_To the same._
_Gloucester, June 21, 1743._
ON _Saturday_ I answered your two last letters. Our Saviour sent me
to _Gloucester_ for wise ends. Much substantial good has been done
to several of the society. My mouth and heart were greatly opened
in preaching. _Saturday_ evening was a time much to be remembered.
_Sunday_, was a great day of the Son of Man. I preached at _Gloucester_
in the morning, and near _Stroud_ in the evening. The word was clothed
with much power, both for sinners and saints. I think the congregation
at _Hampton_ was rather greater than ever. At night we had a precious
meeting in _Hampton-house_ garden; the house itself being too small to
hold the people without almost stifling them. The simplicity, sweetness,
and broken-heartedness of the poor souls would have melted your
heart. Indeed, much grace was upon them, and many, I believe, to their
unspeakable consolation, heard the voice of the LORD GOD in the trees
of the garden in the cool of the day. On _Monday_ morning I preached
again, and came away rejoicing. Whilst I was at _Hampton_, _J. C――――_
told me, how he and the people had been abused. My coming at this time,
I believe, has much strengthened the persecuted. Indeed there is a
glorious work in _Gloucestershire_. Brother _C――――_ is truly a great
soul! one of the weak things that GOD has chosen to confound the strong.
In my journey from _Hampton_ hither, our dear Master was graciously
with us. We have blessed news from _Scotland_. Brave news also from
_Pembrokeshire_. Surely the kingdom of the LORD and his CHRIST is
coming on apace. I know you say, “Come, LORD JESUS, come quickly.”
Ever, ever yours,
_G. W._
_P. S._ I must acquaint you, by way of postscript, of the following
anecdote of the old Mr. _Cole_, a most venerable dissenting minister;
whom I was always taught to ridicule, and (with shame I write it) used,
when a boy, to run into his meeting-house, and cry, _Old Cole! old
Cole! old Cole!_ Being asked once by one of his congregation, what
business I would be of? I said, “a minister, but I would take care
never to tell stories in the pulpit, like the old _Cole_.” About twelve
years afterwards, the old man heard me preach in one of the churches at
_Gloucester_; and on my telling some story to illustrate the subject I
was upon, having been informed what I had before said, made this remark
to one of his elders, “I find that young _Whitefield_ can now tell
stories, as well as old _Cole_.” Being affected much with my preaching,
he was as it were become young again, and used to say, when coming to
and returning from _Barn_, “These are days of the Son of Man indeed!”
nay, he was so animated, and so humbled, that he used to subscribe
himself _my Curate_, and went about preaching after me in the country,
from place to place. But one evening, whilst preaching, he was struck
with death, and then asked for a chair to lean on ’till he concluded
his sermon, when he was carried up stairs and died. O blessed GOD! if
it be thy holy will, may my exit be like his!