the Tabernacle; of which I have been informed by letters
from Herbert Jenkins and Thomas Adams. The good Countess of
Huntingdon has been there frequently, and has been much pleased,
I am told. She shines brighter and brighter every day; and will
yet, I trust, be spared for a nursing mother to our Israel.[166]
This revives me after the miserable divisions that have taken
place among my English friends. I trust the storm is now blown
over. Her ladyship’s example and conduct, in this trying affair,
will be productive of much good. My poor prayers will be daily
offered up to the God of all grace to keep her steadfast in
the faith, and to make her a burning and shining light in our
British Israel.”[167]
It is a curious fact that, though the Countess of Huntingdon became
acquainted with Whitefield as early as the year 1739, and took a deep
interest in his ordination,[168] there is no evidence of her becoming
a frequent attendant at his Tabernacle, except in the winter of
1742, until nearly eight years afterwards. Just at the time when
the Society there, and, indeed, when the Societies in general, with
which Whitefield was connected, were in danger of being broken up,
her ladyship allied herself with him, and, to the end of life, became
his chief assistant. There is no proof of her being invited to this
position. It would be uncharitable to suppose she was prompted by
ambition. The incident was one of those providential interpositions,
which so strikingly marked Methodism’s early history.
Whitefield remained at Bethesda till towards the end of January, 1747;
and then, leaving his wife with the orphans, he again set out on a
preaching tour. He wrote to Herbert Jenkins as follows:――
“CHARLESTON, _January 23, 1747_.
“I lately came from Bethesda, where I found my family
well――happy in Jesus, and happy in one another. Our Lord bowed
the heavens several times, and came down among us, in the
power of His eternal Spirit. In the beginning of March, I
purpose to set out northward. I am sorry to hear the leaven
of Antinomianism is not yet purged, and that animosities are
not yet ceased among you. I can say nothing at this distance;
but I pray that the God of peace may direct and rule all your
hearts.”[169]
The Orphan House was still a cause of great anxiety. Whitefield had
there a family of twenty-six children. He had also opened a sort of
boarding school, or, to use his own language, had begun “a foundation
for literature.” He was, likewise, more than £500 in debt. To provide
for such necessities, he now took one of the strangest steps in his
chequered life. The people at Charleston gave him £300, which he
expended in buying land and _negroes_! and thus the great preacher
became a slave-owner and a planter! He shall tell his own story.
“CHARLESTON, _March 15, 1747_.
“Blessed be God! I hope I can say, that, Bethesda was never in
better order than it is now. On my arrival there, this winter,
I opened a _Latin_ school, and have now several children of
promising abilities who have begun to learn. One little orphan,
who a year ago could not read his letters, has made considerable
proficiency in his accidence. The blessed Spirit has been
striving with several of the children, and I hope, ere long, to
see some ministers sent forth from Georgia.
“The constitution of that colony is very bad, and it is
impossible for the inhabitants to subsist without the use of
slaves. But God has put it into the hearts of my South Carolina
friends, to contribute liberally towards purchasing, in this
province, a plantation and slaves, which I purpose to devote to
the support of Bethesda. Blessed be God! the purchase is made.
Last week, I bought, at a very cheap rate, a plantation of six
hundred and forty acres of excellent land, with a good house,
barn, and out-houses, and sixty acres of ground ready cleared,
fenced, and fit for rice, corn, and everything that will be
necessary for provisions. One negro has been given me. Some more
I purpose to purchase this week. An overseer is put upon the
plantation, and, I trust, a sufficient quantity of provisions
will be raised this year. The family at Bethesda consists of
twenty-six. When my arrears are discharged, I intend to increase
the number. I hope that God will still stir up the friends of
Zion to help me, not only to discharge the arrears, but also to
bring the plantation, lately purchased, to such perfection, that,
if I should die shortly, Bethesda may yet be provided for.
“As you have been such a benefactor, I thought it proper to give
you this particular account.
“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[170]
In all respects, this is a hateful letter. No doubt, it is injurious to
Whitefield’s character and fame; but it could not be honestly withheld.
Some people, perhaps, may be able to invent excuses for Whitefield’s
odious act; but I am not disposed to help them. His motives might be
good, but the transaction itself was bad. Let it pass, as one of the
blots of a distinguished life.
A week after the letter was written, Whitefield and his wife set out
for Maryland, and occupied about five weeks in reaching Bohemia. Here
he spent a month, and wrote:――
“Glad would I be to come and offer myself once more to do New
England service; but I am afraid many of the ministers and the
heads of the people would not bear it. However, were this my
only reason, it would soon be answered; but here are thousands
in these southern parts who scarce ever heard of redeeming grace.
Is it not my duty, as an itinerant, to go where the gospel has
not been named? Those who think I want to make a party, or to
disturb churches, do not know me. I am willing to hunt in the
woods after sinners; and could be content that the name of
George Whitefield shall die, if thereby the name of my dear
Redeemer could be exalted.”
Here, as elsewhere, his labours were incessant. Under the date of
“May 21, 1747,” he writes:――
“I have now been upon the stretch, preaching constantly, for
almost three weeks. My body is often extremely weak, but the joy
of the Lord is my strength; and, by the help of God, I intend
going on till I drop. These southern colonies lie in darkness,
and yet, as far as I find, are as willing to receive the gospel
as others. I have been a three hundred mile circuit in Maryland;
and everywhere the people have a hearing ear, and, I trust, some
have an obedient heart.”
From Maryland, Whitefield proceeded to Pennsylvania. “We travelled,”
says he, “very pleasantly through the woods; and purpose returning to
South Carolina and Georgia in the fall. We lead a moving life; but I
trust we move heavenward.”
On arriving at Philadelphia, Whitefield was in a fever; and no wonder,
considering his outdoor preachings amid the burning sunshine of South
America. The following is from a letter to Howell Harris:――
“PHILADELPHIA, _May 30, 1747_.
“MY DEAREST BROTHER,――Had I strength equal to my will, you
should now receive from me a very long letter; but, at present,
I have such a fever upon me that I can scarce send you a few
lines.
“You are very dear to me,――all of you are very dear to me.
I thank you ten thousand times for all expressions of your
tender love, and your steadiness in the truths and cause of
Christ. Sometimes I hope your prayers will draw me to England
more speedily than I imagine. But what shall I say? Here are
thousands and thousands, in these parts of America, who, as to
spiritual things, know not their right hand from their left;
and yet are ready to hear the gospel from my mouth. Within these
four weeks, I have been a circuit of four hundred miles, and
everywhere found the fields white already unto harvest. No one
goes out scarcely but myself.
“I trust the power of religion will be kept up in England and
Wales. Though my coming may be delayed, I hope, when I am sent,
it will be with a greater blessing. I am daily finishing my
outward affairs, and shall think my call to England clearer,
when I have provided for the support of the Orphan House.
“My dear man, I could write all night, but I am so giddy by hard
riding, and preaching daily in the heat, that I must defer being
more particular till another opportunity. I hope my dear wife
will supply my deficiencies. Remember me in the tenderest manner
to all. Bid them pray me to England. Have you seen my last
volume of five sermons? I hope the gates of hell will never
prevail against the Tabernacle. Amen and amen!”[171]
The next is an extract from Mrs. Whitefield’s letter, also addressed to
Harris, and written at the same date:――
“PHILADELPHIA, _May 30, 1747_.
“MY VERY DEAR FATHER AND FRIEND,――What shall I say to him I
so much love and honour? My dear friends, in England, at the
Tabernacle, and in Wales, can never be forgotten by me.
“The Lord has done great things for and by my dear master. Since
last October, great numbers of precious souls have been brought
from darkness to light, in the six provinces. Last night, my
dear came here from a four hundred miles journey, during which
he preached about thirty times. We left Charleston on March 21st,
and came to Bohemia, in Maryland, on April 27th. He preached
all the way, which has very much fatigued him, and now he has
a great fever upon him.
“Yours in the best of bonds,
“ELIZABETH WHITEFIELD.
“P.S.――Since writing the above, the Lord has enabled my very
dear master to preach, in the _new building_,[172] a most moving
discourse upon growing in grace. I thought it would have been
impossible for his strength to have held out.”[173]
A few days afterwards, Whitefield wrote as follows:――
“PHILADELPHIA, _June 4, 1747_.
“At present, my whole frame of nature seems to be shocked. I
have had several returns of my convulsions, and have almost a
continual burning fever. To oblige my friends, and with great
regret, I have omitted preaching one night, and purpose to do
so once more, that they may not charge me with murdering myself;
but I hope yet to die in the pulpit, or soon after I come out
of it. Dying is exceeding pleasant to me; for though my body is
so weak, the Lord causes my soul to rejoice exceedingly. Letters
from England have refreshed me. All of them call me home loudly.
Congregations here are as large as ever. Next Monday-week, I
purpose to set out for New York.”
Whitefield’s journey to New York had to be postponed. Hence the
following:――
“PHILADELPHIA, _June 23, 1747_.
“I have been several times on the verge of eternity. To-morrow,
God willing, I set out for New York, to see if I can gain
strength. At present, I am so weak, that I cannot preach. It is
hard work to be silent; but I must be tried every way. Friends
are exceeding kind; but the best of all is, the Friend of
sinners looks in upon me, and comforts my heart.”
On reaching New York, Whitefield wrote to Howell Harris:――
“NEW YORK, _June 27, 1747_.
“MY VERY DEAR, DEAR BROTHER,――It is with much pleasure I now sit
down to answer your kind and welcome letters. They have had such
an effect upon me, that, God willing, I am determined to embark
for England, or Scotland, early next spring. Till Christmas, I
am already under indissoluble engagements. I am making a strong
effort to get free from my outward embarrassments; and hope,
before the year is ended, to stock my new plantation in South
Carolina, as a _visible_ fund for the Orphan House.
“For some weeks past, I have been exceedingly indisposed. God
has been pleased to bring me to the very brink of the grave, by
convulsions, gravel, nervous colic, and a violent fever; but as
afflictions abounded, consolations much more abounded, and my
soul longed to take its flight to Jesus. I have not preached for
a week past; but since my leaving Philadelphia, three days ago,
I seem to have gathered strength, and hope once more, to-morrow,
to proclaim amongst poor sinners the unsearchable riches of
Christ. From hence, I purpose to go to Boston, and return by
land, so as to reach Charleston in November.
“You will return my most humble and dutiful respects to good
Lady Huntingdon, the Marquis, and Mrs. Edwin.[174] If possible,
I will write to them. I leave my affairs to you, and depend
on you, under God, to transact them all. The trouble is great,
but Jesus will reward thee. Near £40 yearly were subscribed in
England to the Orphan House; but I have received, I think, not
above £5.”[175]
With the slightest improvement in his health, Whitefield resumed
preaching. The following was addressed to Thomas Adams, one of his
preachers in England:――
“NEW YORK, _July 4, 1747_.
“MY VERY DEAR BROTHER ADAMS,――Your kind letter has affected me
much. It and the other letters have constrained me to set my
face towards England. I hope to discharge what is due in America,
for the Orphan House, this year. I am of your mind respecting
the work in England; and, therefore, am willing so to settle
my affairs, that, when I come, I may stay with you for a long
season.
“At present, I am very weakly, and scarce able to preach above
once or twice a week; but if our Saviour has further work
for me to do, He can make me young and lusty as the eagle. If
not, I shall go to Him whom my soul loveth, and whom I long to
see.”[176]
In another letter, of the same date, Whitefield wrote:――
“I have recovered a little strength, and find my appetite
restored. I have been here eight days; and, to-morrow, intend
posting away to Boston; and then I shall take a long, if not
a final, farewell of all my northward friends. I have preached
twice with great freedom. People flock rather more than ever,
and the Lord vouchsafes us solemn meetings. I have left my dear
yoke-fellow at Philadelphia, and expect to meet her again, in
New York, in six weeks. In these three northward provinces, I
trust something considerable will be done towards paying off the
Orphan-house arrears. When that is effected, I care not how soon
I sing my _Nunc dimittis_.”
Another letter, written at New York, must be added. It was addressed to
John Cennick, who had seceded from Whitefield’s connexion, and joined
the Moravians:――
“NEW YORK, _July 5, 1747_.
“MY DEAR JOHN,――Though sick and weak in body, the love I owe
thee, for Jesus’ sake, constrains me to answer thy last kind
letter, dated February 5. The other, mentioned therein, never
came to hand.
“I am sorry to hear there are yet disputings amongst us
about brick walls. After our contests of that kind about seven
years ago,[177] I hoped such a scene would never appear again;
but I find fresh offences must come, to discover to us fresh
corruptions, to try our faith, to teach us to cease from man,
and to lean more upon God.
“It has been thy meat and drink to preach the unsearchable
riches of Christ. Mayest thou continue in this plan! I wish
thee much success, and shall always pray that the work of the
Lord may prosper in thy hands. Whether thou hast changed thy
principles with thy situation, I know not. I would only caution
thee against taking anything for gospel upon the mere authority
of man. Go where thou wilt, though thou shouldest be in the
purest society under heaven, thou wilt find that the best of men
are but men at best, and wilt meet with stumbling-blocks enough,
to teach thee the necessity of a continual dependence on the
Lord Jesus, who alone is infallible, and will not give that
glory to another.
“My dear man, thou wilt excuse me, as my heart, at present, is
affected with the divisions that subsist between the servants
and churches of Jesus Christ. May Jesus heal them, and hasten
the blessed time, when we shall all see eye to eye, and there
shall be no disputings about houses, doctrine, or discipline,
in all God’s holy mountain!”
On July 20, Whitefield arrived at Boston, and next day wrote to Herbert
Jenkins:――[178]
“I hear the glorious Emmanuel has prospered the work of your
hands at Plymouth, and elsewhere. May He bless and prosper you,
and the rest of my dear brethren, yet more and more! I hope you
will live in unity, and let Satan get no advantage over you.
‘_Divide and destroy_,’ is the devil’s motto. ‘Force united,’
is the Christian’s. Oh that when I come to see you, I may see
you walking in love!”[179]
On August 9th, he wrote as follows to Howell Harris:――
“I have been in New England nearly three weeks. The Lord is with
me. Congregations are as great as ever. I could gladly stay in
New England, but I must return to the southern provinces. Though
faint, I am still pursuing, and, in the strength of Jesus, hope
to die fighting.”[180]
Whitefield’s labours in the north were not confined to Boston. The
following is taken from the _New England Gazette_:――
“Mr. Whitefield came, on Tuesday evening, July 21, to the seat
of his friend, Isaac Royal, Esq., at Charlestown; where, on
the next day, several gentlemen of note from Boston paid him a
friendly visit. On Thursday, the 23rd, he set out for Portsmouth,
where he arrived on Friday, and, that evening, preached there,
to a crowded audience, with as great acceptance as ever. Thence,
he was invited to dine with Sir William Pepperell and his
lady at Kittery, who entertained him with their usual great
politeness and generosity. Thence, he went and preached at York;
the Rev. Mr. Moody and his people received him with the most
hearty welcome. Thence, he returned to Portsmouth, where he
preached again, all the people treating him with gentleman-like
civility. On July 29, he preached at Newbury, and would have
come on to Boston, but was so earnestly solicited to go back
and preach at Exeter and Durham, that he could not resist the
importunity.”
Returning southwards, Whitefield reached New York on August 27, where
he wrote half a dozen letters, from which the following sentences are
culled:――
“We were detained three or four days upon the water; but it
was over-ruled for good. I recovered my appetite, and eat like
a sailor. My health is considerably recruited. My obligations
to my glorious Jesus are increased by my late excursion to
Charlestown, Portsmouth, Boston, and other places in New England.
I am of the same mind as when at Boston,――resolved to preach and
work for Jesus, till I can preach and work no more. He is a good
Master, and is worthy of all our time, and of everything that
we possess. Is not one heart too little for Him? And, yet, He
requires no more. Amazing love! I am lost when I think of it. I
can only say, ‘Lord, I adore and worship!’”
On August 31, Whitefield set out for Philadelphia. At the risk of being
tedious, further extracts from his letters must be given. To Howell
Harris, he addressed the following:――
“PHILADELPHIA, _September 11, 1747_.
“MY VERY DEAR, DEAR BROTHER,――I have good news from Georgia,
and from my new plantation in South Carolina. Many negroes are
brought under conviction. We saw great things in New England.
The flocking, and the power that attended the word, were like
what we witnessed seven years ago. Weak as I was, I travelled
eleven hundred miles, and preached daily. I am now going to
Georgia, to settle all my affairs, and get ready to embark
for England. My dear yoke-fellow is gone forwards. I find no
inclination to settle. I am determined to die fighting. I am
here travelling through a wilderness, but, I trust, leaning on
my Beloved. Jesus is my rock, my stay, my God, my all. Various
are the scenes I pass through; and various are the comforts and
supports with which I meet. Sometimes, the Lord feeds me as it
were by the ravens; and He daily teaches me that man’s extremity
is His opportunity, to help and succour.”[181]
On the same day, Whitefield wrote letters to John and Charles Wesley.
To the former, he says:――
“DEAR AND REVEREND SIR,――Not long ago, I received your kind
letter, dated in February last. Your others, I believe, came to
hand, and I hope ere now you have received my answer. My heart
is really for an outward, as well as inward union. Nothing shall
be wanting on my part to bring it about; but I cannot see how
it can be effected, till we all think and speak the same things.
I rejoice to hear, that you and your brother are more moderate
with respect to _sinless perfection_. As for _universal
redemption_, if we omit on each side the talking for or against
_reprobation_, which we may do fairly, and agree, as we already
do, in giving a universal offer to all poor sinners that will
come and taste the water of life, I think we may manage very
well. But it is difficult to manage such matters at a distance.
Some time next year, I hope to see you face to face.”
So much concerning the amalgamation of their respective Societies.
In reference to the battle of Culloden, and Whitefield’s Thanksgiving
Sermon, on “Britain’s Mercies and Britain’s Duty,” he proceeds to
say:――
“I rejoice to find that the Rebellion has been over-ruled
for the awakening of many souls. Our Lord generally builds
His temple in troublesome times. I cannot, upon the maturest
deliberation, charge myself with a design to flatter in my
sermon upon that occasion.[182] You know my attachment to the
present Establishment. Out of the fulness of my heart, my pen
wrote.”
Passing to his Orphan-house affairs, Whitefield continues:――
“I have news of the awakening of several negroes at my new
plantation, lately purchased in South Carolina. I hope ere
long to be delivered from my outward embarrassments. I long to
owe no man anything but love. This is a debt, reverend sir, I
shall never be able to discharge to you, or your brother. Jesus
will pay you all. I love and honour you very much, and rejoice
in your success as much as in my own. O for heaven! where we
shall mistake, judge, and grieve one another no more. Lately, I
thought myself sailing into the blessed harbour; but it seems I
must put out to sea again. Forgive, reverend sir, the prolixity
of this. Love indites. I salute you for my dear fellow-pilgrim,
who is gone forwards. Continue to pray for us, and assure
yourself that you are always remembered by,
“Reverend and very dear sir, yours, etc.,
“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”
Whitefield’s letter to Charles Wesley was equally affectionate. He
writes:――
“PHILADELPHIA, _September 11, 1747_.
“VERY DEAR SIR,――Both your letters and your prayers, I trust,
have reached me. May mine reach you also, and then it will not
be long ere we shall be one fold under one Shepherd. However, if
this be not on earth, it will certainly be in heaven. Thither,
I trust, we are hastening apace. Blessed be God! that your
spiritual children are increasing. May they increase more and
more! Jesus can maintain them all. He wills that His house
should be full. Some have written me things to your disadvantage.
I do not believe them. Love thinks no evil of a friend. Such
are you to me. I love you most dearly. You will see my letter to
your dear brother. That you may be guided into all truth, turn
thousands and tens of thousands more unto righteousness, and
shine as stars for ever and ever, is the hearty prayer of,
“Very dear sir, yours most affectionately,
“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”
In the foregoing extract from the _New England Gazette_, the Rev. Mr.
Moody is mentioned. Samuel Moody was a memorable man. Having graduated
in Harvard College, he was ordained in 1700, and, for forty-seven years,
had been minister of York. He was eccentric, but eminent for piety and
usefulness. In his younger years, he himself had been an itinerant,
and had often preached beyond the limits of his own parish. Wherever
he went, he was welcomed. Even the irreligious were impressed with
the sanctity of his character, and were inspired with awe. He refused
to have a fixed salary, as was usual, and elected to depend entirely
on the free contributions of the people. He was frequently in straits,
and almost dinnerless; but always felt confident that, in his extremity,
a meal would be furnished by the providence of God. One day, he had
no provisions and no money, but insisted upon having the cloth laid,
saying to his wife, “The Lord will provide.” No sooner were the words
uttered, than there was a rap at the door, and a person presented him
with a dinner. He was now in the seventy-first year of his age; and,
within four months after the date of Whitefield’s visit, peacefully
expired. The following touching letter was addressed to this venerable
man only eight weeks before his death:――
“BOHEMIA, MARYLAND, _September 17, 1747_.