"Thursday, May 8. Had what my body much wanted, a thorough
night's repose. Was called up early to speak to those under
convictions. The first who came was an Indian trader,[348] whom
God was pleased to bring home by my preaching when here last. He
is just come from the Indian nation, where he has been praying
with and exhorting all he met. He has hopes of some of the
Indians; but his fellow-traders endeavoured to prejudice them
against him. However, he proposes to visit them again in the
autumn. Preached, at eleven, to six or seven thousand people,
and cleared myself from some aspersions that had been cast upon
my doctrine, as though it tended to Antinomianism. At five
in the evening, I preached to a rather larger audience; and,
afterwards, rode ten miles to a friend's house, that I might be
in readiness to preach, according to appointment next morning.
[348] The "Indian trader" was, probably, Samson Occum, who will
be noticed hereafter.
"Friday, May 9. Preached at Pennytack, to about two thousand
people; and again, in the evening, at Philadelphia; and
afterwards settled a Society of young men, many of whom, I
trust, will prove good soldiers of Jesus Christ.
"Saturday, May 10. Preached twice to-day, and to larger
congregations than ever; and, in the evening, settled a
Society of young women, who seemed to be under the strongest
convictions, and to be seeking Jesus sorrowing. Their cries
might be heard a great way off.
"Sunday, May 11. Preached to about fifteen thousand people in
the morning. Went twice to church, and heard myself taken to
task by the preacher. In the afternoon, I preached my farewell
sermon, to very near twenty thousand hearers. After I had taken
my leave, many visited my lodgings, amongst whom, I believe,
were fifty negroes, who came to tell me what God had done
for their souls. Some of them have been effectually wrought
upon, and in an uncommon manner. Many of them have begun to
learn to read. One, who was free, said she would give me her
two children, whenever I settle my school. I hope masters and
mistresses will see that Christianity will not make their
negroes worse slaves. I intended to have settled a Society
for negro men and negro women; but that must be deferred till
it shall please God to bring me to Philadelphia again. I have
been much drawn out in prayer for them, and have seen them
exceedingly wrought upon under the word preached. I cannot well
express how many others, of all sorts, came to give me a last
farewell. I never yet saw a more general awakening in any place.
Many of the Quakers have been convinced of the righteousness of
Jesus Christ, and openly confess the truth as it is in Jesus;
for which, I believe, they will shortly be put out of their
synagogues. With preaching, and praying, and conversing, I was
truly weary by eight at night; but I went and baptized two
children, took my leave of both the Societies, and, at my return
home, supped with some Christian friends, and went to bed,
desirous to be humbly thankful for what the Lord had done at
Philadelphia.
"Monday, May 12. Rose early to answer those who came for private
advice. Visited three persons, one of whom was under such deep
convictions, that she had taken scarce anything to eat for a
fortnight. Another had a prospect of hell set before her last
night in the most terrifying colours; but, before morning,
received comfort. When I came to my lodgings, my friends were
waiting to accompany me on horseback, and great numbers of the
common people were crowding about the door. About nine, I left
Philadelphia, and, when I came to the ferry, was told that
people had been crossing over, as fast as two boats could carry
them, ever since three in the morning. After we had waited some
time, I and my friends got over, and I preached at Derby, seven
miles from Philadelphia to about four thousand hearers. There I
took a sorrowful leave of many, and then preached at Chester,
about nine miles off, to two thousand; and collected there and
at Derby upwards of £40 for the orphans. Here I parted with more
friends; but several went with me to Wilmington, fifteen miles
from Chester. We got in about eleven at night. My body was weak;
but God strengthened me to pray, to sing psalms, and to exhort a
room full of people for about an hour.
"Tuesday, May 13. In the morning, preached at Wilmington to
five thousand; and, at Whiteclay Creek, in the evening, to
three thousand. At both places, we collected about £24 for the
Orphan House. After sermon at Whiteclay Creek, I rode towards
Nottingham with Mr. William Tennent, Mr. Craghead, and Mr.
Blair,[349] all worthy ministers of the Lord Jesus, and with
many others belonging to Philadelphia. We rode through the
woods singing, and praising God, and got to a Quaker's house at
midnight.
[349] The Rev. Samuel Blair was a native of Ireland, but came
to America in early life. He was trained for the ministry in
the "Log College" of good old Mr. Tennent at Neshaminy. About
the year 1745, he took charge of the church at Fagg's Manor,
and opened a classical and theological academy. He was a man of
great learning and piety, a profound divine, and an impressive
preacher.
"Wednesday, May 14. Preached at Nottingham both morning and
evening. It surprised me to see such a multitude gathered
together, at so short a warning, and in such a desert place.
I believe there were near twelve thousand. I had not spoken
long, before I perceived numbers melting. As I proceeded, the
influence increased, till, at last, thousands cried out, so
that they almost drowned my voice. I myself was so overpowered
with a sense of God's love, that it almost took away my life.
At length, I revived, and was strengthened to go with Messrs.
Blair, Tennent, and some other friends, to Mr. Blair's house,
twenty miles from Nottingham. In the way, we refreshed our souls
by singing psalms and hymns. We got to our journey's end at
midnight.
"Thursday, May 15. Preached at Fagg's Manor, three miles from
Mr. Blair's house. The congregation was about as large as that
at Nottingham. Most of the people were drowned in tears. The
word was sharper than a two-edged sword. The bitter cries and
groans were enough to pierce the hardest heart. Some of the
people were as pale as death; others were wringing their hands;
others lying on the ground; others sinking into the arms of
their friends; and most lifting up their eyes to heaven, and
crying to God for mercy. They seemed like persons awakened by
the last trump, and coming out of their graves to judgment.
After dinner, I rode to Newcastle, twenty-four miles from Fagg's
Manor, preached to about four thousand, prayed with several who
came many miles under violent convictions, and then went on
board our sloop, the _Savannah_."
To return, for a moment, to Whitefield in Philadelphia. His success
here was marvellous. Hence the following letter, published in the
_New England Journal_, of June 24, 1740:--
"Philadelphia, June 12, 1740. During the session of the
Presbyterian Synod, which began here on the 28th of last
month, and continued to the 3rd inst., there were no less than
fourteen sermons preached on Society Hill, to large audiences,
by the Revs. Messrs. Tennent, Davenport, Rowland, and Blair;
besides what were delivered in the Presbyterian and Baptist
meetings, and expoundings and exhortations in private houses.
The alteration in the face of religion in Philadelphia is
surprising. Never did the people shew so great a willingness to
attend sermons, nor the preachers greater zeal and diligence in
performing the duties of their function. Religion has become
the subject of most conversations. No books are in request, but
those of piety and devotion. Instead of singing idle songs and
ballads, the people are everywhere entertaining themselves with
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. All this, under God, is
owing to the successful labours of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield."
So much from one of Whitefield's friends. Another letter, from a
foe, condemns the movement, but, in reality, confirms what has just
been said. In the Boston _Post Boy_, of June 23, 1740, appeared the
following:--
"Philadelphia, June 5, 1740. Field-preaching prevails with the
vulgar in Philadelphia so much, that industry, honest labour,
and care for their families seem to be held, by many, as sinful,
and as a mark that they neglect the salvation of their souls.
Mr. Whitefield and his adherent ministers have infatuated the
multitude with the doctrines of regeneration, free grace,
conversion, etc., representing them as essential articles of
religion, though, in reality, they are inconsistent with true
religion, natural and revealed, and are subversive of all order
and decency, and repugnant to common sense. Every day we have
instances of the melancholy fruits of these sermons. Many, of
weak minds, are terrified into despair, by the threatenings of
eternal vengeance. Some are so transported with the passions
which influence them, that they believe they have had the
beatific vision, and immediate intercourse with Him who is
invisible.
"I have informed you of all this, because Mr. Whitefield intends
to visit Boston in the autumn, where, I understand, he is
impatiently waited for. I wish his ministry there may not be
attended with the same bad effects, as here, by diverting and
disturbing the labouring people, who are generally too much
inclined to novelties, especially in point of religion. Mr.
Whitefield is the more to be guarded against, because, I can
assure you, he is qualified to sway and keep the affections of
the multitude."
On the day this caution was written, Whitefield, after an absence
of nine weeks, arrived in his parish of Savannah. In his wanderings
he had collected nearly £500 sterling for his orphans, and was
taking home with him a bricklayer, a tailor, two maidservants, and
two little girls, the last mentioned being the children of the man
who had kept the dancing school, and the assembly and concert room
in Philadelphia.[350] Whitefield could not be idle. The wind being
contrary, he went on shore at Reedy Island three days in succession,
and preached to such congregations as could be gathered. For the
same reason, he also spent two days at Lewis Town, during which he
read prayers and preached thrice in the English Church, and likewise
addressed two crowds from a balcony out of doors, the church not
being capable of holding them. His leisure hours he employed in
writing letters to his friends. The following was addressed to
William Seward, who had recently gone as his envoy to England:--
"REEDY ISLAND, _May 19, 1740_.
[350] One of these afterwards became the wife of Whitefield's
factotum, Mr. Habersham. In his "Journal of the Proceedings in
Georgia," Mr. Stephens writes: "1740, June 5. Mr. Whitefield
came back in his sloop, fully laden with provisions of all
sorts, and ten passengers (men and women) of divers trades
useful to his purpose, namely, a tailor, shoemaker, glazier,
etc."
"MY DEAR BROTHER,--The war between Michael and the dragon has
much increased since you left. Mr. C----[351] has preached most
of his people away from him. He lashed me most bravely the
Sunday before I came away. Mr. A---- also preaches against me;
and Mr. J---- is very inveterate. At New York, the word ran.
Twice or thrice our Lord appeared for us in a glorious manner.
Mr. Tennent and his brethren glow with divine warmth. Last week,
at Nottingham, and at Mr. Blair's, how did God manifest His
glory! We had about twelve thousand hearers; and such a melting,
such a crying, was scarcely ever seen. Blessed be God! the
devil's children begin to throw off the mask. At Philadelphia,
affairs go on better and better; only Satan now begins to throw
many into fits. I have generally preached twice, and ridden
nearly thirty miles a day since your departure. I believe the
work will go on better here than in England. We are more united
in our principles, and do not print one against another. We are
now at Reedy Island, waiting for the wind. I heard of a ship
going to Dublin, and could not lose the opportunity of writing
to my dear brother Seward. I need not remind you to hasten over
as fast as possible. Our Lord has taught you not to stay by the
way. I am somewhat better as to bodily health. My Master never
fails me. Oh exhort all to fall in love with Jesus, and to pray
for, ever yours, in the best of bonds,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
[351] No doubt, the clergyman of Philadelphia.
The next was to an "Indian trader," and is full of good advice to a
young missionary to the heathen:--
"REEDY ISLAND, _May 19, 1740_.
"I received your letter, and have been reading part of your
journal. I think it your bounden duty to go amongst the Indians
again, not as a _minister_, but as a private Christian, whose
duty it is, when converted himself, to strengthen his brethren.
An effectual door, I hope, is opening amongst some of the
heathen. It is plain God calls you, and I wish you good success
in the name of the Lord. Be sure you keep a close walk with God.
Be much in prayer; and prepare for hardships. Your greatest
perils will be amongst your own countrymen; but the Lord Jesus
will make you more than conqueror. The word of the Lord will
make its own way. Beg of God to give you true notions of our
free justification by faith in Jesus Christ. Bring your Indian
hearers to believe, before you talk of baptism or the supper of
the Lord. Otherwise they will catch at a shadow and neglect the
substance. Improve the leisure you now enjoy, and see that you
feel the truths you speak. Feed on this promise, 'It shall be
given you in that hour what you shall say.' Your circumstances
call for a fulfilling of it. Tell them what God has been doing
here, and how happy Jesus Christ will make them. Be sure to tell
them, that true faith is not merely in the head, but in the
heart, and that it certainly will be productive of good works.
Frequently meditate on God's free love to yourself. That will
best qualify you to speak of it affectionately to others. I
could say more, but time will not permit.
"Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant in Christ,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
The ensuing was addressed to Wesley, and refers to their unpleasant
difference of opinion on the subject of Calvinian doctrines.
"CAPE-LOPEN, _May 24, 1740_.
"HONOURED SIR,--I cannot entertain prejudices against your
conduct and principles any longer, without informing you.
The more I examine the writings of the most experienced men,
and the experiences of the most established Christians, the
more I differ from your notion about not committing sin, and
your denying the doctrines of election and final perseverance
of the saints. I dread coming to England, unless you are
resolved to oppose these truths with less warmth, than when I
was there last. I dread your coming to America, because the
work of God is carried on here (and that in a most glorious
manner) by doctrines quite opposite to those you hold. Here are
thousands of God's children, who will not be persuaded out of
the privileges purchased for them by the blood of Jesus. Here
are many worthy experienced ministers, who would oppose your
principles to the utmost. God direct me what to do! Sometimes
I think it best to stay here, where we all think and speak the
same thing. The work goes on without divisions, and with more
success, because all employed in it are of one mind.
"I write not this, honoured sir, from heat of spirit, but out
of love. At present, I think you are entirely inconsistent
with yourself; and, therefore, do not blame me, if I do not
approve of all you say. From my soul, I wish you abundant
success. I long to hear of your being a spiritual father to
thousands. Perhaps I may never see you again, till we meet in
judgment. Then, if not before, you will know that sovereign,
distinguishing, irresistible grace brought you to heaven. Then
will you know that God loved you with an everlasting love, and,
therefore, with loving-kindness did He draw you.
"Honoured sir, farewell! My prayers constantly attend both you
and your labours. My next journal will acquaint you with new
and surprising wonders. I am supported, under the prospect of
impending trials, with an assurance of God's loving me to the
end; yea, even to all eternity. Ere this reaches you, I suppose
you will hear of my intention to marry. I am quite as free as a
child. If it be God's will, I beseech Him to prevent it. I would
not be hindered in my dear Lord's business for the world. God
blesses the Orphan House. Do not be angry with, but pray for,
honoured sir, your unworthy brother and servant in Christ,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
The doctrinal views of the two friends were different; but they were
as loving and faithful to each other as they had ever been. The
controversy between them will frequently recur.
When Whitefield arrived at Savannah, on the 5th of June, he was most
warmly welcomed by his family and friends, and was soon rejoiced by
the prosperity of the work of God. He writes:--
"Savannah, Friday, June 6. Blessed be the God of all grace,
who continues to do for us marvellous things! This afternoon,
one of the men that I brought over was enabled to wrestle with
God exceedingly, both for himself and others. After this, I
went up and prayed for near half an hour with some of the women
of the house and three girls, who seemed to be weary with the
weight of their sins. When we came to public worship, young and
old were all dissolved in tears. After service, several of my
parishioners, all my family, and the little children, returned
home crying along the streets, and some could not avoid praying
very loud."
The next day, Whitefield wrote to James Hutton, the London Moravian,
as follows:--
"SAVANNAH, _June 7, 1740_.
"MY DEAR, DEAR BROTHER,--With great comfort, I received your
long wished-for letter. Let all former misunderstandings between
me and your friends be entirely forgotten. I always pitied your
parents, and most earnestly prayed for them and you.
"O what wonderful things is God doing in America! Savannah also,
_my dear Savannah_, especially my little orphans, now begin to
feel the love of Jesus Christ. I arrived here two days ago, in
an hour quite unexpected by my friends. How did we weep over one
another for joy! Perhaps I may never feel the like again, till I
meet the sons of God in glory. I prayed with three of the girls
before I went to church, and I prayed also with my other dear
friends. When we came to church, the power of the Lord came upon
all. Most of the children, both boys and girls, cried bitterly.
The congregation were drowned in tears. When I came home, I
went to prayer again. It would have charmed your heart to have
heard the little ones, in different parts of the house, begging
Jesus to take full possession of their hearts. The same power
continues to-day. For near two hours, four or five of the girls
have been before the Lord weeping most bitterly. God blesses me
in everything I undertake. Our Orphan House comes under better
regulations every day, and I am persuaded will produce some true
followers of Jesus Christ.
"My dear brother, may the Lord be with you! For Christ's sake,
desire brother Wesley to avoid disputing with me. I think I had
rather die, than see a division between us; and yet, how can we
walk together, if we oppose each other? Adieu! Dear James, with
much tenderness, I subscribe myself ever yours,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
Whitefield was in a sort of amazed and wondering ecstasy. Six days
later he wrote the following to a minister at New York:--
"SAVANNAH, _June 13, 1740_.
"REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Many of the dear children of God
are too apt to confine God to this or that particular way of
acting; whereas He is a sovereign agent, and His sacred Spirit
bloweth when, and where, and how it listeth. When an uncommon
work is to be done, no doubt, He will work upon His chosen
instruments in an uncommon manner. What the event of the present
general awakening will be, I know not. I desire to follow my
dear Lord blindfold, whithersoever He is pleased to lead me.
"Wonderful things have been done ever since my arrival at
Savannah. Such an awakening among little children, I never saw
before. Oh, my dear brother, how ought such manifestations of
God's glory to quicken our souls, and excite us to lay ourselves
out more and more in the service of the best of masters, Jesus
Christ! Every day, He fills me with Himself, and sometimes
brings me upon the confines of eternity. Methinks, I often stand
upon Mount Pisgah, and take a view of the heavenly Canaan, and
then long to be gathered to my people. But my work is scarce
begun. My trials are yet to come. What is a little scourge of
the tongue? what is a thrusting out of the synagogues? The time
of temptation will be when we are thrust into an inner prison.
But, 'if Thou, O dearest Redeemer, wilt strengthen me in the
inner man, let enemies plunge me into a fiery furnace, or throw
me into a den of lions!' In the meanwhile let us all keep a
close walk with Jesus.
"I am, etc.,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
Towards the end of the month, Whitefield visited the settlement of
the Saltzburgh refugees, at Ebenezer. He writes:--
"Wednesday, June 25. Went on Monday to Ebenezer, and returned
to Savannah this evening. Surely there is a difference, even
in this life, between those who serve the Lord, and those
who serve Him not. All other places of the colony seem to be
like Egypt, where was darkness, but Ebenezer, like the land
of Goshen, wherein was great light. I walked near four miles
in almost one continued field, covered with a most plentiful
crop of corn, pease, potatoes, etc., all the product of a few
months' labour. But God gives the labourers a peculiar blessing.
They are unanimous, and the strong help the weak. I had sweet
communication with their ministers. Our sister Orphan House
there is blessed by their means; and yesterday was set apart
as a day of thanksgiving for some assistance, lately sent the
little ones, from Germany and Savannah.
At this period, Philip Henry Molther, the Moravian preacher, was
occasioning great excitement in the meetings bf the Brethren in
London. Molther's views of the means of grace were, to say the
least, extremely confused and foggy. Both the Wesleys felt it their
duty to expose his heresy. Charles writes:--"A new commandment,
called '_stillness_,' has repealed all God's commandments, and given
a full indulgence to corrupted nature." There were also disputes
respecting a fitness to believe in Christ, and other matters, which
it is needless to refer to here.[352] While the contention was
proceeding, James Hutton wrote to Whitefield on the subject; and
Whitefield's reply is too valuable, and too appropriate to the state
of things at the present day, to be omitted.
[352] See "The Life and Times of Wesley," vol. i., pp. 297-310.
"SAVANNAH, _June 25, 1740_.
"DEAREST JAMES,--Your last letter I received on Saturday.
Blessed be God, that our friends preach up poverty of spirit,
for that is the only foundation whereon to build solid abiding
comfort. The stony ground received the word with joy; but how
did those hearers stand in the day of temptation? It is very
possible that the heart may have much joy floating on the top
of it, and yet be as hard as the nether millstone. Hence it is
that so many, who boast of rest in their flashes of joy, are
self-willed, impatient of reproof, despisers of others in a
mourning state, and wise in their own conceits. The believer who
has a truly broken and contrite heart hangs upon God, and thinks
before he speaks. This is the state which I want all our friends
to arrive at. How can they stand, who never felt themselves
condemned criminals? who were never truly burdened with a sense,
not only of their actual but of original sin, especially the
damning sin of unbelief? who were never brought to see and
heartily confess, that after they had done all, God might,
notwithstanding, deny them mercy; and that it is owing solely to
His sovereign love in Christ Jesus that we can have any hopes of
being delivered from the wrath to come?
"For preaching in this manner, I like Messrs. Tennents. They
wound deep before they heal. They know that there is no promise
made but to him that believeth; and, therefore, they are careful
not to comfort over-much those who are convicted. I fear I
have been too incautious in this respect, and have often given
comfort too soon. The Lord pardon me for what is past, and teach
me more rightly to divide the word of truth for the future!
"I am, etc.,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
One of the clerical friends of Whitefield and of the two Wesleys was
the Rev. George Stonehouse, Vicar of Islington, who sold his living,
and became a Moravian. The following letter was addressed to him:--
"SAVANNAH, _June 26, 1740_.
"REV. AND DEAR SIR,--And is one of the priests also obedient to
the word? Blessed be God! who has translated you from darkness
to light. He seems to be thrusting out more labourers into the
harvest. Glory be to His free grace that you are one of the
happy number! Oh, dear sir, rejoice and be exceeding glad. Let
the love of Jesus constrain you to go out into the highways and
hedges to compel poor sinners to come in. Some may say, 'This
is not proceeding with a zeal according to knowledge;' but I am
persuaded, when the power of religion revives, the gospel must
be propagated in the same manner as it was first established, by
_itinerant preaching_. Go on, dear sir, go on, and follow your
glorious Master without the camp, bearing His reproach. Never
fear the scourge of the tongue, or the threatenings that are
daily breathed out against the Lord, and against His Christ.
Suffer we must. Ere long, perhaps, we may sing in a prison, and
have our feet fast in the stocks; but faith in Jesus turns a
prison into a palace, and makes a bed of flames become a bed of
down. Let us be faithful to-day, and our Lord will support us
to-morrow.
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
An extract of a letter to another Moravian, William Delamotte, will
help to illustrate Whitefield's religious experience and ecstasies.
"SAVANNAH, _June 28, 1740_.
"MY DEAR BROTHER,--I have abundant reason to bless God for
sending me abroad. I cannot say, I have improved my retirement
as I ought; but I can say, it has been highly beneficial to my
soul. I have a garden near at hand, where I go to meet and talk
with my God, at the cool of every day. I often sit in silence,
offering my soul, as so much clay, to be stamped just as my
heavenly potter pleases; and, whilst I am musing, I am often
filled, as it were, with the fulness of God. I am frequently
at Calvary, and frequently on Mount Tabor; but always assured
of my Lord's everlasting love. Oh, continue to pray for me. I
want to have a proper mixture of the lion and the lamb, of the
serpent and the dove. I do not despair of attaining it. Jesus
is love; Jesus willeth my perfection; Jesus hath died for me;
Jesus can deny me nothing. He has given me Himself; will He not
then freely give me all things besides? I wait for Thy complete
salvation, O Lord! O grace, grace! O Jesu! Jesu! Was there ever
love like Thine? Lord, I abhor myself in dust and ashes. O that
I could praise and love Thee as I ought!
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
The following, addressed to Wesley, refers, not only to Calvinian
disputes, but, to the action which Wesley had taken in resisting the
"_stillness_" of Philip Henry Molther.
"SAVANNAH, _June 25, 1740_.
"MY HONOURED FRIEND AND BROTHER,--I thank you for all the
petitions you have put up in my behalf. I want to be as my
Master would have me; I mean, meek and lowly in heart.
"For Christ's sake, dear sir, if possible, never speak against
election in your sermons. No one can say that I ever mentioned
it in public discourses, whatever my private sentiments may be.
For Christ's sake, let us not be divided amongst ourselves.
Nothing will so much prevent a division as your being silent on
this head.
"I should have rejoiced at the sight of your Journal. I long to
sing a hymn of praise for what God has done for your soul.
"I am glad to hear that you speak up for an attendance on the
means of grace, and do not encourage persons who run before they
are called. The work of God will suffer much by such imprudence.
I trust you will still persist in field-preaching. Others are
strangers to our call. I know infinite good has been done by it
already, and greater good will yet be done thereby every day.
May God bless you more and more, and cause you to triumph in
every place!
"Next Monday, God willing, I go to Charleston. My family is
well regulated. I have nearly a hundred and thirty to maintain
daily, without any fund. The Lord gives me a full undisturbed
confidence in His power and goodness. Dear sir, adieu! I can
write no more. My heart is full. I want to be a little child.
O continue to pray for your most unworthy, but affectionate
brother and servant in our dear Lord Jesus Christ,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
It is difficult to define the position which Whitefield now
occupied. He was a clergyman of the Church of England, and Savannah
was his parish. He had been eight months in America; but he had
spent far more time in preaching for Dissenters, and in the open
air, than he had spent in his own parochial church.[353] He had also
practised other ecclesiastical irregularities. Mr. Stephens, in his
"Journal of the Proceedings in Georgia," writes:--
"1740, June 22. Mr. Whitefield always prays and preaches
extempore. For some time past he has laid aside his surplice;
and has managed to get justification by faith, and the new
birth, into every sermon.
"June 30. Mr. Whitefield went off to Carolina, and appointed Mr.
Habersham to read prayers and sermons during his absence. When
he returned, a Mr. Tilly, an Anabaptist teacher, came with him,
and preached and expounded several times in his church."
[353] It cannot be denied that, throughout his marvellous career,
Whitefield was, practically, a Dissenter. Thomas Olivers, who knew
him well, observes: "That Mr. Whitefield was strongly prejudiced
in favour of the Dissenters, as Dissenters, is notorious. I
myself have, perhaps on forty occasions, both at my own house and
elsewhere, heard him speak, with great partiality, of our English
Dissenters in general--particularly of the Puritans of old, and also
of our modern Presbyterians, Independents, and Baptists. The whole
world knows how uncommonly fond he was of the Scotch Presbyterians,
and of the American Independents; while the Episcopalians, in both
these countries, were almost entirely overlooked by him." (Olivers'
"Rod for a Reviler," 1777, p. 22.)
Of course, Whitefield knew that all this was ecclesiastically wrong;
and it is not surprising that he expected, what he considered to be,
persecution. His previsions were soon realised. He again left his
parish, Savannah, on June 30, and arrived at Charleston on July 2.
In his Journal he writes:--
"Sunday, July 6. Charleston. Preached twice yesterday, and twice
to-day, and had great reason to believe our Lord got Himself
the victory in some hearts. Went to church in the morning
and afternoon, and heard the commissary preach as virulent,
unorthodox, and inconsistent a discourse as ever I heard in my
life. His heart seemed full of choler and resentment; and, out
of the abundance thereof, he poured forth so many bitter words
against the Methodists in general, and me in particular, that
several, who intended to receive the sacrament at his hands,
withdrew. Never, I believe, was such a preparation sermon
preached before. I could not help thinking the preacher was of
the same spirit as Bishop Gardner in Queen Mary's days. After
the sermon, he sent his clerk to desire me not to come to the
sacrament, till he had spoken with me. I immediately retired
to my lodging, rejoicing that I was accounted worthy to suffer
this further degree of contempt for my dear Lord's sake. Blessed
Jesus, lay it not to the commissary's charge! Amen and Amen!"
The commissary was angry, too angry, perhaps, to be prudent and
dignified. At all events, on the next day, he issued the following
formidable document:--
"Alexander Garden, lawfully constituted Commissary of the Right
Reverend Father in Christ, Edmund, by Divine permission,
Lord Bishop of London, supportedby the Royal authority
underwritten.
"ALEXANDER GARDEN,
"To all and singular Clerks and literate persons whomsoever, in
and throughout the whole Province of South Carolina, wheresoever
appointed, greeting; to you conjunctly and severally, we commit,
and, strictly enjoining, command that you do cite, or cause to
be cited, peremptorily, George Whitefield, Clerk and Presbyter
of the Church of England, that he lawfully appear before us,
in the Parish Church of St. Philip's, Charleston, and in the
judicial place of the same, on Tuesday, the fifteenth day of
this instant July, betwixt the hours of nine and ten in the
forenoon, then and there in justice to answer certain articles,
heads, or interrogatories, which will be objected and ministered
unto him concerning the mere health of his soul, and reformation
and correction of his manners and excesses, and chiefly for
omitting to use the Form of Prayers prescribed in the Communion
Book. And further to do and receive what shall be just in that
behalf, on pain of law and contempt. And what you shall do in
the premises, you shall duly certify us, together with these
presents.
"Given under our hands, and seals of our office, at Charleston,
this seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand
seven hundred and forty."
On the morning of the day in which this curious document was
published, Whitefield "went to the house of one Mr. Chandler,[354]
a gracious Baptist minister, about fourteen miles from Charleston,
and, according to appointment, preached in his meeting-house."
The next day, he "hastened to Dorchester, and preached twice in
Mr. Osgood's[355] meeting-house, a young but worthy Independent
minister." The following evening, July 9, he "preached under a tree
near Mr. C.'s meeting-house," the congregation being too large
to be accommodated in the building. He then rode to Charleston,
and "preached, about six in the evening, in the usual place."
On Thursday, July 10, he "went over the water, and read prayers
and preached, at the request of the churchwardens and vestry, in
Christ's Church." On Friday, he preached twice in Charleston, and
received, from the commissary, by the hands of his apparitor, the
following citation:--
"You are hereby cited to appear at the Church of St. Philip's,
Charleston, on Tuesday the fifteenth day of this instant July,
betwixt the hours of nine and ten in the forenoon, before
the Reverend Alexander Garden, Commissary, to answer to such
articles as shall there be objected to you.
"WILLIAM SMITH, Apparitor."
[354] Isaac Chandler was born at Bristol in 1701; but, in 1733, went
to South Carolina. Three years afterwards, he became pastor of a
Baptist church on Ashley River, where he continued until his death,
in 1749. Among his other publications was a sermon on "Establishment
in Grace," preached at Charleston, in 1740, by the desire of
Whitefield, at the commencement of a course of lectures by ministers
of different denominations.
[355] The Rev. John Osgood was born at Dorchester, South Carolina;
graduated at Harvard College; and, in 1735, was ordained minister
of the Independent church in his native town. In 1754, he followed
a part of his church to a new settlement, about thirty miles from
Savannah, where he remained until his death, in 1773.
Whitefield had thus four days' notice to answer questions and
accusations, not specified, and concerning which he could only form
conjectures. How did he spend the interval?
On Saturday, July 12, he went to John's Island, about twenty miles
up the river, and read prayers and preached twice, in the church. On
Sunday, July 13, he preached, morning and evening, in Charleston;
and, in the forenoon, went to church, and heard Commissary Garden
preach, or rather rave. Whitefield writes:--
"Had some infernal spirit been sent to draw my picture, I think
it scarcely possible that he could have painted me in more
horrid colours. I think, if ever, then was the time that all
manner of evil was spoken against me falsely for Christ's sake.
The commissary seemed to ransack church history for instances
of enthusiasm and abused grace. He drew a parallel between me
and all the _Oliverians_, _Ranters_, _Quakers_, and _French
Prophets_, till he came down to a family of the _Dutarts_,
who lived, not many years ago, in South Carolina, and were
guilty of the most notorious incests and murders. To the honour
of God's free grace be it spoken, whilst the commissary was
representing me thus, I felt the blessed Spirit strengthening
and refreshing my soul. God, at the same time, gave me to see
what I was by nature, and how I had deserved His eternal wrath;
and, therefore, I did not feel the least resentment against
the preacher. No; I pitied, I prayed for him; and wished, from
my soul, that the Lord would convert him, as He once did the
persecutor Saul."
Notwithstanding this violent outpouring, from Whitefield's
ecclesiastical accuser and judge, only forty-eight hours before the
trial was to take place, Whitefield, on the following day, again
preached twice in Charleston, as though nought had happened.
The next day, July 15, the court assembled at St. Philip's Church,
and consisted of the commissary, and the Rev. Messrs. Guy,
Millichamp, Roe, and Orr.[356] The spectators, of course, were
numerous. First of all, the commissary handed Whitefield a paper,
containing a list of the accusations against him, and which he
was desired to answer. Whitefield refused to answer, until he was
satisfied concerning the authority of the court to examine him. The
commissary said, "They would proceed to censure him." Whitefield
reminded his judges of the example of the heathen magistrates, who
exceeded their authority in condemning St. Paul unheard. Mr. Garden
then sent his apparitor for his commission, from the Bishop of
London, to act as commissary. Whitefield examined it, and objected
that the Royal authority was not underwritten. Upon this, a Latin
commission without a seal was read. Whitefield replied, that, though
there might be a _general power_ given the bishop to exercise
ecclesiastical jurisdiction in that province, yet the extent of that
jurisdiction was to be determined by _particular_ Acts of Assembly.
And, further, that he belonged to Georgia, a different province, and
was in South Carolina only as an itinerant. He also added, that,
though he had preached in the fields near London, the bishop had
never attempted to exercise such authority over him; and that the
Trustees of Georgia, to his knowledge, doubted whether the Bishop
of London had any jurisdiction in the transatlantic colonies. He,
therefore, requested that he might have till to-morrow morning, to
inform himself of the extent of jurisdiction of the commissary's
court in South Carolina. The request was grudgingly granted; and,
leaving the court, Whitefield concluded the day by preaching twice
in Charleston.
[356] Messrs. Guy, Millichamp, Roe, and Orr, are totally unknown
to fame. Except for this incident in the life of Whitefield, their
names would have been forgotten.
Next morning, July 16, Whitefield, by the advice of his friends,
presented an _exception_ against Garden acting as his judge,
because he had reason to believe he was prejudiced against him.
The commissary read the _exception_, and refused to accept it.
Whitefield protested against all further proceedings, as null and
void; and left the court. Being recalled by the apparitor and
registrar, he returned, and handed in his _exception_ to be read and
filed. Mr. Graham, the commissary's attorney, insisted upon having
the _exception_ tried in court; but, as Whitefield had referred it
to the examination of six arbitrators (three to be nominated by him,
and three by the commissary), Mr. Rutledge, Whitefield's attorney,
protested against all further proceedings, and against Whitefield
having to appear in court again, until the arbitrators had met, and
come to an agreement. Such were the proceedings of the second day.
On leaving the court, Whitefield went to James' Island, and read
prayers and preached.
On the day following, Whitefield appeared again before his
self-constituted judges, and asked if his _exception_ was to be
referred to arbitration, or to be repelled? Being told that the
_exception_ was repelled, he then lodged an appeal to his Majesty
in the High Court of Chancery; and went again to James' Island, and
preached in Madam Woodward's barn.
Nothing remarkable occurred during the next three days, except that
the irrepressible evangelist preached twice every day in Charleston;
and that, on Saturday afternoon, the apparitor again brought him
before the commissary, to take an oath that he would lodge his
appeal within a twelvemonth, and deposit £10 sterling as a guarantee
that his oath would be fulfilled. Finding that the commissary had
authority to require this, the oath was taken, and the £10 deposited.
Thus ended the first trial in the first Episcopal Court in the
British Colonies.[357] Appealing to the High Court of Chancery was
an expensive business; but Whitefield did appeal. It so happened,
however, that the hearing of his appeal was so deferred as to give
the ecclesiastical judge of Charleston a new opportunity to vent his
anger. For a year and a day, all proceedings in Commissary Garden's
court were stayed; but, at the expiration of that time, Whitefield
was again summoned to attend before his Charleston judges; and, as
he neither appeared nor put in an answer, the following decree was
pronounced against him. After reciting that his frequently preaching
in Dissenting meeting-houses, without using the forms of prayer
prescribed by the Book of Common Prayer, had been proved by Hugh
Anderson, Stephen Hartley, and John Redman, the decree, in a cloud
of high-sounding words, continued,--
"Therefore we, Alexander Garden, the Judge aforesaid, having
first invoked the name of Christ, and setting and having God
Himself alone before our eyes, and by and with the advice of
the Reverend persons, William Guy, Timothy Millichamp, Stephen
Roe, and William Orr, with whom in that part we have advised
and maturely deliberated, do pronounce, decree, and declare the
aforesaid George Whitefield, clerk, to have been at the times
articled, and now to be a priest of the Church of England, and
at the times and days in that part articled to have officiated
as a minister in divers meeting-houses in Charleston, in the
province of South Carolina, by praying and preaching to public
congregations; and at such times to have omitted to use the
Form of Prayer prescribed in the Communion Book, or Book of
Common Prayer; or at least according to the laws, canons, and
constitutions ecclesiastical in that part made, provided, and
promulged, not to have used the same according to the lawful
proofs before us in that part judicially had and made. We,
therefore, pronounce, decree, and declare that the said George
Whitefield, for his excesses and faults, ought, duly and
canonically, and according to the exigence of the law in that
part of the premises, to be corrected and punished, and also
to be suspended from his office; and, accordingly, by these
presents, we do suspend him, the said George Whitefield; and,
for being so suspended, we also pronounce, decree, and declare
him to be denounced, declared, and published openly and publicly
in the face of the Church."[358]
[357] "Answer to the Rev. Mr. Garden's Letters to the Rev. Mr.
Whitefield; with an Appendix concerning Mr. Garden's Treatment of
Mr. Whitefield. By A. Crosswell. Boston, 1741."
[358] _Nashville Christian Advocate_, March 4, 1871.
As to how far the proceedings of this petty court of colonial
clergymen, and their high-flown decree, were legal, I am not able to
express an opinion; but it is scarcely possible to repress a smile
at the official pomposity of Whitefield's judges. How was Whitefield
himself affected? Writing to a friend four days before the trial
commenced, he says:--
"July 11, 1740. I have been at Charleston a week. The Lord
has been pleased to work on many hearts. On Sunday, the
commissary denied me the sacrament; but, my dear Master fed me,
notwithstanding, with the bread which cometh down from heaven.
Persecution seems to be coming on more and more. On Tuesday,
I am cited to appear before the commissary and his court in a
judicial way. I leave the event to my Lord Jesus. If we suffer,
we shall reign with Him."
To other friends, the day after the trial was concluded, Whitefield
wrote:--
"Praise the Lord, O my soul! Our glorious Emmanuel seems to
have girded His sword upon His thigh, and to be riding on
from conquering to conquer. He is getting Himself the victory
in Charleston. A glorious work is begun here. Many souls are
awakened. The alteration in the people, since I came here at
first, is surprising. I preach twice a day generally, either in
the town or in the villages around. The commissary shoots out
his arrows, even bitter words. He has denied me the sacrament,
and cited me to appear before him and his court. I was obliged
to appeal home. Oh, my dear brother, pray that I may be humble,
and of a childlike spirit. Every day God shews me fresh
instances of His love. There are some faithful ministers among
the Baptists.
"God seems to be carrying on as great a work in Charleston as
in Philadelphia. Surely our Lord intends to set the world in
a flame. O that the holy fire of His divine love were kindled
in every heart! Do not let us forsake Him, though we live in a
crooked and perverse generation. Last night, I appeared a third
time in a public court; but they did not accept my _recusatio
judicis_, and I appealed home; so that now I have free liberty
to embark when Providence pleaseth.
"God will work, and who shall hinder? The commissary's detaining
me here, has much tended to the furtherance of the gospel. I
put in my _exception_ against his sitting as my judge, and
it was repelled; so that I have appealed home, and all other
proceedings here are stopped. By this means, I shall have
liberty to preach the gospel without further interruption, and
my call to England will be more clear. The Philadelphia people
are building a house for me, one hundred and six feet long and
seventy-four wide. The Lord is bringing mighty things to pass.
The inhabitants here are wondrous kind. We often see the stately
steps of our dear Lord in His sanctuary. I am more than happy. I
am amazed at the Divine goodness. Lord, I abhor myself in dust
and ashes! See the wonders of the Lord. Help us to praise Him.
O pray that an humble, childlike spirit may be given to ever
yours in Christ,
"GEORGE WHITEFIELD."
Appropriately might Whitefield have applied to himself the words of
St. Paul: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we
are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;
cast down, but not destroyed." His success in Charleston had been
marvellous. He wrote:[359]--
"At my first coming, the people of Charleston seemed to be
wholly devoted to pleasure. One, well acquainted with their
manners and circumstances, told me that they spent more on their
polite entertainments than the amount raised by their rates
for the poor. But now the jewellers and dancing-masters begin
to cry out that their craft is in danger. A vast alteration is
discernible in ladies' dresses; and some, while I have been
speaking, have been so convinced of the sin of wearing jewels,
that, I have seen them, with blushes, put their hands to their
ears, and cover them with their fans. The reformation, also, has
gone further than externals. Many moral, good sort of men, who
before were settled on their lees, have been awakened to seek
after Jesus Christ; and many a Lydia's heart has been opened to
receive the things that were spoken. Indeed, the word came like
a hammer and a fire. Several of the negroes did their work in
less time than usual, that they might come to hear me; and many
of their owners, who have been awakened, have resolved to teach
them Christianity. Had I time and proper schoolmasters, I might
immediately erect a negro school in South Carolina, as well as
in Pennsylvania. Many would willingly contribute both money and
land."
[359] Whitefield's Journal. First edition.
This was the man whom Commissary Garden wished to silence. His
effort was a futile one. As jubilant as ever, Whitefield, on
July 24, set sail for Savannah, where, though seriously unwell,
on Sunday, August 3, at the almost imperative request of several
friends who had come a great distance to hear him, he _tried_ to
preach. He writes:--
"Before I had prayed long, Mr. B. dropped down, as though shot
with a gun. The influence spread. The greatest part of the
congregation were under great concern. Tears trickled down
apace, and God comforted us much at the sacrament."
On the following Sunday, he expounded, as usual, early in the
morning; "and read part of the prayers at ten o'clock, but got
Mr. Tilly, a Baptist minister, to preach." The Rev. Mr. Jones, of
Port Royal, officiated for him in the afternoon; and the day was
concluded with the following scene in Whitefield's house. He says:--
"I began to speak to my friends around me of the things of God.
A great alteration was discernible in most of the company, and
many burst into tears. Ere I had done, some of my parishioners
came up, and joined with the rest of my family. I was enabled
to wrestle with God in their behalf. The room was filled with
cries, and many sought Jesus sorrowing. Several were in great
agonies of soul, and a Cherokee Indian trader, who was present,
said he never saw or felt the like before."
Whitefield spent a third Sunday, August 17, with his parishioners,
at the close of which, he went on board his sloop, and was absent
for the next four months. Before following him, two or three
extracts from his letters may be useful. To Mr. Noble, of New York,
he wrote as follows:--
"SAVANNAH, _August 15, 1740_.
"God has been pleased to bring me low, by inward weakness and
faintness of spirits. I have sometimes been kept from preaching;
but, when I have spoken, the word has come with power. A
serious, lively Baptist minister, named Tilly, is here. He has
preached often for me; and, last Sunday, received the sacrament
in our way. O bigotry, thou art tumbling down apace! Blessed be
God! Next week, God willing, I embark for Charleston, and from
thence purpose going to New England. God wonderfully provides
for my orphans. I am kept from every degree of doubting."