Dr. Gibbons--Dr. Gill--Mr. Darracott--Lord Huntingdon--Lord
Chesterfield--The Jews--German Ministers--An Impostor--David
Levi--Lady Fanny Shirley--Mr. Whitefield and Mr.
Wesley--Ashby-place--Mr. Baddelley--Lady Huntingdon’s
Illness--Lady Anne Hastings--Mr. Hervey--Bishop of Exeter--Mr.
Thompson--Duke of Somerset--Mr. Moses Browne.
On Mr. Whitefield’s leaving London, Lady Huntingdon invited Mr. Wesley
to preach at her house, which he did twice a week, and continued so to
do, with the occasional assistance of Mr. Charles Wesley, Mr. Bateman,
and some others, until Mr. Whitefield’s return to the metropolis. Her
Ladyship’s acquaintance with Dr. Andrew Gifford and Dr. Gibbons, men
of great piety, of unimpeachable morals, refined manners, upright
and benevolent, and of great cheerfulness, enabled her to enlarge the
circle of her usefulness. Her spirit and temper were catholic, in the
only true sense of the word. The Christian minister, whatever the name
or denomination of his Church, was always welcomed to her house. The
late Robert Cruttenden, Esq., a pious Dissenter, in a letter to Mr.
Whitefield, writes thus:--“Dr. Gibbons went with me to wait on her
Ladyship, where he owns he spent two hours with more pleasure than he
ever remembered to have done in any company before; and, I must freely
own, he spoke my own sentiments.” This intelligence was gratifying to
the benevolent heart of that great and good man:--
“I am glad (says he) your Ladyship approves of Dr. Gibbons. He
is, I think, a worthy man. By maintaining your present course,
you will have an opportunity of conversing with the best of all
parties, without being a bigot and too strenuously attached
to any. Surely in this your Ladyship is directed from above.
The blessed Jesus cares for his people of all denominations.
He is gathering his elect out of all. Happy they, who, with a
disinterested view, take in the whole Church militant, and, in
spite of narrow-hearted bigots, breathe an undissembled catholic
spirit towards all. I believe that you will daily reap the fruit
of this spirit, and a free conversation with the truly gracious
of all denominations. It is a conduct truly godlike. I rejoice
that your Ladyship hath such a promising prospect of doing good
among the rich and great--that you approve of Mr. Wesley’s
conduct, and that he hath preached at your house. The language
of my heart is--Lord, send by whom thou wilt send, only convert
some of the mighty and noble, for thy mercy’s sake! Then, I
care not if I am heard of no more. I am much obliged to those
honourable ladies who are pleased to send me their good wishes.
In return, they have my earnest prayers that they may be filled
with all the fulness of God.”
Few men were more unconscious of their own abilities, or more
desirous of improving by the meanest instrument, than Mr. Whitefield.
In lowliness of mind, he would prefer others to himself. He never
considered himself as George Whitefield, the celebrated preacher, but
as a poor guilty sinner, equally indebted to Divine grace with the
lowest and meanest of the human race. Lady Huntingdon having written
him word, that “the prospect of doing good at his return to London
was very encouraging,” this otherwise intrepid man trembled at the
idea of again addressing the rich and honourable. In a letter to Mr.
Cruttenden, he thus expresses himself:--“This post carries answers to
the honourable women. I suppose you will be pleased to find that I am
thus far on my return to London. O my friend, my friend, I come with
fear and trembling. To speak to the rich and great, so as to win them
to the blessed Jesus, is indeed a task. But wherefore do we fear? We
can do all things through Christ strengthening us.”
Mr. Whitefield now returned to London, having travelled about six
hundred miles in the West of England, where he had found, to his
satisfaction, that his former labours had been abundantly blessed.
At this period Lady Huntingdon had a house in North Audley-street,
where he preached every Thursday evening to very crowded auditories,
composed chiefly of the nobility, whom her Ladyship invited to hear
him. To an American correspondent, he says:--“The news you have had of
my preaching to some great ones is true; I have done so for some time
twice a week; and, thanks be to the blessed Redeemer, it has already
produced great effects. Lady Huntingdon is a mirror of piety indeed.
In time, I trust, of the honourable women, there will not be a few who
dare to confess the Lord Jesus before men.”
Lady Huntingdon continued in London till the month of June, when she
removed to Clifton for the benefit of her health; and about this time
became acquainted with that eminent writer, Dr. Gill, whose private
character was so excellent, that it has been said, his learning and
labours were exceeded only by the invariable sanctity of his life and
conversation. He had then lately published his celebrated Commentary
on the New Testament, in three folio volumes, which impressed Lady
Huntingdon with esteem for the purity of his intentions, and admiration
for the magnitude of his labours. The immense reading and learning
which it displayed induced the University of Aberdeen to send him
the diploma of D.D., with the following compliment: “On account of
his knowledge of the Scriptures, of the Oriental languages, and of
Jewish antiquities, of his learned defence of the Scriptures against
deists and infidels, and the reputation gained by his other works,
the University had, without his privity, unanimously agreed to confer
on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.” His intimate friend and
warm admirer, Mr. Toplady, has left on record a high opinion of his
excellent character.
The young Earl of Huntingdon was now approaching his majority, and Lady
Huntingdon was preparing to resign Donnington Park to her son. She left
Bristol early in the month of August, and taking a house at Ashby,
established herself there with her other children, and her excellent
sisters-in-law, the Ladies Hastings. In a letter to the Rev. Risdon
Darracott her Ladyship mentions this favourite residence:--
“The affairs of my family called me from home; but I am again
brought back in safety, and much happiness of heart, and that
to a sweet little family, who live but to devote every hour
more and more to the love and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. We
had agreed upon this retreat, and taken a larger house among
us for this purpose, and we wish all your prayers. To become
the Lord’s in body, soul, and spirit, is the one cry and desire
of our hearts; and we know He will not reject us, nor cast us
out; and though we can do nothing, yet we can receive of his
fulness grace for grace; and in this world suffer reproach and
persecution for his name’s sake, which is sweet and honourable
to us; when, though we can do nothing, we glory in this, that,
to his praise, he hath redeemed, and will make us priests unto
God. We should rejoice to see you amongst us: and I hope nothing
will prevent it, if convenient to you. All Gospel ministers
it is our highest honour and happiness to serve, and no
denomination do we ever reject.”[59]
On coming of age, the Earl of Huntingdon took possession of Donnington
Park, Ledstone Hall, &c.; and soon after set out on his travels through
France, Italy, and Germany. The Earl of Albemarle was then ambassador
to the court of France, and lived in a style of great magnificence.
Among the English residents in Paris, were Lady Hervey, Sir John
Lambert, Colonel York, and Lord Stormont, who received the young Earl
with most polite attention. Lord Chesterfield, who considered himself
his second father, thus introduces him to the notice of one of his most
intimate correspondents, a lady whose accomplishments and personal
virtues were at least equal to her birth and high rank:--
“In spite of my promises, Madam, not to saddle you with my
countrymen, here is one whom I take the liberty to recommend to
you. Don’t be afraid, don’t be presently angry, and I dare say
you will thank me hereafter. It is the Earl of Huntingdon, one
of the first peers of England, whose family is celebrated in the
most ancient records. His merit and talents are at least equal
to his descent; he is distinguished from all our young nobility
by his personal erudition; in short, he wants nothing to make
him perfect, but what he will acquire with you, better than
anywhere else; I mean an acquaintance with the polite world. I
will venture to add one merit more, which I flatter myself he
will have in your opinion, which is that of being my particular
friend. He looks upon me as his father, and I consider him as my
adopted son. I therefore earnestly beg, Madam, you will protect,
encourage, and even advise him. He has too much discernment
not to be sensible of the value of your friendship, and too
much feeling ever to forget it. To sum up all in one word, he
will soon be what his second father is now, your very faithful
servant,
“CHESTERFIELD.”
Lady Fanny Shirley now began to make an open profession of the faith
once delivered to the saints, and amidst all the scoffs and tauntings
of a benighted, ill-natured, and ridiculing world, to rejoice with
joy unspeakable, even a joy that is full of glory. During Lady
Huntingdon’s absence from London, Lady Fanny opened her house for the
preaching of the Gospel: there Mr. Whitefield, and other ministers of
Christ, proclaimed all the words of this life, and were heard with
deep and serious attention. “On Saturday (says he, in a letter to
Lady Huntingdon), I had the honour of being almost all the day long
with Lady Fanny, Lady Gertrude Hotham, Lady Chesterfield, and the
Countess Delitz. Lady Fanny and the Countess received the blessed
sacrament before the others came, and I think they both grow.” The
Countess Delitz had been the instrument of much good to Lady Fanny,
and was the open and avowed friend of Mr. Whitefield, and all who were
suffering for the testimony of Jesus. When writing to her Ladyship, he
observes--“How much are you indebted to divine grace, that hath singled
you out from among the mighty and noble, and placed your Ladyship in
the number of those happy few to whom it is given to know the mysteries
of the kingdom of God! I trust your honoured sister (Lady Chesterfield)
will ere long bear you company, and travel with you in that narrow
road which leads to eternal life. When I remember you, I always think
of her, and beg my most dutiful respects may find acceptance with her
Ladyship.”
Mr. Whitefield was very attentive to the spiritual interests of his
converts in high life, and maintained a constant correspondence with
several of them. Soon after he left London, for a tour in Yorkshire and
the North of England, he writes thus to Lady Fanny Shirley:--
“Newcastle, Oct. 1, 1749.
“Honoured Madam--Some time last week, my wife sent me the
letter your Ladyship was pleased to favour me with about three
weeks ago; though I was sorry it did not reach me before I left
town, yet I rejoiced to find that it bespoke your Ladyship’s
attachment to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, and a desire
to partake of the sacred symbols of his most blessed body and
blood. I doubt not but your Ladyship, with full purpose of
heart, will cleave unto him, and, in spite of men and devils,
go on in that narrow way which leads to life eternal. God’s
grace will be sufficient for you--he hath promised, and he is
faithful who hath promised, never to leave or forsake those that
put their trust in him. He is in the burning bush--he is in the
fiery furnace--he can and will make us more than conquerors over
all. With what courage then may your Ladyship go on through
this howling wilderness, whilst leaning on our beloved Saviour!
In him alone is all our strength found. Honoured Madam, look
to him, consider him, and thereby you will be kept from being
weary and faint in your mind. I doubt not but you meet with
daily crosses. Persons that stand alone, and in high places,
must expect storms; but Jesus is able and willing to uphold
you--thanks be to his great name for giving you such a share of
prudence and courage. May the glorious Immanuel increase both;
and, without being attached to any party, may you be preserved
unspotted from the world, and be a common friend to all! My
heart’s desire and prayer is, that you may go on from strength
to strength, and be continually growing in the knowledge of
yourself and Christ Jesus your Lord. I must now add no more,
but my repeated thanks for all your Ladyship’s favours, and my
repeated assurances of being, honoured Madam, your Ladyship’s
most obliged, obedient, and ready servant, for Christ’s sake,
“G. WHITEFIELD.”
Another object lay near to Mr. Whitefield’s heart at this time. It
was during this winter that he formed the design of identifying Lady
Huntingdon with his Societies--the _only_ plan he ever laid
for perpetuating them. He told Lady Fanny that he had disengaged
himself from the immediate care of the Societies, that he might be
more at liberty to preach the Gospel; and he saw Lady Huntingdon a
_Dorcas_, and felt that she might and ought to be a Phœbe. She
had used her influence, at his solicitation, with the Court and the
Government, in behalf of the sufferers in the Cork riots; and had
readily patronized such poor or persecuted ministers as he brought
under her notice. All this, and the want of a _leader_, led him to
seek her patronage, especially for his Societies in the west end of the
town. How he _opened_ the subject to her is not known, but it does
not seem to have been ill received, for she desired the public prayers
of the Tabernacle for herself at the time; and Mr. Whitefield read that
part of her letter to the people, and informed her, that “thousands
heartily joined in singing the following verses for her Ladyship:”--
“Gladly we join to pray for those
Who, rich with worldly honours, shine,
Who dare to own a Saviour’s cause,
And in that hated cause to join:
Yes we would praise thee, that a few
Love thee, though rich and noble too.”
“Uphold this star in thy right hand--
Crown her endeavours with success;
Among the great ones may she stand,
A witness of thy righteousness,
Till many nobles join thy train,
And triumph in the Lamb that’s slain.”
In the same letter he said to her--
“A _leader_ is wanting. This honour hath been put upon your
Ladyship by the great Head of the Church; an honour conferred
on few, but an earnest of one to be put upon your Ladyship
before men and angels, when time shall be no more. That you may
every day add to the splendour of your future crown, be always
abounding in the work of the Lord, is the fervent prayer of,
&c.----”
The great leaders of both the Methodistic connexions were at this
period in the metropolis, each at their different spheres, labouring
diligently to promote the salvation of immortal souls. Lady Huntingdon,
always desirous of promoting peace and unanimity amongst those who
professed to be the followers of her adorable Master, determined on an
endeavour to heal the differences that then existed between these great
and good men. For this benevolent purpose she wrote to Mr. Whitefield
and Mr. Wesley, urging on them to love as brethren, to let controversy
alone, and to labour more zealously for the service of their Lord and
Master. This advice seems to have had the desired effect. In a letter,
dated the 12th of January, 1750, Mr. Whitefield informed her Ladyship
that he had offered Mr. Wesley to assist occasionally at his chapel:--
“And I do not know (says he) but it may be accepted: your
Ladyship will hear soon. O that I may learn from all I see to
desire to be nothing! and to think it my highest privilege to
be an assistant to all, but the head of none. I find a love
of power sometimes intoxicates even God’s own dear children,
and makes them to mistake passion for zeal, and an overbearing
spirit for an authority given them from above. For my own part,
I find it much easier to obey than govern, and that it is much
safer to be trodden under foot, than to have it in one’s power
to serve others so. This makes me fly from that, which at our
first setting out we are too apt to court. Thanks be to the
Lord of all lords for taking any pains with hell-deserving
me! I cannot well buy humility at too dear a rate. This is a
grace after which your Ladyship pants, and with which our Lord
will delight to fill you more and more. Your Ladyship’s letter
convinces me that those who know and do most, think they know
and do least. If it were not so, grace itself would prove our
bane, and goodness and zeal, through the pride and corruption
of our hearts, be our destroyers. Honoured Madam, my hands and
heart are continually lifted up for you, that you may abound
ever more in every good word and work, and be clothed with that
humility which your Ladyship delights to wear every day--I mean
that humble mind which was in Christ Jesus.”
Peace being thus happily restored, Mr. Wesley read prayers at the
chapel in West-street, on Friday, the 19th of January, after which
Mr. Whitefield preached an affectionate discourse to a very crowded
congregation. On the following Lord’s-day Mr. Whitefield read prayers,
and Mr. Wesley preached at the Tabernacle, after which the sacrament
was administered to above _twelve hundred_ persons. The following
morning Mr. Wesley prayed at the Foundry, and Howel Harris preached
a powerful sermon to an overflowing auditory. This delighted Mr.
Whitefield much. “Oh for love and gratitude! (he exclaims) I have
preached thrice in Mr. Wesley’s chapel, and God was with us of a
truth.” From this time those two great men always spoke of each other
in the most affectionate manner, and assisted each other in their
labours wherever they providentially met; and kept up a correspondence
by letter while Mr. Whitefield lived.
“Thanks be to God (says Lady Huntingdon) for the love and
unanimity which have been displayed on this happy occasion.
May the God of peace and harmony unite us all in a bond of
affection! In forbearance towards each other, and mutual
kindness, may we imitate his blessed disciples, so that
all those who take knowledge of us may say--‘See how these
Christians love one another!’”
The close of the year 1749, and beginning of the succeeding year,
Lady Huntingdon spent at Ashby-place, fully occupied in administering
to the spiritual and temporal necessities of the poor around her. In
these labours of love her Ladyship was ably assisted by her domestic
chaplain, Mr. Baddelley, and her excellent sisters, the Lady Anne and
Lady Frances Hastings. In her Ladyship’s intercourse with the poor and
illiterate, she always studied what was most plain and easy, and best
suited to their capacities; and endeavoured to set before them from
time to time the most important and necessary truths of Christianity,
such as most immediately concerned their speedy conversion to God; the
sinfulness and misery of their state by nature; the desperate depravity
of their hearts; the entire pollution of their natures; the heavy guilt
they were under, and their liability to everlasting punishment; as
also their utter inability to save themselves, either from their sins,
or from those miseries which are the just punishment of them; their
unworthiness of any mercy at the hands of God, on account of anything
they themselves could do to procure his favour; and consequently
their extreme need of Christ to save them. These truths were insisted
on with zeal and fidelity, while, at the same time, her Ladyship
endeavoured to open to the view of her attentive listeners the fulness,
all-sufficiency, and freedom of that redemption which the Son of God
has wrought out by his obedience and suffering--how this provision he
had made was suited to all their wants; and how he called and invited
them to accept of everlasting life freely offered, notwithstanding all
their sinfulness, inability, and utter unworthiness.
The degree of knowledge which some of these poor people attained was
considerable: and that which afforded Lady Huntingdon the greatest
encouragement, amidst many difficulties and disconsolate hours, was
that the truth of God’s word seemed at times to be attended with some
power upon the hearts and consciences of those around her. Several of
them came of their own accord, to speak with her Ladyship about their
souls’ concerns; and some, with tears, enquired what they must do to be
saved? A visible reformation appeared in the lives and manners of some;
many vicious practices were broken off; and a greater degree of regard
was manifested for the Lord’s-day. Yet there was much of a discouraging
nature; and while the benevolent heart of the Countess rejoiced to
observe any seriousness among the poor in her neighbourhood, she was
not without continual fear lest such encouraging appearances might
prove like a morning cloud that passeth away.
Mr. Baddelley resided, as we have said, in the family of Lady
Huntingdon, in the capacity of domestic chaplain: his piety and talents
were much respected by her Ladyship, and he was very zealous in the
discharge of his ministerial duties. His views of divine truth became
more consistent; and at this change his religious friends rejoiced, and
none more than Lady Huntingdon, whose heart-searching conversations,
under the influence of the Spirit of God, first directed his
apprehensions to Christ’s righteousness; and led him to a clear light
and understanding of the Gospel of the grace of God. He seems to have
been peculiarly endeared to her Ladyship, from the frequent mention of
him in Mr. Whitefield’s letters.
“I thank the Lord (says he) ten thousand times that your
Ladyship is so well pleased with Mr. Baddelley: he expresses the
strong sense he has of the obligations he lies under to the Lord
Jesus Christ, and under him, to your Ladyship. O that neither of
us may prove ungrateful in any respect!” And again: “I bless God
for Mr. Baddelley, and rejoice exceedingly in the comfort which
your Ladyship has in him. I will take care to cultivate our
acquaintance, and earnestly pray that it may be blessed to our
natural improvement. I trust he will be a good soldier of Jesus
Christ, and doubt not ere long I shall hear of his receiving
some wounds and scars of honour in the field of battle.”
Mr. Whitefield had a strong personal regard for Mr. Baddelley, and
frequently corresponded with him. The following letter, while it
exhibits that good man’s concern for him, makes Mr. Baddelley’s
principles and views also evident:--
“London, Jan. 12, 1750.
“My very dear Sir--Lest I should be hindered to-morrow, or
in the beginning of the week, I now sit down to answer your
kind letter. O that I may be helped to write something that
may do you service, and be a means of quickening you in that
delightful cause in which you are embarked. I see, my dear Sir,
you are likely to have hot work before you quit the field; for
I find you have begun to batter Satan’s strongest holds--I
mean the self-righteousness of man. Here, Sir, you must expect
the strongest opposition--it is the Diana of every age--it
is the golden image which that apostate Nebuchadnezzar, man,
continually sets up; and the not falling down to worship it,
but much more the speaking, writing, or preaching against it,
exposes one immediately to the fury of its blind votaries, and
we are thrown directly into a den of devouring lions. But fear
not, Mr. Baddelley; the God whom we serve--the Captain under
whose banner we are listed, is able to deliver us: he knows how
to train us up gradually for war, and is engaged to bring us
off more than conquerors from the field of battle. If any one
need give way, it must be the poor creature that is writing to
you, for I believe there is not a person living more timorous by
nature. But I trust, in a degree, Jesus hath delivered me from
worldly hopes and worldly fears, and by his grace strengthening
me, he makes me often bold as a lion. But O, my dear Sir, this
petty character of mine I did not at first care to part with;
’twas death to be despised, and worse than death to think of
being laughed at by all: but when I began to consider Him who
endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, I then
longed to drink of the same cup, and, blessed be God, contempt
and I am pretty intimate, and have been so for about twice seven
years. Jesus’ love makes it a very agreeable companion, and I no
longer wonder that Moses made such a blessed choice, and rather
chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy
the pleasures of sin for a season. May the Lord Jesus make us
thus indeed! For there is no doing good without enduring the
scourge of the tongue; and take this for a certain rule, ‘the
more successful you are, the more hated you will be by Satan,
and the more despised you will be by those that know not God.’
What has the honoured Lady Huntingdon suffered, under whose roof
you dwell? Above all, what did your blessed Master suffer, who
hath done such great things for you? O let us follow him, though
it be through a sea of blood. I could enlarge, but time will not
permit. I am ashamed of my unprofitableness, and must retire
after begging that you will not forget, reverend and dear Sir,
yours, &c.,
“G. WHITEFIELD.”
Whilst Lady Huntingdon was thus actively engaged in the country, Mr.
Whitefield was rejoicing in the success attending his ministry in the
metropolis:--
“Though I am wearied (says he) in walking to and from South
Audley-street,[60] yet I must not omit sending to your Ladyship
this night. Every day we have new hearers, and I find some one
or another is almost continually brought under convictions, or
is edified at the Tabernacle. Were it as big again, I believe,
on Sunday mornings, it would be filled. This day hath been spent
with the Countess,[61] Lady Gertrude,[62] Colonel Gumley, &c.
I gave them the communion, and afterwards preached; the public
minister from Genoa came to hear me, and I believe it was a
profitable season. Lady Fanny holds on, and writes word to the
Countess, that she wishes all were as happy as she hath been in
reading Bishop Hall’s ‘Contemplations.’”
He also expounded at the residence of Lady Gertrude Hotham--
“Where (says he) I gave the blessed sacrament, and afterwards a
word of exhortation. Our Lord was there, and your Ladyship and
honoured sisters were remembered before Him. On Tuesday next the
blessed feast is to be again repeated at the Countess’s house.”
Towards the end of January, Lady Huntingdon was attacked by an alarming
indisposition, which for several days seemed to threaten the loss
of her valuable life. The Ladies Hastings, with that solicitude all
must feel for an object of so much moment, sought the best medical
assistance which could be procured in the vicinity of Ashby-place, yet
looked continually to God for his blessing on every means pointed out
for the relief of the Countess. An express was immediately despatched
to Northampton, and in about ten days the violence of the disease
began to abate under the judicious treatment of Dr. Stonhouse, and
her Ladyship became so far recovered as to be able to write to her
friends, though for some weeks unable to leave her apartment. Lady Anne
Hastings wrote to apprise Mr. Whitefield of Lady Huntingdon’s alarming
situation, but he being in the country, did not receive her letter,
and knew nothing of her Ladyship’s indisposition, till he heard of her
recovery on his arrival at Bristol, whence he wrote to her thus:--
“With great delight (on my coming to Bristol last night), I
heard of your Ladyship’s recovery. May the Lord of all lords
perfect the begun blessing, and give you to live many years to
be an ornament to his Church, and a blessing to his people. May
the Lord Jesus be with your spirit, and with the spirit of your
honoured sisters, whom I always remember. I doubt not but they
were much concerned at your Ladyship’s illness. May they long
live with you to be fellow-helpers of each other’s faith, and to
shine as lights in the world! May the blessing of many ready to
perish descend on your Ladyship!”
Immediately on the approach of convalescence, Lady Huntingdon wrote to
Mr. Whitefield, who replied from Bristol, where he was still labouring,
to the following effect:--
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, in
mercy to his Church and people, is yet pleased to hold your soul
in life, and make your Ladyship instrumental in plucking sinners
as brands out of the burning. All these things I look upon only
as the earnests of good things to come. Goodness and mercy will
follow your Ladyship all the days of your life, and you shall
dwell in the house of the Lord for ever! Lady Anne’s sudden
shock[63] proves that the old observation is true, ‘seldom one
affliction comes alone.’ I rejoice to hear that her Ladyship is
recovered, and pray the Lord of all lords so to sanctify it to
her better part, that she may be ready at a moment’s warning
to go forth and meet the heavenly Bridegroom. O, to be always
ready--to have nothing to do but to die! Surely the Redeemer
hath purchased this blessing for us. Doth not your Ladyship find
it difficult to be resigned to life, and to continue so long
absent from the Lord? But there is one consideration which may
make life desirable to the greatest saint on earth; he may here
do and suffer for Jesus, and call sinners to Him; but in heaven
all this will be over. Come life, then, come death, Jesus, may
thy will be done, in, by, and upon thy people! I know your
Ladyship’s heart echoes back, Amen. But what shall I say to the
opposition arising at Ashby? I trust it is a sign that good has
already been done, and that more is still doing. The Searcher
of hearts knows how highly I value your Ladyship’s letters: yet
I think it honour enough to have leave to write to you, without
expecting punctual answers. O that I may gladden your heart
with glad tidings from the west! I believe I shall. I have been
much helped in preaching here, and have heard of two that were
thoroughly ashamed when I was here last. But I forget that your
Ladyship is yet confined to your room. May the Lord Jesus make
it a Bethel, a house of God, and a gate of heaven to your soul!”
Hitherto Lady Huntingdon had not corresponded with Mr. Hervey, though
she had long entertained a great regard for this amiable man. One or
two letters had passed between them, but no regular correspondence took
place till the close of the year 1749, at which time Mr. Whitefield
congratulated him thus:--“I am glad you have opened a correspondence
with our elect Lady. Keep it open, I entreat you, my dear friend,
and be not _nimis nullus_.” To the repeated request of Lady
Huntingdon, conveyed through Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Hervey at length
yielded, and commenced a correspondence, which continued uninterrupted
till he was removed to his eternal reward. His first letter was dated
February 2, 1750, and runs thus:--
“My Lady--It is impossible for me to withhold my pen, or to
neglect the opportunity of the very first post, since I am
assured by your ladyship’s excellent chaplain, that a letter
from so mean a hand may hope for the honour of your acceptance.
“But how shall I proceed, now I have begun? What religious truth
can I write that your Ladyship has not known? What Christian
grace can I suggest, that your Ladyship does not exercise? Or,
what valuable subject touch upon, which your own meditations
have not gone through? Yes, there is _one_ subject, which
even your Ladyship’s exalted apprehensions have never found out
to perfection; I mean the sublime and adorable attributes of
the infinite God. What amazing glories shine forth, even in the
‘back parts’ of the Lord Jehovah, in those transient and dim
discoveries of himself which He vouchsafes to the children of
men--to creatures that dwell in clay!
“If we talk of _power_, who is like unto the Lord our God?
‘which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars
thereof tremble; which commandeth the sun and it riseth not, and
sealeth up the stars; which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and
treadeth upon the waves of the sea; which doeth great things
past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.’
“If we admire _greatness_, how supremely great is He who
inhabits eternity; who spans immensity; before whom all nations
are as the small drop of the bucket; are as the smaller dust
upon the balance; are less than nothing, and vanity.
“If we reverence _holiness_, the Lord of Hosts is ‘glorious
in holiness.’ O how transcendently holy is that Being who
looketh into the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are
not pure in his sight; who sees defilement in the brightness
of the firmament, and charges his angels with folly; to the
footstool of whose throne not the most irreproachable saint may
draw near, but only through the atonement and intercession of a
Divine Mediator.
“Does _wisdom_ challenge our esteem? ‘O the depths of the
riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!’ He has ordered
all things, through heaven, through earth, and through universal
nature, in numbers, weight, and measure. But, by the marvellous
work of redemption, he has brought light out of darkness;
fetched the most sovereign good from the most destructive
evil; has reconciled the claims of inflexible justice with
the overtures of unmerited mercy. Has given such a display
of his unsearchably wise counsels, as the highest archangels
contemplate with amazement, adoration, and joy.
“Is _goodness_ aimable? How superabundant is the goodness
of the Lord! To give us a world for our accommodation, enriched
with innumerable conveniences, adorned with innumerable
beauties, is a small thing for the God of love. He has prepared
a heaven of happiness, and mansions of immortal glory, for our
final reception. Is not this enough?--enough, one would think,
to charm our hearts, and make them glow with gratitude. Yet
not nearly enough for the boundless beneficence of our God. He
spared us when we deserved everlasting punishment. He loved us
when we were altogether become abominable. So immensely, so
inconceivably did he love us, apostates and rebels as we were,
that he gave his Son, his Son beyond thought illustrious, to die
in our stead, and to make a reconciliation for our iniquities.
“My paper shortens, and my subject increases: I must therefore
refrain. Only I pray that your Ladyship may enjoy, every day,
every hour, every moment, richer manifestations of this adorable
God, and of Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. May your Ladyship
delight yourself in this unutterably excellent Being, and may he
give you the desire of your heart! Your Ladyship’s desire, I am
persuaded, is, that you may be conformed to his lovely image,
and resigned to his blessed will. My desire, and the desire of
thousands, to whom your Ladyship’s bounty has been a relief,
and your Ladyship’s example a blessing, is comprehended in that
precious promise recorded Psalm xci. 14, 15, 16. I have not
room to transcribe it; but it shall be turned into a prayer for
your Ladyship, by your Ladyship’s most obliged and most dutiful
servant,”
“JAMES HERVEY.”
To return to Mr. Whitefield. From Bristol he proceeded to the Land’s
End, preaching at a great many places by the way. From St. Ginny’s he
writes thus:--
“I preached at Tavistock on my way hither, and yesterday was
a glorious day of the Son of Man. Our Lord gave us to see his
stately steps and outdoings in the sanctuary. Four of Mr.
Wesley’s preachers were present, and also four clergymen in
their gowns and cassocks; Mr. Bennett, aged four-score, Mr.
Thompson, Mr. Grigg, and myself. Mr. Thompson desired that his
most dutiful respects might be presented to your Ladyship.
Blessed be God that you are better. I am not forgetful of you
by night or by day. I hope the souls of your honoured sisters
do prosper; and that you will yet live to see Jesus Christ
formed in the hearts of all your relations. That everything
your Ladyship writes, says, or does, may be mightily owned
and blessed by the Redeemer, is the continual prayer of your
Ladyship’s most obliged and ready servant, for Christ’s sake.”
One reason for Mr. Whitefield’s visit to the West, at this time, was
to see how his letter to the Bishop of Exeter had been received. He
found, in his own circle there, that it had been “much blest.” He
learnt also that “my Lord of Exeter had said, he writes like an honest
man, and had recanted several things; but (added Lavington) he _goes
on_ in the same way yet.” He did. He went to Exeter, and appeared
in the _fields_ again. The Bishop, therefore, threatened another
pamphlet. Lavington could do no more against Methodists than write. Mr.
Thompson, Vicar of St. Ginny’s--the intimate friend of Lady Huntingdon,
Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Wesley, and Mr. Hervey--was educated at Exeter
College, Oxford; and after entering into orders, became chaplain to
the “Tiger” man-of-war, in which he went to America. On his return
to England, he became incumbent of St. Ginny’s, near Camelford, in
Cornwall, and succeeded to a family estate of about five hundred pounds
a year. He was a first-rate genius, and much caressed by neighbouring
ministers and gentry; but was a very gay, dissipated young man. In
the midst of his debaucheries, he had the following dream:--“This day
month, at six in the afternoon, you must appear before the judgment of
Christ, to give an account of the dreadful abuse of all your talents,
and the injuries done to the souls committed to your care.” This
remarkable dream, twice repeated, with circumstances of great terror,
was the means of his conversion. He was now filled with a burning zeal
for the honour of God, and love for immortal souls. He returned to his
pulpit, and commenced preaching experimentally the doctrine of man’s
fall, sin, and misery; the necessity of regeneration; the imputation
of Christ’s righteousness; the necessity of holiness as the evidence
of acceptance before a holy God; and the absolute need of the energy
of the Holy Spirit, to begin and carry on a saving change in the heart
and life. The hand of the Lord remarkably sealed the promulgation of
these doctrines in the conversion of numbers in his parish. In March,
1748, all the neighbouring ministers shut their pulpit doors against
him; and he was soon after summoned before his diocesan to answer the
charges made against him. The Bishop threatened to “strip the gown from
him” for his “Methodistical practices,” and for daring to countenance
Mr. Whitefield. His Lordship was saved the trouble; for that moment
Mr. Thompson stripped himself, and throwing the gown at Lavington’s
feet, said, “I can preach the Gospel without a gown;”[64] and retired.
Astonished at such independent conduct, the Bishop stood amazed, and on
recovering his surprise, sent for Mr. Thompson, and soothed him; but he
indemnified himself for his condescension, by publishing immediately
the second part of his “Enthusiasm Compared.” Mr. Whitefield had good
reason, as well as great provocation, to say of both parts, “The Bishop
has served the Methodists as the Bishop of Constance served John
Huss, when he ordered painted devils to be put round his head before
burning him.” He did not answer him. He did better. He went to Exeter,
accompanied by a Rural Dean, to preach the Gospel as usual, and divine
influence accompanied the word. “This (he says) is, I think, the best
way to answer those who oppose themselves.” He preached there twice
on the same day. In the evening, the Bishop and several of his Clergy
stood near to him, and saw ten thousand persons awe-struck by his
appeals. They saw also three large stones thrown in succession at his
head, by a furious drunkard, one of which cut him severely; but neither
the high-priest nor his Levites interfered, although one of their own
parishioners also was felled to the ground at the same time.
These particulars are detailed in a letter from Mr. Whitefield to Lady
Huntingdon.
About this period Lady Huntingdon received the melancholy intelligence
of the death of the Duke of Somerset, which occurred on the 7th of
February, at Percy Lodge, near Colnbrook. “Truly (writes her Ladyship)
I sympathize with my beloved Duchess on the loss of such a husband,
who was not more distinguished for his high birth and exalted rank,
than for generosity, affability, and every amiable quality which can
render a nobleman beloved and esteemed.” For some time previous to
his decease, his Grace was afflicted with severe pain, which he was
enabled to bear with the utmost patience and sweetness of temper. He
was a man of real piety, and presented to the view of every noble
person a pattern worthy of imitation. His end was peace: and in his
last moments he displayed such a calmness, composure, and resignedness,
such a heroic fortitude and constancy in death, as excited admiration,
and left a glorious proof of the powerful support with which the faith
and hope of the real Christian will furnish the good man in his most
destitute and latest moments.
On the decease of the Duke, her Grace retired to “Percy Lodge,” the
place so often mentioned in the works of Shenstone, Thomson, and other
poets of her time, by whom she was deservedly admired and celebrated
for her fine taste, distinguished genius, amiable manners, and exalted
virtues. It was at Bath that Lady Huntingdon first became acquainted
with the Duchess, to whom she was introduced by the Dowager Lady
Hyndford, when a friendship commenced that continued uninterrupted to
the death of her Grace, which took place a few years after.[65]
Her Grace’s acquaintance with Lady Huntingdon was the means, under
God, of leading her to a saving knowledge of the Gospel before she was
removed hence. Mr. Whitefield, writing to Governor Belcher, speaking
of Lady Huntingdon, says:--“Her Ladyship corresponds with the Duchess
of Somerset, but I fear the latter doth not yet glory in the cross
of Christ so much as might be wished. You know we must have true
self-denial and a disinterested spirit, before we can be sincerely
willing to be accounted fools for Christ’s sake.”