From His Opening Lady Huntingdon’s Chapel at Bath to His Embarking for America, 1769

Whitepield made but a short stay at Bath, and returned to London. January 18, 1766, he writes to a friend at Sheerness, “I am sorry to acquaint you that it is not in my power to comply with your request, for want of more assistance. I am confined in town with the care of two important posts, when I am only fit to be put into some garrison among invahds.” Early in the spring he was awhile relieved; for he was, in the month of March, at Bath and Bristol.

He writes Mnrcli 17, “the uncertainty of my motions has made me slow in writing; and a desire to be awhile free from London cares, has made me indifferent about frequent hearing from thence. Last Friday evening, and twice yesterday, I preached at Bath, to very thronged and brilliant auditories.” A cause of much joy to him about this time, was the repeal of the stamp act; for he had the colonial interest always at heart, and he ardently wished for the restoration of peace and tranquility to his beloved country. We find in his letter book, the following memorandum;” March 16, 1767, stamp act repealed! — gloria DeoP

The celebrated Indian ministers, Mr. Cecum* and Mr, Whitaker, now arrived from America, in order to raise subscriptions for Mr. Wheelock’s Indian school. That pious institution Whitefield much approved; and concerning it, in a letter, dated London, April 25, he writes, “the prospect of a large and effectual door being opened among the heathen, blessed be God, is very promising. Mr. Occum is a settled, humble christian; the good and great, with a midtitude of lower degree, heard him preach last week at Tottenham court chapel, and felt much of the power and presence of the Lord. Mr. Romaine has preached, and collected one hundred pounds, and I believe seven or eight hundred more are subscribed. The truly noble Lord Dartmouth espouses the cause most heartily, and his majesty has become a contributor. The King of kings, and Lord of lords, will bless them for it,” Mr. Occum and Whitaker came afterwards to Scotland, and procured very large contributions in the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow; but especially from the family of Mr. Sprewell, of Glasgow, and from the Rev. Mr. M’CuUoch, at Cambuslang.t

June 19, we find him at CoUam, near Bristol, from whence he writes: —” As my feverish heat continues, and the weather

Mr. Occum was one of the Mohegan tribe of Indians, in Connecticut. He was admitted into the Rev. Mr. Wheelock’s school, at Lebanon, when a youth, where he learned Latin and Greek, with a view to the exercise of his ministry among the Indians. He married an Indian woman, by whom he had seven or eight children; and kept a school on Long Island, where his wife and family tilled the ground.

He was ordained a preacher by the Suffolk presbytery; and was .sent on a mission to the Oneida Indians, one of the six nations, and afterwards to several other tribes.

t It appears from accounts, afterwards published, that they collected the great sum of 9494i. 75. Id.

is too wet to travel, I have complied with the advice of friends, and have commenced a hot well water drinker twice a day. However, twice this week, at six in the morning, 1 have been enabled to call thirsty souls to come and drink of the water of life freely. To-morrow evening, God willing, the call is to be repeated, and again on Sunday.”

From Collam he returned to London,* from which place he

About this time Whitefield became acquainted with that faithful servant of Jesus, the Rev. Torial Joss. Mr. Joss was a native of Scotland. He was born September 29, 1731, at a small village on the sea coast, about twenty miles north of Aberdeen. Mr. Joss was of a very mild disposition, and rather inclined to serious subjects; but these being discouraged at home, he hid his Bible out of the house, and embraced every opportunity of consulting it, as the guide of his youth. As soon as his age would admit, he was placed out to a maritime employment. This was a habit of life, not very favorable to religious improvement; but that God lwlio sitlctk upon tkc floods, “Can,” as Whitefield said of him and the celebrated Captain Scott, afterwards the Rev. Jonathan Scott, “bring a shark from the ocean, and a lion from the forest, and /(?/7?i them for himself to show forth his praise.”

The vessel he was in being taken by the enemy, he was carried to a foreign prison, where he suffered extremely. On his return, in the year 1746, a date rendered memorable in the British annals by the total suppression of the Scotch rebellion, he was led by curiosity to view the royal and rebel armies. Here he was impres.sed, and sent on board a king’s ship, stationed n that coast, to co-operate with the land forces.

After some time he made his escape, and traveling to Sunderland, bound himself in articles of apprenticeship to a captain of a coasting vessel, belonging to Robin Hood’s Bay, near “Whitby, in Yorkshire. It does not appear that his morals were injured by the vicissitudes he had already witnessed; nor was it till after this period, that he gave evident signs of conversion to God. He was, however, eager to obtain useful learning; and during the winter months, when the vessels were laid by, regularly attended at school, to acquire a scientific knowledge of his profession.

By a series of the most singular providences, the gospel was brought to Robin Hood’s Bay. Many people heard it with attention; and some believed to the saving of their souls. Wesley, on hearing this circumstance, went, and soon established a society in the town. Mr. Joss had, previous to this, begun to pray and exhort; and was greatly encouraged by Wesley, to proceed. He now joined this newly formed society, and though not an Arminian in sentiment, was ever admitted to the pulpits belonging to that people.

He was now about eighteen years of age, and became exceedingly zealous. He carried the savor of his Master’s name on board; where some heard, and others mocked. Waxing strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, he sought every occasion to teach and preach in the several harbors, where his vessel lay. His first public sermon was delivered at Boston, in Lincolnshire, where God was with him of a truth.

When Mr. Joss was appointed to the command of a ship, he immediately set up regular worship. As often as the weather would permit, he preached regularly to his crew; and before he left the sea, he had a number of the sailors who could publicly pray and exhort.

Having a flattering prospect of suceeding in life, he was married on Christmas day, 1755, to Miss Moorsom, of Whitby, after a mutual and intimate attachment of ten years. By Mrs. Joss he had eleven children, only two of whom, together with his mournful widow, survive him. ’ -

Mr. Joss now looked forward to that period when he should realize a genteel fortune for his growing family. But fortunes, dependent upon the caprice of wind or weather, and especially when they stand in the way of ministerial duty, are a precarious tenure. While he commanded the shifis of other prowrites, September 25: “Many in this metropolis seem to be on the wing for God; the shout of a king is yet heard in the Methoprietors, he never experienced the least disaster; but when he became a joint owner, he witnessed noi’nng else. In his fourth vo’age to London, the vessel was lost at the Nore, and he ar.d lub ci-ev, were witu diiliculiy saved. He then went do-lra to Berwick, to superintend the building of one considerablylarger. During his residence at this port, he preached to crowds with great acceptance and success. When the ship was finished and laden, the poor people began to regret the prospect of his departure. The wind was fair, and the next tide he intended to sail; but the next morning it became foul, and detained him five weeks longer than he intended. After he had sailed, a gentleman of Berwick, unknown to Mr. Joss, wrote to an acquaintance of Whitefield in London, saying what a wonderful preacher they had been favored with for nine months. He mentioned when he supposed the vessel would be in the Thames. Her name was the Hartley Trader, but the other coasting crews, called her the Pulpit. Whitefield, who had seen the above letter, ana had heard that the ship had come to her moorings, published, without the knowledge of Mr. Joss, that a captain would preach on Saturday evening. Being found on board he was apprised of the circumstance, and refused to comply; but the messenger resolved not to go on shore till he consented. The services of this and the ensuing evening, were so gratifying ro Whitefield, that he immediately requested him to leave the sea, and labor in the Tabernacle connection. To these solicit ations he turned a deaf ear; and nothing short of a speaking Providence would ever have prevailed.

This was his first voyage, and in it he lost his main anchor. On his next return to London, he preached frequently at the Tabernacle, which was greatly attended. Whitefield renewed his application — he declined. In this voyage he lost one of his crew, a promising youth, who was drowned. On his third voyage to London, his congregations were prodigiously crowded; and Whitefield pressed on him the duty of leaving a maritime employment, and being devoted wholly to the ministry. Mr. Joss had on board “a younger brother, a pious man, who was very dear to him on many accounts, and thought if ever he should change his views, it would be a good situation for him. He was so far prevailed on, as to send his brother, this trip, while he supplied the Tabernacle; but lo! in going down the river, his brother fell over the side of the ship, and was drowned. Whitefield then addressed him in a very solemn manner, saying, “Sir, all these disasters are the fruit of your disobedience; and, let me tell you, if you refuse to hearken to the call of God, both you and your ship will soon go to the bottom!” Overcome by the voice of Providence, he yielded; and on his fourth voyage, he quitted the compass, the chart, and the ocean, for the service of the sanctuary. This was late in the year 1766. Immediately he entered into close communion with Whitefield, who, to the day of his death continued to him his atiection, and intrusted him with his confidence. ’

In this change of situation, he could not have been actuated by motives of a pecuniary nature; for his prospects in trade were by far more flattering than in the ministry. His sermons, in the former years of his residence in town, were not only attended by large auditories, but with energy to the conversion of many souls; nor did God leave him without many witnes.ses to the success of his ministerial labors. He generally spent four or five months in the

f’ear out of London, for the purpose of itinerating. In this period, he regulary visited South Wales, Gloucestershire, Bristol Tabernacle, and occEisionally other parts of the kingdom. In Pembrokeshire the Welsh followed him in multitudes; and, on the Lord’s day, would travel from one to twenty miles roimd Haverford West to hear him. To not a few of these he became a spiritual father; and, indeed, wherever he exercised his talents, though but a few weeks, he left some seals of his apostleship behind.

Mr. Joss died of a fever, after a few days illness, on the 17th of April, 1797, in the 66th year of his age. During his iilness, he enjoyed a solid peace; and the Lord Jesus indulged him with a peculiar manifestation of his gracious dist camp. Had I wings, I would gladly fly from pole to pole; but they are clipped by thirty year’s feeble labors. Twice or thrice a week I aui permitted to ascend my gospel throne. The love of Christ, I am persuaded, will constrain you to pray that the last glimmering of an expiring taper may be blessed to the guiding of many wandering souls to the Lamb of God.”

In the month of November, this year, he visited Bath and Bristol. At the latter city he had very numerous and respectable auditories (notwithstanding the weather was extremely bad,) and administered the sacrament; and at Bath, he never remembered so large an assembly of nobility and persons of distinction, attending his preaching before.

About the latter end of November, he again returned to London; and in a letter dated December 15, says, “I have been itinerating at Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, and at Oxford, and humbly hope my feeble labors were not altogether in vain in the Lord.”

In January, 1767, he wrote a recommendatory preface to a new edition of the works oi Bishop Biaiyan, as he used to call him; which has been published among his tracts; and March 20, he was called to open Lady Huntingdon’s new chapel at Brighthelmstone in Sussex, when he preached on 2 Peter iii. 18.

After an excursion to Norwich, in April. 1767, he writes thus; “I fear my spring and summer fever is returning. If so, my intended plan of operations will be much contracted. But future things belong to him who orders all things well.” Yet (to our astonishrnxnt) the very next month, we find he preached at Rodborough, Gloucester, Haverford West, in Wales; from which place he writes, May 31: “Thousands and thousands attend by eight in the morning. Life and light seem to fly all around. On Tuesday, God willing, I am to preach at Woodstock; on Friday, at Pembroke; here again next Sunday, by eight; and then for England.-’ And after his return to Gloucester, June 10,” blessed be God,” says he,” I have got on this

presence. Some of his last words were, “Into thy hands I commit my soul! O the preciousness of faith! I have finished my course! My pilgrimage is at an end! O, thou Friend of sinners, take thy poor old friend home!” The last word he was heard to speak was, “Archangels!” In a few minutes afterp he lifted up both his hands, and smiled and died. Mr. Joss was between thirty and forty years a faithful preacher of the everlasting gospel.

Thus liv’d, and died, this servant of the Lord,
A painful, faithful, preacher of his word;
Ripen’d in age, and steadfast in the faith,
Joyful he sunk into the arms of death;
His soul upmounted to the realms of day;
Let the dark tomb awhile retain his clay,
Which with immortal blooming joys shall rise,
When the last trumpet shakes the vaulted skies.

side the Welch mountains. Blessed be God, I have been on the other side. What a scene last Sunday! What a cry for more of the bread of life! but 1 was quite worn down.”

September 11, he arrived at Leeds, after preaching at Northampton and Sheffield on his way. And September 20, he writes from Newcastle, in high spirits: “I have now a blessed Methodist field street preaching plan before me. This afternoon in the Castle Garth; to-morrow for Sunderland, and then to Yarmouth. I have been enabled to preach in the street at several places, and hope to go to Gcsborough, Whitby, Scarborough, New Malton, York, Leeds, Liverpool, Chester, and Manchester.” Again li’om Thirck, September 28: “My body feels much fatigued in traveling; comforts in the soul over-Ijalance.” And from Leeds, October 3: “Field and street preaching hath rather bettered than hurt my bodily health.”

The ne2:otiations about the intended colleo-e at Bethesda, were this wmter brought to an issue. A memorial, addressed to his majesty, was put into the hands of the clerk of the privy council, setting forth the great utility of a college in that place, to the inhabitants of the southern provinces; and praying that a charter might be granted upon the plan of the college at New Jersey. This memorial was transmitted by the clerk of the privy council to the lord president, and by his lordship referred to the archbishop of Canterbury, to whom also a draft of an intended charter was presented by the Eai’l of Dartmouth. Upon which an epistolary correspondence ensued between the archbishop and Whitefield; the consequence of which was, that his grace gave the draft of the college to the lord president, who promised he would consider of it; and gave it as his opinion, that “the head of the college ought to be a member of the Church of England; that this was a quali-Jication not to be dispensed with; and also, that the public prayers should not be extempore ones, but the liturgy of the church, or some other settled and established form.” Whitefield replied, that these restrictions he could by no means agree to, because the greatest part of the collections and contributions for the Orphan-house, came from Protestant dissenters; and because he had constantly declared, that the intended college, should be founded upon a broad bottom, and no other. “This,” said he.” I judged I was sufliciently warranted to do, from the knolm, long established, mild, and uncoercive genius of the British government; also from your grace’s moderation tOAvard Protestant dissenters; from the unconquerable attachment of the Americans to toleration principles, as well as from the avowed, habitual feelings of my own heart.

“This being the case, and as your grace, by your silence.

seems to be like minded with the lord president; and as your grace’s and his lordship’s influence will undoubtedly extend itself to others, I would beg leave, after returning all due acknowledgments, to inform your grace that I intend troubling your grace and his lordship no more about this so long depending concern. As it hath pleased the great head of the church, in some degree to renew my bodily strength, I propose now to renew my feeble efibrts, and turn the charity into a more generous, and consequently into a more useful cljannel. 1 have no ambition to be looked upon as the founder of a college; but I would fain act the part of an honest man, a disinterested minister of Jesus Christ; and a true catholic, moderate presbyter of the Church of England.”

He now determined, (upon mature deliberation,) in the mean time, on the addition of a public academy to the Orphan-house, similar to what was done at Philadelphia, before its college charter was granted; and to embrace the first favorable opportunity that might offer, of making another application for a charter on a broad bottom. The steps he took in this atlliir, are more fully narrated, than the limits of our present plan would admit, in a letter to Governor Wright. In a letter to his intimate friend Mr. Keen, he complains,” None but God knows what a concern is upon me now, in respect of Bethesda. As another voyage, perhaps, may be the issue and result of all at

last, I would beg you and my dear Mr. H y to let me have

all my papers and letters, that I may revise and dispose of them in a proper manner. This can do no hurt, come life or come death.”

October 28, he preached at the Tabernacle, to the society for promoting religious knowledge among the poor; and collected, after sermon, upwards of one hundred pounds, above four times as much as usual; and besides, gained eighty new subscribers. His text was Luke xi. 2. Thy kingdom, come. The place Vvas so full, that many went away who could not get in. Several dissenting ministers, of different denominations, were present, perhaps more than ever before attended to hear a clergyman of the established church preach. He afterwards dined at Draper’s hall, with the ministers and whole company, who treated him with great respect. The time was spent in the utmost harmony; which gave him much pleasure in reflection.

Early in the year 1768, six pious students were expelled from St. Edmund hall, in Oxford, for praying, reading, singing hymns, and exhorting each other in private and religious meetings!

The following is an extract of a letter from Oxford, inserted in the St. James’ Chronicle for Thursday, March 17, 1768:

190 MEMOIRS OF WniTEFlELD.

“Oil Friday last, March 9. 17G8, six students belonging to Edmund hall, were expelled the university alter a hearing of several hours before the vice chancellor and some of the heads of houses, for holding Methodistical tenets, and taking upon them to pray, read and expound the scriptures, and sing hymns in a private house. The principal of the college, the Rev. Dr. Dixon, defended their doctrines from the thirty-nine articles of the established church, and spoke in the highest terms of the piety and exemplariness of their lives; but this m.otion Vias overruled, and sentence pronounced against them. Dr. Dixon observed, that as these six gentlemen were expelled for having too much religion, it would be very proper to inquire into the conduct of some who had too little; and the vice chancellor was heard to tell their chief accuser, that the university was much obliged to him for his good work.

The following are the names of the young men, with the names of those who passed sentence on them. The sentence was pronounced in the chapel. James Matthews, Thomas Jones, Joseph Shipman, Benjamin Kay, Erasmus Middleton, and Thomas Grove. “For the crimes above mentioned, we, David Durell, D. D., vice chancellor of the university, and visitor of the hall; Thomas Randolph, D. D., president of C. C. C.; Thomas Fothergill, D. D., provost of queen’s college; Thomas Nowell, D. D., principal of St. Mary’s hall; and the Rev. Thomas Atterbury, A. M., of Christ’s church, senior proctor, deem each of them worthy of being expelled the hall; I therefore, by my visitorial power, do hereby pronounce them expelled.”*

This event occasioned a long and unpleasant controversy, in which Dr. Nowell and Sir Richard Hill, Bart, were principal combatants. The apology offered by the friends of the expulsion was, that the young men had broken the statutes of the university, which would have been pleaded with abetter grace, had the same zeal for discipline appeared in the expulsion of a few young men for swearing, gaming, and intoxication, which were certainly not less irregularities, than extemporary praying, singing hymns, and expounding the scriptures. The issue exposed the university to a great deal of ridicule,

Sarticularly in the “Shaver, a sermon,” which was written by the late Rev. ohn McGowan; and was not only very popular at the time, but has gone through twenty editions. Dr. Home, bishop of Norwich, also wrote in defence of the students.

According to the Rev. Dr. Nowell’s learned answer to Sir Richard Hill, it is evidently much more safe, and less impious, to ridicule the miracles of Moses and of Christ, than to pray in private houses without book. The eloquent orator of the university gives a full account of the case of Mr. W — 11 — ng, a friend of his oratorship’s, who was charged upon oath with the above said contempt of the scripture, and ridicule of the miraclrs of Moses and Christ. The proofs were so point blank against the said Rev. lIr. W — 11 — ng, that his reverence could not deny the charge. Well, then, what was the issue? Was he expelled 1 No, he was not. U.uery, why was he not expelled 1 Answer, his reverence pleaded his being drunk when he uttered those contemptuous words against the miracles of Moses and Christ, i. e. The candipate fen- holy

Upon this occasion Whitefield wrote his letter to Dr. Durell, vice chancellor of the university; in which he observes, “that however criminal the sin2;ing’ hymns in a university niiffht be deemed, the same praciicc in a camp, was not thought reprehensible by a noble gfeneral. The late Duke of Cumberland, who, when in Germany, happened one evening to hear the sound of voices from a cave at a little distance, asked the sentinel what noise it was. He was answered, that it was some devout soldiers, who were singing hymns. Instead of citing them to appear before their officers, ordering them to the halberts to be whipped, or commanding them to be drummed out of the regiment, he pleasantly said, ‘• are they so? Let them go on, then, and be as merry as they can.” In this he acted wisely; for he knew, and found by repeated experience, as did other commanding officers, that singing and praying, in these private societies, did not hinder, but rather fitted and animated these pious soldiers to fight their country’s battles in the field; and it may be presumed, that if these students had not been expelled for singing hymns, (fcc, they certainly would not have been less, but, in all probability, much better prepared for handling the sword of the spirit, the word of God, and fighting therewith, either fi-om the press or the pulpit the battles of the Lord of Hosts.”

In the summer, he went the last time to Edinburgh; and there the congregations were as large, attentive, and atfectionato as ever.

Soon after his return to London, Mrs. Whitefield fell ill of an inflammatory fever, and died on the 9th of August. On the 14th he preached her funeral sermon from Romans viii. 20, and September 12, he writes, ‘• I have been in hopes of my own departure. Through hard writing, and frequent preaching, I have burst a vein. The flux is in a great measure stopped: but rest and quietness are strictly enjoined. We were favored with glorious gospel gales this day fortnight and several preceding days.”

Li his memorandum book, he wrote as follows:” August 24, 1768, opened good Lady Huntingdon’s chapel and college, in the parish of Falgarth, Brecknockshire, South Wales* —

orders was drdnk when he ridicided revealed religion; and yet he got into orders and yet he continues a member of the university!

In the same affair, related by the Rev. Dr. Durell, it is plain that private religious assemblies, alias conventicles, are in much less esteem at Oxford, than tap houses and taverns; for the six Methodists were expelled for praying in a conventicle, but the Rev. Mr. W — 11 — ng cmdd get drunk in a tap house, and yet continues a member of the university. Nor can this be denied, unless the jpublic orator should eat his words; or otherwise show from good and authentic records, that members of that learned body do occasionally get drunk within their own peculiar districts.

Here it may be proper to observe, that the college in Wales ceased at her preached from Exodus xx. 24. Tn all places where I record my name, I will covie unto thcp and I unll bless thee.

“August 25. Gave an exhortation to the students in the college chapel, from Luke i. 15. He shall be great in the sight of the Lord.

“Sunday, August 28. Preached in the court before the college, the congregation consisting of some thousands, from 1 Cor. iii. 11. Other foandallon can no man lay, than that is laid, V)hich is Jesus Christ.

Thus we see him incessantly doing the loork of an evangelist. Well would it be for the church of Christ, if there were more of his brethren inclined to follow his steps, even as he followed Christ!

Concerning his dear departed friend and fellow laborer, Mr. Middleton, he writes, September 26: “He is now made perfectly whole. He was carried from the Tabernacle last Wednesday evening, and a subscription opened for his four orphans. In the midst of his torturing pains, being asked by his daughter how he was, answered, ’ a heaven upon earth.’ Soon afterwards he fell asleep in Jesus.’”

The latter end of this year, we find his health very much impaired; yet, though in much weakness, he continued to preach as often as he was able.

Bristol, November 12. “Last night, I hope, the Redeemer manifested forth his glory. Friday evening, and the following Sunday, I shall preach at Bath. In three weeks I expect to reach London, unless called before that period to reside at the New Jerusalem; the pleasing prospect lies day and night before me.”

Thus this good and great man, found increasing pleasure in laboring in his Master’s vineyard, while pains and infirmities brought his body low, his soul was exulting in the expectation of speedily entering into everlasting rest!

It pleased the Lord, in the ensuing spring, 1769, to restore him a little; so that he was enabled to preach oftener than he had done for some time past. His joy was now much increas- -ed, by the addition of some noble members, joined to Lady Huntingdon’s society. “Some more coronets, I hear are likely to be laid at the Redeemer’s feet. They glitter gloriously when set in and surrounded with a crown of thorns.”

ladyship’s death, (he lease being just expired, and no endowment being left, her income dying with her; but a new college, on a plan more promising for literature, has been established at Cheshunt in Hertfordshire near London; and under the superintending care of trustees appointed for that purpose. A number of students have been already educated there, and many are gone forth, now preaching the gospel with much acceptance, from this seminary.

About midsummer, he preached at Kingswood, Bristol, Bradford, Frome, Ciiippenham, Rodborou2:h, Castlecomb, and Dursley. But, intending to open Lady Huntingdon’s chapel at Tunbridge, he did not go his western circuit at this time.

July 23, 1769, he opened Lady Huntingdon’s new chapel at Tunbridge Wells, and preached from Genesis xxviii. 17. This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven. The congregation being too large to be accommodated in the chapel, he preached out of doors, from a mount in the court before the chapel; after which he gave a general exhortation; and next day administered the Lord’s supper, and preached from Thess. ii. 1 1, 12.

He now began seriously to prepare for another voyage across the Atlantic, to visit once more his beloved orphans and friends at Georgia. Accordingly, at the beginning of September, he embarked the seventh and last time, in the Friendship, Captain Ball, for America. From on board he writes: “I am comforted on every side — a civil captain and passengers; all willing to attend on divine worship, and to hear of religious things,”