, 315, 381, 383. - - Healey, Jonathan, ii. 238. - - Henchman, Rev. Nathaniel, ii. 137. - - Henderson, Miss, ii. 420. - - Herring, Archbishop, ii. 365. - - Hertford, i. 231, 249. - - Hertford, Countess of, i. 282; ii. 407. - - Hertford, Lord, ii. 407. - - Hervey, Rev. James, i. 14, 55, 60, 64, 184, 201, 314; ii. 47, - 71, 78, 186, 195, 212, 222, 226, 233, 256, 259, 263, 265, - 270, 279, 281, 290, 344, 347–352, 385, 413. - - Hervey, Lady, ii. 407. - - Hervey, Lord. ii. 37. - - Higson, Mr., ii. 543. - - Hill, Rev. Rowland, i. 469; ii. 503, 516, 519, 529, 530, 535, - 544, 551. - - Hill, Sir Richard, ii. 495, 529, 544. - - Hinchinbroke, Lady, i. 78, 161; ii. 210. - - Hinton, Rev. Mr., ii. 605. - - Hitchin, i. 231, 232. - - Hobby, Rev. William, ii. 141. - - Hoblin, Rev. Mr., ii. 253. - - Hodges, Rev. John, ii. 48. - - Holdernesse, Earl, ii. 210, 366, 367, 416, 440. - - Holiday, Rev. Mr., ii. 180, 181, 217. - - Holland, William, ii. 247. - - Holyoke, Rev. Edward, ii. 132–134. - - Hone, Nathaniel, ii. 557, 627. - - Hood, Rev. Paxton, ii. 204. - - Hook, Rev. John, ii. 317. - - Hooker, Mr., i. 91, 174, 456, 494. - - Hopper, Christopher, ii. 259, 396, 397. - - Horneck, Dr., i. 88. - - Horsley, ii. 312. - - Hotham, Sir Charles, ii. 416. - - Hotham, Lady Gertrude, ii. 258, 263, 345, 346, 416, 440. - - Hoxton, i. 558. - - Huddersfield, ii. 533. - - Hume, Baron, ii. 210. - - Hume, David, ii. 210. - - Humphreys, Joseph, i. 223–227, 471, 480, 483, 495, 530, 536; - ii. 48, 49, 294. - - Hunter, Mr., ii. 24. - - Huntingdon, Earl of, i. 58, 158; ii. 37. - - Huntingdon, Countess of, i. 78, 159; ii. 37, 168, 187, 188, - 192–194, 197, 198, 202, 203, 206, 208, 212, 214, 216, 223, - 224, 226, 227, 229, 232, 234, 237, 239, 243, 249, 253, - 255–264, 269, 270, 274–277, 282, 284, 288–290, 293, 314, 318, - 320, 322, 333, 341, 343, 345, 346, 348, 352–356, 366, 372, - 376, 377, 379, 384, 390, 400, 407, 414, 425, 427, 430, 440, - 454, 489, 496, 497, 502, 515, 517, 518, 520, 532, 537, 541, - 542, 551, 555, 558–560, 578, 583, 584, 608. - - Hutchins, Rev. Dr. Richard, i. 14, 56, 62, 155, 176, 186, 193, - 310, 312, 482. - - Hutchinson, John, ii. 321. - - Hutton, James, i. 102, 109, 112, 118, 349, 390, 392, 437, 450, - 465; ii. 68, 158, 292, 303, 304, 307. - - Hutton, Rev. John, i. 82, 109. - - Hyndford, Earl of, ii. 210. - - Hyndford, Lady, ii. 209. - - - Ingham, Rev. Benjamin, i. 33, 45, 233, 234, 236, 258, 352, 380, - 384, 427; ii. 14, 75, 141, 155, 161, 250, 311, 349, 355, - 367, 415. - - Ingram, James, ii. 109, 218, 219. - - Ipswich (America), i. 416; ii. 592, 597. - - Irvine, ii. 276. - - - James, T., ii. 49, 57. - - Jenkins, Herbert, ii. 48, 49, 51, 57, 108, 109, 113, 161, 169, - 174. - - Jennys, Soame, ii. 440. - - Jesse, Rev. Mr., ii. 500. - - Jewet, Rev. Jedediah, ii. 600, 620. - - Johnson, Dr. Samuel, i. 10, 15, 178, 220; ii. 544. - - Jones, J., ii. 48, 49. - - Jones, Mrs., ii. 247. - - Jones, Rev. Griffith, i. 169, 184, 189; ii. 48, 187, 222, 345. - - Jones, Rev. Lewis, ii. 48. - - Jones, Rev. Thomas, ii. 341, 415. - - Jones, Thomas, ii. 542. - - Jortin, Dr., i. 66. - - Joss, Captain Torial, ii. 500, 553, 555, 560, 562, 609. - - - Kay, Benjamin, ii. 542. - - Keen, Robert, ii. 445, 454, 457, 458, 465, 466, 468, 469, 472, - 476, 485, 487, 490, 493, 500, 517, 532, 533, 554, 560, 565, - 570–573, 585, 587–589, 593, 608, 609, 614. - - Ken, Bishop, i. 5; ii. 344. - - Kendal, ii. 259, 277. - - Kennedy, Mr., ii. 114, 116. - - Keppell, Lady Elizabeth, ii. 407. - - Kettering, ii. 256, 315. - - Keynsham, i. 185. - - Kidderminster, ii. 82, 316. - - Kilrush, i. 146. - - Kilsyth, ii. 2, 5, 32. - - Kinchin, Rev. Charles, i. 14, 58–60, 64, 155, 176, 201–203, 349. - - Kingsbridge, ii. 103, 113, 114, 215. - - Kingston, ii. 425. - - Kingston, Duke of, ii. 210. - - Kingswood, i. 179, 187, 190, 195, 259, 268, 271, 467, 490; ii. - 346, 406, 539. - - Kinsale, ii. 274, 275. - - Kinsman, Rev. Andrew, ii. 216, 455, 456, 488, 554, 566. - - Kirkby, Rev. John, ii. 266. - - Kirkland, Rev. Samuel, ii. 589. - - Kittery (America), ii. 336, 592. - - Knight, Rev. Titus, ii. 603, 610. - - - Land, Rev. Tristram, i. 286. - - Langdon, Rev. Dr., ii. 592. - - Langford, Rev. John, ii. 620, 621, 624. - - Langworthy, Edward, ii. 609. - - Lardner, Dr. Nathaniel, i. 66. - - Lauderdale, Earl of, ii. 210. - - Lavington, Bishop, i. 11, 282; ii. 201, 219–222, 230, 271. - - Lavington, Rev. Mr., ii. 403. - - Law, Rev. William, i. 16, 59, 281; ii. 259, 377. - - Lee, Jesse, ii. 588, 602. - - Leechman, Rev. Dr. William, ii. 391. - - Leeds, ii. 234–236, 258, 285, 286, 310, 312, 315, 352, 380, 383, - 384, 412, 444, 445, 453, 462, 464, 532. - - Leicester, ii. 284, 310, 502. - - Leigh, Lady Barbara, i. 159. - - Leominster, ii. 59, 109. - - Leven, Earl of, i. 519, 523, 524, 530, 531. - - Lewes, ii. 551. - - Lewis, J., ii. 48, 49, 57. - - Lewis, Rev. Thomas, ii. 48, 51, 57. - - Lewis, Thomas, ii. 112. - - Lewis Town (America), i. 388. - - Lewisham, i. 244. - - Liddiard, i. 1. - - Limerick, i. 146; ii. 274, 275, 397. - - Lincoln, Lady, ii. 209. - - Lindsay, Rev. Henry, i. 501. - - Lisbon, ii. 325–332. - - Lisburn, ii. 274. - - Lisburne, Lady, i. 78, 161. - - Liverpool, ii. 316, 352. - - ♦Llanelly, ii. 58. - - Locke, John, i. 129. - - Log College, i. 325, 332. - - London, i. 55, 74, 82–87, 106, 149, 150–157, 161, 171–175, 204, - 214, 233, 267, 273, 466, 477, 485, 538, 551; ii. 45, 60, 193, - 218, 232, 239, 263, 266, 270, 282, 286, 300, 315, 322, 324, - 343, 346, 353, 354, 376, 379, 384, 397, 399, 401, 412, 421, - 453, 457, 459, 488, 491, 518, 528, 550, 557. - - Long Acre Chapel, ii. 355–365. - - Longden, Mr., i. 2. - - Long Island, i. 383. - - Lonsdale, Lord, ii. 37. - - Lothian, Marquis of, i. 515; ii. 342. - - Ludlow, ii. 109. - - Lumley, Lady Henrietta, i. 159. - - Lunell, William, ii. 238–240, 244, 245, 273, 279. - - Lurgan, ii. 274. - - Lutterworth, ii. 284. - - Luxborough, Lady, ii. 209. - - Lyman, Rev. Mr., ii. 592. - - Lyttelton, Lord, ii. 210, 407. - - - McCulloch, Rev. William, i. 528; ii. 2, 5, 6, 30, 224, 255, 338. - - Mackay, Captain, i. 123, 124. - - McLaurin, Rev. John, ii. 22. - - McLeod, Rev. Mr., i. 139, 141, 357. - - McMahon, Mr., i. 145. - - Madan, Rev. Martin, ii., 263, 265, 341, 398–401, 404, 407, 415, - 417, 434, 454, 490, 499, 548, 620, 631. - - Maddock, Rev. Abraham, i. 400. - - Madeley, ii. 518, 520. - - Maidenhead (America), i. 331. - - Maidstone, ii. 379. - - Mair, Rev. Thomas, i. 497. - - Majendie, Rev. J., i. 173, 174. - - Malden (America), ii. 592. - - Malmesbury, i. 264. - - Manchester, i. 148; ii. 237, 258, 259, 285, 315, 352, 383, 384. - - Manchester, Duchess of, ii. 209. - - Mansfield, ii. 257. - - Marble Head (America), i. 417; ii. 592. - - March, Earl of, ii. 210. - - Margate, i. 112; ii. 572. - - Marlborough (America), i. 425; ii. 138. - - Marlborough, Duchess of, i. 160; ii. 37. - - Marsden, Rev. Joshua, ii. 182. - - Marychurch, ii. 215. - - Maryland (America), ii. 164. - - Mather, Rev. Eleazar, i. 426. - - Matheson, Rev. Dr., ii. 605. - - Matthews, James, ii. 542. - - Maxfield, Thomas, i. 166, 180; ii. 40, 415, 491. - - Medford (America), ii. 592. - - Meriton, Rev. John, i. 558–560; ii. 39, 44. - - Middleton, Rev. Erasmus, ii. 543. - - Middleton, Mr., ii. 556. - - Milner, Rev. J., ii. 384. - - Milton (America), ii. 592. - - Minchin, Hampton, ii. 63–67. - - Molther, Rev. Philip Henry, i. 392, 394. - - Moncrieff, Rev. Alexander, i. 497. - - Monson, Lady, ii. 209. - - Montagu, Duchess of, ii. 209. - - Moody, Rev. Samuel, i. 416; ii. 175, 177. - - Moon, Mrs., ii. 534. - - Morgan, Rev. Charles, i. 56, 173, 174. - - Morgan, William, i. 14. - - Morpeth, ii. 285. - - Morris, Samuel, ii. 166. - - Muir, Rev. Dr., i. 528. - - Muirhead, Rev. John, i. 376. - - Murray, Grace, ii. 235. - - Musselburgh, ii. 276. - - - Nairn, Rev. Thomas, i. 497. - - Nantwich, i. 147; ii. 315, 316. - - Nazareth (America), i. 382. - - Neal, Rev. Daniel, i. 67. - - Neal, Nathaniel, ii. 74. - - Nelson, John, ii. 69. - - Nesbit, Mr., i. 543. - - Neshaminy (America), i. 325, 332, 379. - - New Brunswick (America), i. 327, 328, 331, 379; ii. 333. - - Newbury (America), i. 416; ii. 175, 336. - - Newbury Port (America), ii. 592, 596, 597, 602, 606, 607. - - Newcastle (America), i. 339, 371, 386. - - Newcastle, Duke of, ii. 245. - - Newcastle-on-Tyne, ii. 33, 34, 234–236, 284–286, 311, 312, 316, - 352, 353, 380, 410, 412, 445, 464, 532. - - New Haven (America), i. 429, 477, 495. - - New Haven College, ii. 476. - - Newport (America), ii. 592. - - Newton, Rev. John, ii. 316, 424, 519, 543, 620, 624, 631. - - Newtown (America), i. 344; ii. 592. - - New York, i. 328, 335, 383, 430; ii. 152, 162, 172, 175, 332, - 469, 476, 486, 589, 590, 592. - - Nimmo, James, ii. 261. - - Nimmo, Lady Jane, ii. 262, 366. - - Nitschmann, Bishop, i. 89, 382. - - Nitschmann, Hannah, ii. 302. - - Niven, James, ii. 284. - - Nixon, Mr., i. 457. - - Noble, Mr., i. 328, 341, 356, 403, 430, 509, 551. - - Norris, Rev. Mr., i. 351, 354. - - North, Lord, ii. 210. - - Northampton, i. 231; ii. 71, 256, 310, 315, 352, 410, 532. - - Northampton (America), i. 426–429. - - Northampton, Lord, ii. 407. - - North East (America), i. 339. - - Northumberland, Lady, ii. 407. - - Norwich, ii. 299, 300, 317, 347, 348, 408, 516. - - Nottingham, ii. 256, 310, 315. - - Nottingham (America), i. 386. - - Nowell, Dr., ii. 543, 544. - - - Occum, Samson, i. 384; ii. 493. - - Ogilvie, Rev. Mr., i. 514, 522, 528. - - Oglethorpe, General, i. 74, 76, 77, 82, 109, 110, 130, 132, 134, - 141, 347, 351, 357, 364, 447; ii. 2, 3, 26. - - Olivers, Thomas, i. 395, 470; ii. 204, 531. - - Olney, i. 231: ii. 112, 196, 256, 310, 315, 410. - - Orchard, Paul, i. 184, 315. - - Orphan House, i. 347–352, 355, 359, 368, 380, 390, 434, 441–445, - 492–494, 519–521, 543; ii. 35, 36, 43, 60, 97, 153–158, 169, - 205, 278, 280, 287, 292, 332, 339, 377, 397, 413, 421, 470, - 475, 479–484, 491, 523–528, 559, 573, 588. - - Osgood, Rev. John, i. 397. - - Osmotherley, ii. 312, 313. - - Ottery, ii. 78. - - Owen, E., ii. 90. - - Oxenhall, i. 199. - - Oxford, i. 9, 14, 15, 16, 53, 56, 57, 62, 74, 79, 106, 157, 203; - ii. 542. - - Oxford Methodists, i. 18, 31, 57. - - - Painswick, i. 199, 256, 263: ii. 559. - - Palmer, Rev. Henry, ii. 48. - - Paul, Rev. Mr., ii. 181. - - Paulet, Lady Rebecca, ii. 407. - - Park, Rev. Mr., i., 257. - - Parker, Mr., i. 364. - - Parsons, Rev. Jonathan, i. 422; ii. 597, 599, 600, 619–621. - - Pearce, Bishop, ii. 355–364, 368. - - Pearsall, Rev. Richard, ii. 250. - - Pemberton, Rev. Dr. Ebenezer, i. 329, 333, 335, 341, 384, 430; - ii. 227, 255, 335, 620, 622. - - Pembroke, ii. 226, 517. - - Pembroke, Lady, ii. 407. - - Penn, William, i. 320–323. - - Pennsylvania, i. 320–323, 377, 380. - - Penrose, Rev. Mr., i. 180. - - Pentycross, Rev. Thomas, ii. 530. - - Pepperell, Sir William, ii. 121, 149, 175, 336, 350. - - Periam, Joseph, i. 227–230, 308, 315, 316, 476. - - Perronet, Rev. Vincent, ii. 221. - - Pershore, i. 257. - - Petersham, Lady Caroline, ii. 209. - - Philadelphia (America), i. 320–323, 327, 328, 331, 332, 336, 337, - 372, 384, 387, 433, 435, 436; ii, 163, 164, 171, 175, 228, - 250, 333, 468, 476, 589. - - Philips, Sir John, i. 42, 44, 56, 57. - - Pickering, Rev. Theophilus, ii. 139. - - Piercy, Rev. Mr., ii. 584. - - Pierpont. Mr., i. 429. - - Piers, Rev. Henry, i. 148, 239, 241, 244, 272, 349. - - Pilmoor, Joseph, ii. 571, 586, 588, 633. - - Pitt, Hon. Mrs., ii. 209. - - Pitt, William (Earl of Chatham), ii. 210, 440. - - Placey, ii. 312. - - Plymouth, ii. 100–104, 113, 120, 162, 216, 230, 252, 270, 313, - 398, 399, 443, 455, 487. - - Pomfret, Countess of, i. 282. - - Pontypool, i. 196, 314. - - Pope, Alexander, ii. 83. - - Port Arlington, ii. 397. - - Porter, Dr. Ebenezer, ii. 604. - - Porter, Rev. John, i. 422. - - Portsmouth, ii. 161, 224, 254, 256, 263, 280, 282, 310, 375. - - Portsmouth (America), i. 416; ii. 121, 122, 175, 336, 592, 593, - 596. - - Potter, Archbishop, i. 74. - - Powell, Rev. J., ii. 49. - - Powley, Rev. Mr., ii. 506. - - Powys, Thomas, ii. 495, 499, 506. - - Prince, Rev. Thomas, i. 423, 424, 539; ii. 127, 131, 146. - - Prince, Thomas, ii. 121. - - Proudfoot, Rev. Dr., ii. 603. - - Providence (America), ii. 592. - - Publow, i. 185. - - Pugh, F., ii. 112. - - Pugh, Rev. Philip, i. 48. - - Purfleet, i. 110. - - - Queensbury, Duchess of, i. 71, 161; ii. 209. - - - Rae, Lord, i. 515, 518, 539; ii. 3. - - Raikes, Robert, i. 47, 87, 106. - - Rambach, Rev. J., ii. 439. - - Ramsgate, ii. 571, 572. - - Randall, Rev. Benjamin, ii. 601. - - Randwick, i. 256, 263. - - Rankin, Thomas, ii. 393. - - Redding (America), i. 418. - - Redford, Rev. Dr., ii. 605. - - Redruth, ii. 253, 254. - - Reed, Rev. Dr. Andrew, ii. 607. - - Reedy Island (America), i. 388. - - Rees, Rev. Lewis, ii. 48. - - Relly, James, ii. 161. - - Rhode Island (America), i. 406; ii. 335, 336. - - Rhodes, Benjamin, ii. 310. - - Rich, John, ii. 355. - - Rich, Miss, ii. 209. - - Richards, John, ii. 48, 62. - - Richmond, Duchess of, ii. 407. - - Rimmins, Henry, ii. 301, 304, 306, 307. - - Robe, Rev. James, ii. 2, 7–9. - - Robinson, Rev. Robert, ii. 229, 347, 407. - - Rock, Dr., i. 206; ii. 446. - - Rockhampton, i. 1. - - Rockingham, Lady, ii. 209. - - Rodborough, ii. 453, 517, 559. - - Rodgers, Rev. John, ii. 592. - - Roe, Rev. Samuel, ii. 548. - - Rogers, Rev. Daniel, ii. 600. - - Rogers, Rev. Jacob, i. 231. - - Romaine, Rev. William, ii. 341, 343, 375, 400, 407, 415, 417, - 420, 454, 490, 495, 499, 532, 542, 543, 548, 558, 620, 631. - - Rooker, James, ii. 402. - - Ross, Rev. Dr., ii. 605. - - Rotherham, ii. 257, 285, 310, 315, 412. - - Rowel, Jacob, ii. 610. - - Rowland, Rev. John, i. 331, 379. - - Rowlands, Rev. Daniel, i. 169, 171, 487, 541; ii. 48, 49, 51, - 52, 187. - - Rowley (America), ii. 592. - - Roxbury (America), i. 410; ii. 592. - - Royal, Isaac, ii. 175. - - Rudge, Mr., i. 233. - - Rundle, Bishop, i. 147. - - Ryland, Rev. John, ii. 349. - - - Sabine, Governor, i. 117, 119, 120. - - Saffron Walden, i. 251. - - St. Albans, i. 232. - - St. Gennys, ii. 79, 253. - - St. Ives (Cornwall), ii. 253. - - St. John, Lady, ii. 209. - - St. John, Lord, ii. 210, 214. - - St. Mary de Crypt, i. 5. - - St. Neots, ii. 410. - - Salem (America), i. 416; ii. 336, 592. - - Salisbury, i. 176. - - Salmon, Matthew, i. 62, 148. - - Sandwich, Earl of, ii. 210. - - Savage, Richard, i. 178. - - Savannah (America), i. 122, 125, 130–140, 143, 157, 171, 347, - 351, 354, 364, 388, 390, 402, 434, 437, 446–448; ii. 97, - 573, 585, 587, 588, 601. - - Sawyer, Dr., ii. 599. - - Schaubs, Lady, ii. 210. - - Scott, Captain, ii. 502, 519, 520, 532. - - Scott, Dr. John, ii. 96. - - Scott, Lady Jane, ii. 407. - - Seagrave, Rev. Robert, i. 212, 278, 285; ii. 294. - - Secker, Archbishop, i. 66, 157; ii. 399, 523–528. - - Selwyn, George Augustus, ii. 210. - - Selwyn, Lady, i. 41, 106. - - Sewall, Rev. Dr. Joseph, i. 408, 411, 417, 418; ii. 131, 144, - 335. - - Seward, Benjamin, i. 163, 166, 200, 349. - - Seward, Henry, i. 164–166. - - Seward, Rev. Thomas, i. 163, 251. - - Seward, William, i. 164–168, 175, 179, 186–188, 192, 194, 197, - 200, 204, 230, 251, 308, 319, 348, 349, 365, 371, 373, 378, - 381, 382, 388, 412, 466, 548. - - ♦Shackerley, ii. 384. - - Sharon (America), ii. 591. - - Sheerness, ii. 380, 492. - - Sheffield, ii. 257, 285, 286, 310, 315, 412, 462, 532. - - Shenstone, William, i. 15. - - Shent, William, ii. 319, 533. - - Shepherd, Miss Molly, ii. 403. - - Sherburne, Mr., ii. 121, 151. - - Sherlock, Bishop, i. 66, 71; ii. 42. - - Shields, ii. 380. - - Shipman, Joseph, ii. 543. - - Shippack (America), i. 379. - - Shirley, Lady Fanny, ii. 209, 225, 237, 265, 268, 290, 440. - - Shirley, Rev. Walter, ii. 490, 537, 584, 611. - - Shrewsbury, ii. 161. - - Shurtleff, Rev. William, ii. 121. - - Shuter, Edward, ii. 390. - - ♦Shutlift, Rev. Mr., i. 416. - - Sibree, Rev. Mr., ii. 605. - - Silvester, Rev. Tipping, i. 151. - - Simpson, Rev. Mr., ii. 260. - - Sinclair, Major, i. 117. - - Skelton, Rev. Charles, ii. 620. - - Skerret, Rev. Dr., i. 254. - - ♦Sladdin, John, ii. 219. - - Smalbroke, Bishop, ii. 99, 147. - - Smith, Rev. Cotton Mather, ii. 591. - - Smith, James, ii. 608. - - Smith, Rev. John, i. 530. - - Smith, Rev. Joseph, i. 357. - - Smith, Rev. Josiah, i. 421, 491; ii. 620. - - Smith, Richard, ii. 573, 598, 609. - - Smith, Rev. Dr. William, ii. 477. - - Smyth, Aquila, i. 454. - - Smythe, Sir Sidney Halford, ii. 416. - - Somerset, Duchess of, i. 280; ii. 209, 268. - - Somerset, Duke of, ii. 268. - - Sproat, Rev. Dr. James, i. 328; ii. 620. - - Stanhope, Dean, i. 71. - - Staten Island (America), i. 433. - - Stearns, Rev. Dr., ii. 606. - - Stebbing, Rev. Dr., i. 261, 286. - - Stephens, William, i. 131, 140, 351, 360, 395. - - Stephenson, Rev. John, ii. 182. - - Stevens, Dr. Abel, i. 451; ii. 631, 633. - - Stevens, James, ii. 610. - - Steward, Rev. Mr., ii. 298. - - Stillingfleet, Rev. James, ii. 399, 400. - - Stinchcombe Hill, ii. 604. - - Stirk, Benjamin, ii. 609. - - Stockport, ii. 285, 315, 384. - - Stockton-on-Tees, ii. 312. - - Stoddard, Rev. Solomon, i. 426, 428. - - Stokesley, ii. 533. - - Stonehouse, i. 76, 77, 106, 199; ii. 54. - - Stonehouse. Rev. Dr. James, ii. 195, 200, 213, 233, 256, 279, 290. - - Stonehouse, Rev. Mr., i. 148, 204, 205, 234, 393. - - Stroud, i. 106, 199, 256, 548; ii, 53, 54. - - Suffield (America), i. 428. - - Sunderland, ii. 286, 315, 380, 454, 532, 533. - - Sutherland, Countess of, ii. 493. - - Sutherland, Earl of, ii. 493. - - Sweetly, Rev. Thomas, ii. 48. - - Swindells, Robert, ii. 266. - - Swindon, ii. 40, 41. - - Syms, John, ii. 57, 68, 160, 308. - - - Tabernacle (London), i. 484; ii. 45, 290, 291, 293, 298, 310, - 374. - - Tadcaster, ii. 380. - - Tailfer, Dr., i. 447. - - Talbot, Rev. Dr. William, ii. 399–401. - - Tanner, Rev. Henry, ii. 104. - - Taylor, David, ii. 59, 300. - - Taylor, Rev. Dr., ii. 384. - - Taunton, ii. 250, 270. - - Tavistock, ii. 217. - - Tavistock, Lord, ii. 407. - - Tedbury, i. 264. - - Tennent, Rev. Charles, i. 325, 371, 431. - - Tennent, Rev. Gilbert, i. 326, 328, 331, 332, 335, 352, 376, 379, - 380, 384, 423, 433, 434, 476, 496, 531, 548, 549; ii. 12, 14, - 31, 125, 127, 128, 153, 164, 268, 322–324, 333. - - Tennent, Rev. John, i. 325. - - Tennent, Rev. William, i. 324, 325, 332. - - Tennent, Rev. William, jun., i. 326, 332, 339, 356, 384, 477; - ii. 152, 590. - - Tewkesbury, i. 257; ii. 161. - - Thanet, Lady, ii. 209. - - Thaxted, i. 251. - - Thirsk, ii. 533. - - Thomas, B., ii. 49. - - Thomas, Rev. John, ii. 47. - - Thomas, Lady Sophia, ii. 209. - - Thompson, Rev. G., i. 106, 184; ii. 78, 79, 231, 253, 254. - - Thompson, Rev. James, i. 497. - - Thomson, Mrs., ii. 608. - - Thornbury, i. 196, 261, 263. - - Thornton, John, ii. 404, 416. - - Thorold, Sir John, i. 59, 349. - - Thorpe, Rev. John, ii. 257. - - Tibbut, R., ii. 48. - - Tilling, Robert, ii. 426. - - Tillotson, Archbishop, i. 360, 372, 452–454, 466. - - Tilly, Rev. Mr., i. 402. - - Tomo Chici, i. 132–135. - - ♦Topcliffe, ii. 198, 312. - - Toplady, Rev. Augustus, ii. 624. - - Tottenham Court Road Chapel, ii. 368, 372–374, 376, 384, 389. - - Townsend, Rev. Joseph, ii. 490, 493. - - Townshend, Charles, ii. 210. - - Townshend, Lady, i. 78, 160; ii. 211, 407. - - Townshend, Marquis of, ii. 210. - - Trafford, Lord, ii. 407. - - Trapp, Rev. Dr., i. 206–214, 236–238, 279, 454. - - Trelegg, i. 197. - - Trent (America), i. 328, 332; ii. 333. - - Trentham, Viscount, ii. 210. - - Trevecca, ii. 62, 187, 191, 541, 555, 570, 584. - - Trigg, William, ii. 609. - - Trotter, Rev. Dr. John, ii. 620. - - Tucker, Rev. Josiah, i. 253, 287; ii. 16. - - Tunbridge Wells, ii. 551, 560. - - Tupper, Rev. Thomas, ii. 417. - - Tweeddale, Marquis of, ii. 210. - - Tytherton, ii. 40–43, 77, 80, 100. - - - Ulverstone, ii. 261. - - Upper Marlborough (America), i. 340, 342. - - Usk, i. 196. - - - Venn, Mr., i. 172. - - Venn, Rev. Henry, ii. 385, 398, 400, 407, 415, 417, 444, 454, - 490, 506, 534, 539, 542, 558, 620, 621, 623, 631. - - Villiers, Lord, ii. 440. - - Vincent, Henry, ii. 607. - - Virginia (America), ii. 165, 338, 467, 478. - - - Wakefield, ii. 285, 286. - - Waldegrave, Lady, ii. 407. - - Wales, Rev. Mr., i. 379. - - Walker, Rev. Samuel, ii. 375, 400. - - Walter, Rev. Nehemiah, i. 409. - - Wantage, i. 1. - - Warburton, Bishop, i. 281; ii. 462. - - Warminster, ii. 375. - - Warne, Rev. Jonathan, i. 285. - - Waterford (Wales), ii. 54. - - Waterland, Dr., i. 66. - - Watts, Rev. Dr. Isaac, i. 66–71, 137, 162, 330; ii. 72, 203, 294. - - Webb, Rev. John, i. 409, 417, 425; ii. 144. - - Webster, Rev. Alexander, i. 527; ii. 29. - - Wednesbury, ii. 81, 82, 86, 316. - - Well, Rev. Nathaniel, i. 187. - - Wellington, ii. 77, 113, 230, 250, 270. - - Wells, Samuel, ii. 400. - - Welstead, Rev. Mr., i. 411. - - Wesley, Rev. Charles, i. 12, 14, 16, 17–20, 23, 28, 32, 53, 59, - 60, 62, 75, 87–89, 112, 138, 142, 148, 149, 155, 161, 164, - 166, 167, 192, 204, 216, 234, 239, 240, 245, 250, 251, 267, - 307, 309, 347, 392, 411, 450, 464, 476, 478–482, 535–538, - 547; ii. 34, 69, 86, 176, 177, 184, 218, 229, 235, 236, 238, - 246, 247, 263, 288, 289, 294, 298, 299, 310, 311, 319, 320, - 339, 349, 373, 383, 401, 415, 425, 470, 496, 497, 558, 570, - 574, 603, 609, 611. - - Wesley, Rev. John, i. 12, 14, 23, 28, 32, 33, 39, 42, 46, 53, - 56, 60, 65, 75, 87, 93, 97, 103, 114, 115, 130, 133, 135, - 142, 148, 149, 155, 161, 167, 192–195, 222, 226, 244, 245, - 250, 252, 258–263, 268, 275, 292, 294, 334, 360, 366, 389, - 403, 412–415, 432, 435, 439, 440, 450, 462–476, 479, 482, - 484, 530, 535–538, 546, 553; ii. 33, 34, 69, 72, 80, 96, - 160, 165, 176, 184, 189, 214, 218, 221, 229, 235, 238, 243, - 245–247, 261, 263, 266, 275, 276, 279, 288, 289, 294–296, - 299, 308, 310, 313, 317, 319, 320, 322, 347–349, 352, 355, - 365, 368, 373, 377, 383, 395, 397, 406, 414, 415, 444, - 462–464, 477, 490–492, 496, 497, 515, 531, 534, 542, 548, - 557, 558, 568, 570, 574, 586, 603, 607, 609, 614–620, 631. - - Wesley, Mrs. Susannah, i. 12, 176. - - West, Daniel, ii. 458, 566, 609. - - Westbury, ii. 374. - - Weston-Favell, ii. 348, 351, 410. - - Weymouth (America), ii. 137. - - Weymouth, Lord, ii. 407. - - Wheatley, Rev. Charles, i. 288. - - Wheatley, James, ii. 299, 317, 347, 348, 409. - - Wheelock, Rev. Dr., ii. 473, 589. - - Whitaker, Rev. Mr., ii. 620. - - Whitaker, Samuel, ii. 381. - - White, Rev. George, ii. 218. - - Whiteclay Creek (America), i. 325, 339, 386. - - Whitefield, Andrew (brother), i. 2. - - Whitefield, Elizabeth (sister), i. 2. - - Whitefield, James (brother), i. 2; ii. 492. - - Whitefield, John (brother), i. 2. - - Whitefield, Richard (brother), i. 2; ii. 608. - - Whitefield, Thomas (father), i. 1. - - Whitefield, Thomas (brother), i. 2; ii. 608. - - Whitefield, Elizabeth (mother), i. 1; ii. 28, 240, 281. - - Whitefield, Elizabeth (wife), i. 530–533; ii. 5, 36, 71, 85, 87, - 120, 122, 168, 170, 171, 173, 180, 226, 268, 269, 272, 275, - 298, 309, 316, 554, 558. - - Whitehead, Dr. John, i. 463. - - Whitelamb, Rev. John, i. 14. - - Whitemarsh (America), i. 374. - - Whiting, Captain, i. 116. - - Whitmore, Mr., ii. 608. - - Wickwar, ii. 110, 111. - - Wigglesworth, Rev. Dr. Edward, ii. 132, 135, 136. - - Wilder, Rev. John, i. 287. - - Willard, Josiah, i. 408. - - Williams, Colonel, ii. 255. - - Williams, Joseph, ii. 63, 82, 83. - - Williams, Rev. Peter, i. 541. - - Williams, T., ii. 49, 57, 238. - - Williams, Rev. William, i. 541; ii. 48, 49, 51, 57. - - Williamsburg (America), i. 343. - - Williamson, William, i. 447. - - Willis, Rev. Mr., i. 185. - - Willison, Rev. Mr., i. 514, 529; ii. 2, 21, 26. - - Wilmington (America), i. 339, 372, 386. - - Wilson, Bishop, ii. 344. - - Wilson, Rev. William, i. 497, 518. - - Winder, Mr., ii. 608. - - Windsor, i. 175. - - Winter, Cornelius, i. 532; ii. 346, 492, 508–515, 573, 578, 609, - 610, 623. - - Winterbourne, i. 186. - - Witton, Rev. Mr., ii. 72. - - Woffington, Margaret, ii. 355. - - Wolverhampton, ii. 112, 113, 315. - - Wood, Elizabeth, ii. 455, 456. - - Woodbridge (America), i. 383. - - Woodstock, ii. 517. - - Worcester, ii. 83. - - Wrentham (America), ii. 592. - - Wrexham, ii. 315, 316. - - Wright, Ambrose, ii. 608, 609. - - Wright, Sir James, ii. 523–528, 575. - - Wright, Mr., ii. 564, 573, 578, 593. - - Wynn, Sir Watkin William, ii. 203. - - - Yale College (America), ii. 138. - - Yarm, ii. 380, 412, 532–534. - - York, ii. 285, 286, 311, 312, 315, 352, 380, 532, 533. - - York (America), ii. 121, 178, 592, 593. - - - Ziegenhagen, Rev. F. M., i. 137. - - Zinzendorf, Count, i. 89; ii. 68, 91, 291, 292, 301, 304, 306, - 307, 389. - - Zubley, Rev. John Joachim, ii. 620. - - Zububuhler, Rev. Mr., ii. 526. - - - - - Footnotes. - - - 1 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. i., p. 399. - - 2 – “Life of John Erskine, D.D.,” p. 107. - - 3 – Gillies’ “Historical Collections,” vol. ii., pp. 339–398. - - 4 – _Scots’ Magazine_, 1742, p. 580. - - 5 – Ibid., pp. 437, 580. - - 6 – _Weekly History_, June 26, 1742. - - 7 – _Christian’s Magazine_, 1792, p. 20. - - 8 – _Weekly History_, July 3, 1742. - - 9 – _Weekly History_, July 3, 1742. - - 10 – In one of his last sermons in London, in 1769, Whitefield - exclaimed: “Once, when I was preaching in Scotland, I saw - ten thousand people affected in a moment, some with joy, - others crying, ‘I cannot believe,’ others, ‘God has given - me faith,’ and some fainting in the arms of their friends. - Seeing two hardened creatures upon a tombstone, I cried - out, ‘You rebels, come down,’ and down they fell directly, - and exclaimed, before they went away, ‘What shall we do to - be saved?’” (Whitefield’s Eighteen Sermons, published by - Gurney, 1771, p. 290.) - - 11 – Mr. Robe had been the pastor of the Kilsyth church for - twenty-nine years. - - 12 – Robe’s Narrative, p. 87. - - 13 – Robe’s Narrative, p. 159. - - 14 – An appellation given, by the French, to the Calvinists of - the Cevennes, who formed a league, in 1688; and who, in - their boldness, crimes, and enthusiasm, resembled the - Circumcelliones of Africa. - - 15 – In reply to this monstrous edict, a pamphlet was published, - with the title. “A Friendly Caution to Seceders,” in - which they were persuaded not to make Whitefield’s success, - and the word of God at Cambuslang and elsewhere, the - reasons of their fast. The author treats “The Associate - Presbytery,” and especially Adam Gibb, with great, but - deserved, severity, for their behaviour to Whitefield. - - 16 – “Fraud and Falsehood Detected” was not published in - Erskine’s collected works. For the sermons here mentioned, - see “The Sermons and other Practical Works of the Rev. - Ralph Erskine.” 8vo. 1777, vol. vii., p. 373, etc., p. 423, - etc., and p. 441, etc. The first of these sermons was - preached at Stirling, June 13, the second at Dunfermline, - June 11th, and the third at Abbotshall, August 9th, 1742. - Further attacks on the great revival may be found in vol. - viii., pp. 47, 104, 190, etc. - - 17 – The nine sermons were selected from Whitefield’s sermons - already published. - - 18 – General Oglethorpe’s Proclamation. - - 19 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., pp. 453–459. - - ♦20 – The _Christian’s Magazine_, vol. i., 1790, p. 160. - - 21 – The two intervening days were spent in writing letters - respecting his Orphan House, and other matters. - - 22 – _Glasgow Weekly History_, No. 39. - - 23 – _Weekly History_, October 16, 1742. - - 24 – “Robe’s Narrative, 1742,” pp. 99–107. - - 25 – Methodism had recently been introduced into Newcastle by - Wesley, and Moravianism into Yorkshire by Ingham. - - 26 – Doddridge’s Correspondence, vol. iv., p. 113; and - Doddridge’s “Life of Gardiner.” - - 27 – Charles Wesley was now at Newcastle, preaching with - amazing power and success. (See John Nelson’s Journal.) - - 28 – _Scots’ Magazine_, 1742. - - 29 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 199. - - 30 – These particulars are gleaned from a part of Cennick’s - diary, for the first time published in the _Primitive - Methodist Magazine_ for 1865. - - 31 – _Primitive Methodist Magazine_, 1865, p. 595. - - 32 – Whitefield’s suggestion was not adopted. Mr. Meriton, soon - after this, became one of Wesley’s clerical helpers in - England. - - 33 – The Society consisted of widows, married people, young men, - and spinsters. At the Society meetings, these different - classes of persons occupied separate places in the - Tabernacle, each class receiving from Whitefield, in the - colloquial style, various exhortations suitable to their - different stations. (See Dr. Campbell’s “Services at the - Centenary Celebration of Whitefield’s Apostolic Labours, - held in the Tabernacle, Moorfields, May 21, 1839,” p. 26.) - - 34 – Ingham had recently married Lady Margaret Hastings, one of - the daughters of the Earl of Huntingdon. - - 35 – “The Oxford Methodists,” p. 223. - - 36 – Hervey was now a curate at Bideford, in Devonshire. - - 37 – _Glasgow Weekly History_, No. 48. - - 38 – Howell Davies was a remarkable man. Having spent some - time at a country school, he was put under the care of - the Rev. Griffith Jones, the founder of the “moveable - free schools.” With the assistance of Mr. Jones, he made - great proficiency in the Latin and Greek languages, and in - other branches of learning. In due time, he was ordained - a minister of the Church of England. The first church - in which he was called to officiate was Lys-y-fran, in - Pembrokeshire; but he was soon dismissed, on account of - his zeal for Christ and the salvation of sinners. For some - time, the largest churches throughout Wales were open to - him; and thousands upon thousands flocked to hear him. - The attendance at the monthly sacraments in his church - at Haverfordwest was seldom less than two thousand, and - sometimes was more than twice that number; the church - being frequently emptied to make room for remaining - communicants. He _statedly_ preached in four different - places, besides his daily labours in houses, barns, - fields, commons, and mountains. He became the chief leader - of Calvinistic Methodism in Pembrokeshire; and was an - intimate friend of Whitefield, whom he often accompanied - in his journeys. To the day of his death, he was one of - the regular supplies at the Tabernacle and at Tottenham - Court Chapel, London. He also was a frequent preacher - in the Tabernacles at Bristol and Kingswood, and in - the Countess of Huntingdon’s chapels at Bath, Brighton, - Tunbridge Wells, and other places. He died in the same - year as Whitefield, and was buried in Prengast Church, - Haverfordwest.――_Evangelical Magazine_, 1814. - - 39 – _Glasgow Weekly History_, No. 44. - - 40 – “Life and Times of Howell Harris,” p. 98. - - 41 – “Life and Times of Howell Harris,” p. 130. - - 42 – “Life and Times of Howell Harris,” p. 107. - - 43 – Ibid., p. 126. - - 44 – The _Gospel Magazine_, 1771, p. 33. - - 45 – Thomas Adams was one of Whitefield’s lay-preachers. We - shall hear of him again. - - 46 – _The Gospel Magazine_, 1771, p. 68. - - 47 – The _Gospel Magazine_, 1771, p. 69. - - 48 – “Life and Times of Howell Harris,” p. 99. - - 49 – In a contemporary letter, Howell Harris says, “Whitefield - preached at Aberdaw, and _stopped_ at Fonmon Castle.” - (“Life and Times of Howell Harris.”) - - 50 – Harris says that, on this day, Whitefield also preached at - Penmark. (Ibid.) - - 51 – Harris says, he also preached at Margam. - - 52 – Howell Harris says, “Several gentlemen attended, and were - much affected and pleased.” (“Life and Times of Howell - Harris,” p. 127.) - - 53 – Harris says, the sermon was preached near one of Howell - Davies’ churches, and that twelve thousand were present. - (Ibid., p. 127.) - - 54 – I believe several of these proper names are wrongly spelt, - but I give many of them as I find them. I despair of being - able to correct them all.――L. T. - - 55 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 24. - - 56 – This sermon is included in Whitefield’s collected - works. It is very long, but contains nothing demanding - observation. - - 57 – There was, however, a little discordance. A letter was - read, from J. Richards, one of the public exhorters, “in - which he objected to the division of the members of the - Society into _married_, _single_, and _widows_.” (“Life - and Times of Howell Harris,” p. 101.) - - 58 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 62. - - 59 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1814, p. 418. - - 60 – Journals of J. and C. Wesley, and Minutes of Conferences, - 1744–1798, p. 39. - - 61 – _Christian History_, 1747. - - 62 – Whitefield writes “Hampton,” but the full name of the - place was Minchin-Hampton. - - 63 – The title of Whitefield’s pamphlet was, “A Brief Account - of the Occasion, Process, and Issue of a late Trial at the - Assize held at Gloucester, March 3rd, 1743, between some - of the People called Methodists, Plaintiffs, and certain - Persons of the Town of Minchin-Hampton, in the said County, - Defendants. In a Letter to a Friend. By George Whitefield, - A.B., late of Pembroke College, Oxford. London: printed - for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lyon, in Ludgate Street; - and sold at the Tabernacle, and by Mr. John Syms, in - Pitfield Street, Hoxton, 1744.” (8vo. pp. 15.) - - 64 – “Memoirs of James Hutton,” p. 112. - - 65 – Ibid., p. 121. - - 66 – “Memoirs of James Hutton,” p. 128. - - 67 – Jackson’s “Life of C. Wesley,” vol. i., p. 350. - - 68 – C. Wesley’s Journal. - - 69 – Wesley’s Works, vol. ii., p. 28. - - 70 – See it in Wesley’s Works, vol. i., p. 401. - - 71 – Doddridge’s Correspondence, vol. iv., p. 254. - - 72 – Ibid., p. 265. - - 73 – Doddridge’s Correspondence, vol. iv., p. 270. - - 74 – The Rev. John Barker was now in the sixty-first year of - his age. He began his ministry in 1709, and for four years - acted as assistant to the Rev. Benjamin Grosvenor, D.D. - On the death of the celebrated Matthew Henry, in 1714, - Mr. Barker became his successor, in Mare Street, Hackney. - In 1738, for unknown reasons, he resigned his pastorate at - Hackney; and, after three years of rest, became, in 1741, - minister of the congregation at Salters’ Hall, where he - continued until a short time before his death, in 1762. - He numbered among his _intimate_ friends Doddridge, Watts, - Gilbert West, Lord Lyttleton, etc. (Wilson’s “Dissenting - Churches in London.”) - - 75 – Doddridge’s Correspondence, vol. iv., p. 284. - - 76 – Wilson’s “Dissenting Churches,” vol. iii., p. 101. - - 77 – Doddridge’s Correspondence, vol. iv., p. 275. - - 78 – Doddridge’s Correspondence, vol. iv., p. 289. - - 79 – Doddridge’s Correspondence, vol. iv., p. 293. - - 80 – See _Primitive Methodist Magazine_, 1865, p. 602. - - 81 – The Rev. Risdon Darracott, one of Doddridge’s pupils, - mentioned in the foregoing letter, dated, December 12, - 1743. He was an eminently devout and useful Dissenting - minister, at Wellington, Somersetshire, where he died, - at the early age of forty-two, in the year 1759. - - 82 – A young Dissenting minister at Taunton. Also mentioned in - Doddridge’s letter. - - 83 – The reader has already seen the fluttering which these - services created among the London Dissenters. - - 84 – Doubtless, the Rev. Mr. Bennet, perpetual curate of - Tresmere. (See C. Wesley’s Journal, vol. i., pp. 369, 376; - and J. Wesley’s Journal, vol. ii., p. 197). - - 85 – The Rev. James Hervey, author of “Meditations among the - Tombs,” etc., had been curate at Bideford for the last - three years, and had left the town only four months before - this visit by his friend Whitefield. - - 86 – One of the “public exhorters” or itinerant preachers in - Wales. - - 87 – _Primitive Methodist Magazine_, 1865, p. 661. - - 88 – At the very time when Whitefield was on his way to brave - the murderous rioters in Staffordshire, he was being - sanctimoniously attacked by “The Associate Presbytery” in - Stirling. On December 23, the members of that body met, to - renew “The Solemn League and Covenant, in a way and manner - agreeable to” their “_present_ situation and circumstances.” - A full account of their proceedings was published in 1744; - and, among the many sins of which they accuse themselves, - the following was one:―― - - “We desire to be humbled before the Lord, that some of us - were not timeously enough aware of Mr. George Whitefield, - a priest of the Church of England, and the danger of his - way, nor timeously enough employed in warning the Lord’s - people against the same; and that all of us have been - too remiss, in our endeavours to prevent the sad effects, - which have attended and followed upon his ministrations, - particularly in this land; that we have been too little - humbled for the entertainment which hath been given him; - that we have been too little affected before the Lord, - with the bold attack made upon the order and institutions - of the Lord’s house, by the _latitudinarian_ principles - which he hath propagated, and with the awful delusion - wherein he has been an instrument of the Lord’s wrath - unto this generation; that we have not been duly exercised - in searching into the grounds of the Lord’s controversy - this way; and in crying unto Him, that He would pity - His heritage, and rebuke the devourer, casting the false - prophet and the unclean spirit out of the land.” (Act of - the Associate Presbytery, etc., 1744.) - - 89 – Whitefield, probably guided by the pronunciation of the - word, writes “_Wedgbury_.” - - 90 – In another letter, Whitefield says: “It is near eleven - at night, and nature calls for rest. I have preached five - times this day (Tuesday, December 27), and, through Christ - strengthening me, I could preach five times more. I was - scarce ever so happy before. It is surprising how the Lord - Jesus has made way for me in these parts. I lose nothing - by being quiet, and leaving all to Him. The weather is - like spring.” - - 91 – “Life and Times of Howell Harris,” p. 134. - - 92 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 49. - - 93 – Wesley’s Works, vol. i., p. 427. - - 94 – Hutton’s Memoirs, pp. 157–167. - - 95 – Besides the pamphlets already noticed, another may be - mentioned: “A Fine Picture of Enthusiasm, chiefly drawn - by Dr. John Scott, formerly Rector of St. Giles’s in the - Fields. To which is added, An Application of the Subject - to the Modern Methodists, exposing the Principles and - Practices of all such. Dedicated to the Bishop of London. - 1744.” (8vo. 40 pp.) The writer says, “Thousands are - flocking after those _enthusiasts_, Whitefield and Wesley, - and are being deluded into a _passionate_, _mechanical_ - religion. Wesley attempted, for some time, at the opening - of his mission, to exorcise the devil out of a parcel - of _weak_, if not _worse_, women; whom he had taught - to go into _agitations_ and _screamings_ in the public - assemblies of his people.” The author acknowledges that - the Methodists “have got some of the _most melodious_ - tunes that ever were composed for church-music; there - is _great harmony_ in their singing, and it is very - _enchanting_; but the hymns they sing are immediate - addresses to the _Son of God_, as the supreme object - of worship, and represent Him as much more friendly and - compassionate to the human world than God the Father ever - was. And, lest men should not be enough affected with the - _name_ and the _sufferings_ of Jesus, one of those _artful - teachers_ has ordered the _tickets_ for his people to be - impressed with the _crucifix_.” - - 96 – Cruttenden was, first of all, a Dissenting minister; - but, as he did not believe the truths he preached, he - relinquished the pulpit, and betook himself to business. - This he pursued with considerable success, and, in process - of time, was chosen the Lord Mayor’s Common Hunt. After - the loss of his property, he principally subsisted upon - the profits of a place in the post office. He became a - member of the Miles Lane congregation, and died, happy in - God, in 1763. We shall hear of him again. - - 97 – _Primitive Methodist Magazine_, 1865, p. 662. - - 98 – Seymour’s “Memoirs of Whitefield,” p. 66. - - 99 – _Christian History_, 1744. - - 100 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1805. - - 101 – A Sermon on Samson, a type of Christ. To which is added an - Exposition of Ephesians v. 22–33; prefaced and recommended - by the Rev. Mr. Whitefield. Sold by Mr. John Syms, in - Ironmonger Row, near St. Luke’s Church, Old Street; John - Lewis, printer, in Bartholomew Close, near West Smithfield; - or Mr. Wharton, at the Tabernacle. - - 102 – _Christian History_, 1744. - - 103 – Ibid. - - 104 – _Christian History_, vol. vi., p. 40, 1744. - - 105 – Though “printed and sold by J. Lewis, in Bartholomew - Close,” the _Christian History_ was really under the - control of Whitefield. In an advertisement appended to - No. 3, vol. vi., 1744, it is stated, that the publication - “contains a general account of the progress of the - gospel, under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, - his fellow-labourers, and assistants;” that, though - originally published in the folio size, “_Mr. Whitefield_ - had _ordered_ it to be printed in a pocket volume, as - judging it less cumbersome;” and that it was “the Rev. Mr. - Whitefield’s desire to have the volumes made as public as - possible.” - - It may be added, that, on Whitefield’s return from America, - in July, 1748, the _Christian History_ was discontinued. - The last letter in it is dated “June 23, 1748;” and on the - last page is the following:――“N.B. This is the last number - of the _Christian History_ that will be printed.” - - 106 – At this time, the only Methodists in Exeter were the - followers of Whitefield. - - 107 – Mr. Kennedy, Adams’s host. - - 108 – Mr. Kennedy went with Mr. S. (Kennedy’s Letter.) - - 109 – In Prince’s _Christian History_, vol. ii., p. 320, there - is a letter, written by “William Shurtleff,” minister at - Portsmouth, stating that Whitefield came to Portsmouth on - November 6. Shurtleff and the Rev. Jabez Fitch, another - Portsmouth minister, met him. Fitch asked him to preach - that evening in his meeting-house. Whitefield did so; and - was to have preached again next morning, but was taken ill. - - Respecting Prince’s _Christian History_, it may be - stated here, once for all, that it was a periodical, - in two octavo volumes, of 416 pages each, entitled, “The - Christian History, containing Accounts of the Revival and - Propagation of Religion in Great Britain and America, for - the years 1743 and 1744. Boston: printed by S. Kneeland - and T. Green, for T. Prince.” No. 1 was issued on March 5, - 1743; and No. 103, the last, on February 16, 1745. Many - of the correspondents seem to trace to Whitefield the - beginning of the revivals both in Scotland and New England. - - 110 – Sir William Pepperell, the son of a Cornish fisherman, - but bred a merchant. In 1727, he was chosen one of His - Majesty’s Council, and was annually re-elected until his - death in 1759. In 1745, he had the command of the troops - which invested and conquered Louisbourg. The king, in - reward of his services, conferred upon him the dignity of - a baronet of Great Britain, an honour never before, and - never since, conferred on a native of New England. Just - before his death, he was appointed lieutenant-general. - - 111 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 112 – _Christian History_, No. 3, vol. vi. - - 113 – A nick-name given to Whitefield’s converts and admirers in - America, and analogous to that of “Methodists” in England. - - 114 – Nichols’ “Illustrations of Literature,” vol. iv., p. 303. - - No wonder that, soon after the receipt of this letter, the - Rev. Zachary Grey, D.D., wrote and published a pamphlet, - with the following title:――“A serious Address to Lay - Methodists, to beware of the false Pretences of their - Teachers. With an Appendix containing an Account of the - fatal and bloody effects of Enthusiasm in the case of - the Family of the Dutartres, in South Carolina. 1745.” - (8vo. 29 pp.) Dr. Grey tells his readers, as Dr. Cutler, - his correspondent, would have done, that “the Methodist - preachers are wandering lights, gadding about with canting - assurances, and leading people into bogs of delusion.” - In justice to Whitefield, it must be added that he had no - connection whatever with the family of the Dutartres. The - family consisted of father, mother, four sons, and four - daughters. In the highest degree, they were all fanatics. - They withdrew from all society, believing that they alone - had the true knowledge of God, and were taught by Him by - signs and impulses. They refused to perform militia and - highway duty, and threw off all obedience to the civil - magistrates. These facts, coupled with adultery on the - part of one member of the family, led Justice Simmons to - issue a writ for Judith Dutartre. In executing the writ, - Simmons was killed by a shot which the Dutartres fired - at him and his men. Six of the fanatics were carried - prisoners to Charleston, and five of them were sentenced - to be hanged for murder. Three were executed, and two, - on confessing their error, were pardoned. (“The Great - Awakening,” by Tracy, p. 79.) - - 115 – It was unfair to attribute this to Whitefield. In - “An Account of the Revival of Religion in Boston, in - 1740–1–2–3. By Thomas Prince, one of the Pastors of the - Old South Church,” the following testimony is given by the - Rev. Dr. Colman:――“I do not remember any crying out, or - falling down, or fainting, either under Mr. Whitefield’s - or Mr. Tennent’s ministry, all the while they were at - Boston, though many were in great concern of soul.” - (p. 13.) - - 116 – “A large majority in the Presbyterian Church, and many, - if not most, of the Congregationalists, in New England, - held that the ministrations of unconverted men, if neither - heretical in doctrine nor scandalous for immorality, were - valid, and their labours useful.” (The Great Awakening, - by Tracy, p. 66.) Gilbert Tennent was one of the first - to publicly attack this monstrous error, in his famous - Nottingham sermon, on “The Danger of an Unconverted - Ministry.” For years afterwards, the error was furiously - maintained. - - 117 – Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.” - - 118 – “Some,” says Mr. Hobby, “object to Mr. Whitefield, - because in England he is a _Churchman_, in Scotland - a _Kirkman_――here he is a _Dissenter_, and there an - _Anabaptist_――that is, he has communion with _all_ these - churches, and therefore ought to have communion with - _none_.” - - 119 – The Rev. Samuel Cooke was ordained in 1739, and died in - 1783, aged seventy-four. - - 120 – In a pamphlet, published in 1745, and entitled, “The - Question whether it be right to turn Methodist considered,” - the Methodists are divided into four sections; namely, - “_Moravians, Inghamites, Westleyites, and Whitefieldians_.” - - 121 – _Methodist Magazine_, 1855, p. 1111. - - 122 – A river, near Portsmouth. - - 123 – Probably, the Rev. Thomas Prince, co-pastor with the Rev. - Dr. Sewall, of the Old South Church, Boston. He died in - 1758, leaving behind him a large collection of public and - private papers relating to the civil and religious history - of New England. During the siege of Boston, the Old South - Meeting House was used for a riding school, nearly all the - timber of the pews and galleries being used for warming - it, and a large portion of Prince’s manuscripts, and - invaluable pamphlets employed in kindling the fires. - - 124 – _Primitive Methodist Magazine_, 1865, p. 715–16. - - 125 – The Rev. Edward Morgan, in his “Life and Times of Howell - Harris,” gives several extracts from a manuscript volume, - called “A Conference Book――including a general account - of the affairs of the Tabernacle, before and after - the separation of John Cennick; and an account of the - Preachers, Labourers, and Trustees, in connexion with - Mr. Whitefield, from December 1743 to 1749.” One of these - extracts relates, that, an association was held in London, - in 1745, at which Cennick, Harris, Hamond, Adams, Pugh, - Godwin, Heatly, Thorn, Simns, and Salmon, were present. - Cennick stated, that, he thought himself called to join - the Moravians. He delivered up the care of the Tabernacle - to Harris. The Societies in Wiltshire were given to - Cennick, because they chose him as their leader. Two - or three of the preachers went with him. It was agreed - that Harris should remain at the Tabernacle till the - commencement of 1746; and that he should then be succeeded - by Herbert Jenkins. - - 126 – These were probably the following: “Twenty-three Sermons - on various Subjects: to which are added several Prayers. - By George Whitefield, A.B., late of Pembroke College, - Oxford. A new edition, revised and corrected by the author. - London: printed by W. Strahan. 1745.” (12mo. 388 pp.) - - 127 – _London Magazine_, 1745. - - 128 – Whitefield’s influence at Boston was enormous. Among - the anecdotes, extant, of his power as a preacher, the - following is a specimen. When preaching in Boston, on one - occasion, a violent storm of thunder and lightning came - on; and, in the midst of his sermon, the congregation - sat in almost breathless awe. Whitefield, observing the - consternation of the people, fell on his knees, and, with - characteristic pathos, repeated―― - - “Hark, _the Eternal_ rends the sky! - A mighty voice before Him goes,―― - A voice of music to His friends, - But threat’ning thunder to His foes: - ‘Come, children, to your Father’s arms; - Hide in the chambers of my grace, - Until the storm be overblown, - And my revenging fury cease.’” - - The great preacher then rose up, and, addressing his awed - auditors, exclaimed, “Let us now devoutly sing the ‘Old - Hundred.’” The congregation started to their feet, and - burst into a song of praise too memorable to be forgotten. - (Belcher’s “Biography of Whitefield,” p. 469.) - - 129 – Brainerd was a native of Connecticut, and was now about - twenty-eight years of age. In 1739, he was admitted a - member of Yale College; but was expelled in 1742, because - he expressed his belief that one of the tutors had no - religion, and because he had been guilty of attending a - religious meeting prohibited by the collegiate authorities. - In 1743, he began his Christian labours among the Indians. - He lived in a wigwam, slept upon a bundle of straw, and - fed on boiled corn, hasty pudding, and samp. His success - was great. He died in the house of Jonathan Edwards, - October 9, 1747, aged twenty-nine. - - 130 – “Life of Howell Harris,” 1791, p. 176. - - 131 – “Further Account of God’s Dealings with Rev. G. Whitefield,” - 1747, pp. 29 and 37. - - 132 – _London Magazine_, 1745, p. 603. - - 133 – Habersham had now left the Orphan House. - - 134 – _London Magazine_, 1745, p. 603. - - 135 – The war. - - 136 – Oglethorpe was now in England, and Major Horton was his - military deputy in Georgia. - - 137 – “Life of Howell Harris,” 1791, p. 175. - - 138 – Hutton’s Memoirs, p. 189. - - 139 – James Hutton’s Memoirs, p. 191. - - 140 – “Life of Howell Harris,” 1791, p. 63. - - 141 – “Life and Times of Howell Harris,” pp. 111–114. - - 142 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 9. - - 143 – _Ibid._, p. 99. - - 144 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 16. - - 145 – Ibid., p. 174. - - 146 – Ibid., p. 54. - - 147 – Ibid., p. 142. - - 148 – Ibid., p. 78. - - 149 – Ibid., p. 60. - - 150 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 156. - - 151 – Belcher’s “Biography of Whitefield,” p. 286. - - 152 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 11. - - 153 – In the same year, a second edition was printed in Boston - (8vo 22 pp.), and a third in London (8vo, 24 pp.). - - It may be added, that, about the same time, a volume of - sermons was printed at Philadelphia, and entitled “Five - Sermons, on the following subjects, namely: 1. Christ - the Believer’s Husband. 2. The Gospel Supper. 3. Blind - Bartimeus. 4. Walking with God. 5. The Resurrection of - Lazarus. By George Whitefield. With a Preface by the Rev. - Mr. Gilbert Tennent.” Tennent’s Preface, of twelve pages, - is dated, “Philadelphia, May 30, 1746;” and is laudatory, - but honest and earnest. - - 154 – Pounded rice, or Indian corn. - - 155 – Indian corn ground with the husks, and fried. - - 156 – The shell of a fruit so called. - - 157 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., pp. 83, 84. - - 158 – _Arminian Magazine_, 1778, p. 418. - - 159 – In 1618, a law was passed in Virginia, which enacted, - that, “Every person should go to the Established Church - on Sundays and holidays, or lie neck and heels that night, - and be a slave to the colony the following week! For the - second offence, he was to be a slave for a month; and, - for the third, a year and a day!” (History of Virginia. By - Rev. William Stith, President of William and Mary College, - Virginia, 1747. 8vo.) - - 160 – Mr. Davies was born in November, 1724. In his twenty-third - year, he was sent, by the Presbytery of Newcastle, - Pennsylvania, to Hanover, Virginia. He encountered many - obstacles, from the prejudice, bigotry, profaneness, - and immorality of the people; but his earnest and able - ministry triumphed over opposition, and produced great - results. In 1753, by the request of the trustees of New - Jersey College, he accompanied Gilbert Tennent to Great - Britain. He died February 4, 1761, at the early age of - thirty-six. His sermons, in three volumes, used to be - exceedingly popular. - - 161 – Gillies’ “Historical Collections,” vol. ii., p. 331. - - 162 – The Rev. Samuel Finley, D.D., was an exceedingly devout - and able man. Ordained in 1740, the first years of his - ministry were spent in itinerating with Whitefield, - Gilbert Tennent, and others, and in promoting the - remarkable revival of that period. For preaching to a - Presbyterian congregation in New Haven, he was arrested - by the civil authority, and carried out of the colony - as a vagrant. In 1744, he became minister at Nottingham, - Maryland, where he also opened an academy. On the death - of the Rev. Samuel Davies, he became his successor as - president of ♦Princeton College, in New Jersey. In his - last illness, on being asked how he felt, he answered, “I - am full of triumph; I triumph through Christ.” Being asked - again what he saw in eternity that made him wish to die, - he exclaimed, “I see the eternal goodness of God; I see - the fulness of the Mediator; I see the love of Jesus. Oh - to be dissolved, and to be with Him!” Dr. Finley died in - 1766, at the age of fifty, and was buried by the side of - his friend Gilbert Tennent. - - 163 – Gillies’ “Historical Collections,” vol. ii., p. 333. - - 164 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 26. - - 165 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 29. - - 166 – Two months before this letter was written, the Countess - of Huntingdon, at the age of thirty-nine, became a widow. - Her husband, the Earl of Huntingdon, died on October 13th, - 1746. - - 167 – “Life and Times of Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., p. 88. - - 168 – See p. 158, vol. i. - - 169 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 30. - - 170 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 34. - - 171 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 117. - - 172 – The large building erected in 1740. See page 377, vol. i. - - 173 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 119. - - 174 – The wife of John Edwin, Esq., M.P., the grandson of Sir - Humphrey Edwin, Lord Mayor of London. The only daughter - and heir of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin became a Methodist, was - a particular friend of the eccentric Lady Townshend, - and married Charles Dalrymple, Esq. (“Life and Times of - Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., p. 87.) - - 175 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 121. - - 176 – Ibid., p. 83. - - 177 – The disputes respecting Kingswood School. - - 178 – Three months after this, Herbert Jenkins was preaching - in Scotland with such success, that, “at Glasgow, he - was complimented with the freedom of the city, and was - entertained by the magistrates, and likewise by the - Presbytery.” (_Scots’ Magazine_, 1747, p. 403.) - - 179 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 128. - - 180 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 128. - - 181 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 146; and Whitefield’s Works, - vol. ii. p. 126. - - 182 – Whether designedly or not, Whitefield, in his political - sermon, pronounced eulogies on George the Second and his - Government, which they hardly merited. - - 183 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 141. - - 184 – _Christian History_, 1747, p. 178. - - 185 – Ibid., p. 209. - - 186 – _Christian History_, p. 211. - - 187 – _Christian History_, p. 225. - - 188 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 189 – _Gentleman’s Magazine_, 1748, p. 329. - - 190 – See Tracy’s “Great Awakening,” pp. 388–433. - - 191 – _Christian History_, p. 192. - - 192 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 86. - - 193 – Ibid. - - 194 – Ibid., vol. ii., p. 375; and “Life and Times of Howell - Harris,” p. 117. - - 195 – “Life and Times of Howell Harris,” p. 115. - - 196 – Ibid. - - 197 – “Life and Times of Howell Harris,” 1791, p. 63. - - 198 – William Pulteney, Earl of Bath, a statesman of great - ability, who was born in 1682, and died in 1764. For some - years, he regularly attended Tottenham Court Road chapel. - In a letter to the Countess, written in 1749, he says: - “Mocked and reviled as Mr. Whitefield is by all ranks - of society, still I contend that the day will come when - England will be just, and own his greatness as a reformer, - and his goodness as a minister of the Most High God. I - earnestly beg your ladyship’s intercession on my behalf; - that, amidst the bustle, the cares and anxieties of - public life, I may have my mind roused only by the great - concerns of an eternal world, and fixed on those scenes of - immortality to which we are all quickly hastening.” (“Life - and Times of Countess of Huntingdon.”) - - 199 – The celebrated nobleman, of whom Dr. Johnson once remarked, - that, he was “a wit among lords, and a lord among wits.” - Born in 1694, and died in 1773. At the time referred to - in Whitefield’s letter, his lordship had recently resigned - the office of Chief Secretary of State; and, in a letter - to Lady Huntingdon, written nine months afterwards, he - said, “Mr. Whitefield’s eloquence is unrivalled――his zeal - inexhaustible; and not to admire both would argue a total - absence of taste, and an insensibility not to be coveted - by anybody. Your ladyship is a powerful auxiliary to the - Methodist Cabinet; and I confess, notwithstanding my own - private feelings and sentiments, I am infinitely pleased - at your zeal in so good a cause.” (Ibid.) - - 200 – In a letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, Lord - Bolingbroke said, “Mr. Whitefield is the most - extraordinary man in our times. He has the most commanding - eloquence I ever heard in any person; his abilities are - very considerable; his zeal unquenchable; and his piety - and excellence genuine――unquestionable. The bishops and - inferior orders of the clergy are very angry with him, and - endeavour to represent him as a hypocrite, an enthusiast; - but this is not astonishing――there is so little real - goodness or honesty among them. Your ladyship will be - somewhat amused at hearing that the King has represented - to his Grace of Canterbury, that Mr. Whitefield should - be advanced to the Bench, as the only means of putting - an end to his preaching. What a keen, what a biting - remark! but how just, and how well earned by those mitred - lords!” (“Sketches of the Life and Labours of Whitefield,” - published by “the Committee of the General Assembly of the - Free Church of Scotland, for the publication of the works - of Scottish Reformers and Divines,” p. 271.) - - 201 – Subsequent letters will shew that Dr. Doddridge complied - with Whitefield’s wish. - - 202 – The following jottings, respecting Whitefield’s visit, - appeared in the _General Advertiser_:―― - - “Edinburgh, September 15. Yesterday, arrived here from - London the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, who has lately - returned from the West Indies. He is to preach this - afternoon in the Orphan Hospital Park, where a tent was - erected this morning for that purpose.” - - “Edinburgh, September 26. Mr. Whitefield has preached - every day, since his arrival, in the Orphan Park, to - numerous auditories; and yesterday afternoon, in the - Tolbooth Kirk. He set out this morning for Glasgow.” - - The _Scots’ Magazine_ supplies further information; namely, - that Whitefield made collections for the Orphan Hospital; - that, on his arrival at Glasgow, he preached every day at - the Gorbals, the magistrates having refused him the use - of the high-church yard; that he also preached in several - churches in and about Glasgow, and at Falkirk; that, after - his return to Edinburgh, he preached at Fife; that his - farewell sermon was delivered in the Orphan Hospital Park - on October 26; and that the next day he set out for London. - - 203 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 204 – “Life of John Erskine, D.D.,” p. 134. - - 205 – _Gentleman’s Magazine_, 1748, p. 523; and _General - Advertiser_, Nov. 24, 1748. - - 206 – The meaning is, Whitefield did not make collections for - his Orphan House. - - 207 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 198. - - 208 – “Life of Howell Harris,” 1791, p. 196. - - 209 – “Life and Times of Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 109; and Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 225. - - 210 – _Gospel Magazine_, 1776, p. 40. - - 211 – The Rev. E. Paxton Hood, in his recently published “Life - of Dr. Watts,” says, on the authority of Dr. Gibbons, the - story just related “is entirely fictitious.” Dr. Gibbons - published his “Memoirs of Watts,” in 1780, thirty-two - years after Watts’s death. The reader must decide whether - the doctor or the _Gospel Magazine_ of 1776 is the better - authority. - - 212 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 201. - - 213 – Ibid., p. 207. - - 214 – Ibid., p. 201. - - 215 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 212. - - 216 – “Life and Times of Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 107. - - 217 – The following extract from one of Doddridge’s letters - will cast light on this. “Northampton, October 2, 1748. - The spread of Moravianism has infected several weak, but - affectionate people of my flock, and now appears, in spite - of long dissembling, to have effected rank Antinomianism - in principle, joined with a contempt of almost all - external ordinances, and an entire alienation of affection - from me, though among persons who have always had great - reason to love me.” (Doddridge’s Diary and Correspondence, - vol. v., p. 78.) - - 218 – Doddridge was now completing his “Family Expositor.” - - 219 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 220. - - 220 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 221 – “Life and Times of Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 105. - - 222 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., pp. 220, 224. - - 223 – It is somewhat strange that this is not mentioned in - Wesley’s Journal. - - 224 – Dr. Gibbons was a very learned and able man. His degree - of Doctor of Divinity was conferred by the University of - Aberdeen, in 1764, when he was one of the tutors of the - Dissenting Academy at Mile-End. He was a voluminous author, - his different publications being forty-six in number. He - died in 1785, and was buried in Bunhill Fields. (Wilson’s - “History of Dissenting Churches.”) - - 225 – “Life and Times of Countess of ♦Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 112. - - 226 – “Life and Times of Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 98. - - 227 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 229. - - 228 – Ibid., p. 230. - - 229 – Ibid., p. 231. - - 230 – Whitefield’s home, at Plymouth, during this and every - subsequent visit, was the house of Andrew Kinsman. Mr. - Kinsman was now in the twenty-fifth year of his age. Seven - years ago, he had been converted by reading Whitefield’s - sermons. In 1745, he was married to Miss Tiley, another - of Whitefield’s converts. He and his wife gave the piece - of ground, at Plymouth, on which the Tabernacle was built, - and also contributed generously towards the erection of - that edifice. In 1750, Kinsman began to preach out of - doors, at Plymouth Dock, and was subjected to the most - violent persecutions. Sometimes, he was surrounded by - eight or nine military drums, to drown his voice; and - often he had to flee for his life. After this, he became - an _itinerant_, and preached with great acceptance in - Bristol, London, and elsewhere. At the Tabernacle, London, - Shuter, the celebrated comedian, was one of his hearers, - and was deeply affected by his ministry. In 1763, he was - ordained as the pastor of the Society at Plymouth Dock, - to which he henceforth chiefly confined his labours, with - the exception of visits to London and Bristol. He died, - in 1793, aged sixty-eight. (_Evangelical Magazine_, 1793, - pp. 45–60.) - - 231 – C. Wesley’s Journal, vol. ii., p. 53. - - 232 – Just about the time when this was written, Wesley, - Grimshaw, and Thomas Colbeck were in the utmost danger of - being murdered, at Roughlee, by a drunken mob, raised and - encouraged by this same clerical Mr. White. (See Wesley’s - Journal.) - - 233 – White’s sermon, with its dedicatory letter, addressed to - the Archbishop of Canterbury, was printed at Preston. - - 234 – Just at this time, another hostile pamphlet was published, - not far from Colne: “A brief description of the Methodists; - and a confutation of their dangerous principles. By John - Sladdin, of Ovenden, near Halifax, a Layman. York: printed - by Cæsar Ward; and sold by all the distributors of the - _York Courant_. 1749.” (12mo. 16 pp.) The following is - a brief specimen of Mr. Sladdin’s style and sentiments: - “Though, before they fancied themselves to have been - converted, the Methodists were openly lewd and profane, - would swear and be drunk, and wallow in sensuality - and voluptuousness, yet they might have a few amiable - qualities; perhaps they were courteous, affable, kind, - obliging, and faithful in their promises. But now, alas! - by passing through those dismal stages of conversion, they - have contracted such a mass of melancholy humours as hath - quite soured their formerly sweet and engaging tempers - into pride and envy, peevishness and faction, insolence - and censoriousness. Nothing now will satisfy them but - heats of fancy and transports of passion. Whilst they - should be attending to the sober dictates of Scripture and - right reason, they are looking for _incomes_, _impulses_, - and secret _manifestations_; and are apt to interpret - every odd whimsy for an innate whisper from heaven, and - every brisk emotion of their spirits for a smile of God’s - countenance. Go, ye proud wretches, you that have swelled - yourselves with conceit――you who, like a company of - bladders, are blown up with your own breath, and swell and - look big, and yet have nothing but wind within you; go, - bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and let people see - you grow more humble and lowly in your opinions.” - - 235 – Methodist preaching was begun, in this neighbourhood, in - the year 1746, by John Cennick, Thomas Adams, and other - “assistants” of Whitefield. A Society was formed, chiefly - consisting of members of the Rev. Mr. Williams’s church - at Gosport, and of the Rev. Mr. Norman’s at Portsmouth. - In 1754, they erected Portsmouth “Tabernacle.” (Seymour’s - “Memoirs of Whitefield.”) - - 236 – He was expecting her arrival from America. - - 237 – Whitefield’s Sunday congregation at Haverfordwest was - estimated at nearly twenty thousand. (Whitefield’s Works, - vol. ii., p. 264.) - - 238 – Her ladyship was at Bristol for the benefit of her health, - and had apartments in the house of Whitefield’s brother. - She was also begging money towards the erection of Bristol - Tabernacle. (“Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” - vol. ii., pp. 378–380; and Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., - p. 258.) - - 239 – Hodge’s “History of the Presbyterian Church in America,” - part ii., p. 241. - - 240 – “Memoirs of Franklin,” vol. i., p. 185. - - 241 – Franklin’s wife was a Miss Read, before he married her. - - 242 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1803, p. 28. - - 243 – “Life of Rev. Robert Robinson,” p. 18. - - 244 – Both the Wesleys were now in Bristol, and they, Whitefield, - and Howell Harris had a conference. Hence, the following - from Charles Wesley’s Journal:――“1749, August 3. Our - conference this week with Mr. Whitefield and Mr. Harris - came to nought; I think through their fleeing off.” - Was this another attempt to amalgamate Wesley’s and - Whitefield’s Societies? - - 245 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 269. - - 246 – Ibid., p. 272. - - 247 – The Rev. Mr. Thompson was rector of St. Gennys, near - Camelford, in Cornwall. After being educated at Exeter - College, Oxford, he became chaplain to the _Tiger_ - man-of-war, in which he went to America. On his return - to England, he succeeded to a family estate of about £500 - a year, and settled at St. Gennys. Though not an “Oxford - Methodist,” he preached the doctrines of the Methodists, - and was ardently attached to their leaders. He was an - intimate friend of Hervey, who dedicated to Mr. Thompson’s - eldest daughter the first volume of his “Meditations.” - Mr. Thompson was a man of considerable genius, and is said - to have been the author of a volume of religious poems, - which were published anonymously. He died in 1781. (“Life - and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon.”) - - 248 – For Haime’s own account of his success at Shaftesbury, and - his unjust imprisonment, see the _Arminian Magazine_ for - 1780, p. 308. He was one of the best of Wesley’s martial - preachers. - - 249 – Whitefield, Howell Harris, and others held an - “Association” in London, on September 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. - (See “Life and Times of Howell Harris,” p. 115.) - - 250 – At Dublin, they had made a contract _de præsenti_, to - which Wesley attached great importance, and not without - reason. “Any contract made, _per verba de præsenti_, was, - before the time of George II., so far a valid marriage, - that the parties might be _compelled_, in the spiritual - courts, to celebrate it _in facie ecclesiæ_:” (“The - Student’s Blackstone,” by Robert Malcolm Kerr, LL.D., - p. 103.) - - 251 – C. Wesley’s Journal, vol. ii., p. 178. - - 252 – Tradition says, that when Whitefield preached at Birstal, - his voice was heard on Staincliffe Hill, a mile and a half - from where he stood, crying, “O earth, earth, earth, hear - the word of the Lord!” (Gledstone’s “Life and Travels of - George Whitefield.”) - - 253 – John Wesley’s Journal. - - 254 – Ibid. - - 255 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 264. - - 256 – “Life of Howell Harris,” p. 200. - - 257 – Whitefield calls him “captain;” but, if not now, he soon - afterwards was colonel. - - 258 – Wesley’s Works, vol. iii., p. 406. - - 259 – For further details, see “Life and Times of Wesley,” - vol. ii., pp. 37–39. - - 260 – John Haughton, one of Wesley’s brave itinerants, who - afterwards became an ordained clergyman of the Church - of England. (Myles’s “Chronological History of the - Methodists.”) - - ♦261 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 120. - - 262 – _Arminian Magazine_, 1779, p. 375. - - 263 – Lady Chesterfield was a natural daughter of King George - the First, and therefore half-sister to his present - Majesty George the Second. Her mother was Melosina de - Schulenberg, Duchess of Kendal. (“Life and Times of the - Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., p. 462) - - 264 – Wesley’s Journal. - - ♦265 – James Hutton’s “Memoirs.” - - 266 – The letter was _franked_ by Martin Madan. - - 267 – _Wesleyan Methodist Magazine_, 1875, p. 643. - - 268 – “Memoirs of Oglethorpe,” pp. 370, 371. - - 269 – Three years after this, Mr. Pearsall published his - “Contemplations on the Ocean, Harvest, Sickness, and the - Last Judgment” (12mo. 220 pp.),――a work written in the - same style as Hervey’s “Meditations.” - - 270 – Sixty-three years after this, the life of Darracott was - published, with the title, “The Star of the West; being - Memoirs of the Life of Risdon Darracott. By James Bennett.” - (12mo. 172 pp.) - - 271 – The meeting-house built for Whitefield in 1740. - - 272 – Mr. Bennet, of Tresmere, a warm-hearted friend of the - Methodists, and who had been an acquaintance of Wesley’s - father, the Rector of Epworth. (Charles Wesley’s Journal, - vol. i., p. 369.) - - 273 – The preacher here resuming his “old armour” was probably - one of the two mentioned in the following extract from - Charles Wesley’s Journal:―― - - “1743. Sunday, July 17. At St. Ives, I heard the rector - preach from Matt. v. 20. His application was downright - railing at the new sect――those enemies to the Church, - seducers, troublers, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, - etc. At Wednock, Mr. Hoblin, the curate, entertained us - with a curious discourse on ‘Beware of false prophets.’ I - stood up over against him, within two yards of the pulpit, - and heard such a hodge podge of railing, foolish lies, as - Satan himself might have been ashamed of.” For an account - of the horrible persecutions at St. Ives, see the “Life - and Times of Wesley.” In those days, it required a bold - heart for a Methodist to attempt to preach in this part - of the peaceful fold of Bishop Lavington. - - 274 – James Hervey, the Oxford Methodist, had been curate here. - - 275 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 140. - - 276 – The Rev. Aaron Burr was now thirty-six years of age. He - had graduated at Yale College, and had been the pastor - of the Presbyterian Church at Newark, in New Jersey. He - died in 1757, aged forty-three. He married a daughter of - the celebrated Jonathan Edwards; and his son, Aaron Burr, - became vice-president of the United States. The College at - Princeton was greatly indebted to its first president. - - 277 – Thomas Hartley, M.A., was rector of Winwick, in - Northamptonshire. He was a man of great ability, an - earnest Christian, a millenarian, and a mystic. His - “Paradise Restored” is one of the ablest books, respecting - the millennium, in the English language, and deserves - attention. - - 278 – It was about this period that John Thorpe was converted. - Thorpe was a young man of twenty, and a most virulent - opposer of the Methodists. In a public-house, he and his - convivial companions, for a wager, agreed to mimic the - preaching of Whitefield, the Wesleys, and others. Each - performer was to open the Bible, and hold forth from - the first text that met his eye. After three, in their - turn, had mounted the table, and exhausted their stock of - buffoonery, it devolved on Thorpe to close the irreverent - scene. “I shall beat you all,” he said, as he ascended the - table. He opened the Bible, and the text his eye fell upon - was, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” - Conviction of sin at once seized him, and he proceeded to - preach a sermon, not in banter, but with the most serious - earnestness. When he left the table, not a syllable was - uttered concerning the wager. Profound silence pervaded - the company. Thorpe immediately went home. This was his - last bacchanalial revel. He soon joined Wesley’s Society, - at Rotherham. In 1752, he became one of Wesley’s itinerant - preachers, and continued to act as such for twelve years - afterwards. He then turned Calvinist. The Rotherham - Society was rent in twain. The seceders formed themselves - into a Dissenting Church. Thorpe became their minister; - and, in 1776, died, “the pastor of the Independent Church - at Masborough.” (_Evangelical Magazine_, 1794, pp. 45–50.) - - 279 – William Green, a schoolmaster, was the principal Methodist - at Rotherham. His house was the preachers’ home. On one - occasion, the mob caught William by the hair of his head, - and dragged him through the streets. On another, he was - hunted by hounds, and escaped by climbing a tree, and - hiding himself among its foliage. (Everett’s “Methodism in - Sheffield,” pp. 84–86.) - - 280 – Charles Wesley, under the date of “July 16, 1751,” writes: - “The door at Sheffield has continued open ever since Mr. - Whitefield preached here, and quite removed the prejudices - of our first opposers. Some of them were convinced by him, - some converted, and added to the Church.” (C. Wesley’s - Journal.) - - 281 – Methodism in Manchester was begun in 1747, when a few - young men formed themselves into a Society, and hired a - garret in which to hold their services. Christopher Hopper - speaks of preaching in this attic meeting-house, in 1749, - when his “congregation consisted of not more than from - twenty to thirty persons.” - - 282 – Wesley and his preachers had encountered violent - persecutions at Bolton. (See “Life and Times of Wesley.”) - - ♦283 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon.” - - 284 – Wesley had been in Ireland since April 7th. At Cork, the - mayor, the town drummers, and his serjeants, followed by - an innumerable mob, had marched to Wesley’s meeting-house. - The rabble pelted Wesley with whatever came to hand. Many - of the congregation were roughly handled. All the seats - and benches of the chapel, the floor, the door, and the - frames of the windows, were burnt. The mob patrolled - the streets, abusing all who were called Methodists. The - windows of Mr. Stockdale’s house were smashed to atoms. - At length, the soldiers appeared, and the mayor and his - myrmidons turned cowards. - - 285 – _Scots’ Magazine_, 1750, p. 302. - - 286 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 186. - - 287 – _Scots’ Magazine_, 1750, p. 348. - - 288 – Ibid. - - 289 – Ibid. - - 290 – “The Oxford Methodist,” p. 260. - - 291 – Hervey’s Letters. - - 292 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 164. - - 293 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 163. - - 294 – The letter was probably addressed to Robert Swindells, - against whom the notorious grand jury at Cork, in 1749, - made a presentment, and prayed for his transportation. - For more than forty years, Robert Swindells was one of - Wesley’s itinerant preachers. “He died,” says Atmore, in - his “Methodist Memorial,” “in 1783, full of days, riches, - and honour.” Wesley writes: “In all those years, I never - knew him to speak a word which he did not mean; and he - always spoke the truth in love. One thing he had almost - peculiar to himself,――he had no enemy.” - - 295 – The Duke of Somerset, who died in 1748, entertained a high - opinion of Mr. Browne. When his grace was not able to lead - the prayers of his family himself, he was accustomed to - employ the poet as his chaplain. (“Life and Times of the - Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., p. 127.) - - 296 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 167. - - 297 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 406. - - 298 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 410. - - 299 – The reference here is not to anything done by Wesley, as - Southey and Philip imagined, but to the fact that, during - the previous year, an immense amount of mischief had been - effected by an infamous man, named Roger Ball, who had - gained access to the pulpits of the Methodists, and had - even been domiciled as a member of Wesley’s Dublin family. - The man was an Antinomian of the worst description, a - crafty debauchee, full of deceit, and teaching the most - dangerous errors. (See “Life and Times of Wesley.”) - - 300 – Wesley’s Journals. - - 301 – Kindly supplied by Mr. Stampe, of Grimsby. - - 302 – The _Scots’ Magazine_ for 1751 (p. 356) says: “Mr. George - Whitefield arrived at Glasgow, from Ireland, July 10th; - preached there some days, and came to Edinburgh on the - 18th, where he preached generally twice a day in the - Orphan Hospital Park. He set out for England on the 6th - of August.” - - 303 – Doddridge’s Diary and Correspondence, vol. v., p. 217. - - 304 – Wesley had just published his “Serious Thoughts upon the - Perseverance of the Saints.” (12mo. 24 pp.) - - 305 – See Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 462. - - 306 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 453. - - 307 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 438. - - 308 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 309 – The _Scots’ Magazine_ for 1752 (pp. 414 and 462), says: - “Mr. George Whitefield arrived at Edinburgh on September - 2nd, and preached, morning and evening, every day, in - the Orphan Hospital Park. He made a tour to the west on - September 27th; returned to Edinburgh, October 5th; and, - on the 10th, set out for England.” - - 310 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 152. - - 311 – “Life and Times of Wesley,” vol. ii., p. 138. - - 312 – Both were now in London. - - 313 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 477. - - 314 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 203. - - 315 – The Rev. W. Grigsby, the present minister of the _third_ - Tabernacle, writes: “June 13, 1876. The only thing, - besides the name and memory of Whitefield, at the - Tabernacle, is the pulpit in which he preached; which, - when the old place was taken down, was transferred to the - new one, unaltered in form or size, but not in outward - appearance.” - - 316 – The new plantation at Bethesda. - - 317 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 194. - - 318 – “Life of Charles Wesley,” vol. ii., p. 19. - - 319 – The French Church, in Grey Eagle Street, Spitalfields, of - which Wesley had taken possession in 1750. It stood where - the brewery of Truman, Buxton, and Hanbury stands now. - - 320 – “Life and Times of Wesley,” vol. ii., pp. 121–126. - - 321 – Hutton’s Memoirs, pp. 579, 580. - - 322 – Rimius’s “Supplement to the Candid Narrative,” etc., - pp. 93–96. - - 323 – The story was, that Mr. William Bell was one of the - Moravian financial agents, and that, in order to revive - his “drooping spirits,” in reference to the Moravian debts, - Bohler requested him to come to his house in “Nevil’s - Alley, Fetter Lane.” After much persuasion, Bell came, - and “was introduced into a hall, where was placed an - artificial mountain, which, upon singing a particular - verse, was made to fall down; and then, behind it, was - discovered an illumination, representing Jesus Christ - and Mr. Bell, sitting near each other, while, out of the - clouds, was represented plenty of money falling round - about them.” It is notable that Bohler, in his letter, - does not deny the actual occurrence of the “artificial - mountain scene.” - - 324 – Rimius’s quotation from Zinzendorf’s book was, “The - _Economists_ of the Society may say to a rich young man, - ‘Either give us all thou hast, or get thee gone.’” - - 325 – Hutton’s Memoirs, pp. 304–306. - - 326 – In 1755, Zinzendorf and James Hutton, his editor, - published in two parts, making together more than 200 - octavo pages, an amusing, but extremely foolish, answer - to the accusations brought against the Moravians by - Whitefield and others. The following was the confused - title, punctuation and italics not excepted:――“An - Exposition, or True State, of the Matters objected to - in _England_ to the People known by the name of _Unitas - Fratrum_: In which, _Facts_ are related as they are; - the true _Readings_ and sense of _Books_, said to be his, - (which have been laid to his Charge sometimes without - sufficient Proof that they were so, and been moreover - perverted and curtailed) are restored; _Principles_ - are laid down as they ought, fairly; the _Practice_, - as it has been, is at present, and is intended for the - future, is owned. By the _Ordinary_ of the Brethren. The - _Notes_ and _Additions_, by the _Editor_. London: printed - for J. Robinson, in Ludgate Street. 1755.” This was an - odd production; but no good end would be answered by - quotations from it. - - 327 – Under the date of “November 3, 1753,” Wesley wrote: “I - read Andrew Frey’s Reasons for leaving the Brethren. Most - of what he says, I knew before; yet I cannot speak of them - in the manner in which he does: I pity them too much to be - bitter against them.” - - 328 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 16. - - 329 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 203. - - 330 – Benjamin Rhodes, now a boy of eleven years of age, but - afterwards one of the best of Wesley’s itinerant preachers, - was present at Birstal. He writes: “I went with my father - to Birstal to hear Mr. Whitefield. I found my soul deeply - affected under the word. At first, I had a kind of terror; - but, before the sermon was ended, my heart was melted into - tenderness, and sweetly drawn after God.” (_Arminian - Magazine_, 1779, p. 358.) - - 331 – No doubt Wesley’s old chapel, the Orphan House. - - 332 – When he had a chance, Wesley reciprocated this. Under the - date of “August 14th, 1753,” the very time when Whitefield - was preaching in the “Orphan House” at Newcastle, Wesley - wrote: “I willingly accepted the offer of preaching in the - house lately built for Mr. Whitefield, at Plymouth Dock. - Thus it behoveth us to trample on bigotry and party zeal. - Ought not all who love God to love one another?” (Wesley’s - Works, vol. ii., p. 287.) - - 333 – The original Society Book of the Osmotherley Methodists - still exists, and contains the following entry: “1753. - August 21st. Mr. George Whitefield preached here in the - evening.” From a manuscript “History of Methodism in - Barnardcastle,” it appears that, at this time, Whitefield - also paid a visit there. On arriving, he enquired if - there were any religious persons in the town. “Yes,” - was the prompt reply, “There are the _Lilty Pattens_”――a - nickname given to the Barnardcastle Methodists, from the - circumstance that they went to their meeting-house in - _pattens_. He preached in a yard, out of the Horse Market, - from Ezekiel xxxiii. 11. - - 334 – The _Newcastle Journal_, of August 11, 1753, contained a - paragraph to this effect. - - 335 – This was one of Wesley’s Societies. In fact, Whitefield’s - former friends, the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, had no - Societies in the north of England; nor had Whitefield - himself. - - 336 – This is only true in the sense that Whitefield had not - been in this part of the kingdom until now. John Bennet - and others had already formed Methodist Societies in all - the places mentioned, except, perhaps, Wrexham. - - 337 – Twelve months before, when Wesley was at Chester, there - was great disturbance; and, a few days after his departure, - the mob destroyed his meeting-house. - - 338 – Probably this was John Newton, then a tidewaiter at - Liverpool, but afterwards curate of Olney, and rector of - St. Mary, Woolnoth, London. - - 339 – Probably William Darney, one of Wesley’s itinerants. - - 340 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 343. - - 341 – It is a curious fact that this remarkable man was - sometimes almost fascinated by Whitefield’s preaching. - On one occasion, when the great preacher was representing - the sinner under the figure of a blind beggar, whose dog - had broken from him, and who was groping on the brink - of a precipice, over which he stepped, and was lost, - Chesterfield was so excited by the graphic description, - that he bounded from his seat, and exclaimed, “By heavens, - the beggar’s gone.” It is also related, that when it was - proposed in the Privy Council that some method should be - used to stop Whitefield’s preaching, Chesterfield, who - was present, turned upon his heels, and said, “Make him - a bishop, and you will silence him at once.” - - 342 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - pp. 378–380. - - 343 – The centenary services of this venerable edifice were held - on November 25th, 1853, when a sermon was preached by the - Rev. John ♦Angell James, and addresses were delivered - by the Revs. G. Smith, Henry Quick, J. Glanville, and Dr. - Joseph Beaumont; the whole of which were published, in a - 12mo. volume of 159 pages. - - 344 – Mrs. Grinfield, one of the ladies who attended on Queen - Caroline. - - 345 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 381. - - 346 – _Arminian Magazine_, 1779, p. 318 - - 347 – A Methodist from Leeds,――one of Charles Wesley’s most - devoted friends. When Charles was summoned to London, - on account of his brother’s illness, Mr. Hutchinson, who - was staying at Bristol, for the benefit of his health, - resolutely determined to bear him company. He died, - at Leeds, seven months after this, on which occasion - Charles Wesley composed two beautiful hymns. In a letter - to his wife, dated “Leeds,” Charles exclaims, with his - characteristic ardour, “I have been crying in the chamber - whence my John Hutchinson ascended. My heart is full of - him, and I miss him every moment; but he is at rest.” - (C. Wesley’s Journal.) - - 348 – “Life of C. Wesley,” vol. ii., p. 33; and Whitefield’s - Works, vol. iii., p. 45. - - 349 – “Life of C. Wesley,” vol. ii., p. 33. - - 350 – Hodge’s “Presbyterian Church in the United States,” - part ii., p. 243. - - 351 – Ibid. - - 352 – Mr. Davies kept a diary, from which the following extract - is made:――“Wednesday, Dec. 26, 1753. Mr. Whitefield - having sent us an invitation to make his house our home - during our stay here, we were perplexed what to do, lest - we should blast the success of our mission among the - Dissenters, who are generally disaffected to him. We at - length concluded, with the advice of our friends and his, - that a public intercourse with him would be imprudent in - our present situation; and we visited him privately this - evening. The kind reception he gave us revived dear Mr. - Tennent. He spoke in the most encouraging manner of the - success of our mission, and, in all his conversations, - discovered so much zeal and candour, that I could not but - admire the man as the wonder of the age. When we returned, - Mr. Tennent’s heart was all on fire, and, after we had - gone to bed, he suggested that we should watch and pray; - and we arose and prayed together till about three in the - morning.” (Wakeley’s “Anecdotes of Whitefield,” p. 258.) - - 353 – According to the “_old style_,” Whitefield was born on - December 16th. In 1751, an Act of Parliament was passed - for the adoption of the “_new style_” in all public and - legal transactions; and ordered that the day following the - 2nd of September of the year 1752 should be accounted the - 14th of that month. This explains the seeming discrepancy - in Whitefield’s letter. - - 354 – Gillies says, Whitefield took twenty-two destitute - children with him. - - 355 – Vol. xii., p. 479. - - 356 – No doubt, New Jersey College had legal authority to confer - the degree: but, under the circumstances then existing, - the degree was worthless. The first time that M.A. was - attached to Whitefield’s name in England was in 1763. - This was done in his “Observations” on the Bishop of - Gloucester’s book; but it is right to add that the - pamphlet was printed by Whitefield’s friends, _after_ he - had embarked for America. - - 357 – The Rev. Aaron Burr, President of New Jersey College. - - 358 – “Account of European Settlements in America, 1778,” - vol. ii., p. 270. - - 359 – _London Magazine_, 1754, p. 381. - - 360 – Sir William Pepperell, the Cape Breton hero. - - 361 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. ii., p. 419. - - 362 – “Life of Charles Wesley,” vol. ii., p. 67. - - 363 – A charter to found a college was granted by the Governor - of New Jersey on October 22, 1746, and Mr. Dickinson - was appointed president. Dickinson, however, died a year - afterwards, and before the charter was carried into - operation. Besides this, the provisions of the charter - were not liked; and hence, in 1748, Governor Belcher - obtained a new one from George II., Burr was chosen - president, a commencement was made, six students graduated, - five of whom became ministers. (Hodge’s Presbyterian - Church in the United States.) - - 364 – Burr had married one of Edwards’s daughters. - - 365 – A fast-day sermon, on the encroachments of the French, - published in 1755. - - 366 – Mr. Burr died three years after this. One of his two - children became vice-president of the United States. - - 367 – The publication of these letters has been already noticed. - - 368 – Mrs. Bevan was the widow of Arthur Bevan, Esq., who, for - fourteen years, represented Carmarthen in Parliament. She - was converted under the ministry of the famous Griffith - Jones. For twenty years after his death, she supported - his schools in Wales, and in her will left £10,000 to - perpetuate their good effects. She was an elegant and - accomplished woman; and, at every visit, Whitefield was - wont to preach in her house at Bath. (“Life and Times of - the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., p. 454.) - - 369 – Ibid., p. 195. - - 370 – Cennick died exactly a week before this letter was written. - - 371 – “Memoirs of Rev. Cornelius Winter.” By William Jay. - - 372 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - pp. 336, 337. - - 373 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 132. - - 374 – Ibid., p. 136. - - 375 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 344. - - 376 – “The Oxford Methodists,” p. 290. - - 377 – This was afterwards published, with the following title: - “An Epistle to the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield: written in - the year 1755. By Charles Wesley, A.M., late student of - Christ Church, Oxford. London, 1771.” (8vo. 8 pp.) - - 378 – The place at Bradford where Whitefield preached was “in - an open part of the town, near the water-side. His texts - were, John iii. 14, and 1 John iii. 8.” (“Memoirs of John - Fawcett, D.D.,” pp. 15–17.) - - 379 – There had been a schism among the Leeds Methodists. - A considerable number had seceded; John Edwards had - formed them into a separate Society; and, probably, the - meeting-house Whitefield mentions was intended for Edwards - and his congregation. Wesley’s first chapel in Leeds was - built two years afterwards, in St. Peter’s Street. - - 380 – Wesley’s Societies. Except the Societies formed by - Ingham and his friends in the West Riding of Yorkshire, - Lancashire, Westmoreland, and Cumberland, none others - existed in the north of England. - - 381 – The Long Acre chapel does not now exist. In Charles Street, - a few yards from Long Acre, there is a building called - “Whitefield’s Presbyterian Church;” but its minister, - the Rev. C. J. Whitmore, tells me it is not the chapel in - which Whitefield preached. - - 382 – Wilson’s “Dissenting Churches in London,” vol. iii., - p. 365. - - 383 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 166. - - 384 – A popular, and also persecuted preacher, who had - died forty-three years before. He was the son of a - clergyman, ejected for nonconformity in 1662. In 1709, - Dr. Sacheverell’s mob attacked Daniel’s meeting-house, in - New Court, Lincoln’s-Inn-Fields, broke all the windows, - and burnt the pulpit and all the pews. His sermons, like - Whitefield’s, contained many pertinent and useful stories. - - 385 – On the earthquake at Lisbon. - - 386 – “Letters from Dr. Thomas Herring.” (12mo. pp. 355.) - - 387 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 16. - - 388 – _London Magazine_, 1756, p. 89. - - 389 – See a pamphlet, entitled “A Brief View of the Conduct of - Pennsylvania for the Year 1755.” - - 390 – Even the _Monthly Review_――no friend to Whitefield――in - its number for March, 1756, wrote concerning Whitefield’s - “Short Address”: “Mr. Whitefield here makes good use of - the influence he has acquired over the common people, by - endeavouring to animate them, at this critical juncture, - with a lively sense of the duty they owe to their God, - their king, and their country. It is with sincere pleasure - we find that this seasonable exhortation has had so - considerable a spread as to occasion a demand for three - editions; the first of which did not appear till after the - late general fast.” - - 391 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 158. - - 392 – _Gospel Magazine_, 1831, p. 563. - - 393 – The almshouses and the minister’s house do not now exist. - In “Whitefield Street,” and annexed to the chapel, a - commodious Day and Sunday school has been built. In one - of the chapel vestries there is a large original portrait - of Whitefield, without, however, the painter’s name. The - likeness is not a pleasing one. On each side of the chapel - is a burial ground, now closed. - - 394 – MS. Letter by John Pawson. - - 395 – “Centenary Commemoration of the Opening of Tottenham Court - Chapel,” p. 5. - - 396 – _New Spiritual Magazine_, 1783, p. 20. - - 397 – _Home Missionary Magazine_, 1827, p. 35. - - 398 – Its name is “Whitefield Tabernacle,” and connected with it - are “Whitefield Tabernacle Schools,” for boys, girls, and - infants. - - 399 – Wilson’s “Dissenting Churches,” vol. iii., p. 118. - - 400 – Sydney’s “Life of Rev. Samuel Walker,” p. 329. - - 401 – Ibid., p. 436. - - 402 – _St. James’s Chronicle_, March 16, 1768. - - 403 – Doubtless, Whitefield’s “Short Address to Persons of all - Denominations.” - - 404 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1803, p. 51. - - 405 – The following is taken from the _London Magazine_ for - 1756, p. 402:――“August. At Maidstone late assizes, Mr. John - Lauder, an officer in a regiment of foot, was tried for - killing, with his sword, in the heat of passion and liquor, - William Forster, a post-boy. Mr. Lauder behaved very - decently at his execution.” - - 406 – Whitefield’s old friend, Benjamin Ingham, was now resident - at Aberford, about five miles from Tadcaster. (“The Oxford - Methodists,” p. 139.) - - 407 – One of Whitefield’s texts was, “Wherefore, glorify ye - the Lord in the fires” (Isa. xxv. 14), in illustrating - which he was wont to say: “When I was, some years ago, - at Shields, I went into a glass-house, and saw a workman - take a piece of glass, and put it into three furnaces - in succession. I asked, ‘Why do you put it into so many - fires?’ He answered, ‘Oh, sir, the first was not hot - enough, nor the second, and therefore we put it into - the third; that will make it transparent.’ ‘Oh,’ thought - I, ‘does this man put this glass into one furnace after - another, that it may be made perfect? Then, O my God! - put me into one furnace after another, that my soul may - be transparent!’” (Belcher’s “Biography of Whitefield,” - p. 370.) - - 408 – “Memoirs of John Fawcett, D.D.,” p. 19. - - 409 – _Methodist Magazine_, 1819, p. 56. - - 410 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 190. - - 411 – C. Wesley’s Journal. - - 412 – Vol. i., p. 266. - - 413 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 191. - - 414 – “Life of Rev. Henry Venn,” p. 24. - - 415 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. v., p. 275. - - 416 – This is hardly correct. Whitefield and the Wesleys - administered the sacraments, in London, Bristol, and other - places. Their unordained preachers, however, were not - allowed to do this until many a long year afterwards. - - 417 – Meaning the Methodist clergymen. - - 418 – “Life of Garrick,” by Fitzgerald. - - 419 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 208. - - 420 – “Memoirs of Cornelius Winter,” p. 26. - - 421 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - pp. 207, 208. - - 422 – _Scots’ Magazine_, 1757, p. 260. - - 423 – “Annals of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, - from 1739 to 1766,” vol. ii., p. 373. - - 424 – “Annals of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, - from 1739 to 1766,” vol. ii., p. 394. - - 425 – Ibid., p. 102. - - 426 – _Scots’ Magazine_, 1757, p. 260. - - 427 – Thomas Rankin’s MS. Journal. - - 428 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 154. - - 429 – Ibid., p. 158. - - 430 – The “Ormond Boys” were in favour of the popish pretender, - and were so designated after the arch-traitor, the Duke - of Ormond. The “Liberty Boys,” of course, were their - opponents. - - 431 – Frederick, King of Prussia, was rendering England - important service; for while the English were fighting the - French in America, he was fighting and conquering them in - Europe. “The wonderful battle of Rossbach,” says Voltaire, - “was the most inconceivable and complete rout mentioned - in history. Thirty thousand French and twenty thousand - Imperial troops there made a disgraceful precipitate - flight before five Prussian batallions and a few squadrons.” - In England, Frederick was styled the “Protestant hero;” - his birthday was kept as a holiday; public subscriptions - were proposed for him; and Parliament granted him a - subsidy of £670,000 per annum to enable him to prosecute - the war. - - 432 – Christopher Hopper was now one of Wesley’s preachers - in Dublin. In his autobiography, Christopher is silent - respecting Whitefield’s perilous adventure. - - 433 – Most of Whitefield’s biographers, and some writers of - the History of Methodism, say John Edwards, of Leeds, was - converted under Whitefield’s sermon on Oxmanton Green. - This is an egregious blunder. John Edwards was converted, - and was himself a Methodist preacher, many a long year - before this. As a rule, I refrain from noticing the errors - of previous biographers.――L. T. - - 434 – Whitefield was strongly urged to visit America. In an - hitherto unpublished letter, by the Rev. James Davenport, - dated, “Hopewell, January 17, 1757,” the writer says: - “Pray come to see our dear America once more, as soon - as you can. You cannot tell what God might do at this - juncture. Many, no doubt, would rejoice greatly. Oh, my - dear brother, that there were a heart in our land, under - our present dangers and distresses, to turn to God! Then - we might, in the Lord’s strength, soon drive out our - temporal enemies, and come off more than conquerors over - our spiritual ones. I hope you remember our agreement to - pray for each other, in secret, every Sabbath morning. - Oh, how sweet are the thoughts of heaven, where we may - converse, and rejoice, and praise, and enjoy and glorify - God, our Father, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, without any - stop, world without end. My soul joins with yours in - saying, ‘Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! Amen!’” - - 435 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 428. - - 436 – Dr. Talbot, in 1767, became vicar of St. Giles’s, Reading. - He was an able preacher, and remarkable for the gift of - prayer. When Secker, Archbishop of Canterbury, was dying, - Talbot visited him. “You will pray with me, Talbot,” said - Secker. Talbot rose and went to look for a Prayer-Book. - “That is not what I want now,” remarked the Archbishop: - “kneel down by me, and pray for me in the way I know you - are used to do.” Dr. Talbot died, on the 2nd of March, - 1774, in the 57th year of his age, in the house of his - friend, the great philanthropist, William Wilberforce. - (_Evangelical Magazine_, 1815, pp. 393–400.) - - 437 – Lord Dartmouth succeeded to the earldom in 1750, being - then about twenty-five years of age. In 1755, he married - the only daughter and heiress of Sir Charles Gunter - Nicholl. Shortly after his marriage, he became the - intimate friend of Lady Huntingdon, to whom he was - introduced by the Countess of Guildford. It was in Lady - Huntingdon’s house, that he first became acquainted with - Whitefield, the Wesleys, Romaine, Jones, Madan, etc. - George the Third appointed him principal Secretary of - State for the American department, which office his - lordship afterwards exchanged for that of Lord Keeper of - the Privy Seal. Some years later, he was made Lord Steward - of His Majesty’s Household. He contributed largely towards - Whitefield’s Orphan House. He was the early patron of - the Rev. Moses Browne; obtained ordination for the Rev. - John Newton; and was celebrated by Cowper, in his poem on - Truth:―― - - “We boast some rich ones whom the gospel sways, - And one who wears a coronet and prays.” - - 438 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1815, p. 394. - - 439 – Ibid., p. 395. - - 440 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 431. - - 441 – Fletcher, of Madeley, was ordained in 1757. - - 442 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., pp. 220, 221. - - 443 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 219. - - 444 – Miss Gideon was the daughter of Sampson Gideon, Esq., - of Belvidere House, Kent, and sister of the first - Lord Eardley. She was converted in the drawing-room of - Lady Huntingdon. (“Life and Times of the Countess of - Huntingdon,” vol. ii., p. 3.) - - 445 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 232. - - 446 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 228. - - 447 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1803, p. 333. - - 448 – “Memoirs of Robert Robinson,” p. 25. - - 449 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1803, p. 535. - - 450 – _Scots’ Magazine_, 1758, p. 388. - - 451 – _Scots’ Magazine_, 1758, p. 609. - - 452 – There can be little doubt that this was Wesley’s chapel, - in St. Peter’s Street. It was built in 1757. - - 453 – The _Daily Advertiser_, of October 27, 1758, says: “We - hear that, for this month past, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield - has been preaching twice a day, to very large audiences, - in various parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and - Staffordshire, and is expected in town this week.” - The same journal, on the following day, announced, “On - Thursday evening (October 26), the Rev. Mr. Whitefield - came to town, from Scotland and the north of England; and - will preach to-morrow at Tottenham Court chapel, and at - the Tabernacle in Moorfields.” - - 454 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., pp. 246–250. - - 455 – _New Spiritual Magazine_, 1783, p. 164. - - 456 – Wesley’s Journal. - - 457 – C. Wesley’s Journal, vol. ii., p. 219. - - 458 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 307. - - 459 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 314. - - 460 – _Scots’ Magazine_, 1759, p. 378. - - 461 – Ibid. - - 462 – Cadogan’s “Life of Rev. W. Romaine,” p. 37. - - 463 – Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.” - - 464 – Calamy’s “Nonconformist’s Memorial,” vol. i., p. 237. - - 465 – Free’s edition of Wesley’s Second Letter. - - 466 – See “Life and Times of Wesley,” vol. ii., p. 343. - - 467 – Whitefield’s text, at Tottenham Court Road, was Hosea xi. - 8, 9; and the collection £222 8s. 9d. At the Tabernacle, - his text was Psalm lxxx. 19; and the collection £182 15s. - 9d. (Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.”) The Rev. John Newton - stated, that, at one of these services, after the sermon, - Whitefield said, “We shall sing a hymn, during which those - who do not choose to give their mite may sneak off.” None - of the congregation stirred. Whitefield ordered all the - doors to be shut but one; at which he himself held the - plate. (“Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” - vol. i., p. 92.) - - 468 – C. Wesley’s Journal, vol. ii., p. 235. - - 469 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 408. - - 470 – Lady Huntingdon also was now in Yorkshire. Whitefield - joined her, at Ingham’s, at Aberford. Great confusion - prevailed in Ingham’s Societies. The Countess and - Whitefield tried to restore peace; but their efforts - were ineffectual. Sandemanianism produced a schism. Out - of eighty flourishing Societies, only thirteen continued - under Ingham’s care. (“Oxford Methodists,” p. 145.) - - 471 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., pp. 260–263. - - 472 – Cook’s “Memoirs of Foote;” and “Biographica Dramatica.” - - 473 – Boswell’s “Life of Johnson.” - - 474 – The Duke of Devonshire was Lord Chamberlain. - - 475 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, July 14, 1760. - - 476 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 209. - - 477 – _Monthly Review_, July, 1760. - - 478 – Ibid., August, 1760. - - 479 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, Nov. 24, 1760. - - 480 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 209. - - 481 – Madan did not attach his name to his letter, but signed it, - “Anti-Profanus.” - - 482 – It might be added, that portraits――hideous ones――of - Whitefield were published, with the offensive words - “Dr. Squintum” underneath them. One lies before me. - - 483 – _Monthly Review_, November, 1761. - - 484 – Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.” - - 485 – Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.” - - 486 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 210. - - At and about this period, Whitefield made several other - collections for the suffering Protestants in Germany, the - aggregate amount of which was upwards of £1500. For this, - he received the thanks of the King of Prussia, Frederick - the Great. (“Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” - vol. i., p. 209.) The freeholders of Boston, also, held - a meeting, at which they passed a vote of thanks to - Whitefield for the assistance he had rendered them. - (Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.”) - - 487 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, March 27, 1760. - - 488 – Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 177. - - 489 – Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.” - - 490 – _Monthly Review_, March, 1762. - - 491 – Thomas Adams, to whom Whitefield, in his last will and - testament, bequeathed £50, and whom he therein described - as, “my only surviving first fellow-labourer, and beloved - much in the Lord.” - - 492 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 281. - - 493 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 281. - - 494 – _Gospel Magazine_, 1771, p. 65. - - 495 – _Wesleyan Protestant Methodist Magazine_, 1831, p. 29. - - 496 – Query? Mr. Beckman, on whose death, Whitefield - subsequently preached a sermon. (See Eighteen Sermons, by - Whitefield, taken in shorthand by Joseph Gurney, 1771.) - - 497 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1796, p. 518. - - Mr. West’s residence was in Southampton Place, but - he died in the house of his old friend Whitefield, - adjoining the Tabernacle, in Moorfields. For thirteen - years, his sufferings were terrible; but his patience and - cheerfulness were surprising to all who knew him. A few - days before his death, he became very ill while attending - service in the Tabernacle. The doctor would not permit - him to be removed to his own house, as it was probable the - removal would issue in his death. To the minister of the - Tabernacle, he said, “Christ is kind to me. I long for my - dissolution. O! my dear boy, preach, preach Christ to the - people! Never spare them. Be faithful to them; and think - of the worth of a precious soul. Go on, and never be - tired.” Mr. West was interred under the communion table - of Tottenham Court Road chapel, in a vault containing the - remains of Whitefield’s wife, also of his own wife, and of - Mr. Keen, his “trusty” colleague. It is worth mentioning - that Whitefield and West died on the same day of the year, - the 30th of September, and that they and Keen all died on - the same day of the month. (_Evangelical Magazine_, 1796, - pp. 518–21.) - - 498 – Eighteen Sermons, by Whitefield, transcribed by Gurney, - p. 44. - - 499 – Ibid., p. 75. - - 500 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 406. - - 501 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 286. - - 502 – Eighteen Sermons, by Whitefield, p. 24. - - 503 – MS. - - 504 – Whitefield’s pamphlet had an enormous circulation. At - least, six editions were issued in 1763. - - 505 – In 1739. - - 506 – Wesley’s Journal. - - 507 – Soon after his embarkation, it was reported that - Whitefield was dead. (_Lloyd’s Evening Post_, September 26, - 1763.) - - 508 – Lady Selina Hastings, who died of fever, on May 12, 1763. - - 509 – “Life of C. Wesley,” vol. ii., p. 221. - - 510 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, April 16, 1764. - - 511 – Bancroft’s “History of the United States.” - - 512 – For enlarged views, indomitable energy, and arduous toils, - and for the great results of his labours in the cause - of religion and learning, Dr. Wheelock had few superiors. - For forty-five years, he was one of the most eloquent - and successful ministers in New England. He conducted his - Indian Mission School until his death, in 1779. - - 513 – “Lady Huntingdon and her Friends,” p. 151. - - 514 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 310. - - 515 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 311. - - 516 – Ibid., p. 313. - - 517 – These, probably, were a supply of his own “Collection - of Hymns,” the twelfth edition of which was this year - published: 16mo., 182 pp. - - 518 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 315. - - 519 – Whitefield’s catholicity of spirit won him friendships - almost everywhere. On one occasion, when preaching from - the balcony of the Courthouse, in Philadelphia, in an - apostrophe, he exclaimed, “‘Father Abraham, who have you - in heaven? any Episcopalians?’ ‘No.’ ‘Any Presbyterians?’ - ‘No.’ ‘Any Baptists?’ ‘No.’ ‘Any Methodists, Seceders, - or Independents?’ ‘No, no!’ ‘Why, who have you there?’ - ‘We don’t know those names here. All who are here are - Christians.’ ‘Oh, is that the case? Then, God help me! - and God help us all to forget party names, and to become - Christians in deed and truth.’” (Belcher’s “Biography of - Whitefield,” p. 207.) - - 520 – _Arminian Magazine_, 1782, p. 440. - - 521 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 317. - - 522 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, April 10, 1765. - - 523 – Thomas Adams, one of Whitefield’s helpers, when he was - moderator of the Calvinistic Methodists, but now the - founder and pastor of the Tabernacle at Rodborough, in - the county of Gloucester. (“Bristol Tabernacle Centenary - Services,” p. 90.) - - 524 – Notwithstanding Whitefield’s long absence, and the - recentness of his return, she had been a fortnight in the - country! (Whitefield’s Works vol. iii., p. 330.) - - 525 – Messrs. Collet and Ireland were the chief men in the - Bristol Tabernacle. (“Memoirs of Cornelius Winter,” - p. 148.) - - 526 – The Hon. and Rev. Walter Shirley, brother of the notorious - Earl Ferrers, and a first cousin of the Countess of - Huntingdon. He had been converted under the ministry of - Venn, and was now an evangelical and earnest minister of - Christ. - - 527 – The Rev. Joseph Townsend, son of the celebrated Alderman - Townsend, of London, and fellow of Clare Hall; Cambridge, - and rector of Pewsey, in Wiltshire. He also heartily - co-operated with the Methodist clergymen of the day. - - 528 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 468. - - 529 – “The chapel,” wrote Horace Walpole, “is very neat, - with true Gothic windows.” (“Life and Times of Wesley,” - vol. ii., p. 558.) - - 530 – Wesley’s Journal. - - 531 – Wesley’s Journal. - - 532 – “Memoirs of C. Winter,” p. 63. - - 533 – On this occasion, the Earl and Countess of Sutherland were - among Whitefield’s hearers. Immediately after, the Earl - was attacked with a putrid fever. For twenty-one nights - and days, without intermission or retiring to rest, the - Countess watched over her noble husband. She then sunk - and died, the Earl himself dying seventeen days afterwards. - The Earl of Sutherland was in his thirty-first, and - his Countess in her twenty-fifth year. They left behind - them an infant daughter, who succeeded her father in the - honours of Sutherland, and married the Marquis of Stafford. - She died in 1839. (“Life and Times of the Countess of - Huntingdon,” vol. i., p. 473.) - - 534 – Old Newspaper. - - 535 – This Indian school was ultimately merged in Dartmouth - College, of which Wheelock was the first president. - - 536 – Brown’s “History of Missions,” vol. iii., p. 481. - - 537 – It is said, that the first Sunday school in the United - States was founded in the house of Occum’s sister, a - few months after his death. (Belcher’s “Biography of - Whitefield,” p. 387.) - - 538 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 375. - - After the death of Mr. Powys, in 1775, his widow became - the second wife of Sir Rowland Hill, of Hawkeston, Bart. - - 539 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 338. - - 540 – Wesley’s Works, vol. iii., p. 250. - - 541 – Charles Wesley’s Journal, vol. ii., p. 247. - - 542 – Charles Wesley’s Journal, vol. ii., p. 249. - - 543 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 476. - - 544 – “Life of John Fawcett, D.D.,” p. 36. - - 545 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1810, p. 351. - - 546 – _Methodist Magazine_, 1808, p. 376. - - 547 – “Mr. Whitefield,” says Fletcher, “was not a flighty orator, - but spoke the words of soberness and truth, with divine - pathos, and floods of tears declarative of his sincerity.” - (Fletcher’s Works, vol. i., p. 298.) - - 548 – Another Methodist clergyman, who, afterwards, resided at - West Bromwich. “He is,” said Henry Venn, “a very excellent - man, and seems appointed to evangelise the _Wolds_, the - inhabitants of which are dark almost as the heathens.” - (“Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 41; and Wesley’s Works, vol. iii., p. 161.) - - 549 – The famous Methodist clergyman, in Wales. - - 550 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1797, pp. 397–407. - - A small monument, in memory of Torial Joss, exists at - Tottenham Court Road chapel; but, strangely enough, it is - placed in one of the vestries, and, therefore, scarcely - ever seen. - - 551 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 214. - - 552 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1815, p. 272. - - 553 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - pp. 317–319. - - 554 – “Life of Rev. Rowland Hill,” p. 25. - - 555 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 378. - - 556 – The volumes were published in numbers. Hence the following - advertisement, taken from an old newspaper: “This day - is published, recommended by the Rev. Mr. G. Whitefield, - Number I., containing five sheets, and a head of the - author, price only sixpence, of a new and beautiful - edition of the works of Mr. John Bunyan, the whole to - be comprised in eighty-four numbers. Those who incline - to take the work in complete sets, may subscribe for the - same, paying one guinea at the time of subscribing, and - the remainder on the delivery of the two volumes; and those - who subscribe for six sets shall have a seventh gratis.” - - 557 – Mr. Green was one of Whitefield’s occasional assistants, - but subsisted by teaching a school. (“Winter’s Memoirs,” - p. 45.) - - 558 – “Winter’s Memoirs,” p. 68. - - 559 – “Winter’s Memoirs,” p. 75. - - 560 – “Winter’s Memoirs,” p. 21. - - 561 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 344. - - 562 – Ibid. - - 563 – Wesley’s Journal. - - 564 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 379. - - 565 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 344; and “Life of Rev. - Rowland Hill,” p. 29. - - 566 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 158. - - 567 – This was Whit-Sunday. The following is from _Lloyd’s - Evening Post_ of June 15, 1767: “They write from - Haverfordwest that, on Whit-Sunday, about eight in the - morning, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield’s congregation consisted - of upwards of ten thousand people.” The ensuing extracts - are taken from the archives of the Moravian Church at - Haverfordwest:―― - - “1767. May 31. Many people flocked from the country to - hear Mr. Whitefield preach. At the conclusion of his - sermon, at eight in the morning, he bid the people go - to any place of worship where Christ alone is preached. - Numbers hastened to our chapel, and crowded it; and - Brother Nyberg preached to them on, ‘We preach Christ - crucified.’ Our dear Saviour was in our midst. - - “June 7 (Whit-Sunday). Such a crowd came from hearing - Mr. Whitefield, that we were obliged, as on Sunday last, - to drop our morning meeting; and Brother Nyberg prayed the - Litany in the pulpit, and preached on, ‘He shall testify - of me: and ye also shall bear witness.’ A still greater - number attended the afternoon preaching, when Brother - Parminster discoursed on Proverbs i. 20–24. Amongst the - hearers were four Methodist preachers.” - - 568 – The Rev. John Newton, who, after many rebuffs, had three - years before obtained ordination, and was now curate at - Olney. - - 569 – The reference here is probably to the Society of Students - just mentioned, and of which Rowland Hill was the _leader_. - (“Life of Rev. Rowland Hill,” p. 26.) - - 570 – As will soon be seen, there was, at this time, a Society - of Methodist Students at Oxford, similar to the Society at - Cambridge. - - 571 – “Life of Rev. Rowland Hill,” p. 29. - - 572 – Dr. Hodge’s “History of the Presbyterian Church in America,” - pt. ii., p. 395. - - ♦573 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, May 4, 1758. - - 574 – The “intended buildings” were thirty-two small dwellings - for the students, sixteen on each side of the Orphan House. - Also two residences for tutors, a kitchen, and a laundry. - - 575 – The Rev. Mr. Zububuhler was the rector of Savannah. - (“Memoirs of Rev. Cornelius Winter,” p. 109.) - - 576 – Whitefield subjoins a note to this, saying, “This college - was originally built, above twenty-eight years ago, for a - charity school, and preaching place for me, and ministers - of various denominations, on the bottom of the doctrinal - articles of the Church of England.” - - 577 – Rowland Hill had called at Oxford, on his way home, and - had a profitable meeting with the Methodist students there. - (“Life of Rev. R. Hill,” p. 31.) - - 578 – “Life of Rev. R. Hill,” p. 32. - - 579 – Thomas Pentycross, who soon after became an earnest and - useful clergyman of the Church of England. - - 580 – This was threatened in the case of one of Rowland Hill’s - college friends. (“Life of Rev. R. Hill,” p. 34). - - 581 – “Life of Rev. R. Hill,” p. 34. - - 582 – Wesley’s Journal. - - 583 – “Rod for a Reviler. By Thomas Olivers, 1777,” p. 58. - - 584 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 352. - - 585 – “Life and Times of Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 299. - - 586 – Ibid., vol. i., p. 291. - - 587 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, September 21, 1767. - - 588 – The Rev. Richard Conyers, LL.D., vicar of Helmsley, - another earnest Methodist clergyman. - - 589 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 356; and “Life and Times - of Countess of Huntington,” vol. i., p. 299; and “Life of - Rev. Henry Venn,” p. 134. - - 590 – Wesley’s Works, vol. xii., p. 253. - - 591 – A foot-note, in Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 360, - says the collection amounted to £105 13s. - - 592 – Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.” - - 593 – MS. Letter. - - 594 – Afterwards ennobled as Baron Erskine and Lord High - Chancellor of Great Britain. - - 595 – Doubtless by Whitefield himself. - - 596 – “Life and Times of Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 18. - - 597 – Wakeley’s “Anecdotes of Whitefield,” p. 122. - - 598 – Belcher’s “Biography of Whitefield,” p. 415. - - 599 – “Brief Account of Howell Harris, Esq., 1791,” p. 95; and - Morgan’s “Life and Times of H. Harris,” p. 243. - - 600 – “Life and Times of Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - pp. 78–81. - - 601 – March 25, 1768. - - 602 – This was absolutely false. (_Lloyd’s Evening Post_, - March 30, 1768.) - - 603 – A letter, in _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, March 30, 1768, says - it was “utterly false.” - - 604 – “Life and Times of Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 425. - - 605 – “Boswell’s Life of Johnson.” - - 606 – In the Journal of his second visit to America, Whitefield - remarked, “When the spirit of prayer began to be lost, - then forms of prayer were invented.” There is more truth - in this than some will be willing to allow. - - 607 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, March 23, 1768. - - 608 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 126. - - 609 – This edition of the “Letter” to Dr. Durell was in 12mo., - 47 pp. - - 610 – Macgowan’s pamphlet on the same subject. - - 611 – “Life of Rowland Hill.” By Sidney, p. 44. - - 612 – Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.” - - 613 – _Christian Miscellany_, 1856, p. 218. - - 614 – Some years ago, when the chapel was seriously injured by - fire, this monument was destroyed. - - 615 – “Annual Register,” 1769, p. 110. - - 616 – Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.” - - 617 – Gillies’ “Life of Whitefield.” - - 618 – “Whitefield’s Eighteen Sermons,” transcribed by Gurney, - p. 199. - - 619 – There can be little doubt that this was the portrait by - Hone, of which the engraving in the present volume is a - copy. The Royal Academy was founded in 1768, and Hone was - one of its first members. - - 620 – Wesley’s Journal. - - 621 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 128. - - 622 – His wife. - - 623 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 27. - - 624 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 27. - - 625 – Whitefield preached again in the evening, and also on - the day following, when his text was 1 Thess. ii. 11, 12. - (Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.”) - - 626 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, July 31, 1769. - - 627 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 129. - - 628 – August 9, 1769. - - 629 – Captain Joss was now in Bristol. (Whitefield’s Works, - vol. iii., p. 392.) - - 630 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, August 28, 1769. - - 631 – “Two Farewell Sermons, by Rev. G. Whitefield, 1770;” and - “Eighteen Sermons, by Rev. George Whitefield, 1771.” - - 632 – In the crowds who listened to Whitefield’s last sermons - in London, was a youth, seventeen years of age,――George - Burder, afterwards a devoted and useful minister of - Christ, the originator of the Religious Tract Society, - secretary of the London Missionary Society, editor of - the _Evangelical Magazine_, and author of the well-known - “Village Sermons.” Burder’s conversion has been attributed - to the ministry of Whitefield and Fletcher of Madeley. - (“Jubilee Memorial of the Religious Tract Society,” - p. 24.) In his Journal, he wrote:――“1769. August. - About this time, I heard Mr. Whitefield preach several - sermons, particularly his two last in London; that at - Tottenham Court chapel on Sabbath morning, and that at - the Tabernacle on Wednesday morning at seven o’clock. I - remember a thought which passed my mind, I think, as I - was going to hear his last sermon, ‘Which would I rather - be, Garrick or Whitefield?’ I thought each, in point of - oratory, admirable in his way. I doubt not conscience told - me which was best. I wrote Mr. Whitefield’s sermons in - shorthand, though standing in a crowd.” (“Life of Rev. - George Burder,” by his Son.) - - 633 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 634 – It has been already stated, that, the publication of - this volume led to great unpleasantness. Joseph Gurney - was a bookseller, in Holborn, opposite Hatton Garden. From - an 8vo. pamphlet of eight pages, published at the time, - and entitled, “J. Gurney’s Appeal to the Public,” it - appears, that, on November 13, 1770, an agreement was made - between Gurney and Mr. Keen, whereby Keen bound himself - to “recommend and authenticate” Gurney’s publication, - and Gurney agreed to give to Keen a shilling upon every - copy sold. Gurney drew up an advertisement, which Keen - engaged to have read in the pulpits of the Tabernacle and - Tottenham Court Road chapel; but his engagement was not - fulfilled. When the printing of the volume was nearly - completed, Gurney sent the first nine sermons to Keen, - and, a few days afterwards, met Mr. Hardy, who told him - the “sermons were like the ravings of a madman, and were - utterly unfit for publication.” Messrs. Keen, Hardy, and - West offered to pay Gurney all the money he had spent, - on condition that the sermons should not be issued to the - public; but Gurney refused the offer. Mr. Kinsman read a - notice from the Tabernacle pulpit, that, such a volume was - about to be published, but stated that the “sermons were - not Mr. Whitefield’s, either in sentiment or expression;” - though, as Gurney alleges, Kinsman had previously - acknowledged “the sermons were as delivered by Whitefield, - but that Whitefield’s discourses, of late years, were - very unfit for the press without undergoing considerable - alterations.” Gurney had another angry interview with - Keen and Hardy. The latter, on September 14, 1771, - published the advertisement, printed, as a foot-note, in - Whitefield’s collected Works, vol. iii., page 406. Gurney, - however, persisted in publishing his book, but announced - that if any purchasers were of opinion the “sermons were - not genuine,” he would return to them their purchase money. - He sold upwards of six hundred copies, but “not a single - buyer expressed the least dissatisfaction.” - - 635 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 636 – With one or two exceptions, the _whole_ of these letters - were subscribed, “_Less than the least of all_, George - Whitefield.” - - 637 – Wesley had recently joined in the services held in - connection with the Countess of Huntingdon’s Academy at - Trevecca. These services extended from the 18th to the - 24th of August. The scene was memorable. Besides the - Countess and a number of her aristocratic friends, there - were present eight clergymen of the Church of England, - a host of Welsh exhorters, the students, and an immense - concourse of communicants and spectators. On leaving - Trevecca, Wesley set out for Cornwall, so that he had - no opportunity of a final hand-shake with his old friend, - embarking for America. - - 638 – _Arminian Magazine_, 1783, p. 274. - - 639 – “Memoirs of Cornelius Winter,” p. 88. - - 640 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 641 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 642 – “Memoirs of Cornelius Winter,” p. 89. - - 643 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 408. - - 644 – “Life of Charles Wesley,” vol. ii., p. 244. - - 645 – Still, if the drinking of toasts had been omitted, there - was nothing more objectionable in Whitefield’s gathering, - than is sometimes witnessed among English Methodists at - the present day; when a whole cavalcade wend their way, on - the holy Sabbath, to some country town, to be present at - the opening of some new meeting-house, and to be charmed - and profited by some popular preacher. - - 646 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 255. - - 647 – Whitefield’s Works, vol. iii., p. 501. - - 648 – Whitefield intended to publish a new edition of the - Homilies, and wrote a preface and compiled a number of - prayers and hymns to be bound up with them. He strongly - urged the reading of the Homilies from the pulpits of - the Established Church, in accordance with the direction - given in the Thirty-fifth Article, and very justly argued - that, if this were done, “the desk and pulpit would not so - frequently contradict each other.” (See Whitefield’s Works, - vol. iv., pp. 441–454.) - - 649 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 256. - - 650 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” - pp. 259–267. - - 651 – “Asbury’s Journal,” vol. i., p. 78. - - 652 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 263. - - 653 – “Memoirs of Cornelius Winter,” p. 144. - - 654 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. ii., - p. 269. - - 655 – _Wesleyan Methodist Magazine_, 1825, p. 841. - - It is right to add, that the authorities of Savannah, out - of respect to Whitefield’s memory, secured what they could - of the ruined property, and invested the proceeds in a - school, which yet flourishes. (Belcher’s “Biography of - Whitefield,” p. 458.) - - 656 – Stevens’ “History of the Methodist Episcopal Church,” - vol. iii., p. 50. - - 657 – Boardman commenced the itinerancy in 1763, and Pilmoor - in 1765. - - 658 – “Wesley’s Works,” vol. xii., p. 149. - - 659 – Ibid., vol. iii., p. 400. - - 660 – Ibid., vol. xi., p. 289. - - 661 – A strange rumour was circulated, at this time, in the - London newspapers, that Whitefield had returned to England. - _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, of April 2, announced, “Saturday, - March 31, arrived in town, the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, - from Georgia.” - - 662 – It is a noticeable fact that two of Whitefield’s oldest - fellow labourers died in the same year as himself,――the - Rev. Howell Davies, “the head of Calvinistic Methodism in - Pembrokeshire,” and faithful Thomas Adams, the leader of - the same cause in Gloucestershire and Wilts. (“Memoirs of - Cornelius Winter,” p. 147.) - - 663 – Jesse Lee, who became a Methodist preacher in America, - twelve years after Whitefield’s death, says in his - “History of the Methodists in America” (p. 36), “In the - year 1770, Mr. Whitefield passed through Philadelphia, and, - calling on our preachers who were in that city, expressed - to them his great satisfaction at finding them in this - country, where there was such a great call for faithful - labourers in the vineyard of the Lord. His labours, as an - itinerant preacher, had been greatly blessed to the people - in America; and, thereby, the way was opened for our - preachers to travel and preach in different parts of the - country.” - - 664 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1807, p. 292. - - 665 – Wakeley’s “Anecdotes of Whitefield,” p. 358. - - 666 – _Methodist Magazine_, 1811, p. 788. - - 667 – In the _Pennsylvania Journal_, a letter was published, - bearing date “Portsmouth, September 28, 1770.” The writer - said, “Last Sunday morning came to town, from Boston, the - Rev. George Whitefield; and, in the afternoon, he preached - at the Rev. Dr. Haven’s meeting-house: Monday morning, - he preached again at the same place, to a very large - and crowded audience. Tuesday morning, a most numerous - assembly met at the Rev. Dr. Langdon’s meeting-house, - which, it is said, will hold nearly 6,000 people, and was - well filled, even the aisles. In the evening, he preached - at the Rev. Mr. John Rodgers’ meeting-house in Kittery; - and yesterday, at the Rev. Mr. Lyman’s, in York, to - which place a number of ladies and gentlemen from town - accompanied him. This morning (Friday) he will preach - at the Rev. Dr. Langdon’s meeting-house in this town.” - (Belcher’s “Biography of Whitefield,” p. 433.) - - 668 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 669 – Lee’s “History of American Methodists,” p. 36. - - 670 – Wakeley’s “Anecdotes of Whitefield.” - - 671 – Belcher’s “Biography of Whitefield,” p. 435. - - 672 – _St. James’s Chronicle_, November 8, 1770. - - 673 – _Methodist World_, February 1, 1870. - - 674 – _Methodist World_, Feb. 1, 1870. - - 675 – Stevens’ “History of Methodism,” vol. i., p. 466. - - 676 – There can be but little doubt that the disease which - terminated Whitefield’s life was _angina pectoris_. - - 677 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 678 – “Funeral Sermon,” etc., by Rev. Jonathan Parsons, p. 28. - - 679 – Ibid. - - 680 – Ibid. - - 681 – Stevens’ “History of Methodism,” vol. i., p. 467. - - 682 – “Funeral Sermon,” etc., by Rev. Jonathan Parsons, p. 31. - - 683 – Whitefield’s friends, at Boston, intended to have him - buried there. Hence the following, from a letter dated - “Boston, October 2, 1770”:――“A number of gentlemen set out - from hence, early this morning, for Newbury Port, which - is forty miles from Boston, in order to make the necessary - preparations for conveying the corpse of the Rev. Mr. - Whitefield to this town, where he is to be interred, - agreeable to his own request.” - - 684 – Wakeley’s “Anecdotes of Whitefield,” p. 385. - - 685 – Winter’s “Memoirs,” p. 104. - - 686 – Belcher’s “Biography of Whitefield,” p. 447. - - 687 – _Gospel Magazine_, 1802, p. 12. - - 688 – Southey’s “Life of Wesley,” vol. ii., p. 379. - - 689 – Wakeley’s “Anecdotes of Whitefield,” p. 399. - - 690 – Wakeley’s “Anecdotes of Whitefield,” p. 400. - - 691 – _Evangelical Magazine_, 1839, pp. 443, 590. - - 692 – Wakeley’s “Anecdotes,” p. 389. - - 693 – _The Methodist_ (New York), Sept. 12, 1863. - - 694 – In 1834, the Rev. Andrew Reed, D.D., of London, and the - Rev. James Matheson, D.D., of Durham, visited America as - a deputation from the Congregational Union of England and - Wales; and, in 1835, a similar deputation, consisting of - the Rev. Dr. Cox, and the Rev. Dr. Hoby, was sent from - the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland. Both the - deputations entered Whitefield’s sepulchre, and have left - descriptions of what they saw and felt; but for want of - space, their reports cannot be inserted here. - - 695 – _Methodist Recorder_, Dec. 27, 1867. - - ♦696 – Wakeley’s “Anecdotes,” p. 396. - - 697 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, February 11, 1771. - - 698 – Whitefield’s adulations, especially of those belonging to - the higher classes of society, were often objectionable. - Southey, noticing one of his letters to the Countess - of Huntingdon, remarks: “Wesley would not have written - in this strain, which, for its servile adulation, and - its canting vanity, might well provoke disgust and - indignation, were not the real genius and piety of the - writer beyond all doubt. The language, however, was natural - in Whitefield, and not ill suited for the person to whom - it was addressed.” (Life of Wesley.) This animadversion - is somewhat strong; but, a few passages in Whitefield’s - letters to the nobility, almost justify the Poet-Laureate’s - critique. - - 699 – Peter Edwards was one of Whitefield’s orphans, and, at - the anniversary of laying the foundation of the Orphan - House, on March 27, 1771, delivered a long address to the - Governor of Georgia, many members of the Council, and a - great number of the principal inhabitants of the province, - assembled together in the Orphan House chapel, which on - this day was opened, and solemnly dedicated to the service - of God. The Rev. Edward Ellington, minister of the parish - of St. Bartholomew, in South Carolina, read prayers, and - preached a sermon from Matt. xviii. 20. Divine service - being ended, the young gentlemen of the recently commenced - academy recited passages from some of the best English - authors; and the day’s proceedings were concluded with - a speech from the tutor, Mr. Edward Langworthy. - (“Whitefield’s Works,” vol. iii., pp. 503–509.) - - 700 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, February 6, 1771. - - 701 – In a foot-note, Titus Knight makes a statement which was - doubtless true, though almost incredible; namely, that - even after the arrival of the news of Whitefield’s death, - Foote’s execrable comedy, “The Minor,” was acted in the - theatre at Edinburgh. - - 702 – De Courcy, in the preface to his “Elegiac Lines,” remarks: - “What a pattern of flaming zeal, and faithfulness in the - ministry, was this servant of the Lord! With what unabated - assiduity, fortitude, and patience, did he persevere - in holding forth the word of life! How great was his - disinterestedness of spirit! With what a catholic, loving - heart did he embrace all of all denominations, who loved - the Lord Jesus in sincerity!” In a foot-note to his poem, - the author relates that, in his sermons, Whitefield often - said, “The moment I leave the body, and plunge into the - world of spirits, the first question I shall ask will - be――_Where’s my Saviour?_” - - 703 – An elegy was published in the _New York Gazette_, of - October 19, 1770, from which the following lines are - taken:―― - - “Methinks, I see him in the pulpit stand, - With graceful gesture and persuasive hand; - Whilst, with attention deep, the list’ning throng - Admire the words proceeding from his tongue, - Struck by his arrows, harden’d sinners start, - Their looks betray the anguish of their heart - With terror fill’d, to God they lift their eyes, - And fill His ear with penitential sighs.” - - 704 – Gillies’ “Memoirs of Whitefield.” - - 705 – Ibid. - - 706 – Ibid. - - 707 – The following appeared in one of the London - newspapers:――“We hear that, on Sunday next, funeral - sermons, on the death of the late Rev. Mr. Whitefield, - who, it is said, died worth £30,000, will be preached - at all the Methodist meeting-houses in and about London, - particularly the Tabernacles in Tottenham Court Road and - Moorfields. Yesterday, a caveat was entered at Doctors - Commons by a principal creditor of the late Rev. Mr. - George Whitefield.” - - 708 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_ of November 19, 1770, remarked: - “The front of the gallery round the chapel was - quite covered with black cloth, as were the pulpit, - reading-desk, and communion-table, which had escutcheons - of Mr. Whitefield’s arms and crest. The many thousands - who attended was almost incredible, who, being clothed in - black, chiefly out of respect to their much-loved minister, - together with the hanging, had a most uncommon appearance.” - - 709 – Wesley had a reason for thus referring to himself and his - brother Charles. At his Annual Conference, held in London - within the last four months, he had announced his _Theses_, - shewing in what way he and his preachers had “leaned too - much toward Calvinism.” This hugely offended the Countess - of Huntingdon and her friends, and led to the bitterest - controversy in Wesley’s history. - - 710 – This was a dignified rebuke administered to the infamous - Samuel Foote, and the admirers of his profane and filthy - “Minor.” - - 711 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, March 1, 1771. - - 712 – Stevens’s “History of Methodism,” vol. i., p. 467. - - 713 – _Gospel Magazine_, 1771, p. 80. - - 714 – Mr. Zubley was first minister of the Presbyterian Church - at Savannah, and entered upon his charge in 1760. He - originally came from Switzerland, and preached in English, - German, and French, as occasion required. He was a man of - great learning, and died in 1781. - - 715 – Dr. Cooper was converted by Whitefield’s instrumentality, - and became one of the most popular preachers in America. - One of the publications of the period, in describing - the scene in Brattle Street Church, when Cooper preached - Whitefield’s funeral sermon, said: “Pews, aisles, and - seats were so crowded, and heads and shoulders were in - such close phalanx, that it looked as though a man might - walk everywhere upon the upper surface of the assembly, - without finding an opening for descending to the floor.” - - 716 – Mr. Brewer preached in Spitalfields, from Psalm xxxvii. 37; - and Mr. Skelton, one of Wesley’s seceded itinerants, in - Maid Lane, Southwark, from Acts xiii. 36. (Old Newspaper.) - - 717 – As a curiosity, the following may be added: “Yesterday - morning, about eight o’clock, a man, mounted on a stool, - at the Seven Dials, preached a funeral sermon on the death - of his dear master, Mr. George Whitefield.” (_Lloyd’s - Evening Post_, Monday, Nov. 12, 1770.) - - 718 – Cornelius Winter says that he himself composed and - wrote the sermon preached by Mr. Ellington. (“Memoirs - of Cornelius Winter,” p. 104.) The letters attached to - Mr. Ellington’s name suggest the thought that Winter was - also the publisher of the sermon. - - 719 – _New Spiritual Magazine_, 1783, pp. 849 to 851. - - 720 – “Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon,” vol. i., - p. 92. - - 721 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, December 19, 1770. - - 722 – Belcher’s “Biography of Whitefield,” p. 446. - - 723 – _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, June 20, 1772. - - 724 – At the founding of the Royal Academy, in 1768, Nathaniel - Hone was chosen one of the members, and maintained his - reputation till his death, in 1784. The portrait in the - second volume of this work is a faithful representation of - a very fine engraving, published in 1769, and taken from - the painting by Hone. The portrait in the first volume - is copied from an engraving, published, by the authority - of Whitefield himself, in his “Christian’s Companion, or - Sermons on several subjects,” in 1739. (12mo. 335 pp.) - - 725 – Another testimony may be welcome. The celebrated - Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to a gentleman in Georgia, - wrote:――“I cannot forbear expressing the pleasure it gives - me to see an account of the respect paid to Mr. Whitefield’s - memory by your Assembly. I knew him intimately upwards - of thirty years. His integrity, disinterestedness, and - indefatigable zeal in prosecuting every good work, I - have never seen equalled, and shall never see excelled.” - (Belcher’s “Biography of Whitefield,” p. 447.) - - 726 – Rev. John Angell James. - - 727 – The Rev. Abel Stevens, LL.D. - - 728 – The following statistics are all taken from “The Methodist - Almanac, for 1876; edited by W. H. De Puy, D.D.,” and - published, under the direction of the General Conference - of the Methodist Episcopal Church. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes. - - - The following corrections have been made in the text: - - Page viii: - Sentence starting: Embarks for America——Letter.... - – ‘Ophan’ replaced with ‘Orphan’ - (Memorable Sermon there――Orphan House) - – ‘Centotaph’ replaced with ‘Cenotaph’ - (His Cenotaph――Proposed Monument) - - Page 6: - Sentence starting: “I arrived here, last Saturday.... - – ‘Cambernauld’ replaced with ‘Cumbernauld’ - (at Cumbernauld; and twice on) - - Page 14: - Sentence starting: He is followed by all sorts.... - – ‘prefered’ replaced with ‘preferred’ - (is preferred to him.) - - Page 16: - Sentence starting: In conclusion, Mr. Bisset writes:... - – ‘Episopacy’ replaced with ‘Episcopacy’ - (the cause of Episcopacy,) - - Page 29: - Sentence starting: On Sunday, August 22nd,... - – ‘Mearnes’ replaced with ‘Mearns’ - (and twice at Mearns;) - - Page 30: - Sentence starting: Whitefield came back to Edinburgh.... - – ‘Edinbugh’ replaced with ‘Edinburgh’ - (Whitefield came back to Edinburgh) - - Page 31: - Sentence starting: He speaks many things,... - – ‘Ged’ replaced with ‘God’ - (which comes from God.) - - Page 191: - Sentence starting: He became dissatisfied with.... - – ‘Lllanidloes’ replaced with ‘Llanidloes’ - (at an Association held at Llanidloes) - - Page 200: - Sentence starting: Similar resolutions were adopted.... - – ‘Tweedale’ replaced with ‘Tweeddale’ - (the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale) - - Page 202: - Sentence starting: When I saw the pamphlet,... - – ‘delaration’ replaced with ‘declaration’ - (I mean a declaration from) - - Page 238: - Sentence starting: He gave £400 towards.... - – ‘Janes’ replaced with ‘James’ - (and Mr. Thomas James, of Cork,) - - Page 249: - Sentence starting: “Some young fellows,”.... - – ‘emnity’ replaced with ‘enmity’ - (is enmity against God.) - - Page 285: - Sentence starting: On leaving Edinburgh, Whitefield.... - – ‘Alnwich’ replaced with ‘Alnwick’ - (preached at Berwick, Alnwick, and Morpeth.) - - Page 286: - Sentence starting: I am returning to Leeds;... - – duplicated word removed ‘next’ - (at Sheffield next Lord’s-day.) - - Page 292: - Sentence starting: The premises were large.... - – missing word added ‘of’ - (as the offices of a body) - - Page 340: - Sentence starting: They made me weep,... - – ‘we’ replaced with ‘me’ - (They made me weep,) - - Page 374: - Sentence starting: Among others present.... - – ‘Giffard’ replaced with ‘Gifford’ - (Dr. Andrew Gifford, Assistant Librarian) - - Page 393: - Sentence starting: As already stated,... - – ‘Welsey’s’ replaced with ‘Wesley’s’ - (one of Wesley’s most valuable preachers) - - Page 401: - Sentence starting: Exhausted as he was.... - – ‘proclaimes’ replaced with ‘proclaimed’ - (and proclaimed the efficacy of) - - Page 417: - Sentence starting: Among his hearers was a youth,... - – ‘Tuppen’ replaced with ‘Tupper’ - (eighteen years of age, Thomas Tupper) - - Page 419: - Sentence starting: So did Mr. Darracott.... - – ‘Darracot’ replaced with ‘Darracott’ - (So did Mr. Darracott) - - Page 442: - Sentence starting: Accept a few lines of love.... - – ‘the from’ replaced with ‘from the’ - (returning from the borders of the) - - Page 450: - Sentence starting: This is the denomination.... - – ‘bb’ replaced with ‘by’ - (are retained by hire,) - - Page 521: - Sentence starting: The object of it was.... - – duplicated word removed ‘the’ - (in the transatlantic settlements) - - Page 636: - Sentence starting: Bisset, Rev. John,... - – ‘Bissett’ replaced with ‘Bisset’ - (Bisset, Rev. John,) - - Page 637: - Sentence starting: Dickinson, Rev. Jonathan,... - – ‘Dickenson’ replaced with ‘Dickinson’ - (Dickinson, Rev. Jonathan,) - Sentence starting: Dorrel, Captain,... - – ‘Dorrell’ replaced with ‘Dorrel’ - (Dorrel, Captain,) - - Page 639: - Sentence starting: Hartford, Mrs. Frances,... - – ‘Hartfort’ replaced with ‘Hartford’ - (Hartford, Mrs. Frances,) - - Page 640: - Sentence starting: Llanelly,... - – ‘Llanelley’ replaced with ‘Llanelly’ - (Llanelly,) - - Page 643: - Sentence starting: Shackerley,... - – ‘Shackerly’ replaced with ‘Shackerley’ - (Shackerley,) - Sentence starting: Shutlift, Rev. Mr.,.... - – ‘Shutlif’ replaced with ‘Shutlift’ - (Shutlift, Rev. Mr.,) - Sentence starting: Sladdin, John,... - – ‘Sladden’ replaced with ‘Sladdin’ - (Sladdin, John,) - - Page 644: - Sentence starting: Topcliffe,... - – ‘Topcliffe’ replaced with ‘Topcliff’ - (Topcliffe,) - - Footnote 20: - – Footnote on page 28 was not referenced in the text. - - Footnote 162: - – ‘Princetown’ replaced with ‘Princeton’ - (as president of Princeton College) - - Footnote 225: - – ‘Huntingdom’ replaced with ‘Huntingdon’ - (“Life and Times of Countess of Huntingdon,”) - - Footnote 261: - – 1st footnote on page 242 was not referenced in the text. - - Footnote 265: - – 2nd footnote on page 247 was not referenced in the text. - - Footnote 283: - – Footnote on page 260 was not referenced in the text. - - Footnote 343: - – ‘Angel’ replaced with ‘Angell’ - (by the Rev. John Angell James) - - Footnote 573: - – 1st footnote on page 523 was not referenced in the text. - - Footnote 696: - – Last footnote on page 607 was not referenced in the text. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of the Rev. George -Whitefield, Vol. 2 (of 2), by Luke Tyerman - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF REV. 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