i~r -) ) C5 ^; ^.' '.-./-.VV' '^y.r.,. Vir v•fJ1^n|llv.cm^^^ "V/c)j]AiNn.]US:'* V/9iny>i(ir 1 • » • • ^ » •,• • • •«>•««• t * ' ((jJE ©IR &M IVJi ITE IF-I ]E I.1LD o MoAo "^g MEMOIRS OF THE LI F E OF THE REVERE ND GEORGE WHITEFIELD, M.A. Late Chaplain to the Right Honourable The countess of HUNTINGDON: I N W H I C H Every Circutnflance worthy of Notice, both in his private and public Character, is recorded. Faithfully feleded from his Original Papers, Journals, and Letters. ILLUSTRATED BY A Variety of interefting and entertaining Anecdotes, from the beft Authorities. To which are added, A particular Account of his Death and Funeral ; and Extrafts from the Sermons, which were preached on that Occafion. COMPILED By the Rev. JOHN GILLIES, D. D. ' 2^ea douhthfs I count all things hut lofs, for the excellency of the knonxsledge of Clxriji Jefus my Lord : For ivhom I have fuffered the lofs of all things, and do count them but dung that I may ixjin Chrijl. Phil. iii. 8. And I 'will 'very gladly fpend, and he f pent for you. 2 Cor. xii. 15. For he that ivinneth fouls is 'wife. Prov. xi. 30. And they that be ine as the hrightnefs of the firmament , and they that turn f?iany to righteoufnefs, as the ftars for ever and e'ver. Dan. xii. 3. LONDON: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly, in the Poultry; and Meffieurs King AID and Creech, at Edinburgh. MDCCLXXII. -7-- T O THE RIGHT HONOURABLE^ The countess of HUNTINGDON, THESE MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE OF The Rev. Mr. W H I T E F I E L D, ARE MOST RESPECTTULLY INSCRIBED, BY HER L A D Y S H I P'S MOST OBEDIENT, AND MOST HUMBLE SERVANT, ^ ^ JOHN GILLIES, A 2 4S1 riS'i [ V 3 THE CONTENTS, H CHAP, h 1 S birth and parentage. — Page i, :2 Early appearances of his eloquence atfehool. 2,- 3 At the age of feventeen, brought under the pre- vailing influence of religious impreflions* 4 CHAP. IL At eighteen, goes to the Univerfity of Oxford, and becomes acquainted with the Methodilts. Is treated with great kindnefs by the Rev. Mr. John and Charles Weflcy. — • 6, 7 Endangers his health by exceflive bodily aufteri- ties, but is happily recovered. -^-^ 8 After his recovery feels great peace and joy in be^ lieving on the Son of God. -^ .^ 8 Ere6ts a religious Society of young perfons at Gloucefter. -^ •— -^ 8, 9 Is ordained by Bifhop Benfon in the 2 2d year of his age. — - .^^ ^^ g His behaviour on that occafion. — — . 9 Preaches his firit Sermon in Gloucefter. — 9 A ^ Returris vl CONTENTS. Returns to Oxford. — Page 9, 16 Is called to officiate at the Tower. — 10 And at Diimmer in Hampfliire. — 11 Longs to go abroad, and preach the Gofpel in Georgia. — — 11,12 Gladly embraces the firfl appearance of an invita- tion to go thither. — — 12 His great popularity at Gloucefter, Briftol, and London, while he prepares to go abroad. 13, 14 Preaches in London nine times a week. — 15 OppofuiGn from fome of the Clergy. — 15 CHAP, III. Embarks for Georgia, December 1737. — 17 His behaviour on board. — 17 — 20 Touches at Gibraltar, where he is courteouQy re- ceived. — — - — 20,21 Remarkable particulars in his voyage from Gib- raltar to Georgia. — — 22 — 24 His obfervations upon the ftate of the Colony, at his firft arrival. — — ^ 25, 26 Is convinced of the great utility of an Orphan- houfe there. — — 28,29 CHAP. IV. Re-embarks for England to receive Pricft's orders, and get contributions for the Orphan-houfe. 30 is driven into Limerick harbour in Ireland; and is kindly treated by Bifhop Burlcough, Dr. De- kny, Biihop Rundle, and Archbiftiop Bolton, At his arrival in London, meets with a cold re- " ception from the Archbif^K'p of Canterbury, and the- Biihop of London. . — 32 7 The CONTENTS. vii The Tru flees for Georgia receive him more cor- dially. — — Page 33 Offence taken at his Journals. -^ 34 Several Churches are refufed to him, but he is more followed by the people than ever. — 34 Receives Prieft's orders from Bifhop Benfon, Janu- ary 1739. _ — — _ 33 Makes coiledlions for feveral charitable purpofes. Preaches to the colliers in Kingfwood. 37, 38 Preaches in Wales with Mr. Howel Harris. 39, 40 Ventures to preach in Moorfields. — 42 CHAP. V. Preaches on Kennington-Common and Blackheath, to prodigious multitudes, who were all atten- ^ tion. — — — 43, 44 Embarks the fecond time for America, Auguft 1739. — . -^ — 4<> Preaches at Philadelphia and New- York, and in feveral places in Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas. — - -^— 46 — 49 While making colleftions for the Orphan-houfe, hires a place for the reception of the poor children. — — — 50 Begins to build the houfe, March 1740. 51 CHAP. VI. Preaches in various places with great apparent fuccefs. — — §^ — 62 Receives preffing invitations to New England. 62 His reception there. - — — il>id. Comes back to Philadelphia, and preaches to feveral thoufands, in a houfe buik for that put- pofe, fince his laft departure. — 6^ — 66 Returns to England in Ipring 1741. -— 67 A 4 CHAP. vlii CONTENTS, CHAP. VII. The people's behaviour towards him greatly changed. — — Page 62 Unwillingly parts from Mr. John and Charles WeQey. — — 69 Occafion of building the Tabernacle. 70 — 72 Is follicited to vifit Scotland. — 72 His parting from MelTieurs Erfkines. — 77 CHAP. VIIL Letters Ihewing his reception, miniftrations, and fuccefs, at the principal places in Scotland. 79 At Edinburgh. — 79 — 84 At Glafgow. — S5— 87 At Aberdeen. — 87 — 91 At Dundee. — 91 — 56 At fmaller places. — 98 — 103 A view of the whole (in notes) from the pofthu- mous papers of a learned gentleman in Scot- land. — — ^6 — ^S C H A P. IX. Returns to England, O6lober 1 741. — ' 104 His marriage at Abergavenny. — iifid. His fuccefs at Briftol and London. 104 — 107 Ventures to preach in Moorfields in the holiday fealbn. — — — 107 Remarkable fuccefs of that hazardous attempt. 108 — no C H A P. X. Makes a fecond vifit to Scotland, June 1742. iii The religious concern at Cambuflang, &c. 1 12 — I iS Mr. Whiteficld's account of it. — 119 — 122 5 Preaches CONTENTS. f- Preaches in many towns and villages of Scotland. Page 123 — 126 Is alarmed with accounts of the Spaniards landing in Georgia. — — 127 CHAP. XL His labours at London and Briftol, and in Glou- cefterfh ire and South Wales, 1743. 129 — 132 Continues to travel and preach through the coun- try in the months of November and December. The birth and death of his only child. — 134 Obtains a fentence againft certain rioters for abuf- ing the Methodifts. — — 135 Writes his letters to the Bifliops, and to the Rev. Mr. Church. — — 136 Is in danger of being murdered in bed at Ply- mouth. — — 1389139 CHAP. XII. Embarks the third time for America, Auguft 1744. — — — 141 Soon after his arrival is brought to the gates of deach. — — — 142 His reception at Boflon different from what it was formerly. — — — 144 Preaches to the officers and foldiers that went againft Cape Breton, 1745. — 147 Religious concern under the miniftry of Mr. Gil- bert Tennent, among the people of New Eng- land ; and of Mr. David Brainard among the Indians. — — 149, 150 In Virginia he is much weakened by a com- plication of difeafes j yet continues to preach as often as he could. — — 151 CHAP. 5f CONTENT Sf. CHAP. xiir. Goes to Bermudas for the recovery of his heahh, and his Journal there. P^ge 154 — 172 Takes {hipping for England, June 1748 — And when on board retires and correds his Journals. CHAP. XIV. On his arrival at London is fent for by Lady- Huntingdon to preach at her houfe. — 174. Several of the nobility defire to hear him. ibid. Makes a third vifit to Scotland. — 175 Debates concerning him in the Synod of Glafgow and Ayr. — — 176 — 178 Has thoughts of turning his Orphan -houfe into a College, if the Truftecs would put the Colony of Georgia upon a better footing. 179 Correfponds with Mr. Hervey. — 180,181 Is invited to Leeds by Mr. WcfiCy's focieties there. — — 182 Has an interview with Dr. Doddridge, Mr. Her- vey, &c. — — 185 Makes another vifit to Scotland, July 1750. 187 After returning to London is leized with a fever, and inflammation of the lungs. — 188 CHAP. XV. His firfl: vifit to Ireland, May 1751. 190 Returns from Ireland by Glafgow and Edinburgh. Particulars relating to his vifits in Scotland; in a note. — — 192 — 1.95 Embarks the fourth time for America, where he finds the Orphan-houfe affairs llourifliing. 196 Does CONTENTS. xi Does not ftay the iamnier feafon in America, on account of his health. — Page 19^ Is glad to find at his return to England, May* '' 1752, that Georgia was likely to be put upon a better tootig. — — - i^y Makes another vifit to Edinburgh and Glafgow. 198 Mr. Hervey and he revife each other*s manu- fcripts. — — • — • 200 Ereds a large new Tabernacle in London, and opens it. — — - 201 CHAP. »XVI. Preaches at Glafgow againfl: the Play-houfe there, 1753. — — • 204 His fuccefs at Newcaftle, Leeds, Oulney, &c. 205, 206 Opens the new Tabernacle at Brifliol. — 207 Haftens to London to pay his lad refpedts to Mr. John Wefiey, who was thought to be dy- ing, ibid. Is vifited by Mr. Tennent and Mr. Davies from America. — • — 208 March 1754, a fifth voyage to America, by Lifbon, where he flays fome weeks. — ibid. His reflections upon the Popifh proceflions, &c. 209, 210 Vifits the College of New Jerfey, and preaches feveral times before the Synod that met there. 211 Has fome thoughts of going to the Weft Indies. 212 Receives the agreeable news that a Governor wais nominated for Georgia, and his friend Mr. Ka- berflwm made Secretary, — ibid. Prejudices xii CONTENT S\ Prejudices againft him in New-England, Virginfa,- (^c. fubfided. — — Page 213 In fpring, 1755, returns to England, and rejoices to fee the number of evangelical minifters in- creafed. — — ibid. Opens the Tabernacle at Norwich. — 214 Preaches againft Popery and arbitrary power (the nation being threatened with an invafion). 215 Is obliged to be filent a few days in November by a fore throat, which threatened an inflammatory quinfey. — — — ibid» Meets with great oppofition, when preaching at Long-Acre Chapel, near the Play-houfes. ibid» His letters to the Bifhop of B' on thatoc- cafion. — — 216,217 May, 1756, he begins to build his Chapel in Tot- tenham-Court-Road. — 219 Makes another vifit to Scotland, where his ufeful- nefs is acknowledged by the friends of civil government. — - ?— ; 220 CHAP. xvir. In fpring, 1757, he again vifits Scotland, and preaches at Edinburgh during the time of the General Afiembly. — 223 Many minifters attend his fermons. — ibid. At Glafgow he makes a public colledion for the poor of that city. -~ — 224 From Glafgow goes a fecond time to Ireland, ibid. Narrowly efcapes being murdered by the Popifh rabble. — — — 225 After his return to London is brought very low by his extraordinary labours and thoughtful- nefs. — — 226 February, 1758, builds almflioufes for widows around his Chapel. — — ibid. Goes CONTENTS. xiii Goes again to Edinburgh, where his preaching is acknowledged, as formerly, to be ufeful to the community, in a civil as well as a religious light. — — Page 228 CHAP. XVIII. Summer, 1759, he makes another vifit to Edin- burgh. — — 230 Colleflions made at his fermons, for the benenc of the Orphan-hofpital in Edinburgh. ibid. Is ridiculed in a farce called the Minor. 232, 234 February 13, 1761, (the day of the public fail) colleds near 600 1. for the diilreft German Pro- teftants, and the fufFerers in Bofton. ibid. His health, which had long been bad, now grows worfe and worfe ; fo that he is quite laid afide from preaching for fome weeks. 235 In fpring, 1762, goes to Brillol, when his health is fo far reftored that he is able to preach four or five times a week. — — 237 When he returns to London, the cares and la- hours that throng upon him are ready to bring him low again. — — ibid. Goes a voyage to Holland. — — ibid. Vifits Scotland again in autumn 1762, and preaches every day. — — 238 Summer, 1763, embarks the fixth time for Ame- rica, at Greenock. — — 239 Is much pleafed with the converfation of feveral young minifters in America -, and with accounts of the (ludents at New-Jerfey College. ibid. Is forbid by the phyficians to go to Georgia, till he gets more flrength. — — ibid. While at New- York, during the winter, he finds prejudices ftrangely fubfided — 240 March %iv CONTENT S. March, 1764, preaches in the places round Boftori (the fmall-pox being in the town) and is de- lighted . with the fight of Mr. Wheelock's In- dians. — — Page 241 Returns from Bofton foiuhward through New- York, Philadelphia, Virginia, and Carolina, and arrives at the Orphan-houfe in December. 242,243 Profperous ftate of affairs there. — ilfid. judging that a College was much wanted iti Georgia, he returns to England, to apply for a charter, fummer lyO^. — — 245- Qpens Lady Huntingdon's Chapel at Bath. 246 CHAP. XIX. Invites Mr. Occum an Indian minifter to preach at Tottenham-Court Chapel. — 248 Preaches to a numerous company of the nobility at Bath, November 1766. — — 249 Ifllie of his negotiations about the intended Col- lege at Georgia, 06lober 1767. — ? 251 Makes a colleftion at the Taberr^acle for the So- ciety for promoting Religious Knowledge among the Poor. — • — 253 Summer, 1768, once more goes to Edinburgh. 254 Miflrefs WhiteBeld dies. — — ii>id. Pie opens Lady Huntingdon's Chapel in Wales. i/?id. Is in a very poor flate of health, yet (till conti- nues to preach. — — 255 Next fummer (1769) preaches more frequently. ibid. He opens Lady Huntingdon's Chapel at Tun- bridge. — — — 256 In CONTENTS. xt In September, embarks the feventh and laft time for America, r^ — Page 35^ CHAP. XX. pxtraels from his Journal before he left the Downs, 257 — 262 Is very happy to fee matters exceeding his moll fanguine expe6tations at the Orphan- houfe ; and the colony fo greatly increafed. - — 263 The Governor, Council, and AiTembly of Georgia, exprefs their gratitude to him as a benefaftor to the colony, in the molt refpe6lful terms. 263 — 265 piis health grows better j and he preaches almoll every day. — — — 265 Goes to the northern colonies to preach in the fummer feafon, and propofes to return to his Orphan-houfe in winter. — — 265 ^hile preaching daily in New-England, is taken very ill about the middle of September-, but being recovered continues in the fame courfe, and hopes to fee Georgia about Chriftmas. 268, 269. Dies at Newbury-Port, Sabbath morning, Septem- ber 30, 1770. -^ — . — . 270 |\/Ir. Smith's account of his death and funeral. 270—275 Reception of the news at London. -7- 276, 277 CHAP. XXI. Defcription of his perfon. — 279 Striking parts of his life and charafter, 280 — 291 Extrads from his Funeral Sermons preached in Ame- pca: — :by the Rev. Mr. Parfons of Newbury, Sep- m CONTENTS. September 30 ; with a letter, giving an account of the interment. — Page 292 — 301 Dr. Pemberton's of Boflon, 06t. ii, 302 — 310 Mr. Ellington's at Savannah, Nov. 11. 310 — 317 Extrafls from his Funeral Sermons preached in England : — by the Rev. Mr. D. Edwards, No- vember II. — — 317 — 321 Mr. John Wefley, November 18. 321 — 327 Mr. Venn, November 25. — 329 — 336 Reference to feveral others. — 2^/^. Extrafl from the Rev. Mr. Jofiah Smith's Sermon upon Mr. Whitefield, in 1740; to fhew the uniformity of his condudl from that early period of his miniftry till his death. — 339 — 341 Mr. Newton's manufcript Funeral Sermon. 341— 346 Conclufion referring to other Sermons. ibid. His Will. — — 347—355 Prefent fupply of Tabernacle and Chapel. 3 5 5, 357 M E i\l O I R S MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE O F T H E Rev. Mr. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, CHAP. I. From his Birlb, to his going to the Univerfity of Oxford, Anno 1732.' ■^ H I S eminent and pious fervant of Chrifi^ Mr. George Whitefield^ was born at Glottcefter^ on the fixteenth day of December ^ O. S. 1714. His father, Thomas Whitefield^ nephew of the Rev, Mr. Samuel JVhitefield of Rockhampton^ in Glou- cefierfnire (a), was firft bred to the employment of a (a) The Rev. Mr. Samuel Whitejield, great-grandfather of George^ was born at Wantage in Berkjhire^ and was redor of North Ledyard in Wiltjhire. He removed after- wards to Rockhampto)7. He had five daughters, two of whom were married to clergymen, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Lovingham : And two fons, Samuel, u^ho fucceeded his father in the cure of Rockhampton, and died without ilTue ; and Andreiv, who was a private gentleman, and lived retired upon his eftate. Andrew had fourteen chil- dren, of whom Tliomas was the ddeftj the father of Mr. George JVhitefield. B wine 5 Memoirs of the Life of U'ine merchant in Bi'ijlol ; but afterwards kept ail Inn in the city of Gloucejier. In Briftol he married JVliftrefs Elizabeth Edzvards, who was related to the Bhickivdls and the Dmours of that city ; by whom he had fix fons and one daughter f^j. Of thefe, Gecrge was the youngeft, who being be- reaved of his father, when only two years old, was regarded by his mother with a peculiar tendernefs, and educated with more than ordinary care. He was early under religious imprefiions; but the bent of his nature, and the general courfe of his younger years, as himfelf acknowledges C^j v/ith exprefiions of fliame and felf- condemnation, was of a very different kind. Between the years of twelve and fifteen, he made a good progrefs in the Latin Claflics, at the public fchool : and his eloquence began to appear, even at that early period, in the fpeeches which he delivered at the annual vifitations. It is probable the applaufe he received on thcfe occafions, con- (b) Elizabeth^ the daughter, was tv/ice reputably mar- ried at Brijlol. johrii ^^is fon, lies interred with the family in St. Mary Decrypt Church in Gloucejier. yofcph died an infant, Andrew fettled in trade at Brijlol, and died in the twenty-eighth year of his age. James was captain of a fliip, and died fuddenly at Bath. Thomas and i^/V/'^?v/ are ftill livins;. The father died December 1 716. The mother continued a widow feven years, and was then married to Mr. Longden., an ironmonc^er in Gloucejier, by whom flie had no ifuie. She died Decern' ber 1751, in the feventy-firft year of her age. (c) See the two firft parts of his Life at the beginning, ConfcfTions of a like nature, are to be found in the writings of St. AugujVin^ •j tributed. the Rev. Mr. George WhiteHeld. 3 tributed to his fondnefs for theatrical amufe- ments; From v/hence it has been infinuafed that he learned his oratory npon the ftage. This^ however, feems to have no other foundation, than his afting a part fometimes with his ftl- low-fcholars ; particularly, in certain dramatic performances prepared for them by their mafter : For that he was more indebted as an orator to nature, than to art of any kind, miifl be evident . to all perfons of difcernment who were acquainted with him. Such could not fail to obferve, than his eloquence was in a great mcafure the efieift of hi^-^genius, and proceeded chiefly from that pe- fcular affemblage of extraordinary talents witll Vv'hich God had endowed him, Notv/ithftanding this, it appears ftom his con- duil, that he either had not yet difcovered where his talents lay, or could not find means to qua- lify himfelf for entering into any profeflion where they might be properly exercifed : for when he was about fifteen years of age, he declined the purfuit of learning, and talked of getting an edu- cation that would better fit hihi for bufinefs. During this period, he ftill continued to refide with his mother j and as her circumftances were hot then lb eafy as before, he did not fcruple to affift her in the bufinefs of the tavern. But the i)revailing bent of his genius began now flrongly to difcover itfelf ^ for even in this unfavourable fituation he compofed feveral fermons, one of ivhich he dedicated to his eldefl; brother : And B 2 afcer 4 Memoirs of the Life of ^fter having vifited him at Brijlol^ he came home with a rtfolution to abandon his prelent em- ployment, and to turn his thoughts a different way. After this, being for fome time difengaged from every purfuir, and but poorly fupported out of his mother's fcanty fubfiftence, he was in no fmall danger of being utterly ruined by the in- fluence of his former companions : but it pleafed God to break the fnare, by filling him with an abhorrence of their evil deeds. About this time, the imprelTions of religion ben;an ao:ain to recover their influence in his breafl: : And when he was feventeen years of age he received the facrament of the Lord's Supper. He now became more and more watchful, both over his heart and converfation. He was fre- quently employed in fafl:ing and prayer •, fpent much of his time in reading books of devotion ; attended public worfliip twice every day ; and fo deeply was he engaged in thefe excrcifes, that his thoughts were confl;ant]y let on the great things of religion. CHAP. th Rtv. Mr, George Whltefield. CHAP. TI. Frcm the 'Time of his going to the Univerfity of Ox- ford, to his embarking for GQoroy^^ Anno 1737. WHEN Mr. Whitefeld arrived at eighteen, he was fcnt to the univerfity of Oxford^ where he was again expofed to the fociety of the wicked : But remembering his former danger and deUverance, by the grace of God, he refifbed all their folhcitations, and cultivated an acquaintance with the Mcthodiits, as the only peiibns that feemed to preferve a fenfe of religion, through the whole of their deportment. It would be going beyond our purpofe to give an account of the rife of Methodifm : For this, the reader is referred to the Rev. Mr. John PFeJtley\^ firfl Journal. But it may not be improper to notice the fpirit of the age, when it firfl appeared. At that time, ferious and practical chriftianity in England was in a very low condition •, fcriptural, experimental religion, (which in the laft century uled to be the fubjeft of the fermons and writings of the clergy) was become quite unfafliionable •, and the only thing infifted on was a defence of the cut-works of chriftianity againft the objeflions of infidels. What was the confequence .? The writ- ings of infidels multiplied every day, and infi- delity made a rapid progrefs among perfons of every rank, not becaufe they were realbned into B 3 it 6 Memoirs of the Life of it by the force of argument, but becaufe theyf were kept ftrangers to Chrifi and the power of the Gofpe]. We have a moft afieding defcription of this, by Bifhop Butler, whom none will fufpedt of exaggerating the fa6t : (d) " It is come, I know " not how, to be taken for granted, by many " perfons, that chriftianliy is not fo much as a fubjcrcl of inquiry; but that it is, now at length, difcovered to be fiftitious ; and ac- " cordingly they treat it, as if in the prefent age, *' this were an agreed point among all people of " difccrnment ; and nothing remained but to fet " it up as a principal fubjed of mirth and ridi- " cule ; as it were by way of repriials, for it's " having fo long interrupted the pleafures of the " world." Such was the ftate of religion in Eng- land, and Scotland was greedily fvvallowing down the poifon, when it pleafed God to raife up the Methodifts, as infiruments to revive his work in the midfb of abounding impiety, and to bring multitudes who had fcarcely a form of godli- ncfs, to experience it's quickening and renewing power. Happy was it for Mr. Whitefidd, that there was a Society of Methodifts, at that time, in Oxford -, but efpecially that he became acquainted with the Rev. Mr. Charles V/ejley, by whom he was treated with particular kindnefs. Such benefit did he re*- ^elve under his miniftry, that he always accounted {d) Preface to his Analogy, May 1736. the Rev. Mr. George WhltefieJd. 7 him his ipiricual father. And Mr. Wejley^ reci- procal afFedlion for him, ftands recorded in the verfes at the beginning of Mr. Wkitefidd's, fecond and third Journals. Like the other Method ids, Mr. WhiteficU now began to live by rule, and to improve every mo- ment of his time to the beft advantage. He re- ceived the communion every fabbath, vifited the fick, and the jail prifoners, and read to the poor. For daring to be thus fingularly religious, he loon incurred the difplcafure of his fel!ov/-fiudents, and felt the efFc(5ls of it in their unkind behaviour. In the mean time, he was greatly diftreffed with melancholy thoughts, which were augmented by cxcefTive bodily aufterities. And at laft, by read- ing, and perhaps mifunderftanding fome myflic writers, he was driven to imagine, that the beft method he could take, was to fhut him.fclf up in his ftudy, till he had perfeftly mortified .Jjis own will, and was enabled to do good without any mixture of corrupt motives. He likewife ima- gined, that he mud relinquilli external duties, and public worlhip, and laftly, (which was no fmall trial and affli6tion to him) that he mud deny him- felf the pleafure of converfing with his religious friends. In this pitiable Hate of mind, Mr. Charles ' IVeflky found him one day, v/hen he went to lee him J apprized him of his danger, if he perfifted in that way of life, and recommended to him his brother as a perlbn of greater experience ; who res.dily gave him, from time to time, his friendly B 4 advice. 8 Memoirs of the Life of advice. Soon after this, however, he carried his abltinence and failing to fuch an extreme, that his body was fo emaciated, and feeble, that he could hardly walk up flairs. His tutor therefore thought proper to call a phyfician, and it appeared by the event, he had rightly judged in doing fo : for it pleafed God to make the phyfician's care and medicines fuccefsful to his recovery. His bodily health being reftored, his foul was likewife filled with peace and joy in believing on the Son of God. This joy was fo great for fome time, that go where he would, he could not help praifing God continually in his heart, and with fome difficulty reftrained himfelf from doing it aloud. As he was urged to go into the country for confirming his health, he returned to his na- tive air at Glciicejier, where (his mind being now happily enlightened) he preferred the facred writ- ings to all other books, and read them v/ith con- ftant prayer -, in which exercife he found unfpeak- able delight and benefit. But inclination con- fpired with duty, to hinder him from confining his religion to himfelf: Havino- a heart formed for focicty and friendfhip, he could not think of iliutting himfelf up in his clofet ; but made it his bufinefs to converfe with young perfons, about his own time of life, in order to awaken them to a fenfe of religion. God was pleafed foon to give fuccefs to his endeavours this way -, for feve- ral of them joined with him, and notwithllanding the contempt they knew it would bring upon them, the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 9 them, met together from time to time for religi- ous exercifes. He ahb there read to fome poor people in the town, twice or thrice a week, and read and prayed with the prilbners in the county gaol every day. Being now about twenty-one years of age, he was fent for by Doftor Benjon^ Bifliop of Glou- cejier\ who told him, That though he had pur- pofed to ordain none under three-and-twenty, yet he fhould reckon it his duty to ordain him when- ever he applied. Upon which, at the earnell per- fuafion of his friends, he prepared for taking orders. His behaviour on this occafion was very exem- plary. He firft ftudied the Thirty-nine Articles,, that he might be fatisfied of their being agreeable to Scripture. Then, he examined himfelf by the qualifications of a minifter mentioned in the New Teftament, and by the queftions that he knew were to be put to him at his ordination. On the Saturday^ he was much in prayer for himfelf and thofe who were to be ordained with him. On the morning of his ordination, (which was at Gloii- cejter^ Sunday^ June 20, 1736) he rofe early, and again read, with prayer, St. Faul\ Epiftles to Timothy^ and after his ordination, went to the Lord's Table. The Sunday following, he preached his Sermon on The NeccJfUy and Benefit of Religious Society^ to a very crowded auditory ; and that fam.e week he fet out for Oxford^ whither he inclined to go, 5 rather 10 Mcvioirs of the L{fe of rather than to the pariQi which the Billiop would' have given iihi-) ; becaufe it was the place where he might befl; profecute his ftudies, and where he hoped his labours might be moft uleful (e). Soon after this, he was invited to officiate at the chapel ot the Tower of London. The firil time he preached in London^ was Auguji 1736, at ^ifJiopf- ^ate Church. Having a very young look, the people were liirpriled at his appearance, and feem- s Life of From Briftol he went to Glciicejler^ and preaclKiJ to a very crowded auditory ; and after (laying a feW days went on to Oxford^ where he had an agreeable interview with the other Methodifls, and came to London about the end of Aiigiijl. Here he was invited to preach and afiift in ad- miniftering the facrament in a great many churches. The congregations continually increafed •, and ge- nerally on the Lord's-days, he ufed to preach four times to very large and very much affected audi- tories, and to walk ten or twelve miles in going to the different churches. His friends began to be afraid he would hurt himfelf: but he ufed to fay, " He found, by experience, the more he did, the more he might do for God.'* His name was now put into the nevv's-papers^ (though without his confent or knowledge) as a young gentleman going volunteer to Georgia^ who was to preach before the focieties at their general quarterly meeting. This ftirred up the people*s cu- riofity more and more. He preached on that oc- cafion, his fermon on Early Piety, which was printed at the requcft of the focieties. After this, for near three months fucceflively, there was no end of people's flocking to hear him, and the ma- nagers of the charity-fchools were continually ap- plying to him to preach {h) for the benefit of the children ; for that purpofe they procured the li- berty of the churches on other days of the week (/;) See Letter XXVIII. befides the Rev. Mr. George Whitci^eld. i ^ befides the Lord's-day ; and yet thoulands went away from the largeft churches, not being able to get in. The congregations were all attention, and kerned to hear as for eternity. He preached ge- nerally nine times a week, and often adminiftered the iacrament early on the Lord's-day morning, v^hen you might fee the (Ireets filled with people going to church with lanthorns in their hands, and hear them converfino- about the things of God. As his popularity increafed, oppofition increafed '^^ proportionably. Some of the clergy became angry; two of them lent for him, and told him^ they would not let him preach in their pulpits any more, unlefs he renounced that part of the preface of his fermon on Rege-neration, (lately publiflied) wherein he wilhed " that his brethren would entertain " their auditories oftener with difcourfes upon the " new-birth." Probably fome of them were ir- ritated the more, by his free converfation with many of the ferious Difienters, who invited him to their houfes, and repeatedly told him, " That " if the doftrines of the new-birth, and juftifica- ^ *' tion by faith, were preached powerfully in the j " churches, there would be few Diffenters in Eng- " land." Nor was he without oppofition even from fome of his friends. But under thefe difcourage- ments, he had great comfort in meeting every evenii\g with a band of religious intimates, to fpend an hour in prayer, for the advancement of the gofpel, and for all their acquaintance, fo far as they knew their circumftances. In this he had un- common. 1 6 Memoirs of the Life of common fatisfaftion : once he fpcnt a whole night with them in prayer and praife ; and fometimes at midnight, after he had been quite wearied with the labours of the day, he found his flrength re- newed in this exercife, which made him compole his fermon upon htercejjion. The nearer the time of his embarkation ap- proached, the more afFeflionate and eager the peo- ple grew. Thoufands and thoufands of prayers were put up for him. They would run and flop him in the alleys of the churches, and follow him with wifhful looks. But above all, it was hardeft for him to part with his weeping friends at St. Dun- Jla7i% where he helped to adminifter the facrament to them, after fpending the night before in prayer: This parting was to him aimoft infupportable. CHAP. the Rev, Mr. George Wliitefield. 17 CHAP. III. from the Time of his embarking for Georgia, to Hi re-emharkipg for England, 1738. IN the latter end of Beremher^ ^IZIt ^^^ em- barked for Georgia, (i) This was to him a^ new, and at firft appearance, a very unpromifing fcene. The fhip was full of foldiers, and there were near twenty women among them. The cap- tains, both of the foldiers and failors, with the fur- geon, and a young cadet, gave him foon to under- ftand, that they looked upon him as an impoftori and for a while treated him as fuch. The firft Lord*s-day, one of them played on the hautboy, and nothing was to be feen but cards, and little heard, but curfing and blafphemy. This was a very difagreeable fituation ; but it is worth while to obferve, with what prudence he was helped to behave among them, and how God was pleafed to blefs his patient and perfevering endeavours to do them good. He began with the officers in the cabin, in the "Way of mild and gentle reproof j but this had lil- (;) Here begins a manufcript of Mr. TFIntefeWs, from ■which feveral paflages are taken in the following ac- counr. It is referred to by M. S. C tic i8 Memoirs of the Life of tie eued {k). He therefore tried what might be done between decks, among the foldiers. And though the place was not very commodious, he read prayers and expounded twice a day. At firit he could not fee any fruit of his labour, yet it was encouraging to find it fo kindly received by his new red-coat parifhioners, (as he calls them) many of whom lubmittcd chearfully to be catechifed about the leiTons they had heard expounded. In this fituation things continued for feme time. But all this while, he had no place for retirement, and there was no divine fervice in the great cabin, both which he greatly defired. At lad he obtained his wifh : one day finding the fliip captain a little inclined to favour him, he alked him to fufter him now and then to retire into the round-houfe, where the captain flept, and offered him money for the loan ot it. The captain would not take the mo- ney, but readily granted his requeft. Soon after- wards, the military captain, having invited him to a dilh of cofi^ee, he took the liberty to tell him, *' That though he was a volunteer on board, yet " as he was on board, he looked upon himfelf as *' his chaplain, and as fuch, iie thought it a little *' odd, to pray and preach to the fervants, and {k) *' I could do no more for a feafbn, than whilft I *' was writing, now and then turn my head by v^-ay ot *' reproof, to a Lieutenant of the foldiers, who fwore as " though he was born of a fwearing conftitution. Now '* and then, he would take the hint, return my n«*d *' with a, * Doctor, 1 aik your pardon,' and then to hU " cards and fwearing again." M.S. 7 " not the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. i ^ '* not to the mafter ;" and added withal, " That *" if he thought proper, he would make ufe of a *' fhort colle6t now and then, to him, and the *' other aentlemen in the great cabin." Aftef paufing a while, and fhaking his head, he an- fwered, ** I think we may, when we have nothing *' elfe to do." This aukward hint was all he got for the prefent ; yet he was encouraged thereby to hope, that the defired point would be foon gained. They were detained in the Dczvns, by contrary winds, for near a month j the foldiers on board became by this time more and more civilized, and the people at Deal heard him gladly. There he preached thrice, at the invitation of the minifters, and often expounded in the houfe where he lodged. This work was very delightful to him ; but he was fuddenly called away by a fair wind, about the end of J cmuary, 1738, juft after he had preached in Upper-Deal church. Being returned to the fhip, he began to comfort himfelf with fome promifing appearances of doing oood in the great cabin. As he had no better place, he generally every night retired with his friend Mr. HaherJJiam, and his brother, and two fervants, behind the round-houfe, for prayer and other religious exercifes. Sometimes, he per- ceived Captain IVhiting was hearkening within. One day, finding on the Captain's pillow the Inde- 'pendent Whig, he exchanged it for a book entitled, '^he Self'Dscdver, Next morning the Captain C-2 came 20 Memoirs of the Life of came rmiling, and enquired who made that ex- change •, Mr. IVhitefield confeflcd the charge, and begged his acceptance of the book, which he faid he had read, and liked very well. From thence- forward, a vifible akeration was leen in him. The other Captain ahb, about the fame time, met him as he was coming 'from between decks, and de-^- fired, " that they might have public krvice and " expounding twice a-day in the great cabin." In about a fortnight, they reached Gibraltar^ ■whither they were bound to t ke in fome more foldiers. There, one Major Sinclair had been fo kind as to provide a lodging for him unafked, who, with the other military gentlemen, even Go- vernor Sabine^ and general Columbine^ received him moft courteoufly. Being apprehenfive, that at a public military table, he might be more than hof- pitably entertained, by way of prevention, he begged leave to remind his Excellency of an ob- fervation made in the book of EJiber^ on the court of the great Abafueriis, " That none did ** compel.'* He took the hint, and gentecly re- plied, ''• That no compulfion of any kind fhould " be ufed at his table." And every thing was carried on with great decorum. The officers at- tended at public worfliip with order and gravity ; the minifters alfo behaved with great civility -, and all concurred to give him invitations to preach, which he did twice or thrice in the week j (/) and ia (/} " Strange and unufual v/as the fccne, both widi *' rcTpecl to the place aad people. The adj.iccnt pro- " montorits, the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 21 In tlie evenings and mornings, when not on board, he expounded, converred and prayed with a reH- gious lociety of foldiers, who had liberty from the Governor to aflemble at any time in the church. His evening expofitions were attended, not only by the foldiers, but by officers, minifters and towns-people-, and from all that could be judged, his labours were not without the divine blef- fing. Finding another focicty of religious foldiers there, belonging to the Church of Scotland^ he fent them, as well as the former, fome proper books, talked with leveral of them, and endea- voured to unite both focieties together-, urging oa them the necefTicy of a catholic, difinterefted love, and of joining in prayer for the advancement of the kingdom of Chriji. This exhortation alfo, by the blefTing of God, had a good effcft -, and two or three of the latter fociety being draughted out for Georgia, defired leave to go in the fhip with Mr. Whitefield, which was readily allowed them. Before the embarkation of the foldiers, by the General's confent, he crave them a oartino- difcourfe in the church. And after embarkation, from time to time, as the weather permitted, he preached to *' montories, and the largenefs of the rock of Gibraltar^ *' helped me to enlarge my ideas of Him, who in his " Jirength Jctteth fajl the mountaim, and is girded about with " power. And ttie place being, as it were, a public *' rendezvous of all nations, 1 thought I faw the world " in epitome." M. S. C 2 them 22 Memoirs of the Life of them on board their refpeflive fliips (;;;). Colonel Cochran^ who commanded, was extremely civil : and foon after their fetting fail, there was fuch a change upon Captain Mackay, that he defired Mr. lVhit&^ Jistd would not give himfelf the trouble of ex;- pounding and praying in the cabin, and between decks i for he v/ould order a drum to be beat morning and evening, and himfelf would attend with the foldiers on the deck. This produced ? very agreeable alteration •, they were now as regular as in a church. Mr. V/hitejiM preached with ^ captain on each fide of him, and foldiers all around -, and the tv/o other Qups companies, being now in the trade winds, drew near, and joined in the woriliip of God. The great cabin was now become a 5^/i?^/ ; both Captains were daily more and more affedcd -, and a crucified Saviour, and the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, were the ufual topics of their convcrfation. Once, gfter public fermon, Captain Mackay defired the foldiers to fi:op, whilft he informed them, that to his o;reat fliame, he had been a notorious fwearer himfelf, but by the inftrurnentality of that gentler man, pointing to Mr, Whitcfield^ he had now left it off, and exhorted them, for Chriji\ fake, thai; they would go and do likewife. The children {m) Ke not only preached to them ; but gave them notice, that he intended fpcaking to them, one by one, to fee what ace nint they could give of their faith. — Ibid* At this time he began his " Ohfervations on fe]e£i Paf- ** fagcs of Scripture turned into Catechetical Queftions," printed in Vol. IV. pf his Works. were the Rev. Mr. George Whiteiield. 23 were catechifed -, there was a reformation through- out the whole foldiery. The women cried, " What " a change in our Captain." The bad books and packs of cards, which Mr. li^hitr^Jield exchanged for bibles, and other religious books, (abundance of which were given him to difperfe by the Society for promoting Cbrijiian Knowledge) were now thrown over board ; and a fever, that prevailed in general through the whole fhip, helped to make the im- prefTions fink deeper. For many days and nights, he vifited betwixt twenty and thirty fick perfons, crawling between decks upon his knees, admin- iftring medicines or cordials to them, and fuch advice as feemed fuitable to their circumftances. The failors did not efcape the fever ; Captain Whiting gladly went with them to vifit them. One of them in particular, who had been a moil noto- rious fcofFer, fent fo4* him in a bitter agony, crying cut upon and lamenting his wicked life. The Cadet, who was a cabin pafTenger, being alio feized, was wounded deeply, told Mr. Whitefield the hiftory of his life, and informed Captain Mackay of his defire to leave the army, and to return to his original intention (having had an univerfity education) of devoting himfelf to the fervice of the church of God. Mr. TVhitefield him- felf was alfo feized, but by the bleffing of God, he foon recovered, and was flrong enough, in about a week, to come out to the burial of the Cook of the fhip, who had boafted, " That he *' would be wicked till two years before he died, ". C 4 *' and 24- Memoirs of the Life of *' and then he would be good." But he was fud- denly taken ill, and died in about fix hours («); It was the beginning of May, when they drew near to land. After preaching his farewell-fer- n:!on, he arrived at the parfonage-houfe at Savannaby May 7, 1738, about four months after his firil embarkation at Beptfcrd. Upon this voyage (many years after) he made the following refiedion : " A long, and, I truft, " not altogether unprofitable voyage. Vv^hat fliall " I render to the Lord for all his mercies ? Be- " fides being ftrengthened to go through my pub- ** lie work, I was enabled to write letters, and compofe fermons, as though 1 had been on land. Even at this diftance of time, the re- membrance of the happy hours I enjoyed in re- ligious exercifes on the deck, is refrelhing to my foul. And though nature fometimes relented at being taken from my friends, and little un- ufual inconvenicncies of a fea-life ; yet, a con- fcioufnefs that I had in view the glory of God, (C t( ) of the great necefTity and promifing (/>) ** It was firft propofed to me by my dear friend ** Mr. Charles JVejley^ who, wiih General Ogkthorpty had ** concerted a fchenne for carry iivi, on fach a defign, be- ** fore I had any thoughts of going abroad myfelf.'* Vol. III. p. 463, 7 «* utility (( (C 26 •' Memoirs of tJje Life of " utiliiy of a future orplian-houfe, which I now *' determined, by the divine aflidance, to fet about ** in earned. The Saltzburghers at Ebenezer^ I " found had one -, and having heard and read of , ** what ProfclTor Franck had done in that way in " Germany^ 1 confidently hoped that fomething of *'^ the like nature might be owned, and fucceeded " in Gtiorgia. Many poor orphans were there al- " ready, and the number was likely foon to in- *' creafe. " As opportunity offered, I vifited Frederica, and " the adjacent villages, and often admired, con- ♦•• fidering the circumftances and difpofuion of the *' firft fettlers, that fo much was really done. "The Tettlers were chiefly broken and decayed •* tradelmen trom London and other parts of E?7g- ** land; and feveral Scotch adventurers; fome *> highlanders, who had a worthy mimfter^ named *' Madecd 'y a few Moravians-, and the ■SalfZ' *' bttrgherSy who were by far the moil induftrious •' of the whole. With the worthy minifters of '* Ebemzer^ MefiTrs. Grenrra) and Boltzius^ I con-' *^' trafted an intimacy. Many praying people *'■ were in the cong-recation, which, with the con- fideration that fo many charitable people in Eng' land had been ftirred up to contribute to Georgia^ *' and fuch faithful labourers as MelTrs. JVeJleyi *' and Ingham had been fent, gave me great hopes>, " that, unpromifmg as the afpe^l at prefent might " be, the colony might emerge in time out of its *• infant ftate. Some fmall advances Mr. Ingham *' had if. II cc cc cc f/6f i^f-u, Mr. George Whitefield. 27 -** had made towards converting the Indians, who " were at a fmall fettlement about four miles from *' Savannah. He went and lived among them for a few months, and began to compofe an Indian grammar ; but he was foon called away to Eng- land \ and the Indians (who were only fome run-away Creeks) were in a few years fcattered or dead. Mr. Charles JVcJIey had chiefly ailed as fecretary to General Oglethorpe, but he foon *' alfo went to England to engage more labourers ; and not long after, his brother, Mr. John lVeJle.)\ having met with unworthy treatment, both at '' Frederica and Georgia^ foon followed. All this " I was apprized of, but think it moft prudent ♦' not to repeat grievances. Through divine *' mercy, I met v/ith refpedtful treatment from *' magiftrates, officers, and people. The firil I '' vifited now and then, the others, befides preach- *■ ing twice a day, and four times of a Lord's-day, ^' I vifited from houfe to houfe : I was, in general, *' moft cordially received ; but from time to time ^' found, that ' Ccehim non aimnmn tnutant^ qui *' trans m^re currtint ;' Though lowered in their ** circumftances, a fenle of what they formerly *' were in their native countrv, remained. It was *' plain to be feen, that coming over was not lb " much out of choice, as conftraint : choofincr ra-' ** ther to be poor in an unknown country abroad,'/ " than beholden to relations, or live among thofe •* who knew them in more affluent circumftanccs ** at homco Atnong fome of thefe, the event *' how- 2^ Memoirs of the Life of " however, proved, that the word took effe<5l-ua! *' root, I was Feally happy in my little foreign •* cure, and could have cheerfully remained among " them, had 1 not been obliged to return to " England^ to receive prieft's orders, and make a •* beginning towards laying a foundation to the " Orphan-honfe.-— And thus the place I intended " to hide myfelf in, becime, through my beino- *' obliged to return for thefe purpofes, a means " of increafmg that popularity which was already " begun, but which by ms was sbfolutely un- *' foreieen, and as abfolute Iv undefigned (^).*' About the middle oi A.gujl^ having fettled one that came v/ith him as fchoolmafter in a neigh* bouring village, and left his friend Mr. HaberJJmm zt Savannah^ after an affedionate parting with his flock, he let out for Charlefiown, in Sotuh' Carolina. Here he paid hfs firft vifit to Commiflary Gar- den, and at his entreaty preached the next Sunday morning and evening, in a grand church refem- bling one of the new churches in London. The inhabitants feemed at his firfl coming up to de- fpife his youth -, but their countenances were altered before worfliip was over. Mr. Gardett (q) " During my ftay there, the weather was moft •' intenfely hot, fometimes burning me almoft through *' my fhoes. Seeing others do it who were as unable, *' I determined to enure myfelf to hardinefs, by lying *' conftantly on the ground ; which bv ufc, 1 found to ** be fo far from bemg a hardfliip, that afterwards it " became fo, to lie on a bed." M. S. thanked the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 29 thanked him moil cordially, and apprized him of the ill treatment Mr. lV(/ley had met with in Georgia!, and afllired him, that were the lame arbitrary proceedings to commence againft him, he would defend him with his life and fortune. He alio faid fomething about the colony of Georgia that much encouraged him, as if he thought its fiou- rifhing was not very far off -, and that Cbarkficwn ■was fifteen times bigger now, than when he (Mr. Garden) firfl came there. CHAP. 30 Memoirs of the Life oj C H A P. IV^. From his emlarking ai Charledown for London^ to his preaching firft in Moorfidlds, 1739. riEP'TEMBER 6, 1738, Mr, mJiffeU em- ^ barked in a fliip bound from Charles-Town id London. They had a very uncomfortable palTage* For near a fortnight, they were beat about not far from the bar •, they were foon reduced to an allowance of water; and the fhip itfelf was quite out of repair. They were alfo very poorly off for provifions. When they were about a third part of their palTage, they met with a Jamaica man who had plenty of every thing. He fent for Mr. Whitefield on board, and offered him a moft com- modious birth ; but he did not think it right to leave his fhip-mates in dillrefs, and therefore re- turned to his own fhip, with fuch things as they were pleafed to give him. The remaining pare of the voyage was flill more perilous. The only thing comfortable, was, that in the midft of thefc trials, deep imprefTions were made on fome that were on board. All conftantly attended public worfhip twice, and fome thrice a day. Once the Captain cried out, " Lord, break this hard heart " of mine." Ochers were imprciTed : particular- the Rev. Mr. George WhIteBeld. 3 r 2y one Captain Gladman^ a paflenger, on whom a great change was wrought, and afterwards, at his own earned requeft, became Mr. V/hitefieU\ fel- low-traveller. At length, after nine weeks toffing and beating to and fro, they found themfclves in Limerick harbour (r). At Limerick^ Bifhop Burfcough received him very kindly, and engaged him to preach in the cathedral, the good effefts of which he heard of many years after. From thence he went to Duh- hn, where he preached, and was courteoufly re- ceived by Dr. Delany, Bifliop Rundsl^ and Arch- bifhop Bclton, who had heard of him from a gen- tleman of Gibraltar. And after a paflage of twenty-four hours from Dublin, he arrived at Park-gate, 'Thurfday, November 30, preached twice on the Lord's-day at Manchejier, and came 10 London the Friday following, December 8. Here, he had a conference with the Moravian brethren, who were lately come to London ; and tho' he could not diredly fall in with theJr way of expreffing themfclves, yet he heartily agreed with them in the old Proteftant Doftrine of Juftification in the fight of God, by Faith alone in the im- puted righteoufnefs of Chrifi \ and was not a little {r) ** I wifh I could never forget what I felt, when *' water, and other provifmns, were brought us from '* afhorc. One Mr. Mac Mahon, a country gentleman, *' came from his feat at midnight, on purpofc to relieve ** us, and moft kindly invited me, tho' unknown, \o *' his houfe, to flay as long as. I pleafed." M. S. and Journals, ' deljf^hted 3 2 Memoirs of the Life of delighted to find a o-reat increafe of the work of God, both as to light and love, dodrine and practice, through the inftrumentality of Mr, Charles, and efpecially of Mr. John PFefley. Some of the clergy now began to fliew their difpleafure more and more ; fo that in two days time, five churches were denied him. And tho' the ArchbiQiop of Canierbury, and the Bifhop of Londot, both received him civilly, it was but coldly : And the latter enquired, " Whether his " Journals were not a little tinctured with enthu- fiafm ? " He replied. That they were written only for himfelf, and private friends, and were pub- lilhed entirely without his confent, or knowledge, or io much as his confent being afked at all (s). The {s) It was certainly wrong to publifh them, without his confent and revifal ; otherwife, the publication of them was a very proper way to prevent the mifreprefen- tatlon of fafts, either by calumny and detrailion on the one hand, or by exaggeration on the other. And it is a. great pity he did not continue them. They would have been the beft poflible memoirs of his life. But we fee how the offence given by, or taken at, fome paflages, might help to determine him " to proceed (as he after- *' wards fays) in a more compendious way." The Journals were, indeed, moftly written amidft his incef- fant labours in preaching, travelling, and writing a mul- titude of letters. And the whole was told with that unguarded fimplicity, which tho' it charms the candid, and difpofes them to forgive or overlook many things, yet gives frequent handle to the critical and fevere. It muft alfo be owned, that his unfufpecting honefly made him fometimes receive, with too little caution, the charadlcrs of perfons and focieties, from thofe whom he Jook to be friends of religion, and who, perhaps, were really the Rev. Mr. George Whltefield. 33 The Truftees for the Colony of Georgia received him more cordially, y/ere pleafed to exprefs their fatisfadion at the accounts fent them of his con- du6l, during his flay in the Colony •, and being requefted, by letters fent unknown to him, from the Magiftrates and Inhabitants, they mofl: wil- lingly prefented him to the Living of Savannah^ (though he infilled upon having no falary) and as readily granted him five hundred acres of land, whereon to erefl an Orphan- houfe ; to collect money for which, together \ni\\ taking Priefl's Orders, were the chief motives of his returning to England fo foon. Near a month elapfed, before a board fat to make him thefe returns. But during that inter^ val, he was not idle. He and his brethren went really fo, but v-^ere miiinformed. Being therefore con- vinced, upon fecond thoughts, that both his Journals, and the two firft parts of his Life, needed correction, he promifed a new edition of them, which he according- ly publifhed in 1756. And in the preface he ingenu- oufly acknowledges, that upon a review, he had found " many miftakes, (which are now redlified) and many " paflagcs that were juftly exceptionable" (which are now erafed.) And in a note, upon September 24, 174O, he fays, " In my former Journal, taking things by *' hearfay too much, I fpoke and wrote too rafhly, both *' of the Colleo;es and Minifters of New En^/und ; for " which, as I have aheady done when at Bo/ion lad, *' from the pulpit, I take this opportunity of afKing *' public pardon from the prefs. It was rafli and un- '< charitable, and though well-meant, I fear, did hurt." But thefe corrections, while they fhew the author's can- dour and humility, do not afFedt the hiftory of his extra- ordinary labours and fuccefs in the work of the Gofpel. D on 34 Memoirs of the Life of on in their ul'ual courfe, taking hold of every op- portunity of doing good, and preaching occafion- ally as churches were allowed them (/). And tho* the church-wardens and clergy were averfe, yet the common people were rather more eager than ever: But what furprized him rnoft was, to fee many of the heads and members of the Lo«- <^(?« Societies, (who, by the accounts given by Dr. Woodward and Horneck (ti)^ he tho'ught were found- ed on a good bottom) make fuch virulent oppo- fition. However, numbers of them were of ano- ther mind, and other Societies were foon formed in various parts of the town. A large room in Fetter-lane was the general place of rendezvous, where they had frequent meetings, and great fatis- fadion in focial prayer (x). At the fame time, in the churches that were open, the people crowded, and were affected more than ever. And he and his brethren were fo much engaged, that for fome (t) " God gave us a rnoft pleafant Gcfpel Chrijlmas " feafon, and fuch a happy beginning of a New Year, " as I had never feen before." M. S. (ttj See Dr. IVoodvoanV?, Account of the Rife and Pro- grefs of the Religious Societies in the City of Londoriy (x) ^ It was a Pentecoft feafon indeed. Some times * whole nights were fpent in prayer. Often have we * been filled as with new wine. And often have I feen ' them overwhelmed with the Divine Prefence, and cry- * out, " Will God, indeed, dwell with men upon " earth ! How dreadful is this place ! This is no other '* than the houfe of God, and the gate of Heaven ! " M.S. days the Rev. Mr. George Whltefield. 3^ days he could walk, and preach, and vifit Socie- ties with very little fleep, and religious exercifes leemed to be their meat and drink. Joiiuary 11, 1739, he let out for Oxford^ to receive Prieu's Orders from his good friend Bifhop Bcnfan^ which he did the next Lord's-day j and having preached and adminiftred the Sacra- ment at the Caftle, and preached again in the after- noon, to a crowded congregation, he returned to London, January 15. As he had colieded fo much for the Charity- Ichoois laft year, he reafonably fuppofed that the pulpits would not be denied him for the ufe of the Georgia Orphan-houfe this year. But the re- ligious concern advancing, and fpreading more and more, oppofition alfo increafed. A pamphlet was publilhed againft his fermon, On Regeneration, Several Clergymen made ftrong objeftions againft him and his brethren, for expounding in focieties j and fome people were threatened with profecution by their parifh minifters, for fuffcring them to ex- pound in their houfes. Yet this did not difcourage either preachers or hearers. The more they were oppofed, the more they were ftrengthened. New awakenings were heard of in various parts ^ and, " What fiiall I do to be faved ? '* was the re- peated queltion of every day. All the pulpits were not as yet fhut up : Two or three churches v/ere allowed him to preach in, and to colle6l for the Ge-^jr^m Orphans, and for ereding a church for the \>oov Salt zburghers at D 2 Kbenezer, 2 6 Memoirs of the Life of Ebcnezer. One Mr. Broiighton behaved nobly on this occafion. Application being made to him, to deny Mr. JVhitejieid his pulpit, he anfwered, " Having got the Ledurelhip of St. Helen's by *' Mr. JVhitefield's influence •, if he in fids upon " it, he Ihall have my pulpit." Mr. JVhitejieid did infifl: upon ir, but (Mr. Broiighton lofing the Lec- tureOiip) he afterwards blamed himfelf much for his condu6l. In Brijiol he had tTie ufe of the churches for two or three Sundays, but foon found they would not be open very long. The Dean was not at home : The Chancellor threatened to filence and fufpend him. In about a fortnight every door was fhut, except Newgate, where he preached, and collected for the poor prifoners, and where people thronged, and were much imprefled ; but this place, alfo, was foon Ihut againll him, by orders from the Mayor. Before his firfl: embarkation for Georgia ^ when he talked of going abroad, numbers in Brijlol iifed to reply, " What need of going abroad ? " Have we not Indians enough at home.^ If you have a mind to convert Indians, there are colliers enough in Kingfwcod. And before he left London^ chilli preaching at Bermondfey Church, and feeing ib many thoufands that could not come in, he had a ftrong inclination to go out and preach to them (though he then ufed notes) upon one of the tomb- ftones in the church-yard. And this he mention- ed to fome friends, who looked upon the motion, 5 at the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. " 37 at firfl:, very unfavourably ; yet were willing to take it into farth^'r confideration. At Brijiol he thought he had a clear call to try this method. The coll.crs, he had heard, were very rude, and very numerous •, fo uncultivated, that no body . cared to go aroong them -, neither had they any ^ place of worfhip ; and often, when provoked, X. they were a terror to the whole city of BriJlol. He therefore looked upon the civilizing of thefc people ; and much more, the bringing of them to the profeffion and praftice of chriftianity, as a mat- ter of great importance (y). After much prayer, and many ftruggles with himfelf, he one day went to Hannam Mount, and ftanding upon a hill, be- gan to preach to about a hundred colliers, upon Matt. V. I, 2, 3. This foon took air. At the fecond and third time the numbers greatly in- creafed, till the congregation, at a moderate com- putation, amounted to near twenty thoufand. But with what gladnefs and eagernefs, many of thefe defpifed outcafts, who had never been in a church in their lives, received the word, is above defcription. " Having (as he writes) no righte- " Gufnefs of their own to renounce, they were " glad to hear of a Jeftis who was a friend to pub- '^ «•' licans, and came not to call the righteous, but " finners to repentance. The firft difcovery of (y) *' I thought it might be doing the fervice of my *' Creator, who had a mountain for his pulpit, and the " heavens for his founding board ; and who, when his Gofpel v/as refufed by the Jews^ fent his fervanw huo the highways and hedges." M. S. D 3 '• their 38 Memoirs of the Life of " thei'r beino; affedled, was to fee the white sut- " ters made by their tears, which plentifully fell *' down their black cheeks, as they came out of " their coal pits. Hundreds and hundreds of *' them were foon brought under deep con- *' victions, which (as the event proved) hap- ** pily ended in a found and thorough conver- *' fion. The change was vifible to ail, though. " numbers chofe to impute it to any thing, rather *' than the finger of God. As the fcene was " quite new, and I had juft began to be an ex- *' tempore preacher, it often occafioncd many in- " ward confliifts. Sometimes, when twenty thou- " fand people were before me, I had not, in my " own appreheniion, a word to iay, either to " God or them. But I was never totally defert^ *' ed, and frequently (for to deny it would be " lying againil God) fo affifted, that I knew by " happy experience, what our Lord meant by " faying, ' out of his belly fhall flow rivers of " living water.' The open firmament above me, " the profped; of the adjacent fields, with the " fight g[ thoufands and thoufands, fome i.^i *' coaches, fome on horfeback, and fbme in the *'• trees, and at times all affe6led and drenched in " tears together, to which fometimes was addecj *' the fblemnity of the approaching evening^ " was almiOft too much for, and quite overcame ^' mef;?;." Befides the colliers, and thoulands from neigh- bouring villages, perfons of all ranks .flocked (z) Tvl, S. daily the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 39 daily out of BriJioL And he was foon invited to preach, by fome of the better fort, in a large bowling-green in the city itfelf. Many indeed fnef^rcd, to fee a ftripling, with a gown, mount a table, upon what they called unconfecrated ground. And for once, or twice, it excited the contempt and laughter of the higher rank, who formerly were his admirers, when he preached in the churches. But God enabled him to fland the laugh, and to preach the Gofpel of Chrifi with earnednefs and conftancy ; and was pleafed to at- tend it with his bleffing. From all quarters, people flocked under great concern about their fouls. Sometimes he was employed almoil from mornino; to nio-ht, p-iving- anfwer to thofe who ' came in great diftrefs, crying out, "^ What fhall " we do to be faved ? " More affiflance was wanted ; he therefore wrote to Mr. John Wejley^ who had never yet been at Brijiol^ and having re- ceived a favourable anfwer, recommended him and his brother, in the llrongPit manner, to the people, and earneftly prayed that the laft might be firit ; for he was determined to purfue his fcheme of the Orphan-houfe, and return again to his retreat at Georgia. Mr. IVejlty being come, he took an affeiflionate leave of his friends at Brijlol^ and made a fecond excurfion to IVales^ v/here an awakening had be- gun fome years before, by the inilrumentality of the Rev, Mr. Griffith Jc72cs^ and was now carried on by the miniftry of one Mr. Hoiz'sl Harris, a lay- D 4 man. ^Q Memoirs of the Life of man. They met at Cardiff, and in company with many others went to H:ifk, Ponty-pool, yJhergavennyy Comibcy, Carkon, Trelo:, and Nezvport^ and preach- ed in all thefe places, Mr. JVhitefie'ui {irft in Eng- liJJi, and Mr. Harris afterwards in Welch ^ to many thoufands. The iVrious perfons among them, of the Free Grace Diflenters, rejoiced -, but many of high-flying principles, and of another (lamp, wej"e equally enraged, and exprcfied their diflike by mockings and threats. All thefe, however, he was enabled to bear with patience, and without the lead difcouragement. About the 8th of A-pril^ from V/ales he went to Gloucejler, the place of his birth, where a church was allowed him for once or twice, but no miOre. However, he preached frequently in Boothall, (the place where the judges fit) and in his brother's field, to many thoufands (a). His concern for his (a^ At the time of Mr. TVhitejielcY % preaching in GloU' cejler, eld Mr. CoIl\ a diflenting minifter, ufed to fay, *' Thefe are days of the Son of Man indeed." This Mr. Cole, Mr. Whitefield when a boy, was taught to ridicule. And being affCed once by one of his congre- gation, What bufincfs lie would be of? He faid, " A " minifter ; but he v/ould take care never to tell ftories *' in the pulpit like old Cole.^^ About twelve years afterwards, the old man hearing him preach, and tell fome itory to illullrate the fubjeil he was upon, and having bern informed what he had before faid, made this remark to one of his elders, " I find that young " Whitefield can now tell ftories, as well as old Cole" He was much affected with Mr. WhiicfiehW preaching, and fo humble, that he ufed to fubfcribe himfelf his curate ; the Rev. Mr. George Whltefield. 41 his countrymen, his fellow-citizens, and his own relations, made him forget all bodily weaknefs, (to which about this time he was frequently fub- jed) and readily to comply with invitations given to preach at Painfwick, Chdtenham^ Evcfnam^ Badfey^ Stroud^ Chf.fford^ places abounding v/ith inhabitants, and where there is ground to hope, many received much fpiritual benefit. To wander thus about from place to place ; to fland in bowling-greens, at market-croflTes, and in highways, efpecially in his own country, where had he conferred with flelh and blood, he might have lived at eafe ; to be blamed by friends, and have every evil thing fpoken againft him by his enemies ; was (efpecially when his body was weak, and his fpirits low) very trying ; but flill he was inwardly fupported. Jpril 21. he again went to Oxford, and after flaying a few days with the Methodills there, curate ; and went about preaching after him in the couniry from place to place. But one evening, whilft preaching, he was ftruck with death, and then a(ked for a chair to lean on, till he concluded his fermon, when he was carried up ftairs, and died Mr. White- jieldh refleaion upon this (Letter DXXIII.) is, " O " blefTed God I if it be thy holy will, may my exit be « like his ! " As to Mr. JFJjkefieJd's telling ftories in the pulpit, feme perhaps may find fault ; but befide, that he had an uncommon fund of parages, proper enough to be thus , told, and a peculiar talent of telling them ; it was cer- tainly, a mean of drawing multitudes to hear him, who would not have attended to the truths of the Gof- pel, delivered in the ordinary manner, came 42 Memoirs of the Life of came to London^ where he attempted to preach at IJlington Church, the incumbent, Mr. Stonehoufe, being a friend to the Methodius; but in the midfl of the prayers, the church-warden came, and dem.anded his licence, or otherwife he forbad his preaching in that pulpit. He might, perhaps, have infifted on his right to preach, yet for pe:ace fake he declined ; and after the communion fer- vice was over, he preached in the church-yard. Opportunities of preaching in a more regular ■way being now denied him, and his preaching in the fields being attended with a remarkable blef- fing, he judged it his duty to go on in this pradlice, and ventured the following Sunday into MoorfieUh. Public notice havinj^; been given, and the thino- being new and fingular, upon coming out of the coach, he found an incredible number of people aflembled. Many had told him, that he fliould never come again out of that place alive. He went in, however, between two of his friends, who by the prefTure of the crowd, were foon parted entirely from him, and were obliged to leave him to the n:ercy of the rabble. But thefe, inftead of hurting him, formed a lane for him, and carried him alono- to the middle of the Fields, (where a table had been placed, which was broken in pieces by the crowd) and afterwards back again to the wall that then parted the upper and lower Moorjidds •, from whence he preached without mo- leftation, to an exceeding great multitude in the lower Fields. Finding fuch encouragement, he went the Rev. Mr, George Whltefield. 43 went that fame evening to Kennington-Ccntnon^ a large open place, near three miles diitant from London^ where he preached to a vaft multitude, who were all attention, and behaved with as much regularity and quietnefs, as if they had been ia a church (b). (b) " Words cannot well exprefs the glorious dif- " plays of Divine Grace, which we faw, and heard » of, and felt." M. S, CHAP. ^4^ Memoirs of the Life dJ .CHAP. V. Trom his preaching in Moorfields, i^c. to his hying the Foundation of the Orphan-houfe in Georgia, 1740. FOR feveral months after this, Moorfelds^ Ken- ningtcn-Connnon, and B/ackheath, were the chief fcenes of action. At a moderate computa- tion, the auditories often confifted of above twenty thoufand. It h faid th°ir finging could be heard two miles off, and his voice near a mife. Some- times there v/ere upwards of a hundred coaches, befides waggons, fcaffolds, and other contrivances, which particular perlbns let out for the convenience of the audience. Having no other method to take, he was obliged to colled for the Orphan-houfe in the fields, or not at all, which was humbling to him, and his friends, who amfted him in that work. But the readinefs with which the peo- ple gave, and the prayers which they put up when throwing in their mites, were very encouraging (c). In the mean while, Mr. John JVef.ey was labouring with great zeal at Brijlol^ his brother, Mr. Charles, in London and elfewhere, Mr. Ingham had been [c) " Once upwards of twenty pounds were collefled « in^halfpence." AJ, S, preaching the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 45 preaching in many churches of Tork/Iu're, Mr. Kin- chin in Oxford^ and Mr. Rogers in Bedford/lire. Thus the feed Town was gradually increaicd, and the embargo which was now laid on the fliipping, gave him leifure for more journeys through various parts of England; and God was pleafed to crov^n his labours with amazing fuccefs. Some demur happening in Brijlol^ he went there a few days -, put Mr. John Wejley (who had now made a progrefs in building the Kingfwood fchool, and alfo had begun a room at Brijlol) in full power •, and took him along with him, and intro- duced him as a field preacher, at Gloucejler and other places. Every where the word feemed to fink deeper and deeper into the hearts of the hearers. Singing and praying were heard in Kingf- wood^ inftead of curfing and fwearing ; and in many other places the fruits of righteoufnefs evi- dently appeared. Many falfe reports were now fpread abroad con- cerning him. Not a journey he could make, but he was either killed or wounded, or died fuddenly. One groundlefs fiftion was continually invented after another. And the Bifliop of London laid hold of this occafion for publilhing a charge to his clergy to avoid the extremes of enthufiafm and lukewarmnefs. But amidft thefe difcouragements. he was not left without the countenance and friend- fliip of feveral perfons of influence. The embargo being taken off, and upwards of a thoufand pounds colieded for the Orphan houfe, lie 46 - Memoirs of the Life of he failed the fecond time for America^ Augiijl 14, 1739, with a family confifting of eight men, one boy, and two children, befides his friend Mr. Re- ward. Atter a paflage of nine weeks (^), he arrived at Philadelphia in the beginning of November, and •was immediately invited to preach in the churches, to which people of all denominations thronged, as in England. From thence, he was invited to NeW' Tork, by Mr. Nohle^ the only perfon with whom he had any acquaintance in that part of America. Upon his arrival, they waited on the Commiflary ; but he refufed him the ufe of his church. Mr. Whitefield, therefore, preached in the fields, and on the evening of the fame day, to a very thronged and attentive audience in the Rev. Mr. Pemberton''s meeting-houfe : and continued to do fo twice or thrice a day for above a week ; and by all that could be judged, with very great fuccefs. On his way to and from Philadelphia, he alfo preached at Elizabelh-Tcwn, Maidenhead, Abingdon, NeJIiamini, Burlington, and New-Brunpuoick, in the ISlew-Jerfeys, to fome thoufands gathered from va- rious parts, among whom there had been a con- fiderable awakening, by the inflrumentality of one {d) For the manner in which he employed his time on hoard, fee his Journals and Letters of this period. — A lit- tle before he failed, he finifhed his Anfwer to the Bifliop of London s i^aftoral Letter. And during the voyage, he wrote his Letter to the Religious Societies of England, See Vol. IV. of his Works. I Mr, the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 47 Mr. Freelinghaufen, a Dutch minifler, and the Meffrs. Tenmnls, Blair, and Rowland. He had alfo the pleafure of nieeting with old Mr. ^ennenty .as well as his Tons, and with Mr. Dickinfon (e). It was no lefs pleafing than flrange to him, to fee fuch gatherings in a foreign land ; minifters and people fhedding tears ; finners firuck with awe ; and ferious perfons, who had been much run down and defpifed, filled with joy. Mean time, the Orphan -houfe affairs went on well. The things brought from England, were fold for their benefit. A fioop was purchafed, of which Captain Gladman was mafter j and a young man, who had lately received ferious imprefTions under Mr. JVhitefield's preaching, willingly offered himfelf as mate, (e) " Mr. Tennent, and his brethren in prefbytery, *' intend breeding up gracious youths for our Lord's " vineyard. The place wherein the young men ftudy *' now, is a log-houfe, about twenty-feet long, and near *« as many broad. From this defpifed place, feven or " eight worthy minifters of Jefus have lately been fent *' forth, and a foundation is now laying for the inftrudtion " of many others. The work, I am perfuaded, is of *' God, and therefore will not come to nought,'* Journals, November 22, 1739. The event has verified his judgment about this inflltu- tion. It is now a large college at Princetown in New- Jerfeys : and has already had many vi^orthy prefidents (fome of whofe names are well known in the learned world) fuch as Mr. Dickinfon^ Mr. Burr, Mr. Jonathan Edwards, Mr, Samuel Davie^, Dr. F'lnley, and at prefent Dr. JVkherfpoon, by whofe abilities, care, and activity it is, under h'rovidence, in a very flourifliing condition. And there has been lately, (fummer 1770) a remark- able revival of religion among the lludents, both in the college and grammar-fchow, Manv 48 Memoirs of the Life of Many little prelents were made to his family for fea ftores, and the intended houfe. And about the end of November, he took his leave of his fa- mily, and ordered them to proceed in their voyage to Savannah, while himfelf, with Mr. Seward and two more determined to go thither by land. Numbers followed, fome twenty, fome fixty miles out from Philadelphia. He preached at Chejler, Wilmington, Newcajlle, (where he was met on the way by Mr. Rofs, minifter of the place) Chrijlianhridge, and Whitely Creek, where Mr. Wil- liam '^ennent (v;hofe meeting-houfe is in the neigh- bourhood) had eredled a tent for him. Here he obferved new fcenes of field-preaching, or rather preaching in the woods, opened to him. At Whitely-Creek, perhaps the congregation did not confill of lefs than ten thoufand. Earneft invita- tions were given him to come and preach elfe- where •, which he had great encouragement to do, from the vifible fuccefs of his labours;, but he haded to be with his family at Savannah. In his way thither, he alfo preached in Maryland, at North-Ecijl and Joppa, and at Annapolis, the ca- pital, where he was received with much civility by the Governor ; and at Uppe}-- Marlborough. In Virginia alfo, he preached at Williamjhurgh, where he was courteoufly received by the Gover- nor, and by Mr. Blair the Commifiary, whom he fpeaks of with great regard. When he came io North-Carolina, he thought k f^emed to be the greatcft wafte, and the moft un- cultivated , the Rev. Mr. George Whltefield. 49 cultivated of fpots, both in a temporal and fpi- ritLial lenfe. Yet here, in a place called Newlurn- 'Tgzv'iI^ his preaching was attchdcd with an uncom- mon influence. And it was not without effecl at Nezvton on Cape Fear riwr, where were many from Scotland amongft the congregation, who had lately come over to fettle in North -Carolina. Immediately on coming into South -Carolina pro- vince, (he fays) a vifible change was obfervable in the manners of the people. And when he came to Charleftown, (which was on Saturday^ Ja?niary 3, 1740) he could fcarce believe but he was amongft Londoners^ both in refpcft of gaiety of drefs, and politenefs of manners. Here he foon perceived, that by field-preaching he had loft his old friend the Commiflarv, who once promifed to defend him with life and fortune. However, at the requeft of the Independent mi- nifter, (who continued his friend to his dying day) he preached in his meeting-houfe. At the firft fermon, all was gay and trifling, no impreiTion feemingly made at all. But next morning in the French church, the fccne was quite altered. A vifible, and almoft univerfal concern appeared. Many of the inhabitants earneflly defired him to give them one fermon more ; for which purpofc he was prevailed upon to put off his journey till the next day •, and there was rcafon to think his Hay was not in vain. Next morning, he and his companions fet out in an open canoe for Savannah ; and in their way, E for 50 Memoirs of the Life of for the firfl time, lay in the woods, upon the ground near a large fire, which keeps off the wild beafts ; upon which he makes this refleftion (/), " An *■■ emblem, I thought, of the divine love and pre^ *' fence keeping off evils and corruptions from '' the foul." On his arrival at Saz>annah, January ii, he was very happy to meet his family, who had got there three weeks before him •, and to find by letters from England, Neiv-2^ork, &c. that the work of God profpered- But ir was a melancholy thing to fee the colony of Geergia reduced even to a much lower ebb than wiien he left it, and almoll deferted by all but fuch as could not well go away. Em- ploying thefe, therefore, he thought would be of fingular lervice, and the money expended, might be alio a means of keeping them in the colony. Before his arrival, Mr. Haher/Jiam had pitched upon a plot of ground for the Orphan- houfe, of 500 acres, about ten miles from Snvamiab, and had already begun to clear and flock it. The or- phans, in the mean time, were accommodated in a hired houie. On this, many years after, he makes the following refieftions : " Had I pro- " ceeded according to the rules of prudence, I *' fliould have firft cleared the land, built the " houfe, and then taken in the orphans-, but I *' found their condition fo pitiable, and the inha- " bitants fo poor, that 1 immediately opened an (f) M. S. or, Hi/lorlcal CoUec- t'lons of the Succcfs of the Gofpel, Vol. il. where the fads are fer down in the order ot" time. About this time Mr. IVhitefield wrote his Letter to fame Church- Members of the Prrjhytcr'ian Perfmfion, ifi An- fwcr to certain Scruples and J^eries which they had propofed^ 3ee Woiks, Vol. IV. Wha; t/jeRtJv. Mr. George Whitefield. 6^ Saturday November 8, Mr. IVhitefield came back to Philadelphia, and next day preached to leveral thou- What fort of reception he had in Ncxv-Enghnd, will farther appear from the following letters of feme eminent minifters of Bc/hn^ and adjacent towns, publifhed by the Rev. Mr. 'Jojiah Smith, oi Charles Town , in tUe South -Ca^ rolina Gazette, *' Rev. and dear Sir, O£ioler I, 174c. *' Your kind letter by Mr. IVhitefield, and your other, *' are both now before me. You raifed our expe<5fations *' of him very much, as did his Journals more, and *' Mr. P. of New-York, concurred with them -, but we *' own, now that we have feen and heard him, that our *' expectations are all anfwered and exceeded, not onlv *' in his zealous, and fervent, abounding labours, but in *' the command of the hearts and affecStions of his *' hearers. — He has been received here as an angel of ** God, and fervant of 'Jcfius ChrijL — I hope this vifit to *' us, will be of very great ufe and benefit to minifters *' and people. He has found his heart and mouth much *' opened to fpeak freely and boldly to us, and he finds ** it received with joy." The fame Gentleman, A^^- Vefnber 29, 1740, wiites thus : — " Mr. IFbitefield \th us *' feven weeks ago ; the laft week we heard of him at *' Philadelphia. I hear that much of the prefence of God *' is with him. He has left a blefling behind him, we ** hope, with us. Our people, high and low, old and *' ^'oung, are very fwift to hear. The excellent meek- ♦* nefs of Mr. IVhitefield's Anfwer to the Q;_ierifts, will ** honour him to you." Another, in a Letter, Ocloher 11, 174O, exprefies him- felf thus : *' Though it is always a lingular pleafure to *' me to hear from you, yet your two letters by ** Mr. Whitefield, had a new circumftance of pleafure ** from the dear hand that prefented them. I perceive ** you was impatient to know what fort of entering in ** he had among us. We (minifters, rulers, and peo- *' pie) generally received him as an angel of God. When *' he preached his farewell lermon in oi\r common, there " were 64 Memctrs of the Life of thoufands in a hoiife built for that purpofe, fince his lad departure. Here he both heard of, and faw *' were twenty-three thoufand, at a moderate computa- ".tion. We are abundantly convinced, that you [poke '* the words cf truth and fobernefs in your fci mon relat- *' ing to him. Such a power and prefence of God with *' a preacher, and in religious afl'emblies, I never faw *' before ; but 1 would not iiinit the Holy One of Jfrael. *' The prejudices of many are quite conquered, and ex- ^' peclations of others vaftly outdone, as they freely own. " A coiifidcrable nuniber are awakened, and many ** chriftians feem to be greatly quickened. He has " preached twice at Cambridge : he has one warm friend *' there, Mr. , the tutor, who has followed him to *' Northantpton^ and will, for ought I know, to Georgia. "/ But Mr. Wkiiejield has j)ot a warmer friend any where, *' than the firft man among us. Our Governor has *' fhewed him the higheft refpec^, carried him in his *■*- coach from place to place, and could not help foilow- *' ing him fifty miles out of town. I hope the religion " of the country will fare the better for the imprefTions *' left on him." The fame Gentleman writes, Dc ccmhcr 2, 1 740. " The man greatly beloved, I fuppofe, may, be with you before now. That his vifit here will be efteemeJ a diftinguifliing mercy of heaven by many, I am v/e!l fatisfied. Every day gives me frefh proofs of CJniJ]\ fpeaking in him. A fmall fct of gentlemen amongft us, when they faw the affections *' of the people fo moved under his preaching, would ** attribute it only to the force of found and geftures. *' But the impreHions on many are fo lading, and have " been fo transforming, as to carry plain fignatures of a ** divine hand ^cinn; along with him. Another Gen- *' tleman v/rites, OcJohcr 21, 1 740. and thanks me for *' recommending to him, fo worthy a pcrfon as the ' Rev. Mr. JFhiteJit'kl^ who has preached Chrifi, and the *' great truths of the gofpcl among them, v.-ith re.-^^.ark- " able fervour of fpirit, and to a general acceptance ; ♦' and hopes t^int there are many awakened by his mi- *' nTllry. — < — Another of the fame date writes, That « u h m , the Rc'V. Mr. George Whltefield. 65 faw many, who were the fruits of his former mi- nitrations ; and continued among them till No^ ijemher he had conceived very highly of him by fome claufes in my private letters, and the fermon I preached by- way of apology, &c. But confefics he had not gone high enough in his opinion of him, and that his ex- pectations are more ihail anfvvered iii him. -Ano- ther, • November 2 1, i 740. blelTes God that he was hnt thither ; that he had fo many opportunities of feeing him, and fitting under his miniflry. That he ap- peared to him a wonderful man indeed ; that his preaching was accompanied with a divine pov/er and energy, beyond any man's he had ever heard before : and the effects of his miniftry were very marvellous amona: them. 1 fhall conclude with the followintj pailage of another (jentlcman, in a letter of Nevem- ier I, 1740. I received yours by the Rev. Mr, IVbite- field, with whom I coveted a great deal m.ore private converfation than I had opportunity for, by rcafon of the throngs of people almofl: perpetually with him. But he appears to be full of the love of God, and fired with an extraordinary zeal for the caufe of Chrifi, and applies himfelf with the mod: indefatigable diligence, that ever was feen among us, for the promoting the good of fouls. His head, his heart, his hands feein to be full of his Mafter's bufinefs. His difcourfes, efpecially when he goes into the expofitory way, are very entertaining. Every eye is fixed upon him, and every ear chained to his lips. Moft are very much afFedted ; many awakened and convinced j and a ge- neral ferioufnefs excited. His addrefs more efpecially to the pafTions, is wonderful, and beyond what I have ever feen. I think I can truly fay, that his preaching has quickened me, and I believe it has many others befides, as well as the people. Several of my flock, efpecially the younger fort, have been brought under convictions by his preaching ; and there is this re- markable amongft them of the good effect of his preach-*- ing, that the word preached now by us, fecms more precious to them, and comes with more power upon F " them. 66 Mdmoirs of the Life of 'vemher ] 7, preaching twice a day. Afterwards he preached in GloucejUr^ preejiwich, Piles-Grove, Co- hanfe^ Salem, Ncjccafilc, Whitdey-Creek, Fog's-Ma- nor, Nottnigham ; in many or mod of which places, the congregations were numerous, and deeply affcdcd. Noveviiher 22, he got to Bohemia in Maryland, and from thence he went to Reedy- IJlajid. At both places his preaching was attended with great in- fluence. And at the lad (their floop being de- tained by contrary winds near a week) he preached frequently. All the Captains and crews of the fhips that were wind-bound conftantly attended, and great numbers crowded out of the country, fome as far as from Philadelphia : and as great con- cern as ever came upon their minds. December i, he fet fail from Reedy-IJland for Charles-Tozvn in South-Carolina, and here he makes the following remark : " It is now the feventy- " fifth day, lince I arrived at Rhode-IJland. My *' body was then weak, but the Lord has much re- " neweditsftrength. I have been enabled to preach, " I think, an hundred and feventy-five times in " public, befides exhorting frequently in private. " I have travelled upv/ards of eight hundred miles, " and gotten upwards of feven hundred pounds7?i77. " in goods, provifions, and money, for the Geor- •* gia orphans. Never did I perform my journeys *' them. My prayer for him is, that his precious hfe ** may be lengthened out, and that he may be an inftru- *' mc-nt of revivi;ig dying religion in all places whither- *' foever he come'^, who feems to be wonderfully fitted " fc, as well as fpirited to it." " with the Uev, Mr. George Whiteiield. 6j ** with fo little fatigue, or fee fuch a continuance " of the divine prefence in the congregations to *' whom I have preached. Praife the Lord, O my « foul {m)r After a pleafant paOage of eipjit or nine days, and preaching again at Chnrks-Toivn and Savaimahy he arrived on the 14th of Becemkcr at tiie Orphan- houfe, where he found his family comfortably fet- tled. At Rhode-IJland he had providentially met with one Mr. Jonathan Bai'ber, vv'hofe heart was very much knit to him, and who was willing to help him at the Orphan-houfe. Him, therefore, he left fuperintendent for the fpiritual, and Mr. Ha- ber/Iiam for the temporal affairs •, and having fpent a very comfortable Chrffimas with his orphan fa- mily, he fet off again for {n) Cbarlss-Town, where he arrived January 3, 1741, and preached twice every day as ufual, to molt affeclionare auditories, till the 1 6th of January^ when he went on board for Evgland. He arrived the nth of March at Falmouth, rode poll to London, and preached at Kcnnington Common the Sunday following. {m) Journals, December i, 1740. («) At CharleS'ioivn, the Commiflary was going to pro- ceed againft him for corre6ling and preparing for the prefs, a letter written by Mr. Hugh B n, in which it was hinted, that the clergy break their canons. He alftt laid him under fufpenfion for omitting to ufe the form of prayer, prefcribed in the communion book, when offi- ciating in a diflenting congregation. But Mr. IVhite- field ^^y;." Frefli doors were now opened to him, and in- vitations fent to him from many places, where he had never been. At a common, near Brainiree in EJfex^ upwards of ten thoufand perfons attended. At Haljleady Dedbam, Cofslejiiall^ IVethersfeU, Col- cbejier. Bury, Ipfwich^ the congregations were very large and much affected f jj. At this time alfo, he' was ftrongly folicited by religious perfons, of different perluafions, to vific Scotland. Several letters had pall between him [p) M. S. (q) " Svv'cet was ihe converfation I had with feveral *' niiniileis of Chri/L But our own clergy grew more *' and more fliy, now they knew I was a Calvinljl ; *' tho' no doubt (as Mr. Bedford io\d me when going to " the Bifliop cf Loudon) our Articles are ddviidjiicaU" M. S. and the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 73 and the Meflieurs Erjkines^ Ibme lime before fr), and he had a great defire to fee them. He there- fore took his paffage from London to Leith, where (after five days, which he employed in writing many excellent letters to his Orphans, &c. fee Letter CCCXI. to CCCXXXVII.) he arrived July 30, 1 741. Several perfons of diftintlion moft gladly received him, and would have had him preach at Edir.hirgh diredly ; but he was de- termined that the Rev. MelBeurs Erjkines fliould have the firft offer; and therefore went imme- diately to Vujnfermlin^ and preached in Mr. Er- JIiines\ Meeting- ho ufe. Great perfuafions were ufed to detain him at Dumfermlin^ and as great to keep him from preach- ing for, and vifiting the Rev. Mr. IFardlaw, who had been coUegue to Mr. Ralph ErJJiim above (r) See his Journals, and his Letters to the Rev. Mr. R. E. and the Rev. Mr. E. E. In his laft to Mr. E. E. before coming to Scotland (Letter CCLXXX) he writes, ** ildTtfj i6,"i 741. This " morning, I received a kind letter iTom your brother *' Ralph^ who thinks it beft for me wholly to join the *' AiTociate Prefbytery, if it fhould pleafe God to fend ** me into Scotland. This I cannot altogether come in- *■' to. I come only as an occafional preacher, to preach *' the fimple Gofpel to all that are willing to hear me, *' of whatever denomination. I write this, that there " may not be the leaft milunderftanding between us. *' I love a'nd honour the AiTociate Prefbytery in the ^* bowels of Jefus Chriji : but, let them not be offend- *' ed, if in all things, I cannot immediately fall in with " them." To the fame purpofe he writes to Mr. R. E. May 23, J741. Letter CCLX^XXVIIL twcity y4 Memoirs of the Life of twenty years, and who, as well as the Rev. Mr. J^avidfon, a difTcnting miniiter in England, that went along with Mr. Whitefield^ were looked up- on as perjured, for not adhering to the Solemn League and Covenant. This was new language to him, and therefore unintelligible. But that he might be better informed, ir was propofed that the Rev. Mr. Mcncrief^ Mr. Ebemzer ErJ/dne, and others, members of the Afibciate Prelbytery, lliould convene in a few days, in order to give him farther light. In the mean time, Mr. Ralph Erjkine accom- panied him to Edinburgh, where he preached in the Orphan-houfe Park, (field-preaching being no novelty in Scotland) to a very large and affect- ed auditory, upon thefe words, " The Kingdom " of God is not Meat and Drink, but Righteouf- " nefs, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghoft.** The next day he preached in the Weft Kirk, and expreffed great pleafure in hearing two Gofpel Sermons from the Rev. Mr. Gujihart, and the Kev. Mr. Mac Vicar. And the following day, he preached in tlie Camiongate Church, where Mr. Ralph Erjkine went up with him into the pulpit. According to promife, he returned with him to Dumfermlin, where Mr. E. Erjkine, and feveral of the Afibciate Prefbvterv were met too-ethcr. When Mr. IVhitefield came, they foon propofed to pro- ceed to bufinefs. He afked them for what pur- pofe ? They anfwered, to difcourie, and fet him right about Church Government, and tlie Solemn League and Covenant. He replied, they might fave the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 75 fave themfelves that trouble, for he had no (cruple about it, and that fettling Church Go- vernment, and preaching about the Solemn League and Covenant, was not his plan. He then told them fomething of his experience, and how he was led into his prefent way of acfting. One of them, in particular, faid he was deeply affeded. And Mr. E. Erjkine de- fired they would have patience with him, for that having been born and bred in England^ and never ftudied the point, he could not be fuppofed to be perfedlly acquainted with k. But Mr. M. infift- ed, that he was therefore more inexcufeable, for England had revolted mofi: with relpedl to Church Government: and that he beimoj born and edu- cated there, could not but be acquainted with tlie matter in debate. Mr. IVhitefield told him, he had never yet made the Solemn League and Cove- nant the fubjedl of his ftudy, being too bufy about matters which he iudo-ed of o-reatcr im- portance. Several replied, that every pin of the Tabernacle was precious. He anfwered, that in every building, there were outfide and infide workmen ; that the latter, at prefent, was his province ; that if they thought themfelves called to the former, they might proceed in their own way, and he would proceed in his. He then afked them ferioufly, v/har they would have him to do? The anfwer was, that he was not defired to fub- fcribe immediately to the Solemn League and Co- venant, but to preach only for them, till he had further light. He all<:ed, Why only for them ? Mr. 76 Memoirs of the Life of Mr. R. E. faid, " They were the Lord's People." He then allied, Were no other the Lord's People but themlelves ? If not, and if others were the Devil's people, they had more need to be preach- ed to.; that for his part, all places were alike to him •, and that if the Pope himlelf would lend him his pulpit, he would gladly proclaim in it the righteoufnefs of the Lord Jefus Chrijl. Some- thing pafled about taking two of their brethren with him to England, to lettle Prcfbytery there •, and then with two more, to go and fettle Prelby- tery in America. But he aflced, Suppofe a num- ber of Independents fliould come, and declare, that after the greateft fearch, they were convinced that Independency was the right Church Govern- ment, and would difturb no body, if tolerated ; fhould they be tolerated ? They aniwe.'-ed, No. — - Soon after this the company broke up. And Mr. M- preached upon //". xxi. 11, 12. " Watchman, " what of the night ? &c." And took occafion to declaim ftrongly againft the Ceremonies of the Church of England, and to argue (jj, " That one " v/ho held Communion with that Church, or '' with the backnidden Church of Scotland, could " not be an Inftrument of Reformation." The (s) '* I attended ; but the good man fo fpent himfclf *' in the former part of his fermon, in talking againft *' prelacy, the Common Prayer-Book, the Turpi ice, the *' role in the hat, and fuch like externals ; that when *' he came to the latter part of his text, to invite poor *' fmners to 'J''fns ChriJ}, his breath was fogone, that he *' could fcarce be heard. What a pity, th " where you come with the glad tidings of the " sreat falvation." At Aberdeen^ one of the minifters of that city, ** thus writes of him, to a perfon of diftindion, O^oher 3, 1741 (e). Honoured Sir, At your defire, I (hall not refufe, (however much rea- *' fon I may have for declining to o(fer my judg' " ment, or opinion, in things of this nature) to (e) Glafgow Weekly Hiftory, No. XXVIII. G 4 " acquaint € 88 Memoirs of the Life of " acquaint you freely of what I think of the *' Rev. Mr. JVhitefield^ or rather what is the *' opinion of perfons of more acquaintance with " the good ways of God. " He is, I believe, jullly efteemed by all who ' are perfonally acquainted with him, an eminent " inftrument of reviving, in ihefe declining " times, a juft fenfe and concern for the great " things of religion. We have, of late, been *' much employed, and a great noife has been *' made about the leffer matters of the law: and " are now much broken in judgment about *' things, many of which, I mud: own, I do not ** iinderftand(/j. The cry has been, and ftill * continues loud, ' Lo here is Chriji^ and lo there.* f) Of thofc who differed from their brediren, as to their judgment about many things, was Mr. B , one of the minifters of Aberdeen. After he had prayed and preached againft Mr. IVhitcfidd^ in his hearing, and quoted fome pallages of his firft printed fermons, as be- tprodox : Sermon being ended, Mr. Ogilvie gave notice. That Mr. JVhitefield would preach in about half an hour. The interval being fo fliort, the magiftrates retired into the SefTion-houfe, and the congregation patiently waited, *' big with expectation, (fays Mr. JVhitefield) of hear- *' ing my refentment. At the time appointed, I went *' up, and took no other notice of the good man's ill- *^ timed zeal, than to obferve in fome part of my dif- *' courfe. That if the good old gentleman had feen fome *' of my later writings, wherein I had corre6led feveral *' of my former miftakes, he would not have exprefl *.' himfelf in fuch ftrong terms. The people being thus *' diverted from controvcrfy with man, were deeply im- ♦' prcfied with what they heard from the word of God." {.etter CCCLXl. « And cc < ) " Edinburgh^ Sabbath, June 6, 1 742. On Thurf- day laft our dear friend Mr. Whitejield returned to this '* place, to the great comfort of many honeft chriftians, ** efpecially of thofe to whom he was made a mean of " convidion and converfion when laft here. — He feems *' to have improved much in chriftian knowledge. He ** is much refrefhed with the accounts of the work of *' God in the weft country. 1 have heard him preach *' five excellent difcourfes, all calculated for the building *' up of chriftians (though he never fails to put in a *« word for the convidion of finners) ; and, I think, can " fay, that I have never heard him without fome in- ** fluence attending his preaching, efpecially in private " houfes. O may the impreflions made on my heart " never wear off, left at any time I fhould be in danger *' of dropping my watch, and becoming untender." '* Sabb. O^ober 17, 1742. It is a great recommend - *' ation of Mr. Whitejield to me, that though the Sece- " ders give him every bad charader that can be devifed, ♦' viz. a forcerer, &c. yet he takes all patiently, and *' wherever he goes, fpeaks well of them, fo far as he *' can : for none can approve of thofe grofs parts of their " condud : therefore thcfe he choofes to caft a mantle " of love over." Diary, formerly quoted. pleafed 1 1 S Memoirs of the Life of pleafetl God to bids his firtc vide to Scotland, not only for the convcrfion of particular perfons, and the comfort and quickening of private chriftians^ but to roufe them to more than ordinary concern about the falvation of their neighbours, and to excite pious and confcientious minifters to greater diligence in their v^ork* Prayers were put up, with fome degree of faith and hope, that God would now give fuccefs to their labours •, and not fuffer them always to complain that they fpent their flrength in vain. Nor were thefe prayers long un- anfwered : for in the month oi February, 1742? ^n extraordinary religious concern began to appear publicly at Camlujlang; and foon after zX-Kilfyth and other places : the news of which quickly fpread through the land, and engaged general attention* Of this, ajuft though Pnort dcfcription is given in the following letter, written by the Rev. Mr. Ha- millcn (then m.inifter in the Barony parifh, now in the High-Church of Glafgoiv) to Mr. Frince, mi- nifter in Boficn (q). " Glo.fgoiv, Sept. 13, 1742.- " We in the fouth and well of Scotland, have great *' reafon to join in thankfulnefs to God, with you^ *' for the days of the Redeemer's power that ws " are favoured with. Mr. Whttcjield came to Scot- " land in fummer 1741, for the firft time: and irt " many places v/here he preached, his miniftra- " tions were evidently blcficd, particularly irt " the cities of Edinburgh and Glafgow, where a [q] Prince's Chrijllan H:Jlory, N". X. €ori- the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 113 ** confulerable number of perfons v/ere brought " under fuch imprcffions of religion, as have never " vet left them ; but they arc ftill foilovvinsr on to *' know the Lord. However, this was only the beginning of far greater things : for about the middle of Feh'uary laft, a very great concern ** appeared among the people ofCambuJIajig, a fmall " parifh, lying four miles fouth-eafb of Glaf^ow, " under the paftoral inlpedlion of the Rev. Mr. " IVilliam MacOilloch^ a man of confiderable parts " and great piety. This concern appeared with " fome circumftances very unufual among us : to " wit, fevere bodily agonies, outcryings, and *' faintings in the congregation^ This made the " report of it fpread like fire, and drew vaft mul- *' titudes of people from all quarters to that place. And, 1 believe, in lefs than two months aft.v the commencement of it, there were few parifhes " within twelve miles of Camlujlang^ but had fome, more or fewer awakeneci there, to a very deep, piercing {*ix\{t of fin : and many at a much '' greater diftance. I am verily perfuaded with *' your worthy brother Mr. Cooper^ in his preface " to Mr. Edwards's, fermon, that God has made *' ufe of thefe uncommon circumftances, to make " his work fpread the fafter. But, blcffed be ""' God, Cambiijlang is not the only place wliere *' ihele imprelFions are got. The fame work is *' Ipreading in other pariflies, and under their own ^' miniftcrs, particularly at Calder^ Ktlfyth^ and '**■ Qimternaud, all to the north, and north-eaft of I " GlafgozVu 1 14 Memoirs of the:Life of - *' Glafgow. And I doubt not, that fince tlie mid- " die of February, when this work began at *' Camhijlang^ there are upwards of two thoufand " perfons awakened, and almoll all of them, by *' the belt accounts I have, in a promifing condi- " tion : there being very few inftances of impofbors, *' or fuch as have loft their imprellions •, and many whom we are bound to think are true fcripture converts, and evidencing it by a fuitable walk and converfation. There is evidently a greater ferioufnefs and concern about religion appearing in moft of our congregations, than formerly : a " a greater defire after the word -, people applying " themfelves more clofely to their duty •, and " erefting new focieties for prayer and fpiritual *' conference : v^hich gives us the joyful profpe6t *' of a confiderable enlargement of the Mcfiiah's *' kingdom." " My parifh has llkewife had fome fliare in this- *' good work. There has been above an hundred " new communicants among them this fummer, " who never did partake of the blefled facrament " before : which is five times as many as ever I admitted in any former year : molt of them were awakened at Camhijlang ; fome of them " in their own church ; and in others the impref- '* fions have been more gradual, and not attended. *' with thefe uncommon circumftances before men- *' tioned. And it is to be obferved, that before " we admit any perfon to the Lord's table, we particularly examine them, and are fatisfied with " their cc the kev. Mr*, George Whitefield. i r ^ ** their knowledge of the principles of religion, of the nature and ends of the facramentj and the imprelTions of religion they have on their minds (qq)-** To the fame purpofe is the Rev. Mr. Willifon's letter to Dr. Cclman, minifter in Bojlon : dated Dundee^ Feb. 2§, 1743. {r) " I mull inform you a little of the work of God begun here. I told you in my laft, that after Mr. WhitefieWs firft coming and preaching three months in Scotland^ there were fome beginnings of a revival of re- ligion in fome of our principal citieSj as Edin- hurgh and Glafgow, which (till continue and in- creafe, efpecially fince Mr. fFhilefieid*s fecond coming in June laft. But befides thefe citieSj the Lord hath been pleafed to begin a work much like that in Nezv -England^ in feveral places in the weft of Scotland. The firft parifh awaken- ed, was CamhtifLang ; the next was the parifli of (qq) ExtraiSt of a letter from a perfon of diftinilion to the Compiler. " Edinburgh^ February, \']']'2.. I would not afcribe all ' the revival of religion in Scotland., to (the inftrumen- ' tality of) Mr. IfOntefield. At CambuJJang., it began, ' before he had been there ; but in Edinburgh, and all ' the other places in Scotland, that I heard of, after di- ' ligent enquiry, it began with his firft vifit. This ho- ' nour he had from his divine Mafter, and it ought not ' to be taken from him. And every time he came to ' Scotland, it is an undoubted fa61:, that an uncommoa ' power attended his miniftry : and many were always * brought under ferious and lafting impreflions." (/•) PriiiceV Chriflian Hijlory, N°. XI. ^ I a V: Kilfph^ tl 1 1 6 Memoirs of the Life of " Kilfyth^ about nine miles north- eaft of Glcfgow., " and afterward the parillies oiCalder^ Kirkmtilloch, ** Cumbernaud^ Campfie^ Kilmarnock^ Gargunnock^ *•' and a great many others in the country. The " awakenings of people have been, in a good " many, attended with outcryings, faintings, and "■ bodily diftreffes: but in many more, the work *' has proceeded with great calmnefs. But the " effcfts in both forts are alike good and defirable, and hitherto we hear nothing of their falling back from what they have profelTed at the be- ginning : and flill we hear of fome new parifhes falling under great concern here and there, " though the great cryings and outward diftreffes *' are much ceafed. *' The Lord, in this backflidino: time, is willino- '"• to pity U3, and fee our ways and heal them, however crooked and perverfe they have been. O fliali not this wonderful (lep of divine conde- *"" fcenfion, lead us all to repentance, and to go *' out to meet a returning God, in the way of *' humiliation and reformation. The mao-iftrates " and minifters in Edinburgh^ are beginning to fet up focieties for reformation of manners, and new lectures on week days. May all our cities follow their example. There is a great increafe of praying focieties alio in Edinburgh and other towns and villages-, and in tJicm they are keep- ing days f)f thankfgiving for tlic partial water- ings the Lord is giving us : thole in Edir.burgh^ i '' fend (I i4 the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 1 1 7 ** fend printed memorials to others through the '* nation, to excite them to it (rr)." The oreateft flranq-ers to religion could not avoid hearing of thefe things, but ihey were very dif- ferently afFe6led with them. Whilfl: ibme becam« more thoughtful and ferious, many mocked, and jbme were even filled with rage. On the other hand, the temper and behaviour of thofe who were the fubjefts of this remarkable work, was the flrongeit of all arguments that it came from above. Their earned defire to be rightly directed in the way to heaven ; their tender and confcientious walk ; their faithfulnefs in the duties of their ftations -, their readinefs to make ample reftitution for any aft of injuftice they had formerly commit- ted-, their difpofuion to judge mildly of others, but feverely of themfelves •, their laying afide quarrels and law-fuits, and defiring to be recon- ciled, 2nd to live peaceably with all men ; fuch amiable and heavenly qualities, elpccially when appearing in fome v^^ho had formerly been of a very oppofite charafter, could not fail to ftrike every ferious obferver. In Ihort, it was (rr) The Rev. Mr. Macknight of Irvine^ thus writes ro Mr, Whitefield^ June 21, 1742. " Blefled be our glo- " rious God, there are fome awakenincrs amongft us at ••' Irvine'^ not only of thofe who have been at Ccj^i'^/y'/a/?^, *' but feveral others are lately brought into great concern *' about their eternal ftate, and among them feveral chil- *' dren ; the news of which I know will rejoice you, *' and I hope will encourage you to vifit iis to help for- *' vvard this great and glorious work of converting fin- **■ ners." Remarkahle ParUeula'-s^ &c. I 3 fuch 1 1 S Metmhs of the Life of fuch a time for the revival of religion, as had never before been fcen in Scotland (j). The er.mity which wicked and profane men dif- covered againft this work, and the derifion with which they treated it, is no more than vvhat might naturally be expeCled. But it is not fo eafy to ac^ count for the conduft of the Seceders. Thefe, nor fatisfied with forbearing to approve of it, went the length even to appoint a general faft among them, one of the ^rounds of which was, the receiving Mr. Whiiejield \x\io Scotland ; and another, the delu-. fion, as they called it, at Cainlujlavg and other places. And Mr. Cibb^ one of their miniflers, wrote a pamphlet inveighing againft both, in the moil virulent language. Such was the bigotry, and mifguidcd zeal of the bulk of the party at that time. It is hoped their fucceflbrs have jufter views of this matter. But it is not proper here to enlarge upon this fubjed (i). "With refpeft to Mr. Whitefield^ the fpring of their firft oppofition tQ {$) Particulars may be found in the attefled narrative of the work ;it Camhujlang ; Dr. Wehller'i Divine hi- f.uence the true Springs &c. ; and in Mr. Robe'i Karrat'iva and Alot.thly Htjlory. — A view of the moft memorable pafiages, is given in Vol. II. Book IV. Chap. VI. of Hiji. Coll. relating to the Succcfi of the Go/pel^ printed in 1/54; wh<.re is alfo fome account of the abiding fruits oi thef.' religious imprcifions. (t) The reader who wants to fee the objections againft the work at Cambujhug^ he. fully refuted, may confult (bcfides the books mentioned in the laft note) Mr. Rohe\ Letters to Mr. Fijher ; and Mr. Jonathan Edwards'^ X)'ijlingid^hing JUar^s of a JVork of the Spirit cf God''' — A."4 the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. i 19 to him, fiifficicntly appears from bJs converfation with them 2xDiimfermling^ formerly mentioned. And the following letter, which he wrote at Camlujlang^ Augiiji 1742, and which was afterwards printed at Glafgow^ gives an account of their obje^lions, and his anfwers, which are perfectly agreeable to the fpirit of both (u). " 1 heartily thank yoa for your concern about unworthy me. Though I am not very folicitous what the v/orld fiy of me, yet I would not refufe to give any one,, much lefs a minifter of Jefus Chriji^ (and fuch an one I take you to be) all realbnable fatisfa6lion about any part of my doctrine or condud. I am forry that the affociate prefbytery, befides the other things exceptionable in the grounds of their late faft, have done me much wrong. As to what they fay about the fupremacy, my fentiments, as to the power and authority of the civil magiftrate as to facred things, agree with what is faid in the IVeJiminfter Confeffion of Faith, chap, xxiil. paragraph 3 and 4. And I do own the Lord Jefus to be the blefied head and king of his church. " The folemn leao;ue and covenant 1 never ab- " jured, neither was it ever propofed to me to be And as to the argument from the goodnefs of the fruits, vi'hich is level to the capacities of all, the Compiler thinks it his duty to add, that among his acquaintance, who were the fubje6ls of that work, the fruits were ge- nerally both good and lajiing. («) Glafgow Weekly Hiji. N». XXIII. ' I 4 " ab- 120 Memoirs of the Life of ^'' abjured : and as for my mifTives, if the afTociata " prefbytery will be pleafed to print them, the *' world will fee that they had no reafon to expefk *' I would a(5t in any other m-anner than I have " done. What that part of my experience is, that '^ favours of the groileft enthufiafm, I know not, " becaufe not fpcci6ed •, but this one thing I know, '* when I converfcd with them, they v,^ere fatisfied *' with the account I then gave of my experiences, *' and alio of the validity of my million •, only, " when they found I would preach the gofpel pro- "^ mifcuoufly to all, and for every minifter that *' would invite me, and not adhere only to them, ** one of them particularly laid, ' They were fa- " tisfied with all the other accounts wh'.ch I gave " of myfelf, except of my call to Scollatid at that " time.' They would have been glad of my help, ^' and have received me as a minifter of Jefus *•' ChriJ}, had I confented to have preached only at *' the invitation of them and their people. But I *' judged that to be contrary to the diftates of my *■' confcience •, and therefore I could not comply. *' I thought their foundation was too narrow for " any high houfe to be built upon. I declared *' freely, when laft in Scotland, (and am more and " more convinced of it fince) that they were *' building a Babel (x). At the fame time, they knew ) (x) The event verified this conjecture. In his M. S, notes, feveral years after, he makes the following re- mark : *' Such a work (the religious concern at C(^m- the Rev. Mr. George Whitef.cld. 121 knew very well, I was very far from being againft all church-government, (for how can any church fubfift without it ?) I only urged, as I do now, that fmce holy men differ fo much about the outward form, we fhould bear with, and forbear one another, though in this refpedl we are not of one mind. I have often declared in the moil public manner, that I believe the Church of Scotland to be the bed conftituted national church in the world. At the fame time I would bear with, and converfe freely with all others, who do not err in fundamentals, and who give evidence that they are true lovers of the Lord Jefus. This is what I mean by a ca- tholic fpirit. Not that 1 believe a Jew or Pagan continuing fuch, can be a true chriftian, or have hufiang) fo very extenfive, muft meet with great op- pofition. My collections for the orphans gave a great handle ; but the chief oppofition vi^as made by the Se- ceders, who, though they had prayed for me at a moft extravagant rate, now gave out that I was agitated by the devil. Taking it for granted, that all converted perfons muft take the covenant, and that God had left the Scotch eftablifhed churches long ago, and that he would never work by the hands of a curate of tbe Church of England^ they condemned the whole work, as the work of the devil ; and kept a faft through all Scotland^ to humble themfelves, becaufe the devil was come down in great wrath, and to pray that the I^ord would rebuke the deftroyer (for that was my title). But the Lord rebuked thefe good men j for they fplit among themfelves, and excommunicated one another. Having afterwards a fhort interview with Mr. Ralph Erfk'ine^ we embraced each other, and he faid, ' We had feen ftrange things." " true 122 Memoirs of the "Life of •' true chriftianity in them \ and if there be any '* tliino' tendinfy that way in the late extrafl which " I fcnt you, I utterly difavow it. And I am • *' Hire, I obferved no fuch thing in it, when I publifhed it, though upon a clofer review, fome exprcfTions Teem juftly exceptionable. You know how ftrongly I alTert all the doclrines of grace " as held forth in the IVcJlininjler Confefllon of *' Faith, and doftrinal articles of the Church of *' Eirjand. Thcfe I trufi: I fliail adhere to as long " as I live, becaufc I verily believe they are the " truths of God, and have felt the power of them *' in my own heart. I am only concerned that *' good men fnould be guilty of fuch mifrepre- *' fentations. But this teaches me more and more '* to cxercife companion tov^^.ird all the children of " God, and to be more jealous over our own " hearts, knowing what fallible creatures we all *' are. I acknowledge that I am a poor blind fin- ** ner, liable to err, and would be obliged to an enemy, much mort to io dear a friend as you are, to point out to me my miftakes, as to my practice, or unguarded expreffions in my preach- *' ing or writino;. At the fame time, 1 would ** humble myfelf before my Mafter, for any thing " I rnay fay or do amifs, and beg the influence " and afTiftances of his bleiled Spirit, that I may " fay and do lo no more." So much for Mr. WbiufieUVs difference with the Seceders. But notwithftanding all this, upon his fecond arrival in Scolland, June 1742, he was re- ceived iC the Rev, Mr. George V/hltefield. 123 ceived by great numbers, among whom were fomc perfons of diftinclion, with much joy : and had the fatisfadion of feeing and hearing more and more of the happy fruits of his miniftry (y). At Edin- hurgh he preached twice a day, as ufual, in the Hofpiral park, where a number of feats and fhades, in the form of an amphitheatre, were ereded for the accommodation of his hearers. And in con- fequence of earneft invitations, he went to the weft country, particularly to Camhujlang^ where jie preached no lefs than three times upon the very day of his arrival, to a vaft body of people, al- though he had preached that fame morning at Glafgow. The laft of thefe exerciies he began at nine at night, continuing till eleven, when he faid he obferved fuch a commotion among the people, as he had never feen in America. Mr. MacCulkch preached after him, till paft one in the morning, ^nd even then could hardly perfuade the people to depart. All night in the fields might be heard {y) *' Edinhurgh, "June 4, 1742. This morning I re- ceived glorious accounts of the carrying on of the Mediator's kingdom. Three of the little boys that were converted when I was laft here, came to me and wept, and begged me to pray for and with thern. A mlnifter tells me, that fcarce one is fallen back, who was awakened, either among old or young. The Ser- jeant, whofe letter brother C has, goes on well with his company." Letter CCCCXXIl. And in the M. S. *' Societies (or fellowfhip meet- ings) I found fet up for prayer, efpecially at Glafgoxv and Efdinburgh. Several young gentlemen dedicated themfelves to the miniflrv, and became burning and f^ fhining lights," the 1 24 Memoirs of the Life of ' the voice of prayer and praife. As Mr. Whitefidd was frequently at Camkijlang during this feafon, a defcription of what he obferved there at different times, will be beft given in his own words (s) ; *' Perfons from all parts flocked to fee, and many *' from many parts, went home convinced, and " converted unto God. A brae, or hill, near the " manfe at Cambujlang^ feemed to be formed by •' Providence, for containing a large congregation. " People fat unwearied till two in the morning, *' to hear fermons, difregarding the weather. You *' could fcarce walk a yard, but you muft tread upon Ibme, either rejoicing in God for mercies received, or crying out for more. Thoufands and thoufands have I feen, before it was pofBble to catch it by fympathy, melted down under *' the word and power of God, At the celebra- tion of the holy communion, their joy was lb great, that at the defire of many, both minifters and people, in imitation of Ile-zekiaJfs padover, they had, a month or two afterwards, a fecond ; ** which was a general rendezvous of the people " of God. The communion-table was in the " field ; three tents, at proper diilances, all fur- *' rounded with a multitude of hearers ; above " twenty minifters (among whom was good old ** Mr. Bonner) attending to preach and affift, all •' enlivening and enlivened by one another." Befides his labours at Glafgow and Q.imbujlang^ it is fomewhat furprizing to think, how many other (z) M. S, places cc (( €1 the Rev, Mt\ George Whitefield. 125 places in the weft of Scotland he vifited within the compafs of a few weeks, preaching once or twice at every one of them, and at feveral three or four times. It is worth while to fet down the Journal \a) of a week or two. In the beginning oi July^ he preached twice on Monday at Paijley ; on the Tuefday and IVednefday^ three times each day at Irvine ; on 'Thurfday^ twice at Mearns ; on Friday^ three times at Cumbernaud -, and on Saturday^ twice at Falkirk. And again in the latter end of Jtiguji {b), on Thurfday^ he preached twice at Greenock ; on Friday^ three times at Kilbride ; on Saturday., once at Kilbride^ and twice at Stevenfon •, on Sabbath, four times at Irvine \ on Monday, once at Irvine, and three times at (c) Kil- tnaruGck j {a) Letter CCCCXXVI. {b) Letter CCCCXLIX. [c) A gendeman now Hving, of an irreproachable character, thus writes to the Compiler, April%^ ^11^' ♦' When Mr. JVhitcJield v/2i^ " as he exprefles it, to attack the prince of dark- " nefs in Moorfields^^ in the time of the holidays. The congregations were amazingly great, and much affeded. And by the contributions which were now and formerly made for his orphans, he had the fatisfa6lion of paying all that was due in England^ and of making a fmall remittance to Mr. Haberfiam (q). About the middle of June he made another ex- curfion, and preached at Fdirford, Glanfield^ Bur- ford^ Bengeworth, and Glcttcejier •, alio at Brijlol and Kingfwoodj and at Brinhvorlb, 'Tetherton^ and Hampton. At Brtftol lie continued fome time, preaching ftatediy every day twice, and four times on the Sundny. Afterwards he preached at Exeter to very large congregations, where many of the clergy attended. In Aiigiiji he returned to London^ but made no long ftay there. " I thank you, fays he to a cor- " refpondent (r), for your kind caution to fpare " myfelf •, but evangelizing is certainly my pro- " vincc. Every where effedlual doors are opened. " So far from thinking of neftling at London^ I " am more and rr.ore convinced that I flioidd go *' from place to place." Accordingly we find him in the months of OBo- ler, November^ and December, preaching and tr^- [q) Letter DXIX. (r) Letter DXL. veiling the Rev. Mr. George White field. 133 veiling through the country, as if it had been the middle of Summer. At Jvojt in PF'ilts, Telhsrion, Clack, Brinkworlb, Chippenham^ M'^ellington, Cul- lomplon, Exeter., Axminfier^ Ottery, Biddeford (s)., St. Gennis in Cornzvali (t), Birmi>!gham (u)., Kidder- minjier (x), and Bromfgrcve. Nor did he feel his health much impaired, though it was fo late in the feafon. He obferves, indeed, (Letter DXLII.) that he had got a cold •, but adds, " The Lord " warms my heart." (j) '* Here Is a clergyman about eighty years of age, *' but not above one year old in the fchool of Chrijl. He ^* lately preached three times, and rode forty miles the *' fame day. A young Oxonian who came with him, *' and many others, were deeply afieded. I cannot aa-cU *' defcribe with what power the word was atcendcJ. " Dear Mr. Hervey, one of our fird Methodifts at Ox- " ford, and who was lately a curate here, had laid the «« fundation." Letter DXL. (/) "Many prayers were put up by the worthy " Re£lor and others, for an outpouring of God's blefled " Spirit. They were anfwercd. Arrows of convidtion *' flew fo thick, and fo fafl:, and fuch an univerfal weep- *' ino' prevailed from one end of the congregation to the '* other, that good Mr. y their rainifter, could not *' help going from feat to feat to fpeak, encourage, and *' comfort tlie wounded fouls." Letter DXLI. lu) " It is near eleven at night, and nature calls for ^' reft. 1 have preached five times this day, and, weak " as I am, through Chriji ftrengthening me, I could ■" preach five times more." Letter DXLIII. (.v) " I was kindly received by Mr. TVilUams. Many .^* friends were at his houfc. i was gready refrefhed to " find what a fweet favour of good Mr. Baxter s dodVine, *' works, and difcipline remained to this day." Lt-cter DXLIV. K 3 it- 134- Memoirs of the Life of February 1744, an event, happened to him, which, amidit all his iViCceis, tended to keep him humble, and fcrved to cure him of a weaknefs to which he had been liable, the tfufiincr to ground- lefs impreffions. It was the degth of his only- child, concerning whom he was fo impreficd, that he made no fcruple of declaring before the birth, that the child would be a fon^ and that he hoped he would live to preach the gofpek Several nar- row efcapes which Mrs. Whitefield hod during her pregnancy, confirmed him in his expeftations ; which were fo high, that after he had pL.bliciy baptized the child at the 1 abernacle, all went away big with hopes of his being fpared to be em- ployed in the work of God. But theie fond ex^ pedlations were foon blafted by the child's death, when he was about four months old. This was, no doubt, very humbling to the father \ but he was helped to make the wifefl and bed improve^ ment of it. *' Though I am difappointed (fays *' he, writing to his friend (>;, of a living preacher " by the death of my fon j yet I hope what hap- " pened before his birth, and fince at his death, *^ has taught me fuch lefTons, as if duly improved, " may render his miftaken parent more cautious, ♦' more fober-minded, more experienced in Satan's *' devices, and confequently more uleful in his fu-» " ture labours to the church of God.'* March 3, he attended the affizes at Qlciuefter. The occafion was, in the Summer 1743, the Me- il) Letter DXLVII. thodids s the jRev. Mr. George Whitefield. 135 thodifts had beeji perfecuted and abulcd by the mob, jDarticuIarly at Hampton, where i'everal ■were Imrt, and the ^ife of their preachers threatened. Mr. Whitefield having tried other me- thods in vain, refolved, with the advice and alTift;- ance of his brethren, to feek th€ proteflion of law : and accordingly got an information lodged againft the Hampton rioters in the court of King's-Bench. Fa<5ls being proved by a variety of evidence, and the defendants making no reply, the rule was made abfolute-, and an information filed agminft them. To this they pleaded No-t guilty^ and there- fore the caufe was referred in courfe to the aflizes in Gloucejier^ There he attended, and got the better of his adverfaries. After a fiili hearing on both fides^ a verdid was given for the profeciuors, and a-11 the defendants w^re brought in guilty of the whole information lodged againft them. This profecution had a very good effe<5l. The rioters were greatly alarmed at the thoughts of having an execution ilTued out againfl them. But the inten- tion of the Methodifts was, to let them fee what they could do, and then to forgive them {z). Some time before this, feveral anonymous pa- pers, entitled, " Obfervations upon the Condud; and Behaviour of a certain Sed, ufually diftin- guifhed by the name of Methodifts," had been printed, and handed about in the religious focieties (z) Letter DXLIX, DL. See an account of this trial in his Works, Vol. IV. K 4 cf 130 Memoirs of the Life of of London and Wefiminfter^ and given to manyf private perlbns, with ftrid injundions to part with them to no one. Mr. Whitefield having accidentally had the hafty perufal of them ^ and finding many queries concerning him and his condud contained in them ; and having applied for a copy, which was refilled him, he thought it his duty to publifh an advertifement, defiring (as he knew not how foon he might embark for Georgia) a fpeedy, open publication pf the faid papers, that he might make a candid and impartial anfwer. He had reafon to believe the Bifliop of London was concerned in compofing or revifing them : but that he mio-ht not be miilaken, after the publication of the ad- vertifement, he wrote the Bifhop a letter, wherein he defired to know, whether his LordOiip was the author or not ; and alfo defired a copy. The Bi- fhop lent word, " He fliould hear from him." Some time after, one Mr. Owen^ printer to the Biihop, left a letter for Mr. Whitefield^ informing him that he had orders from feveral of the Bijhops^ to print the Obfervations, he. with fome few addi- tions^ for their ufe ; and when the imprefllon was finifhcd, Mr. Whitefield fliould have a copy. — For thefe reafons, Mr. Whitefield thought it proper to direft his Anftver to the Obfervatiom^ to the Bifhop of London, and the other Bifiiops concerned in the publication of them. This Anfwer occafioned the 'Pxv. Mr, Church's Expof^ulatory Letter to Mr. Whitefield I, the Rev. Mr, George Whicefield. i 3 f fVhitefield ; to' which he Toon replied, v/ith thanks to the author for prefixing his name (zz). Having refolved to make another vifit to ^ijie- ricn, whither Mr. Smilh, a merchant, then in Eng- land, in the name of thoufands invited him. With him he took pafiage in a fliip going from Portfr mouth •, but being informed, juft before he was about to take his farewell, that the captain refufcd to take him, for fear, as he alledged, of fpoiling the failors, he was obliged to go as far as Plymouth. " In my way, fays, he, I preached at Wellington^ *' wherp one Mr. J)arracott had been a blefied in- " ftrument of dping much good. At Exeter alfo, " I revifited, v/here many fouls were awakened to *' the divine life. At Biddeford, where good Mr. ^' Hervey had been curate, we had much of the ■" power of God ; and alfo. at Kingjlridge. But '" the chief fcene was at Plymouth and the dock, " wherp 1 expected leafi fuccefs (^)." It is re- (z%) See his Works, Vol. IV. where is alfo his An- fwer to the Second Part of the Obfervations, &c. in a fecond letter to the Bifhops, written during his yoyagc to America that year, {a) AI. S. Upon mentioning Biddeford^ he adds here a chara<5ter of Mr. Plervey ; it is pity he did not write it down. — However, we have a fketch of it in Letter DCCLXIIl. "• Your fentiments concerning *' Mr. H 's book, are very juft- The author of it ?' is my old friend ; a moft heavenly-minded creature, *' one of the firft of the Meihodifts, who is contented " with a fmall cure, and gives all that he has to the P poor. He is very weak, and daily waits for his diffo- f iution." 7 markable, 138 Memoirs of the Life of markable, thsr juft before his fuccefs at Plymouth^ , he was in danger of being killed. Four gentle- men, it feems, came to the houle of one of his particular friends, kindly enquiring after him, and defiring to know where he lodged. Soon after- wards, Mr. IVhitffield received a letter, informing him, that the writer was a nephew of Mr. S , an attorney at New-7'ork ; that he had the pleafure of fupping with Mr. Whitefield^zi his uncle's houfe ; and defired his company to fup with him, and a. few more friends, at a tavern. Mr. fVhitefield fent him word, that it was not cuftomary for him to fup abroad at taverns, but ihould be glad of the gentleman's company to [eat a morfel with him at his lodging -, he accordingly came and fupped ; but was obferved frequently to look around him, and to be very abfent. At laft he took his leave, ancj returned to his companions in the tavern j and bet- ing by them interrogated, what he had done, he anfwered, " That he had been ufed fo civilly, he '' had not the heart to touch him.'* Upon which, it fcems, another of the company, a lieutenant of a man of war, laid a wager of ten guineas, that he would do his bufinefs for him. His companions, however, had the precaution to take away his fword. It was now about midnight, and Mr. White- fi.ld having that day preached to a large congrega- tion, and vifited the French prifoners, was gone to bed: when the landlady came and told him that a well-drefied gentleman defired to fpeak with him, Jylr. IVhitefdd, imagining it was fomcbody under con- the Rev. Mr, George Whltefield. 139 conviflion, dcfired him to be brought up. He camtf, and fat down by the bed fivie, congratulated him upon the fucccis of his tririidry, and cxpiefTcd much concern at being detained iroin hearing him. Soon afcer he broke out inio the n:o\\: abufive language, and in a cruel and cowardly manner, beat him in liis bed, The jandlady and her daughter hearing the noife, rufhed into the room, ^nd leized upon him ; but he foon diiengaged himfelf from them, and repeated his blows on Mr. JVhitefield^ who being apprehenfive that he intended to fhoot or ftab him, underwent all the furprize of a liidden and violent death. After- wards, a fecond came into the houle, and cried out from the bottom of the flairs, *' Take cou- " rage, I am ready to help you.'* But by the repeated cry of murder^ the alarm was now fo great, that they both made off. " The next " morning, lays Mr. V/hilcfidd (^), I was to ex- *' pound at a private houfe, and then to fet out ^* for Biddefcrd. Some urged me to flay and " profecute ; but being better employed, I went *' on my intended journey, was greatly blefled " in preaching the everlafting golpel, and upon *' my return was well paid for what I had fuffered: *■ curiofity having led perhaps two thoufand more " than ordinary, to fee and hear a man that had " like to have been murdered in his bed. And " I truft in the five weeks time {c)^ while I v/aited {b) Letter DLII. !! for 140 Memoirs of the Life of *' for the convoy, hundreds were awakened and ^' turned unto the Lord. At the dock alfo, *' near Plymouth^ a glorious work was begun. " Could the fields between Plymcuth and the Dock, ^' fpeak, they could tell what blefled fcalbns were *^ enjoyed there,'^ CHAP. the ReU, Mr, George Whltcfield. 14! CHAP. XIL From his emharking for America in 1 744, to his going to the Bermudas, in the Tear 1 748. AS foon as the convoy came {d)^ Mr. White- field embarked in the beginning of Auguji 1744, though in a poor ftate of health. The tedioufnefs of the voyage, he imagined, occafion- td no fmall addition to a violent pain in his fide. However, he fays, " BlefTed be God, in a week *' or two after we failed, we began to have a *' church in our fliip. We had regular public " prayer morning and evening, frequent coni- *' munion, and days of humiliation and fading," After a palTage of eleven weeks [ej, he arrived at [d) " Augujl i^. Our convoy is now come. I defire *' you all to blefs God for what he is doing in thefe ** parts ; for preaching in the Dock is now like preach- *' ing at the Tabernacle. Our morning leisures are ** very delightful. O ! the thoufands that flock to the *' preaching of Chrijr% Gofpcl." Letter DLVllI, DLIX. P. S). *' I mufl: tell you one thing more. There is a *' ferry over to Plymovth. The ferrymen are now fo ** much my friends, that they will take nothing of the *' multitudes that come to hear me preach ; faying, ' God forbid that we fliould fell the word of God.' {e) His Letter to the Clergy of the Diocefs ol Litch- field and Coventry^ is dated during this voyage. l^i Memoirs of the Life of Tork in New England. Colonel Pepperell went with fome friends in his own boat, to invite him to his houfe. But he was not in a proper condi- tion to accept the invitation, being fo ill of a ner- vous cholic, that he was obliged, immediately after his arrival, to go to bed. His friends were very apprehenfive ; but he himfelf had much in- ward peace. Great care was taken of him by a phyfician who had been a notorious Deift, but was awakened, the laft time he was in New Eng^ land. For fome time he was, indeed, very weak : *' Yet (he writes) (f) in three weeks, I was en- abled to preach : but, imprudently going ovef the ferry to Portfrnonth.^ I caught cold, imme- diately relapfed, and was taken, as every one thought, with death, in my dear friend Mn Sherburneh houfe. What gave me moll con- cern was, that notice had been given of my being to preach. Whilft the Dodor was pre- paring a medicine, feeling my pains abated, 1 on a fudden cried, ' Doftor, my pains are fuf- • pended : by the help of God, I will go and * preach, and then come home and die.' *' In my *' own apprehenfion, and in all appearance to " others, I was a dying man« 1 preached. The " people heard me as fuch. The invifible reali" *' ties of another v/orld lay open to my view. ** Expecting to ftretch into eternity, and to be " with my mailer before the morning, I fpoke (f) M. S. and Letter DLXII, See Works, Vol. IV* " with cc C( (C «( C( the Rev, Mr. George Whitefielci. 143 ** with peculiar energy. Such effecls followed the *' word, 1 thought it was worth dying for a thou- " fand times. Though wonderfully comforted " within, at my return home, I thought I was " dyinf'- indeed. I was laid on a bed upon the *' crround, near the Ere, and I heard my friends " Jky, ' He is gone.' But God was pleafed to " order it otherwife. I gradually recovered j and. *' foon after, a poor negro- woman would fee me. *' She came, fat down upon the ground, and " looked earneftly in my face, and then faid, in "broken language; ' Mailer, you juft go to ' Heaven's gate. But J^/ms Cbrijl faid, Get you ' down, get you down, you mud not come here ' yet ; but go firft, and call fome more poor ne~ * orroes.' " I prayed to the Lord, that if 1 was *' to live, this might be the event. *' In about three weeks I was enabled, though •' in great weaknefs, to reach Bcfton-, and everyday *' was more and more confirmed, in what I had *' heard about a glorious work, that had been *' beo^un and carried on there, and in almoll all parts of New England^ for two years together. Before my lad embarkation from Georgia, Mr. ' *' Colman^ and Mr. Cooper^ wrote me word, that upon Mr. 'Tenant's going out as an itinerant, the awakening greatly increafed in various places {g)^ cc (g) See Prince's Chriftian Hiftory, (or Hiftorical Collediions, 5cc. Vol. II. page 304) where are attefta- tions of above a hundred-and-twenty minilters to the goQdnefs of she work* « till t44 Memoirs of the Life of " liil, at length, the work fo advanced evtr^ " where, that many thought the latter-day glory " was indeed come, and that a nation was to be *' born in a day. But, as the fame iun that en- " lightens and warms the earth, gives vent to " noxious infeds ; lb the fame work, that for a *' while carried all before it, was fadly blemifhed " through the fubtility of Satan (b)-^ and the '' want of more experience -in minifters and " people, who had never feen fuch a fcene be- " fore. Oppofers, who waited for fuch an occa- " fion, did all they could to aggravate every' *' thino^. One rode feveral hundred miles, to *' pick up all the accounts he could get of what •' was wrongj in what he called only, * a reli- * o-ious ftir.' " And God having been pleafed " to lend me firft, all was laid upon me. Tefti- " monies figned by various minifters came out *''^ ao-ainft me (z), almoft every day. And the dif- *'■ orders were alio at the higheft •, fo that for i *' while, my (ituation was rendered uncomfort- " ableC/^j. But amidft all this fmoke, a blefled " fire (b) Thus It was at the Reformatiorl in Germany. (i) He wrote an Anfvvcr, to a Teftimony by Har- vard CoWzgQ. See Works, Vol. IV. (k) While fome publinied teftimonials againft Mr. JVbitcfidd^ others publiflied tcftiiuonials in his favour: :is Mr. Hobby, Mr. Loring ; Fifteen miniders convened iit Towiton, March ^, 1745. And the following para:- graph is in 'Princis Ghrifiian Hiitory, No. XCIV. "■ Saturday, Nove?nber 24, 1744- Tlie Rev. Mr. IVhite- ♦* Held was lb far revived, as lo be able to fet out from «' Port/month the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 14-^ *' fire broke out. The awakened fouls were as *' eager as ever to hear the word (k). Having '' heard c ii ' Portfmouih to Bojlon^ whither he tame In a very feeble ftate the ^'/tfWc;;' evening after : fmce which, he has been able to preach in feveral of our largefl houfes of public worihip, particularly the Rev. Dr. Colmant,^ *' Dr. 5ewaWs^ iVlr. JVebFs, and Air. Gee\, to crowded *' afl'emblies of people, and with great and growing ac- **• ceptance. At Dr. Cotnans defire, and the confenc of *' the church, on the Lord's-day after his arrival, he '' adminiftered to them the Holy Communion. And laft *' Lord's-day he preached^ for Mr. Cheever of Chclfcay *' and adminiftered the Holy Supper there. The next ^^ day preached for the Rev, Mr. Emerfon of Maiden, *' Yefterday he fet out to preach at fome towns to the ''' northward, propofes to return hither the next JVedncf- " day evening, and after a few days, to comply with the *' earneft invitations of feveral minifters, to go arid *' preach to their congregations in the foutherh parts of *' the province. He comes with the fame extraordi- *' nary fpirit of meeknefs, fweetncfs, and univerfal be- *' nevolence, as before. In oppofition to the fpirit of '' feparation and bigotry, is ftill for holding communion *' with all protcftant churches. In oppofition to enthu- *' fiafm, he preaches a dofe adherence to the Scrip- *' tures, the neceflity of trying all impreffions by them, *' and of reje(5fing whatever is not agreeable to them, '' as delufions. \xi oppofition to Antino-mianijm^ he *' preaches up all kinds of relative and religious duties, *' though to be performed in the ftrength of Chr'ijl : ^'^ and in fliort, the doftrines of the Church oj Enz'„, «' land^ and of the flrft fathers of this country. As' *' before, he firft applies himfelf to the underflandings ^^ of his hearers, and then to the aftedions. And the ^^ more he preaches, tlie more he convinces people of «^' their miltakes about him, and increafes their fatif- «■' fadicn." (k) " A man of good parts, ready wit, and lively ^'^ imagination, who had made it his bufinefs, in order 146 Memoirs of the Life of *' heard t!iat I had expounded early in Scoiland, ■•' they begged I would do the fame in Bojton. I " cctnplied, and opened a lefture at fix in the " morning. I feldom preached to lefs than two " thoufand. It was dehghtful to lee fb many of " both lexes, neatly drefied, flocking to hear the word, and returning home to family-prayer and breakfafb, before the oppofers were out of their beds. So that it was commonly faid, That '• between early rifing, and tar-water, the phyfi- " cians would have no bunnefs/* It was now Spring 1745, and at that time the firft expedition was fct on foot againft Cape Breton. Colonel PeppercU^ who was then at B0JI077, and conftantly attended Mr. JVhitefield^s ledlure, was pleafed, the day before he accepted a commifTion, to be General in that expedition, to afk Mr. TVhitffield's, opinion of the matter. He told him, with his ufual frank nefs, " That he did not, in- " d^^d, think the fcheme propofed for taking *■* Loiiifln'/rgb ^ very promifing: that the eyes of all " would be upon him. If he did not fucceed, *■' tiiC v.idows and orphans, of the flain foldiers. 4( I'. ro furnifb matter for preaching over a bottle, to come r.iid hear, and then carry away fcraps of my fer- *• moHi, ; liav'iim one night got fufficient matter to work *' upon, as he tiiou ^ David's cc 148 Memoirs of the Life of David*s worthies •, then he made no manner of doubt, there would be good news from Cape Bre- ton, After this, he preached to the General him- felf i who afked him. If he would not be one of his chaplains ? But he excufed himfclf, and faid, " He fhould think it an honour, but believed, as he generally preached three times a day, in various places, to large congregations, he could do more fervice by flirring up the people to pray, and thereby ftrengthening his, and his foldiers hands." And in this praflice he per- fifted during the ^K^zoi Louifburgh. " I believe, adds he (w), " if ever people went with a difm- " terefted view, the Ne"^ Engianders did then. Though many of them were raw and undifci- plined, yet numbers were fubftantial perfons " who left their farms, and willingly ventured all " for their country's good. An amazing fcene of * *' providences appeared (n)^ and though lomedif-"^ " couraging accounts were fent during the latter " end of the fiege •, yet in about fix weeks, news '* was brought of the fur render of hou'ijhurgh, " Numbers flocked from all quarters, to hear a *■' thankfgiving fermon upon the occafion. And " I truft the blefling bellowed on the country, *' through the thankfgivings of many, redound-; " ed to the glory of God." (tn) M. S. and Letter DLXXII. {n) Sec Mr. Princes Sermon on that occafion. Ths cc the Rev. Mr, George Whitefield. 149 The New England people had, fome time ago, offered to build him a large houfe to preach in •, but as this fcheme might have abridged his liber- ty of itinerating, he thanked them for their kind offer, and at the fame time begged leave to re- fufe the accepting of it (o). As his bodily ftrcngth 'increafed, and his health grew better, he began to move farther fouthward ; and, after preaching eaftward, as far as Cafcobay and North T'armcutb^ Jie went through Conne5iicutt, Plymcuth^ Rhode- Ifland^ preaching to thoufands, generally twice a day. " And though," fays he (p)^ " there was much fmoke, yet every day I had more and more convincing proof, that a bicffed Gofpel- " fire had been kindled in the hearts both of minifters and people. At New T'ork^ where I preached as ufual, I found that the feed fown, had fprung up abundantly : and at the eail- end of Lcng IJland faw many inftances. In my way to Philadelphia^ I had the pleafure of preaching, by an interpreter, to fome convert- ed Indians^ and of feeing near fifty young ones in one fchool, near Free-hold^ learning the Af' fembly's Catechifm. A bleffed awakening had " been begun, and carried on among the Dela- " ware Indians^ by the inftrumentaliry of Mr. " David Brainard (q), fuch a one as hath not (0) Letter DLXVII. (p) M. S. - ~ (q) See his Life and Journals. L 3 *' been ii (C (C <(■ a, i^Q Memoirs of the Life of " been heard of fince the awakening in Nev) ^' E;:gland by the venerable Mr. Elliot, who ufed " to be ftiied the Apoftle of the Indians ; his " brother followed him. Mr. William Teyinent^ *' whole party I found much upon the advance, *' feemed to encourage their endeavours with all " his heart. " His brother, Mr. Gilbert Tennent, being " earneftly follicited thereto, I found fettled in " the place formerly ere6led at the beginning of " the awakening. The gentlemen offered me *' eight hundred pounds a year, only to preach " among them fix months, and to travel the '' other fix months v/here I would. Nothing re^ *' markable happened, during my way fouthr ward. But when I came to Virginia, 1 found that the word of the Lord had run and was *' glorified. During my preaching at Glafgozv^ fome perfons wrote fome of my extempore fer- mons, and prin-ed them almoft as fall as I preached them. Some of thefe were carried to " Virginia, and one of them fell into the hands " of Samuel Morris. He read and found bene- fit (r). He then read them to others ; they were awakened and convinced. A fire was kindled ; oppofition was made -, other labourers " were fent for :, and many, both white people " and negroes, were converted to the Lord. (r) See this more fully narrated Hift. Coll. Book IV. fpha|). V. Sect. 22, ^* In a (I ^Le Rt'v. Mr. George Whiteficld. 151 " In North Carclina^ wliere I flayed too fhort a *' time, litde was done. At Georgia, through the badncf^ of the infhitution, and the Truftees ' obftinacy in not ahering it, my load of debt *' and care was greatly increafcd, and at tiines " almofb overwhelmed me. But I had the plea- " fure of feeing one, who came as a player from *' New Tcrk, now converted unto God, and a preacher of Jefus Cbrifi. One Mr. Ratteray brought me ten pounds : and at my return northward, freOi fupplies were raifed up. The generous Charles-town people raifed a fubfcrip- tion of three hundred pounds, with which I bought land, being cheap, during the warj and a plantation, and a few negroes were pur- ** chafed at Indian- land. Thus, for a while, the gap was (topped. I preached a fermon upon *' the Rebellion. Was very fick at Philadel- ** phia ; kindly received ar Bohemia^ and at New- « Tork. *' As idnerating was my delight, and Amc- *' rica, as being a new world, particularly plea- " fing, I now began to think of returning no " more to my native country. But travelling, ** care, and a load of debt, contradcd not for " myfelf, but the Orphan-houfe, weighed me " down. And being much troubled with ftitche's *' in my fide, I was advifed to go to BcnnndaSy " for the recovery of my health (s)." He ac- cord in g-lv ^ •' {s) In his Letters during this period, are the following paflages : L 4. ** ^J'jnli 4( 15? Memoirs of the Life of cordingly embarked, and lajuied there the 15th of March, 1748- *•= Augujl 26, 1746. The door, for my ufefulnefs, opeps wider and wider. I love to range in the Ame- rican woods, and fometimes think I fhall never re- turn X.Q England any more. *' OSiober 8. I have had fome fweet times with feve- ral of the Lutheran minifters at Philadelphia. *' Novemher 8. I have lately been in feven counties in Maryland, arjd preached to great congregations. May 21, 1747. I have now been upon the ftretch, preaching conftantly for almoft three weeks. My body is often extremely weak, but the joy of the Lord is my ftrength j and by the help of God, I intend going on till I drop, or this poor carcafe can hold out no more. Thefe fouthern colonies lie in darknefs, and yet, as far as I find, are as willing to receive the Gofpel, as others. If fome good books could be purchafed, to difpofe among poor people, much good might be done. " "June 1. The congregations yefterday were exceed- ing large. I am fick and v/ell, as I ufed to be in England \ but the Redeemer fills me with comfort. I am determ.ined, in his ftrength, to die fighting. *' ^um 4. I have omitted preaching one night tq oblige' my friends, that they may not chafge me v/ith murdering myfclf ; but I hope yet to die in the pul- pit, or foon after I come out of it. *' "june 23. Since my laft, I have been feveral times on the verge of eternity. At prefent, J ami fo weak that I cannot preach. It is hard work to be filent, but I muft be tried every way. " "June 29. God has been pleafed to bring my body to the very brink of the grave, by convulfions, gra- vel, a nervous cholic, and a violent fever. For this week paft, I have not preached ; but fince my leaving Philadelphia, about three days ago, I feem- ed to have gathered ftrength, and hope once more, to-morrow, to proclaim amongft poor finners, the ^? unfearchable riches of "Jejui Chriji. I purpofe to go the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 153 ** to Bojion^ and return by land, fo as to reach Charles^ town by Nove7nher. July 4. At prefent, I am very weakly, and fcarce ** able to preach above once or twice a week. '' September ii. We faw great things in New Eng- " land. The flocking and power that attended the word, *' was like unto that feven years ago. Weak as I was, " and have been, I was enabled to travel eleven hun- *' dred miles, and preach daily, I am now going (q *^ Georgia to winter." CHAP. 154 Memoirs of the Life of CHAP. XIII. Trom his Arrival at the Bermudas, to his Return to London /'» July 1748. MR. IVhiteJield met with the kindefl recepticin at Bermudas^ and for above a month, he preached generally twice a day, traverfing the ifland from one end to the other : but his adlivity, ufefulnefs, and treatment, will beft appear by an extract from his manufcript journal of that pe- riod. The fimplicity and plainnefs of the people, together with the pleafant fituation of the " ifland, much delighted me. The Rev. Mr. *' Holiday^ minifter of Spanijli-Point^ received me *' in a m.ofl; afFedlionate chriftian manner, and *"^ begged I would make his houfc my home. — In the evening, I expounded at the houfe of Mr. Savage of Port-Royal, which was very '-'" commodious, and which alfo he would have •' me make my home. 1 went with Mr. Sa- " vage^ in a boat lent us by Captain , " to the town of St. George, in order to pay our refpedls to the Governor. All along we had a molt pleafant profpedl of the other part of the ifland ; but a more pleafant one I never faw. '■' One Mrs. Smith, of St. George's, for whom I had '^ ?i letter of recommendation from my dear old " friend €1 it the Rev, Mr, George Whitefield. 155 *' friend Mr. Smith of Cbarks-7'owfj, received mc *' into into her houfe. About noon, with one of ** the council and Mr. Savage, I waited upon the *' Governor. He received us courteouQy, and *' invited us to dine with him and the council at a *^ tavern. We accepted the invitation, and all *' behaved with great civility and refpeft. After ^ the Governor rofe from table, he defired, if I *' flayed in town on the Sunday^ that 1 would dine '* with him at his own houfe. " Sunday^ March 20, read prayers, and preached ** twice this day, to what were efteemed here large *' auditories, in the morning at Spa7iiJ]i-Pcint church, " and in the evening at Bracki/Ji-fcnd church, about " two miles diftant from each other. In the af- " ternoon I fpoke with greater freedom than in " the morning, and I trull: not altogether in vain. All were attentive — fome wept. I dined with Colonel Butterfield, one of the council, and re- " ceived feveral invitations to other «jentlemen*s *' houfes. May God blefs and reward them, and *' incline them to open their heart to receive the ^* Lord Jefus ! Amen and Jmen ! " PFednefday^ March 23, dined with Capt. Ci^^j, and went from thence and expounded at the houfe of Capt. F /^, at Httnbay, about two " miles diftant. The company was liere alfo large, ^^ attentive, and affefted. Our Lord gave me " utterance : I expounded on the firfl part of the viiith chapter of Jeremiah. After lecture, Mr, Riddle, a counfellor, invited me to his houfe, f a? did Mr. Pauh an 9ged prefbyteri^n minifter. cc 156 Memoirs of the Life of to his pulpit; which I complied with upon con-» dition the report was true, that the Governor had ferved the minifters with an injundlion that '* i ihould not preach in the churches. Friday^ March 25, Was prevented preaching yefterday by the rain, which continued from morning till night ; but this afternoon God gave me another opportunity of declaring his eternal truths to a large company at the houfe of one *- Mr. B J, who laft night fent me a letter of *' invitation. " Sunday, March 27. Glory be to God ! I hope this has been a profitable fabbath to many fouls: It has been a pleafant one to mine. Both morn- ing and afternoon I preached to a large auditory^ for Bermudas^ in Mr. Paulas meeting-houfe, which I l\ippofe contains above four hundred. '* Abundance of negroes, and many others, were *' in the veflry, porch, and about the houfe, " The word feemed to be clothed with a convinc- ing power, and to make its way into the hearts of the hearers. Between fermons, I was enter- tained very civilly in a neighbouring houfe: Judge Bafcom and three more of the council " came thither ; each gave me an invitation to " his houfe. — O how does the Lord make way " for a poor ftranger in a flrange land ! — After *' the fecond fermon, I dined with Mr. Paul, and *' in the evening expounded to a very large com- ^' pany at Counfellor Riddle's. — My body was " fomevvhat weak, but the Lord carried me through, and caufed me to go to reft rejoicing. May cc cc (( &( C( «c «( 1 6 2 Memoirs of the Life of " Friday^ April 8. Preached ycfterday with •* great clearnefs and freedom, to about fourfcorc ** people at a houfe on Davids ifland, over " againft St. George's town •, went and lay at Mr. " Holidafs^ who came in a boat to fetch me ; and " this day I heard him preach and read prayers, *' after which I took the facrament from him. " Honeft man, he would have had me adminifter " and officiate ; but I chofe not to do it, left I ** fhould bring him into trouble after my depar* " ture. However, in the afternoon I preached at one Mr. Tod^s^ in the fame parifli, to a very large company indeed. The "Lord was with me. My heart was warm, and what went from the heart, I truft went to the heart, for many were affedled. O that they may be converted alfo ! Then will it be a gcod Friday indeed to their " fouls. *' Sunday, April lo. Dined and converfed yel- " terday very agreeably with Judge Brifcoms -^ who '• fcems to have the greateft in fight into the dif- " ferenee between the Arnmta)! and Cahimjlical *' fcheme of any one 1 have yet met with upon the *' ifland. — In the afternoon, I vifited a fick para- " lytic, and this day I preached twice again at '' Mr. PaiWs meeting-houfe. The congregations *• were rather larger than ever, and the power *' of God fcemed to be more amongft them. I " think 1 fee a vifible alteration for the better " every Lord's -day. Blefled be God ! In the ** evening I expounded at Mr. Jofeph Dorreli'sy 7 " (wlicre <( ci it berfcrd, Leeds, and Haworth, where good Mr. GrimJJiaw (who was fo indefatigable in his endea- vours to bring fouls to Chrijl) was minifter. In his church they had above a thoufand communi- cants, and in the church-yard about fix thoufand hearers. AtLfeds, the auditory confided of above ten thoufand. Thither Mr. Whitejield was invited by one of the Rev. Mr. tVeJlefs preachers, and by the focieties. And Mr. Charles Wejley coming there, gave notice of him to the people {k), and alfo introduced him to the pulpit in Newcajlk^ where he preached four times, and twice without doors. It being now late in the year, he did not go forward to Scotland^ but returned to London, after having preached about thirty times in I'orkJJiire^ and above ten times in CheJJiire^ and Lancajhire], {h) Letter DCCLXII. (/) Letter DCCLXXV. {k) Letter DCCLXXVIII, DCCLXXIX. ,., ... . . . .. . ^g the Rev, Mr, George Whitefield. 183 He was alfo at Sheffield and Nottingham. And the congregaiions were every where large and ferious. Only in one or two places, he had a little rough treatment -, but this he did not mind, while h^ had reafon to think many received real benefit (I), He arrived in London about the middle of Novem- ber^ and continued there till the beo-innins; of February., employed in his ufual manner. Having offered to affift, occafionally, at Wefi-fireet chape,!, it was accepted. Accordingly, he preached four or five times there, and adminiftered the facra- ment twice or thrice. Congregations were very large {m). February 6, 1750. he writes from Gloucejier {n) : " Though I left London in a very weak condition, " and the weather was but bad, I came here on Friday evening, and was ftrengthened to preach on Saturday., and likewife on Sunday evening, and twice the fame day in the country, at the *' New-houfe and at Hampton.'* And again from Brijlol., February 12. " Since I wrote laft, we " have been favoured both in Gloucejier city, and " in the country, with very pleafant and delight- ** ful feafons (ojl. I have preached about twenty times, within thefe eight or nine days •, and though frequently expofed to rain and hail, am much better than when I left London.''* Froni (/) Letter DCCLXXXI. DCCLXXXVI. {m) Letter DCCCXIX. {n) Letter DCCCXIV, (0) Letter DCCCXVL N 4 Bripl 184 Memoirs of the Life of Briftol he went to Exeter^ and to Plymouth^ and in his way met with the Rev, Mr. Pear/all, a diflent^ ing minifter at 'Taunton, and Mr. Darracott at Wellington ; both of whom he fpeaks of in his Let- ters with the higheft regard {p). At Plymouth he preached twelve times in fix days, and the longer , he preached, he had the greater number of hei*rers. His friends grew more zealous, and the fury of his enemies began to fubfide. From thence he travelled near to the Land's- end, preach- ing in a great many places, fuch as 'Tavijiock, St. Ginny\ (q)^ Port Ifaac, Camelford, St. Andrews^ Redruth^ Gwinncp, St. Meivens. All this he ac- compliflied before the 2 ill of March, when we find him again at Exeter. " Invitations (fays he) " are fent to me from feveral places. I want " more tongues, more bodies, more fouls for the " Lord Jfjus. Had I ten thoufand, he Hiould " have them all (r)." In April he v/as zxhondon and Portfmouth. And in May went to A/Jiby^ to wait on Lady Hunting- don, who had been ill. In his way thither, he had a moft comfortable interview with the Rev, (/.; Letter DCCCXX. [q) " Four of Mr. Wejley% preachers were prefent, *' and three clergymen, Mr. Bennet aged fourfcore, «* Mr. Thompfon, and Mr. Grigg." Letter DCCCXX IV. *• I found, as I went along, a mod blcffed work had " been carried on by the inftrumentality of the Mr. ** Wejleys, and their fellow-labourers." M. S. (r) Letters DCCCXXIV, XXV, and XXVI. Dr. c the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. i8^ Dr. Doddridge^ Mr. Hervey (s), and Dr. . (/j But at Aftihy^ where it might have been leaft expedted, there was a riot made before Lady Huntingdon's houfe, while the Golpel was preach- ing: and in the evening, fome people in their (ij Mr. Hervey thus wrote of this interview to a friend : * I have feen lately, that moft excellent miniftcr of ' the ever-blefled Jefus, Mr. Whitefield. I dined, fup- * ped, and fpent the evening with him at Northampton^ ' in company with Dr. Doddridge., and two pious, inge- nious clergymen of the Church of England., both of ' them known to the learned world by their valuable ' writings. And furely, I never fpent a more delight- ' ful evening, or faw one that feemed to make nearer approaches to the felicity of heaven. A gentleman of * great worth and rank in the town, invited us to his * houfe, and gave us an elegant treat ; but how mean was his provifion, how coarfe his delicacies, compared ' with the fruit of my friend's lips ; they dropped as the honey-comb, and were a well of life. Surely, ' people do not know that amiable and exemplary man, ' or elfe, I cannot but think, inftead of depreciating, ' they would applaud and love him. For my part, I ' never beheld fo fair a copy of our Lord, fuch a living image of the Saviour, fuch exalted delight in God, ' fuch enlarged benevolence to man, fuch a lleady faith * in the divine promifes, and fuch a fervent zeal for the « divine glory ; and all this, without the leaft morofe- * nefs of hur our, or extravagancies of behaviour; < fweetened with the moft engaging chearfulnefs of tem- * per, and regulated by all the fobriety of reafon, and » wifdom of Scripture ; in fo much, that I cannot for- * bear applying the wife man's encomium of an illuftrious « woman, to this eminent minilier of the everlafting * Gofpel : " Many fons have done virtuoufly, but thou " excelleft them all." (0 Letter DCCCXXXII, return ( < ( c i86 Memoirs of the Life of return home narrowly efcaped being murdered. The Juftice being informed, fent a meiTage, in order to bring the offenders before him. " So that " I hope, (fays Mr. Whitefidd) it will be over- *' ruled for great good, and that the Gofpel, for '•' the future, will have free courfe {u)?* After he left JJlily^ he preached at Raddiff Church, Nottingham and Sutton with great fuc- tds. " At 'Nottingham^ (fays he) feveral came *' to me, enquiring, What they fhould do to be •' faved ? I preached there four times. One " evening. Lord S. and feveral gentlemen, were " prefent, and behaved with great decency. •' Many thoufands attended. Yefterday morning *' I breakfafled with three dilTenting minifters ; *' and Mr. P — — /, who told me, that Lady P defired he would prefs me to preach at the church. Yefterday, in the afternoon, I preached at Sutton ; and this morning (.vj at Mansfidd.^^ After leaving that place, he went to Rotherham and Sheffield. He was at Leeds in the end of Mv)', and obfcrves, " Methinks, I •' am now got into another climate (jy), where " there are many of God's people." From thence he went to Manchejier, Rofindale., and feveral other parts of Lancn/Jiire, Kendal^ Whitehaven^ Cocker- mouthy preaching generally twice a day, and arriv- {u) Letter DCCCXXXV. {x) Letter DCCCXXXVIir. {y) Letter DCCCXL, and XLIX. the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 187 pd at Edinburgh, July 6. having preached near a hundred times fince he left London^ and by a moderate computation^ to above a huadred thou- fand fouls. *' It is amazing (he writes) to fee how ," people are prepared, in places where I never " was before. What fhall I render to the *' Lord ?" At Edinburgh and Ghfgow, (in which places he fpent the month of y^^'j ^750) ^^ ^^^ received, as ufual, in the moft loving and tender manner, preaching generally tv/ice a day to great multi- tudes, whofe ferioufnefs, and earneft defire to hear him, made him exert himfelf rather beyond his ftrength. " By preaching always twice, (fays *' he) and once thrice, and once four times in a " day (2), I am quite weakened j but I hope to f recruit again. I am burning with a fever, and " have a violent cold ; but Chrijl's prefence makes . " me fmile at pain, and the fire of his love burns *' up all fevers whatfoever." He left Edinburgh, ^uguji 3, and foon found himfelf much better for riding. At Berwick^ one of the minifters lent him an offer of his pulpit, and he was informed that many more round that town, were willing to do the fame. At his return to London^ he preach- ed feveral times at Weft-Jlreet Chapel. He had alfo the pleafure of Mr. Hewey^ company, who, at his defire, came up to town, and lodged in his houfe. In the months of Sepember and O£iober (^) Letter DCCCLT, and LV. *■■'•'■■■' he 1 88 Memoirs of the Life of he made excurfions to Portfmoutk, Chatham^ Glou^ cejler, Birmingham^ EverJJiam^ JVedneJhury, and Nottingham •, " ranging about, (as he expreflfes it) " to fee who would beHeve the Gofpel-report(5j." And was particularly fuccefsful at Chatham and Canterbury. He fpent the winter in London^ in his ufual bufy and laborious way, and with equal fuccefs. He was confined, near a fortnight, to his room by a violent fever, and inflammation of the lungs ; but before the 17th of December, he was able to preach again. And in the latter end of January 1 75 1, he rode poft to JJIiby^ being alarmed with the accounts of Lady Huntingdon's dangerous ill- iiefs, and the afflictions with which it had pleafed God to vifit her family. He writes from AJliby^ January 29. *' BlefTed be God, Lady Huntingdon «' is fomewhat better. Entreat all our friends to " pray for her. Her fifter-in-law, Lady Frances « H , lies dead in the houfe. She was " a retired chriftian, lived filently, and died fud- *' denly, without a groan. May my exit be like " hers. Almoft all the family have been fick in " their turns.'* Having left London, March 5, he went again into Gloucejler/Jiire, and to Brijlol, and preached at Taunton and Wellington in his way to Plymouth, April II. he was at Exeter, and writes thus to Mr. Hervey : *' Some good, I trull, is to be done, {a) Letter DCCCLXVIIL " this <£ the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 189 this fpring, to many fouls. This weflern cir- " cuit, I believe, has been blefled already. I *' have preached about forty times fince 1 left •' London, and have been enabled feveral times " to ride forty miles a day. I find this fenfibly " refrefhes me. I wifh you could fay fo too. " At Plymouth we had fweet feafons -, and on Tuefday lad I met with a young clergyman, who was awakened under my preaching {^v^n years ago. He has been at Cambridge, and v^^as ordained by the Bifhop of Exeter. He is fol- lowed much, and, I fuppofe, will foon be re- proached for his Mailer's fake. I hope you *' find ftrength to proceed in your book." From Exeter he fet out on a tour through Waks^ where, in about three weeks, he rode near fiVe hundred miles, and preached generally twice a day ; and from hence, he made his vifit to Ire- land, which had been in his thoughts fome time. CHAP. fgo Memoirs of the Life (^ CHAP. XV. prom his firji V'lfit to Ireland, to his opening the New 'Tabernacle at London, in theT'ear iJSZ' AFTER a paflage of five days from tValeSj he arrived May 24, 1751, at Dublin, where he was gladly received, and lodged at the houfe of" Mr. L" , and preached every morning and evening as ufiial in other places : " Surely (fays " he) here are many converted fouls, among " whom are two or three fludents, and feverai ^'^ foldiers. At firft (z) the greatnefs and hurry " of the place furprized me ; but thanks be to " the Lord of the harveft, here as well as elle- where, the fields are white, ready unto harveft. Congregations are large, and hear as for eter- nity." And again : " Athlone, June 10. For this week paft, I have been preaching twice almoft every day in fome country towns. I " find, through the many offences that have lately *' been given, matters were brought to a low *' ebb. But the cry now is, * Methodifrii is re- '^' vived again (^j.'* At Limerick he preached fcven times to large and afftded auditories, and twice (2) Letter DCCCXCI, DCCCXCIL {a) In the MSS. he fays, " I taok a journey from *' near Hdverford IVeJi to Ireland, where a yet greater . work (C (C ec cc the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 191 twice at Cork (where the Methodifts had lately been mobbed) to a great body of people, with all quietnefs. From thence he went to Bandcn and Kinfale, where a like blefling attended his preach- ing. At his return to Cork, the numbers and af- fections of his hearers increafed. At Belfaji alfo he was detained fome days beyond his intention, by the people's importunity, and preached at Lif- iuruy Lurgun, the Maize, and Lambag, towns and places adjacent. So many attended, and theprof- pe(^ of doing good was To promifing, that he was forry he had not come to the north of Ireland fooner. Bat he hafted to pay another vifit to Scot- landy before he embarked for America, which he was intent upon doing before winter. He therefore came over in the beginning of July lysi-, from Belfajl to Irvifte, where at the defire of the magiftratcs he preached to a great congregation-, and fo proceeded to Glafgow. From this place he writes, July 12. " Though I *' preached near eighty times in Ireland, and God " was pleafed to blefs his word, yet Scotland feems ** to be a new world to me. To fee the people *' bring fo many Bibles, turn to every paffage " when I am expounding, and hanging, as it *' were, upon me to hear every word,' is very *' encouraging. 1 feel an uncommon freedom " here ; and talking with the winter as well as *' work had been begun and carried on to a high degree^ *' amidft prodigious oppofition ; numbers converted, " not only from popery, but to Jcfus Chrijl, at Jthlone„ ♦* Dublin^ Limerick, Corkj and various other places." *' with / 192 Memoirs of the Life of *' with the rummer faints, feeds and delights my " heart {b):' At this time he was glad to under- ftand {b) Here it may be proper, once for all, to take notice of feme particulars relating to Mr. IVhiteficlcts vifits to Scotland, which he continued till within a few years of his death. Though after the years 1741, and 1742, there was no fuch extenfive new awakenings, Mr. White field' ?> coming was always refrefhing to ferious perfons, and feemed to put new life into them : and alio to be the means of in- creafmg their number. His preaching was ftill emi- nently ufeful in various refpeds. In the firft place, it had an excellent tendency to deftroy the hurtful fplrlt of bigotry, and exceflive zeal for fmaller matters; and to turn men's attention to the great and fubflantial things of religion. Another efFe6l was, that it drew fevcral perfons to hear the gofpel, who feldom went to hear it from other minifters. Again, young people in general were much benefited by his miniftry, and particularly young fludents, who became afterwards ferious evano-e- lical preachers. Laftly, his morning difcourfes, which were moftly intended for fmcere but difconfelate fouls, were peculiarly fitted to dire^ and encourage all fuch in the chriilian life. And his addreiles in the evening to the promifcuous multitudes who then attended him, were of a very alarming kind. There was fomething exceedingly ftriking in the folemnity of his evening-con- gregations in the Orphan- houfe park at Edinburgh^ and High-Church-yard of Ghifgow; efpecially towards the conclufion of his fermons (which were commonly very long, though they feemed fiiort to the hearers) when the whole multitude flood fixt, and like one man hung upon his lips, with filent attention, and many under deep imprefTions of the great objeds of religion, and the concerns of eternity, l^hefe things will not foon be forgotten ; and it is hoped, the "many good effe<5ts, which by the divine bleifing attended them, never will. His ti}e Rev. Mr. George Whltt^etd. 19^ ftand that Mr. Dinwiddie^ brother-in-law to the Rev. Mr. MacCulloch of Cambujlangi was made . Governor \ His converfatioh was no lefs reviving th^n his fer- hions. Many in Edinburgh and Glafgovu are witnefles of this, efpecially at Glafgow, when in company with his good friends, Mr. McicLaurih, Mr. Robert Scott, dffc. one might challenge the fons of pleafure with all their wit^. good humour and gaiety to furnifli entertainment fo agreeable. At the fame time every part of it was not more agreeable, than it was ufeful and edifying. His friends in Scotland, among whom Were many of all ranks, from the highefl: to the loweft, were very con- ftant and fteady in their great regard for him. And his oppofers grew more and more mild. Some anonymous pamphlets were written againft him at his firft coming ; But thefe foon died and were forgotten. Afterwards a number of (tories v/ere handed about to his difadvan- tage ; but upon enquiry, it was found either that mat- ters were rrvifreprefented or exaggerated j or that there Was no foundation for fuch reports at all. In fhort, when they were traced to their origin, they rather turned out to his honour. He ufed to fmile at good Mr. Mac Laurins honeft zeal, who on fuch occafiorts fpured no pains to come at the truth, and when he had difcovered it, was no lefs eager to communicate the difcovery to others, for the vindication of Mr. Whitefielis character, in which bethought thecredit of religion wjs concerned. The following- inftance is well remembered. One Lieu- tenant Wright alledged that Mr. JVhitefield had kept back money fent by a gentlewoman to her fon in Ame- rica. This coming to Mr. MacLatirin% ears^ he was reftlefs till he procured a meeting betwixt Mr. IVhitejield and his accufer. They met; Mr. IVright did not recra(St what he had faid. Upon which a letter was inftantly wrote to the mother at London-^ and her anfwer being re- ceivedj a confutation of the calumny was publifhed in the Glafgow Courant in the following terms: OSlober 31, 1748.. *' A ftory having been fpread in this town of Mr. *' lyhitefieW^ having received twenty pounds fterling O " from. 194 Memoirs of the Life of Governor of Virginia. In that province there had been a confidcrable awakening for fome years pad, " from a gentlewoman in London^ to give her fon in " Georgia : whereas he had received only three guineas, *' which he had returned to the gentlewoman when he ** came back from Georgia^ her fon having been gone *' from thence before his arrival ; a letter was wrote to '* London to clear up this affair, to which the gentlc- «* woman has fent this anfwer : ' Sir, this is to aflure ** you that I received of Mr. John Stevens the three gui* ** neas, which was the full fum that I gave you for my " fon. I hope it is only a falfe afperfion on him ; for I " never heard that he fliould fay any fuch thing, being *' three months in England. I am, &c. September 13, *' 1748.' There is likcwife a receipt come down, *' dated Septc-mber 3, to Mr. Stevens. Both the letter ** and receipt are to be feen in the hands of the pub- " liflier." But, indeed, Mr. IFlntefieWs whole behaviour was fo open to the eyes of the world ; and his charader, after it had flood many attacks from all quarters, came at laft to be fo throughly eftablifhed, that feveral of his oppo- fers in Scotland feemed rather to acquire a certain degree of efteem for him ; at leaft, they all thought proper to give over fpeaking againft him. When he was at Glafgow, he always lodg-ed with Mr. yames Niven Merchant above the Crofs ; till towards the end of his life, his afthmatic diforder made the town air difagree with him. And then ne went out in the even- ings, and ftayed with his good friend Mr. MacCulloch at Camhn Jiang. A perfon of eminence, whom a fincere efteem of Mr. JVhltefield made attentive to his reception and miniftra- tions ii) Scotland^ from firfi to laft ; writes thus to the compiler : . Ediniurgb, January ijyi. " I think more might be *' faid with (rreat juftice, concerning the effe£ls of his *' miniftry in Scotland, after the firft two years ; as there *' was always a remarkable revival followed each of his *^ vifits ; which many qf the miniftcrt teftified from their q *' particular th^ Ilev, Mr, George Whitefield. 195 paft, efpecially in Hanover county and the places adjacent. As the mlnifters of the eftablifhment did not favour the work, and the people had put themfelves under the care of the New Tork fynod, they met with difcouragements from thole in power. However, Mr. Samuel Bavies (afterwards prefident of the college of Netv Jerfey) being licenfed, was fettled over a congregation ; and the religious concern fo increafed, that one congrega- tion was multiplied to feven. There was now an agreeable profped that thefc good people would have the fame privileges fecured to them, which diffenting proteftants enjoy at home (c), Augujl 6. he fet out from Edinburgh for Lon- doTif in order to embark a fourth time for America. He had thrown up much blood in Edinbui'gh ; but the journey he was now upon had a good cfFedl in recovering him from that illnefs : and as he went along, he was much refrelhed with the accounts he received of the happy fruits of his miniftry at *' particular knowledge, efpecially by the number of ** new communicants.— Mention might be made of the "'^ great number of minifters in Scotland, that employed ''*■ him, and of the many afFedlionate letters he received *' from them, of which there were a good many printed ** both in the London and Glafgoiv Weekly Hiftories, ** from fome of the moft eminent men in the Church, ^^ who had employed him to preach in their pulpits, and *' continued fo to do, when opportunity offered ; ex- «» cept in the Prefbytery of Edinburgh ; and even there, <' the Magiftrates always allowed him a Church to ** preach in, every time he came." [c) Letter DCCCCI. O 2 Kisndal ig6 Memoirs of the Life of Keudal the year before. After a forrowful parting with his frienc?s in England^ which grew ftill more diftrefling to him, he went aboard the Antelope^ Captain MacLellan^ bound for Georgia with Ger- maus ; and took along with him feveral children. He arrived at Savannah, O^oher 27, and found the Orphan-hoLiie in a flourifliing condition. " Thanks be to God, (fays he) all is well at Be- " thefda. A moft excellent tradb of land is *' granted to me very near the houfe, which in a " few years, I hope, will make a fufHcient pro- '* vifion for it (^j." From November 1751, to the beginning of April 1752, he was partly at Belhe/da, and pardy in South Carolina, ftill upon the ftretch in his Matter's work. " I intend, (fays " he) by his afTiftance, now to begin; for as yet, " alas ! I have done nothing." And again, " O " that I may begin to be in earneft ! It is a new *' year; God quicken my tardy pace, and help "■ me to do much work in a little time ! this is *' my higheft ambition (e)." Being warned by what had happened to him formerly, he did not venture to ftay the fummer feafon in America ; but took his pafTage in the end of April for London. At his arrival, he per- ceived he had returned in a very good time ; for Georgia was foon to be taken into the hands of Government, and put on the fame footing with {d) Letter DCCCCXII. (e) Letter DCCCCX, DCCCCXL Other the Rev. Mr, George Wbitefield. 197 r Other colonies, which gave ground to hope that it would foon become a flourifliing province. This was joyful news. He now thought provi- dence was appearing for Georgia and Betkefda. He determined therefore to fell his plantation, and to carry all his ftrength to the Orphan-houfe. About the middle of June^ he planned a new rout. " Next week, (fays he) God willing, I fhall " go to Pcrtfmouih^ from thence to Bath^ then to '* the weft, then to Wales, and from thence, may " be, to (f) Scotland and Ireland.''' Accordingly we find his letters of this period, dated at Portf- mouth^ Brijlol, Cardiff, Haverford-zvejl. In re- turning to Brijloly he attended an afTociation, where were prefent about nine clergy, and near forty other labourers, of whom he writes (g) : " I truft all are born of God, and deCrous to pro- " mote his glory, and his people's good. All was " harmony and love." Augujl ij. he was in Londo7i. His letter of this date to his acquaintance Dr. F , the cele- brated ele6Vrical philofopher, deferves particular notice. " 1 find you srov/ more and more fa- " mous in the learned v/orld. As you have made " a pretty confiderable progrefs in the myfteries " of electricity, I would now humbly recommend " to your diligent unprejudiced purfuit and ftudy, *' the myftery of the new birth. It is a moft im- (/) Letter DCCCCXVII. {g) Letter DCCCCXXV. O 3 " portant. <( 1 9$ Memoirs of the Life of portant, interefting ftudy, and when maftcred, *' will richly anfwer and repay you for all your *' pains. One at vvhofe bar we are fhortly to ap- *' pear, hath folemnly declared, that without it, ** we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. You *' will cxcufe this freedom. I muft have ali^uid ** Chrijli in all my letters {b}'* From London he took another tour to Edinburgh^ where he arrived in the beginning of September 1752. In his way he preached twice at Lutter^ worth (the famous John IVickliff^s parifh) and at JLeiceJler •, and in both places was informed after- wards that good was done. At Newcajik, he was as it were arrefted to (lay, and preached four times to great congregations. At Edinburgh and Glafgow (in wliich places he continued till the loth of Odober) he was em- ployed as ufual. He writes from Glafgow^ Sep" tember 29. " At Edinburgh great multitudes, among whom were abundance of the better fort, attended twice every day. Many young minillers and ftudents have given clofe atten- dance, and I hear of feveral perfons that have been brought under deep conviftions. 1 in- tend to fend you copies of two letters from a Highland fchoolmafter, who is honoured of God to do much good among the poor Highland ^' children (;')." " I have brave news fcnt. (k) Letter DCCCCXXVJ. CO Letter DCCCCXXXl^ (c me the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 199 " me from Leicejler and Neivcq/ile, and have ** ftrong invitations to Tork/Iiire and hancaJJiire, ** What a pity it is that the year goes round fo 5' foon {k)r In his way back to London^ he preached at Ber^ wickf Alnwick, Morpeth, Newcaftle. From Shef- field he writes, November i. " Since I left New^ ** caftle, I have fcarce known fometimes, whether " I have been in heaven or on earth. At Leeds, " Burjlall, Hoivarth, Halifax, &c. thoufands and ** thoufaftds have flocked twice or thrice a-day *' to hear the word of life. I am now come from " Bolton, Manchejler, Stockport, and Chinly. Yei- •* terday 1 preached in a Church. Four or- •* dained minifters, friends to the work of God, •* have been with me. The word hath run fo *' fwiftly at Leeds, that friends are come to fetch me back, and I am now going to Rotheram, Wakefield, Leeds, Tork, and Epworth. God fa- ** yours us with weather, and I would fain mal^c {k) In 1752, the general afTembly of the Church of Scotland, upon a divifion of the houfe, by a few votes depofed Mr. Gillefpie ; which afterwards gave occafion to the fociety called the Prsjbytery of Relief. Mr. White- field being informed of the circumftances of that affair, writes thus (Letter DCCCCXIV.) *' I wiOi Mr. Gtl~ ** lefpie ]oy. The Pope I find has turned Prefbyterian — *' The Lord reigns, that is enough for us." And again (Letter DCCCCXX.) « Now will Mr. Gillefpie *' do more good in a week, than before, in a year. «* How blind is Satan I ^Vhat does he get by calling *' out Chriji^s fervants ? T expedl that fome great good *' will come out of ihefe confufions." O 4 "hay ct C( 4C ^00 Memoirs of the Life of " hay whilfl: the fun lliines.^-O that I had as •* many tongues, as there are hairs upon my ♦' head ! the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jefus (liould *' have them all. Fain would I die preach- « ing (ly^ November lo. he arrived at LGndo7i, and pro- ceeded in his ufual way at the Tabernacle. De~ cemher 15, he fays, " My hands are full of work j and 1 truft I can fay, the Lord caufes his work to profper in my unworthy hands. More blef- fed feafons we never enjoyed. Our facramental ** occafions have been exceedingly awful and re- <« frefhing." He now began to think of ereding a new Ta- bernacle, a large building eighty foot fquare ; "which he accomplifhcd in the fpring and fummer following. About this time alfo, we find Mr. Hervey and him employed in revifing each others manufcripts, Of Mr. Hervefs he fays. " For me to play the " critic on them, would be like holding up a " candle to the fun. However, I will juft mark *' a few places, as you defire. I foretell their *' fate ; nothing but your fcenery can fcreen you. *' Self will never bear to die, though flain in {o ^' genteel a manner, without fhewing fome reient- *' ment againft its artful murderer." Again, {m) '' I thank you a thoufand times for the trouble (/) Letter DCCCCXXXV, DCCCCXXXVL (w) Letter DCCCCXV, DCCCCLXIII, ** yon t/jeRev, Mr. GeorgQWhk&Reld, 201 *' you have been at in revifing my poor compofi- *' tions, which I am afraid you have not treated " with a becoming feverity. Hov/ many pardons " fhall I afk for mangling, and I fear murdering '* your Tberon and /Ifpqfw. If you think my two *' fermons will do for the public, pray return " them immediately. 1 have nothing to comfort *' me but this, that the Lord chufcs the weak *' things of this world to confound the ftrong, *' and things that are not, to bring to nought " things that are. I write for the poor, you for *' the polite and noble -, God will afluredly own ** and biefs what you write." Pie was much afFefted about this time with the death of one Mr. Steward^ a Minifler that be- gan to be popular in the church, but foon enr tered into his reft. " When I met the workmen *' to contra6t about the building, I could fcarce ♦' bear to think of building Tabernacles. Strange! *' that fo many fhould be fo foon difcharged, and *' we continued. Mr. Steward fpoke for his *' Lord, as long as he could fpeak at all. He *' had no clouds nor darknefs. I was with him ** till a few m.inutes before he flept in Jefus (n).'^ March I, 1753. he laid the foundation of the new Tabernacle, and preached from Exod. xx. 24. During the building thereof, he preached in Moorfields, Spittalfields, and other places in London^ and made excurfions to Chatham, Sheernefs, and JBraintree. {n) Letter DCCCCLXVIII. In 202 Memotrs of the Life of In the month of Jpril, he went to Norwich for a few days, preaching twice a day to thoufands, who attended with the greateft eagernefs. At his evening ferraons, fome rude people made oppofi- tion, but without cfFed. At this time alfo he publifhed his Expoftulatory Letter to Count Zin* zendoffy which is in the 4th vol. of his works. In May he made another excurfion to Narboth, Temhroke, Haverford-weji^ &c. where congrega* tions were large, and a gracious melting feemed to be among the people. Within little more than a fortnight he rode three hundred and fifty miles, and preached above twenty times (0). Sunday June 10, 1753. he opened his new Tabernacle, preaching in the morning from i Kings y'\\\. 11, and in the evening from i Chron. xxix. 9. (n) Letter DCCCCLXXVI. CHAP. the Rev, Mr. George Whltefield. 203 CHAP. XVI. From his opening the New tabernacle in Moorfields, to his -preaching at the Chapel in Tottenham- Court Road 1756. MR. WhitefieU having preached in London at his Tabernacle for a few days with his ufual fervor and fuccefs, and to large congrega- tions, in the end of the month of June^ fet out towards Scotland, In his way he had defirablc meetings at Oulney and Northampton. He preached alfo at Leicejier^ and Nottingham^ where a great multitude came to hear, and at Sheffield. In his way to Leeds^ next morning, he preached at Ro^ theram and Wakefield. At the former place he had been difturbed twice or thrice, and was al- moft determined to preach there no more. But he (a) fibund this would have been a rafh determina- tion ; for fome who had been bitter perfecutors, now received him gladly into their houfe, and ©wned that God had made him inftrumental in their cdnverfion. At Leeds he had great fuccefs. At Tork alfo he preached four times. Twice they were difturbed, and twice had very agreeable fea- (a) Letter DCCCCLXXXIV. fons. 204 Memoirs of the Life of fons. At Neivcajlle he preached feven times, and once at Sunderland to great multitudes who were deeply imprelTed. At five in the morning the great room was filled, and on the Lord's day, the congregation without was exceeding large. In *hort, the profpedl all around was lb promifino-, that he almoft repented of his en^aorement to o-o ■*■ DO O to Scotland^ and relblved to come back as foon as poflible. He proceeded however, according to his pro- mife, and having fpent fome days at Edinhurgh and Glafgoij:} in his ufual laborious and earned mariner, and with ufual acceptance, he returned to En^and Aiigujt 7. (h). All {b) After he had been in Glafgoiv^ the following para- graph appeared in "Ocic Ne^vcoJUe]owx^^z\ Angujl ii, 1753. " By a Letter from Edinburgh we are informed, that on *« the fecond inftant Mr. IVhhefield^ the Itinerant, being *' at Glafgoic, and preaching to a numerous audience *' near the Play-houfe lately built, he uiflamed the mob " To much againft it, that they ran dirediy from before *^' him, and pulled it down to the ground. Several of *>. the rioter, are fince taken up, and committed to " goal." It would not have been worth while to tranfcribe this, were it not another fpecimen of the unaccountable liber- ties taken by fome of the oppofers of Mr. JVhheficld^ in telling their ftories concerning him. The facl was this. Mr. lVhitefield\it\x\g informed that the Players had lately come to GlufgoiVy and had met with fome encoura-^e- ment, took occafion in his fermons to preach againft Play houfes, and to reprefent their pernicious influence on religion and morality, efpecially in a populous, com- mercial city, and the feat of a Univerlity. But there was no riot. I: was the proprietor of the Play-houfe (at that the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 205 All this time he preached twice or thrice a day, and once five times. This he found rather too much for his ftrength. But he ftill went on, often exprefiing his defires and hopes foon to fee his Divine Mafter in Glory. On his return to England, he went from New- cajlle to Stockton, Ofmotherly, Tork and Leeds. He afTifted at the facrament at Howarth, where they had a very extraordinary feafon, and a vaft num- ber of communicants. He went as far as Bolton^ Manchejier, and Stockport. The more he preach- ed, the more eager the people feemed to be. The laftpart of his circuit was to Lincoln/hire^ Ro- theram, Sheffield, Nottingham, and Northampton. He returned to London in the latter end of Sep- tember, having travelled about twelve hundred miles, and preached a hundred and eighty times to many thoufands {c). His ftay in London was but fhort, for In the month of O^oler he took another tour to Stafford- /Iiire. A new fcene of ufcfulnefs feemed to open to him, while he preached at Oulney, at Oxen near Harboroitgh, Bofworth, Kettering and Bedford; at all which places he preached in one week. At Birmingham alfo, and feveral adjacent places, the people flocked to hear the gofpel. At a place near Dudley , called Guarnall, he was informed of a that time a flight temporary booth fupported by the old walls of the Bifhop's Caftle) who ordered his workmen to take it down. (x) Letter DCCCCXCII. whole 2o6 Memoirs of the Life of whole company that were awakened by reading his fermons (d). He met with others awakened years ago, and heard of a notorious perfecutor and drunkard, who had been powerfully flruck. He loved to break up new ground, as he ex- prefles it ; and had the pleafure to find fometimes that his way was prepared by the blefling which God had given to his writings, particularly at jilperam in CheJJdre^ and at Liverpool, where a pcr- fon that had received benefit by reading his fer- mons, met him at landing, and took him to his houfe. All was quiet here, and at Chejler, where he preached four times, and had feveral of the clergy in his congregations. But, at Wrexham and Nantwich (where a Methodift meeting-houfc had lately been pulled down) he was difturbed by the mob, and forced to remove his congregatiori to a place a little out of town (e). Thus he went on, returning at times for a few days to London. And November 16, writes from Glcucejler^ " After Lord's day, I am bound for ** Brijlol and Plymouth, and hope to get into my winter quarters fome time before Chrijlmas, Glad (hould I be to travel for Jefus all the year round. It is more to me than my neceflary «* food (f)r (d) Letter DCCCCXCVI. {e) Letter DCCCCXCVII. (f) Letter DCCCCXCIX. On cc C( the Rev, Mr, George Whitefield. 207 On Sunday i November 25. he opened the new Tabernacle at Brijiol, which he obfcrves " was " large, but not half large enough ; for if the *' place could contain them, near as many would " attend as in London" He alfo preached twice, in his brother's great houfe to the quality. Though it was fo late in the year, he fet out for Somerfet- Piire, and preached feveral times in the open air, at fcven o'clock at night. " My hands and body, " (fays he) were pierced with cold ; but what are ** outward things, when the foul within is warmed ** with the love of God ? The flars (hone exceed- ing bright : by an eye of faith, I faw Him who calleth them all by their names. My foul " was filled with a holy ambition, and I longed " to be one of thofe who fhall Ihine as the ftars ** for ever and ever {g)'* At this time his friend and fellow-labourer, the Rev. Mr. John JVeJley^ had by his extraordinary labours brought his life into great danger, of which Mr. Whitefield thus writes, (h) Brijloly December 3, 1753. *' I am now has- tening to London to pay my laft refpeds to my dying friend. The phyficians think his dileafe is a galloping confumption. I pity the church, I pity myfelf, but not him. Poor Mr. Charles " will now have double work. But we can do all " things through Chriji ftrengthening us !" His Letters to both the brothers on thisoccafion are very afFeftionate and fympathizing (i). And he foon had {g) Letter MIV, MV. {h) Letter MV^ . (;■) Letter MVI, VII, and VIIL the 2o8 Memoirs of the Life bf the plcifure of feeing Mr. JVeJley recover. Decemhef 26, he had a vifit from Meflleurs Tennent and Davies from America^ who came over to procure contri- butions for the College of New Jerfcy, As they were commiflioned to apply for a general collec- tion in Scotland^ he gave them recommendatory letters, and heartily endeavoured to promote their defign. He flayed in London all the winter of 1753, (k) longing fcJr a fpring campaign fas he exprefles it) that he might begin to do fomething for his divine mafter. March 7, 1754. having got twenty-two poor deftitute children under his care, he embarked with them for America^ by way of Lijhon^ where he flayed from the 20th of March, to the 13th of April. . From Lifion he writes (I) : " The air agrees ** with my poor conflitutlon extremely, and •' through divine afTiftance, I hope what I fee will *' alfo much improve my better part, and help to *' qualify me better for preaching the everlafling *' gofpel : again a gentleman hath mofl gladly (k) His letters written about the beginning of the new year, fhew the habitual frame of his mind. *' Near " forty years old, and fuch a dwarf! The winter come / *' already, and fo little done in the fummer." Again, ^ *' I heartily wifh your Lordfhip, not the compliments *' but the bleffings of the feafon j even all thofc blef- *' fings that have been purchaied for a loft world, by *' the death and fufterings of an incarnate God." Let- ter MXV, MXVI. (/} Letter MXXIX. I, '* received the Rev. Mr. George Whitcfield. 20^ " received me into his houfe, and behaves like ^ ** friend indeed. To day I dine with the Conful. *' Every day 1 have feen or heard fomething, that ** hath had a native tendency to make me thankful " for the glorious reformation (m).** After a fight of fome popiih proceflions, which were new arid very ftriking to him, he fays, " I returned to my lodgings not a little affected, to fee fo many thoufands led away from the fimplicity of the gofpel, by fuch a mixture of human artifice and blind fuperftition, of which, indeed, I could have formed no idea, had I not been an eye- " witnefs (n).^* He was ftill morefhocked at the proceflion of St. Francis ; and mod of all at the fight of near two hundred penitents pafiing along the ftreets in a moon-fhine night, dragging along heavy chains faftened to their ancles, which made a difmal rattling, moll of whom whipped and lafhed themfelves with cords, and with flat bits of iron ; and fome of them ftruck fo hard, that their backs were quite red, and very much fwelied. He wrote a defcription of this to his friend (c), with expreffions of praife and gratitude to Provi- dence for the great wonder of the Reformation, and for delivering Britain from the return of fuch fpiritual flavery, by defeating the unnatural rebel- lion. " BleflTed be God, (fays he) the fnare is " broken, and We are delivered. O for Protcf- {m) Letter MXXX, MXXXIt. («) Letter MXXXV. {o\ Letter MXXXVL P " tant 210 Memoirs of the Life of *' tant praclices to be added to Proteftant prin- " ciples." He further obferves, " The preachers ** here have alio taught me fomething-, their ac- tion is graceful, Vividi oculi, vivid^e manus, om- nia vivida. Surely our Englilh preachers " would do well, to be a little more fervent in " their addrefs. They have truth on their fide ; why fhould fuperflition and fallliood run away with all that is pathetic and affeding (p) ?" His two lafl: Letters from Lijhon (q) contain a long and lively defcription of the fupcrftitious farces which he faw afted on Hsly Tburfday as they call it, and Good Friday •, which he concludes with very ferious reflexions, and exprefTions of pity towards the poor deluded people, who are not al- lowed to examine matters by the word of God. After a paflage of fix weeks from Lijlon^ he arrived at Beaufort in South Carolina^ May ij, with his Orphan charge, all quite well. Having fettled them in his family in Georgia, which now confided of above a hundred, and fpent fome time in Carolina, he took a journey to the north- ward. " At Charles Town (fays he) and other parts of Carolina my poor labours have met with the ufual acceptance, and I have reafon to hope a Clergyman hath been brought under very ferious imprelTions. My health is wonderfully "" prefcrved. My wonted vomitings have left " me, and though I ride whole nights, and have (/•) Letter MXXXVII. () Letter MCCXXXVII. 0^4 lie tji Memoirs of the Life of He now began to undergo a new kind of per- fecution (which however has fomctimes fallen uporn men of the greatefl; eminence^ that of being mi- micked and burlefqiied upon the ilage (j). His enemies had in vain ufed violence againft him, and havino; found that the law would not fuffer them to proceed in that way, they therefore thought they would try what they could do by mockery. For this purpofe, they got for their tool one SrjrMcl Foole, a mimic, v/ho having had fome fuccefs in imitating yiiJVhiteficLVs perfon, and fpeaking a few ludicrous fentenccs in his manner, ■was encouraged to proceed farther, and to write a farce (called the Minor) to be acted at the Theatre in Drury-lane (r). This performance is otherwife very dull and uninterefting-, but by its impiety, it cannot fail of excitino; the indin-nation of the reli- gious and fober-minded. For, in order to expofe Mr. IVhitefield to contempt, the author makes no fcruple to treat the very expreflions and fentiments of the Bible with ridicule i or (to put the moft fa- {q) The compiler is uncertain ss io the time when this was firi]: done. Mr. fl-'biiejie/d firil takes notice of it in his letter dated Aiiguff 15, 1760. It fc-ems to have taken its rife from the rcfcntment of the playhoufe peo- ple, aficr they failed in their attempt to freighter! him from preaching at Long-acre chapel, .nnd were farther ex- afperated by feeing him ere^l a chapel of his own in Tot- ienham- coi^rt- roa^. (r) See a Letter to David Garrkk, Efq; occafioned by the intended reprefentaiion of the Minor at Drury-lant ThCiitre, f.;id to be written by the Rev. Mr- Madan. Yourable t X the Rev. Mr. George Whitcfield. 233 vourable conilruclion upon the matter) he and thofe whom he Tent to the Tabernacle and Chapel to procure materials, were fo little acquainted with the facred writings, as not to know, that what they took for Mr. PFhiiefieid's peculiar language, was the language of the word of God (s). Be this (s) Mr. Fooi£ being manager of the Edmburgh Theatre In winter 1770, the Minor was a£ted there. The lirft night it was pretty throng, as people fond of any novelty were led to it without knowing any thing of the nature of the performance. But (luch was the public fenfeof the impurity and indecency of it when known) that on the fecond night, only ten women appeared. When it was a£ted on Saturday^ November 24, a difpute arofe among the fpeitators, whether it was proper to bring Mr. Jfhite^ field upon the ftage, as he was now dead ? This, however, was done ; and raifed a general indignation in the inha- bitants of that city. Next day feveral miniftcrs (the Rev. Dr. Erfkine^ Dr. Walker^ he.) took notice of it in their difcourfes from the pulpit. Dr. IValker (whofe church is frequented by the people of higher rank) cbfervfd in his lecture upon 2 Cor. v. 14 — 21, that he could not read the 17th verie, *' If any man be in Chrift, he is a new ** creature," without exprcffing the juft indignation he felt, upon hearing that lafl night a profane piece of buffoonery was publickly adted, in which this facred doftrine is ridiculed. Mr. Bai>ie, of the Kirk of Relief, preached a fermon upon the occa- fion, December 2, from Pfalm xciv. 16, which was publiflied and fold oft* in a few days. Towards the conclufion of the fermon, he fays, " How bafe and un- *' grateful is fuch treatment of the dead ; and that too *' fo very nigh to a family of orphans, the records of whofe .** hofpital will tranfmit Mr. JlHoittf eld's name to polte- »* rity with honour, when the memory of others wiil *' rot. How illiberal fuch uHige of one, whofe feafon- ft' able good ferviccs for his King and Country are well t* known ; whofe indefatigable labours for his beloved (* Mafler were countenanced by Heaven." as 234 Memoirs of the Life of as it may, they loll their labour, for they were fo far from leflcning the number of his congrega- tions, that they increafed them ; and brought thoufands of new perfons to hear the gofpel ; which was the very thing he always aimed at : and thus Providence gave him the victory over them. March 14, 1760, he preached at the Chapel from Hof, xi. 8, 9. and at the Tabernacle in the evening from the 80th Pfalm and latl Verfe. At the former place he collected two hundred and twenty-two pounds eight {hillings and nine pence; and at the other, one hundred and eighty-two pounds fifteen fhillings and nine pence, for the dif- trelTcd Proteilants in Prujfa. No man was a more ftriift obfcrver of public occurrences, or more en- deavoured to improve them. In the months of September and Q^oher 1760, he made a tour through Tork/hire ; and was in Lon- don^ during the winter, employed as ufual. On thefaft-day, Feb. 13, 1 761, he preached early in the morning at the Tabernacle on Exod. xxxiv. i. ^e, and colle(5tcd one hundred and twelve pounds j in the forenoon he laboured at the Chapel, and dif- courfed on JoelW. 15. and afterwards collefted two hundred and forty-two pounds •, and in the even- ing he preached at the Tabernacle from Gen. vii. i. and collc^lcd two hundred and ten pounds. Thcfe fums were immediately applied to the noble pur- pofts for which they were coliedcd, the relief of the the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 235 the German Proteflants, and ihe fufferers by fire at Bofiofj (J). But his health, which had often been very bad («j, now grew worfe and worie, fo that in /^pril 1 761, he was brought to the gates of death. After his recovery, being iVill exceeding weak, and not able to preach as formerly, he left London^ and mad,e a vifit to Brifiol, Exeter, and Flymouih^ by which he found himfelf fomewhat better; but could not bear long journies and frcc^uent preach^ ing as he ufed to do (x), (/) Four hundred pounds were afligned to the GermanSy and given into the hands of the Rev. Mr. Ziegenhagen. Letters MCCXLI, XLII, XLVI. *' Bojlon^ Feb. 27, I "64. At a meeting of the free* *' holders and other inhabitants of the town of Bojion on ** Friday laft, it was voted unanimoufly, that the thanks *' of the town be given to the Rev. Mr. George JVlnte- ^' field, for his charitable care and pains in coliedting a *' confiderable fum of money in Great Britain^ for the ** diftrefled fuffcrers by the great fire in Bojion 1760; and ** a refpe(5lable committee was appointed to wait on Mr. «' IFhitcfield^ to inform him of the vote, and prefent him ** with a copy thereof." Bojion Gazette. (u) It was happy for him that he frequently got the afliftance of clergymen from the country ; and at this time particularly of the Rev. Mr. Berridge, late Mode- rator of Cambridge, of whom he writes (Let. MCCXLIII, XLV) " A new inftrument is raifed up out of Cambridge ** Univerfity. He has been here preaching with great •' flame, and like an angel of the churches indeed." The compiler is informed that the Rev. Mr. Berridge, at ^verton. Hill continues zealous and fuccefsful. {x) Letter MCCL. The MS. (which after the year 1748, contains only very fhort and imperfeift hints) ends here. 1 OMer 23^ Memoirs of the Life of OSiohir 1761, he complains " I have not preach- *' ed a fingle lermon for Ibme weeks. Laft Sunday *' I fpoke a little j but I feel its effe6ls ever fince. **• A Tea voyage feems more neceffary to me now " than ever. 1 know now what nervous difor- " ders are. BlCiTed be God that they were con- " tradted in his fcrvice ; I do not repent • " though I am frequently tempted to wifh the '* report of my death had been true, fince my " diforder keeps me from my old delightful work " of preaching C^,.'* In a journey to Leeds and Newccijik, this month, he could bear riding in a a poft-chaife, but preached feldom, his friends be- ing fo prudent as not to prefs him to it : "I hope, ** however, fays he, I am travelling in order to " preach (z)." Accordingly he prolonged his jour- ney the length oi Edinburgh and Glafgozv, and did not return to London till the month of December -, when he found himfelf confiderably better, which (under God) he attributed to his following the fimple prefcriptions of four eminent phyficians in Edinburgh 'y being fenfible, as he faid, that their advice had been more bleffed, for his recovery, than all the medicines and directions he had elfe- where [a). As foon as his health was in fome mcafure re- ilored, he fell to his beloved work again. From £riftoi, April 1762, he writes, *' Brijlol air agrees ()•) Letters MCCLII, LIII, LIV. Ca) Letter MCCLV. (c) Letter I^CCLIX. C " with the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 237 *• with me. I have been enabled to preach five ** times, this lall week, v^ithout being hurt. Who ** knows but I may yet be reftored To far as to ** found the Gofpel trumpet for my God ? The quietnefs I enjoy here, with daily riding our^ feems to be one very proper means (Z^)." He continued thus to preach four or five times a week, notwithftanding his weaknefs, till about the middle of Af'Ty ; and was fometimes enabled to " take the field,'* as he exprefles it, which gave him great joy ; " Mounts,*' fays he, " are " the beft pulpits, and the heavens the bed *' founding boards. O for power equal to my ** will ! I would fly from pole to pole, publifhing *' the everlafting gofpel of the Son of God (f ).** When he returned to London^ the cares and la- bours that thronged upon him were ready to bring him low again. In the month of Julyy therefore, he made a voyage to Holland {d)^ and found hini- fclf fo much the better for it, that he writes from Norwich^ July 31, " The expedition to Holland^ *' was, I truft, profitable to myfelf and others ; ** and if ever my ufefulnefs is to be continued at " London^ I muft be prepared for it by a longer " itineration both by land and water. At pre- " tent, blefled be God, I can preach once a day -, *' and it would do your heart good to fee what an (/.) Letto-s MCCLX, LXI. [c) Letter A1CCLX\'. . (J) He preached at Rotterdam four times. • ' •- ». .--,■ . -f' " influence 238 Memoirs of the Life of •* influence attends the word. All my old time^ •* are revived again [e)" Augtift iS, \i^AX\:\MtA2X Edinburgh^ made a vifit to Clafgcw^ where he preached every day (and twice at Camhujlang) and continued preaching once a day at Edinburgh till Septetr.her 13, when he re- turned to England : and was glad (now that peace was expelled) of the prolped of embarking foon for America. "While in England^ he found that preaching once a day did not hurt him, but dared not venture oftener. At Leeds^ Brijlol^ and Plymouth^ he had very defirabie feafons -, but with refped to London, he fays, (f) *' As affairs are circumilanced, every " thinpr there tends to weio-h me down.'* Havins therefore perfuaded fome of his intimate friends, as truftees, to take upon them the whole care of the affairs of his Chapel and Tabernacle, and all his other concerns at home-, he refolved to fail from Qreencck in Scotland. On his way thither, in the month of March iy6^^ he preached at Everton^ Leeds ^ Aberford^ Kippax^ and Newcaftle ; and w'as alfo employed in writing his obfervations, ^c. in anfwer to Bifhop M'^arburton {g). "When he came to Scotland, he continued to preach once a day, for fome weeks •, but being taken ill of his old diforder at Edinburgh, he was obliged to be filcnt (for the molt part) for near [c] Letter MCCLXVII. (/) Letter MCCLXXIV. [g] Letter MCCXXXVIII, LXXIX. See hie •Wyrks, Vol. IV. fix the Rev. Mr. George Wliltefield. 2^'^ fix weeks afterwards. At lad, in the beginning of Jun^y he embarked the fixth time for America^ in the fiiip Fanny ^ Captain Archibald Galbreath^ bound from Greenock to Virginia.: where (after a voyage of twelve weeks) he arrived in the latter end of Align fl (h). His letters in September, ORoher, and November 1763, are dated from Philadelphia. He found him- felf ftill an invalid ; yet made a Qiift to preach twice a week. " Here," fays he, *' are fome young ** bright witneflTes rifing up in the church. Per- *' haps I have already converfed with forty new* *' creature minifters of various denominations. " Sixteen hopeful ftudents, I am credibly inform- " ed, were converted at New-Jerfey College lail year. What an open door, if I had (Irength i Laft Titefday we had a remarkable feafon among " the Lutherans ; children and grown people " were much imprefled (z)." He wanted much to go forward to Georgia^ but the phyficians were abfolutely againft it, till he goc more ftrengih. In the latter end of 'No'cember he D' (/;) *' Thanks to a never failing Redeemer, T *' have not been laid by an hour through ficknefs, fince *' I came on board A kind captain, and a moft or- *' derly and quiet fhip's company, who gladly attended *' when I had breath to preach. Scarce an oath have I *' heard upon deck and fuch a flillnefs through the *' whole fliip, both on week-days and the Lord's day, ** as hath from time to time furprizcd me.** Letter MCCXC. (;■) Letter MCCXCIV. fee 2 4^^ l^lcfiioirs of the Lij'e oj fct out from Fhiladdphia for Nezv-Tork^ and on hi^ v«'ay preached feverul times at JSeiv-Jerfey College and Elizabeth Towii^ with much acceptance. His fpiiits now grew better, and he could fometimes preach thrice a week (f). While he continued at 'Scw-l'ork during the winter, he writes, *' Preju- ** dices in this place have mofl ftrangely fubfided. *' The better fort flock as eagerly as the common " people, and are fond of coming for private gof- " pel-converfation. Congregations continue *' very large, and I truft favin^ impreiTions are ** made upon many (g).^^ After leaving Ntiv-York^ he preached at Eajl- Hamptony Bridge-Hampton, and South-Hold^ upon (f) Letter MCCXCVIJI. {g) Letters MCCCII, MCCCIII. " KwYork, 'January 11^^ 1764- The Rev. Mr. George IVhitefieU has fpent feven weeks v/ith us, preaching twice a week to more general acceptance than ever ; and been treated with great refpe6l by many of the gentlemen and merchants of this place. During his flay, he preached two charity fermons ; the one on the occa- fion of the annual collection for the poor, in which " double the fum was colIe;.'* Next fpring, 1769, he feen^s to have recovered a little ; for we find him preaching more frequent- ly. It gave him great pleafure to fee fome more ©f the nobility joined to Lady H n\ fociety. Some more coronets, I hear, are likely to be laid at the Redeemer's feet. They glitter glo^ {0) Letter MCCCXCVIL (p) Letter MCCCXCVIIL rioufly 4< 256 Memoirs of the Life of *' rioiidy when fet in, and furrounded with a " crown of thorns (q).'* In the month of May he preached at Kingfzvood, Brijlol, Bradford, Frome, Chippenham, Rodborougb, Cajilecomb, Diirfey. But deferred his weftern- circuit on account of the opening the Chapel at Tunhidge (r). July 23, 1769, he opened Lady Huntingdon*^ New Chapel at Tunhidge Wells. Preached from Gen. xxviii. 17. " This is none other but the *' Houfe of God, and this is the Gate of Plea- " ven.'* In the evening, the congregation being too large to be contained in the chapel, he preached out of doors, from a mount in the court before the chapel •, after which he gave a general exhortation •, and next day adminiftered the facrament, and preached from i ^heff. ii. II, 12. Now he fcrioufly began to prepare for another voyage •, and in the beginning of September he embarked the feventh and laft time for jime" rica (s). (q) Letter MCCCCIX. (r) Letter MCCCCXIH. (s) In the Fricndfilp, Capt. Ball, Let. MCCCCXX V. *' I am comforted on every fide. A civil captain and " pafTengers. All willing to attend on divine woifhipj *» and to hear of religious things." CHAP, "y^^ i^£'^'. Mr. George Whitefield. £5^ C H A JP. Xt, Prom his bft eml/arking for America, to his Beath^ September 30, 1770. MR. JVhitefield was detained hear a month in the Dozens by contrary winds (t) •, but he improved his time, as ufualj in writing many- excellent letters, preaching on board ; and fome- times came alliore and preached, both at Deal and Ram/gate. The following extrad of Mr. Whitefidd's Manu« fcript Journal^ relative to this period^ cannot be unacceptable. " Saturday, September 2. Had a moft awful " parting feafon at Tottenham- Court Chapel Sacra- " ment, laft Sunday morning, the Sermon from " G^n. xxviii. 12. And the fame at Tabernacle (which was more than full) on Wednefday morn- ing at feven o'clock. This day dined at my worthy, faft, and tried friend Mr. Keevh ; and having comfortably fettled and left all my out- *' ward concerns in his hands, 1 took an affec- "•' tionate leave, and in company with fome dear *' friendsj this evening reached Gravefend 5 where: " othefs met us. We fupped and converfed to- (t) One fliip was loft, but the pafTengers efcapcd in ihe boat. Letter MCCCCXXX. 3 *': gether 6'( 258 Memoirs of the Life of " gether in ibme degree, I truft, like perfons " who hoped, ere long, to fit down together " at the marriage-feaft of the fupper of the " Lamb, llaften, O Lord, that wiHied for " time ! " Sunday, September 3. Preached this morning *' at the Methodift Tabernacle from John xiith. *' verfe 32d. The congregation was not very " large. But God gave me great freedom ot " fpeech, and made it indeed a Houfe of God, " and Gate of Heaven. In the afternoon, I preached in the market-place from Gen. iii. verfe i3th5 to a much larger, but not more *' devout auditory. In the out-fldrts, as might naturally be expefted, fome were a little noify, but a great body was very attentive, and 1 was enabled to lift up my voice like a trumpet. " TH^ remainder of the evening was fpent as the night before, with my chriftian London friends ; who with me, lefs than the lead of all, exceed- ingly rejoiced at the opportunity of a parting llreet-market-place preaching, where, I truft, fome penny lefs bankrupt finners were made willing to buy Gofpel wine and milk, without money, and without price. May the great day fliovv that this hope was not altogether ill- grounded ! " Monday^ September 4. Had my dear chriftian •' friends on board to breakfaft with me this " morning. Converfation was fweet, but part- " ing bitter. * \Vhat mean you (faidthe Apoftle) ii ii (C <( t/je Rev. Mr. George Whltefield. 259 ' to weep and break my heart ? * " However^ through infinite mercy, I was helped to bear up, and after their departure the Divine Pre- fence made up the lofs of all, even with new *' creature comforts. Lord, if this Divine Pre- fence go not withj and accompany me all the way, for thy infinite mercies fake, fuffer me not to go one Hep farther. *' But I believe thy promife Lordj " Oh ! help my unbelief. " Tuefday, September 5. The Captain not com- " ing down as was expelled, we did not weigh " anchor till this morning's ebb. *' The winds being contrary, and the weather hazy, we did not arrive in the Downs till the Friday following. Interim, 1 had the oppor- tunity of converfing a little with the pilot, and Peerage pafiengers. All attended divine " worfliip very orderly, and thanked me for my ** offer of lending them books, and giving them what afiiftance lay in my power* towards mak- ing their voyage comfortable. All feemed thankful^ and the pilot parted with tears in his eyes. May the great, and never-failing " pilot, the Almighty Jefus^ renew us, and take *' us all into his holy prote£tion, and then all " muft ncceffarily end in our fafe arrival in the *' haven of eternal reft!, *' Tuefday, September iii Preached laft Sun- ** day morning to my little flock on board, and S 2 *' was (( 260 Memoirs of the Life of •' was mod agreeably iurprized to-day, with a " kind unexpeded vifit from the Kev. Dr. Gib- " bons. His difcoiirle was very friendly and " devout. *' JP^ednefday^ September 13. I went afhore and *' attended on an ordination folemnity, at the " diflenting-meeting. Several minifters officiated. " Several very important queftions were aO-ced, *' and anfwered before, and a folemn charge given after, impofition of hands. Bcft the prayer put up in the very a6l of laying on of hands, by Dr. Gibbom, was fo affecting, " and the looks and behaviour of thofe that *' joined fo ferious and folemn, that I hardly *' know when I was more ftruck under any *' ones miniilration. The ordination being over, " at the defire of the minifters, and other gen- " tlemen, I went and dined with them. Our converfation was edifying. And being inform- ed, that many were defirous to hear me preach, I willingly complied, and I truft fome feed was fown the fame evening at Deal, which, by God's heavenly bleffing, will fpring up to life eternal. The people of Deal feemed very *' civil, and fome came to me who had not *' forgotten my preaching to them, and their deceafed friends and parents, thirty-two years " pray ti 4< u it the Rev, Mr. George Whitefield. 275 *"* pray for his dear Tabernacle and Chapel con- *' gregations, and it was truly afFcding to hear ** them bemoan America and Eng!and*s lofs. Thus they continued for two hours converfmg about his great ufefulnefs, and praying that God would fcatter his gifts and drop his mantle " among them. When the corpfe was placed a: *' the foot of the pulpit, clofe to the vault, the *' Rev. Mr. Daniel Rogers made a very affefling " prayer, and openly confefled, that under God, " he owed his converfion to the labours of that dear Man of God, whofe precious remains now lay before them.. Then he cried out, 'O my father, my father!' then ftopt and wept, as though his heart would break, and the people weeping all through the place. Then he reco- vered, and finifhed his prayer, and fat down and wept. Then one of the deacons gave out that hymn, '• IFhy do "jje mourn departing ff-iendi?'* "' Some of the people weeping, fome finging, and " fo on alternately. The Rev. Mr. ^t'w^/ preached " a funeral difcourfe, and made an affedionate " addrefs to his brethren to lay to heart the death *' of that ufeful man of God ; begging th»t he and they might be upon their watch-tower, and endeavour to follow his bieffcd example. The " corpfe was then put into the vault, and all con- cluded with a Ihort prayer, and difmiflion of the people, v/ho v/ent weeping through the •' ftreets to their refped^ive places of abode,** T 2 The it <( «( 276 Memoirs of the Life of The melancholy news of Mr. M^hitcjieldh death rt^zhtdi London on Monday November ^^ '770» by the Bcjion Gazette, and by three letters from diffe- rent perfons at Bofton^ to his friend Mr. Keen^ who alfo by the fame poft received two of his own hand-writino;, written in health : one feven, and the other five days before his death. Mr. Keen had the melancholy event notified the fame night at the Tabernacle, and the next night at Totten- ham-Court Chapel. His next ftep was to confider of a proper perfon to preach the funeral fcrmon •, and recoUecling he had often faid to Mr. IVhite- field. If you fhoiild die abroad, whom fliail we get to preach your funeral fermon ? Muft it be your old friend the Rev. Mr. John IFeJley? And having received conftantly for anfwer, "-He is the *' man." Mr. Keen accordingly waited on the Rev. Mr. Wejlley on the Saturday following, and enoraged him to preach it on the Lord's day, No- vember I 8, which he did to a very large, crowded, and mournful auditory : many hundreds going away, who could not poffibly get in. In both the places of worfhip the pulpits, i^c. were hung with black cloth, and the galleries with fine black baize. The pulpits had efcutcheons placed in the front, and on each of the houfes ad^ joining, hatchments were put up: the motto on each was " Mea vita Salus iff Gloria Chrijlus.'^ Six months expired before the mourning was takea dov/n, and the efcutcheons hung up in each vellry. The hatchments remained twelve months, and 7 when the Rev. M?\ George Whltefield. 277 when taken down, one was placed in the 7"aber- nacle, the other in the Chapel over a neat marble monument Mr. Ifhitejield had erefted for his wife, with room left for a few lines relpc6ling himfelf after his deceafe, as he purpofcd lying in the fanie vault had he died in England. Accordingly the Rev. Mr. Knight of Halifax^ in Torkjl'vc, drew up the following lines. In Memory of The Rev. Mr. George IFhitefield, A. M. Chaplain to the Right Honourable the Countefs oi Huntingdon^ whofe Soul made meet for Glory was taken to Immanuel''% bofom, on the ^oi\\ oi September 1770; and whofe body now lies in the filent Grave at Newbury-Port, near Bojton^ m Niw-Englandy there depofited in hope of a joyful Refurredion to eternal Life and Glory. He was a Man eminent in Piety, of a humane, benevolent, and charitable Difpofition j his Zeal in the Caufe of God was fingular, his Labours indefatigable, and his Succefs in preaching the Gofpel remarkable and aftonifhing. He departed this Life in the 56th Year of his Age. And, like his Mafter, was by feme defpis'd; Like him, by many others, lov*d and prized : But theirs fhall be the everlafting Crown, Not whom the World, but Jefus Chrift will own. T 3 At Zy^ Metnoirs of the Life of Mr. Whttcfield was not full fifty-fix years of ags at the time of his death: thirty-four years of which he fpent in the miniftry. And if life is to be mea- fured by the greateft adbiyity and enjoyment » fuch as being always intent upon fome good defign, anci vigorous in the purfuit of it j filling up every day with a(5tions of importance, worthy of a man and a chriftian ; feeing much of the world, and having a eonftant flow of the mofl: lively affedlions, both of the focial and religious kind ; Mr. Whitefield^ in thefe thirty-four years may be faid to have lived more than moft men would do, though their lives were prolonged for many ages. CHAR ■the Rev. Mr. George Whltefield. 279 CHAP. xxr. ^ Befcriplion cf his Perfon •, a Review of his Life ; and the mojt Jlriking Parts of his Character pointed out. I S perfon was graceful, and well proporti- oned : his flature rather above the middle fize. His complexion was very fair. Flis eyes were of a dark blue colour, and fmall, but fprightly. He had a fquint with one of them (a). His features were in general good and regular. His countenance was manly, and his voice exceed- ing ftrong; yet both were foftened with an un- common degree of fweetnefs. He was always very clean and neat, and often faid pleafantly " that a " minifter of the gofpel ought to be without fpot." His deportment was decent and eafy, without the leafl ftiffnefs or formality: and his engaging polite manner made his company univerfally agreeable. In his youth he was very flender, and moved his body with great agility to aftion, fuitable to his difcourfe : but about the fortieth year of his age, he began to grow corpulent j which however was [a) Occafioned either by the ignorance, or the care- iePinefs of the nurfe who attended him in the meafies, when he was about four years old. T 4 folely 280 Memoirs of the Life of fblely the effect of his difeafe, 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 likenefs. The bed refemblance of him in his younger years, before he became corpulent, is that metzotinto fcraping which reprefents him at full length, with one hiind on his bread, and holding a fmall bible in the other: but the late paintings, the one by Mr. Hone^ and the other by Mr. Rujfell, as they are the belt pictures that ever were done of him, are certainly the julle[t likeneffes of his perfon. An elegant copper plate of the firft, by Mr. Picoty is given with this account of his life •, and a very fine metzotinto fcraping of the lalt is juft pub- liflied, done by Mr. Watfon. Mr. RuJfeWs paint- ing, from which the fcraping is taken, was the Jaft picture which Mr. fVhitcjield fat for, and was drawn only two years before he died. Both the copper plate and the fcraping will no doubt be very acceptable to Mr. Whitefield's friends, as the one will be an ornament to the clofet, and the other to the parlour. In reviewing the life of this extraordinary man, the following particulars appear very remarkable. Firft, we are (truck with his unwearied diligence in the offices of religion, and his confcientious im- provement of every portion of his time. Early in the morning he rofe to his mafter's work, and all the day long was employed in a continual fuccef- fion of different duties. Take a view of his pub- lic conduct •, here he is engaged cither in preach- l-nor the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 281 ing the gofpel, in vifuing and giving counfel to the affli(5led, in inftruding the ignorant, or in ce- lebrating the praifes of God. Obferve his beha- viour in private company •, there you hear him in- troducing, upon all occafions, and among all Ibrts of people, difcourfe that tended to edification. And if you follow him to his retirements ; you fee him writing devout meditations upon the occur- rences of the day, or letters to his chriftian ac- quaintance full of piety and zeal. What a gloomy idea mud a ftranger to vital piety entertain of a life fpent in this manner ? He will think it muft have been not only joylefs and difgufting, but in- tolerably burthenfome. Far otherwife did it ap- pear in the experience of this fervant of Chrift, He felt the greateft enjoyment when engaged in a conftant round of focial and religious duties. In thefe, whole weeks pad away like one day. And when he was vifited with any diftrefs or affliction, preaching, as he tells us hirnfelf, was his catholi- con, and prayer his antidote againd every trial. The pleafure of a man of bufinefs in fuccefsfully pulhing his trade, or of a philofopher when pur- fuiner his favourite ftudies, may give us fome faint conception of the joys which h^ felt : yet fo ar- dent were his defires after the heavenly happinefs, that he often longed to finilh his work, and to go home to his Saviour (a). Again, (a) " BlefTed be GoD, the profpejSt of death is plea- <' lant to my ibu!. 1 would not live here always. I ♦' vyant to be gone. Letter CCXLVIII. ** Some- 282 Memoirs of the Life of Attain, we are juftly furprizcd at his frequent and fervent preaching under all the difad vantages of a fickly conftitution, and the many fits of ill- nefs with which he was fuddenly feized. It muft indeed be confefled, that change of air, frequent travellincr on horfeback, and the many voyages he made, might contribute to the prefcrvation of his health and vigour : but when we confider what ex- - ertion of voice was neceffary to reach his large con- crregations -, that he preached generally twice or thrice every day, and often four times on the Lord's day; but above all, what wafte of ftrength and fpirits every fermon muft have coft him, through the earnellnefs of his delivery \ it is truly aftonifliing, how his conftitution could hold out fo long (b). But there is another circumftance not lefs re- markable than either of the former, which is, the uncommon defire that all forts of people expreffed to attend his preaching ; and that not upon the firft orfecond vifit only, but at every fucceeding oppor- tunity. Wherever he vi-ent, prodigious numbers flocked to hear him. His congregations often con- fifted of four or five thoufand : in populous places " Sometimes it arifes from a fear of falling. Some- " times from a profpeft of future labours and fufTcrings. *' p>ut thcfe are times when my foul h.ith fuch foreraftes « of God, that I long more eagerly to be with Him ; *' and the profpecl of the happinefs which the fpirits of " juft men made perfect now enjoy, often carries me, as " it were, into another world." Letter XCVI. (^h) " I preach till I fweat through and through." Letter XLV^I. they the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 2S3 they fwelled to ten, rometimes fourteen : and upon fome occafions the concourfe was fo great, that they have been computed to be from twenty to thirty thoufand. It is wonderful to think how he commanded the attention of fuch multitudes ; with what compofure they liftened when he began to fpeak -, how they hung upon his lips, and were often difTolved in tears : and this was the cafe with perfons of the moft hardy and rugged, as well as thofe of fofter tempers. His eloquence was indeed very great, and of the trueft and noblefl kind. He was utterly de- void of all appearance of affcdlation. H^ feemed to be quite unconfcious of the talents he poflefied. The importance of his fubjecl, and the regard due to his hearers, engrolTed all his concern. He fpake like one who did not fcek their applaufe, but was concerned for their bed interefls, and who, from a principle of unfeigned love, earneftly endeavoured to lead them in the right way. And the effedl in fome meafure correfponded to the de- fign. They did not amufe themfelves with com- mending his difcourfes ; but being moved and perfuaded by what he faid, entered into Jiis views, felt his pafTions, and were willing, for that time at lead, to comply Vv'ith all his requefts. This was efpecjally remarkable at his charity fermons (c)^ [c) Which he preached for a great many others, befide Jirs own orphans in Georgia, See his Life. when 284 Memoirs of the Life of when the mofb worldly-minded were made to part ■with their money in fo generous a manner, that ■when tlicy returned to their former temper, they were ready to think that it had been conjured from them by fome inexplicable charm. The charm, however, was nothing elfe than the power of his irrefiftible eloquence, in which refpeft it is noteafy to fay, whether he was ever excelled either in ancient or modern times. He had a ftrong and mufical voice, and a won- derful command of it. His pronunciation was not only proper, but manly and graceful. Nor ■was he ever at a lofs for the moll natural and ftrong exprefTions. Yet thefe in him were but lower qualities. The grand fources of his eloquence were an exeeedinp; lively imaofination, which made people think they faw what he defcribcd •, an ac- tion dill more lively if pofTible, by which, while every accent of his voice fpoke to the ear, every feature of his face, every motion of his hands, and every gefture fpoke to the eye j fo that the moil diffipatcd and thoughtlefs found their attention in- voluntarily fixed, and the dullcfl and mod igno- rant could not but underftand. He had likewife a certain elevation of mind, which raifed him equally above praife and cenfure, and added great authority to v/hatever he faid (d). But what was per- {(1) The natural lan^ua^e of this chriftian fortitude wc have in Letter CCLXXXIII. " The Lord only ••' knows how he will be pleafed to difpofe of me ; great afHidtions the Rev. Air. George Whitefield. 285 perhaps the moft important of all, he had a heart deeply exercifed in all the fecial, as well as the pious and religious al:Te6lions, and was at the fame time moft remarkably communicative, by which means he was peculiarly fitted to awaken like feelings in others, and to fympathize with every one that had them. This laft, fome have thought was the diftinguifh- ing part of his charadler. It was certainly, how- ever, an eminent part of it. In his journals and letters, an impartial reader will find inftances thereof almoft in every page : fuch as, lively frratitude to God in the firft place, and to all whom God had ufed as inftruments of good to him: fin- cere love in dealing fo plainly with his correfpon- dents about the intereft of their fouls (e) : fre- quent and particular intercefiion for his friends, his enemies, and all mankind : great delight in the fociety of chriftian acquaintance : many very forrowful partings, and joyful meetings with his friends : tender heartednefs to the afflided : the Pleafure in procuring and adminiftring fealbnable fupply to the indigent: and condefcenfion to people of the loweft rank, to inftrufl and converfe with them for their good, in as kind and fociable " affli(£lions I am fure of having; and a fudden death, «' blefTed be God, will not be terrible. I know that *' my Redeemer liveth. I every day long to fee him, " that I may be free from the remainder of fin, and en- ** joy him without interruption, for ever." (e) See particularly Letter CXVJIL 286 ' Memoirs of the Life of a manner, as if he had been their brother or inti° mate friend. Thefe are manifefl proofs that he had a heart eafily fufceptible of every humane^ tender, and compafTionate feeling. And this was certainly a crreat mean of enabling him fo ftrono^- ly to affecft the hearts of others. Had his natural talents for oratory been em- ployed in fecular affairs, and been fomevvhat more improved by the refinements of art, and the em- bellifhments of erudition, it is probable they would foon have advanced him to diftinQ-uifiied wealth and renown. But his fole ambition was to ferve a crucified Saviour, in the miniftry of the gofpel. And being early convinced of the great hurt that has been done to chriftianity, by a bigotted fpirit, he infilled not upon the peculiar (f) tenets of a party, but upon the univerfally-interefling doc- trines of Holy Scripture concerning the ruin of mankind by fin, and their recovery by Divine Grace \ doctrines, the truth of which, he himfelf had deeply felt. To make men fenfible of the mi- fery of their alienation from God; and of the ne- cefTity of j unification by faith in the Lord Jefus (7) *« I love all that love our Lord Jefus Chrift." Letter LViif. *•' Oh how do I long to fee bigotry and party-zea! ** taken away, and all the Lord's fcrvants more knit to- " gCLher." Letter LXVlll. " I wifh all names among the faints of God, v.'erc *' fwailowcd up in that onj of Chriji:a:i." Letter cxx. And to the f^ime purpofe in ni?.r!y other placer. the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 287 Chrift, of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and of a life of devotednefs to God, was the principal aim of all his difcourfes. " The only Methodifm, 1 " defire to know," fays he, (g) " is a holy method " of dying to ourfclves, and of living to God.'* '' By this defcription, he was far from intending to confine true religion to the exercifes of devotion. By " living to God" he meant a conftant endea- vour after conformity to the Divine Will in all things. For, fays he, in another (b) place, " It " is a great miftake to fuppofe religion confifts only in faying our prayers. Every chriftian lies under a neceffity to have fome particular calling whereby he may be a ufeful member of the fo- ciety to which he belongs. A man is no far- ther holy than he is relatively holy : and he only will adorn the Gofpel of our Lord Jefus Chrift in all things, who is careful to perform all the civil offices of life, with a fingle eye to God*s glory, and from a principle of lively faith in Jefus Chrift our Saviour. This is the morality " whch we preach." He ufed alfo to give this definition of true religion, " that it is a univerfal " morality founded upon love of God, and faith " in the Lord Jefus Chrift." Licentioufnefs and luxury, and all forts of time^wafting and diftipa- ting amufements, how faihionable fo ever, he conftantly inveighed againft. Thcfe were the to- pics on which he employed his eloquence. (g) Preface to the Journals, in the edition of 1756. (h) Journals, M^y 1739. But iC (C (t it, (C 4( 2-^S8 Memoirs oj the Life cf But not to dwell any longer on his accomplifIi« ments as an orator, and the excellent purpoles to which, through the grace of God, he devoted them; one thing remains to be mentioned, of an infinitely higher order than any human powers whatever : and that is, the pov/er of God, which fo remarkably accompanied the labours of his ler- vant, and without which both fcripture and expe- rience teach us, that all external means, however excellent, are ineffe6lual and vain. It is here Mr. Whitefield is mod to be envied, were it lawful to envy any man. When we confider the multitudes that were not only awakened, but brought under lading religious impreiilons by his miniftry ; and the multitudes that were wrought upon in the fame manner by the miniftry of others excited by his (i) example, both in Great Britain and America^ we are naturally led into the fame fentiments with Mr. IVeJley in his funeral fermon, " What an ho- nour hath it pleall'd God to put upon his faith- ful fervant ! Have we read or heard of any per- fon fmce the apoftles, who teftified the gofpel of the grace of God, through fo widely extend- ed a fpace, through fo large a part of the habi- table world ? Have we read or heard of any perfon, who called fo many thoufands, fo many myriads of finners to repentance. Above all, have we read or heard of any who has been a iC iC [i) See Hift. Coll. of the Succefs of the Gorpel. Vol. II. " blefied (I the Rev. Mr. George Wbitefield. 289 blefled inftrument in his hand of bringing fo many Tinners from darknefs to light, and trom the power of fatan unto God?'* This excellent charafter joined to talents fo ex- traordinary, and to labours, which God was plealed to blefs with almoft unequalled fuccefs^ was fhaded with fome infirmities. And what elfe could be expedled in the prefent condition of humanity ? Thefe have been fufficiently laid open in the pre- ceding Narrative of his Life. And it ought to be obferved, that as there was fomething very amia- ble in the franknefs and uniefervednefs which pre- vented his concealing them ; fo through his open- nefs to conviction, his teachablenefs, (k) and his readinefs {k) ** May God reward you for watching over my ** foul. It is difficult, I believe, to go through th& *' fiery trial of popularity and applaufe, untainted." Letiier LXI. " When I am unwilling to be told of my faults, cor- ** refpond with me no more. If 1 know any thing of ** my heart, I love thofe moft who are moft faithful to *' me in this refpecSt. Henceforward, dear Sir, I be- ** feech you by the mercies of God in Chrift Jefus, fpare " me not." Letter LXXXV. *' We muft be helps to each other on this fide eter- " nity. Nothing gives me more comfort, next to the " alTurance of the eternal continuance of God's love, '' than the pleafing reflection of having fo many chrif- *• tian friends to watch with my foul. I wifh they would " fmite me friendly, and reprove me oftener than they « do." Letter CIII. *' I rejoice that you begin to know yourfelf. Ifpof- *' fible, fatan will make us think more highly of our- •' felves than we ought to think. I can tell this by fatal " experience. It is not fudden fiafnes of joy, but having U « the 290 Memoirs of the Life of readinefs to confefs and correct his miftakes, they became flill fewer and Imaller, and decreafcd con- tinually as he advanced in knowledge and expe- rience. It would be unjuft to his memory not to take notice upon this occafion of that uniformity of fentiment which runs through all his fermons and writings, after he was thoroughly enlightened in the truth. Indeed, when he firft let out in the miniftry, his youth and inexperience led him into many expreflions which were contrary to found doflrine, and which made many of the fermons he firil printed juftly exceptionable •, but reading, ex- perience, and a deeper knowledge of his own heart, convinced him of his errors, and upon all occafi- ons he avowed his belief of the 39 articles of the church di England^ and the ftandards of the church of Scotland^ as exprefsly founded on the word of tjod. He loved his friend, but he would not part with a grain of facred truth for the brother of ** the humility ©f Chrlft Jefas^ that muft denominate ** lis Chriftians. If we hate leproof, we J^re To far from ** being true followers of the Lamb of God, that ia •* the opinion of the wifeft of men we are brutifn," Let- ter CXII. ** O my dear brother, flill continue faithful to my ** foul; do not hate me in your hearty in any wife re- ** prove me.'* Letter CCIV. ** You need make no apology for yout plain dealing. ** I love thofe beft who deal moft fincerely with me* *' Whatever errors I have been, or fhall be guilty of in " my miniftry, I hope the Lord will fliew me, and give ** mc grace to amend." Letter CCXCVIIL See alfo Letter DCXfy> hii the kev, Mr. George Whltefield, 20 1 his heart. Thus we fee him conftrained to write and print againft the Arminian tenets of Mr. John tVeJley^ whom he loved in the bbwels of Chrift Jefus. And it appears from feveral other tfads in the 4th Vol. of his Works, that he negleded no opportunity of flepping forth as a bold champion^ in defence of that faith v^hich was once delivered to the faints. U 2 EXTRACTS 292 Memoirs of the Life of EXTRACTS F R O -M SomeoftheFUNEPvAL SERMONS which were preached on the Occafion of his Death. MANY Sermons were preached upon oc- cafion of his death, both in America and England. From thefe, though they contain no- thing materially different from the above accounts, ytz the reader will probably not be difpleafed to ice the following extrafts •, as they not only fet the character of Mr. JVhitefield in a variety of lights, but are fo many teftimonies to it, by wit- nefles of undoubted credit, in different parts of the world. The firlt was preached by Mr. Parfom, the very day on which he died, (I) from Phil. i. 21. " To me to live is Chrifi, and to die is gain." And this is the charader he gives of his departed " friend. «' Chriji (/) Early next rr.orning Mr. Sherburn of Porifmcuthy fent Squire Chrkfon and Dr. Haven with a meliage to Mr. Parfo7is, dcliring Mr. If^lntefield'^ remains might be buriccJ in his own new tomb, at his own expence : and in the evening; feveral gentlemen from Bojlcn came to Mr. Parfons^ defining the body might be carried there. But as Mr. Whxtcf.elil had repeatedly defired he might be buried before Mr. Parfons's pulpit, if he died at Newbury- Port, Mr. Parfom thought himfelf obliged to deny both of thcfe rcqueils. The following account of his interment, is ii il t&e Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 293 " Cbriji became a principle of fpiritual life in his foul, while he was an Under-graduate at the Univerfity in Oxford. Before his conver- fion he was a Pharifee of the Pharifees, as ilrid as ever Paul was, before God met him on his way to Damafcus, according to his own " declaration in his laft fermon, which I heard " him preach at Exeter^ yefterday. He was, by " means of reading, a very fearching, puritani- " cal writer, convinced of the rotten nefs of all " the duties he had done, and the danger of a is fubjoined to this fermon, i^/z. " OSloher 2, 1770. At " one o'clock, all the bells in town were tolled for half an *' hour, and all the vefiels in the harbour gav^e iheir proper " fignals of mourning. At two o'clock the bells tolled *' a fecond time. At three the bells called to attend " the funeral. The Rev. Dr. Samuel Haven of Portf- *' mouth, the Rev. Meflieurs Daniel Rogers of Exeter, *' 'Jcdediah 'Jexvet, and 'James Chandler of Rowley, Mofes *' Parfons of Newbury, and Edward Bafs of Newbury~ " Port, were pall-bearers. The procefTion was from *' the Rev. A4r. Parfom^s, of Neivbury-Port, where Mr. (Vhitejield d'xed, Mr. Parfons and his family, together with many other refpedtable perfons, followed the corpfe in mourning. The proceflion was only one mile, and then the corpfe was carried into the prefby- *' terian church, and placed on the bier in the broad- " alley, when the Rev. Mr. Rogers made a very fuit- *' able prayer in the prefence of about fix thoufand per- " fons, within the walls of the church, while many *' thoufands were on the outfide, not being able to find " admittance. Then, the third hymn of the fecond book of Dr. IVatts's SpiritualSongs was fung by the congregation. After this, the corpfe v.'as put into a new tomb, before Mr. Parfons's pulpit, which the gentlemen of the congregation had prepared for that purpofe ; and before it was fealed, the Rev. Mr. Jnvet gave a fuitable exhortation, cjfc." U 3 the (C <( 294 Memoirs of the Life of " felf-righteous foundation of hope. When he f heard Cbrijl fpeak to him in the Gofpel, he In Reyerendum Virun^ G E RG lU M JV H I r E F I E L D, Laborlbus facris olim abundantem ; nunc vero, ut bene fperatur coeleftem et immoruletn vitam cum Chrj/h agentem, E P I T A P H I U M. (Auflore Thoma Gibbons, S. T. P.) Ble6lum et divinum vas, Whitefielde, fuifli Ingenio pollens, divitiifque facris : His opibus populo longe lateque tributis, Tandem perfrueris laetitia fuperum Inque banc intrdfti, Domino plaudente miniftrum: Expertum in multis, afliduumque bonum : Ecce mei portus, et clara palatia coeli Deliciis plenis omnia aperta tibi. Dum matutinam Stellam, quam dulce rubentem I Vivificos rorefque ofl'a fepuha manent. ENGLISHED thus: " A veflel chofen and divine, replete *' With Nature's gifts, and Grace's richer ftores:, ^* Thou JVhiteJield waft : thefe thro' the world difpens'd- *' In long laborious travels, thou at length ** Haft reach'd the realms of reft, to which thy Lord *' Has welcom'd thee with his immenfe applaufe. '* All hail, my fervant, in thy various trufts *' Found vigilant and faithful : See the ports, " See the eternal kingdoms of the fkies, *' With all their boundlefs glory, boundlefs joy *' Open'd for thy reception, and thy blifs. *' Mean time, the body in it's peaceful cell " Repofing from its toils, awaits the Star, ^' Whofe living luftres lead that promis'd morn, *' Whofe vivifying dews thy moulder'd corfe *' Shall vifitj and immortal life infpirc." ^.* cried:* ct the Rez\ Mr. George Whltefield. 295 ♦« cried, ' Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?» *' And it fccms as if, at that time, it had been ** made known to him th^t he was a chofen " veflel, to bear the name of Ch-iji Jefus through *' the Briti/)i Nation and her Colonies : to Hand *' before Kings ,and Nobles, and all forts of " people, to preach Chrijl^ and him crucified. *' From that time the dawns of falvation had living power in his heart, and he had an ardent defire to furnifhhimfelf for theGofpel-miniftry. ^' To this end, befides the ufual lludies at the ♦' college, he gave himfelf to reading the Holy Scriptures, to meditation and prayer ; and par-f ticularly, he read Mr, Henrf% Annotations on the Bible, upon his kqees before God. " Since my firft acquaintance with him, which ^ is about thirty years ago, I have highly efteem- *' ed him, as an excellent Chriilian, and an emi- nent Minifter of the Gofpel. An heart fo bent for Chrifi^ with fuch a fprightly, adlive genius, could not admit of his ftated, fixed refidence, in one place, as the paftor of a particular con- " gregation ; and therefore, he chofe to itinerate " from place to place, and from one country to *' another; which indeed was much better fuited ^' to his talents, than a fixed abode would have ^* been, I often confidered him as an angel fiy- " ing through the midft of heaven, with the " cverlafting Gofpel, to preach unto them that ^' dwell on the earth ; for he preached the un- cprrupted word of God, and gave folemn ^ ^ " warnings (C *f C( 296 Memoirs of the Life of *' warnings againft all corruptions of the Gofpel *' of Chriji(m). When he came the firft time to Bcjlon^ the venerable Dr. Coleman^ (with whom I had a fmall acquaintance) condefcend- *' ed to write to me, ' That the wonderful man * was come, and they had had a week of fab- ' baths ; that his zeal for Chrift was extraordinary ; ' and yet he recommended himfelf to his many ' thoufand hearers, by his engagednefs for holi- ' nefs and fouls.' " I foon had opportunity to " obferve that wherever he flew, like a flame of fire, his miniftry gave a general alarm to all forts of people, though before, they had, for a long time, been amazingly funk down into dead formality. It was then a time in New England^ that real Chrifl:ians generally had " flackened their zeal for Chrift^ and fallen into a remifs and carelefs frame of fpirit \ and hypo- critical profeflbrs were funk into a deep fleep •' of carnal fecurity. Miniflers, and their con- '^ gregations, feemed to be at eafe. But his *' preaching appeared to be from the heart, ^.' though too many, who fpake the fame things, {^m) This may be a proper place to mention what the compiler is juft now informed of. The late Dr. Grof- venor, who was reputed one of the mofl eminent divines of his time, upon hearing Mr. Whitefield preach at Charl(.s-fqi{are, Hoxton, about the year 1741, exprefTed himfelf in thefe very flrong terms, in the prefence of a very refpcftable gentleman now living, *' That if the " Apoftle Paul had preached to this auditory, he would V have preached in the fame manner." " preached «c the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 297 preached as if it were indifferent, whether they " were received or reje6ted. We v^ere convinced " that he believed the meffage he brought us, to " be of the laft importance. Neverthelefs, as " foon as there was time for reflexion, the ene- " mies of Cbriji began to cavil, and hold up " fome of his lallies, as if they were unpardon- " able faults. By fuch means he met with a " ftorm as tempeftuous as the troubled fea,. that *' cafts up mire and dirt. Some of every ftation " were too fond of their old way of formality " to part with it, for fuch a defpifed cayfe as *' living religion. But the fpirit of Chrij^ fet " home the melTage of the Lord upon the con- " fciencies of fome, and fnook them off from ^' their falfe hopes : but many began to find ^' fault, and fome to write againft his evangeliz- ^' ing through the country, while others threaten- " ed fire-brands, arrows, and death. Yet God " gave room for his inter.fe zeal to operate, and •' fit objeds appeared, wherever he went, to en- *' gage him in preaching Cbrijl, and him cru- ^' cified. " In his repeated vifits to America^ when his *' fervices had almoft exhauil^d his animal fpirits, " and his friends were ready to cry. Spare thyfelf, " his hope of ferving Chrijl^ and winning fouls to " him, animated and engaged him to run almoft *' any rifque. Neither did he ever crol« the Ai- " lanticy on an itinerating vifitation, without c^ *.' vifiting his numerous brethren here, to fee ho,v I "religion ?98 Mefjiotrs &f the Ljfe of *' religion profpered amqngft them : and we *' know that his labours have been unwearied *' among us, and to the applaufe of all his •' hearers ; and, through the infinite mercy of *' God, his labours have fomctimes been crowned ^' with great fuccefs, in the converfion of fin- *' ners, and the edification of faints. And though *^ he often returned from the pulpit very feeble " after public preaching, yet his engaging fweet- ^' nefs of converfation, changed the fufpicions " of many, into paffipnate iovc and friends ^' fhip. *' In many things his example is worthy of ** imitation ; and, if in any thing he exceeded, or came fiiort, his integrity, zeal for God, and love to Chrifi and his Gofpel, rendered him, ia extenfive ufefulnefs, more than equ^l to any of his brethren. In preaching here, and through moft parts of America^ he has been in labours; more abundant, approving himfelf a minifter of God, in much patience, in afHiclions, in watchings, in fadings, by purenefs, by the Holy Ghoft, by love unfeigned ; as forrowful, yet always rejoicing-, as having nothing, yet pofTcfTing all things, And God that comforr* eth thofe that are caft ^own, has often com- forted us by his coming ; and not by his com- ing only, but by the confolation wherewith he f* was comforted in us^ ib that we could rejoice •t' the more. " liis (C it 301 " Through a variety of fuch labours and trials, " our worthy friend, and extenfively ufeful fer- " vant of Chriji^ Mr. WhitefieU^ palTed, both in " England and America : but the Lord was his " fun to guide and animate him, and his fliield " to defend and help him unto the end : neither " did he count his own life dear, fo that he might " finifli his courfe with joy, and the miniftry that he had received of the Lord Jefus, to teftify the Gofpel of the grace of God. The lafl: *' fermon that he preached, though under the " difadvantage of a ftagc in the open air, was " delivered with fuch clearnefs, pathos, and '* eloquence, as to pleafe and furprize the fur- " rounding thoufands. And as he had been " confirmed by the grace of God, many years " before, and had been waiting and hoping for " his laft change, he then declared, that he hoped " it was the laft time he fhould ever preach. " Doubtlefs, he then had fuch clear views of the " bleffednefs of open vifion, and the complete *' fruition of God in Cbriji, that he felt the plea- " fures of heaven in his raptured foul, which *' made his countenance Hiine like the unclouded " fun." The next fermon was preached by Dr. Pemi^er- ton of (tJ Bojlon, O^oher 11, 1770, upon i Peter i. 4. (t) The following lines are part of a poem on Mr. Jfhitefield^ which is publifiied along with this fermon, written by a Negro fervant-girl of feveiiteen years of 4C (( (C C( (C 361 Memoirs of the Life of i. 4. " To an inheritance — referved in heaven fof you.'* In which he fays : I am not fond of funefal panegyrics. — But where perfons have been diftinguifhingly honour- ed by heaven, and employed to do uncommon fervice for God's church upon earth, it would be criminal ingratitude to fufFer them to drop '* into the duft without the moft refpedful no- age ; and who has been but nine years from Africa,^ be- longing to Mr. j. JVhcatley of Bojion. *' He pray'd that grace in every heart might dwell i *' He long'd to fee America excel ; •' He charg'd it's youth to let the grace divine «' Arife, and in their future actions fhine. *' He offer'd That he did himfelf receive, •* A greater gift not God himfelf can give. " He urg'd the need of Him to every one ; *' It was no lefs than God's co-equal Son. «' Take Him ye wretched for your only good ; <« Take Him ye ftarving fouls to be your food. «« Ye thirfty, come to this life-giving ftream ; *' Ye preachers, take Him for your joyful theme; *« Take Him, my dear Americans^ he fa id, *' Be your complaints in his kind bofom laid. ** Take him, ye Africans : he longs for you ; '* Impartial Saviour is his title due. <' If you will choofe to walk in grace's road, « You {hall be Sons, and Kings, and Priefts, to GoU. *< Great Countefs ! we Americans revere *' Thy name, and thus condole thy grief fincere. •« New England^ furc doth feel ; the Orphan's fmart *' Reveals the true fenfations of his heart. *' His lonely Tabernacle fees no more «' A IVJjite/ieU landing on the BritiJ]) (hove. ** Then let us view him in yon azure fkies; «' Let every mind with this lov'd objetSl rife. " Thou tomb, (halt fife retain thy facred Irufti *' Till life divine re-animatcs his duft." ** tice» the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 30 j tice. * The memory of the juft is bleflfed I* Pofterity will view Mr. Whitefield in many re- fpefts, as one of the riiofl: extraordinary cha- rafters of the prefent age. His zealous, in- '* celTant, and fuccefsful labours, in Europe and " America^ are without a parallel. *' Devoted early to God, he took orders as *' foon as the conftitution of the eftabliflied *' Church in England allowed. His firft appear- *' ance in the work of the miniftry was attended " with farprifing fuccefs. The largeft churches '* in London were not able to contain the num- bers that perpetually flocked to hear his awaken- ing difcourfes. The crowds daily increafed. *' He was foon forced into the fields, followed by muldtudes, who hung with filent attention upon his lips, and with avidity received the " word of life. The fpirit of God, in uncom- •' mon meafure, defcended upon the hearers* " The fecure were awakened to a falutary fear *' of divine wrath-, and inquiring minds were *' diredled to Jsfus^ the only Saviour of a revolt- " cd world. The vicious were vifibly reclaimed, " and thofe who had hitherto relied in a form of *' godlinefs, were made acquainted with the " power of a divine life. The people of God " were refrelhed with the confolation of the blef- " fed Spirit, and rejoiced to fee their exalted " Mailer, going on from conquering to conquer; " and fmners of all orders and characters, bow- •* ino- to the fcepter of a crucified Saviour. " ° T " His «( (( (C cc 304 Memoirs of the Life of " His zeal could not be confined within th^ Britifn iflands. . His ardent defire for the wel- fare of imniortal fouls, conveyed him to the diftanc fhores of America. We beheld a new ftar arife in the hemifphere of thefe weftern churches ; and it's falutary influences were dif- fufed through a great part of the BritiJI.) fet- tlements in thefe remote regions. We heard with pleafure, from a divine of the epifcopal communion, thofe great doftrines of the Gof- pcl, which our venerable anceftors brought with them from their native country. With a foul elevated, above a fond attachment to forms and ceremonies, he inculcated that pure and unadulterated religion, for the preferva^ tion of which our fathers banifhed themfelves into an uncultivated defert. In his repeated progrefTes through the Colonies, he was favour- ed with the fame fuccefs which attended him on the other fide of the Atlantic. He preached from day to day in thronged alTemblies; yet his hearers never difcovered the leail wearinefs, but always followed him with increafing ar- dour. When in the pulpit, every eye was fixed upon his expreflive countenance ; every ear vvas charmed with his melodious voice, all forts of perfons were captivated with the pro- priety and beauty of his addrefs. *' But it is net the fine fpeaker, the accom- plifhcd orator, that we are to celebrate from the facred defK : thefe engaging qualities, if not « fanaified the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 305 " fandincd by divine grace, and coniecrated to " the fervice of heaven, are as the founding *' brafs, and the tinkling cymbal. When mifim- " proved, inftead of conveying happinefs td " mankind, they render us more illuftriouriy *' miferable. '• T he gifts of nature, the acquifitions of art, " which adorned the charafler of Mr. H^hitefield^ " vi^ere devoted to the honour of God, and the " enlargement of the Kingdom of our divine Redeemer. "While he preached the Gofpel, the Holy Ghoft was fent down to apply it to *' the conlciences of the hearers j the eyes of the " blind were opened, to behold the glories of *' the companionate Saviour-, the ears of the " deaf were unftopped, to attend to the invita- " tions of incarnate love ; the dead were ani- *' mated with a divine principle of life ; many " in all parts of the land, were turned from *' darknefs to light, and from the power of Satan *' unto God. Thefe dodrines which we had *' been inftrufted in from our infancy by our " faithful pallors, feemed to acquire new force, " and were attended with uncommon fuccefs when " delivered by him. His difcourfes were not tri- " fling fpcculations, but contained the mod in- " tereiling truths ; they were not an empty play " of wit, but folemn addreiles to the hearts of " men. " To convince fmners that they were by na- *' ture children of wrath j by prautice, tranf- X '' greflors 306 Memoirs of the Life of *' greflors of the divine law ; and in conftquenCe " of" this, expofed to the verngcance of offended ** heaven \ to difplay the tranfcendent excellency *' of a Saviour, and perfuade awakened minds *' to confide in his merits and righteoiifneis, as " the only hope of a guilty world ; to imprefs " upon the profeiibrs of the Gofpel the necefilty, *' not only of an outward reformation, but an ** internal change, by the powerful influences of " the fpirit -, to lead the faithful to a zealous " praiStice of the various duties of the chriftian *' life, that they may evidence the (incerity of " their faith, and adorn the doctrine of God " their Saviour-, thefe v. ere the reigning fubjc6ls *' of his pulpit difcourfes. *' If finners were converted •, if faints were " built up in faith, holinefs, and comfort, he " attained his utmoft aim. *' He was no contrafted bigot, but embraced " chriftians of every denomination in the arms *' of his charity, and acknowledged them to be '* children of the fame father, fervants of the ** fame mafter, heirs of the fame undefiled in- " heritance. " That 1 am nf>t complimenting the dead, *•* but fpeaking the words of truth and fober- " nefs, I am perfuaded I have many witncfles in *' this alfembly. " He was alwayr. received by multitudes with " pleafurc, when he favoured thcfe parts with " his labours •, but he never had a more obliging " reception the Rev. Mr. Ceorge Whitefield. joy' ** reception than in his lafl vifit. Men of the firfi: diftindion in the Province, not only attended his miniftry, but gave him the higheft marks *' of their refpeft. With what faithfulnefs did he *' declare unto us the whole coiinrel of God ? *' With what folemnity did he reprove us for our *' increaflng degeneracy ? With what zeal did he " exhort us, to remember from whence we were " fallen, and repent and do our firft works, left " God fhould come and remove our candleftick " out of its place ? " Animated with a Godlike defigh of promo- *' ting the temporal and fpiritual happinefs of *' mankind, after the example of his Divine Maf- " ter. he went about doing goodo In this he " perfevered with unremitting ardour and dfTiduity *' till death removed Him to that reft which re- *' mains for the people of God. Perhaps no man^ *' fince the Jipoftolic age, preached oftner or with " greater fuccefs (n). «. If (k) As a fpeclmen of His indefatigable labours In the work of the miiiiftry^ I have fet down an account of the fermons he preached after his arrival at New-Port^ RhodS' IJJand^ to the time of his death. He failed from Nezv- Tori, Tuefday^ July 31, P. M. arrived at New-Port, Fri^ day, Aliguji 3, A. M. and preached Auguji 9. At Providence 10. Providence 11. Providence AiiguJl 4. AtNevsr-Port 5. NevP'-Port 6. New- Port 7; New-Port 8. New-Port 12. Providence 13 Atilcborough X 2 Aug^ 308 Memoirs of the Life of " Ifwe view his private chara6ler, he will ap- *' pear in a nioft amiabk: point of light. The police gentleman i the faithful friend ; the en- gaging companion \ above all, the fincere chrif- tian, were vifiblc in the whole of his deport- ment. " With large opportunities of accumulating wealth, he never difcovered the leaft tinfture of avarice. What he received from the kind- (( cc (C Jug, 14. AtWrentham 15. Boflon jt). Bofton 17. Bofton 18. Bnfton 19. Miilden 20. Bofton 21. Bofton 22. Bofton 23. Bofton 24. Bofton 25. Bofton 26. Medford 27. Charles-Town 28. Cajnbrid":e Jug. 29. At Bofton 30. Bofton 31. Roxbury-Plain Septe?n. i. Milton 2. R ox bury 3. Bofton 5. Salem 6. Marble-Head 7. Salem 8. Cape-Ann 9. Ipfvvich 10. Newbury-Port 11. Newbury-Port 12. Rowley 13. Rowley. " From the thirteenth of September to the feventeenth, *' iae was detained from public fervice by a fevere indif- *' pofition. When recovered he preached Srpte?n. 17. At Bofton I Septcm. 19. At Bofton 18. Bofton 20. Newton. " The twenty-ftrft q^ September he departed kom, BoJJon " upon a tour to the eaftward, pretty much indifpofed. *' But on the twenty- third he preached Sept. 23. At Portfmouth, New-Hampfiiire 24. Portfmouth 25. Portfmouth Srpt. 26. At Kittery 27. Old-York 28. Portfmouth 29. Exeter. « nefs <( the Rev. Mr. George Whiteficld. 309 nefs of his friends, he gencroufly employed in offices of piety and ch^irity. Mis benevolent mind was perpetually forming plans of cxten- five ufefulnefs. The Orphan-houfe, which many years ago he erefled in Georgia^ and the College " he was founding in that Province at the time of " his death, will be lading monuments of his " care, that religion and learning might be pro- " pagated to future generations. " I have nor, my brethren, drawn an imagi- " nary portrait, but defcribed a character exhi- " bited in real life. 1 have not mentioned his *' natural abilities, which were vaftly above the '' common ilandard. I confider him principally " in the light of a chriftian, and a miniller of Jcfus Chrift, in which he fhone with a fuperior luftre, as a (lar of the firft magnitude. " After all, I am not reprefenting a perfc6l man ; there are fpots in the mod fliining cha- racters upon earth. But this may be faid of Mr. PVhitefield with juftice, that after the mod public appearances for above thirty years, and *' the mioft critical examination of his conduft, no " other blemifli could be fixed upon him, than " what arofe from the common frailties of human " nature, and the peculiar circumftanccs which " attended his firft entrance into public life. " The imprudencies of unexperienced youth, " he frequently acknowledged from the pulpit " with a franknefs which will for ever do honour *'' to his memory. He took care to prevent any X 3 ' *' bad C( 3 1 o Memoirs of the Life of ^' bad confequences that might flow from his un- " guarded cersfures in the early days of his mini- ^^ flry. The longer he lived, the more he evi- *' dencly incrpafed in purity of doflrine, in humi- " lity, meeknels, prudence, patience, and the ^' other amiable virtues of the chriftian life." Another Funeral Sermon on Mr. PFbilefield was preached by Mr. Ellington^ at Savannah in Georgia, November ii, 1770, upon Heb.x\. 26. " Efteem- " ing the reproach of Chrift greater riches than ^' the treafurps of Egypt : for he had rcfpeft unto " the recompenre of the reward." In which are ^he following pafiages (0). '* The receiving the melancholy news of the "" much lamented death of a particular friend to *• this Province, a perfon who was once miniftcr " of this Church, is the reafon of this difcourfe •, *' and my choice of this fubjeft before us, is to. *' pay my grateful refpeft to the memory of this *' vyell-known able minifter of the New Teila- ** ment, and faithful fervant of the moft high God, *' the: Rev. George PFhi I (field ', whof^ life was juftly' ** efteemed, and whofe death will be greatly re- *.' gretted, by the fincerely religious part of man- *' kind of all denominations, as long as there is (0) " Savannah church was decently hung wi:h mourn- ^' ing, by the legiflative body of the Province." The lame public marks of regard were fhewn at one of the churches in Phlladt'iphu}^ of which Mr. Sproutt is paftor, which, by defire of the feflion and committee, was put into mourning. Alfo, at their dcfire and expence, / the bells of Chriji-Church, in that city, were rung muffled. " one (C t/je Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 3 1 1 ^' one rcmalnln2 on earth, who knew him, to re- ** colled: the fervor of fpirif, and holy zeal with which he fpake, when preaching the everlafting Gofptrl •, and every other part of his difinterefted conduct, confiftent with the minifterial charafter in life and converfation. Mr. fVbitefield*s Works praife him loi:d enough j I am not able to fay " any thing that can add greater luftre to them. " May every one that miniflers in holy things, " and all who partake of their miniftrations, have " equal right to the chara6teri(lic in the text as « he had. " It is the ruling opinion of many, that the " offence of the crofs is long fince ceafcd, and *' that whatever evil treatment fome of a fingular *' turn may meet with, it is only the fruit of their *' own doings, and the reward of their own work, *' whereby they raife the refentment of mankind *' againft them for uncharitable flandcr, and fpiri- " tual abufe. But whoever knoweth any thing of " the Gofpel, and hath experienced it to be the *' power of God unto falvation, knoweth this is ** the language of perfons who are unacquainted " with the depravity of their nature, and through " the degeneracy of their hearts, are unwilling to " be diflurbed •, therefore are faying to the mini- " fters of Chrift, ' Prophecy unto us Imooth things. But the minifters of the Gofpel are to be fons of thunder, and fo to utter their voice, and con^ " dud their lives, as to prove the nature of their *^ work. X 4 ^ *' Our (.1 o 3 1 2 Memoirs of the Life of " Our ck^ar and reverend friend was highly ho* *' noured for many years in being an happy in- " ftrumcnt to do this fuccelsfully. With what a *' holy zeai he proceeded, long before he was " publickly ordained to the facred office, has been *' long attefteci •, and no perfon has been able to *' contradict the teftimony. No fooner did he ap- *' pear in the work of the fanduary, but he foon convinced his numerous auditories, that his Al- mighty Lord who had given him the commif- fion, had by his grace wrought him for the felf- " fame thing ; and through the Holy Spirit, at- ** tending his endeavours, made him a workman *' that needed not to be alliamed. One would think his great fuccefs in his public labours, the frequent opportunities he emibraced of do- *' ing good, by the relief of people in diflreffing " circumftances, every occafion he took to ufe *' his infiaence for the good of mankind, and the whole of his behaviour through a life of fifty-fiK years, being (fo far as the frailty of our prefent ftate will admit)unblamcableand unreproveable, fhould have exempted him from contempt and reproach. But, quite the contrary, there was •' fo near a refemblance with his bleu'ed Mailer, *' that obliged him to bear his reproach. Hr has " fufTered with him on earth, and he is now glo- " rifh'd with him in heaven. He has laboured " abundantly, and he has been as liberally re- *' proached and maligned from every quarter. ** Clergy arkl laity have whet their tongues like a I " fword cc cc C( ^ 'MOj/Mrdi ]WV •S" M 3 1158 00986 3035 uc SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACIUT^^^^ AA 000 309 816 7 '%a3AiNnmv •^ i-" AU » UUll J'