Chapter L: Tyerman (27)

This is all the _authentic_ information that exists respecting the memorable conference at Dunfermline. It is certainly amusing, and invites criticism; but the reader must form his own judgment of the chief actors in this ecclesiastical assembly. Suffice it to remark here, that, Whitefield's friends of "The Associate Presbytery" became extremely wroth; "From that time, they not only disavowed all connection with him, but preached against him publicly, and even went so far as to stigmatise him as an agent of the devil."[460] This is not an unfounded assertion. In 1742, the Rev. Adam Gibb, one of the members of "The Associate Presbytery," who met Whitefield at Dunfermline on August 5, 1741, published a closely written pamphlet of seventy-five pages, with the following title: "A Warning against countenancing the Ministrations of Mr. George Whitefield, published in the New Church at Bristow, upon Sabbath, June 6, 1742. Together with an Appendix upon the same subject, wherein are shewn, that Mr. Whitefield is _no_ Minister of Jesus Christ; that his _call_ and _coming_ to Scotland are _scandalous_; that his practice is _disorderly_, and _fertile_ of disorder; that his _whole_ doctrine is, and his success _must_ be, _diabolical_; so that people ought to _avoid_ him, from _duty_ to God, to the Church, to themselves, to their fellow-men, to posterity, and to _him_. By Adam Gibb, Minister of the Gospel at Edinburgh." (12mo.) A few extracts from this sour pamphlet must be given.

[460] "Life of Rev. John Erskine, D.D.," p. 96.

"It is no unusual thing with Mr. Whitefield, in his Journals,
to apply unto himself things said of and by the Christ of God.
In the 'Account of God's Dealings with Him,' he holds himself
out as comparable with Christ, at his birth in an inn, in his
suffering of thirst, and in the transition from suffering to
relief. The general scope of his Journals is to publish and
celebrate himself; the _matter_ thereof being generally such as
is for no man's advantage, nor worth any man's while to know. He
goes through the world preaching as some _notable_ person, or as
a general _quickener_ of ministers and people, while standing
_co-ordinate_ with none of them; and it is well known, that
much of his preaching is employed in publishing his own _sin_,
_sufferings_, _exaltation_, _achievements_, and _concern_ for
the salvation of men."

"As this foreigner" (Whitefield) "comes here without any
Scripture mission or call, so his known and avowed _principles_
are _prelatical_, and thus contrary to the word of God. His
_present_ ministrations have a _direct_ tendency to introduce
among us a _latitudinarian_ scheme; and particularly to make men
_sceptics_ as to the _discipline_ and _government_ of the house
of God. True, indeed, this is propagated under a very specious
pretence,--a _pretence_ of _universal charity_ for good men,
that differ about these things. And now matters are come to that
pass with many, that it is reckoned _uncivil_ and _uncharitable_
to make any ado about our _Reformation standards_ of discipline
and government, though founded in the word of God."

"That Mr. Whitefield is no minister of Christ appears from
the _manner_ wherein that office, he professes to bear, is
_conveyed_ to him. He derives it from a _diocesan bishop_, who
derives his office from the king, and the king professes not to
be a church-officer at all."

"The awful _profanation_ of the Lord's day, which the noise of
Mr. Whitefield's ministrations _introduces_, deserves especial
consideration. It is well known, that, on this day, multitudes
in Edinburgh wait publicly (and very indecently too) for his
appearance, through several hours before the time appointed
for it, and that while public worship is exercised through
the city, where these people profess no scruple to join. The
_profanity_ of this practice needs no proof, and the profanity
of _countenancing_ it needs as little."

"The complex scheme of Mr. Whitefield's doctrine is
_diabolical_, as proceeding through diabolical _influence_, and
applied unto a diabolical _use_, against the Mediator's glory,
and the salvation of men. This is the awful _point_ whereunto
the whole articles of our charge against him are gathered."

"We conclude, that, all Mr. Whitefield's _hearers_ are
_exposing_ themselves to _Satanical_ influence: and, from the
preceding reasonings, it follows, that all who _espouse_ his
way, must be either the formal _subjects_ of _such Satanical_
operation as we have been considering, or be _led_ by Satan
unto _blind_, _unreasonable_, and _furious contending_ for that
gloomy cause. Is not this, then, most _hellish hurt_, which they
acquire in countenancing him?"

"How _awful_ is the condition and progress of this man, while
_roaming_ about far and near, and warmly casting forth floods of
doctrine calculated for transmitting _devils_ into the _hearts_
of men! At the same time, God is giving up many ministers,
and multitudes of people, to run after him, over the belly of
_reason_ and _religion_; and to publish their embarking with
him, better than ever they did with the _Christ_ of God. Thus is
he, in the judgment of God, become a _plague_ to their _heads_,
_hearts_, and _eyes_, rendering them _blind_, _infatuated_,
and _furious_ in a new career of apostasy from God. They are
evidently given up to the lust of _Satan_, rendering them either
_patients_, _apprentices_, or _journeymen_, with reference to
the _drug_ of _Satanical_ doctrine that is now vended among us."

Such was the language used, concerning Whitefield, by one of the very men who, only ten months before, had done their utmost to induce him to identify himself with their "Associate Presbytery."[461] And to shew that he was not an exception among his brethren, it may be added, that, in 1744, "The Associate Presbytery" itself published a long official document of 138 pages, in which, after enumerating the sins of Scotland, they added:--

"The sins and provocations of this land are further increased
by the kind reception that many, both ministers and people,
have given to Mr. George Whitefield, a professed member and
priest of the superstitious Church of England; and by the great
entertainment that has been given to _latitudinarian tenets_,
as propagated by him and others; whereby any particular form
of church government is denied to be of Divine institution,
and also, whereby, under a pretence of _catholic love_, a
scheme is laid for uniting parties of all denominations in
church communion, in a way destructive of any testimony for the
declarative glory of Immanuel, as Head and King of Zion, and for
the covenanted reformation of this Church and land."[462]

[461] It is only just to Mr. Gibb to say, that, in after years, he
regretted the publication of his pamphlet. "At that time," said
he, "my blood was too hot, and I was unable to write with becoming
temper." ("Life and Diary of Rev. Ralph Erskine," p. 351.)

[462] Act of the Associate Presbytery for renewing the National
Covenant of Scotland. December 23, 1743.

Another pamphlet published against Whitefield was the following: "A Letter, from a Gentleman in the Country to his Friend in Edinburgh, concerning Mr. Wh--f--d: wherein his Mission, Doctrine, and Character are impartially enquired into and examined. Edinburgh, 1741." (31 pp.) The writer wants to know Whitefield's authority for preaching in Scotland, and asks, "Was there really a necessity for sending down a young man, meanly educated, to teach the Scottish clergy their duty, and direct them to more accuracy, life, and zeal in the discharge of the several parts of their function?" He further asks, "Shall I believe, what is told me, that, though Mr. Whitefield has declared himself a member of the Church of England, yet, he has not so much as once, since he came to Scotland, begun or concluded his worship with the Lord's Prayer or the Doxology?" The general conclusion of the writer is, that Whitefield "has more of craziness than grace; and that this son of Levi takes far too much upon him."

To say the least, there was something pitiably mean in this action of the men who had invited Whitefield to visit Scotland. Because he declined to join their sect, they became his calumniating enemies. There can be little doubt that their bigotry enhanced Whitefield's popularity. He spent thirteen weeks in Scotland; and his letters, written during this period, will amply prove what has just been stated. At the risk of being prolix, somewhat copious extracts must be given. At least thirty towns had the benefit of his ministrations, though the first month seems to have been employed in Edinburgh and its immediate neighbourhood. He writes:--

"EDINBURGH, _August 8, 1741_.

"On Sunday evening" (last), "I preached in a field near the
Orphan House, to upwards of fifteen thousand people; and on
Monday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, to near as many. On
Tuesday, I preached in the Cannongate Church; on Wednesday and
Thursday, at Dunfermline; and, on Friday morning, at Queen's
Ferry. Everywhere the auditories were large, and very attentive.
Great power accompanied the Word. Many have been brought under
convictions."[463]

[463] One of Whitefield's hearers wrote, under date of "Sunday,
August 9, 1741," as follows: "Numbers of all ranks, all
denominations, and all characters, come to hear him, though his
sermons abound with those truths which would be unwelcome from
the mouths of others. Three hours before noon he appoints for
people under distress to converse with him." (Gillies' "Memoirs of
Whitefield.")

To the Rev. Mr. Willison, minister at Dundee, he addressed the following:--

"EDINBURGH, _August 10, 1741_.

"REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,--I just now had the pleasure of your
letter, for which be pleased to accept my hearty thanks.

"Glory be to free grace! Many are here brought under
convictions. The glorious Emmanuel is pleased to clothe His word
with power. I am amazed at His loving-kindness, and want heaven
and earth to join with me in praising His holy name.

"I wish you would not trouble yourself or me by writing about
the corruptions of the Church of England. I believe there is
no Church perfect under heaven; but, as God is pleased to send
me forth simply to preach the gospel to all, I think there is
no need of casting myself out. The divisions in Scotland are
affecting, and will occasion great searchings of heart."

To the Rev. Mr. Ogilvie, of Aberdeen, he wrote:--

"EDINBURGH, _August 10, 1741_.

"REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,--I thank you for your kind and obliging
letter. I hope to come into the northern parts; but the precise
time I cannot tell.

"I find it best simply to preach the pure gospel, and not to
meddle at all with controversy. The present divisions are a sore
judgment to Scotland. This is my comfort, Jesus is king. I have
been with several of 'The Associate Presbytery,' but I see no
hopes of accommodation. O that the power of religion may revive!
Nothing but that can break down the partition wall of bigotry."

One of the noblemen with whom Whitefield became acquainted in Edinburgh was Lord Rae, to whom he wrote as follows:--

"EDINBURGH, _August 11, 1741_.

"MY LORD,--I hope this will find your lordship safe at your
journey's end, rejoicing in God for giving His angels charge
concerning you in the way. The Lord of all lords has dealt most
lovingly with me since your departure hence. His power has been
frequently made known in the great congregation, and many come
to me daily, crying out, 'What shall I do to be saved?' I hope
we shall see the kingdom of God come with power. This is the
full desire of my soul. I am determined to seek after and know
nothing else. Besides this, all other things are but dung and
dross. O my Lord, why should we, who are pilgrims, mind earthly
things? Why should we, who are soldiers, entangle ourselves with
the things of this life? Heavenly-mindedness is the very life of
a Christian. It is all in all."

Another nobleman, who became one of Whitefield's friends, was the Marquis of Lothian. The following is an extract from Whitefield's letter to him:--

"EDINBURGH, _August 12, 1741_.

"MY LORD,--I am surprised to find your lordship so condescending
as to write to me. How bright does humility shine in great
personages! I pray God to give your lordship grace to determine
to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He is the
only centre of true happiness. In Him alone, solid, lasting
joys are to be found. Having Jesus, I find, in Him I possess
all things. But whither am I going? Your lordship will excuse
me. I pray God to visit you with His great salvation. I thank
your lordship for your intended benefaction to the poor Georgia
orphans. I hope the glorious Emmanuel will accept it at your
hands."

Another letter, apparently to Howell Harris, who probably was supplying Whitefield's pulpit at the Tabernacle, London, was as follows:--

"EDINBURGH, _August 13, 1741_.

"MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,--'The Associate Presbytery' have been
hard upon me; but I find no freedom any longer than I continue
just as I am, and evangelize to all. I know not that I differ
from you in one thing.

"Glory be to God for what He has done in London! He is doing
great things here. I walk in the continual sunshine of His
countenance. Every day, fresh seals are given of my ministry.
This morning, God opened my mouth to speak to preachers of
the gospel. Be pleased to accept this summary account of my
proceedings. On Sunday morning, I preached to the orphans here;
and in the evening to as many people as the Sunday before.
Every day since, excepting Monday, I have preached, either in
the churches or field, twice a day; and, yesterday, I collected
upwards of £93 for the Georgia orphans. People are daily coming
under deep convictions, and fresh invitations are sent me to
preach at divers places round about. On Sunday, I purpose
to preach in the country, and also the greater part of the
following week, and shall return again about Friday to this
city. O my brother, exhort all to praise the Lord!"

In a letter to David Erskine, of Stirling, one of the sons of Ebenezer Erskine, Whitefield seems to attribute the blame of the bigoted proceedings of the Dunfermline conference to others than to the two Erskine brothers:--

"EDINBURGH, _August 13, 1741_.

"MY DEAR BROTHER,--The treatment I met with from 'The Associate
Presbytery' was not altogether such as I expected. It grieved
me, as much as it did you. I could scarce refrain from bursting
into a flood of tears. I wish all were like-minded with your
honoured father and uncle. Matters then would not be carried on
with so high a hand. Such violent methods, such a narrow way of
acting, can never be the way to promote and enlarge the kingdom
of the blessed Jesus. It surely must be wrong to fix such bounds
to ourselves, as forbid even our hearing those who love the Lord
Jesus in sincerity, and have also been owned of Him. Christ
would not have done so. Supposing the scheme of government,
which 'The Associate Presbytery' contend for, to be scriptural,
yet forbearance and long-suffering ought to be exercised towards
such as differ from them. I am persuaded, there is no such form
of government, prescribed in the book of God, as excludes a
toleration of all other forms whatsoever. If the New Testament
outward tabernacle was to be built as punctual as the Old, as
punctual directions would have been given about the building
of it; whereas, it is only deduced by inference, and thus we
see Independents, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians bring the
same text to support their particular scheme; and, I believe,
Jesus Christ thereby would teach us to exercise forbearance to
each other. If the scheme of 'The Associate Presbytery' were to
take effect, they must, out of conscience, restrain and grieve,
if not persecute, many of God's children who could not come
into their measures; and I doubt not but their present violent
methods, together with the corruptions of the Assembly, will
cause many to turn Independents, and set up particular churches
of their own. This was the effect of Archbishop Laud acting with
so high a hand; and whether it be presbytery or episcopacy, if
managed in the same manner, it will be productive of the same
effects.

"Blessed be God! I have not so learned Christ. I preach the
simple gospel; and our glorious Jesus is pleased to attend
it with His power. O dear sir, I love and honour your pious
father. Remember me in the kindest manner to the good old man.
I pray God, his last days may not be employed too much in the
non-essentials of religion. My heart is knit to the family.
God willing, I am to preach at Falkirk on Tuesday evening, and
purpose to be at Stirling that night, and to preach twice there
the next day. If it was thought advisable, I would collect for
the Orphan House at Georgia in the afternoon."

In another letter, dated "Edinburgh, August 15, 1741," Whitefield speaks of more than "three hundred in the city seeking after Jesus," and says: "Every morning I have a levee of wounded souls. At seven in the morning, we have a lecture in the fields, attended not only by the common people, but persons of great rank. I have reason to think several of the latter sort are coming to Jesus. Little children also are much wrought upon. Congregations consist of many thousands. I preach twice daily, and expound in private houses at night, and am employed in speaking to souls under distress great part of the day."

On August 24, Whitefield tells James Habersham, his Orphan-house superintendent, that, he had collected, in Scotland, nearly £200, and had a prospect of collecting much more. He had "bought five hundred yards of cloth for the dear orphans' winter wear;" but was still hundreds of pounds in debt.

To Ralph Erskine, who had insinuated that Whitefield's wish to raise money for his orphans had made him a temporizer, the following was addressed:--

"EDINBURGH, _August 24, 1741_.

"REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,--I thank you for your kind letter. I
believe it proceeded from love; but, as yet, I cannot think
the Solemn League and Covenant is obligatory upon me. Indeed,
dear sir, you mistake if you think I temporize on account of
the orphans. Be it far from me. I abhor the very thought of it.
I proceed now, just as I have ever done since I entered the
ministry; and, so far from not setting a hedge about our Lord's
garden, if I were called to it, I should set a much closer hedge
than that which 'The Associate Presbytery' are planting. I
should enquire into people's experiences, before I admitted them
to the Lord's table. I should have church members meet in church
fellowship, and tell one another what God has done for their
souls. You seem to think I am not open to light. That I may give
you satisfaction, I am willing to confer with Mr. Wilson,[464]
at Perth, where I am to be on Thursday, September 3. On Tuesday
next, I purpose preaching at Dunfermline. I am engaged to sup at
your colleague's house, but intend to lie at yours."

[464] "The Associate Presbytery's" professor of Divinity. See p. 505.

Towards the end of August, Whitefield appears to have made a preaching tour in the Scottish provinces.[465] In a letter dated "Perth, September 3," 1741, he says: "For nine days past, I have preached, twice every day, to very large and affected auditories, in many towns and villages." At Dundee, "good was done." At Crieff, he had "a most precious meeting." At Glasgow, he "preached ten times.[466] The congregations were very large, as were the contributions, and many were brought under the deepest convictions."[467] After his return to Edinburgh, the following was addressed to a friend in London:--

"EDINBURGH, _September 24, 1741_.

[465] The following was Whitefield's preaching plan, from
Monday, August 24, to Tuesday, September 8:--

August 24, morning and afternoon at Edinburgh; 25, forenoon
in Cannongate Church, and evening in the park; 26, Newbottle
twice; 27, Whitburn; 28, Torphichen and Linlithgow; 29, twice
at Falkirk; 30, Airth; 31, twice at Stirling; September 1,
Culross and Dunfermline; 2, twice at Kinross; 3, Perth; 4 to 6,
Dundee; 7, Kinglassie; and 8, Edinburgh. (Gillies' "Memoirs of
Whitefield.")

[466] Most, if not all, of Whitefield's sermons at Glasgow were
preached in the High Church yard; and at least eight of them
were "taken from his own mouth, and published at the earnest
desire of many of the hearers: namely, two sermons, delivered
on Friday, September 11, from Jer. xxxii. 16 (pp. 20), and Luke
xv. (pp. 20); two, on Saturday, September 12, from Luke iv. 18,
19 (pp. 28), and Acts ix. (pp. 40); two, on Sunday, September
13, from Jer. vi. 14 (pp. 24); Rom. xiv. 17 (pp. 35); one, on
Monday, September 14, from 2 Tim. iii. 12 (pp. 28); and one, on
Tuesday, September 15, from 1 Cor. i. 30 (pp. 39)."--_Notes and
Queries_, vol. v., 1858, p. 340.

[467] Whitefield's Works, vol. i., p. 319.

"On Sunday last, I preached here four times, twice in a church,
and twice in the fields; in the evening, I collected £20 for the
Royal Infirmary. On Monday morning, I visited the children in
the three hospitals; and preached, in the evening, in the park.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, I preached at Kinglassie, Aberdour,
and Inverkeithing. On Thursday, I visited the prison; and,
in the evening, preached to the children of the city, with a
congregation of near twenty thousand, in the park."

To Lord Rae, Whitefield wrote as follows:--

"GALASHIELS, _September 28, 1741_.

"MY LORD,--I have received your lordship's liberal benefaction
for the orphans, for which, and all other favours, you have my
hearty thanks. The innumerable instances of God's goodness
quite melt me down. The word of God prevails more and more.
Everywhere Jesus Christ is getting Himself the victory in poor
sinners' hearts. I trust, your lordship's daughters will feel
the power of Christ's blood. Happy they, who do feel it. They
are sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. What a rich person
is the poorest Christian! He is joint-heir with Jesus Christ."

Another nobleman must be introduced. From the year 1741 to 1753, the Earl of Leven and Melville was His Majesty's Commissioner in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland,--the head of a family whose history had been closely connected with Presbyterian struggles and triumphs. He was a senator of the College of Justice, and one of the Lords of Police for Scotland. He married Mary, daughter of Colonel Erskine, of Carnock; and died on the 2nd of September, 1754.[468] The following was addressed to him:--

"EDINBURGH, _October 2, 1741_.

[468] Annals of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland,
from 1739 to 1752.

"MY LORD,--Last night, I returned from the south country, and
received your lordship's kind letter. My invitation to Coupar
was in the name of many: who the persons were that signed the
letter, I cannot tell. I have sent it enclosed in this. Had I
known it to be more agreeable to your lordship, I would have
appointed the meeting at Melville; but, I fear, as public notice
has been given, it will now be impracticable. I cannot possibly
stay with your lordship all Tuesday, having to preach at Dundee;
but, in my return from Aberdeen, I hope to be at your lordship's
house. I am glad you intend to be at Kinglassie. I shall have
both sermons early; and hope the glorious Jesus will be with us
in going to Melville.

"O, my lord, I want a thousand tongues to shew forth the
Redeemer's praise. Having Him, though I have nothing else, I
find I possess all things. I have not forgotten your lordship
since I wrote last. You are and will be much upon my heart.
I have heard of the piety of your lordship's ancestors. Take
courage, my lord, and fear not to follow a crucified Jesus
without the camp, bearing His reproach. Beware of honour,
falsely so called. Dare to be singularly good; and be not
ashamed of Jesus or His gospel. Look to Christ by faith, and
your lordship's great possessions will not retard, but promote,
your progress in the divine life. What sweet communion will you
then enjoy with God, in your walks and gardens! They will then
be a little paradise to your soul."

Wherever he was, Whitefield never forgot his orphans in Georgia. His establishment there was now large and prosperous. The buildings were completed. The summer crops had been plentiful. The family consisted of eighty-four persons, men, women, and children. Nineteen others were employed in cultivating the estate. They had upwards of a hundred head of cattle; and, during the year, had "planted upwards of twenty acres, and had cleared twenty acres more, to enjoy the conveniency of the air." "We live," wrote Mr. Habersham, "entirely within ourselves, except a few necessaries which we cannot do without, and are obliged to purchase elsewhere. Twice a day, we eat _hominy_[469] of our own raising, and, at present, without molasses. For dinner, we eat beef of our own stock, and peas for bread, of all which we have plenty, and shall have for three months to come. Our garden is very fruitful of greens, turnips, etc., and we expect a good crop of potatoes. In short, we have a sufficiency of wholesome food. Glory be to God! we daily see our heavenly Father's hand supplying us in this wilderness land; but I must have cash, not only to pay debts, but also to buy clothing and many other necessaries."[470]

[469] Indian corn boiled in water.

[470] Whitefield's Works, vol. iii., pp. 444, 445.

While the honoured guest of the Earl of Leven and Melville, Whitefield sent the following letter to his faithful superintendent in Georgia:--

"MELVILLE, _October 5, 1741_.

"MY VERY DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER,--I have, by the ship which
brings you this, sent you £70 worth of different sorts of goods,
to be disposed of, and the money to be applied to the use of the
Orphan House. I have also sent six hundred yards of cloth, a
present of my own, to make the boys and girls coats and gowns,
some whereof I have had made up here. The other things were
given by various persons. Amongst these, you will find some
damask tablecloths, which I desire you will sell, they being too
good, in my opinion, for our use. I have been enabled to pay my
brother, and also Mr. N----'s bill of £300.[471] There is yet
£200 to be paid; but very shortly, I hope to discharge that also.

[471] The following are the sums, which Whitefield collected for his
Orphan House, during his present visit to Scotland:--

1741. £ _s._ _d._
Private benefactions, in money 149 18 2

COLLECTIONS.
Aug. 12. Orphan House Park, Edinburgh 93 4 0
23. Ditto 38 13 1
26. Newbottle 9 5 6
29. Falkirk 5 10 0
29. Airth. 11 18 2
30. Stirling 21 17 0
31. Culross 16 16 6
31. Dunfermline 17 2 6
Sept. 1. Kinross 4 16 0
4. Perth 10 0 0
6. Dundee 14 14 0
10. Fintray 3 0 0
13. Glasgow 62 10 0
15. Ditto 17 19 6
17. Paisley 15 3 0
19. Inverkeithing 5 16 4
27. Galashiels 12 9 0
29. Maxtown 5 5 0
Oct. 1. Haddington 12 6 6
4. Kinglassie 5 0 0
13. Aberdeen 21 6 10
16. Montrose 9 13 4-1/2
18. Brechin 6 12 0
20. Forfar 2 0 0
-----------------
Total £572 16 5-1/2

"I have been in Scotland about two months; and God has been
pleased to bless my ministrations in an abundant manner. The
good that has been done is inexpressible. I am intimate with
three noblemen, and several ladies of quality, who have a great
liking for the things of God.[472] I am now writing in an earl's
house, surrounded with fine furniture; but, glory be to free
grace! my soul is in love only with Jesus.[473] I have some
thoughts of visiting Ireland. Whether I shall do that, or come
to America, in the spring, God only knows. I long to see you and
the rest of my dear family. Thousands of prayers are put up for
us, and thousands of lies are spread abroad against us."

[472] Among these were Lady Mary Hamilton, Lady Jane Nimmo, Lady
Dirleton, and Lady Frances Gardiner.

[473] Six weeks after this, Whitefield was married; but let that
pass. His meaning here, of course, was that in _comparison_ with
others he was "in love only with Jesus."

Of "the thousands of lies," the following, extracted from a letter written not long after Whitefield's visit, may be taken as a specimen:--

"Wherever he went, he had a gaping crowd around him, and had the
address to make them part with their money. He was a pickpocket,
and inflexible about the article of gathering money. He went off
to England with a full purse, but with a ruined reputation among
all except his bigoted admirers. Very few ministers enter into
the spirit of Whitefieldism."[474]

[474] Wakeley's "Anecdotes of Whitefield," p. 231.

Whitefield refers to the same sort of calumny in the following,
which was to a friend in Edinburgh:--

"MELVILLE, _October 5, 1741_.

"The calumnies of evil men are not to be regarded. I value
them not in the least. My largest donations have been from the
rich. The mites, which the lower sort of people have given, I
am persuaded will not prevent their paying their debts, and
will not impoverish their families. Mr. W---- wishes there may
be a contribution for myself; but I will not admit of any such
thing. I make no purse. What I have, I give away. Freely I have
received; freely I desire to give. 'Poor, yet making many rich,'
shall be my motto still. My great and professed design is to
bring poor sinners to Jesus Christ; but, as my orphan family is
now large, and has daily to be provided for, without the least
visible fund; and as I believe much glory will redound to God
from the Orphan House, I think it my duty to speak to those who,
for Christ's sake, are willing to afford help. I would have no
one afraid of doing too much good, or think that a little given
in charity will impoverish the country."

From Melville, Whitefield proceeded to Aberdeen, where he spent several days; and here a strange scene occurred. The two ministers of the Kirk were the Rev. Mr. Bisset and the Rev. Mr. Ogilvie, with the latter of whom Whitefield had been in correspondence. In a long letter, Whitefield writes as follows:--

"ABERDEEN, _October 9, 1741_.

"At my first coming here, things looked a little gloomy; for the
magistrates had been so prejudiced by one Mr. Bisset, that, when
applied to, they refused me the use of the kirkyard to preach
in. This Mr. Bisset is colleague with one Mr. Ogilvie, at whose
repeated invitation I came hither. Though colleagues of the same
congregation, they are very different in their natural tempers.
The one is, what they call in Scotland, of a _sweet-blooded_;
the other, of a choleric disposition. Mr. Bisset is neither a
Seceder, nor quite a Kirkman, having great fault to find with
both. Soon after my arrival, dear Mr. Ogilvie took me to pay
my respects to him: he was prepared for this, and immediately
pulled out a paper, containing a great number of insignificant
queries, which I had neither time nor inclination to answer.
The next morning, it being Mr. Ogilvie's turn, I lectured
and preached. The magistrates were present; the congregation
was very large; and light and life fled all around. In the
afternoon, Mr. Bisset officiated; and I attended. He began his
prayers as usual; but, in the midst of them, naming me by name,
he entreated the Lord to forgive the dishonour that had been
put upon him, by my being suffered to preach in that pulpit;
and, that all might know what reason he had to put up such a
petition, he, in about the middle of his sermon, not only urged
that I was a curate of the Church of _England_, but also quoted
a passage or two from my printed sermons, which, he said, were
grossly _Arminian_. Most of the congregation seemed surprised
and chagrined, and especially his good-natured colleague, Mr.
Ogilvie, who immediately after sermon, without consulting me,
stood up and gave notice that Mr. Whitefield would preach in
about half an hour. The interval being so short, the magistrates
returned into the sessions-house; and the congregation patiently
waited, big with expectation of hearing my resentment. At the
time appointed, I went up, and took no other notice of the
good man's ill-timed zeal, than to observe, in some part of my
discourse, that, if the good old gentleman had seen some of my
later writings, wherein I had corrected several of my former
mistakes, he would not have expressed himself in such strong
terms. The people, being thus diverted from controversy with
man, were deeply impressed with what they heard from the word of
God. All were hushed, and more than solemn; and, on the morrow,
the magistrates sent for me, and begged I would accept of the
freedom of the city."[475]

[475] It is a remarkable fact, that, during his first visit
to Scotland, in 1741, Whitefield received the compliment of
honorary burgess tickets from four of the principal towns of the
country--Stirling, Glasgow, Paisley, and Aberdeen. In 1742, the same
honour was conferred upon him by Irvine; and, in 1762, by Edinburgh.

For the present, poor Mr. Bisset was vanquished. Besides expounding in private houses, Whitefield added five more sermons to the two already preached; many of his hearers "were brought under great convictions; and the people much regretted his departure."[476]

[476] Whitefield's Works, vol. i., p. 334.

Leaving Aberdeen on Wednesday, October 13, Whitefield began his journey back to Edinburgh. On October 14, he preached at Stonhithe and Benham; on the 15th, thrice at Montrose; on the 16th and 17th, five times at Brechin; on the 18th, twice at Forfar; on the 19th, twice at Coupar, near the residence of Earl Leven, whose guest he was; and on the 20th and 21st, four times at Dundee, where, he says, "the concern among the hearers was very remarkable." A week after this, he set out for Wales, but, before he went, he preached and lectured, in Edinburgh, in three days, not fewer than sixteen times. Hence the following to John Cennick, his curate at the Tabernacle, London:--

"EDINBURGH, _October 27, 1741_.

"MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,--Although it be past eleven at night,
I cannot miss a post. The Lord is doing great things here. On
Sunday last (October 24), the Lord enabled me to preach four
times, and to lecture, in the evening, in a private house.
Yesterday, I preached three times, and lectured at night.
To-day, Jesus has enabled me to preach seven times; once in the
Church, twice at the Girls' Hospital, once in the Park, once at
the Old People's Hospital, and afterwards twice in a private
house. Notwithstanding, I am now as fresh as when I arose in the
morning. Both in the church and park, the Lord was with us. The
girls in the hospital were exceedingly affected, and so were
the standers by. One of the mistresses told me, that she is
now awakened in the morning by the voice of prayer and praise;
and the master of the boys says, that they meet together every
night to sing and pray, and that, when he goes to their rooms,
to see if all be safe, he generally disturbs them at their
devotions. The presence of God, at the Old People's Hospital,
was wonderful. The Holy Spirit seemed to come down like a mighty
rushing wind. Every day, I hear of some fresh good wrought by
the power of God. I scarce know how to leave Scotland. I believe
I shall think it my duty to pay the inhabitants another visit
as soon as possible. Above £500 have been collected, in money
and goods, for the poor orphans. To-morrow, I shall leave this
place, and go through Wales in my way to London."

Before he left Edinburgh, Whitefield wrote another letter to Earl Leven, which, considering the high office held by that nobleman in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, was somewhat singular, but, at the same time, bravely faithful. His lordship had given Whitefield a horse, for his long journey through Wales to London.

"EDINBURGH, _October 26, 1741_.

"MY LORD,--It is now past eleven at night. All is wrapt in awful
silence. My soul is in a quiet, composed frame. I have been
giving your lordship's letter a second reading. The Holy Spirit
seems to be moving upon your soul; and I trust you will now
awake into a new world, and know what it is to live by faith.
O that the stone of infidelity, which before lay at the door
of your heart, may now be rolled away! O that you may rise,
be loosed from your corruptions, and go about doing good! My
lord, if you could be brought to love secret prayer, and to
converse feelingly with God in His word, your heaven would begin
on earth: you would enjoy more pleasure than in all manner of
riches. What will those avail, if you are not rich towards God?
As for praying in your family, I entreat you not to neglect
it. You are bound to do it. Apply to Christ for strength to
overcome your present fears. They are the effects of pride, or
infidelity, or of both. After once or twice, the difficulty will
be over.

"It rejoices me to think that I shall one day, perhaps, see a
church in Melville House. Happy, happy are you, my lord, in
having such a consort, who will forward you in every good word
and work. As God shall enable me, I shall bear you both upon my
heart. My riding upon your lordship's horse will often remind
me to pray for the donor. I should be glad to hear, from time to
time, what the Lord is doing for your soul. Since you have laid
your commands upon me, I shall write as often as possible.

"It is late; the clock has struck twelve. Methinks, I could
wish the cry was now made, 'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!' My
soul longs to go forth to meet Him. This evening, I was greatly
refreshed in preaching on these words, 'This is my beloved, and
this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.' When shall I see
Him as He is? Well may your lordship say, 'He is altogether
lovely.' Eternity is too short to utter all His praise."

The reader has now the substance of Whitefield's own account of his first tour in Scotland. Many anecdotes in relation to it still exist, and the following may be taken as specimens.

When preaching at Dunfermline, it was known that Whitefield would make a collection for his Orphan House in Georgia. A gentleman, of some importance in the town, determined he would not be persuaded by the great orator to be a contributor, and, before leaving home, emptied his pockets of all his money. Whitefield, in the course of his sermon, mentioned the excuses often made for not practising beneficence, and, among others, dwelt upon the case of those who designedly came to religious services without their cash. The prudent gentleman at once borrowed of a friend half a guinea for the collector.[477]

[477] "Life of Rev. John Erskine, D. D.," p. 194.

Whitefield's power of riveting the attention of his auditors was marvellous. It is related, by one of his biographers, that a gentleman, who had been to hear him in the Orphan House Park, Edinburgh, was met, on his way home, by an eminent minister, under whom he usually sat. The minister, indignant at the aberration of this distinguished member of his flock, expressed his surprise that he should have gone to hear such a rambling preacher as Whitefield was. "Sir," replied the admonished gentleman, "when I hear you, I am planting trees all the time; but during the whole of Mr. Whitefield's sermon, I had no time for planting even one."[478]

[478] "Memoirs of Whitefield," by Seymour, p. 52.

In one of his journeys, Whitefield was told of a widow with a large family, whose landlord had distrained her furniture, and was about to sell it, unless her rent was paid. Whitefield's purse was never large, but his sympathy was great, and he, immediately, gave the five guineas which the helpless woman needed. The friend, who was travelling with him hinted, that the sum was more than he could reasonably afford; to which the gushing, if not perfectly accurate, reply was, "When God brings a case of distress before us, it is that we may relieve it." The two travellers proceeded on their journey, and, before long, encountered a highwayman, who demanded their money, which they gave. Whitefield now turned the tables on his friend, and reminded him how much better it was for the poor widow to have the five guineas than the thief, who had just robbed them. They had not long resumed their travel, before the man returned, and demanded Whitefield's coat, which was much more respectable than his own. This request was also granted, Whitefield accepting the robber's ragged habiliment till he could procure a better. Presently, they perceived the marauder again galloping towards them most furiously; and now, fearing that their lives were threatened, they also spurred their horses, and, fortunately, arrived at some cottages, before the highwayman could stop them. The thief was baulked, and, no doubt, was immensely mortified; for, when Whitefield took off the man's tattered coat, he found, in one of its pockets, a carefully wrapped parcel containing one hundred guineas.[479]

[479] _Gospel Magazine_, 1816, p. 172.

But enough of floating anecdotes, which may, or may not be true.

It must be owned that Whitefield rendered but little service to "The Associate Presbytery," at whose invitation he went to Scotland; but that was the fault, not of Whitefield, but, of the members of the Presbytery themselves. His labours were almost entirely those of an evangelist preaching in the fields, or of a brother minister, belonging to another church, courteously admitted to the pulpits of the established Kirk of Scotland. His services, however, were none the less successful because not confined to the Seceders. There cannot be a doubt, that, as the labours of the Wesleys and of Whitefield were the means of quickening the religious life of the Church of England, so the labours of Whitefield were, to a great extent, the means of arousing the dormant energies of the sister Church of Scotland. Whitefield, as well as Knox, deserves a monument on the Calton Hill. Some evidence of this has been already furnished, and much more will be found in succeeding pages. Whitefield's own account of his first visit to Scotland may seem extravagant, and scarcely deserving of implicit credence. To silence such suspicion, the following extracts from letters written at the time, will be as useful as they are welcome.

A week after Whitefield's departure, a friend wrote to him as follows:--

"EDINBURGH, _November 5, 1741_.

"In the Tolbooth Church," (where the Rev. Alexander Webster
was minister,) "there has been at sacrament a hundred more
than usual, whereof about thirty young ones had never been
admitted before, and of these, eighteen were converted by your
ministry."[480]

[480] _Weekly History_, November 28, 1741.

A fortnight later, another friend in Edinburgh said:--

"The seed sown by your ministry daily appears, and in new
instances. I am told the first night a play was acted here this
season there were but about six ladies at it; the second, two;
and the third and last, none at all. The little children of this
city cannot forget you. Their very hearts leap within them upon
hearing your name."[481]

[481] Ibid., December 5, 1741.

In another letter, from a friend in Scotland, dated, "December 12, 1741," it is stated, that, Whitefield spent five days in Glasgow, and preached ten times in the High Church yard, to vast multitudes reckoned at from ten to fifteen thousand. Above sixty persons were converted by his preaching.[482]

[482] Ibid., December 12, 1741.

Six months after Whitefield's departure, a minister in Edinburgh wrote:--

"Since you left Scotland, numbers, in different places, have
been awakened. Religion, in this sinful city, revives and
flourishes. Ordinances are more punctually attended. People hear
the word with gladness, and receive it in faith and love. New
meetings, for prayer and spiritual conference, are being begun
everywhere. Religious conversation has banished slander and
calumny from several tea-tables. Praise is perfected out of the
mouths of babes and sucklings. Some stout-hearted sinners are
captivated to the obedience of Christ."[483]

[483] _Glasgow Weekly History_, No. xxvii.

In reference to the same city, Edinburgh, the Rev. Dr. Muir wrote:--

"More than twenty praying societies have been established in
this place. Amongst them are several meetings of boys and girls.
There are also several meetings of young women. There are
numbers of young men, who meet for the purpose of glorifying
God, and promoting Christian knowledge. A good number of old
men, substantial, standing Christians, meet for edification
and instruction, and are thereby often revived and very much
refreshed. Upon the whole, we hope, there is such a flame
kindled as shall never be extinguished. This is not all: for
several country people are beginning to assemble together in
little meetings, to worship God; particularly about two miles
from this place, where several ploughmen and other illiterate
persons meet for the most noble purposes, and greatly increase
in numbers, grace, and knowledge. About Old Cambus, six miles
from Dunbar, many are meeting together for social prayer and
mutual conversation respecting matters of religion. There are
several other societies for prayer prospering very well."[484]

[484] Prince's _Christian History_, No. xxxiv.

Another minister, the Rev. Mr. McCulloch, informed Whitefield, that fifty persons had been converted by his ten sermons in Glasgow; and that many others had been convinced of sin, and were seeking salvation.[485] The Rev. Mr. Ogilvie, at Aberdeen, stated, that Whitefield had been the means of reviving, in that city, "a just sense and concern for the great things of religion. I often think," says the writer, "that the Lord sent him here, to teach me how to preach, and especially how to suffer. His attachment to no party, but to Christ, appears to me a peculiar excellency in him. While he stayed among us, he answered our expectations so much, that he has scarce more friends anywhere than here, where, at first, almost all were against him. The word came with so much power, that, I hope, several of different denominations will bless the Lord for ever, that they ever heard him."[486]

[485] _Glasgow Weekly History_, No. xiii.

[486] Ibid., No. xxvii.

The Rev. Mr. Willison, of Dundee, wrote:--

"Mr. Whitefield is hated, and spoken against by all the
episcopal party and even the most of our clergy labour to
diminish and expose him. But I look upon this youth, as raised
up by God for special service, for promoting true Christianity
in the world, and for reviving it where it is decayed. I see
the man to be all of a piece; his life and conversation to be
a transcript of his sermons. He is singularly fitted to do the
work of an evangelist; and I have been long of opinion, that, it
would be for the advantage of the world, were this still to be a
standing office in the Church. I have myself been witness to the
Holy Ghost falling upon him and his hearers oftener than once;
not in a miraculous, though in an observable manner. Many here
are blessing God, for sending him to this country, though Satan
has raged so much against it. Though he is ordained a minister
of the Church of England, he has always conformed to us, both
in doctrine and worship, and lies open to conform to us in
other points. God, by owning him so wonderfully, is pleased to
give a rebuke to our intemperate bigotry and party zeal, and to
tell us, that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availeth
anything, but the new creature."[487]

[487] _Glasgow Weekly History_, No. xiii.

One more contemporaneous testimony must suffice. A gentleman, "eminent for learning and knowledge of the world," remarked:--

"Mr. Whitefield's soundness in the faith, his fervent zeal,
and unwearied diligence in promoting the cause of Christ; the
plainness and simplicity, the affection and warmth of his
sermons, and the amazing power that accompanied them; together
with his meekness, humility, and candid and catholic spirit,
convinced the people that there was reason to think well of him.
Conversions were become rare in Scotland; little liveliness
was to be found even in real Christians; and bigotry and blind
zeal were producing animosities and divisions, and turning away
the attention of good men from matters of infinitely greater
importance. The episcopal clergy gave him no countenance,
though a few of their people did. In the Established Church of
Scotland, some of the more rigid Presbyterians would not hold
communion with him, on account of his connection with the Church
of England, and because he assumed the office of an evangelist,
peculiar, in their apprehension, to the first ages of the
Church. Some were mightily dissatisfied with him for preaching
the Calvinistic doctrines of election, original sin, efficacious
grace, justification through faith, and the perseverance of the
saints; and others, because he inveighed against the playhouse,
dancing assemblies, games of chance, haunting taverns, vanity
and extravagance in dress, and levity in behaviour and
conversation. But, upon many in Edinburgh, of all ranks and
ages, especially young people, deep impressions were made; and
many of them waited on him privately, lamenting their former
immoral lives, or stupid thoughtlessness about religion, and
expressing their anxious concern about obtaining an interest in
Christ, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit."[488]

[488] Gillies' "Memoirs of Whitefield."

_SEVEN MONTHS IN ENGLAND._

NOVEMBER 1741 TO JUNE 1742.

Whitefield left Edinburgh on October 29, 1741, and rode on Earl Leven's horse, three hundred miles, to Abergavenny in Wales, for the purpose of marrying Mrs. James, a widow lady, who, up to this period of his history, is never even mentioned in any of Whitefield's letters. The marriage ceremony was performed at St. Martin's Chapel, near Caerphilly, in the parish of Eglws Ilan. The following is a copy of the register, in the handwriting of the Rev. John Smith, the then vicar of Eglws Ilan:--

GEORGE WHITEFIELD
AND
ELIZABETH JAMES,
_Married, November 14, 1741_.[489]

[489] "Memoirs of Christmas Evans," p. 176.

Of Mrs. James's previous history, nothing has been published.[490] She was a friend of the Methodists, and of Wesley, as well as of Whitefield. Only six weeks before her marriage, Wesley was her guest, at Abergavenny, and writes, "She received us gladly, as she had done aforetime."[491] Exactly a month before she became Mrs. Whitefield, Wesley was again in the same neighbourhood, and was warmly attacked by his quondam friends, but now his Calvinistic foes, Thomas Bissicks and Joseph Humphreys. Mrs. James kindly interfered, and Wesley, not without reason, calls her "a woman of candour and humanity."[492]

[490] Her maiden name was Burnell. (Gillies' "Memoirs of
Whitefield.")

[491] Wesley's Works, vol. i.; p. 319.

[492] Ibid., vol. i., p. 321.

Whitefield did everything religiously. On the day before his marriage, writing to Earl Leven, he remarks:--

"I find a restraint upon me now, so that I cannot write. God
calls me to retirement, being to enter the marriage state
to-morrow. I am persuaded your lordship will not fail to pray,
that we may, like Zacharias and Elisabeth, walk in all the
ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless."

Five days subsequent to his marriage, he says, to a friend at Edinburgh, "On Saturday, I was married, in the fear of God, to one who, I hope, will be a helpmeet to me. I expect to be in London in about three weeks. My wife I shall leave in the country for some time."

To another friend in Edinburgh he writes: "Jesus was called to, Jesus was present at, the marriage." In a letter to James Habersham, he says: "The Lord has given me a wife. Her name was James, a widow, between thirty and forty years of age. She has been a housekeeper many years. Once gay; but, for three years last past, a despised follower of the Lamb of God. I left her about three weeks ago, and am going to settle affairs, and bring her up to London." Shortly after, writing to his friend Gilbert Tennent, he remarked: "About eleven weeks ago, I married, in the fear of God, one who was a widow, of about thirty-six years of age, and who has been a housekeeper for many years; neither rich in fortune,[493] nor beautiful as to her person, but, I believe, a true child of God, and one who would not, I think, attempt to hinder me in His work for the world. In that respect, I am just the same as before marriage. I hope God will never suffer me to say, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'"