From His Arrival in London, 1742, to His Embarking for America, 1744
On Mr. Whitefield’s arrival in London, he found a new awakening at the tabernacle, which had been enlarged. He observes: “I am employed, and glory to rich grace, I am carried through the duties of each day with cheerfulness and almost uninterrupted tranquility. Our society is large, but in good order. My Master gives us much of his gracious presence, both in our public and private ministrations.”
In March, 1743, he went into Gloucestershire, where people appeared to be more eager to hear the word than ever. “Preaching,” says he, “in Gloucestershire, is now like preaching at the tabernacle in London.” And in a letter, dated April 7, he says,” I preached and took leave of the Gloucester people, with mutual and great concern on Sunday evening last. It was past one in the morning before I could lay my weary body down. At five I rose again, sick for want of rest; but I was
enabled to get on horseljack, and ride to Mr. T ’s, where
I preached to a large congregation, who came there at seven in the morning. At ten, I read prayers and preached, and afterwards administered the sacrament in Stonehouse church. Then I rode to Stroud, and preached to about twelve thousand in Mr. G ’s field; and about six in the evening, to
a like number on Hampton common.” Next morning he preached near Dursley to some thousands; at about seven reached Bristol, and preached to a full congregation at Smith’s hall; and on Tuesday morning, after preaching, set out for Waterford, in South Wales,! where he opened the association
The manner in which the Spaniards were repulsed, with remarks upon the kindness of Providence to the colony, may be seen in an extract of general Oglethorpe’s proclamation for a thanksgiving, in Letter 502.
t” The work begun by Mr. Jones, spread itself far and near, in North and South Wales, where the Lord had made Mr. Howel Harris an instrument of converting several clergy as well as laymen. The power of God at the sacrament, under the ministry of Mr. Rowland, was enough to make a person’s which he and his brethren had agreed upon, and was several days with them, setthng tlic affairs of the societies. He continued in Wales some weeks, and preached with great apparent success ;* and in the latter end of April returned to Gloucester, after having, in about three weeks, traveled about four iiun-DKED English miles, spent three days in attending associations, and preached about forty times.
At one of the associations held in Wales, a motion was made to separate from the established church: “But,” says Mr-Whitefield, “by far the greater part strenuously opposed it, and with good reason: for, as we enjoy such great liberty under the mild and gentle government of his present majesty King George, I think we can do him, our country, and the cause of God, more service in ranging up and down, preaching repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, to those multitudes who would neither come into church or meeting, but who are led by curiosity to follow us into the fields. This is a way to which God had affixed his seal for many years past.”
In May, he went back to London: “Once more,” as he expressed it, “to attack the prince of darkness in Moorfields,” during the holidays. The congregations were amazingly great, and much affected. And by the collections made now, and formerly, he had the pleasure of paying all that he owed in England, and of making a small remittance to his friend Mr. Habersham, for Georgia.
About the middle of June following, he again left London, and went to Bristol, where he continued for some time, preaching twice every day, and four times on Sunday. Afterwards he preached at Exeter to very large congregations, where many of the clergy attended, who were successfully connected with him. Among these was the Rev. J. Cemiick, then in co-operation with Mr. Whitefield. He was preaching in the high street of the city of Exeter, on a large open spot of ground, and surrounded by a great number of people, by some of whom he had been previously ill treated. An incident is worth relating here, to show how God sometimes confronts his servants’ enemies. Mr. C. was expatiating on the blood of Christ, when a profane butcher, who was among the crowd, said, “If you love blood, you shall presently have enough;” and ran to get some
heart burn within him. At seven in the morning have I seen perhaps ten THOUSAND from different parts, in the midst of a sermon, crying, Gogunniant — bendytti — ready to leap for joy. Associations were now formed, and monthly or quarterly meetings appointed, and a closer connection established between the English and Welsh, so that several came over to assist.”
* When at Carmarthen, he writes: “It was the great sessions. The justices desired I would stay till they rose, and they would come. Accordingly they did, and many thousands more; and several people of quality.”
to throw on him. A Mr. Saunders (who for several years drove what was called road work, post-chaises not then being much in use) was also a by-stander, and, though at that time an entire stranger to divine things, from a sense of the ill usage IIr, C. had received, and was likely to receive, felt an inclination to defend him. Seeing the man come with a pail nearly full of blood, he calmly went to meet him, and when he came even with him, suddenly caught hold of the pail, and poured it over the man’s head. This drew the attention of the riotous part of the people from the preacher to Mr. Saunders, who with some difficulty escaped their rage, by taking shelter in a house, and was obliged to leave the town very early on the next morning.
Mr. Saunders was afterwards” awakened to a true sense of his condition before God, under the ministry of the late Rev. William Romaine, at St. George’s, Hanover Square. He continued his occupation as a coachman, till about the year 1745 or 6; when he was appointed body-coachman to his majesty, and so continued till about the year 1780, when he petitioned for a dismission, on account of his age, being about seventy years old; it was granted with regret. His majesty, when riding on horseback through Kensington, if he saw his old servant walking, would often inquire after his health; and the same regard was shown by the other branches of the royal femily. On the 13th August, 1799, at the advanced age of eighty-nine, he sweetly breathed his happy soul into the bosom of his Redeemer.
In August Whitefield returned to London, but made no long stay there. “I thank you,” says he to a correspondent, “for your kind caution to spare myself; but evangelizing is certainly my province. Every where effectual doors are opened. So fer from thinking of settling at London, I am more and more convinced that I should go from place to place.”
Accordingly we fuid him in the months of October, November and December, preaching and traveling through the country, as if it were the middle of summer. At Avon in Wilts, Retherton, Clack, Brinkworth, Chippenham, Wellington, Collampton, Exeter, Axrninster, Ottery, Biddeford,* St, Gennis in Cornwall,!
* “Here is a clergyman alxjiu eighty years of age, but not above one year old in the school of Christ. He lately preached three limes, and rode forty miles the same day. A young Oxonian who came with him, and many others, were deeply afiected. t cannot well describe with what power the word was attended. Dear Mr. Hervey, one of our first Methodists at Oxford, and who was lately a curate here, had laid the foundation.”
t “Many prayers were put up by the worthy rector and others, for an outpouring of God’s blessed Spirit. They were answered. Arrows of conviction flew thick, and so fast, and such a vmiversaj weeping prevailed from one end of the congregation to the other, that good Mr. J. their minister, could not help going from seat to seat, to speak, encourage, and comfort the wounded souls.”
Birmingham,* Ki(.Idcrmiiistcr,t and Broomsgrove. Nor did he feel his health much impaired, tliongh it was so late in the season. He observes, indeed, that he had got a cold; but adds, “The Lord warms my heart.”
February, 1741, he lost his only child, an event which tended to keep him humble. Before its birtlj, his mind was so impressed, that he publicly declared that the child would be a boy, and hoped he would live to preach the gospel. But his fond expectations were speedily blasted, the infant dying when but four months old. This was no doubt veiy humbling to the father; but he was helped to make the wisest and best improvement of it. “Though I am disappointed,” says he, writing to a friend, “of a living preacher by the death of my son; yet I hope what happened before his birth, and since at his death, has taught me such lessons as, if duly improved, may render his mistaken parent more cautious, more sober-minded, more experienced in Satan’s devices, and consequently more useful in his future labors to the church of God.”t
March 3, he was obliged to attend the assizes at Gloucester. The occasion was this: in the summer of 1734, the Methodists had been severely persecuted by the mob, especially at Hampton, where many were hurt, and the lives of the preachers threatened. Other means having been tried in vain, Mr. Whitefield, with the advice and assistance of his friends, resolved to seek the protection of the law, and, lodged an information against the Hampton rioters, in the court of King’s Bench. Facts being proved, and the defendants making no reply, the rule was made absolute, and an information filed against them. They pleading not guilty, the cause was referred to the assizes in Gloucester. After a full hearing, a verdict was given for the plaintifs, and all the defendants were brought in guilty. This prosecution had a very good cflect; the rioters were greatly alarmed. But the intention of the Methodists was only to show them what they could do, and then forgive them.
About this time, several anonymous papers, entitled, “Observations upon the conduct and behavior of a certain sect, usually distinguished by the name of Methodists,” were printed and handed about in the religious societies of London and
* “It is near eleven at night, and nature calls for rest. I have preached five times this day, and, weak as I am, through Christ strengthening me, I could preach five times more.”
t I was kindly received by Mr. Williams. Many friends were at his house. I was greatly refreshed to find what a sweet savor of good Baxter’s doctrine, works, and discipline remained to this day.”
t In speaking to a friend of this child he taid, he would not part with him for the whole world; but if God should demand him, he should have him at a moment’s warning. God he added, took him at his word, and deprived him of tiis child by a sudden indisposition.
Westminster, and given to many private persons, with strict injunctions not to part with them. Mr. Whitefield having accidentally had the hasty perusal of them; and finding many queries concerning him and his conduct contained therein; and having applied for a copy which was refused him, thought it his duty to publish an aclvertisement desiring (as he Imew not how soon he might embark for Georgia) a speedy, open publication of the said papers, that he might make a candid and impartial answer. He had reason to believe the bishop of London was concerned in composing or revising them: but that he might not be mistaken, after the publication of the advertisement, he wrote the bishop a letter, wherein he desired to know, whether his lordship was the author or not; and also desired a copy. The bishop sent word, “he should hear from him.” Some time after, a Mr. Owen, printer to the bishop, left a letter for Mr. Whitefield, informing him that he had orders from several of the bishops, to print the Observations, with some few additions, for their use: and when the impression was fuiished, Mr. Whitefield should have a copy.
For these reasons Mr. Whitefield thought it proper to direct his Answe?- to the Observations, to the bishop of London, and the other bishops concerned in the publication of them. This answer occasioned the Rev. Mr. Church’s expostulatory letter to Mr. Whitefield; to which he soon replied, with thanks to the author for prefixing his name.
Being invited by Mr. Smith, a merchant, then in England, (in the name of thousands) to make another visit to America, he took a passage with that gentleman, in a vessel going from Portsmouth; but the captain refusing to take him, as he said, for fear of spoiling the sailors, he was obliged to go to Plymouth, where he was in imminent danger of being assassmated. “In my way,”’ says he, “I preached at Wellington, where a Mr. Darracott had been a blessed instrument of doing much good. Exeter also, I re-visited, where many souls were awakened to the divine life. At Biddeford, where good Mr. Hervey haxl been curate, we had much of the power of God; and also at Kingsbridge. But the chief scene was at Plymouth and the Dock, where I expected least success.”*
* MS. Upon mentioning Biddeford, he adds [here a character of Mr. Hervey :] it is pity he did not write it down. However, we have a sketch of it. “Your sentiments concerning Mr. Hervey’s book are very just. The author of it is my old friend; a most heavenly minded creature, one of the first of the Methodists, who is contented with a small cure, and gives all that he has to the poor. He is very weak, and daily waits for his dissolution.”
Among the many whom Mr. Whitefield was honored to be the means of converting to the knowledge of the tmth, who shall be a crown of joy to him in the day of the Lord, it is perhaps not generally known that the celebrated
While at Plymouth, four gentlemen came to the house of one of his particular friends, and with much seeming kindness, inquired after him, desiring to know where he lodged. Soon afterwards, Mr. Whitefield received a letter informing him, that
lhe writer was a nephew of Mr. S -, an attorney at New
York; that he had the pleasure of supping with Mr. Whitefield at Iris uncle’s house; and desired his company to sup with him and a few more friends, at a tavern. Mr. Whitefield sent him word, “that it was not customary for him to sup abroad at a tavern, but shoRld be glad of the gentleman’s company to eat a morsel with him at his lodgings. “He accordingly came and supped; but was observed frequently to look around him, and to be very .absent. At last he took his leave, and returned to his compa)iions in the tavern; and being by them interrogated, what he had done, answered, that he had been used so civilly, he had not the heart to touch him.” Upon which, another of the company, a lieutenant of the navy, laid a wager of ten guineas, that he would do his business for him. His companions, however, took away his sword. It was midnight: and Mr. Whitefield, having preached to a large congregation, and visited the French prisoners, had gone to bed; when the landlady came and told him, that a well dressed gentleman desired to see him. Mr, Whitefield imagining it was somebody under conviction, desired him to be brought up. He came and sat down by the bed side, congratulated him on the success of his ministry, and expressed much concern at being detained from hearing him. Soon after he broke out into the most abusive language; and in a cruel and cowardly manner beat him in bed. The landlady and her daughter hearing the noise, rushed into the room, and seized upon him; but he soon disengaged himself from them, and repeated his blows on Mr. Whitefield; who, being apprehensive that he intended to shoot or stab him, underwent all the surprise of a sudden and violent death. Afterwards, a second came into the house, and cried out from the bottom of the stairs, “take courage, I am ready to help you.” But by the repeated cry of murder! the alarm was now so great, that they both made off”. “The next morning,” said Mr. Whitefield,” I was to expound at a private house, and then to set out for Biddeford. Some urged me to stay and prosecute; but being better employed, I went on my intended journey, was greatly blessed in preaching the everlasting gospel, and upon my return was well paid for what I had
Mr. Hervey is to be numbered. In a letter to Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Hervey thus expresses himself: “Your journals, dear sir, and sermons, and especially the sweet sernwn on ‘What think ye of Christ V were a means of bringing me to the knowledge of the truth.”
suffered: curiosity having led perhaps two thousand more than ordinary, to see and hear a man that had narrowly escaped being murdered in his bed. And I trust in the five weeks time, while I waited for the convoy, hundreds were awakened und turned unto the Lord. At the Dock also, near Plymouth, a glorious work was begun. Could the fields, between Plymouth and the Dock, speak, they could tell what blessed seasons were enjoyed there.
The following narrative shows the power and influence of his preaching there.
The late Rev. Henry Tanner, of Exeter, in the year 1743, removed to Plyixiouth, to obtain employment as a ship builder. Here it pleased God to call him by his grace, under the ministry of Mr. Whiteficld, Being at work, he heard from a considerable distance, the voice of that zealous man of God, who was preaching in the street, or fields, probably between Plymouth town and Dock: he immediately concluded that the preacher was a madman; and determined, with five or six more of his companions, to go and knock him ofl from the place on which he stood; and, for the purpose of more effectually injuring the mad j)m’soii, they loaded their pockets with stones. When, however, Mr. Tanner di’ew near, and perceived Mr. Whitefield extending his arms, and in the most pathetic language inviting poor lost sinners to Christ, he was struck with amazement. His resolution failed him: he listened with astonishment, and was soon convinced that the preacher was not mad; but was indeed speaking the “words of truth and soberness.” Mr. Whitefield was then preaching from Acts xvii. 19, 20. “May we know what this new doctrine whereof thou speaketh is? — for thou bringest certain strange things to our ears.” He went home much impressed, and determined to hear him again the next evening. He attended. Mr. Whitefield was wonderfully fervent in prayer. His text was Luke xxiv. 47. ‘* And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” After speaking of the heinous sin of the Jews, and of the Roman soldiers, who were the instruments of perpetrating the cruel murder of the Lord of life, Mr. Whitefield, turning from the spot where Mr. Tanner llien stood, near his side, said, “You are reflecting now on the cruelty of those inhuman butchers, who imbued their hands in his innocent blood,” when, suddenly turninp; round, and looking intently at Mr. Tanner, he exclaimed, “Thou art the man!” These words, sharper than any two edged sword, pierced him to the heart; he felt himself the sinner, who, by bis iniquities, had crucified the Son of God. His sins stared him in the lace; he knew not how to
WHITEFIELD ASSAULTED IN BED.
“Soon after ho broke but into the most abusive lanj.i.tpo; and in a cruel and cowardly manner beat him in bed.” [j). 9J.
Stand; and in agony of soul he was forced to cry, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” The preacher then, in melting language, proclaimed the free and superabounding grace of God in Christ, which was commanded to be preached; first of all to Jerusalem sinners, the very people who had murdered the Prince of life; and from which a gleam of hqie beamed into his heart. Under this sermon, many other persons were convinced of sin, and brought to God. The next night Mr. Tanner heard Mr. Whitefield preach again: his subject was “Jacob’s ladder.” From this discourse he obtained such views of the person, character, and love of the great Mediator, as enabled him to lay hold on the hope set before him, and to rejoice in Christ Jesus.
The advances which Mr. Tanner made in religious knowledge and experience, were exceedingly rapid. By reviewing his former state, he learned to pity the souls of his fellow men, whom he saw perishing for lack of knowledge. Having experienced the power of divine truth on his own heart, he became strongly inclined to the ministry of the gospel. In 1754, he hired a room, and soon began to preach. His labors were remarkably blessed, and he seemed never to preach one sermon in vain! A circumstance now occurred, which perhaps deserves to be recorded: — A man, who lived in the court in which Mr. TaiiUer preached, was so very much exasperated at having a Methodist preaching room near him, that he determined to remove to another part of the city. He did so; but afterwards returned to the same house. Here he was taken ill; and was confined in a room so near the preaching place, as to be able to hear Mr. Tanner. He heard him pray with great fervor for the king, and all classes of men. His prejudices tvere overcome: he began to think well of him. Mr. Tamier, introduced some part of the aiticles and homilies of the Church of England, to prove that the doctrines which he taught were consistent with them. The next morning the man brought a bible with the articles, that he might judge of the truth of what he had heard. When he read, he said to those about him, ‘• this is just as this man preaches.” He afterwards ventured to go into the room, where the Lord made the gospel “the power of God” unto his salvation. This man afterwards went into the neighboring villages to speak to his fellow sinners; and there is reason to believe that his attemjits were blessed to many souls.
In 1769, Mr. Tanner built the Tabernacle in Exeter, where he labored for many years, preaching three times every Lord’s day, and twice in the week, besides engaging in more private exercises.
Mr. Tanner did not confine his ministry to Exeter; he looked with compassion on its peculiarly dark neighborhood. At the request of the late Rev. Augustus Montague Toplady, he used to preach at Broad Hembury: he likewise labored in the towns of Moreton, Hampstead, Crediton, and Topham, and in various villages in the vicinity. In each of these places he met with great oppcyition; yet some in heaven, and others on their road tiiithcr bless God that they ever heard him.
Mr. Tanner’s exertions continued unabated till within a short time of his death. His frequent petition was, that he might die in his Master’s work. His petition was granted. For he was taken out of the pulpit, being unable to finish his sermon; and sJiortly after fell asleep in Jesus, March 30, 1805, aged eighty-six. This is but one of the numberless instances showing Whitefield’s marvelous instrumentality in forwarding the kingdom of his Master.