placed under a kind of civil government, in lieu of the military one,
which had been exercised from the time when the colony was founded; and
that James Habersham, Whitefield’s first manager at Bethesda, and now a
merchant at Savannah, was appointed provincial secretary. A change had
become imperative. There was a general discontent among the inhabitants.
They quarrelled with one another and with their magistrates. They
complained; they remonstrated; and, finding no satisfaction, many
of them removed to other colonies. Of the two thousand emigrants
who had come from Europe, not above six or seven hundred were left.
The mischief grew worse and worse every day; until, at length, the
Government revoked the grant to the trustees, took the province into
their own hands, and placed it on the same footing as Carolina.[358]
On August 6, 1754, his Majesty King George II., in council, appointed
John Reynolds, Esq., “to be Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of
Georgia;” and James Habersham, “to be Secretary and Registrar.”[359]
The following letter, addressed to Habersham, refers to these events:――
“BOSTON, _October 13, 1754_.
“MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,――It has given me concern, that I have not
been able to write one letter to Georgia, since my arrival at
New York. Sickness, travelling, and preaching prevented me.
“This letter leaves me at Boston, where, as well as in other
places, the word has run and been glorified. People are rather
more eager to hear than ever. After staying a short time here,
I purpose to go through Connecticut to New York, and thence, by
land, to Georgia.
“Blessed be God, that a governor is at length nominated. I wish
you joy of your new honour. May the King of kings enable you
to discharge your trust, as becomes a good patriot, subject,
and Christian! I wish I knew when the governor intends being in
Georgia. I would willingly be there to pay my respects to him.
“O my dear old friend, and first fellow-traveller, my heart is
engaged for your temporal and eternal welfare. You have now,
I think, a call to retire from business, and to give up your
time to the public. I have much to say when we meet. God deals
most bountifully with me. Enemies are made to be at peace, and
friends everywhere are hearty.”
Glimpses will be obtained of Whitefield’s labours, at Boston and other
places, in the following extracts from his letters:――
“Boston, October 14. Surely my coming here was of God. At Rhode
Island, I preached five times. People convened immediately, and
flocked to hear more eagerly than ever. The same scene opens
at Boston. Thousands waited for, and thousands attended on,
the word preached. At the Old North (church), at seven in the
morning, we generally have three thousand hearers, and many
cannot come in. Convictions fasten; and many souls are comforted.
Dr. Sewall has engaged me once to preach his lecture. The polite
are taken, and opposition falls. I preach at the _Old_ and the
_New North_ (churches). Mr. Pemberton and Dr. Sewall continue to
pray for me. A governor for Georgia being nominated, determines
my way thither. The door opens wider and wider. Pray tell Mr.
H――――, that I left his horse a little lame, at Long Island,
with one who, in contempt, is called _Saint_ Dick. All hail such
reproach!”
“Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 24. About a month ago,
I wrote you a few lines from New Jersey. Since then, I have
advanced about three hundred miles further northward. But what
have I seen? Dagon falling everywhere before the ark; enemies
silenced, or made to own the finger of God; and the friends of
Jesus triumphing in His glorious conquest. At Boston, though
the four meeting-houses, in which I preached, will hold about
four thousand, yet, at seven o’clock in the morning, many were
obliged to go away, and I was helped in through the window. In
the country, a like scene opens. I am enabled to preach always
twice, and sometimes thrice a day. Thousands flock to hear,
and Jesus manifests His glory. I am now come to the end of my
_northward_ line, and, in a day or two, purpose to turn back,
and to preach all the way to Georgia. It is about a sixteen
hundred miles journey. Jesus is able to carry me through. Into
His almighty and all-gracious hands I commend my spirit. Gladly
would I embark for England, but I should leave my American
business but half done, if I were to come over now.”
“Portsmouth, October 25. At Salem, we were favoured with a sweet
Divine influence. Sunday (October 20) was a high day at Ipswich,
where I preached thrice. Hundreds were without the doors. On
Monday, at Newbury, the like scene opened twice. On Tuesday
morning, also, we had a blessed season. Too many came to meet
and bring me into Portsmouth, where I preached on Tuesday
evening; also twice the next day. Yesterday, I preached at York
and Kittery. In the evening, I waited on General Pepperell,[360]
who, with his lady, was very glad to see me. I am now going to
Greenland; and, to-morrow, shall preach at Exeter. The Sabbath
(October 27) is to be kept at Newbury. Monday, I am to preach
thrice,――at Rowley, Byfield, and Ipswich; Tuesday, at Cape Ann;
and Wednesday night, or Thursday morning, at Boston.”
“Rhode Island, November 22. With great difficulty, I am got to
this place, where people are athirst to hear the word of God.
I shall, therefore, stay, God willing, till Monday, and then
set out to Connecticut, in my way to New York, which I hope to
reach in about a fortnight. O that you may see me humbled under
a sense of the amazing mercies which I have received during this
expedition! It seems to me to be the most important one I was
ever employed in. Very much have I to tell you when we meet.”
The next is an extract from a letter addressed to the Rev. John Gillies,
of Glasgow:――
“RHODE ISLAND, _November 25_.
“Is it true that your father-in-law and your dear yoke-fellow
are dead? I sympathise with you from my inmost soul. Surely
your time and mine will come ere long. Meanwhile, may I be
doing something for my God! I am now going towards Georgia,
from Boston, where my reception has been far superior to that
of fourteen years ago. There, and at other places in New England,
I have preached near a hundred times since the beginning of
October; and, thanks be to God! we scarce had so much as one dry
meeting. Not a hundredth part can be told you. In Philadelphia,
New Jersey, and New York, the great Redeemer caused His word
to run and be glorified. In Georgia, I expect to see our new
governor. Blessed be God! Bethesda is in growing circumstances;
and I trust it will more and more answer the end of its
institution. I was exceedingly delighted at New Jersey
commencement. Surely that college is of God. The worthy
president, Mr. Burr, intends to correspond with you. O that I
could do it oftener! but it is impracticable. Travelling, and
preaching, always twice and frequently thrice a day, engross
almost all my time. However, neither you nor any of my dear
Glasgow friends are forgotten by me. No, no; you are all
engraven upon my heart. O that God may give you hearts to
remember poor sinful and hell-deserving me! Fain would I
continue a pilgrim for life.
‘Christ’s presence doth my pains beguile,
And makes each wilderness to smile.’
“I have a fourteen hundred miles ride before me; but _nil
desperandum, Christo duce, auspice Christo_.”
More than a month intervenes between the date of this letter to
Mr. Gillies, and the next preserved letter of Whitefield. The reader
must try to imagine the great preacher gradually pursuing his immense
horseback-ride, making the primeval forests ring with his songs of
praise, and preaching the gospel of his Master, twice or thrice every
day. His Christmas was spent in Maryland. Hence the following:――
“BOHEMIA, MARYLAND, _December 27_.
“I have been travelling and preaching in the northern provinces
for nearly five months. I suppose I have ridden near two
thousand miles, and preached about two hundred and thirty times;
but to how many thousands of people cannot well be told. O what
days of the Son of man have I seen! God be merciful to me an
ungrateful sinner!
“I am now forty years of age, and would gladly spend the day
in retirement and deep humiliation before that Jesus, for whom
I have done so little, though He has done and suffered so much
for me.
“About February, I hope to reach Georgia; and, at spring, to
embark for England. There, dear madam, I expect to see you once
more in this land of the dying. If not, ere long, I shall meet
you in the land of the living, and thank you, before men and
angels, for all favours conferred on me. To-morrow, God willing,
I move again. Before long, my last remove will come; a remove
into endless bliss.”
Thus rejoicing in the hope of a blissful immortality did Whitefield
enter upon the year 1755. Early in the month of January, he made his
way to Virginia, a province which he had visited in 1746. For nearly
eight years, the Rev. Samuel Davies had been labouring here with
self-consuming earnestness. His eloquent, faithful, and powerful
preaching had been bitterly opposed; but it had been attended with
great success. His home was at Hanover, about twelve miles from
Richmond; and, as early as 1748, he had collected seven congregations,
which assembled in seven meeting-houses duly licensed, some of them,
however, being forty miles distant from each other. In three years, he
had obtained three hundred communicants, and had baptized forty slaves.
He had had a long controversy with the Episcopalians, who denied that
the English Act of Toleration extended to Virginia; and, with great
learning and eloquence, he had contended the point in the Virginian
court, with the famous Peyton Randolph, first President of the American
Congress. During his visit to England, in 1754, he had obtained, from
the English Attorney-General, a declaration that the Toleration Act
did extend to Virginia, which, of course, gave him greater confidence
in the legality of his proceedings. Besides this, in 1751, a new
governor of the province had been appointed, whom Whitefield and his
friends expected to be more favourable to evangelistic efforts than
his predecessor had been. Robert Dinwiddie was brother-in-law of
Whitefield’s old friend, the Rev. Mr. McCulloch, of Cambuslang. He
had been clerk to a collector of customs, in the West Indies, whose
enormous frauds he detected, and exposed to the Government; and, for
this disclosure, was rewarded by the appointment to Virginia. In a
letter to Mr. McCulloch, dated “July 19, 1751,” Whitefield wrote:――
“Mr. Davies’s one congregation is multiplied to seven.
He desires liberty to license more houses, and to preach
occasionally to all, as there is no minister but himself. This,
though allowed in England, is denied in Virginia, which grieves
the people very much. The commissary is one of the council, and,
with the rest of his brethren, no friend to the Dissenters. The
late governor was like-minded. I, therefore, think Mr. Dinwiddie
is raised up to succeed him, in order to befriend the Church of
God, and the interest of Christ’s people. They desire no other
privileges than what dissenting Protestants enjoy in our native
country. This, I am persuaded, your brother-in-law will be glad
to secure to them.”[361]
Under these altered circumstances, Whitefield met with a most
favourable reception. Hence the following extracts from his letters.
The first is taken from a letter to Charles Wesley:――
“January 14, 1755. I suppose my circuit already has been two
thousand miles; and, before I reach Bethesda, a journey of six
hundred more lies before me. Scenes of wonder have opened all
the way. A thousandth part cannot be told. In Virginia, the
prospect is very promising. I have preached in two churches, and,
this morning, am to preach in a third. Rich and poor seem quite
ready to hear. Many have been truly awakened.”[362]
“Virginia, January 13. I have not been here a week, and have
had the comfort of seeing many impressed under the word every
day. Two churches have been opened, and a third (Richmond) I am
to preach in to-morrow. I find prejudices subside, and some of
the rich and great begin to think favourably of the work of God.
Several of the lower class have been with me, acknowledging what
the Lord did for them when I was here before.”
“Virginia, January 17. I am now on the borders of North Carolina,
and, after preaching to-morrow in a neighbouring church, I
purpose to take my leave of Virginia. Had I not been detained so
long northward, what a wide and effectual door might have been
opened. Here, as well as elsewhere, rich and poor flock to hear
the everlasting gospel. Many have come forty or fifty miles; and
a spirit of conviction and consolation seemed to go through all
the assemblies. Colonel R――――, a person of distinction, opened
one church for me, invited me to his house, and introduced
me himself to the reading desk. Blessed be God, I see a vast
alteration for the better. O for more time, and for more souls
and bodies! Lord Jesus, twenty times ten thousand are too few
for Thee!”
Of Whitefield’s ride from Virginia to Georgia, no record now exists;
neither is there any information respecting his work at Bethesda. As
usual, his sojourn at the Orphan House was brief; for, on February
26th, he had returned to Charleston, whence, towards the end of March,
he embarked for England. The following are extracts from two letters
addressed to his housekeeper at Bethesda:――
“Charleston, March 3, 1755. Through Divine goodness, we arrived
here last Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, Mr. E―――― was
solemnly ordained. The trials I have met with have brought
my old vomitings upon me. My soul has been pierced with many
sorrows. But, I believe, all is intended for my good. Amidst all,
I am comforted at the present situation of Bethesda. I hope you
will walk in love, and that the children will grow in years and
grace. I pray for you all, night and day.”
“Charleston, March 17, 1755. Had I wings like a dove, how
often would I have fled to Bethesda, since my departure from
it! I could almost say, that the last few hours I was there were
superior in satisfaction to any hours I ever enjoyed. But I must
go about my heavenly Father’s business. For this, I am a poor,
but willing pilgrim, and give up all that is near and dear
to me on this side of eternity. This week, I expect to embark
in the _Friendship_, Captain Ball; but am glad of the letters
from Bethesda before I start. They made ♦me weep, and caused
me to throw myself prostrate before the prayer-hearing and
promise-keeping God. He will give strength, He will give power.
Fear not. You are now, I believe, where the Lord would have you
be, and all will be well. I repose the utmost confidence in you,
and believe I shall not be disappointed of my hope. I should
have been glad if the apples had been sent in the boat; they
would have been useful in the voyage. But Jesus can stay me
with better apples. May you and all my dear family have plenty
of these! I imagine it will not be long before I return from
England.”
Whitefield set sail about March 27th; and, after a six weeks’ voyage,
landed at Newhaven, on the 8th of May. More than eight years elapsed
before his next visit to America.
_EIGHT YEARS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM._
1755 TO 1763.
WHITEFIELD and the Wesleys were now not the only evangelical clergymen
in London. Not to mention others, there was the Rev. Thomas Jones,
of St. Saviour’s, Southwark,――a young man of feeble health, but whose
preaching was characterised by great eloquence and power. There was
the Rev. Martin Madan, founder and first chaplain of the Lock Hospital,
near Hyde Park Corner. And there was the Rev. William Romaine, who
had been at Oxford at the same time Whitefield and the Wesleys were,
but without becoming an Oxford Methodist,――one of the most popular
preachers in the metropolis, and now curate of St. Olave’s, Southwark.
The ministry of such men occasioned Whitefield unmingled joy. One of
his first letters, after his arrival in England, was addressed to the
Countess of Huntingdon, in which, with a full heart, he wrote: “Glad
am I to hear that so many have lately been stirred up to preach the
crucified Saviour. Surely that Scripture must be fulfilled, ‘And many
of the priests also were obedient to the word.’ The work is of God, and
therefore must prosper.”
In a letter to Governor Belcher, on the same subject, he remarked:――
“London, May 14, 1755. The word has still free course in this
metropolis. The poor, despised Methodists are as lively as
ever; and, in several churches, the gospel is now preached with
power. Many in Oxford are awakened to a knowledge of the truth;
and, almost every week, I have heard of some fresh minister,
who seems determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him
crucified.”
This was a most important movement,――the commencement of that great
change which gradually came over the Church of England, until hundreds
of its pulpits were filled with converted men, weekly preaching the
doctrines which Whitefield and the Wesleys preached. For sixteen years,
the three Methodist itinerants had been scattering seed, which, in many
thousands of instances, had sprung up, and was bearing fruit; but now a
new fact occurred,――the seed-sowers were being multiplied. In a letter
to a lady, in 1752, stating the case of a poor divinity student, who
needed help, Whitefield wrote: “Every student’s name is Legion. Helping
one of these, is helping thousands.” No wonder that he now exulted in
the increase of gospel ministers.
During his recent visit to America, the Rev. Aaron Burr and the
trustees of New Jersey College conferred on Whitefield an M.A. degree.
Within a week after his return to England, Whitefield commenced an
endeavour to return the compliment. He had formed a high opinion of
Mr. Burr, and wished him to be honoured; but, apart from this, he
doubtless thought that the college would be helped if its president
were made a doctor of divinity. The Marquis of Lothian had been a
generous benefactor of the college, and, through him, Whitefield hoped
to procure the coveted distinction. In a letter to the Marquis, he
spoke of the college as “the purest seminary” he had known, and added,
“If the degree of doctor of divinity could be procured for Mr. Burr,
the present president, it would make an addition to its honours.” The
Marquis replied, “The University of Edinburgh desire me to obtain some
account of Mr. Burr’s literature, or performances. This I hope you
will send; and a diploma will be immediately transmitted.” Whitefield’s
answer, which deserves insertion, was as follows:――
“Mr. Burr was educated at Yale College, in Connecticut, New
England; and, for his pregnant abilities and well-approved piety,
was unanimously chosen to succeed the Rev. Mr. Dickinson,[363]
in the care of New Jersey College. It would have delighted
your lordship to have seen how gloriously he filled the chair
last year, at the New Jersey commencement. His Latin oration
was beautifully elegant, and was delivered with unaffected,
yet striking energy and pathos. As a preacher, disputant,
and head of a college, he shines in North America; and the
present prosperity of New Jersey College is greatly owing to
his learning, piety, and conduct. The students revere and love
him. Your lordship might have testimonials enough from good
Governor Belcher, Mr. Jonathan Edwards,[364] _cum multis aliis_.
I believe they would all concur in saying that, of his age, now
upwards of forty, there is not a more accomplished deserving
president in the world. As for anything of his in print, that
can be referred to, I can say nothing, except a little pamphlet
lately published,[365] in which he has animated the people
against the common enemy, and discovered a close attachment
to the interest of our rightful sovereign, King George.
This piece of Mr. Burr’s I have in London, and hope it is in
Scotland. I wish the diploma may be transmitted against the next
commencement. It will endear your lordship more and more to the
good people of America.”[366]
To say the least, there was a great amount of large-heartedness in this
attempt to distinguish the college of a church with which Whitefield
was not officially connected.
After his arrival in England, Whitefield spent about six weeks in
London, where his preaching was as popular as ever. Writing to the
Countess of Huntingdon, on May 27th, he said:――
“What a blessed week have we had! Sinners have come like a cloud,
and fled like doves to the windows. What a happiness is it to be
absorbed and swallowed up in God! To have no schemes, no views,
but to promote the common salvation! This be my happy lot!”
In another letter, dated “London, June 7th,” he wrote:――
“It will rejoice you to hear that the glorious gospel of
Jesus Christ gets ground apace. Several of the clergy, both in
town and country, have been lately stirred up to preach Christ
crucified, in the demonstration of the Spirit, and with power.
This excites the enmity of the old Serpent. The greatest
venom is spit against Mr. Romaine, who, having been reputed a
great scholar, is now looked upon and treated as a great fool,
because he himself is made wise unto salvation, and is earnestly
desirous that others should be. Methinks I hear you say, ‘O
happy folly!’ May this blessed leaven diffuse itself through the
whole nation! The prospect is promising. Many students at Oxford
are earnestly learning Christ. Dear Mr. Hervey has learnt and
preached Him some years. As for myself, I can only say, ‘Less
than the least of all,’ must be my motto still. I labour but
feebly, and yet Jesus owns my labours. People still flock to the
gospel, like doves to the windows. Will you be pleased to accept
of my _Lisbon_ letters?[367] My little Communion book is not
yet out. God be praised! there is a time coming when we shall
need books and ordinances no more, but shall be admitted into
uninterrupted communion and fellowship with the blessed Trinity
for ever.”
The “little Communion book” here mentioned was a 12mo. volume, of 140
pages, with the following title: “A Communion Morning’s Companion. By
George Whitefield, A.B., late of Pembroke College, Oxford, and Chaplain
to the Right Honourable the Countess of Huntingdon. London, 1755.” The
book consists of: 1. Meditations on the five last Questions and Answers
of the Catechism of the Church of England. Extracted from Bishop Ken.
2. The Order for Administration of the Lord’s Supper. After the pattern
of Bishop Wilson. 3. Fifty-nine Sacramental Hymns, and seventeen
Doxologies, extracted from several authors. Except a few written by
the Wesleys, most of the hymns are pious doggerel. The extracts from
Ken and Wilson are intensely religious, and, to a devout mind, must be
useful. The book had an extensive sale. As early as 1758, it had passed
through a third edition; The following is taken from Whitefield’s
preface:――
“There is but little in this ‘Communion Morning’s Companion’
of my own; and, as it is intended purely for the assistance of
the professed members of the Church of England, I thought it
most advisable to extract the meditations and practical remarks
on the public form of administration from our own bishops. I
particularly fixed on Bishop Ken, not only because his sweet
meditations on the Redeemer’s passion were some of the first
things that made a religious impression on my own soul, but
because he was one of those seven bishops who were sent to
the Tower for making a noble stand against popish tyranny and
arbitrary power in the latter end of the reign of King James
the Second. Imagining that the words ‘_real presence_,’ though
evidently meant by the good bishop only of the Redeemer’s
_spiritual presence_ (which is all the presence I know of),
might stumble some, I erased them, and also made a few
alterations in some other passages, which, by some, might be
judged objectionable.
“As for those who are against any offices or set forms at
all, I shall only say, ‘Let not him who useth a form judge
him who useth it not; and let not him who useth it not despise
him who doth use it.’ Though I profess myself a minister of
the Established Church, and never yet renounced her articles,
homilies, or liturgy, I can and, if God’s providence direct my
course thither again, shall join in occasional communion with
the churches of New England and Scotland, being persuaded there
are as many faithful ministers among them as in any parts of the
known world.”