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George Whitefield GEORGE WHITEFIELD A BIOGRAPHY, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HIS LABORS IN AMERICA. COMPILED BY JOSEPH BELCHER, D. D., AUTHOR OP THE LIFE OP REV. DR. CAREY, MISSIONARY TO INDIA, ETC., ETC. PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 150 NASSAU-STREET, NEW YORK. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. MORAL STATE OF GREAT BRITAIN IN THE EARLY PART OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY — WHITE- FIELD, FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS FIRST SERMON. 1714-1736. Low state of religion in Great Britain and its dependencies when Whitefield appeared—His birth in Gloucester—Hooper—Raikes —Whitefield’s early life—His entrance at the university of Ox- ford—Becomes connected with the Wesleys and other Method- ists—Illness and mental trials—Relief—Preparation for the min- istry—Return to Gloucester—Ordination—First sermon----13 CHAPTER II. WHITEFIELD’S SUCCESS AS A PREACHER IN ENG- LAND-FIRST VISIT TO AMERICA. 1736-1738 Whitefield’s return to Oxford—Usefulness there—-Visits London— Great popularity—Georgia—His anxiety as to duty—Invited to Georgia by the Wesleys—Preparation and departure—Preaching and excitement at Deal—Labors and success on board—Arrival and labors at Gibraltar—Interesting incidents on the voyage— Sickness and recovery—His reception at Savannah—Visit to an Indian king—Origin of the Orphan asylum—Visit to Frederica— Return to Savannah—Visit to Charleston—Treatment by Gar- den—Embarkation for Europe—Stormy voyage—Arrival in Lim- erick—-Journey to London—Meeting with the trustees of Geor- gia—Ordination as priest—Return to London—-First extempore prayer—-First idea of open-air preaching-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 40 CHAPTER III. OPEN-AIR PREACHING IN ENGLAND AND WALES— ERECTION OF THE TABERNACLE IN LONDON. 1738, 1739. Whitefield’s visit to Bristol—-New opposition—Interviews with the chancellor of the diocese—-Preaching at Kingswood—Large con- gregations—Preaching at Bristol—Labors in Wales with Howel Harris—Gloucester—Old Mr. Cole—Return to London—Conflict 6 CONTENTS. with Bishop Warburton and others—Moorfields—Kennington Common—Blackheath—Anecdotes—Erection of the Tabernacle —New Tabernacle—Certificate—Visit to Norwich—Conversion of Robert Robinson—Preaching at the West End of London— Liberality of Whitefield’s congregations—Attendance of the no- bility on Whitefield’s ministry—Architecture of Tabernacle and Tottenham Court road chapel .................... --- 71 CHAPTER IV. WHITEFIELD’S SECOND VISIT TO AMERICA. 1739, 1740. Joseph Periam’s release by Whitefield from Bedlam—Whitefield’s arrival at Philadelphia—Preaches to vast crowds in the open air—Testimony of Dr. Franklin and others—Account of the Log College—William Tennent, Sen.—Whitefield’s own account of his preaching at Philadelphia—Subsequent discovery of the con- version of Dr. Rodgers—Whitefield’s first visit to New York Description of him by one of his hearers—Sermons in New Jer- sey—Old Tennent church—Places of preaching at New York— Address to sailors—Letter to Pemberton—Interview with Gil- bert Tennent—Some of Whitefield’s sermons printed—Departure from Philadelphia—Sermons on his journey to Savannah—Arri- val and reception at Charleston—Departure for Savannah—Dan- gers of the way—State of things in Georgia—Whitefield revisits Charleston—Controversy with Commissary Garden—Lays the foundation-stone of the Orphan house—Sermon by Smith on the character of Whitefield .............................. --- 97 CHAPTER V. CONTINUATION OF HIS SECOND VISIT TO AMERICA. 1740. Feebleness of Whitefield’s health—Again visits Charleston, Phila- delphia, etc.—Extent of his former success—Extracts from Sew- ard’s journal—Extracts from newspapers—Whitefield’s letter to England—His correspondence on marriage—Birth and death of his son—His funeral sermon for his wife—Franklin and others on Whitefield’s eloquence—Anecdote—Extract from the New England Weekly Journal—Return to Savannah—Manner of his reception—Activity at Savannah—Again visits Charleston— Cited into the Commissary’s court—Various examinations— Whitefield’s appeal to the Court of Chancery—Interview with the Commissary—Usefulness at Charleston—Sails for New Eng- land ...... ...... ....... .............. .............. --- 129 CONTENTS. 5 CHAPTER VI. WHITEFIELD’S FIRST VISIT TO NEW ENGLAND. SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER, 1740. State of religion in New England—Testimony of Prince—Dr. I. Mather—Dr. Jonathan Edwards success—Prevalence of prayer— Whitefield’s arrival and labors at Newport—Interview with Clap—Honeyman—Letter from Barber—Journey to Boston— Interview with the Commissary and the clergy—Preaches at Brattle-street, Old South church, New North, Common, Rox- bury, Old North, Cambridge, First church—Interview with Gov- ernor Belcher—Roxbury—Hollis-street—Old South church— Brattle-street — Marblehead — Salem — Ipswich — Newbury — Plampton—Portsmouth—York — Return to Boston—Frequent preaching—Invitation to children—Interesting conversation with a child—Anecdote of juvenile usefulness—Remarks on an uncon- verted ministry—Whitefield’s character of Boston—Preaches at Concord, Sudbury, Marlborough, Worcester, Leicester, Brook- field. Cold Spring, Hadley, Northampton—Revival there—White- field’s opinion of Mr. Edwards and family—Important interview —Preaching at East Windsor, Westfield, Springfield, Suffield— Opinion of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Sen.—Relinquishment of appointments to preach—Visit to New Haven—Interview with Principal Clap—Departure from New England—Whitefield’s character of it—Conversion of Mr. Emerson—Prince’s account of Whitefield’s visit—Dr. Baron Stow on its results—Anecdote, --- 118 CHAPTER VII. LABORS IN NEW YORK AND THE MIDDLE AND SOUTH- ERN STATES. 1740, 1741. Whitefield’s arrival and labors at New York, Staten Island, and Newark—Mr. Burr-—Meeting with Gilbert Tennent—Visit to Baskinridge—Tennent’s preaching in Cross’ barn—Whitefield preaches in the new house at Philadelphia—Franklin’s advice to Gilbert Tennent—Remarkable instances of conversion—Success in Philadelphia—Apostrophe in a sermon—Visit to Gloucester, Greenwich, Cohansey, Salem, Newcastle, Fagg’s Manor, Bohe- mia—Sails from Reedy island to Charleston—Arrival at Bethes- da—Remarkable escape from death—Prosecution at Charleston —Preaching—Letters from Boston—Departure for England— Separation from Messrs. Wesley—Difficulties in London—Tri- umph—Howel Harris- ----- - -- --- - - -- - 196 6 CONTENTS. CHAPTER VIII. FIRST AND SECOND VISITS TO SCOTLAND—LABORS IN ENGLAND AND WALES. 1741-1744. Scheme of comprehension—Account of Rev. John Cennick—Voy- age to Scotland—Letter to Rodgers—Visit to Erskine—Preach- ing in Edinburgh—Labors at Glasgow—His sermons printed— Return to England—Letter from McCulloch—Renewed glance at Edinburgh—Public attention deeply riveted—Execution of a convict—Improvement of the event in a sermon—Conversion of a mimic—A drunken sergeant—Miss Hunter—Marquis of Lothian—Conduct of Rev. Mr. Ogilvie—Second visit to Scot- land—Cambuslang—Kilmarnock—Glance at subsequent visits— Orphan-house park, Edinburgh—Glasgow—Increasing reputa- tion—Extracts from letters—Anecdotes—Visit to Wales—Let- ters from America—Visit to Gloucester, Strand, Tewkesbury— Encouraging news from America—Success in London—Awaken- ing at the Tabernacle—Visit to Gloucester and its neighborhood —South Wales—Return to London—Bristol—Exeter—Mr. Saunders—Conversion of Thomas Olivers—Birmingham—Kid- derminster—Health—Assizes at Gloucester—Plymouth—Deliv- erance from assassination—Conversion of Mr. Tanner—Visits to the poor—Anecdote—Embarkation for America- - - — --- 222 CHAPTER IX. WHITEFIELD’S SECOND VISIT TO NEW ENGLAND. 1744, 1745. Incidents of the voyage from England—Prayer heard—General alarm—Whitefield’s illness—Arrival at York—-Threatening sickness—Rev. Mr. Moody—Preaching at York and Portsmouth —Apparent danger of death—Departure for Boston—Constant preaching there — Chelsea—Malden—Prince’s account of his preaching and conduct—Objections made to his administration of the Lord’s supper—Changes in New England—Opposition to Whitefield in Connecticut, New Haven, Massachusetts, Harvard College—Large meeting in his favor at Boston—Number of sig- natures to the testimony—Progress of revival—Proceedings of Harvard College—Whitefield’s defence—Subsequent act of the College—Expositions at Boston, Ipswich, Portland, Exeter—Ex- pedition against Cape Breton—Sherburne’s request—Sermon to the soldiers—Refusal of chaplaincy—Conversion of a colored trumpeter—Of a noted scoffer—Anecdote of Whitefield and Dr. Hopkins- -- ---- ------- - ................. - - — - -- ---- 254 CONTENTS. 7 CHAPTER X. LABORS IN THE MIDDLE AND SOUTHERN STATES— THE BERMUDAS. 1745-1748. Whitefield’s preaching in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia— Liberal offer declined—Usefulness of his printed sermons in Vir- ginia—Preaches at Hanover—Isaac Oliver—Visit to Bethesda— His account of the Orphan-house—His character as given by the New York Post-boy—Public testimony as to Whitefield’s integ- rity—Preaching tour in Maryland—Visit to Charleston—Success of his preaching in Maryland—Visits New York, Newport, Ports- mouth, Boston—Return to Philadelphia—Bohemia—Journey to North Carolina—Embarkation for the Bermudas—His progress and labors—Honored by the governor and others—Usefulness among the negroes—-Summary of his proceedings in the Bermu- das—Kindness of the people there—Voyage to England—His la- bors on the voyage—Arrival at Deal- - - - -- -- -- -- 277 CHAPTER XI. LABORS IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND-CHAPLAIN TO LADY HUNTING-DON. 1748, 1749. Triumphs and trials in London—Becomes chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon—Complimented by the great—Bolingbroke and Rev. Mr. Church—Rev.
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