ready to harvest as ever. In the summer, I range; and, with a
table for my pulpit, and the heavens for my sounding-board, I
am enabled, generally thrice a day, to call to many thousands
to come to Jesus that they may have life. In the winter, I am
confined to London; but, to my great mortification, through
continual vomitings, want of rest, and of appetite, I have been
reduced, for some time, to the short allowance of preaching
only once a day, except Sundays, when I generally preach thrice.
Thousands attend every evening, at both ends of the town; and,
on Sundays, many, many go away for want of room. The Divine
presence is amongst us, and every week produces fresh instances
of the power of converting grace.
“Blessed be God! we meet with no disturbances in town, and very
seldom in the country; but last year, while I was preaching
in the fields in Ireland, a popish mob was so incensed at my
proclaiming the Lord our Righteousness, and at my praying for
our good old King, and the King of Prussia, that they surrounded,
stoned, and almost killed me. But we are immortal till our work
is done. Glad should I have been to have died in such a cause.
“Mr. Wesley has Societies in Ireland and elsewhere; and, though
we differ a little in some principles, yet brotherly love
continues. When itinerating, I generally preach among his people,
as freely as among those who are called our own.
“In London, several new flaming preachers are come forth; and
we hear of others, in various parts of the kingdom, who seem
determined to know and preach nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him
crucified.
“Thousands and thousands are now praying daily for success to
the Prussian and Hanoverian arms. Your fast-days were kept here
with great solemnity; and will be so again, God willing, when
I know the day. Our Joshuas are in the field. Many a Moses is
gone up into the mount to pray. ‘_Nil desperandum Christo duce,
auspice Christo._’ He who wrought such wonders for the Prussian
monarch last year, can repeat them this. The distresses of
German Protestants, we look upon as our own. We have also
endeavoured to give thanks for the great mercy vouchsafed your
Orphan House, and the Protestant cause.”
In the third week of the month of May, Whitefield left his “_winter_
quarters,” and set out for the west of England, and for Wales. He began
his journey in a one-horse chaise; but driving prevented his reading,
and the vehicle nearly shook him to pieces.[445] His servant, also,
“who rode the fore-horse, was often exceedingly splashed with dirt,
when the roads were bad.” For such reasons, Whitefield wished to
exchange his humble conveyance for a more convenient one. He arrived
at Gloucester, on Saturday, May 20; and, on the following day, preached
thrice and administered the holy sacrament. On Tuesday, May 23, he came
to Bristol, and, for the next five days, preached twice daily, either
at Bristol, Bath, or Kingswood. His chaise still troubled him, and he
longed for “a good four-wheel carriage for £30 or £40.” “I would not,”
says he, “lay out a single farthing, but for my blessed Master.” On
Monday, May 29, in the best way he could, he started for Wales. On
his return to Bristol, he wrote a series of letters to a number of
his aristocratic friends. The following are extracts:――
To the Countess Delitz:――
“Bristol, June 16, 1758. Never was I brought so low as on my
late circuit in Wales; but, as far as I can hear, it was one of
the most prosperous I ever took. Twice every day, thousands and
thousands attended, in various towns in South Wales; and, on the
Sundays, the numbers were incredible. Welcome, thrice welcome,
death in such a cause!”
To Captain H――――y:――
“Bristol, June 16, 1758. The Welsh roads have almost demolished
my open one-horse chaise, as well as me. I am almost ashamed of
your being put to so much trouble, in procuring a close chaise
for me; but I like the purchase exceeding well. The legacy is
wonderful. I can give it away with a good grace. At present, I
think the Orphan House shall have the whole. It is much wanted
there.”
To Lady Huntingdon:――
“Bristol, June 17, 1758. This leaves me returned from Wales. It
proved a most delightful trying circuit. I suppose your ladyship
has heard how low I have been in body,――scarce ever lower,――not
able to sit up in company all the time, yet strengthened to
travel without food, and to preach to thousands every day. The
great congregation at Haverfordwest consisted of near fifteen
thousand. O for some disinterested soul to help at the chapel
during the summer season! Spiritual, divine ambition, whither
art thou fled? But I see such honours are reserved for few. I
rejoice in the increase of your ladyship’s spiritual routs; and
can guess at the consolations such uncommon scenes must afford
you.”
The “spiritual routs,” here mentioned, were meetings held twice a week,
in the house of the Countess of Huntingdon, and at which Romaine, Madan,
and Venn officiated. They were remarkable gatherings, and included,
among others, the Duchess of Bedford, the Duchess of Grafton, Lady Jane
Scott, Lord and Lady Dacre, Mr. and Lady Anne Connolly, Lady Elizabeth
Keppell, Lady Betty Waldegrave, Lady Coventry, Lord Weymouth, Lord
Tavistock, the Duchess of Hamilton, the Duchess of Richmond, Lady
Ailesbury, Lord and Lady Hertford, Lady Townsend, Lord Trafford, Lord
Northampton, Lady Hervey, Lady Pembroke, Lady Northumberland, Lady
Rebecca Paulet, Lord Edgecumbe, Lord Lyttleton, Lady Essex, etc.,
etc.[446] It is impossible to estimate the far-reaching results of
meetings like these. A current of Christian influence was created,
which affected a large portion of the aristocracy of the land, and,
through them, a countless number of other people.
Whitefield bewails the want of men to preach in his Tottenham Court
Road chapel. At this very time, he was corresponding with a young
man, twenty-three years of age, Robert Robinson, afterwards the famous
Dissenting minister at Cambridge. Robinson had recently left London,
and gone to Norwich. Here, on May 10, 1758, he wrote Whitefield a long
letter, telling him that, six years ago, curiosity drew him to the
Tabernacle, to pity Whitefield’s folly, and to abhor the doctrines
he preached. Whitefield took for his text, “O generation of vipers,
who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Robinson says, he
“went pitying the poor deluded Methodists; but came away envying their
happiness.” He constantly attended the Tabernacle for two years and
seven months before he found peace with God. He had now begun to preach,
and writes:――
“How often do I tremble lest I should run before I am sent; yet
I dare not say the Lord has left me without witness. Multitudes
of people come to hear the word, both in Norwich and the
country.”[447]
Whitefield replied to Robinson’s letter as follows:――
“BRISTOL, _May 25, 1758_.
“Why did you not make your case known to me before you left
London? What motives induced you to leave it? How came you to
go to Norwich? What prospect have you of a growing people? You
may send a line to London, and it will be forwarded to me in the
country. I have now opened my summer’s campaign. The Redeemer
has given us a good beginning. Who knows but we shall have a
glorious ending? He is all in all. You find that He strengthens
and blesses you in His work, and causes your rod to bud and
blossom. That your bow may abide in strength, that you may be
clothed with humility, and that the arms of your hands may be
continually strengthened by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob,
is the earnest prayer of your affectionate friend in our common
Lord,
“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[448]
Robinson answered Whitefield’s questions:――
“You ask, sir, why I did not make myself known to you in London?
The plain truth is this, I had such a sense of my unworthiness,
that I thought your conversation too great an honour for me to
enjoy.”
Robinson assigns as his reasons for leaving London, the desire of his
relatives to see him; a hope that residing in the country would improve
his health; and especially a fear that, if he stayed, his London
friends would make him preach before God called him. As to the reason
of his going to Norwich, he writes:――
“My intention was to settle in the farming business in the
country; but there I found many souls awakened, who had the word
preached but now and then. We met in the evenings to sing and
pray and speak our experience. They often solicited me to preach
among them, as did some neighbouring Dissenting ministers. I
long refused; till they wrung their hands, and wept bitterly,
and told me they were starving for the word. With many doubts
and fears, I, at last, agreed to their request. People came from
adjacent towns to hear me. I was invited higher up the country.
At length, some of Mr. Wheatley’s friends informed him of me.
He sent his clerk, entreating me to come to Norwich. I did come;
and, according to the present appearance of things, I apprehend
I shall be fixed here.”
In reply to Whitefield’s fourth question, Robinson remarked:――
“As to the ‘prospect of a growing people,’――sometimes I think
it bids fair for it; sometimes I think otherwise. The church I
preach to has near forty members, and many more are desirous of
being received. On the Lord’s-day, we have several hundreds of
hearers, who seem very serious, and enquiring the way to Zion.
On the week-days, we have abundance of people to hear; and, I
hope, the Lord does not let His word return void. The country
people frequently send for me, on the days I do not preach at
Norwich; and multitudes come to hear, so that the preaching
houses will not hold them. However, I can go upon the commons;
and, blessed be God! there is room there; and, what is best of
all, there is room enough and to spare in my Master’s house. By
the time I have preached in public, and have visited, exhorted,
and prayed with the people in private, and have kept a little
time to enjoy my God in my closet, I find my day is gone; but it
is an honour to be busy for Christ. O that my soul may be found
living and dying in it!
“My dear sir, I rejoice in your prosperity in the gospel. Go
where I will, I find some of your spiritual children;――some
awakened by hearing you, and some by reading your sermons. Dear
sir, go on preaching; and we will go on praying for you; and who
knows what a prayer-hearing God may do? I am really ashamed of
my long letter; but, methinks, I am now opening my heart to a
tender father, who, I trust, will excuse my infirmities.
“I remain, dear sir, your affectionate son and servant in Christ,
“ROBERT ROBINSON.”[449]
Thus did Robert Robinson become a preacher,――a man who rose to
sufficient eminence to have one of his publications discussed in
both the House of Commons and the House of Lords; whose learning and
services were such as to procure for him the offer of the diploma
of D.D. from a Scotch University; and yet, lamentable to relate, who
became so loose in his theology as to die under the imputation of being
a Socinian.
After his return from Wales, Whitefield’s stay in London was brief.
Towards the end of July, he set out for Scotland; in journeying towards
which, he formed an acquaintance with another recently converted
clergyman, who, for nearly thirty years afterwards, annually rendered
important service in Whitefield’s London chapels. John Berridge, the
well-known Vicar of Everton, had recently found peace with God, through
faith in Christ; and, six months after the time of Whitefield’s visit,
occurred those puzzling phenomena, the _stricken cases_, mentioned in
Wesley’s Journal. It is rather remarkable, that, though Whitefield’s
preaching was much more sensational than Wesley’s, no such effects
seem to have been witnessed at Everton by him, as were witnessed by his
friend. At all events, if such happened, he is silent concerning them.
All that is known of his visit, is contained in the following letter:――
“NEWCASTLE, _July 31, 1758_.
“All the last week was taken up in preaching at Everton,
St. Neots, Keysoe, Bedford, Olney, Weston-Favel, Underwood,
Ravenstone, and Northampton. Four clergymen lent me their
churches, and three read prayers for me in one day. I preached
also in John Bunyan’s pulpit; and, at Northampton, I took the
field. Good seasons at all the places. Mr. Berridge, who was
lately awakened at Everton, promises to be a burning and shining
light. Yesterday, we had good times here; and, to-morrow, I
shall set off for Edinburgh. My bodily strength increases but
very little. Sometimes I am almost tempted to turn back; but I
hope to go forward, and shall strive, as much as in me lies, to
die in this glorious work.”
Whitefield arrived at Edinburgh on August 4, and, despite physical
weakness, preached, for nearly a month, in the Orphan Hospital Park,
to enormous congregations, morning and evening, every day.[450]
Mr. Gillies invited him to Glasgow; but he replied:――
“I fear your kind invitation cannot be complied with. For above
three months past, I have been so weak, that I could scarcely
drag the crazy load along. I preach at Edinburgh twice a day;
but I grow weaker and weaker. I suppose you have heard of the
death of Mr. Jonathan Edwards. Happy he!”
In another letter he wrote:――
“EDINBURGH, _August 19, 1758_.
“I came here a fortnight ago, very low indeed; but, by preaching
about thirty times, I am a good deal better. Multitudes, of all
ranks, flock twice every day. I thought to have moved on Tuesday
next, but, as it is the race week, and my health is improving,
friends advise me to stay.”
On August 29, he went to Glasgow, where he remained a week. Here, after
one of his sermons, he made a collection, amounting to nearly £60, on
behalf of a Society, established in 1727, for educating and putting to
trades the sons of Highlanders, and of which the Duke of Argyll was the
principal member.[451]
Whitefield also preached three thanksgiving sermons, for the taking
of Cape Breton, by Boscawen, Amherst, and Wolfe; for the defeat of the
Russians, at the great battle of Custrin, by Frederick, King of Prussia;
and for the victory over the Austrians and Imperialists, at Crevelt, by
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. “By his warm and repeated exhortations
to loyalty, and a steady adherence to the Protestant interest,” said
the _Glasgow Courant_, “Mr. Whitefield’s visit here has been useful to
the community in a civil, as well as a religious, light.”
On September 6, Whitefield returned to Edinburgh, and, during another
week, preached twice every day. On September 13, he set out for London.
“By his visit,” says the _Scots’ Magazine_, “the Edinburgh Orphan
Hospital has drawn upwards of £200, by the collections at the entry to
the Park, and by the seat-rents.”
Remembering the value of money in 1758, these were enormous sums. No
wonder, that, even on such a ground, the canny Scots were always ready
to give to Whitefield a hearty welcome.
Glimpses of his preaching tour to London will be obtained in the
following extracts from his letters:――
“DARLINGTON, _September 21, 1758_.
“At Edinburgh and Glasgow, my health grew better, and I was
enabled to preach always twice, and sometimes thrice a day, to
very large and affected auditories. In my way to Newcastle, I
preached twice; and thrice in and about that place. Yesterday,
I hope, some gospel seed fell on good ground at Durham and
Bishop-Auckland. I am now on my way to Yarm, and hope next
Lord’s-day to be at Leeds.”
“LEEDS, _October 11, 1758_.
“Though I have preached twice and sometimes thrice a day for
above a fortnight past, preaching does not kill me. God has
been giving blessed seasons. By next Lord’s-day, I am to be at
Rotherham and Sheffield. Change of weather will alone drive me
to winter quarters. Lord, prepare me for winter trials! They are
preparative for an eternal summer.”
To his friend Mr. Gillies, of Glasgow, he wrote:――
“ROTHERHAM, _October 15, 1758_.
“Since my leaving Scotland, in various parts of the north of
England, as at Alnwick, Newcastle, Leeds, etc., the ever loving,
altogether lovely Jesus has manifested His glory. Thousands
and thousands have flocked twice, and sometimes thrice a day to
hear the word. Never did I see the fields whiter for a spiritual
harvest. Praise the Lord, O our souls! If the weather continues
fair, I hope to prolong my summer’s campaign. It shocks me to
think of winter quarters yet. How soon does the year roll round!
Lord Jesus, quicken my tardy pace! As they were in debt, at
Leeds, for their building,[452] last Lord’s-day I collected for
them near £50. Lord Jesus, help me to know no party but Thine!
This, I am persuaded, is your catholic spirit. O for an increase
of it among all denominations!”
From Sheffield, Whitefield proceeded to Staffordshire; and intended to
go from there to Bristol; but “change of weather and the shortness of
the days drove” him to his “winter quarters.” On reaching London, he
wrote:――
“October 28. My health is somewhat improved, but a very little
thing soon impairs it. Lord, help me! How very little can I do
for Thee! We have had fine gospel seasons. Grace! grace!”[453]
These fragmentary records are truly marvellous. How a man, in such
health, performed such labours, for months together, it is difficult to
imagine.
Once again in London, his Orphan House demanded his attention. The
family had been reduced, and he now had it in his “power to pay off all
Bethesda’s arrears.” He sent a number of “Bibles and other books.” “He
longed for an opportunity” to go himself; but the war prevented him,
and he knew not how to get supplies for his two London chapels. He was,
however, quite satisfied with the management of his housekeeper, and
sent her “ten thousand thousand thanks.” He wished his superintendent
to consign him “a little rice and indigo,” that his “friends might see
some of the Orphan House produce.” Taken altogether, his affairs in
Georgia were less embarrassing than usual.[454]
During the year, Whitefield had gained a new clerical friend, in
Berridge of Everton; but, before it ended, he lost a friend, whom he
dearly loved. James Hervey died on Christmas-day, 1758. Within a week
of this mournful occurrence, Whitefield wrote the following pathetic
letter to the dying rector of Weston-Favel:――
“LONDON, _December 19, 1758_.
“And is my dear friend indeed about to take his last flight?
I dare not wish your return into this vale of tears. But our
prayers are continually ascending to the Father of our spirits
that you may die in the embraces of a never-failing Jesus, and
in all the fulness of an exalted faith. O when will my time
come! I groan in this tabernacle, being burdened, and long to be
clothed with my house from heaven. Farewell! My very dear friend,
f――a――r――e――well! Yet a little while, and we shall meet,――
‘Where sin, and strife, and sorrow cease,
And all is love, and joy, and peace.’
“There Jesus will reward you for all the tokens of love which
you have showed, for His great name’s sake, to yours most
affectionately in our common Lord,
“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”
“P.S. God comfort your mother, and relations, and thousands and
thousands more who will bewail your departure!”[455]
In the year 1758, Whitefield, comparatively speaking, “had rest” from
persecution. The only exception was in the case of scurrilous Dr. Free,
Vicar of East Coker, and Lecturer at St. Mary Hill, London, and at
Newington, Surrey. On Whitsunday, this vehement defender of the Church,
preached a sermon, before the University, at St. Mary’s, Oxford, which
he immediately published, with a “Preface” and an “Appendix,” and a
“Dedication” to the Archbishop of Canterbury. (8vo. 65 pp.) In his
“Dedication,” Free informs the Archbishop, that, Wesley and Whitefield
“have, by _secret_ advances, so far _stolen_ upon the _common people_,
as to seduce _many_ of all _denominations_ from their proper _pastors_;
and, aided by this _mixed_ multitude, they threaten the Church of
England, the _bulwark_ of the _Protestant_ cause, with a general
_alteration_, or total _subversion_.” Free’s “Appendix” chiefly
consists of extracts from Whitefield’s Journals, by which he pretends
to prove――1. That the “Methodists experiment upon women in _hysteric_
fits, and upon young persons in _convulsions_, under pretence of
exorcising devils.” 2. That Whitefield professed to have received
“extraordinary inspirations in his _office_ as a _preacher_.” 3. That
he and others had “attempted to set up a new form of church-government,
through the kingdom, in contempt of the _authority_ of the _Bishops_,
and without any _authority_ from the state.” 4. That they had
propagated “_atheistical doctrines and propositions_, quite destructive
to the morality and well-being of a state.” 5. That they had “abused
the _clergy_ in _general_, and the _great lights_ of the Church in
_particular_.” 6. That they “imagined God had made them the instruments
of a _great work_.” 7. That they used “religiously amorous, melting,
and rapturous expressions.”
Whitefield treated the ravings of the Rev. Dr. Free with silent
contempt. Wesley wrote the doctor two “letters,” and then left him “to
laugh, and scold, and witticise, and call names, just as he pleased.”
Little is known respecting Whitefield’s health, labours, and success,
during the first four months of 1759.
On the 4th of January, the Countess of Huntingdon went to Bristol to
meet Wesley, who accompanied her to Bath, and preached, to several of
the nobility, in her house. Early in February, her ladyship returned
to London, and, on Friday, the 16th, the day appointed for a public
fast, she went to the Tabernacle, where Whitefield addressed an immense
congregation from the words, “Rend your hearts, and not your garments.”
At half-past eight in the evening, she heard Wesley at the Foundery,
where he preached, to an overflowing multitude, from “Seek the Lord
while He may be found.” Her ladyship, profoundly impressed with a
conviction of the necessity and power of prayer, arranged for a series
of intercession meetings in her own mansion. On Wednesday, February 21,
the officiating ministers were Whitefield, Charles Wesley, Venn, and
Thomas Maxfield. On Friday, the 23rd, the meeting was conducted by
Romaine, Wesley, Madan, and Jones. On Tuesday, the 27th, Wesley writes:
“I walked with my brother and Mr. Maxfield to Lady Huntingdon’s.
After breakfast, came in Messrs. Whitefield, Madan, Romaine, Jones,
Downing, and Venn, with some persons of quality, and a few others.
Mr. Whitefield, I found, was to have administered the sacrament; but
he insisted upon my doing it: after which, at the request of Lady
Huntingdon, I preached on 1 Cor. xiii. 13. O what are the greatest
men, to the great God! As the small dust of the balance.”[456] Charles
Wesley adds to this account, by saying, “My brother preached, and won
all our hearts. I never liked him better, and was never more united to
him since his unhappy marriage. We dined at Mr. Madan’s, who took us
in his coach.”[457] On Wednesday, the 28th, the service was conducted
by Wesley, Venn, and Madan, and, at its close, Whitefield delivered a
short exhortation. On Thursday, March 1, the Rev. Thomas Jones preached,
and Romaine prayed. On Friday, the 2nd, Charles Wesley gave an address,
and Whitefield, Romaine, Downing, and Venn prayed.