Extracts from Some of the Funeral Sermons Preached on the Occasion of His Death

Many sermons were preached on the occasion of his death, both in America and England. From these, the reader will probably not be displeased to see the following extracts; as they not only set the character of VYhiteiield in a variety of hghts, but are so many testimonies to it, by witnesses of undoubted credit, in different parts of the world.

The first sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Parsons at Newburyport, the very day on which he died, from Phil. i. 21. “Por me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In which be gives the foUowmg character of his departed friend:

“Christ became a principle of spiritual life in his soul, while he was an under-graduate at the university in Oxford. Before his conversion, he was a pharisee of the pharisees, as strict as ever Paul was, before God met him on his way to Damascus, according to his own declaration in his last sermon, which I beared him preach at Exeter, yesterday. He was, by means of reading, a veiy searching puritanical waiter; convinced of the rottenness of all duties he had done, and the danger of a self-righteous foundation of hope. When he heared Christ speak to him in the gospel, he cried, ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?’ And it seems as if, at that time, it had been made known to him, that he was a chosen vessel, to bear the name of Jesus Christ through the British nation, and her colonies; to stand before kiniis and nobles, and all sorts of people, to preach Christ, and him crucified. From that time, the dawn of salvation had living power in his heart, and he had an ardent desire to furnish himself for the gospel ministry. To this end, besides the usual studies at the college, he gave himself to reading the holy scriptures, to meditation and prayer; and particularly, he read Mr. Henry’s Annotations on the Bible, upon his knees before God.

“Since my first acquaintance with him, which is about thirty years ago, I have highly esteemed him, as an excellent christian, and an eminent minister of the gospel. A heart so bent for Christ, with such a sprightly, active genius, could not admit of a stated fixed residence in one place, as the pastor of a particular congregation; and therefore, he chose to itinerate from place to place, and from one country to another; which indeed, was much better suited to his talents, than a fixed abode would have been. I often considered him as an angel flying through the midst of heaven, with the everlasting gospel, to preach unto them that dwell on the earth; for he preached the uncorrupted word of God, and gave solenm warnings against all corruptions of the gospel of Christ.* When he came the first time to Boston, the venerable Dr. Coleman, with whom I had a small acquaintance, condescended to write to me, ’ that the wonderful man was come, and they had a week of sabbaths: that his zeal for Christ was extraordinary; and yet he recommended himself to his many thousand hearers by his engagedness for holiness and souls.’ I soon had opportunity to observe, that wherever he flew, like a flame of fire, his ministry gave a general alarm to all sorts of people, though before they had, for a long time, been amazingly sunk into dead formality. It was then” a time in New England, when real christians generally had slackened their zeal for Christ, and fallen into a remiss and careless frame of spirit; and hypocritical professors were sunk into a deep sleep of carnal security. Ministers, and their congregations seemed to be at ease. But his preaching- appeared to be from the heart, though too many,

* The late Dr. Grosvenor, upon hearing Whitefield preach at Charlessquare, Hoxton, expressed himself thus: — “That if the apostle Paul had preached to this auditory, he would have preached in the same manner.”

who spake the same tilings, preached as if it were iiiditlerent, whether they were received or rejected. We were convinced that he believed the message he brought us, to be of the last inijx)rtance. Nevertheless, as soon as there was time for reflection, the enemies of Christ began to cavil, and hold up some of his sallies as if they were unpardonable faults. By such means he met with a storm as tempestuous as the troubled sea, that cilsts up mire and dirt. Some of every station were too foud of their old way of formality, to part with it, for such a despised cause as living religion. But the spirit of Christ sent home the message of the Lord upon the concicnces of some, and shook them off from their false hopes: but many began to find fault, and some to write against his evangelizing through the country, while others threatened fire brands, arrows, and death. Yet God gave room for his intense zeal to operate, and fit objects appeared, wherever he went, to engage him in preaching Christ, and him crucified.

“In his repeated visits to America, when his services had almost exhausted his animal spirits, and his friends were ready to cry, ‘Spare thyself.’ his hope of serving Christ, and winning souls to him, animated and engaged him to run almost any risk. Neither did he ever cross the Atlantic, on an itinerating visitation, without visiting his numerous brethren here, to see how religion prospered amongst them; and we know that his labors have been unwearied among us, and to the applause of all his hearers; and, through the infinite mercy of God, his labors have sometimes been crowned with great success, in the conversion of sinners, and the edification of saints. And though lie often returned from the pulpit, very feeble after public preaching, yet his engaging sweetness of conversation, changed the suspicions of many into passionate love and friendship.

“In many things, his example is worthy of imitation; and if in any thing he exceeded, or came short, his integrity, zeal for God, and love to Christ and his gospel, rendered him, in extensive usefulness, more than equal to any of his brethren. In. preaching here, and through most parts of America, he has been in labors more abundant, approving himself a minister of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in watchings, in fastings, by pureness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as having nothing, yet possessing all things. And God, that comforteth those that are cast down, has often comforted us by his comincr; and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in us, so that we could rejoice the more.

“His popularity exceeded all that ever I knew; and though the asthma was sometimes an obstruction to him, his dehvery and entertaining method was so inviting to the last, that it would command the attention of the vast multitudes of his hearers. An apprehension of his concern to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and do good to the souls of men drew many thousands after him, who never embraced the’doctrines he taught. He had something so peculiar in his manner, expressive of sincerity in all he delivered, that it constrained the most abandoned to think he believed what he said was not only true, but of the las: importance to souls; and by adapted texts adduced, and instances of the grace of God related agreeable thereto, often surprised his most judicious hearers.

“His labors extended not only to New England, and many other colonies m British America, but were eminent and more abundant in Great Britian. IMany thousands at his chapel and Tabernacle, and in other places, were witnesses that he faithfully endeavored to restore the interesting doctrines of the reformation, and the pitrity of the church to its primitive glory. Some among the learned, some of the mighty and noble, have been called by his ministiy, to testify for the gospel of the grace of God. The force of his reasonings against corrupt principles, and the easy method he had of exposing the danger of them, have astonished the most that heard him, in all places where he preached. How did he lament and withstand the modern unscriptural notions of religion and salvation, that were palmed upon the churches of every denomination! The affecting change from primitive purity to fatal heresy, together with the sad effects of it in mere formality and open wickedness, would often make him cry, as the prophet did in another case, ‘How is the gold become dim, and the most fine gold changed! How has the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven to earth, the beauty of Israel.’

‘•It is no wonder that this man of God should meet with enemies and with great opposition to his ministry; for hell trembled before him. It is no more than may be always expected of the devil, that he should stir up his servants, to load th’e most eminent ministers of Christ with cahmmy and most impudent lies; and represent them as the filth and offscouring of all things. All this may be, and often has been done, under a pretense of great concern for the honor of Christ, and the preservation of the gospel order. “When Satan totters and begins to fall, he can find men enough to cry, ’ the church is in danger;’ and that he knows is sufficient with many, to hide his cloven foot, and make him appear as an angel of light.

“Through a variety of such labors and trials, our worthy friend, and extensively useful servant of Christ, Mr. Whitefield, passed both in England and America; but the Lord was his sun to guide and animate him, and his shield to defend and help him unto the end: neither did he count his own life dear, so that he might finish his course with joy, and the ministry that he had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God,

“The last sermon that he preached, though mider the disadvantage of a stage in the open air, was delivered with such clearness, pathos, and eloquence, as to please and surprise the surrounding thousands. And as he had been confirmed by the grace of God, many years before, and had been waiting and hoping for his last change, he then declared, that he hoped it was the last time he should ever preach. Doubtless, he then had such clear views of the blessedness of open vision, and the complete fruition of God in Christ, that he felt the pleasures of heaven in his raptured soul, which made his countenance shine like the unclouded sun.”

The following hues are part of a poem on Whitefield, written by a negro servant girl, seventeen years of age, belonging to Mr. J. Wheatly, of Boston.

“He prayed that grace in every heart might dwell,

He longed to see America excel;

He charg’d its youth to let the grace divine

Arise, and in their future actions shine.

He offer’d that he did himself receive,

A greater gift not God himself can give.

He urg’d the need of Him to ev’ry one;

It was no less than God’s co-equal Son.

Take Him ye wretched for your only good;

Take Him ye star-ing souls to be your food. ’

Ye thirsty, come to this life-giving stream;

Ye preachers, take him for your joyful theme.

Take Him, my dear Am.ericans, he said.

Be your complaints in his kind bosom laid.

Take Him, ye Africans, he longs for you;

Impartial Savior is his title due.

If you will choose to walk in grace’s road,

You shall be sons, and kings, and priests to God.

Great countess! we Americans revere

Thy name, and thus condole thy grief sincere.

New England, sure doth feel; the orphan’s smart

Reveals the true sensations of his heart.

His lonely Tabernacle sees no more

A Whitefield landing on the British shore.

Then let us view him in yon azure skies,

Let every mind with this lov’d object rise.

Thou tomb, shall safe retain thy sacred trust,

Till life divine re-animates his dust.

The next sermon was preached by Dr. Peniberton, of Boston, October 11, 1770, upon 1 Peter i. 4. “To an inheritance reserved in heaven for yoiiP In wliicli he says:

“I am not fond of funeral ])anegyrics. y3ut where persons have been distinguishingly honored by heaven, and employed to do micommon services for God’s church upon earth, it would be criminal ingratitude to suffer them to drop into the dust without the most respectful notice. The memory of the just is blessed! Posterity will view Mr. Whitefield, in many respects, as one of the most extraordinary characters of the present age. His zealous, incessant, and successful labors, in Europe and America, are without a parallel.

“Devoted early to God, he took orders as soon as the constitution of the established church in England allowed. His first appearance in the woik of the ministry was attended with surprising success. The largest churches in London were not able to contain the numbers that perpetually flocked to hear his awakening discourses. The crowds daily increased. He was soon forced into the fields, followed by multitudes, who hung with silent attention upon his lips, and with avidity received the word of life. The spirit of God in an uncommon measure, descended upon the hearers. The secure were awakened to a salutary fear of divine wrath, and inquiring minds were directed to Jesus, the only Savior of a revolted world — the vicious were visibly reclaimed ;. and those who had hitherto rested in a form of godliness, were made acquainted with the power of a divine life. The people of God were refreshed with the consolation of the blessed Spirit, and rejoiced to see their exalted Master, going on from conquering to conquer, and sinners of all orders and characters, bowing to the scepter of a crucified Savior,

“His zeal could not be confined within the British islands. His ardent desire for the welfare of immortal souls, conveyed him to the distant shores of America. We beheld a new star arise in the hemisphere of these western churches; and its salutary influences were diffused through a great part of the British settlements in these remote regions. We heard with pleasure, from a divine of the Episcopal communion, those great doctrines of the gospel, which our venerable ancestors brought with them from their native country. With a soul elevated above a fond attachment to forms and ceremonies, he inculcated that pure and unadulterated religion, for the preservation of which our fathers banished themselves into an uncultivated desert. In his repeated progresses through the colonics, he was favored with the same success which attended him on the other side of the Atlantic, He preached from day to day in thronged assemblies; yet his hearers never discovered tlic least weariness, but

MEM0IRi=3 OF WIIITEFIELD. 227

always followed him with iiicrcasina: ardor. When in the pulpit, every eye was fixed upon his expressive countenance; every ear was charmed with his melodious voice; all sorts of persons were captivated with the propriety and beauty of his address.

“But it is not the fine speaker, the accomplished orator, that we are to celebrate from the sacred desk: these engaging qualities, if not sanctified by divine grace, and consecrated to the service of heaven, are as the sounding brass, and the tinkling cymbal. When misimprovcd, instead of conveying happiness to mankind, they render us more illustriously miserable.

“The gifts of nature, the acquisitions of art, which adorned the character of Mr. Whitefield, were devoted to the honor of God, and the enlargement of the kingdom of our divine Redeemer. While he preached tJic gospel, the Holy Ghost was sent down to apply it to the consciences of the hearers; the eyes of the blind were opened, to behold the glories of the compassionate Savior; the ears of the deaf were unstopped, to attend to the invitations of incarnate love; the dead were animated with a divine principle of life; many in all parts of the land were turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.

“These doctrines which we had been instructed in from our infancy, by our faithful pastors, seemed to acquire new force, and were attended witJi uncommon success when delivered by him. His discourses were not trifling speculations, but contained the most inreresting truths; they were not an empty play of wit, but solemn addresses to the hearts of men.

“To convince sinners that they were by nature children of wrath; by practice, transgressors of the divine law; and in consequence of this, exposed to the vengeance of ofiended heaven; to display the transcendent excellency of a Savior, and persuade awakened minds to confide in his merits and righteousness, as the only hopes of a guilty world; to impress upon the professors of the gospel the necessity, not only of an outward reformation, but an internal change, by the powerful influences of the Spirit; to lead the faithful to a zealous practice of the various duties of the christian life, that they may evidence the sincerity of their faith, and adorn the doctrine of God their Savior. These were the reigning subjects of his pulpit discourses.

“He was no contracted bigot, but embraced christians of every denomination in the arms of his charity, and acknowledged them to be children of the same father, servants of the same master, heirs of the same undefiled inheritance.

“That I am not complimenting the dead, but speaking the words of truth and soberness, I am persuaded I have many witnesses in this assembly.

“He was always received by multitudes with pleasure, when he favored these parts with Jiis labors; but he never had a more obliging reception than in his last visit. Men of the first distinction in the province, not only attended his ministry, but gave him the highest marks of their respect. With what faithfulness did he declare unto us the whole counsel of God! With what solemnity did he reprove us for our increasing degeneracy! With what zeal did he exhort us, to remember from whence we were fallen, and repent and do our first works, lest God should come and remove our candlestick out of its place!

“Animated with a God-like design of promoting the temporal and spiritual happiness of mankind, after the example of his divine Master, he went about doing good. Li this he persevered with unremitting ardor and assiduity, till death removed him to that rest which remains for the people of God. Perhaps no man, since the apostolic age, preached oftener or with greater success.

“If we view his private character, he will appear in a most amiable point of light. The polite gentleman; the faithful friend; the engaging companion; above all, the sincere christian, were visible in the whole of his deportment.

“With large opportunities of accumulating wealth, he never discovered the least tincture of avarice. What he received from the kindness of his friends, he generously employed in offices of piety and charity. His benevolent mind was perpetually forming plans of extensive usefulness. The Orphan-house, which many years ago he erected in Georgia, and the college he was founding in that province at the time of his death, will be lasting monuments of his care, that religion and learning might be propagated to future generations.

“I have not, my brethren, drawn an imaginary portrait, but described a character exhibited in real life. I have not mentioned his natural abilities, which were vastly above the common standard. I consider him principally in the light of a christian, and a minister of Jesus Christ, in which he shone with a superior luster, as a star of the first magnitude.

“After all, I am not representing a perfect man; there are spots in the most shining characters upon earth. But this may be said of Mr. Whitefield with justice, that after the most public appearances, for above thirty years, and the most critical examination of his conduct, no other blemish could be fixed upon him, than what arose from the common frailties of human nature, and the peculiar circumstances which attended his first entrance into public life.

“The imprudences of inexperienced youth, he frequently acknowledged from the pulpit, with a frankness which will for ever do honor to his memory. He took care to prevent any bad consequences that might flow from his unguarded censures in the early days of his ministry. The longer he lived, the more he evidently increased in purity of doctrine, in humanity, in meekness, prudence, patience, and the other amiable virtues of the christian life.”

Another funeral sermon on Whitefield, was preached liy the Rev. Mr. Ellington, at Savannah, in Georgia, November 11, 1770, upon Hebrews xi. 26. “Esteeming the rejjroach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for lie had respect unto the recompense of the reward? In “which are the following passages :*

“The receiving the melancholy news of the much lamented death of a particular friend to the province, a person who was once minister of this church, is the reason of this discourse; and my choice of this subject before us, is to pay my grateful respect to the memory of this well known able minister of the New Testament, and faithful servant of the most high God, the Rev. George Whitefield, whose life was justly esteemed, and whose death will be greatly regretted, by the sincerely religious part of mankind of all denominations, as long as there is one remaining on earth, who knew him, to recollect the fervor of spirit, and holy zeal with which he spalce, when preaching the everlasting gospel; and every other part of his disinterested conduct, consistent with the ministerial character, in life and conversation. Mr. Whitefield’s works praise him loud enough. I am not able to say any thing that can add greater luster to them. May every one that ministers in holy things, and all who partake of their ministrations, have equal right to the characteristic in the text, as he had.

“It is the ruling opinion of many, that the offense of the cross is long since ceased; and that whatever evil treatment some of a singular turn may meet with, it is only the fruit of

* Extract of a letter from the late Rev. Cornelius Winter, to the Rev. William Jay.

“You have no conception of the effect of Mr. Whitefield’s death upon the inhabitants of the province of Georgia. All the black cloth in the stores was bought up; the pulpit and desks of the church, the branches, the organ loft, the pews of the governor and council, were covered with black. The governor and council, in deep mourning, convened at the state house, and went in procession to church, and were received by the organ playing a funeral dirge. Two funeral sermons’ were preached, one by the Rev. Mr. Ellington; the other by the Rev. Mr. Zuhly.

“The same public marks of regard were shown at one of the churches in Philadelphia, of which Mr. Sprout is pastor, which, by the desire of the session and committee, was put in mourning. Also, at their desire and expense, the bells of Christ church, in that city, were rung muffled.”

their own doings, and the reward of their own work, whereby they raise the resentment of mankind ao-amst them for uncharitable slander, and spiritual abuse. But whoever knoweth any thing; of the o-ospel, and has experienced it to be the power of God unto salvation, knoweth this is the language of persons who are unacquainted whh the depravity of their nature; and through the degeneracy of their hearts, are unwilling to be disturbed; therefore are saying to the ministers of Christ, prophecy unto us smooth things. But the ministers of the gospel are to be sons of thunder, and so to utter their voice, and conduct their lives, as to prove the nature of their work.

‘• Our dear and reverend friend was highly honored for many years, in being a happy instrument to do this successfully. With what a holy zeal he proceeded, long before he was publicly ordained to the sacred office, has been long attested; and no person has been able to contradict the testimony. No sooner did he appear in the work of the sanctuary, but he soon convinced his numerous auditories, that his Almighty Lord, who had given him the commission, had by his grace wrought him for the self-same thing; and through the Holy Spirit attending his endeavors, made him a workman that needetlt not to be ashamed. One would think his great success in his public labors, the frequent opportunities he embraced of doing good, by the rehef of people in distressing circumstances, every occasion he took to use his influence for the good of manldnd, and the whole of his behavior through a life of fifty-six years, being, so far as the frailty of our present state will admit, unblamable and unreproachable, should have exempted him from contempt and reproach. But, quite the contrary: there was so near a resemblance to his blessed Master, as obliged him to bear his reproach. He has suffered with him on earth, and he is now glorified with him in heaven. He has labored abundantly, and he has been as liberally reproached and maligned from every quarter. Clergy and laity have whet their tongues like a sword against him, and bent their bows to shoot their arrows; but the Lord, amongst all, has known and approved his righteous servant. Though it is well known, he has had opportunity long since to enjoy episcopal emolument; yet, in his opinion, and it will be found he judged like a wise man in the end, sinners, through his instrumentality, being tttrned tmto the Lord, and becoming his joy and crown of rejoicing, in the day of our Lord Jesus, was esteemed a greater honor than any thing this world could afford him. His longing desire for the salvation of immortal souls, would not admit of his being confined within the district of any walls; though it must be acknowledged, he never tliourht ot coinnienciiig field preacher, till his invidious enemies refused him church pulpits, with indignation of spirit unbecoming the lowest and most vulgar class of mankind, much less men professing themselves preachers of godliness. Though lie has, throughout the whole course of his ministry, given surticient proof of his inviolable attachment to our happy establishment, he was desirous to countenance the image of Christ wherever he saw it, well knowing, that political institutions, in any nation whatever, should not destroy the blessed union, or prevent the conmiunion which ought to subsist throughout the holy catholic church, between real and sincere christians of all denominations. Some people may retain such a veneration for apostolic phrases, as to suppose they ought not to be applied to other persons. Sorry am I to observe, that few deserve the application of diem. But of Mr. “Whitefield we may say, with the strictest truth, in journeyings often, in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils of his own countrymen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren, in weariness and painfulness, he hath approved himself a minister of God. All who knew and were acquainted with him, soon discovered in him every mark of good sense and good manners. His company and conversation so enlivening and entertaining, and at the same time so instructive and edifying, that no person, with the least degree of common sense, could behave improperly in his presence. In him met, what do not often meet in one person, the finished and complete gentleman, and the real and true christian. Why then did he take pleasure in

reproaches, and submit to the taunts and insults, both of the liilgar and politer part of mankind ) He had respect to the recompense of reward. Though the believer’s work will never entitle him to a reward of debt, yet the reward of grace will always excite a holy desne to render something unto die Lord. What wilt thou have me to do 7 is the incessant inquiry of that soul, who by the merits of the Redeemer’s death, and the ‘irtue of his precious blood, is redeemed from sin, and made a partaker of the inheritance incorruptible, imdefiled, and that fadeth not away. Faith operates by good works: and let all the men of the world say to the contrary, or put ever so base a construction upon our doctrine, it will evidence itself by these good fruits. It was from these principles that JVIr. ^VTiitefield acted, and they were productive of the desired effect, not only in alms-giving, this WEis but a small matter, when compared with the Jiappier and more important attempt which he made for the good of mankind, at the hazard of his life, and the expense of an imblemished character. How he has preached with showers of stones, and many other instruments of malice and revenge about his <3ars, many of his surviving friends can witness. But having the salvation of sinners at heart, and a great desire to rescue them from the power of eternal death, he resolved to spend and be spent for the service of precious and immortal souls; and spared no pains, and refused no labor, so that he might but administer to their real and eternal good. And glory be to our good God, he hath persevered and endured to the end of his life, having respect unto the recompense of the reward. Surely nothing else could support him under such a weight of care, and enable him, amidst it all, for so many years, to bear it with so much cheerfulness. The worthy inhabitants of this province do not want my attestation, either to the loss the province has sustained, or to the desire he has had for its prosperity. His indefatigable endeavors to promote it, and the many fervent prayers he has night and day offered for it, speak loud enough. Happy omens we would hope in favor of it, both as to its temporal increase, and spiritual prosperity. May God raise up some useful men to supply his place, and carry on unto perfection what he hath so disinterestedly begun, that the institution he has founded in this province, may be of public utility to the latest posterity!

“As to his death, little more can be said of it, than has been communicated to the public already. He died like a hero, in the field of battle — he has been fighting the battles of the Lord of hosts upwards of thirty years, against the world, sin, and Satan — and he has been a conquerer — he has fought successfully — many, very many, converted sinners are the trophies of his victory. I3ut now his warfare is accomplished, the captain of his salvation has granted him a discharge, he has entered into his everlasting rest, and is reaping the benefit of a life sincerely dedicated to his service of the once crucified, but now exalted Jesus. He preached the day before his decease: though his death was sudden, he was not surprised. The morning of his departure, not many hours before his spirit took its flight to the regions of bliss, he prayed to the God of his salvation, and committed his departing soul into his hands, as his faithful Creator, and all merciful Redeemer. Soon after he said, ‘I am near my end’ — then fell asleep — he fainted and died — not one ^igh, or groan — the Lord heard his prayer, and granted his request, and gave him an easy dismission out of time into eternity. Sudden death was his desire; tuid sudden death was to him sudden glory. He has fought the good fight; few, if any, since the apostles, have been more extensively useful, or labored more abundantly. Thousands, I believe, I may with propriety say, in England, Scotland, and America, have great reason to bless God for his ministrations; for he has traveled fur and wide, proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation through faith in a crucified Savior. Adorable Emanuel, make thou up the loss of him to thy church and people! Let a double portion of thy Spirit be poured out upon the remaining ministers! Let that holy fire, which burnt so bright in thy departed servant, warm each of their hearts! And, O thou Lord of the harvest, send forth more such true and faithful laborers into thy harvest.”

Many funeral discourses were preached for him at home and abroad. In that by the Rev. Dr. Edwards, November 11, 1770, on Hebrews xi. 4,” By it he being dead, yet speaketh,’’’ — is given the character of Whitefield as follows:

1.” The ardent love he bore to the Lord Jesus Christ was remarkable. This divine principle constrained him to an unwearied application in the service of the gospel; and transported him, at times, in the eyes of some, beyond the bounds of sober reason. He was content to be a fool for Christ’s sake; to be despised, so Christ might be honored: to be nothing, that Jesus might be all in all. He had such a sense of the mcomparable excellence of the person of Christ, of his adorable condescension in taking our nature upon him, and enduring the curses of the holy law; his complete suitableness and sufficiency, as the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption of his people, that he could never say enough of him. He was so convinced of the happy tendency and efficacy of this principle in his own mind, that he made use of it, and proposed it to others, in the room of a thousand arguments whenever he would inculcate the most unreserved obedience to the whole will of God, or stir up believers to a holy diligence in adornins: the doctrines of God our Savior in all things. Lispired by this principle, nothing frightened or flattered him from his duty.

2. “Another pleasing ingredient in his character, and a sure evidence of the former, was to love the souls of manldnd. He rejoiced in their prosperity as one that had found great spoil; and with St. Paul, was willing to spend and be spent in promoting their happiness. He loved all who loved Jesus Christ in sincerity, however they might difi’er in some circumstantials. He embraced all opportunities to expose the malignant leaven of a party, and to remove prejudices and misapprehensions, which good people too often entertain of one another, when under the influence of sectarian humor.

3.” His attachment to the great doctrines of the gospel was inflexible; having known their worth, and experienced their power in his ownheart, he plainly saw, that though they were

234 MKiVJOIRS OF WHITEFIELD.

unacceptable to the carnal heart, yet they bore the plain impress of the infinite wisdom of God. Those important truths, which tended to humble the sinner, to exalt Christ, and promote holiness in heart and life, were his darling subjects. He did not disguise gospel truths by some artful sweetening, to render them more palatable to men of corrupt minds: he studied to preach the word in its purity, plainness, and simplicity. The warmth of his zeal disgusted many who make a mighty outcry about candor and charity, and are willing to extend it to every sentiment, except the truths in which the apostles gloried. It was his love to the truths of God, and the souls of men, that led him to expose those who plead for the rectitude and excellences of human nature; deny the proper godhead of Jesus Christ, justification by faith in his righteousness imputed, on the new birth; and the absolute necessity of the operations of the Holy Ghost. Faith and holiness were ever united together in his system, in opposition to those who pretend to faith without obedience to the law of God as the rule of fife. He Imew errors of the great truths of the gospel are not indiflerent, but dreadful and fatal; he knew it was not candor and charity to say that errors in judgment are not hurtful, but the greatest unmercifulness and cruelty; therefore he often reproved such sharply.

“Although he was so tenacious of the foundation truths of the gospel, yet none more candid in things that are not essential; herein lie was full of gentleness and forbearance. In things indifferent he became all things to all men.

4. “To the foregoing particulars in Mr. Whitefield’s character, I may add his zeal. His christian zeal was like the light of the sun, which did warm, shine and cherish, but knew not to destroy; full of generous philanthropy and benevolence, his zeal made him exceeding earnest and importunate in his addresses to saints and sinners. His zeal returned blessings for curses, and prayers for ill treatment — it kindled in him a becoming indignation against the errors, follies, and sins of the time — it led him to weep bitterly over those who would not be persuaded to fly from the wrath to come — it made him bold and intrepid in the cause of God, and kept him from that flatness and deadness, which is too visible in some good ministers. In those things he was an example to ministers of every denomination; and if the limits of my discourse would admit, I could mention many things* as to his charity to the poor, his humility, &c.”

On Sunday, November 18, 1770, the Rev. John Wesley, preached his funeral sermon at the chapel in Tottenham court

MIsMOTRS OF WTUTF.FIELI). 235

road, ami al the Tabernacle,* from Numbers xxiii. 10. “Le me die the death of the righteous and let my last end he like hit” And in the sermon, after giving some particniars of his life and death, Mr. Wesley says:

1, “We are next to take some view of his character. A little sketch of this was soon after his death, published in the Boston Gazette, an extract of which is subjoined. Little can be said of him but what every friend to vital Christianity, who has sat imder his ministry will assert. In his public labors he has for many years astonished the world with his eloquence and devotion. With what divine pathos did he persuade the impenitent sinner to embrace the practice of early piety and virtue: filled with the spirit of grace, he spoke from the heart with a fervency of zeal perhaps unequalled since the days of the apostles; adorned the truths he delivered with the most graceful charms of rhetoric and oratory. From the pulpit he was unrivalled in the command of an ever crowded auditory. Nor was he less agreeable and instructive in his private conversation: happy in a remarkable ease of address, willing to communicate, studious to edify. May the rising generation catch a spark of that flame which shone with such distingxiished luster in the spirit and practice of this faithful servant of the most high God.

2.” A more particular and equally just character of him has appeared in one of the English papers, London Chronicle, November 8, 1770. It may not be disagreeable to you to add the substance of this likewise. The character of this truly pious person, must be deeply impressed on the heart of every friend to vital religion. In spite of a tender and delicate constitution, he continued to the last day of his life, preaching with a frequency and a fervor, that seemed to exceed the natural strensth of the most robust. Being: called to the exercise of his function at an age, when most young men are only beginning to qualify themselves for it, he had not time to make a very considerable progress in the learned languages: but this defect was amply supplied by a lively and fertile genius, by fervent zeal, and by a formidable and most persuasive delivery. And though in the pulpit he often found it needful, by the terrors of the Lord, to persuade men, he had nothing gloomy in his nature, being singularly cheerful, as well as charitable and

* London Chronicle, November 19, 1770. “Yesterday the Rev. John Wesley preached a funeral sermon on Mr. Whitefield’s death in the morning, at Tottenham court chapel; and in the evening, at the Tabernacle; the inside of each place was lined with black cloth, and an escutcheon himg on the pul-Eits. The multitudes that went, with a design to hear the sermon, exceed all elief. The chapel and the Tabernacle were both filled as soon as they were opened.”

tender hearted. He was as ready to relieve the bodily, as spiritual necessities of those that applied to him. It ought also to be observed, that he constantly enforced upon his audience every moral duty, particularly industry in their several callings, and obedience to their superiors. He endeavored, by the most extraordinary efforts of preaching in different places, and even in the open fields, to rouse the lower class of people, from the last degree of inattention and ignorance, to a sense of religion. For this, and his other labors, the name of George Whitefield will long be remembered with esteem and veneration.

3.” That both these accounts are just and impartial, will readily be allowed; that is, as far as they go: but they go little farther than the outsides of his character: they show you the preacher, but not the man, the christian, the saint of God. May I be permitted to add a little on this head, from a personal knowledge of nearly forty years? Indeed, I am throughly sensible how difficult it is to speak on so delicate a subject; what prudence is required to avoid both extremities, to say neither too little nor too much! Nay, I know d is impossible to speak at all, to say either less or more, without incurring from some the former, from others the latter censure. Some will seriously think that too little is said: rnd others that it is too much: but without attending to this, I will speak just what I know, before Him to whom we are all to give an account.

4.” Mention has been already made of his unparalleled zeal, his indefatigable activity, his tender heartedness to the afflicted, and charitableness toward the poor. But should we not likewise mention his deep gratitude to all whom God had used as instruments of good to him? Of whom he did not cease to speak in the most respectful manner, even to his dying day. Should we not mention that he had a heart susceptible of the most generous and the most tender friendship? I have frequently thought that this, of all others, was the distinguishing part of his character. How few have we known of so kind a temper, of such large and flowing affections. Was it not principally by this, that the hearts of others were so strongly drawn and knit to him? Can any thing but love beget love? This shone in his very countenance, and continually breathed in all his words, whether in public or private. Was it not this, which, quick and penetrating as lightning, flew from heart to heart? Which gave that life to his sermons, his conversation, his letters? Ye are witnesses.

5.” But away with the vile misconstruction of men of corrupt minds, who knew of no love, but what is earthly and sensual. Be it remembered at the same time, that he was endued with the most nice and unblemished modesty. His office called him to converse very frequently and largely with women as well as men, and those of every age mid condition. But his whole behavior towards them, was a practical comment on that advice of St. Paul to Timothy, ‘entreat the elder women as mothers, the yoiniger as sisters, with all purity.’

6.” Mean time, how suitable to the friendliness of his spirit, was the frankness and openness of his conversation? Although it was as far removed from rudeness on the one hand, as from guilt and disguise on the other. Was not this frankness at once a fruit and a proof of his courage and intrepidity? Armed with these, he feared not the faces of men, but used great plainness of speech to persons of every rank and condition, high and low. rich and poor; endcavoi’ing only by manifestation of the truth, to commend himself to every man’s conscience in the sigflit of God.

7.” Neither was he afraid of labor or pains, any more than of what man could do unto him, being equally

‘Patient in bearing ill, and doing well.’

“And this appeared in the steadiness wherewith he pursued whatever he undertook, for his Master’s sake; witness one instance for all, the Orphan-house in Georgia, which he began and perfected, in spite of all discouragements. Indeed, in whatever concerned himself, he was pliable and flexible. In this case he was easy to be entreated, easy to be either convinced or persuaded; but he was immovable in the things of God, or wherever his conscience was concerned. None could persuade, any more than aflright him, to vary in the least point from that integrity, which was inseparable from his whole character, and regulated all his words and actions. Herein he did

‘Stand as an iron pillar strong,
And steadfast as a wall of brass.’

8.” If it be inquired, what was the foundation of this integrity, or of his sincerity, courage, patience, and every other valuable and amiable quality? it is easy to give the answer. It was not the excellence of his natural temper; not the strength of his understanding; it was not the force of education; no, nor the advice of his friends. It was no other than faith in a believing Lord; faith of the operation of God. It was a lively hope of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. It was the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost, which was given unto him, filling his soul with tender, disinterested love to every child of man. From this source arose that torrent of eloquence, which frequently bore down all before it. From this, that astonishing force of porsuasion, which the most hardened sinners could not resist. This it was, which often made his head as waters, and his eyes a fountain of tears. This it was, which enabled him to pour out his soul in prayer, in a manner peculiar to himself, with such fullness and ease united together, with such strength and variety both of sentiment and expression.

6. “I may close this head with observing, what an honor it pleased God to put upon his faithful servant, by allowing him to declare his everlasting gospel in so many various countries, to such numbers of people, and with so great an effect on so many of their precious souls!”

On the same day, November 18, 1770, the Rev. Henry Venn, A. M., rector of Yelling, in Huntingdonshire, and chaplain to the Right Honorable the earl of Buchan, preached a sermon at the Countess of Huntingdon’s chapel at Bath, on Isaiah viii. 18.” Behold I, mul the children whom the Lord hath given me, are for signs and for loonders in Israel, from the Lord of Hosts, v)hich dwelleth in Mount ZionP The following hymn was sung:

Servnnt of God, well done!

Thy glorious wari’are’s past,
The battle’s fought, the race is won,

And thou art crowned at last;
Of all thy heart’s desire,

Triumphantly possess’d,
Lodg’d by the ministerial choir,

In thy Redeemer’s breast.

In condescending love

Thy ceaseless prayer he heard,
And bade thee suddenly remove

To thy complete reward;
Ready to bring the peace.

Thy beauteous feet were shod,
When mercy signed thy soul’s release,

And caught thee up to God.

With saints enthron’d on high,

Thou dost thy Lord proclaim,
And still to God salvation ciy.

Salvation to the Lamb!
O happy, happy soul.

In ecstasies of praise,
Long as eternal ages roll.

Thou seest thy Savior’s face.

Redeem’d from earth and pain.

Ah! when shall we ascend.
And all in Jesus’ presence reign,

“With our translated friend!
Come Lord, and quickly come!

And when in thee complete,
Receive thy longing servants home,

To triumph at thy feet!

ntEMOIRS OF WIIITEFIELD. 23*

Of Whitefield, Mi*. Venn says: — “Though the children of Christ are all for signs and for wonders in Israel, yet do they differ as one star dilleretli from another star in glory. Talents, grace, and zeal, eminently dignify some, and draw the eyes of men upon them. In the foremost of this rank, doubtless, is the Rev. Mr. Whitefield to be placed; for his doctrine was the doctrine of the Reformers, of the Apostles, and of Christ; it was the doctrine of free grace, of God’s everlasting love. Through Jesus he preached the forgiveness of sins, and perseverance in holy living, through his faithfulness and power engaged to his people. And the doctrines which he preached, he eminently adorned by his zeal, and by his works. For, if the greatness, extent, success, and dishiterestedness of a man’s labor, can give him distinction among the children of Christ, we are warranted to affirm, that scarce any one of his ministers, since the apostles’ days, has exceeded; scarce any one has equalled Mr. Whitefield.

“What a sign and wonder was this man of God in the greatness of his labors! One cannot but stand amazed that his mortal frame could, for the space of thirty years, without interruption, sustain the weight of them. For what is so trying to the human frame, in youth especially, as long continued, frequent and violent straining of the lungs? Who, that knows. their structure, would think it possible, that a person, little above the age of manhood, should speak in the compass of a single week, and that for years, in general, forty hours, and in very many weeks sixty, and that to thousands; and after this labor, instead of taking any rest, should be offering up prayers, intercessions, with hymns and spiritual songs, as his manner was, in every house to which he was invited. The history of the church of Christ affords but very few instances of men thus incessantly employing their whole strength, as it were, every breath they drew, in the business of their sacred function. And the truth is, that in point of labor, this extraordinary servant of God did as much in a few weeks, as most of those who exert themselves are able to do in the space of a year. Thus laboring, not by fits or starts, but with constancy, perseverance, and ardor unabated, his mortal frame, about nine years since, began to sink under the weight of much work. If with the length and frequency of Mr. Whitefield’s preaching, we consider the intenseness of voice and spirit with which he spoke, the greatness of his labors will appear perfectly astonishing. He knew not how to speak with less zeal, in his whole manner, than became the subject of his discourse. The total ruin of the human race by the fall, the complete recovery of believers in Christ, his dying love, and the unsearchable riches

af of his grace, to be known experimentally in this life, though fully to be displayed in the next; and the infatuation of sinners, led captive by their lusts, down to the chambers of death. These grand truths, of more weight than words can paint, fired his whole soul; they transported him as much as earthly spirits are transported into vehemence, when they contend personally for their own property; he cried out therefore, as his dear Lord was wont to do, with a voice audible to an amazing distance. Hence, in a thousand instances, where the cause of God, more coolly pleaded, would have been neglected, he gained it a hearing, and carried the day: for the unusual earnestness of the speaker roused the most stupid and lethargic; it compelled them to feel; the matter must be momentous, indeed, which the speaker was urging, as a man would plead for his own life. Early and often his body sufl’ered for this violent exertion of his strength. Early and often his inside has bled a considerable quantity, and cried out, spare thj’-self; but prodigal of life, in the best of causes, he would give himself no rest, expecting very soon to finish his course, and infinitely desirous to save the souls condemned to die — he perished. Though this may be blarried as an excess, it was an excess far above the reach of a selfish mind, or an ordinary faith.

“Equal to the greatness and intenseness of his labors, was their extent. The abilities and grace of most teachers, have full employ in but a small district, nor have common men talents for more. But, when God lights up in the breast, an apostolic zeal for his own glory, an apostolic love for the souls of men, it seems reasonable to conclude such an instrument is designed for the most extensive usefulness.

“Accordingly the compass of Mr. Whitefield’s labors, exceeds any thing that others can pretend to. Not only in the south, the west, and north of England, did he lift up his voice, saying, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is come, but in Wales, in Scotland, in Ireland, and America, from Georgia to Boston, vast multitudes in each country were witnesses of his zeal for the salvation of souls.

“And to crown all, he was abundantly successful in his vast labors, and disinterested too. The seals to his ministry, from first to last, I am persuaded, are more tluui could be credited, could the number be fixed. This is certain, his amazing popularity was only from his uscfiilness; for he no sooner opened his mouth as a preacher, than God commanded an extraordinary blessing upon his word. The peojile were so deeply impressed with the sense of divine things, from what he delivered, that, to his own great surprise, they followed him from church to church, until the largest churches in London could no longer

MEMOIRS OK WIllTEPIELD. 241

contain a fourth part of the crowds, which pressed to hear the word of God from his hps.

“Should any one say, few in comparison, besides the low, ignorant, conmion people, were his followers, I would answer, the souls of the poor and ignorant are to the full as precious as those of the rich and learned; and the mob have shown the justest discernment, and have received the truth; whilst men of wealth, learning, and education, have trampled it under their feet. Witness the chief scribes and pharisees, who rejected both the baptist and the Savior, when the common people justified God, and gave them both the honor of being sent from him. Indeed, in every age, we see the scripture fulfilled — not many rich, not many mighty, not many wise men after the flesh are called; but God has chosen the poor, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom.

“However, when the fierceness of prejudice was worn off, numbers, who at first despised him, taught to do so by gross slanderers, were happy under his ministry. And this honor was put upon him even to the last. He had a much larger audience statedly to hear him, than any man in the whole kingdom, perhaps in all Christendom.

“And that this vast multitude of people were gathered, just as the primitive churches of Christ, by the truth they heard, and the spiritual benefit they received under his word, is evident beyond a reasonable doubt. For, if you trace his progress through the various cities and countries where he preached the gospel, you will find, as the case was with St. Paul, so it was with this servant of Christ; many were turned by him from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God, receiving remission of their sins, and an inheritance among those that are sanctified, through faith in Christ. Inquire of the effects of his labors, from the only proper judges, those who live in the religious world; and they will aver, that many within their own knowledge, small as that circle must be, confess they owe their ownselves to this faithful witness for his Lord. Added to this, that the letters he received of grateful acknowledgments, from persons of all ages and conditions in life, for the spiritual blessings he had conveyed to them, would fill volumes. Nay, it is a well known fact, that the conversion of men’s souls has been the fruit of a single sermon from his lips; so eminently was he made of God, a fisher of men. But he was not more successful than he was disinterested in his labors; for though a vast multitude, which must ever be the case with those whom God is pleased remarkably to own, followed him, he had still no ambition to stand at the head of a party. His great object was to exalt Christ crucified: and when his hearers were broiii:fht to the knowledge of salvation, his point was gained, and his soul was satisfied. Hence, neither in his sermons, nor more private exhortations, did he cast disparaging reflections upon other preachers of Christ. No base suggestion dropt from his mouth, as if to differ from him must be owing to blindness in the judgment, or coldness of the heart for the interests of holiness. Truly cordial and catholic in his love for all who appeared to love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, he never desired to see his congregation increased by those who had evangelical pastors of their own.

“Further, in proof of his disinterestedness, consider what he gained by his labors. The scourge of the tongue was let loose upon him, and his name was loaded with the foulest calumnies; he was often in tumults, and more than once in danger of his life, by the rage of the people; he wore himself away in the service of souls; and when he died, he died quite exhausted by much speaking; but in his death, he received an immediate answer to his own prayer, ’ that if it were consistent with the divme will, he might finish that day his Master’s work.’

“For such a life, and such a death, though in tears under our great loss, we must yet thank God. And though we are allowed to sorrow, because we shall never see or hear him again, we must rejoice that millions have heard him so long, so often, and to so much good effect; that out of this mass of people, multitudes are gone before him, we doubt not, to hail his entrance into the world of glory; and that in every period of life, from childhood to hoary age, many of his children in the Lord are still to follow; all to be his crown of rejoicing; the only eflfectual, everlasting confutation of his adversaries; that he ran not in vain, nor labored in vain.”

Many more sermons were preached, on Whitefield’s death, by the Rev. Messrs. Whi taker and Smith, of Charleston; Sproutt, of Philadelphia; Langford, Elliott, and others.

It appears, from a paper written by Whitefield, that if he had lived to finish his imperfect manuscript, sometimes quoted in these memoirs, the conclusion would have been, “Reflections upon the whole, containing arguments to prove the divinity of the work; and answers to objections against field preaching — lay preaching — irregukmties — and the blemishes that have attended it.”

His death preventing the execution of this design, we could refer the reader to what has been published upon the subject, by the Rev. Messrs. Jonathan Edwards, Hobby, Shutliff”, and others.

The Rev. John Newton, iate rector of St. Mary Woolnoth,

London, preached a sermon at OIney, November 1 1, 1770, on John V. 35, He ?ras’ a hum in g and a shining light. In which he speaks of Whitefield, as follows: “Some ministers are burning and shininiy lights in a pecuHar and eminent degree. Such an one, I doubt not, was the servant ol” God, whose death we now lament. I have had some opportnnities of looking over the history of the chnrcli in past ages. I am not backward to say, that I have not read or heard of any person since the apostles’ days, of whom it may be more emphatically said, he was a burning and shining light, than the late Mr. Whitefield, whether we consider the warmth of his zeal, the greatness of his ministerial talents, or the extensive nsefnlness with which the Lord honored Inm. I do not mean to praise the man, but the Lord who furnished him, and made him what he was. He was raised up to shine in a dark place. The state of religion, when he first appeared in public, was very low in our established church. I speak the truth, though to some it may be an offensive truth. The doctrines of grace were seldom heard from the pulpit, and the life and power of godliness were little known. Many of the most spiritual among the dissenters, were mourning under the sense of a great spreading declension on their side. What a change has taken place throughout the land, within a little more than thirty years, that is, since the time when the first set of despised ministers came to Oxford! And how much of this change has been owing to God’s blessing on Mr. Whitefield’s labors, is well known to many who have lived through this period; and can hardly be denied by those who are least willing to allow it.

“First — He was a burning light. He had an ardent zeal for God, an inflamed desire for the salvation of sinners; so that no labors could weary him, no difficulties or opposition discouraged him, hardly any limits could confine him; not content with the bounds of a country, or a Idngdom, this messenger of good tidings preached the everlasting gospel in almost every considerable place in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and throughout the British empire in America, which is an extent of more than one thousand miles. Most of these places he visited again and again; nor did he confine his attention to places of note, but in the former part of his ministry, was ready to preach to few, as well as to many, wherever a door was opened; though in the latter part of his life, his frequent illness, and the necessity of his more immediate charge, confined him more at home. In some of his most early excursions, the good providence of God led him here: and many, I trust, were made willing to rejoice in his light, and have reason to bless God, that ever they saw and heard him.

“Secondly — He was a shining light. His zeal was not like wild fire, but directed by sound principles, and a sound judgment. In this part of his character I would observe — 1st. Though he was very young when he came out, the Lord soon gave him a very clear view of the gospel. In the sermons he published, soon after his first appearance, there is the same evangelical strain observable, as in those which he preached in his advanced years. Time and observation, what he felt, and what he saw, enlarged his experience, and gave his preaching an increasing ripeness and savor, as he grew older in the work; but from first to last he preached the same gospel, and was determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 2d. His steadiness and perseverance in the truth was the more remarkable, considering the difficulties and snares he was sometimes beset with. But the Lord kept him steady, so that neither the example, nor friendship, nor importunity of those he dearly loved, were capable of moving him. 3d. The Lord gave him a manner of preaching, which was peculiarly his own. He copied from none, and I never met any one who could imitate him with success. They who attempted, generally made themselves disagreeable. His familiar address, the power of his action, his marvelous talent in fixing the attention even of the most careless, I need not describe to those who have heard him, and to those who have not, the attempt would be vain. Other ministers could preach the gospel as clearly, and in general say the same things; but, I believe, no man living could say them in his way. Here I always thought him unequaled; and I hardly expect to see his equal while I live. 4th. But that which finished his character, as a shining light, and is now his crown of rejoicing, was the singular success which the Lord was pleased to give him in winning souls. What numbers entered the kingdom of glory before him, and what numbers are now lamenting his loss, who were awakened by his ministry! It seemed as if he never preached in vain. Perhaps there is hardly a place, in all the extensive compass of his labors, where some may not be found, who thankfully acknowledge him for their spiritual father. Nor was he an awakening preacher only; wherever he came, if he preached but a single discourse, he usually brought a season of refreshment and revival with him, to those who had already received the truth. Great as his immediate and personal usefulness was, his occasional usefulness, if I may so call it, was, perhaps, much greater. Many have cause to be thankful for him, who never saw or heard him. I have always observed, that there was a something peculiar to his manner of preaching, in which no person of sound judgment would venture to imitate him. But, notwithstanding this, he was in other respects, a signal and happy pattern and model for preachers. He introduced a way of close and lively application to the conscience, for which, I believe, many of the most admired and eminent preachers now living, will not be ashamed, or unwilling to acknowledge themselves his debtor.”

How highly the Rev. William Romaine thought of Whitefield, his own account of his death will best tell.

“hook at the public loss! O what has the church suffered in the setting of that bright star, which had shone so gloriously in our hemisphere. Mr. Whitefield’s preaching is over — now he is praising. We have none left to succeed him: none of his gifts; none any thing like him in usefulness.”

The Rev. Samuel Brewer, of Stepney, near London, also preached a sermon on the occasion, which his modesty would not permit him to print. And many ministers, both in and out of the establishment, amongst whom were the Rev. William Romaine, the Rev. Martin Madan, the Rev. Dr. Gibbons, and the Rev. Dr. Trotter, who, in their preaching and prayers, lamented the loss of so eminently faithful, and uncommonly successful a servant of God.

These sermons are so many testimonies to the extraordinary and unexampled eifects, wrought by this wonderful man of God, in both hemispheres; and in the act of acknowledging, they pay in the purest and scarcest coin, the debt of gratitude due to this spiritual soldier, for his heroic and self-sacrificing perseverance in breaking up that sensual spell, in which the people had been fast bound, whose purified lives were the seals of his ministry, the crown of his rejoicing, and the earnest of their own salvation. They were the spontaneous, unsought expressions of grief at the loss of one, who had been to them, under God, the conductor of Spiritual Life. Few men have made themselves felt so sensibly and widely during their own lives; and still fewer have been privileged to fill a space so large, that their death seems to leave, through a whole people, a mournful and irreparable void. Even among this small band, it is seldom that any have their graves watered with tears, flowing from that fount of affection, which supplies itself from the enduring and immortal within us.

That devout and affectionate veneration, which would have led throngs to bathe Whitefield’s feet in their tears, never exists for any merely earthly hero. The same power of touching the truest and deepest chords within us, which made his memory and worth so much eulogized after death, also awakened a love and admiration which irresistibly spoke themselves out before the living man. So effectual was the impression

246 :liEMOIRS OF wititefikld.

iHade by liini wliercvcr lie went, that formal commendatory discourses were often pronounced upon him, in his youncrer days, the tone of which precisely accords with the eulosfies after his death. This is proof that his fame was not accidental or temporary, but rested on the fixed basis of intrinsic worth and pre-eminence. A specimen of these demonstrations of the respect deferred to him, may be found in the following sermon. It was preached by the Rev. Josiah Smith, of Charleston, when Whitefield was but twenty-six years of age, and was published in Boston, with a reconnnendatory preface by the Rev. Dr. Coleman, and the Rev. Mr. Cooper, in the year 1740. The sermon is as follows:

Job xxxiii. 27. I said I will answer my yart, T also will shoiD iny opinioyy.

My desig-n from this text is, to show my impartial opinion of that son of Thunder, who has lately graced and warmed this desk; and would have been an ornament, I think, to the best pulpit in the province. Happy shall I think myself, if I can only clinch the nails, this great master of assemblies* has already fastened. Like Elihu, the gallant youth before us, “I am now full of matter; the spirit within me constraineth me; my belly is as wine which hath no vent, it is ready to burst like new bottles, I will speak that I maybe refreshed.’’ Others have freely spoken their sentiments of the wondrous man before me; and I have heard the defaming, as well as the applause of many. “I said, therefore, I will answer also my part, I will also show my opinion.” In this I design no offence, nor would I give flattering titles to any man, lest my Maker should take me away.

The scheme proposed is,

I. To show my opinion of the doctrines he insisted upon, and well established.

II. To speak something of the manner of his preaching.

III. To offer my sentiments upon his personal character. Lastly, to give my thoughts, of what Providence seems to

have in view, in raising up men of this stamp in our day, almost every where spoken against, yet crowded after and justly admired.

I. I shall give you my opinions of the doctrines he insisted upon among us.

To speak more generally, they were doctrines, I am of opinion, agreeable to the dictates of reason; evidently founded upon scripture; exactly correspondent with the articles of the establishment; of great use and necessity in forming the

* That ministers of the gospel are called masters of assemblies, See Paul’s Annotations on Eccl. xii. 11.

christian hie; which I had early imbibed from the best writers and systems; from which I had never yet seen reason to recede, and which therefore you are witnesses, I have not failed to introduce and inculcate, in the course of my ministry among you.

To be more particular:

One of the doctrines, which he has hardly passed over in silence, in any single discourse, is that of original sin. A truth so manifest in scripture, that I am almost of opinion, it is impossible any sincere, diligent and unprejudiced inquirer should miss it; for it is written in sun beams, that a man may run and read.

By original sin I mean nothing less than the imputation of Adam’s first sin to all his posterity by ordinary generation; which imputation is the result of his being constituted to act for them in the extensive capacity of legal representative; the consequence of which is, that mherent cormption of nature, and those sinful propensities, we are now born with into the world. As to the point of imputation, it is a doctrine, it must be contessed, of more intricacy; about which, it is therefore possible, a well meaning man may labor under some scruples, while perhaps he allows of the depravity of human nature. Though I must beg leave to express my surprise, that any person of judgmem should maintain this depravity, and not immediately discover its neccessary connection with the imputation, and how impossible it is to secure the justice of God, without having recourse to it: for, certainly, the cormption of human nature, so universal and inseparable, is one of the greatest punishments that could be inflicted upon the species; and that it is inflicted, appears from hente, that God made man at first upright. Now, if there be no previous imputation, to lay a legal foundation for this punishment, then God has mflicted an evident punishment upon a race of men, perfectly imiocent, and which had neither sinned personally, nor yet by imputation; and thus, while we imagine we honor the justice of God by renouncing imputation, we in fact pour the highest dishonor upon that sacred attribute. This. I fear, is the grand reason, why the adversaries of origuial sin labor so hard to explode the depravity of nature; for should they once admit that, they are conscious they must admit imputation too. I say, I fear this is the grand reason. How else is it possible a man should question a truth, written in capitals upon the moral world? A truth, we feel in every power of our soul! what we read upon our own hearts; and is indeed stamped upon universal nature, withui our horizon; and which, the more righteous any man is, the more he feels and groans imder. We need not wonder then, our late incomparable preacher should insist upon original sin, when we consider, not only in what an incontestable manner he proved it, but of what vast importance it must be. For to give my opinion freely; I cannot think, I cannot see, how the christian scheme can be consistent with itself, or supported with honor, without this basis. I look upon it, not merely as a doctrine of the scriptures, the great fountain of truth, but a very fundamental one; from which, I hope, God will sutler none of you to be enticed, by any sophistry of the subtle disputers of this world, or charms of language.

But to proceed.

Another doctrine we have lately had in the warmest language impressed upon us, is that Pauline one of justification by faith alone. And here you will remember, how the preacher vindicated himself from all suspicions of Antinomian error, and opening a door to licentious manners: for while on the one hand, he earnestly contended for our justification, as the free gift of God, by faith alone in the blood of Christ, an article of faith delivered to the saints of old; so on the other hand, he took special care to guard against the licentious abuse of it, and would not make void the law, when he asserted that good works were the necessary fruits and evidences of true faith; telling us plainly, and with the clearest distinction, that a man was justified these three ways; meritoriously by Christ, instrumentally by faith alone, declaratively by good works. And believe me, my brethren, this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and the writings of the apostles. For when Abraham behoved God, was not it (his fliith) imputed to him for righteousness? And yet, was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac hie son upon the altar? How shall we then reconcile this? Why very easily. The act of this faith justified him through Christ, and the offering of Isaac justified that faith: the first in the sight of God, the other in the sight of man. In justification faith precedes, works follow after; for if works precede, or had any casual influence in our justification, we might seem to have whereof to glory before God. But here, it is the free gift of God, and boasting for ever excluded. God, when he justifies a man, never finds, but makes him holy; without any previous merit, of which there can be no shadow in an apostate creature. No; By grace ye are saved, through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. And, could I live the most exact life ever man lived; could I even excel the virtues of the pious preacher himself; could I produce as many good works as the saints in all ages collected together; I would not for ten thousand worlds, put my justification upon them; 1 would only consider them, as bright and pleasant evidences of the truth of my faith in Christ. Good works are vahiable tl)ings; God forbid we should lisp a word against them, in their proper place; we plead for them, we press the practice of them, as incumbent upon all christians; but we cannot allow them any share in our justification before God. They may prove we are justified; but they cannot justify us. No, verily: Not by works of righteousness which ice have done, but of his own mercy, God saveth us. Hitherto then, our preacher is orthodox in his doctrine, which both excludes licentiousness, establishes the law, and exalts free grace; the evident design and language of the gospel, and which, I am of opinion, every minister of Christ should earnestly contend for; because the sinner must first see himself naked, before he will come to Christ for his white raiment; the pure and fine linen, which is the righteousness of the saints, and which I counsel you all to buy of him.

Regeneration was another great doctrine, which the excellent man much insisted upon; hardly a single sermon, but he mentioned it, sometimes more than twice; and one, and perhaps the best of his discourses, was ex professo upon this subject. Nor can any man be surprised, that a minister of the New Testament should so heartily espouse a principle, which our Lord himself began to speak, and asserted as a fundamental point of Christianity, indispensably requisite to eternal life; and this with so much vehemency, and earnest repetition. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be horn again, [froin above,) he cannot see the kingdom of God. He assures us. We must be born of water and of the (Spirit. Our regeneration results, in its necessity, from original sin. They that are shapen in iniquity, and conceived in sin, must be washed and cleansed. By which is not meant the mere forms and rites of baptism; not the washing away the filth of the flesh, as the corrupt Pharisees might wash their hands and the outside of the cup; but the answer of a good conscience towards God, purged by the blood of Christ. For we can only be saved by the washing of regeneration, and reviewing of the Holy Ghost: the infusion of a new life, a divine, heavenly, and prolific principle. As we are by nature dea,d in trespasses and sins, God must quicken us by his Spirit, and through that we must tnortify the deeds of the body, and crucify the flesh tvith its lusts and affections. For until we know (until we feel the exceeding greatness of) the power of Christ’s resurrection, we have no part in him: we cannot enter into heaven; or if we should, our first petition lrould be, to be discharged as soon £is possible. Pleasure is the result of harmony; the nature must agree with the object: there must be a great change upon the nature, to make us susceptive of the pleasures oi’ God’s presence.

Cavilers and scoffers, 1 know, there are enough, in these last days against this doctrine. Some master of Israel may ask, Uoio can these things be 7 Can a man v:hen lie is old enter a second time into his mothers womb, and be born? Who ever said he could? Or what would it avail, if he should? But I hope there may be such a thing as a spiritual birth, subsequent to the natural. May we not be again begotten to a lively hope? May not God of his own will do it by his word and spirit? And may we not then become as little children and n,ew born babes. Born not of blood, nor of the will of man, nor of the will of the flesh, but of God? Are we not told, in the most express language, — that ichich is born of the jlesh isjlesh, and that ichich is boim of the (Spirit is spirit 7 Are not here two births, one natural, the other spiritual? I am really astonished, any man should read his Bible and his own heart, and be a stranger to this doctrine of the new birth; without which all our boasted morality, and ethical virtues, however splendid and rhetoricated upon, can never adorn us in the sight of God, nor qualify us for his redeeming love.

True religion is an inward thing, a thing of the heart; it chiefly resides there, and consists in a right disposition and sanctified temper of the will and affections; and as we have been lately told, in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Which naturally introduces another doctrine, nearly allied to this, and which was very strongly insisted on, viz:

The impressions, or (which was the preacher’s own phrase) inward feelings of the spirit. And here you remember, how he guarded against the invidious censure, of assuming the character of an apostle.

He renounced all pretensions to the extraordinary powers and signs of apostleship, gifts of healing, speaking with tongues, the faith of miracles; things, peculiar to the age of inspiration, and extinct with them. He also allowed these feelings of the spirit were not in every person, or at all times, in the same degree; and that though a full assurance were attainable, and what every one should labor to attain, yet tiot of absolute necessity to the being of a christian. Only he asserted that we might feel the spirit of God, in his sanctifying and saving impressions, and witnessing with our own spirits. And what is there in all this repugnant to reason! What is there in it, but what is perfectly agreeable to Scripture! How can w-e be led by the spirit, or have joy in the Holy Ghost, without some sensible perceptions of it! Can I at any time feel my soul in sacred raptures, burning with the love of God, and of Christ,

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and all my best passions alive? Can I feel a secret |)leasure in the word, ordinances, and conminnion of God? Can I taste the poifrrs of the VHvld to come? Can I feel the ihreatenincrs of Cod impressed upon my conscience, or |)rouiises of paradise working upon my hopes! Can I groan under the burden of my corruptions, or exult in the liberty of spirit, I may sometimes have, in a calm and retired hour, in the meditation of my pardon, and the contemplation of heaven and immortality? I say, can I have all these things in me, and do I feel them upon my soul, and yet this doctrine of feeling the spirit be burlesqued and ridiculed, in an age of infidelity and of men who love to speak evil of the things which they know not? Indeed a sinful and adulterous generation may seek after a sign. But what sign can we give them of things that must be known by being felt? Or what ideas can I convey of light to the blind, and of harmony to the deaf? Let God touch their hearts as he has done ours, and they shall feel what we feel; and what I would not but feel for millions of worlds. But till then it is impossible in nature to represent it, in a full, adequate light to them; and they may as well ask for mathematical demonstrations in a point of pure morality. This is a doctrine, I have been acquainted with these many years; it is not new or surprising to me; you have heard me preach it scores of times, though perhaps, clothed in other expressions as the influences of the spirit, the impressions of grace. And however derided by some, who set up and caress a system of rational religion, I hope to have always enthusiasm enough to maintain that the spirit of God may be felt. To conclude this head, all the doctrines now mentioned, are primitive, protestant, puritanic ones; which our good fathers, conformists and dissenters, have filled their writings with; and as Dr. Watts has well observed, “They fill heaven apace, for God was with them.”

Yet all that vast reverence, with which I heard these doctrines from the mouth of our famous preacher, could not win my applause or approbation of some few harsher epithets and expressions (you know what I mean) which dropt from his lips. These, in ray opinion, may be pronounced failings; but such as often attend a warm zeal for orthodoxy, in the points of the last importance, arise from a principle ol’ conscience, and are found interwoven with the brightest characters; and he that has none, let him cast the first stone,

II. I shall next give you my opinion of the manner of his preaching.

And here I need not say, nor can my pen describe his action and gesture, in all their strength and decencies. He is certainly a finished preacher, and a great master of pulpit oratory and elocution, while a noble neglisence ran through his style. Yet his discourses were very extraordinary when we consider how little they were premeditated, and how many of them he gave us, the little time he was with us. Many, I trust, have felt, and will long feel the impressions of his zeal and fire, the passion and flame of his expressions: which were such, that I cannot think my public character of him, in the least exceeds the bounds of truth and strict verity; only making that allowance for figures of speech, which is always expected, upon extraordinary occasions, and in the portraiture of great characters.

He appeared to me, in all his discourses, very deeply affected and impressed in his own heart. How did that burn and boil within him, when he spake of the things he had made, touching the King? How was his tongue like the pen of a ready writer? Touched as with a coal from the altar! With what a flow of words, what a ready profusion of language, did he speak to us upon the great concerns of our souls? In what a flaming light did he set our eternity before us? How earnestly did he press Christ upon us? How did he move our passions with the constraining love of such a Redeemer? The awe, the silence, the attention, which sat upon the face of so great an audience, was an argument, how he could reign over all their powers. Many thought. He sjiake as never man spake before him. So charmed were people with his manner of address, that they shut up their shops, forgot their secular business, and laid aside their schemes for the world; and the oftener he preached, the keener edge he seemed to put upon their desires of hearing him again! How awfully, with what thunder and sound did he discharge the artillery of Heaven upon us? And yet, how could he soften and melt even a soldier of Ulysses, with the love and mercy of God! How close, strong and pungent were his applications to the conscience; mingling light and heat, pointing the arrows of the Almighty at the hearts of sinners, while he poured in the balm upon wounds of the contrite, and made broken bones rejoice? Eternal themes, the tremendous solemnities of our religion, were all alive upon his tongue! So methinks (if you wall forgive the figure) St. Paul would look and speak in a pulpit, and in some such manner, I have been tempted to conceive of a seraph, were he sent down to preach among us, and to tell us what things he had seen and heard above! How bold and courageous did he look? He was no flatterer, would not suffer men to settle upon their lees; did not prophesy smooth things nor sow pillows. He tavght the iray of God in truths and regarded not the ‘person of men. The politest, the most modish of our vices he struck at, the most fashionable enter-MEMOIRS OF WIllTEPIEI.D. 253

tainments; regardless of every one’s presence, but his in whose name he spoke, with authority. He deUvered his own soul, very sharply rebuked our balls and midnight assemblies, that bane of all that is serious and religious; and I dare warrant, if none would go to these diversions, till they have answered the solemn questions he put to their consciences, our theater would soon sink and perish.

You may be sure I was not displeased with this part of his conduct, when I have so often myself mentioned these things, as of pernicious tendency to our morals, religion, and prosperity. And who can blame a minister’s freedom and zeal: what hard measures, what cruel treatment would it be to censure our plainness of speech; when our very commission requires us to lift up our voice like a trumpet, to cry aloud, and spare not, to show people their transgressions; and when the blood of your souls, the most insupportable thing in the world, must be required at our hands, if we be afraid to warn! I am sure, would people consider this, and that we cannot possibly propose any temporal advantage to ourselves, by striking at the right eye, they would applaud, and not censure, our warmth and freedom. I must tell you, over and over again, such things are dangerous to your souls; this cannot consist with your christian profession and baptism: they tend to devour the seeds and weaken all the young springs of virtue, and to erase the most pious impressions.

But if the voice of ministers cannot be heard, at least let the circumstances of our country, and the louder roarings of Providence, awe and restrain us; for sure I am it is now a time to mourn, and not to dance: and the Scripture severely threatens a people, that disregarded the operations of God’s hands.

III. I now proceed to show my opinion of our preacher in his personal character and behavior.

Here I may take courage, and challenge his worst enemies to lay any thing to the charge of his morals, or to arraicrn his sincerity, so visible in his whole deportment.

While he preaches up faith alone, in our justification before God, yet he is careful to maintain good works, and denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously, and godly. These things the grace of God teaches us; and how much of this doctrine has he transcribed into his life? How rich has he been in all good works? What an eminent pattern of piety towards God? How holy and unblamable in all conversation and godliness? How seasoned, how much to the use of edifying, all his discourses? How naturally does he turn them to religion? How much is he given to meditation himself, and how does he labor to excite it in others?

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It isindispmaMcwilli me, tlint lie aliecls no party in religion, nor sets himself at the head of any: had this been his aim, no man livino; has had faii(;r oerasions offered; but he abhors the spirit, he endeavors to snpjircss it. He is always careful to time his Sabbath discourses, so as not to interfere with the stated hours of worship, in that church, of which he is a professed member and minister, and in the opinion of many people a very bright ornament; because, as he told us, he would not tempt away hearers from their proper and respective pastors. And is not this a noble and generous, a catholic and christian spirit? He is not bigoted to the modalities and lesser rites and forms of religion, while zealous enough and very warm and jealous in all its essentials, especially in the divine honors and godhead of his Savior. He professed love to good men of every denomination, and told us, that the kingdom of heaven consists not of meats and drinks. He appears to me a man full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. Though his prayers, in this pulpit, were all extempore, yet how copious, how ardent, with what compass of thought! The spirit of grace and supplication seemed to be poured out upon him in plenty, and to kindle and animate his devotions. He prays in public, with that spirit, variety, and fluency, which could only be expected from a man, who was no stranger to the sacred duty in private. He lives much by faith, and above the world; despises preferments and riches; of which last I am told, he has had great offers in Europe. His heart seems set upon doing good. He goes about his great Master’s work, with diligence and application; and with such cheerfulness, as would make one in love with a life of religion, which has so many inward springs of the best comforts, and is not that gloomy, melancholy thing, which prejudice and imagination make it. He is proof against reproach and invective. When he is reviled, he revileth not again, but prays heartily for all his enemies, and that such as oppose the truth, may be converted to it. He professes himself to lay down his life for Christ, and to spend and be spent in the service of souls. Such a man has all imaginable claim to our highest love and honor. I freely own he has taken my heart, and I feel his reproaches. God seems to be with him of a truth; has set his seal upon him: his rod has budded, and he has many to whom he can say, Ye are my epistle. Wherever he has preached, he has been thronged, and many have come to him pricked in their hearts, saying, What shall we do to be saved! He has put a new face upon religion, my letters inform me, in some populous cities and parts of our neighboring continent; given new life to ministers and people; made sermons, once a drug, a vendiblecominodily among them; evening and weekly lectures are set

tip, and always crowded with persons of dirterent jjersuasions; while he has put a damp upon their polite diversions, which always dwindle as Christianity revives. Surely, no man could do these things, 1 had almost said, these miracles, unless God were with him, who gives the increase, even when Paul plants and Apollos waters. Had ecclesiastical perferment been his idol, lame and reputation his motive, as he has taken a preposterous way to ac([uirc diem, so I can never suti’er myself to think God would have owned him so visibly, or given him so many seals of his ministry. Our Savior himself makes good fruits the general characteristic of good ministers. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Either the fruits and success of their ministry, the design and tendency of their doctrines, or the fruits of the Spirit in their Uves. And which of these have been wanting in this extraordinary man? Who can object against the tendency of his doctrines? And for success, his enemies know it to their own confusion. And who can say his life is unfruitful, or that he has appeared like an immoral man? He renders to all their due. While zealous for the things of God, he is a friend to Ca3sar; a loyal subject to King George, heartily prays for him and his royal house;” May it abide before GodY’’ A prayer, to which, I doubt not, you are all ready to say Amen.

But to proceed with our character of the preacher, whom hath he wronged or defrauded? Whose ox or whose ass hath he taken 7 Say, if any man hath found aught in his hands; so far from it, that he seems to live, not by bread alone, but by the word and promise of God; without taking thought for the morrow, lohat he sJiall eat or drink., or put on.

And for charity, as it consists in compassion and acts of beneficence, we have few men like minded. In this grand circle of practical religion, he seems to be a second Job, as well as for patience; and deserves a good report of all men, and of the truth itself Had he been under any criminal influence of a mercenary, covetous temper, had he collected money for himself, in his journeyings often, and itinerating preachings, under the pretext of doing it for the poor, as he was slanderously reported, he had certainly a fair opportimity to enrich himself. But we have seen a plain fact cannot be denied, that he cast all into the treasury, and serves the table of the poor with it. Strolling and vagabond orphans, poor and helpless, without father, without mother, without purse, and without friend, he seeks out, picks up, and adopts into his family. He is now building accommodations, and laying the best foundation for their support and religious instruction, without any visible fund; encouraged to go on in faith, from the shining example of the great professor in Germany, who began a like pious work with almost nothing; and raised it to such perfection, as is the wonder and astonishment of all that hear it. This is a sacrifice well pleasing to God! The loins of the poor will bless him, the blessing nf hhn that was ready to perish, shall come upon Jiipn! He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness ought to endure, and be celebrated among us. After this, let none call him an uncharitable man; for what brighter evidence of pure religion than this, to visit the fatherless in their affliction.

And permit me here, to join in my thanks to ^’’ou, and the other charitably disposed christians, who have shown their bowels of mercy in the late very large collection* for the Orphan-house in Georgia. This is an honor to our whole town. And, believe me, on will never be a penny the poorer, for helping the poor; Them ice have always with us, and inasmuch as we have done it unto them, we have done it unto Christ, and cannot fail of a reward; at least the reflection we make upon it, on our last bed, will give us more satisfaction, than what we contribute to the support of balls and assemblies of music, to the pride and luxuries of life; nor can it fail to occasion many thanksgivings unto God.

I now proceed, under the last head, to give my opinion, what views Providence may have in raising up men of this stamp, now among us.

And this I desire to do with all humility and modesty.

I pretend to no spirit of prophecy, and can only conjecture, and offer the result of observation, reason, and the usual tendencies of things, corroborated by the great promises scattered up and down in our Bibles, wherein glorious things are spoken of thee, thou city of our God! The prophecies are usually too dark and mystic to be fully understood: the seals of that book are seldom broken, until the several periods of accomplishment, which makes time the best and surest expositor. But certainly, if we can discern the face of the sky in the morning, we might make some humble and faint conjectures at the times and seasons, which the Father keeps in his own power. Now we are none of us ignorant, how far the primitive spirit of Christianity has sunk into a mere form of godliness. Irreligion has been rushing in, even upon the Protestant world like a flood: the dearest and most obvious doctrines of the Bible have fallen into low contempt; the principles and systems of our good and pious fathers have been more and

Six hundred pounds.

more exploded. And now behold! God seems to have revived the arrcient spirit and doctrines. He is raising up our young men, with zeal and courage to stem the torrent. They have been in labor more abundant; they have preached with such lire, assiduity, and success; such a solemn awe have they struck upon their hearers; so unaccountably have they conquered the prejudices of many persons; such deep convictions have their sermons produced; so much have they roused and kindled the zeal of ministers and people; so intrepidly do they push through all opposition, that my soul overflows with joy, and my heart is too full to express my hopes. It looks as if some happy period were opening, to bless the world with another reformation. Some great things seem to be upon the anvil, some big prophecy at the birth: God give it strength to bring forth! May he especially water the good seed his servant has plentifully sown among us; may we remember how we have heard, and hold fast; may we cherish conviction; be fixed and rooted in our christian faith; not rebel against the light, nor make shipwreck at last, by the various winds of doctrine which are blowing upon us!

Thus have I answered for my part, and shown my opinion: I have done it in the integrity of my heart; I have designed no offence; only supported the doctrines and character of a preacher, which love and duty constrain me to honor and defend: while I preclude no man from showing his opinion, who shall do it with the same impartiahty.