Chapter XII: Part 12

“London already begins to disagree with my outward man, but the
Lord’s smiling upon my poor labours sweetens all. I have begun
to preach at six in the morning. We have large congregations
even then. I trust we shall have a warm winter. I have not been
at the other end of the town this week; but I find all hold on.
However, a leader is wanting. This honour has been put on your
ladyship by the great Head of the Church an honour conferred on
few. That you may every day add to the splendour of your future
crown, by always abounding in the work of the Lord, is the
fervent prayer of your unworthy servant,

“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”

Nine days later, he wrote again to Mr. Lunell, of Dublin:――

“LONDON, _December 9, 1749_.

“MY DEAR MR. LUNELL,――I find by your last kind letter that
the king’s business requires haste. I, therefore, immediately
dispatched it to good Lady Huntingdon, who, I am persuaded,
will think it her highest privilege to serve the dear people of
Cork. Whether your account of their sufferings has reached her
ladyship, I cannot tell, but you will soon know. However, this
we know, they have reached the ears of the blessed Jesus, who
sits in heaven, and laughs all His enemies to scorn. He will
take care that the bush, though burning, shall not be consumed:
nay, He will take care that it shall flourish, even in the midst
of fire. It will be melancholy to have any preachers transported;
but the thoughts of this do not affect me so much, because I
know what a field of action there is for them abroad. It has
been my settled opinion for a long time, that Christ’s labourers
(at least, some of them) love home too much, and do not care
enough for those thousands of precious souls, that are ready to
perish for lack of knowledge, in yonder wilderness. We propose
having an academy, or college, at the Orphan House in Georgia.
Supposing the worst to happen, hundreds may find a sweet retreat
there. The house is large; it will hold a hundred. I trust my
heart is larger, and will hold ten thousand. Be they who they
may, if they belong to Jesus, the language of my heart shall be,
‘Come in, ye blessed of the Lord.’ But, perhaps, this may not be
the issue. The threatening storm may blow over. It is always
darkest before break of day.”

Whitefield’s heart was large and warm. His life was a wandering one, and he saw but little of his relatives; but his affection for them never failed. In anticipation of his birthday, he wrote to his mother the following:――

“LONDON, _December 15, 1749_.

“MY DEAR AND HONOURED MOTHER,――To-morrow it will be thirty-five
years since you brought unworthy me into the world. Alas! how
little have I done for you, and how much less for Him who formed
me. This is my comfort; I hope you want for nothing. Thanks
be to God for His goodness to you in your old age! I hope you
comfort yourself in Him, who, I trust, will be your portion for
ever. After Christmas, I hope to see you. My wife sends you her
most dutiful respects. If you would have anything brought more
than you have mentioned, pray write to, honoured mother, your
ever dutiful, though unworthy son,

“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”

Whitefield and his Tabernacle friends began the New Year, 1750, by reading letters respecting the work of God, in different places; and by singing devout and enthusiastic doggerel. To one of his distant correspondents, he wrote thus:――

“LONDON, _January 2, 1750_.

“Yesterday was a blessed letter-day. These verses were sung for
you, etc.:――

‘Thy work in the north,
O Saviour, increase;
And kindly send forth
The preachers of peace:
Till throughout the nation
Thy gospel shall ring,
And peace and salvation
Each village shall sing.’

Thousands said, ‘Amen, and amen!’ Let me know when you set out
for Newcastle, and whether the books shall be sent by land or
water. I get very little by them. I do not desire it should be
otherwise. I believe, as many are given away as answer to the
profits of what are sold. If souls are profited, I desire no
more.”

The reading of letters, at stated times, respecting revivals of the work of God, was an established practice, both in Whitefield’s Tabernacle and Wesley’s Foundery. The chief difference between the two places was――in the Tabernacle, each letter was followed by the singing of hymns, of which the lines just given are too good a specimen; in the Foundery, the hymns sung were some of the finest that Charles Wesley ever wrote.

The poor Methodists at Cork were again in the furnace of affliction. Butler, the ballad singer, was as violent as ever; and, until the Lent assizes, pursued his murderous career with increasing zest. Accompanied by his mob, he several times assaulted the house of William Jewell, a clothier; and, at last, took forcible possession of it, swore he would blow out the brains of the first who resisted him, beat Jewell’s wife, and then smashed all the windows. He abused Mary Philips in the grossest terms, and struck her on the head. Elizabeth Gardelet was literally almost murdered by him and his ruffians; and others were similarly abused. On January 3, 1750, Whitefield wrote:――

“Mr. Lunell sends me dreadful news from Cork. Butler is there
again, making havoc of the people. Mr. Haughton,[260] some time
ago, expected to be murdered every minute. I have been with some
who will go to the Speaker of the House of Commons and represent
the case. I hope I have but one common interest to serve; I mean
that of the blessed Jesus.”

On January 5, at the Tabernacle, Whitefield preached a sermon from Ephes. iv. 24. The sermon was taken down in shorthand, and, after his death, was published, with the title, “The putting on of the New Man a certain mark of the real Christian.” (8vo. 30 pp.) The sermon is not in Whitefield’s collected works, but furnishes a good idea of the popular style he adopted. It is full of brief illustrations, and is intensely earnest; the style plain, familiar, and pointed. Three sentences may interest the reader. “Let me tell you, no matter whether you are Presbyterian or Independent, Churchman or Dissenter, Methodist or no Methodist, unless you are new creatures, you are in a state of damnation” (p. 17). “I like orthodoxy very well; but what signifies an orthodox head with a heterodox heart?” (p. 19.) “I tell thee, O man; I tell thee, O woman, whoever thou art, thou art a dead man, thou art a dead woman, nay, a damned man, a damned woman, without a new heart” (p. 27).

Whitefield, about this time, became acquainted with another clergyman, who was a man after his own heart. The Rev. William Baddiley had been made one of Lady Huntingdon’s domestic chaplains. He soon became a sort of second Grimshaw, formed a number of Societies, and employed laymen to assist him.[262] To him, Whitefield wrote as follows:――

“LONDON, _January 12, 1750_.

“MY VERY DEAR SIR,――I now sit down to answer your kind letter.
O that I may be helped to write something that may do you service
in the cause in which you are embarked!

“I see you are like to have hot work, for I find you have begun
to batter Satan’s strongest hold――I mean the self-righteousness
of man. Here, sir, you must expect the strongest opposition. It
is the _Diana_ of every age. It is the golden image, which man
continually sets up; and the not falling down to worship it,
much more to speak, write, or preach against it, exposes one
to the fury of its blind votaries, and we are thrown directly
into a den of lions. But fear not, Mr. Baddiley; the God whom
we serve is able to deliver us. If any one need give way, it
must be the poor creature who is writing to you; for, I believe,
there is not a person living more timorous by nature than I
am. But, in a degree, Jesus has delivered me from worldly hopes
and worldly fears, and often makes me as bold as a lion. But,
my dear sir, at first, I did not care to part with this pretty
character of mine. It was death to be despised, and worse than
death to think of being laughed at. Blessed be God! now contempt
and I are pretty intimate, and have been so for above twice
seven years. The love of Jesus makes it an agreeable companion,
and I no longer wonder that Moses made such a blessed choice.
There is no doing good without enduring the scourge of the
tongue; and take this for a certain rule――‘The more successful
you are, the more you will be hated by Satan, and despised by
those who know not God.’ What has the honoured lady suffered
under whose roof you dwell! Above all, what did your blessed
Master suffer! O let us follow Him, though it be through a sea
of blood.”

On the same day that Whitefield wrote to her domestic chaplain, he wrote to the Countess herself. Perhaps it ought to be premised that, at this time, Wesley had, besides the “Old Foundery,” two other London chapels――one in West Street, Seven Dials, built by the French Protestants; the other in Snowfields, Bermondsey, built by a Unitarian. The “Mr. Gifford,” whom Whitefield mentions, was a man of some importance. Besides being the respected minister of the Baptist Church, in Eagle Street, London, he was chaplain to Sir Richard Ellys, the learned author of “Fortuita Sacra.” He had a private collection of coins, said to have been one of the most curious in Great Britain, and which George II. purchased as an addition to his own. Through Sir Richard Ellys, he became a personal friend of Lord Chancellor Hardwicke, Archbishop Herring, Sir Arthur Onslow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and other persons of high social rank. He was also ultimately appointed librarian of the British Museum, and was made a doctor by the University of Aberdeen.

“LONDON, _January 12, 1750_.

“HONOURED MADAM,――Every day we have new hearers, and persons are
almost continually brought under convictions, or are edified, at
the Tabernacle.

“I have offered Mr. Wesley to assist occasionally at his chapel,
and I don’t know but it may be accepted. O that I may learn to
think it my highest privilege to be an assistant to all, but the
head of none! I find a love of power sometimes intoxicates even
God’s own dear children, and makes them to mistake passion for
zeal, and an overbearing spirit for an authority given them from
above. For my own part, I find it much easier to obey than to
govern, and that it is much safer to be trodden under foot than
to have the power to serve others so. This makes me flee from
that which, at our first setting out, we are too apt to court.
Thanks be to God for taking any pains with me! I cannot well buy
humility at too dear a rate.

“His Majesty seems to have been acquainted with some
things about us, by what passed in his discourse with Lady
Chesterfield.[263] The particulars are these. Her ladyship wore
a suit of clothes, with a brown ground and silver flowers. His
Majesty, coming round to her, first smiled, and then laughed
quite out. Her ladyship could not imagine what was the cause of
this. At length, His Majesty said, ‘I know who chose that gown
for you――Mr. Whitefield. I hear that you have attended on him
this year and a half.’ Her ladyship answered, ‘Yes, I have, and
like him very well.’

“I have been with the Speaker about the poor people in Ireland.
Mr. Gifford introduced me, and opened the matter well. His
honour expressed a great regard for your ladyship, and great
resentment at the indignities of the poor sufferers; but said,
Lord Harrington and the Secretary of State were the most proper
persons to apply to; and he did not doubt that your ladyship’s
application would get the people’s grievances redressed. I
wished for a memorial to acquaint him with particulars. He
treated me with great candour, and assured me no hurt was
designed us by the State.”

Six days after this, Whitefield wrote to Mr. Lunell, as follows:――

“LONDON, _January 18, 1750_.

“VERY DEAR SIR,――Last Monday, I waited upon the Speaker of the
House of Commons, with one Mr. Gifford, a Dissenting minister,
who opened the case of our poor suffering brethren in a proper
manner. The Speaker said that, though it did not properly belong
to him, he would make a thorough search into the affair. He
wondered that application had not been made to Lord Harrington,
the king’s representative in Ireland; and wanted to be informed
of more particulars. For want of a memorial, I could only shew
him the contents of your letter. Two things, therefore, seem
necessary. Be pleased to send a well-attested narrative of the
whole affair; and wait upon Lord Harrington yourself. A friend
of mine intends writing to Baron B――――. Is he in Dublin? As soon
as I hear from you, more may be done. Meanwhile, the dear souls
have my constant prayers, and shall have my utmost endeavours
to serve them. I count their sufferings my own. Hearty _Amens_
are given, when our friends are mentioned in prayer at the
Tabernacle.

“To-morrow, I am to preach at Mr. Wesley’s chapel. O that it may
be for the Redeemer’s glory, and His people’s good!”

To avoid a recurrence to the rioting at Cork, the following letter, to Mr. Lunell, is added:――

“LONDON, _January 28, 1750_.

“VERY DEAR SIR,――I am glad to find the storm is a little abated
at Cork. I always thought it was too hot to last long. I see, by
Mr. Haughton, that suffering grace is always given for suffering
times. If they have honoured him so far as to give him some
lashes, for preaching the everlasting gospel, I shall rejoice.
I am persuaded, the persecution will stir up the resentment of
persons in power on this side the water. I beg, for the dear
people’s sake, you will continue your accounts. They direct me
in my prayers, and also excite the prayers of others. On Monday,
your letter shall be read, and we will besiege the throne of
grace once more, on our dear brethren’s behalf. Surely, we shall
prevail. I will use all endeavours to extricate our friends out
of their troubles. Enclosed, you have a letter to the judge.
You may send or deliver it, as you think proper. I hope you will
wait on Lord Harrington, and let me hear what he says. The Duke”
(of Newcastle) “was spoken to; and, last post, I wrote to Lady
Huntingdon for the memorial, which, if sent, shall be put into
the hands of some who are very near His Majesty. Some honourable
women are much your friends. Jesus makes them so; and, when His
people are distressed, if needful, a thousand _Esthers_ shall be
raised up.

“I have now preached three times in Mr. Wesley’s chapel; and,
each time, the Lord was with us of a truth.”

The result of all this correspondence was: 1. A well-attested narrative of the persecution of the Methodists at Cork was presented to Lord Harrington, the king’s representative in Ireland. 2. A memorial was presented to His Majesty King George II., by the Countess of Chesterfield. 3. The Duke of Newcastle, then Secretary of State, was spoken to on the subject, and expressed great resentment at the proceedings of the magistrates and clergymen of Cork. 4. At the Lent assizes, 1750, the depositions of the persecuted Methodists were laid before the grand jury, but were all rejected; a true bill, however, was found against Daniel Sullivan, one of Wesley’s hearers, for discharging a pistol, without a ball, over the heads of Butler and his mob, while they were pelting him with stones; and, finally, several of the preachers, who, together with Charles Wesley, had been in August, 1749, presented, by the grand jury of the Cork assizes, as “persons of ill-fame, vagabonds, and common disturbers of the public peace,” were ordered into the dock as common criminals; but were all “acquitted,” says John Wesley, “with honour to themselves, and shame to their persecutors.” It is somewhat remarkable, that, though the Methodists of Cork were all followers of Wesley, the applications to Government officials on their behalf were all made by Whitefield and his friends. This was not for want of sympathy on the part of Wesley, but because Whitefield, by the aristocratic acquaintances he had formed, was in a better position to render help.

Another incident must be noticed. In the foregoing letters, Whitefield mentions, with seeming emphasis, his preaching in Wesley’s chapels. This, in fact, was a notable occurrence. Except for a few months, the friendship between Whitefield and Wesley had been unbroken; but, up to the present, Whitefield had but rarely preached to Wesley’s congregations. Indeed, of the ten or eleven years that had elapsed since the first formation of Wesley’s Societies, Whitefield had spent more than six in America and Scotland, where Wesley had no Societies or congregations at all; and, during the remaining four or five, his relationship to the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists was such as to prevent his rendering fraternal services like those referred to in his letters to Mr. Lunell. Now, however, he was in a new position. After considerable correspondence between Wesley and himself, it had been found that the amalgamation of their respective Societies was impracticable. For this and for other reasons, Whitefield resigned his office of moderator; and openly and repeatedly declared that he would neither found a sect, nor be at the head of one founded by others. His work for life was to be an evangelist at large,――the friend and helper of all Christian denominations, and the enemy of none. Hence, during his recent visit to the north of England, Charles Wesley introduced him to the Methodists of Newcastle; and Wesley himself to the Methodists of Leeds; and, for the next twenty years, as opportunity permitted, Whitefield rendered to Wesley’s Societies and congregations, throughout the kingdom, an amount of valuable service, the results of which cannot now be rightly estimated. The fraternal co-operation, begun at Newcastle and Leeds in 1749, was now continued in London in 1750, greatly to the delight of Whitefield and Wesley, and of their friends. Wesley’s memoranda of these memorable London services are as follows:――

“1750. Friday, January 19. In the evening, I read prayers at
the chapel in West Street, and Mr. Whitefield preached a plain,
affectionate discourse. Sunday, 21st. He read prayers, and I
preached: so, by the blessing of God, one more stumbling-block
is removed. Sunday, 28th. I read prayers, and Mr. Whitefield
preached. How wise is God in giving different talents to
different preachers! Even the little improprieties both of his
language and manner were a means of profiting many, who would
not have been touched by a more correct discourse, or a more
calm and regular manner of speaking.”[264]

This was a new fact in Methodist history. Partisans, on both sides, had done their utmost to keep Whitefield and Wesley apart from each other; but now their machinations were utterly and finally frustrated. The Methodist chieftains were united, though it had been found impossible to unite their Societies. The event afforded satisfaction to others, as well as to themselves. Hence the following, addressed to Mrs. Jones, widow of R. Jones, Esq., of Fonmon Castle, a personal friend of the Wesleys, on the occasion of whose death, Charles Wesley composed a well-known “Elegy.” The writer of the letter, William Holland, had been a “painter, in a large way of business, in Basinghall Street.” He was a member of the first Moravian “congregation” in London, and was one of its “elders.” He became a preacher, and removed to Yorkshire, where he succeeded Viney in the stewardship; but, in 1746, he returned to London, resumed his trade, left the Brethren, and died in 1761.

“ROLLS BUILDINGS, FETTER LANE,
“LONDON, _January 27, 1750_.

“DEAR MRS. JONES,――I arrived safe and well last Saturday,
and found my wife and family well. The evening before, Mr.
Whitefield preached in Mr. Wesley’s chapel, and Mr. J. Wesley
read prayers. On Sunday, Mr. Whitefield read prayers, and Mr.
J. Wesley preached; and, afterwards, they and two more clergymen
administered the sacrament to Mr. Howell Harris and several of
Mr. Whitefield’s Society, and to many hundreds of Mr. Wesley’s.
Monday morning, Mr. H. Harris preached in the Foundery; a
duke and another nobleman were there to hear Mr. J. Wesley.
On Wednesday, Thursday, and yesterday, Mr. Whitefield preached
again at the chapel; as also he is to do to-morrow morning, and
Mr. J. Wesley in the afternoon.

“You will please to let the enclosed be delivered as directed.
They and you will excuse brevity by reason of the frank.[266]

“My wife joins me in respects to you and your children. I am,
your friend and servant,

“WILLIAM HOLLAND.”[267]

To return to Whitefield. In the midst of his benevolent endeavours to assist the poor Methodists at Cork, Whitefield, with his characteristic kindliness, was caring for the welfare of persons of another class. The following was written to Mr. Habersham, formerly his manager at Bethesda, and who still took a profound interest in his Orphan House.

To understand the letter, it must be added, that, though, from the first settlement of Georgia, the province had been under a _military_ government, the trustees, about this period, established a kind of _civil_ government, and committed the charge to a president and four councillors. Mr. Stephens was now the president. In 1751, the province was divided into eleven districts; a colonial assembly of sixteen members was inaugurated at Savannah; Henry Parker was made president; and James Habersham provincial secretary. As yet, slavery was not formally introduced, but it practically existed. The term for which European servants had been engaged being now generally expired, the difficulty of procuring labour was met by permitting the colonists to hire negroes from their owners in South Carolina.[268]

“LONDON, _January 18, 1750_.

“MY VERY DEAR MR. HABERSHAM,――Blessed be God, for dealing so
favourably with my dear families, and for giving the prospect
of such a plentiful crop! I take it as an earnest, that the Lord
Jesus will be the Lord God of Bethesda, and will let the world
see that designs founded on Him shall prosper.

“I shall not wonder to hear, by-and-by, that you are president.
O that you and I may be clothed with humility, and that the more
we are exalted by others, the more we may be abased in our own
eyes! O that something may now be done for the poor negroes! A
good beginning is of vast consequence. Pray stir in it, and let
us exert our utmost efforts in striving to bring some of them to
the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This night,
I have agreed to take little Joseph and his sister. All their
relations are desirous that I should have them, as they will
be but poorly provided for here. I think they have a kind of
natural right to be maintained at Bethesda. I suppose, in your
next, you will acquaint me with particulars concerning their
father, and how he has left his affairs. I hear there is a
little infant, besides the other two. I would willingly have
that likewise, if it could be kept till it is about three years
old. I hope to be rich in heaven, by taking care of orphans on
earth. Any other riches, blessed be God! are out of my view. If
the crop answers expectation, I would have the poor of Savannah
reap the benefit. Pray let one barrel of rice be reserved for
them.

“We have had a blessed winter here. I am pretty well in health,
but my wife is ill.”

On Friday, February 2nd, Whitefield arrived at Gloucester, where he spent the next ten days. Daily, he preached either in the city or in its vicinity. “Some young fellows,” says he, “behaved rudely; but that is no wonder; the carnal mind is ♦enmity against God.” To Colonel Gumley, who had been converted under his preaching at Lady Huntingdon’s, and who was the father of the Countess of Bath, he wrote, on February 8th:――

“Contrary to my intentions, I have been prevailed on to
stay all this week in Gloucester; so that I do not expect to
be at Bristol till the 12th instant. I am sorry to hear you
are ill of an ague. Everything we meet with here, is only to
fit us more and more for a blessed hereafter. Christ is the
believer’s _hollow square_; and if we keep close in that, we
are impregnable. Here only I find my refuge. Garrisoned in this,
I can bid defiance to men and devils. O, my dear sir, what did
I experience on the road this day! How did I rejoice at the
prospect of a judgment to come, and in the settled conviction
that I have no designs but to spend and be spent for the good of
precious and immortal souls. The hand of the Lord Jesus, without
adding our carnal policy to it, will support His own cause.
When human cunning is made use of, what is it, but, like Uzzah,
to give a wrong touch to the ark of God, and to provoke God to
smite us? A bigoted, sectarian, party spirit cometh not from
above, but is sensual, earthly, devilish. Many of God’s children
are infected with it. They are sick of a bad distemper. May the
Spirit of God convince and cure them!”

On arriving at Bristol, Whitefield wrote to the Countess of Huntingdon, as follows:――

“BRISTOL, _February 12, 1750_.

“HONOURED MADAM,――Since I wrote last, we have been favoured both
in Gloucester city, and in the country, with very pleasant and
delightful seasons. I have preached about twenty times within
these eight or nine days; and, though frequently exposed to rain
and hail, am much better than when I left London. Everything
I meet with seems to carry this voice with it,――‘Go thou and
preach the gospel. Be a pilgrim on earth. Have no party, or
certain dwelling-place; but be continually preparing for, and
labouring to prepare others for, a house not made with hands,
eternal, in the heavens.’ My heart echoes back,――‘Lord Jesus,
help me to do or suffer Thy will! And, when Thou seest me in
danger of nestling, in pity, put a thorn in my nest, to preserve
me from it!’”

On his way to Plymouth, Whitefield held sweet intercourse with two eminently pious Dissenting ministers,――the well-known Rev. Richard Pearsall, of Taunton, and the Rev. Risdon Darracott, of Wellington. Writing to Lady Huntingdon, he said:――

“PLYMOUTH, _February 25, 1750_.

“The day after I wrote my last letter to your ladyship, I
preached three times, once at Kingswood, and twice at Bristol.
It was a blessed day. The next morning, I came on my way
rejoicing. At Taunton, I met with Mr. Pearsall, a Dissenting
minister, a preacher of righteousness before I was born.[269] At
Wellington, I lay at the house of one Mr. Darracott, a flaming
successful preacher of the gospel, and who may justly be styled,
‘the star in the West.’[270] He has suffered much reproach; and,
in the space of three months, has lost three lovely children.
Two of them died the Saturday evening before the sacrament
was to be administered; but weeping did not hinder sowing. He
preached next day, and administered as usual; and, for his three
natural, the Lord has given him above thirty spiritual children.
He has ventured his little all for Christ; and last week a saint
died, who left him £200 in land. At his place, I began to take
the field for this spring. At a very short warning, a multitude
assembled. The following evening, I preached at Exeter; and last
night and this morning I have preached here. This afternoon, God
willing, I am to take the field again.”

Mention has been already made of Benjamin Franklin issuing his “Proposals relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania,” a step which led to the founding of the present university of Philadelphia. This was a subject in which Whitefield took a profound interest, not only because the meeting-house which had been built for himself was likely to be occupied for this purpose; but, also, because, knowing the principles of his friend Franklin, he was afraid that, in the proposed academy, religion might not occupy the position which it ought to have. Franklin had written him on the subject; and the following is the substance of his answer:――

“PLYMOUTH, _February 26, 1750_.

“MY DEAR MR. FRANKLIN,――I am glad that the gentlemen of
Philadelphia are exerting their efforts to erect an academy. I
have often thought such an institution was exceedingly wanted;
and I am persuaded, if well conducted, it will be of public
service. I have read your plan, and do not wonder at its meeting
with general approbation. It is certainly well calculated to
promote polite literature; but, I think, there wants _aliquid
Christi_ in it, to make it as useful as I would desire it might
be.

“It is true you say, ‘The youth are to be taught some public
religion, and the excellency of the Christian religion in
particular;’ but methinks this is mentioned too late, and too
soon passed over. As we are all creatures of a day, as our
whole life is but one small point between two eternities, it
is reasonable to suppose that the grand end of every Christian
institution for forming tender minds should be to convince them
of their natural depravity, of the means of recovering out of
it, and of the necessity of preparing for the enjoyment of the
Supreme Being in a future state. These are the grand points in
which Christianity centres. Arts and sciences may be built on
this, and serve to embellish the superstructure, but without
this there cannot be any good foundation.

“I should be glad to contribute, though it were but the
least mite, and to promote so laudable an undertaking; but
the gentlemen concerned are so superior to me, in respect to
knowledge of both books and men, that anything I could offer
would be, I fear, of little service. The main thing will be
to get proper masters, who are acquainted with the world, with
themselves, and with God, and who will consequently care for
the welfare of the youth that shall be committed to them. I
think, also, that, in such an institution, there should be a
well-approved Christian orator, who should not be content with
giving a public lecture upon oratory in general, but who should
visit and take pains with every class, and teach them early how
to speak, and read, and pronounce well. An hour or two in a day,
I think, ought to be set apart for this. It would serve as an
agreeable amusement, and would be of great service, whether
the youth be intended for the pulpit, the bar, or any other
profession whatsoever. I should also like the youth to board in
the academy, and, by that means, to be always under the master’s
eye. If a fund could be raised, for the free education of those
of the poorer sort who appear to have promising abilities, I
think it would greatly answer the design proposed. It has often
been found, that some of our brightest men, in Church and State,
have arisen from an obscure condition.

“When I heard of the academy, I told Mr. B―――― that I thought
the new building[271] would admirably suit such a proposal; and
I then determined to mention, in my next, some terms that might
be offered to the consideration of the trustees; but I now find
that you have done this already, and that matters are adjusted
agreeable to the minds of the majority of them. I hope your
agreement meets with the approbation of the inhabitants, and
that it will be serviceable to the cause of vital piety and good
education. If these ends are answered, a free school erected,
the debts paid, and a place preserved for public preaching,
I do not see what reason there is for anyone to complain. But
all this depends on the integrity, disinterestedness, and piety
of the gentlemen concerned. An institution, founded on such a
basis, God will bless and succeed; but, without these, the most
promising schemes will prove abortive, and the most flourishing
structures turn out Babels. I wish you and the gentlemen
concerned much prosperity; and pray the Lord of all lords to
direct you to the best means to promote the best end; I mean
the glory of God and the welfare of your fellow-creatures. Be
pleased to remember me to them and to all friends as they come
in your way, and believe me, dear sir,

“Yours, etc.,

“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”

This long letter is interesting, as revealing Whitefield’s views of youthful education, and his connection with the founding of one of the oldest and most important colleges in America. It is difficult to determine whether his interest in England or in America was greater. He was a devoted lover of his native land; but he was also profoundly attached to those transatlantic colonies, which, since his day, have been developed into one of the greatest nations upon earth. On the same day that he wrote his letter to Franklin, respecting the college at Philadelphia, he also wrote to his old friend, the Honourable Jonathan Belcher, Governor of the Province of New Jersey:――

“I purpose ranging this summer, and then to embark for my
beloved America. Whether I shall see your Excellency is
uncertain. You are upon the decline of life; but, I trust, I
shall meet you in heaven, where the wicked heart, the wicked
world, and the wicked devil, will cease from troubling, and
every soul enjoy an uninterrupted and eternal rest. This I am
waiting for every day. O that death may find me either praying
or preaching!”

Having preached twelve times, in six days, at Plymouth, Whitefield set out for Cornwall, accompanied by two clergymen, the Rev. G. Thompson, of St. Gennys, and the Rev. Mr. Grigg, who had come to Plymouth purposely to be his escort. On Sunday, the 4th of March, the church at St. Gennys presented a scene such as was not often witnessed. Whitefield writes: “Four of Mr. Wesley’s preachers were present, and also four clergymen in their gowns and cassocks――Mr. Bennet[272] (aged fourscore), Mr. Thompson, Mr. Grigg, and myself. It was a glorious day of the Son of man.”

Six days later, he wrote the following to the Countess of Huntingdon:――

“REDRUTH, _March 10, 1750_.

“Every day, since I left St. Gennys, I have been travelling
and preaching. At Port Isaac, the Redeemer’s stately steps were
seen indeed. At Camelford, I preached with great quietness in
the street. At St. Andrew’s, we had a very powerful season.
Yesterday, at Redruth, several thousands attended. Invitations
are sent to me from Falmouth and several other places. I want
more tongues, more bodies, more souls, for the Lord Jesus. Had
I ten thousand, He should have them all. After preaching, about
noon I am to go to St. Ives; and, in about nine days, I hope to
be at Exeter. Mr. Thompson is mighty hearty, and is gone to his
parish in a gospel flame.”

The account of Whitefield’s Cornish labours is continued in another letter to her ladyship, dated “Exeter, March 21, 1750,” and in which he says:――

“Immediately after writing my last, I preached to many thousands
at Gwennap. In the evening, I went to St. Ives. The next day,
Sunday, March 11th, I went to church in the morning, and heard
a virulent sermon from these words, ‘Beware of false prophets.’
The preacher had said, on the day before, ‘Now Whitefield is
coming, I must put on my old armour.’[273] I preached twice to
large auditories, and then rode back to Gwennap rejoicing. On
Monday, I preached again at Redruth, at ten in the morning, to
near ten thousand. Arrows of conviction seemed to fly fast. In
the evening, I preached to above five hundred, at a place twelve
miles distant, and then rode about sixteen miles to one Mr.
B――――’s, a wealthy man, convinced about two years ago. In riding,
my horse threw me violently on the ground, but I got up without
receiving much hurt. The next day,” (Tuesday, March 13,) “we had
a most delightful season at St. Mewan; and the day following,
a like time at Port Isaac. In the evening, I met my dear Mr.
Thompson, at Mr. Bennet’s, a friendly minister aged fourscore;
and, on Thursday, preached in both his churches. Blessed seasons
both! On Friday, we went to Bideford, where there is perhaps
one of the best little flocks in all England.[274] The power
of God so came down, while I was expounding to them, that Mr.
Thompson could scarce stand under it. I preached twice. On Monday
evening” (March 19), “I came to Exeter, and, with great regret,
shall stay till Friday; for I think every day lost that is not
spent in field-preaching. An unexpectedly wide door is opened in
Cornwall, so that I have sometimes almost determined to go back
again.”

Thus did Whitefield requite his abusive foe, the Bishop of Exeter. Lavington, in the most scurrilous language, blackguarded Whitefield and the Methodists in the notorious pamphlets which he was now writing and publishing, without having the manliness to acknowledge them as his own; and Whitefield, in return, quietly invaded the bishop’s diocese, and, from Land’s End to Exeter, tried to revive religion, where it was almost, if not entirely, dead. No wonder that the bishop raved!

After spending about a month in London, Whitefield made, what he calls, “a short elopement to Portsmouth.” His supreme work was preaching, and saving souls; but he was always ready to throw his influence and energies into any scheme that would be subsidiary to the great object of his life. For this purpose, he had erected his Orphan House in Georgia, and, as the reader has already seen, wished to have, in connection with it, an academy or college for the training of ministers. At this very time, he was taking an active interest in founding what afterwards became the university of Philadelphia. Added to all this, he now cheerily devoted himself to the establishment of a kindred institution in New Jersey. Three years ago, his friend, Jonathan Belcher, had been appointed the governor of that province. The governor was an aged man, in his seventieth year; but, before he died, he wished to found a Presbyterian college for the benefit of the people whom he ruled. In 1748, he had obtained a royal charter from George II., but, to carry out his purpose, he needed money. To collect this, Mr. Allen and Colonel Williams had come to England, bringing letters of introduction from Governor Belcher and the Rev. Aaron Burr, who had been elected president of the New College. Whitefield presented these gentlemen to the Countess of Huntingdon. A statement of Belcher’s scheme, with a recommendation of it, was printed, and signed by her ladyship, Whitefield, Dr. Doddridge, and others. Whitefield preached sermons for the college; and, in the course of a few months, considerable sums were collected, and transmitted to America.[275] To illustrate Whitefield’s interest in this important matter, two extracts from his letters may be useful, while at Portsmouth, he wrote to Governor Belcher, as follows:――

“PORTSMOUTH, _April 27, 1750_.

“I am glad your Excellency has been honoured, by Providence,
to put New Jersey College on such a footing, that it may be a
nursery for future labourers. I have had the pleasure of seeing
Mr. Allen and Colonel Williams, and have introduced them to
such of my friends as I believe may serve the interest in which
they are engaged. By the Divine blessing, I hope that something
considerable will be done in England and Scotland.”

A few days afterwards, he wrote to the Rev. Mr. McCulloch, Presbyterian minister of Cambuslang:――

“Mr. Allen, a friend of Governor Belcher, is come over with a
commission to negotiate the matter concerning the Presbyterian
College in New Jersey. He has brought with him a copy of the
letter which Mr. Pemberton sent you some time ago. This letter
has been shewn to Dr. Doddridge and several of the London
ministers, who all approve of the thing, and promise their
assistance. Last week, I conversed with Dr. Doddridge concerning
it; and the scheme that was then judged most practicable was
this――‘That Mr. Pemberton’s letter should be printed, and that
a recommendation of the affair, subscribed by Dr. Doddridge and
others, should be annexed; and, further, that a subscription
and collections should be set on foot in England, and that
afterwards Mr. Allen should go to Scotland.’ I think it is an
affair that requires despatch. Governor Belcher is old, but
a most hearty man for promoting God’s glory, and the good of
mankind. He looks upon the College as his own daughter, and will
do all he can to endow her with proper privileges. The present
president, Mr. Burr,[276] and most of the trustees, I am well
acquainted with. They are friends to vital piety; and, I trust,
this work of the Lord will prosper in their hands. The spreading
of the gospel in Maryland and Virginia, in a great measure,
depends on it.”

Thus, in more respects than one, was America greatly indebted to the English Whitefield. The effects of his services on behalf of that country cannot be estimated.

After a few days spent at Portsmouth, Whitefield returned to London, and then, early in the month of May, set out on his northern tour. On Sunday, May 6th, he preached twice, to great multitudes, at Olney. On the day following, he rode to Northampton, and “had a private interview” with Dr. Stonehouse, Dr. Doddridge, the Rev. James Hervey, and the Rev. Thomas Hartley.[277] On Tuesday, the 8th, he preached, in the morning, “to Dr. Doddridge’s family;” and, in the afternoon, to above two thousand in a field, his friends, with whom he had held “a private interview,” to his great gratification, walking with him along the street. After preaching twice, “to several thousands,” at Kettering, he made his way to Ashby, the country residence of the Countess of Huntingdon. Here he remained for above a week, preaching daily in the house of her ladyship, and also in four neighbouring churches. Resuming his journey, on May 20, he preached four times at Nottingham, where, says he, “several came to me, enquiring what they should do to be saved. One evening, Lord S―――― and several gentlemen were present, and behaved with great decency. Many thousands attended.” He also preached at Sutton; thrice at Mansfield; and, on May 25, arrived at Rotherham, where he met with an adventure worth relating. In a letter to Lady Huntingdon, dated “Leeds, May 30, 1750,” he writes:――

“Satan rallied his forces at Rotherham;[278] but I preached
twice, on the Friday evening and Saturday morning. The crier
was employed to give notice of a bear-baiting. Your ladyship
may guess who was the _bear_. About seven in the morning, the
drum was heard, and several watermen attended it with great
staves. The constable was struck, and two of the mobbers were
apprehended, but were rescued afterwards. I preached on these
words, ‘Fear not, little flock.’ They were both fed and feasted.
After a short stay, I left Rotherham, when I knew it was become
more pacific.[279]

“In the evening, I preached at Sheffield, where the people
received the word gladly. A great alteration was discernible
in their looks, since I was there last.[280] On Sunday, great
multitudes attended, and, in the evening, many went away, who
could not get near enough to hear. On Monday, we had a parting
blessing; and, in the evening, the Lord Jesus fed us plentifully,
with the bread that cometh down from heaven, at Barley Hall.

“Last night, I preached in Leeds, to many, many thousands; and
this morning also, at five o’clock. Methinks, I am now got into
another climate. It must be a warm one, where there are so many
of God’s people. Our Pentecost is to be kept at Mr. Grimshaw’s.
I have seen him and Mr. Ingham.”

Concerning the “Pentecost” kept at Haworth, on Sunday, June 3rd, no record has been preserved, except a mere notice, which will be found in a subsequent letter. The reader must imagine the great preacher, standing on his temporary scaffold, by the side of Grimshaw’s church, with thousands upon thousands listening to his impassioned eloquence, and the surrounding hills and dales echoing with his unequalled voice.

Leaving Haworth, Whitefield proceeded to Manchester, where he wrote, as follows, to Lady Gertrude Hotham, daughter of the Earl of Chesterfield, and wife of Sir Charles Hotham, Bart:――

“MANCHESTER, _June 8, 1750_.

“HONOURED MADAM,――Thousands and thousands, for some time past,
have flocked to hear the word twice every day, and the power
of God has attended it in a glorious manner. I left good Lady
Huntingdon, some time ago, weak in body, but strong in the grace
which is in Christ Jesus. The good people of Ashby were so kind
as to mob round her ladyship’s door, whilst the gospel was being
preached. Alas! how great and irreconcilable is the enmity of
the serpent! This is my comfort――the seed of the woman shall be
more than conqueror over all. I hope your ladyship, every day,
experiences more and more of this conquest in your heart. This
is the Christian’s daily employ and daily triumph――to die to
self and sin, and to rise more and more into the image of the
blessed Jesus. As it is our duty, so it is our unspeakable
privilege.”

From Manchester, Whitefield set out on a tour through what was called “Ingham’s Circuit,” a large mountainous tract of country where Ingham had preached with great success, and had founded Societies. The following, addressed to the Countess of Huntingdon, will give the reader an idea of Whitefield’s labours:――

“NEWBY-COTE, _June 16, 1750_.

“HONOURED MADAM,――Blessed be God! I have still good news to send
your ladyship. All was quiet at Manchester; and, I humbly hope,
the Redeemer will gather to Himself a people there.[281] Kind
Captain Galatin and his lady will acquaint you with particulars.
I hope he will prove a good soldier of Jesus Christ. We had
sweet seasons at places adjacent to Manchester. Only, at Bolton,
a drunkard stood up to preach behind me; and a woman attempted
twice to stab the person who was putting up a stand, for me
to preach on, in her husband’s field. Since that, we have had
very large and powerful meetings, where formerly were the most
violent outrages.[282] Perhaps, within these three weeks, sixty
thousand souls have heard the gospel. I am now in Mr. Ingham’s
circuit, and purpose being at Kendal next Thursday.”

To this Whitefield appends the following postscript:――

“June 17th, seven in the morning. Last night Satan shewed his
teeth. Some persons got into the barn and stable, and cut my
chaise, and one of the horse’s tails. What would men do, if they
could?”

Whitefield arrived at Kendal four days after this, where he wrote the following to his friend Hervey:――

“KENDAL, _June 21, 1750_.

“REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR,――I arrived at Kendal this morning,
where I shall preach this evening. An entrance is now made into
Westmoreland. Pen cannot well describe the glorious scenes that
have opened in Yorkshire, etc. Perhaps, since I saw you, seventy
or eighty thousand have attended the word preached, in divers
places. At Haworth, on Whit-Sunday, the church was almost thrice
filled with communicants; and, at Kirby-Stephen, the people
behaved exceedingly well.

“In my way, I have read Mr. Law’s second part of ‘The Spirit of
Prayer.’ His scheme about the fall is quite chimerical; but he
says many noble things. The sun has its spots, and so have the
best of men. I want to see my own faults more, and those of
others less. It will be so, when I am more humble. If mercies
would make a creature humble, I should be a mirror of humility.
But I am far from the mind that was in Jesus. You must pray,
while I go on fighting. Next week, I hope to reach Edinburgh.
You shall have notice of my return. Glad shall I be to meet such
a friend upon the road.”

On the same day, he wrote to the Rev. William Baddiley, domestic chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon. Mr. Baddiley was now in London, and his place at Ashby was supplied by the Rev. Charles Caspar Graves and the Rev. Mr. Simpson, the former a brave-hearted Oxford Methodist, who, in 1742, had accompanied Charles Wesley to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and helped him in forming the Methodist Society in that important town, and who, in the year following, preached, for months, among the almost incarnate fiends in Wednesbury, and in other parishes adjacent, but who now had a church not far from Lady Huntingdon’s country residence. Mr. Simpson, also, was one of the Oxford Methodists, and had been ordained, and presented to a living of considerable value in Leicestershire. This, however, he resigned, and, having left the Church of England, was now a Moravian minister at Ockbrook.

“KENDAL, _June 21, 1750_.

“REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR,――I am glad you have sounded the silver
trumpet in London. ‘_Crescit eundo_’ must be your motto and mine.
There is nothing like keeping the wheels oiled by action. The
more we do, the more we may do; every act strengthens the habit;
and the best preparation for preaching on Sundays, is to preach
every day in the week.

“I am glad there is peace at Ashby. What a fool is Satan always
to overshoot his mark! I hope Mr. Graves, as well as Mr. Simpson,
will hold on. They will be glorious monuments of free grace. I
am like-minded with you in respect to Dr. Doddridge’s Commentary.
He is a glorious writer. May the Lord Jesus strengthen him to
finish the work!

“My dear Mr. Baddiley, what blessed opportunities do you enjoy
for meditation, study, and prayer! Now is your time to get
rich in grace. Such an example, and such advantages, no one in
England is favoured with but yourself. I do not envy you. I am
called forth to battle. O remember a poor cowardly soldier, and
pray that I may have the honour to die fighting. I would have
all my scars in my breast. I would not be wounded running away,
or skulking into a hiding-place. It is not for ministers of
Christ to flee, or be afraid.”

Five days afterwards, Whitefield wrote to the Countess of Huntingdon:――

“KENDAL, _June 26, 1750_.

“HONOURED MADAM,――Still the Lord vouchsafes to prosper the
gospel plough. Such an entrance has been made into Kendal,
as could not have been expected. I preached twice, to several
thousands, last week; and the people were so importunate, that
I was prevailed on to return last night. The congregation was
greatly increased, and the power of the Lord was displayed in
the midst of them.

“Last Saturday evening, and on the Lord’s-day, I preached at
Ulverstone. There Satan made some resistance. A clergyman, who
looked more like a butcher than a minister, came with two others,
and charged a constable with me; but I never saw a poor creature
sent off in such disgrace. I believe good was done in the town.
How I am to succeed at Whitehaven, your ladyship shall know
hereafter. I hear Mr. Wesley has been much abused in Ireland,
but that the mayor of Cork has quite overshot himself. I have
some thoughts of seeing Ireland before my return.”[284]

Whitefield reached Edinburgh on Friday, July 6th, having preached, since he left London, two months before, above ninety times, and, as he estimated, to a hundred and forty thousand people. He, at once, commenced preaching in his open-air cathedral, the Orphan Hospital Park;[285] and, on July 12th, wrote, as follows, to the Countess of Huntingdon:――

“Though I am burning with a fever, and have a violent cold,
I must send your ladyship a few lines. They bring good news.
People flock rather more than ever, and earnestly entreat me not
to leave them soon. I preach generally twice a day,――early in
the morning, and at six in the evening. Great multitudes attend.
Praise the Lord, O my soul! Mr. Nimmo and his family are in the
number of those who are left in Sardis, and have not defiled
their garments. Your ladyship’s health is drunk every day.”

James Nimmo, Esq., Receiver-General of the Excise, was connected with some of the first families in Scotland. His mother was a daughter of Henry, Lord Cardross. His wife, Lady Jane Hume, was third daughter of the Earl of Marchmont, and sister of Hugh, fourth Earl of Marchmont, one of the executors of Pope the poet, and also of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. Mr. Nimmo’s house was Whitefield’s Edinburgh home; and, during his visit, Lady Jane Nimmo, in a letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, remarked:――