in mind, that, notwithstanding the excitement in which he lived,
Whitefield habitually cultivated his own personal religion. The
following extracts from letters, written at this period, beautifully
illustrate this momentous matter.
His old friend, the Rev. Benjamin Ingham, by his powerful preaching,
had formed fifty Religious Societies in Yorkshire and Lancashire,
and had recently placed them under the care of Moravian ministers.
Whitefield now wrote to him as follows:――
“LONDON, _December 21, 1742_.
“To-day, I dined with old Mr. F――――, and was kindly entertained
by him and his wife. I remembered what sweet counsel you and I
had taken there together; and I rejoiced in the happy prospect
of our being, before long, with our blessed and glorious Lord.
My brother, what has our Saviour done for us since that time?
What is He doing now? What did He do before time began? What
will He do when time shall be no more? O how sweet it is to be
melted down with a sense of redeeming love! O to be always kept
low at the feet of Jesus! It is right, my brother, to insist on
poverty of spirit. I know what a dreadful thing it is to carry
much sail without proper ballast. Joy, floating upon the surface
of an unmortified heart, is but of short continuance. It puffs
up, but does not edify. I thank our Saviour, that He is shewing
us here more of our hearts and more of His love. I doubt not but
He deals so with you. I heartily greet your dear household,[34]
and your Societies. If our Saviour gave me leave, I would gladly
come to Yorkshire; but the cloud points towards Georgia.”
Colonel Gardiner was still with his regiment in Flanders, and to him
Whitefield wrote the following:――
“LONDON, _December 21, 1742_.
“HONOURED SIR,――Your kind letter put me in mind of righteous Lot,
whose soul was grieved, day by day, at the ungodly conversation
of the wicked. It was the same with holy David. His eyes, like
yours, gushed out with water, because men kept not God’s law.
Your situation and employment cannot be very agreeable to a
disciple of the Prince of Peace. I cannot say, I would change
posts. Indeed, honoured sir, I think mine is a glorious employ.
I am not ashamed of my Master, though my Master may well be
ashamed of me. I know no other reason why Jesus has put me
into the ministry, than because I am the chief of sinners, and,
therefore, fittest to preach free grace to a world lying in the
wicked one. Blessed be God! He gives much success. I am often
ashamed that I can do no more for that Jesus who has redeemed
me by His own most precious blood. O that I could lie lower!
Then should I rise higher. Could I take deeper root downwards,
I should bear more fruit upwards. I want to be poor in spirit.
I want to be meek and lowly in heart. I want to have the whole
mind that was in Christ. O that my heart were Christ’s library!
I would not have one thief to lodge in my Redeemer’s temple.”
To a titled lady in Scotland, he wrote:――
“LONDON, _December 23, 1742_.
“The Lord empties before He fills; humbles before He exalts.
At least, He is pleased to deal thus with me. I thank Him for
it, from my inmost soul; for were it not so, His mercies would
destroy us. When I discover a new corruption, I am as thankful
as a sentinel, keeping watch in a garrison, would be at spying a
straggling enemy come near him. I stand not fighting with it in
my own strength, but run immediately and tell the Captain of my
salvation. By the sword of the Spirit, He soon destroys it. This
is what I call a simple looking to Christ. I know of no other
effectual way of keeping the old man down. Look up then, dear
madam, to a wounded Saviour. Tell Him your whole heart. Go to
Him as a little child. He will hear your lisping, and set your
soul at liberty.”
The Rev. James Hervey had told Whitefield, that his “Journals and
Sermons, especially the sweet sermon upon ‘What think ye of Christ?’”
had been “a means of bringing him to a knowledge of the truth.”[35]
In reply, Whitefield wrote to him as follows:――
“LONDON, _December 23, 1742_.
“MY DEAR BROTHER HERVEY,――I thank you for your kind and very
agreeable letter. It was refreshing to my soul, and stirred me
to give thanks on your behalf. O my dear brother, I hope nothing
will deter you from preaching the glad tidings of salvation
to a world lying in the wicked one. I would not but be a poor
despised minister of Jesus Christ for ten thousand worlds. Go
on, thou man of God; and may the Lord cause thy bow to abide in
strength! I should be glad to come, and shoot some gospel arrows
in Devonshire;[36] but the cloud seems now to point towards
America. Blessed be God! for making any of my poor writings of
use to you. If I did not proclaim free grace, the stones would
cry out against me. Whilst I am writing, the fire kindles.
This fire has been, of late, kindled in many hearts. Our large
Society goes on well. We have many who walk in the comforts of
the Holy Ghost. I hear of glorious things from various parts. I
hope, ere long, we shall hear of persons going from post to post,
and crying, ‘Babylon is fallen! Babylon is fallen!’ I trust you,
my dear sir, will be made a happy instrument, in the Mediator’s
kingdom, of pulling down Satan’s strongholds. Pray write me word,
how the war is going on between Michael and the Dragon. For the
present, adieu!”
Methodism was prospering in Wales; but it needed organization. In a
letter, sent to Whitefield shortly before his departure from Scotland,
Howell Harris wrote: “The people are wounded by scores, and flock
under the word by thousands.” Though the movement was pre-eminently,
if not exclusively, a Church of England one, yet, Dissenters in Wales
were already somewhat numerous. In Carnarvonshire, there was one
congregation; in Denbighshire, there were three; in Flintshire, one; in
Merionethshire, one; in Montgomeryshire, five; in Radnorshire, eight;
in Cardiganshire, ten; in Pembrokeshire, nine; in Carmarthenshire,
about twenty; in Brecknockshire, ten; in Glamorganshire, twenty-three;
and in Monmouthshire, thirteen. Some of the ministers of these
congregations were men of mark. John Thomas, in Carnarvonshire, was
“an humble, meek, and serious man,” and a good preacher. Lewis Rees,
in Merionethshire, was “a very godly man, exceedingly well gifted in
prayer, and also frequent in it.” Philip Pugh, in Cardiganshire, was
“noted for his uncommon piety, diligence, and success.” Henry Palmer,
in Carmarthenshire, was “an Apollos in the Scriptures, and very pious.”
James Davies, in Glamorganshire, was remarkable “for his industry, and
for his gifts in preaching and prayer, especially the latter;” Lewis
Jones, “for his seriousness, popularity, and excellent utterance;” and
Henry Davies, “for devoutness and affectionate piety.”[37]
There were, at least, ten Methodist clergymen in Wales, including
Daniel Rowlands, Rector of Llangeitho; Howell Davies,[38] Rector of
Prengast; Thomas Lewis, a curate near Brecon; William Williams, curate
of Lanwithid; John Hodges, Rector of Wenvoe; and his curate, Thomas
Sweetly.[39] There were also a large number of lay-preachers, including
Howell Harris, Herbert Jenkins, J. Beaumont, J. Lewis, J. Jones,
R. Tibbut, John Richards, to say nothing of John Cennick and Joseph
Humphreys, who were occasional visitors.
For want of rules and order, there had been occasional collisions among
these godly and earnest men. To prevent this, in the future, the first
Calvinistic Methodist Conference was held at Waterford, in South Wales,
on January 5, 1743. The conference consisted of four clergymen――George
Whitefield, Daniel Rowlands, J. Powell, and William Williams; and of
three lay-preachers――Howell Harris, Joseph Humphreys, and John Cennick.
Whitefield was elected moderator. The decisions were: 1. That the
lay-preachers should be divided into two classes――Superintendents and
Exhorters; and that Howell Harris should be their general overseer.
2. That each superintendent should have a certain district in which to
labour. 3. That the ordained clergymen should visit the “districts,”
or circuits, as far as they were able. 4. That the Exhorters should be
arranged in two divisions,――public and private. 5. That Messrs. Jenkins,
Beaumont, James, J. Lewis, B. Thomas, and J. Jones should be the Public
Exhorters; and that certain brethren, whose names were mentioned,
should be the Private Exhorters. 6. That the Private Exhorters should
“inspect only one or two Societies each, and should follow their
ordinary calling.” 7. That none should be received into the Association,
as Exhorters, but such as were “tried and approved of.” And, 8. That
no one should “go beyond his present limits without previous advice and
consultation.”
At a monthly meeting, held soon afterwards, the boundaries of each
circuit were fixed; and it was further agreed: 1. That all _public_
exhorters should have about twelve or fourteen Societies to overlook,
with the _assistance_ of the _private_ exhorters, twice a month.
2. That T. Williams should be the superintendent of the Societies in
the vale of Glamorgan and in part of Monmouthshire. 3. That J. Lewis
should be the superintendent of part of Monmouthshire and part of
Breconshire. 4. T. Jones, of “parts of Monmouthshire and the other side
of the Passage.” 5. T. James, of parts of Breconshire and Radnorshire.
6. And J. Jones, of Herefordshire and a part of Radnorshire. 7. That
J. Beaumont and H. Jenkins should assist Howell Harris in visiting all
the Societies in Wales and England. And, 8. That the associations or
conferences of “ministers and exhorters in England and Wales should be
held every half-year.”[40]
Thus was founded Calvinistic Methodism. For a brief period, Whitefield
was its chief; and the Tabernacle, London, was its principal seat of
government.
It is a notable fact, that the first Calvinistic Methodist Association
was held eighteen months before Wesley held his first Methodist
Conference in London. How far the one gave birth to the other, it is
impossible to determine; but, at the beginning, the two organizations
strongly resembled each other. Howell Harris was the general overseer
in Wales, as Wesley was in England. The Welsh “superintendents”
corresponded to Wesley’s “assistants;” the “public exhorters” occupied
the same position as Wesley’s itinerants; and the “private exhorters”
exactly answered to Wesley’s local preachers.
This is not the place for a history of the Calvinistic Methodist
Connexion; but, it may be added, that, in 1870, the Welsh Calvinistic
Methodists had 1,126 chapels and preaching places; 1,031 societies;
92,735 communicants; 419 ministers; 354 local preachers; 3,321 deacons;
18,579 Sunday-schoolteachers; and 143,946 Sunday-school scholars. The
cost of their chapel property was estimated, at the census of 1851, at
nearly a million sterling.
After finishing the business of the first conference of the Calvinistic
Methodists in Wales, Whitefield returned to London, and, for some
unstated reason, abandoned his intention of immediately setting sail
for Georgia. Perhaps this change of purpose was occasioned by the
duties imposed upon him as moderator of the newly organised body, or
perhaps, the cause was a domestic one; for Whitefield, a few months
later, became a father.
Meanwhile, his fellow-labourers in Wales kept him well informed of
their proceedings. Hence the following:――
“_February 2, 1743._
“MY DEAREST, DEAREST BROTHER WHITEFIELD,――We met to-day,
according to appointment, and had a most heavenly Association. I
trust the work goes on sweetly everywhere. In most places, there
is a general, fresh, and uncommon stirring. Many come anew under
convictions, and old worldly professors and backsliders return.
Never before did I feel such power given me in preaching, and in
administering the Lord’s supper. The Lord comes down among us in
such a manner as words cannot describe. To prevent nature mixing
with the work, I have openly discountenanced all crying out;
but God gives such light and power in the ordinance, that many
cannot help praising and adoring Jesus. Thus I was obliged to
leave my whole congregation, consisting of many hundreds, in a
flame――the one catching it from the other. This is our condition
generally every Sabbath. I trust the exhorters move, for the
most part, very properly, and that every one is owned in his
place.
“I am, etc.,
“DANIEL ROWLANDS.”[41]
Ten days later, Howell Harris wrote to Whitefield, as follows:――
“_February 12, 1743._
“With us, the work everywhere goes on more and more sweetly.
I trust we shall have good order. The exhorters shew a very
tractable spirit; each observes his place; and we have sweet
harmony and love. Great power attends the ministers and
exhorters in their several places. The Lord greatly blesses
brother Herbert Jenkins. He is universally liked, and called
for; and, unless his call be exceeding clear to Wiltshire, I do
not think he ought to go, except it were occasionally. Perhaps,
my brethren Beaumont, T. James, Jenkins, and myself, may
alternately visit our English brethren, if we are called for,
and see that our Saviour blesses us there.
“Since I left you, I have been able to visit the Societies in
every place where I have been. My dear Lord favours me with
continual employment every day, and gives me strength of body.
In some places, He blesses us with His presence in a wonderful
manner. He sometimes gives great freedom to pray for the bishops
and clergy. Brother T. Lewis, the young clergyman near Brecon,
comes on gloriously and powerfully, and has sweet union with
us. He will be a shining light. The work in Cardiganshire
is uncommon. I hope to be there in about a fortnight. I am
now going towards Montgomery and Radnorshire. On the 1st
of March, we are to have another Association at Llandovery,
Carmarthenshire; from whence I hope to go to Pembrokeshire,
and so to settle all the Societies against our next meeting at
Waterford, where I trust our Lord will send you.
“February 14. Since I wrote the above, I have seen brother W.
Williams, on his return from brother Rowlands. He informed me of
the enemy being let loose on them, while they were discoursing
near the sea-side in Cardiganshire. A company of ruffians
came upon them, armed with guns and staves, and beat them
unmercifully; but they escaped without much hurt. The ruffians
were set on by a gentleman of the neighbourhood. No wonder the
enemy rages, when he sees his kingdom so attacked.
“I am, etc.,
“HOWELL HARRIS.”[42]
A fortnight afterwards, Harris wrote again to Whitefield:
“_March 1, 1743._
“MY DEAREST BROTHER WHITEFIELD,――Last Sunday, I was with
brother Rowlands at the ordinance, where I saw, heard, and felt
such things as I cannot communicate on paper. I never before
witnessed such crying, heart-breaking groans, silent weeping,
holy mourning, and shouts of joy and rejoicing. Their ‘Amens,’
and crying of ‘Glory to God in the highest!’ would have inflamed
your soul, had you been there. It is very common, when Mr.
Rowlands preaches, for scores to fall down by the power of the
word. Some lie there for hours; some praising and admiring Jesus
Christ and free grace; others wanting words to express their
feelings. Some fall down on their knees, praying and interceding
for a long time together; others lie wounded under a sense of
their having pierced Jesus, so that they can hardly bear it;
others triumph over all their enemies; and others rejoice in
hope of a clearer manifestation of God’s glory.
“Mr. Rowlands’ congregations consist of above two thousand
people, the greater part of whom are brought into glorious
liberty. Many of them are scattered up and down the country, and,
being exceedingly poor, they cannot come to that exact order and
plan which you have in London. I see daily that what is right
and much to edification in one place and among some people, is
impracticable among others. We have left it to brother Rowlands
to settle and unite the people in private bands, and we find
the good effect of doing so. He provides some glorious souls to
exhort and watch over them.
“O my brother, my heart is full. I am sure God is about to do
a great work in Wales. There is a revival everywhere. I believe
you will be detained here by Jesus Christ a longer time than you
think. There are eight counties open for you, and thirsting to
hear you. Opposition ceases, and, I believe, you will have many
churches opened to you, besides chapels. Some new houses for
worship are being built. Beaumont is much owned in Radnorshire
and Herefordshire.
“I am, etc.,
“HOWELL HARRIS.”[43]
No wonder that Whitefield went to Wales as soon as possible. On his
way, he spent a fortnight in Gloucester and the immediate neighbourhood.
The following letters, apparently to his friend Syms, are full of
interest:――
“GLOUCESTER, _March 24, 1743_.
“MY DEAR MAN,――An effectual door is opened in these parts. On
Saturday night (March 19th), I preached here. The Lord was with
me. On Sunday morning, I preached again in the barn. It was a
sweet time to me and to the people. At noon, I preached at Mr.
F――――r’s, on the hill, to a glorious auditory. Here Jesus Christ
displayed His power. At four, I preached in a field near Stroud,
to a congregation consisting of many, many thousands. Afterwards,
I went to the new house at Hampton, and the glory of the Lord
filled it. It is reported to be haunted; but the landlord spoke
truly, when he said, we should pray the devil out of it. It is
exceedingly commodious for our purpose.
“On Monday, at noon, I preached in the courtyard to a large
auditory. I also settled, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, an
orphan house. Particulars of that you shall have hereafter. It
will be but of little expense. In the evening, the Lord gave me
a sweet time at Pitchcomb.
“On Tuesday, a man was hanged in chains on Hampton Common. A
more miserable spectacle I have not seen. I preached, in the
morning, to a great auditory, about a mile from the place of
execution. I intended doing the same after the criminal was
turned off, but the weather was very violent. Thousands and
thousands came to hear me, but, through misinformation, stayed
at the top of the hill, while I preached at the bottom. In the
evening, I preached at Gloucester, in the barn.
“On Wednesday, I preached at Gloucester-Ham, near the gallows,
after another malefactor was turned off. God gave me to speak
with power; but, the weather being violent, I was shorter than
usual. In the evening, I preached again in the barn. It was a
night much to be remembered.
“This morning, I preached again, and am just now going to my
evening lecture. To-morrow, I leave Gloucester for a few days.
The Association is put off for a week, so I shall have more
time in Gloucestershire. Never did I see people more hungry and
simple. Many come telling me what the Lord did when I was here
last. Let Him have all the glory! I am sure God called me here.
“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[44]
“GLOUCESTER, _March 29, 1743_.
“MY DEAR MAN,――Last Thursday evening, I preached at Gloucester,
with as sweet, convincing, soul-edifying power as ever I felt
in my life. The barn, though made more commodious, was quite
crowded.
“On Friday morning, I preached again; and, afterwards, went to
Hampton, the snow falling and freezing on us all the way. In the
evening, I preached at Chalford, upon walking with God.
“On Saturday, I preached at Ruscom in the morning, and at
King-Stanley in the afternoon. In the evening, I visited brother
C――――’s sweet Society; and, afterwards, rode to Hampton. The
congregations, on account of the weather, were not so great; but
our Saviour most richly fed us. At Stanley, I thought I was on
the very suburbs of heaven.
“On Sunday morning, I preached at Dursley, where our dear
brother Adams[45] had been taken down the Sunday before. No one
was permitted to touch or affront me. The congregation consisted
of some thousands, and the word came with a most gloriously
convincing power. In the afternoon, I preached to about
twelve thousand on Hampton Common, at what the people now call
‘Whitefield’s Tump,’ because I preached there first. They hung
on me to hear the word. It ran and was glorified. In the evening,
we had a most precious meeting with the two united Societies in
the new house at Hampton.
“On Monday, I preached at Painswick. It was a precious
opportunity. From a little after one until near seven in the
evening, I met the different classes of the Society here, and
was much pleased with many of them. They grow, and will, I
believe, be brought into good order.
“Last night and this morning, I preached again with sweet power.
Preaching here is now like preaching at the Tabernacle. This
evening I am to preach again; and, after that, to hold our first
lovefeast.
“And now, my dear man, help me to be thankful, and to bless the
Lord for all His mercies conferred on
“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[46]
For four days longer, Whitefield continued to preach twice a day;
and then, on the evening of Saturday, April 2, set out for Wales. The
following letter, also addressed to Mr. Syms, describes his journey:――
“WATERFORD (SOUTH WALES), _April 7, 1743_.
“MY DEAR MAN,――I preached and took my leave of the Gloucester
people on Saturday evening last. It was past one in the morning
before I could lay down my weary body. I rose again at five;
got on horseback, and rode to Mr. F――――’s; where, at seven, I
preached to a sweet congregation, come [on Easter Sunday] to
meet their risen Saviour. At ten, I read prayers, and preached
from these words. ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ I
afterwards helped to administer the sacrament in Stonehouse
church. Then I rode to Stroud, where I preached to about twelve
thousand, in Mrs. G――――’s field. Much of the Divine presence was
there. About six in the evening, I preached to a like number on
Hampton Common; and, after this, I went to Hampton, and held a
general lovefeast with the united Societies there. I went to bed
about midnight, very cheerful and very happy.
“On Monday morning, I preached near Dursley, to some thousands,
with great convictions accompanying the word. About seven in the
evening, I reached Bristol, and preached, with wonderful power,
to a full congregation, at Smith’s Hall; and afterwards spent
the evening very agreeably with dear Mr. Chapman, of Bath, and
some other friends.
“On Tuesday morning, I preached again to a full congregation;
and then set out for this place, where we arrived at about eight
in the evening.
“On Wednesday, at noon, I opened the Association, with a close
and solemn discourse upon walking with God. The brethren and
people felt much of the Divine presence. Afterwards, we betook
ourselves to business. Several matters of great importance were
dispatched. We broke up about seven, and met again at ten, and
continued settling the affairs of the Societies till two in the
morning.
“On Thursday, we sat again till four in the afternoon. Then,
after taking refreshment, I preached upon ‘The Believer’s Rest,’
after which we went on with our business, and finished our
Association about midnight.
“I am chosen, if in England, to be always moderator. I trust
our Saviour gives me a spirit for it. I find, more and more, the
Lord will lead me in a way by Himself, and will perform in me
and by me all the good pleasure of His will. Dear Brother Harris,
in my absence, is to be moderator.
“The Brethren have put the Societies in Wales upon my heart. O
pray that I may put them, and all my other concerns, upon the
Mediator’s shoulders: those alone can bear them. Perhaps, in a
month, I may come to London. It seems the will of the Lord, that
I should stay in Wales about a fortnight, and take a tour into
Pembrokeshire. Great doors are open there. Our Saviour keeps
me very happy; and is, I believe, preparing me for greater
blessings.
“I am, etc.,
“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[47]