Chapter XXIII: Part 23

On December 3, he left Charleston for Georgia, and, about a week afterwards, reached Savannah,――more than a year and a half from the time of his embarkation for America. His detention, in the northern colonies, had been long; but no time was wasted after his arrival. Within a week, he had the boldness to ask the governor of Georgia, and the two Houses of Assembly, for a grant of two thousand acres of land, to enable him to convert his Orphan House into a college. The story will be best told by the insertion of Whitefield’s “Memorial,” and the answers it evoked:――

“To His Excellency James Wright, Esq., Captain-General and
Governor-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Province of Georgia, and
to the Members of His Majesty’s Council in the said Province.

“The Memorial of George Whitefield, Clerk,

“_Sheweth_,――That about twenty-five years ago, your memorialist,
assisted by the voluntary contributions of charitable and
well-disposed persons, at a very great expense, and under many
disadvantages, did erect a commodious house, with necessary
out-buildings, suitable for the reception of orphans, and other
poor and deserted children; and that with the repair of the
buildings, purchase of negroes, and supporting a large orphan
family for so many years, he hath expended upwards of £12,000
sterling, as appears by the accounts, which from time to time
have been audited by the magistrates of Savannah.

“That your memorialist, since the commencement of this
institution, hath had the satisfaction of finding, that, by
the money expended thereon, not only many poor families were
assisted, and thereby kept from leaving the Colony in its infant
state, but also that a considerable number of poor helpless
children have been trained up; who have been, and now are,
useful settlers in this and the neighbouring Provinces.

“That in order to render the institution aforesaid more
extensively useful, your memorialist, as he perceived the
colony gradually increasing, hath for some years past designed
within himself, to improve the original plan, by making further
provision for the education of persons of superior rank; who
thereby might be qualified to serve their king, their country,
or their God, either in Church or State. That he doth with
inexpressible pleasure see the present very flourishing state of
the Province; but with concern perceives that several gentlemen
have been obliged to send their sons to the northern Provinces;
who would much rather have had them educated nearer home, and
thereby prevent their affections being alienated from their
native country, and also considerable sums of money from being
carried out of this into other Provinces.

“Your memorialist further observes, that there is no seminary
for academical studies as yet founded southward of Virginia; and
consequently if a College could be established here (especially
as the late addition of the two Floridas renders Georgia more
centrical for the southern district) it would not only be highly
serviceable to the rising generation of the Colony, but would
occasion many youths to be sent from the British West India
Islands and other parts. The many advantages accruing thereby
to this Province must be very considerable.

“From these considerations, your memorialist is induced
to believe, that the time is now approaching, when his
long-projected design for further serving this his beloved
Colony, shall be carried into execution.

“That a considerable sum of money is intended speedily to
be laid out in purchasing a large number of negroes, for the
further cultivation of the present Orphan House and other
additional lands, and for the future support of a worthy,
able president, and for professors, and tutors, and other good
purposes intended.

“Your memorialist therefore prays your Excellency and Honours
to grant to him in _trust_, for the purposes aforesaid, two
thousand acres of land, on the north fork of the Turtle River,
called the Lesser Swamp, if vacant, or where lands may be found
vacant, south of the River Altamaha.

“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.

“Savannah, in Georgia, _December 18, 1764_.”

Whitefield’s case was a strong one. There cannot be a doubt that Georgia had had no benefactor superior to himself; and it must also be admitted further, that his proposed academy, or college, was greatly needed. In addition to this, there was another fact favourable to the success of his application. His old friend, James Habersham, the first Superintendent of his Orphanage, was now raised to the dignity of being the “president of the Upper House of Assembly.” Under such circumstances, it is not surprising, that, only two days after the date of Whitefield’s Memorial, the following “Address” was presented to the Governor of Georgia:――

“The Address of both Houses of Assembly, Georgia.

“To His Excellency James Wright, Esq., Captain-General and
Governor-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Province of Georgia.

“MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,――We, his Majesty’s most dutiful
and loyal subjects, the Council and Commons House of Assembly
of Georgia in General Assembly met, beg leave to acquaint your
Excellency that with the highest satisfaction, we learn that
the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield has applied for lands, in order
to the endowment of a College in this Province. The many and
singular obligations Georgia has been continually laid under to
that reverend gentleman, from its very infant state, would in
gratitude induce us, by every means in our power, to promote
any measure he might recommend; but, in the present instance,
where the interest of the Province, the advancement of religion,
and the pleasing prospect of obtaining proper education for our
youth, so clearly coincide with his views, we cannot in justice
but request your Excellency to use your utmost endeavours to
promote so desirable an event, and to transmit home our sincere
and very fervent wishes, for the accomplishment of so useful, so
beneficent, and so laudable an undertaking.

“By order of the Upper House,

“JAMES HABERSHAM, _President_.

“_December 20, 1764._

“By Order of the Commons House,

“ALEX. WYLLY, _Speaker_.”

The reply of the governor of Georgia was as courteous and generous as the address of the Houses of Assembly:――

“GENTLEMEN,――I am so perfectly sensible of the very great
advantage which will result to the Province in general, from
the establishment of a seminary for learning here, that it gives
me the greatest pleasure to find so laudable an undertaking
proposed by the Rev. Mr. Whitefield. The friendly and zealous
disposition of that gentleman, to promote the prosperity of this
Province, has been often experienced; and you may rest assured,
that I shall transmit your address home, with my best endeavours
for the success of the great point in view.

“JAMES WRIGHT.

“_December 20, 1764._”

These documents greatly redound to Whitefield’s honour, and are too important to be omitted in the memoirs of the poor, persecuted preacher. Another of the same class must also be inserted. On three previous occasions, Whitefield’s Orphan House accounts had been subjected to an official audit. On April 16, 1746, it was ascertained that, up to that date, Whitefield had expended £5,511 17s. 9¼d.; and had received, £4,982 12s. 8d.; leaving him out of pocket, £529 5s. 1¼d. From that date to February 25, 1752, he expended £2,026 13s. 7½d., and received £1,386 8s. 7½d., leaving another deficiency of £640 5s. From February 25, 1752, to February 19, 1755, he spent £1,966 18s. 2d., towards which he received £1,289 2s. 3d., leaving a third deficiency amounting to £677 15s. 11d. On the 9th of February, 1765, the fourth audit of the accounts took place, from which it appeared that, during the last ten years, Whitefield had expended the sum of £3,349 15s. 10d., and had received £3,132 16s. ¼d., he being a fourth time out of pocket to the amount of £216 19s. 9¾d. These four deficiencies put together make £2,064 5s. 10d., the amount of Whitefield’s own private contributions to his Orphanage in Georgia. Remembering that the value of money then was four times greater than its value now, this was an enormous sum for the unbeneficed Methodist clergyman to give. Whitefield was born and bred in a public-house; the expense of his collegiate education had been met partly by private benefactions, and partly by his submitting to perform the drudgeries of a college servitor; the only church living that he had ever had was Savannah, and even that only for a few short months; fixed income he had none; all his life, he had contentedly and joyously relied on Providence for the supply of his daily needs. Providence had never failed him. He had had enough, and to spare. To say nothing of his other gifts, in London and elsewhere, it was now officially and publicly declared that, out of his own private purse, he had given more than £2,000 to his Orphan House in Georgia. The two attestations, declaring this, were as follows:――

“GEORGIA.

“Before me, the Honourable Noble Jones, Esq., senior, one of
the Assistant Justices for the Province aforesaid, personally
appeared the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, and Thomas Dixon of
the Province aforesaid, who, being duly sworn, declare that the
accounts relating to the Orphan House, from folio 82 to folio
98 in this book, amounting on the debit side to £3,349 15s. 10d.
sterling, and on the credit side to £3,132 16s. ¼d., contain,
to the best of their knowledge, a just and true account of all
the monies collected by, or given to them, or any other, for
the use or benefit of the said house, and that the disbursements,
amounting to the sum aforesaid, have been faithfully applied to,
and for the use of the same.

“_Signed_, { GEORGE WHITEFIELD,
{ THOMAS DIXON.

“_February 9, 1765._

“Sworn this 9th day of February, 1765, before me, in
justification whereof I have caused the seal of the General
Court to be affixed.

“_Signed_, N. JONES. _Sealed._”

“GEORGIA.

“Before me, the Honourable Noble Jones, Esq., senior, personally
appeared James Edward Powell and Grey Elliot, Esqrs., members of
His Majesty’s Honourable Council for the Province aforesaid, who,
being duly sworn, declare that they have carefully examined the
accounts containing the receipts and disbursements, for the use
of the Orphan House of the said Province, and that, comparing
them with the several vouchers, they find the same not only
just and true in every respect, but kept in such a clear and
regular manner, as does honour to the managers of that house;
and that, on a careful examination of the several former audits,
it appears that the sum of £2,064 5s. 10d. has, at several times,
been given by the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield for the use of the
said house; and that, in the whole, the sum of £12,855 5s. 4¾d.
has been laid out for the same house since the 7th of January,
1739, to this day. Also, that it doth not appear that any charge
has ever been made by the said Rev. Mr. Whitefield, either for
travelling charges or any other expenses whatever; and that no
charge of salary has been made for any person whatever, employed
or concerned in the management of the said house.

“_Signed_, { JAMES EDWARD POWELL,
{ GREY ELLIOT.

“_February 9, 1765._

“Sworn this 9th day of February, 1765, before me, in
justification whereof I have caused the seal of the General
Court to be affixed.

“_Signed_, N. JONES. _Sealed._”

These are lengthy documents to insert, but the honour of Whitefield’s memory requires them; and they, also, without the need of further evidence, triumphantly acquit the great itinerant from the numerous mercenary charges, which, from time to time, were brought against him. No wonder that poor afflicted Whitefield was full of gratitude. The following extracts from his letters will be welcome:――

“Bethesda, January 14, 1765. I have been in Georgia above
five weeks. All things, in respect to Bethesda, have gone on
successfully. God has given me great favour in the sight of the
Governor, Council, and Assembly. A memorial was presented for
an additional grant of lands, consisting of two thousand acres.
It was immediately complied with. Both houses addressed the
Governor in behalf of the intended College. As warm an answer
was given; and I am now putting all in repair, and getting
everything ready for that purpose. Every heart seems to leap
for joy, at the prospect of its future utility to this and
the neighbouring colonies. The only question now is, whether
I should embark directly for England, or take one tour more to
the northward. He, who holdeth the stars in His right hand, will
direct in due time. I am here in delightful winter quarters.
Peace and plenty reign at Bethesda. His Excellency dined with me
yesterday, and expressed his satisfaction in the warmest terms.
Who knows how many youths may be raised up for the ever-loving
and altogether lovely Jesus? Thus far, however, we may set
up our Ebenezer. Hitherto, the bush has been burning, but not
consumed. Lord, I believe; help Thou my unbelief!”

“Bethesda, February 3, 1765. We have just been wishing some
of our London friends were here. We have lovefeasts every day.
Nothing but peace and plenty reign in Bethesda, this house of
mercy. God be praised for making the chapel, in London, such
a Bethel. I believe it will yet be the gate of heaven to many
souls. Whether we live or die, we shall see greater things.
Remember, my dear friend, to ask something worthy of a God to
give. Be content with nothing short of Himself. His presence
alone can fill and satisfy the renewed soul.”

“Bethesda, February 13, 1765. A few days more, and then
farewell Bethesda, perhaps for ever. The within audit, I sent
to the Governor. Next day, came Lord J. A. G――――n, to pay his
Excellency a visit. Yesterday morning, they, with several other
gentlemen, favoured me with their company to breakfast. But how
was my Lord surprised and delighted! After expressing himself
in the strongest terms, he took me aside, and informed me that
the Governor had shown him the accounts, by which he found
what a great benefactor I had been;――that the intended College
would be of the utmost utility to this and the neighbouring
Provinces;――that the plan was beautiful, rational, and
practicable;――and that he was persuaded his Majesty would highly
approve of it, and also favour it with some peculiar marks of
his royal bounty. At their desire, I went to town, and dined
with him and the Governor at Savannah. On Tuesday next, God
willing, I move towards Charleston, leaving all arrears paid
off, and some cash in hand, besides the last year’s whole crop
of rice, some lumber, the house repaired, painted, furnished with
plenty of clothing, and provision till the next crop comes in,
and perhaps some for sale. Only a few boys will be left, two of
whom are intended for the foundation; so that, this year, they
will be getting rather than expending. Near ten boys and girls
have been put out. The small-pox has gone through the house,
with the loss of about six negroes and four orphans. Before
this, I think not above four children have been taken off these
twenty-four years. As an acknowledgment of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon’s
faithfulness and care, I have made them a present of a bill of
exchange drawn upon you. And now, farewell, my beloved Bethesda!
surely the most delightfully situated place in all the southern
parts of America.”

On Thursday, February 21, Whitefield arrived at Charleston,[522] where he wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, and other friends, as follows:――

“Charleston, March 5, 1765. My very dear, dear friends. Often
have we thought and talked of Bethesda. No place like that for
peace, and plenty of every kind. This leaves me, aiming, in my
poor way, to do a little for Him, who has done and suffered so
much for me. People of all ranks fly to the gospel, like doves
to the windows. The word begins to fall with great weight, and
all are importunate for my longer stay; but next week I expect
to move. The negroes’ shirts, etc., are in hand. O that these
Ethiopians may be made to stretch out their hands unto God! I
feel a great compassion for them.”

“Charleston, March 15, 1765. I have had a most pleasant winter.
Words cannot well express what a scene of action I leave behind.
My American work seems as yet scarce begun. My health is better;
and every day the word of God runs and is glorified more and
more. In two days, my wilderness range commences afresh. In
about six weeks, I hope to see Philadelphia. From thence, they
say, I am to set sail for my native country. But heaven, a
blessed, long-wished for heaven, is my home.”

“Wilmington, Cape Fear, March 29, 1765. Thus far hath the Lord
brought me in my way to Philadelphia. We had a most cutting
parting from Charleston. I preached thrice in my way to this
place. At the desire of the mayor and other gentlemen, I shall
stay till next Sunday. This pilgrimage kind of life is the very
joy of my heart. Ceiled houses and crowded tables I leave to
others. A morsel of bread, and a little bit of cold meat, in a
wood, is a most luxurious repast. Jesus’ presence is all in all,
whether in the city or the wilderness.”

Whitefield seems to have spent about a month in the journey between Charleston and Philadelphia, but has left no detailed account of his labours. Possibly, he made another tour through Virginia and Maryland. Indeed, this seems to be hinted in the letter about to be quoted. He was now on his way to England, but he wished to be permanently exempt from the responsibility of supplying the pulpits and managing the affairs of his London chapels. Hence the following addressed to Mr. Keen:――

“Newcastle, 30 miles from Philadelphia, May 4, 1765. I am just
come here, in my way to embark from Philadelphia. But how shall
I do it? All along, from Charleston to this place, the cry is,
‘For Christ’s sake, stay and preach to us.’ O for a thousand
lives to spend for Jesus! He is good, He is good! His mercy
endureth for ever. Help, help, my dear English friends, to bless
and praise Him! Thanks be to God! all outward things are settled
on this side the water. The auditing the accounts, and laying a
foundation for a college, have silenced enemies and comforted
friends. The finishing this affair confirms my call to England;
but I have no prospect of being able to serve the Tabernacle
and the chapel. I cannot preach once now, without being quite
exhausted. How, then, shall I bear the cares of both those
places? I must beg you and dear Mr. Hardy to continue trustees
when I am present, as well as in my absence. I am praying night
and day for direction. The word runs here, and is glorified; but
the weather, for two days, has been so hot, that I could scarce
move. I dread the shaking of the ship; but if it shakes this
tottering frame to pieces, it will be a trading voyage indeed.”

Instead of finding a ship at Philadelphia, as he expected, Whitefield was obliged to proceed to New York, where he embarked on June 9, and, after a quick passage of twenty-eight days, landed in England on July 7.

During his absence in America, Whitefield was, comparatively speaking, exempt from persecution. The principal exception was a maniacal attack by John Harman, who published an 8vo. shilling pamphlet, with the title, “Remarks upon the Life, Character, and Behaviour of the Rev. George Whitefield, as written by himself, from the Time of his Birth to the Time he Departed from his Tabernacle.”

There also appeared in _Lloyd’s Evening Post_ an article, which was a combination of censure and eulogy. The writer condemned “the incoherent, wild, and unconnected jargon” of Whitefield and his friends; but, at the same time, he acknowledged they had greater success than the regular clergy of the Church of England. He was profoundly grieved to witness “irreverent behaviour” at the Church services,――such as the “gaping and yawning” of the people, “picking their noses, and rubbing their faces, admiring and exposing to admiration their little finger with its ring on, and staring all round the church, even when rehearsing the most solemn prayers.” All this he attributed to the clergy’s “being taken up with too great eagerness for the things of this life,” and also to their “sloth and idleness.” On the other hand, the Methodist preacher “strains his voice to the utmost, that every one may hear, and affects a tone of voice and manner of pronunciation” most likely to impress and please his hearers. “In this really severe and fatiguing manner of utterance, he gives long discourses, and exposes his person anywhere, in any corner, on any dunghill, and gets well pelted every now and then.”

_WHITEFIELD’S LAST FOUR YEARS IN GREAT BRITAIN._

FROM JULY 7, 1765, TO SEPTEMBER 5, 1769.

UPON the whole, Whitefield’s health was not improved by his visit to America. He had worked when others would have rested. If he had them with him, which perhaps is doubtful, he had worn “gown and cassock,” when it would have been more prudent to have lounged and travelled in a tourist’s dress. No doubt, his preaching in America had been of inestimable service; but he came back to England scarcely able to preach at all. On his arrival, he thus wrote to Mr. Keen:――

“Plymouth, July 12, 1765. I left the Halifax packet, from New
York, near the Lizard; and, by the blunder of a drunken fellow,
missed the post on the 8th inst. I want a gown and cassock.
Child, in Chancery Lane, used to make for me, and perhaps knows
my measure. Amazing, that I have not been measured for a coffin
long ago! I am very low in body, and, as yet, undetermined
what to do. Perhaps, on the whole, it may be best to come on
leisurely, to see if my spirits can be a little recruited. You
may write a few lines, at a venture, to Bristol. Had I bodily
strength, you would find me coming upon you unawares; but that
fails me much. I must have a little rest, or I shall be able to
do nothing at all.”

Six days after this, he was at Bristol, in “a fine commodious house, and kept from much company,” but still begging “not to be brought into action too soon.” He wrote, “The poor old shattered bark has not been in dock one week for a long while.”

A fortnight afterwards, he arrived in London, and wrote as follows, probably to one of his old assistants, John Edwards, now Congregationalist minister in Leeds:――

“London, August 3, 1765. I am very weak in body, but gratitude
constrains me to send you a few lines of love unfeigned,
for your labours during my absence abroad. I rejoice to hear
they were blessed. Our friends tell me that the sound of your
Master’s feet was heard behind you. To Him, and Him alone, be
all the glory! Thanks be to God! we do not go a warfare at our
own charges. The Captain of our Salvation will conquer for, and
in us. Let us but acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He will
direct and prosper all our paths. Our enemies shall be at peace
with us. The very ravens――birds of prey――shall be obliged to
come and feed us. O for an increase of faith! I hope you have
refreshing times from the presence of the Lord, among your
own flock. O to end life well! Methinks, I have now but one
more river to pass over,――Jordan; and we know who can carry
us over, without being ankle deep. Yet a little while, and all
true labourers shall enter into the joy of their Lord. Amen!
Hallelujah!”

Despite his wish that Messrs. Keen and Hardy would continue to manage his London chapels, Whitefield was obliged to obtain supplies for them himself. To Mr. Andrew Kinsman, whom he was accustomed to address as his “dear Timothy,” he wrote:――

“London, September 20, 1765. Pray, when are we to have the
honour of a visit from you? I believe more than three weeks
are elapsed since you came to Bristol. Mr. Adams[523] is to
be your colleague here. I purpose for both of you to preach at
the” (Tottenham Court Road) “chapel as well as at the Tabernacle.
Write an immediate answer, fixing your time of coming; and
you must not think of returning soon. I have been better in
health for a week past than I have been for these four years.
My wife,[524] last night, returned well, from Bury. She indulges
this morning, being weary; but, I take it for granted, that, you
and I rise at five. Mr. Adams’s room will be large enough for you
to breathe in. I shall never breathe as I would, till I breathe
in heaven.”

Mr. Kinsman, in reply, evidently proposed that, if he came to supply in London, Whitefield should supply in Bristol. Apart from his health, Whitefield had no liking for this proposal. His labours at Bristol had not been so successful and happy as in other places. Hence the following extract from a second letter to Mr. Kinsman:――

“LONDON, _September 28, 1765_.

“Nothing is wanting at Bristol, London, and elsewhere, but
labourers full of the first old Methodistical spirit; but where
to get them is the question. Those, who are thus minded, are
almost worn out. I would gladly fly to Bristol if I could; but
I see it is best to be here for some time. Besides, things have
always been at such a low ebb, when I have been at Bristol, and
matters carried on with so little spirit, that I have generally
come away mourning. If a few, such as Mr. Collet,[525] would
exert themselves steadily and perseveringly, and if proper
preachers were sent, something might be done to purpose; but,
as neither of these things is likely to happen, my expectations
are not much raised. However, the residue of the Spirit is in
the Redeemer’s hands. Fain would I have you up at London for some
time, at this season. Mr. D――r expects to see you in a clerical
habit about Christmas. He asked me if I would get him a scarf?
I answered, that, you must have one first. You may guess how
he smiled. However, I really intend you shall preach in the”
(Tottenham Court Road) “chapel. I want you also to read the
letters, and give me leave to comment upon them, as my breath
will allow.”

Without unduly commenting on Whitefield’s letter, there are five facts in it, which must be apparent to every careful reader;――three of them interesting, and two of great importance. 1. Tottenham Court Road chapel was considered to occupy a higher position, than the Tabernacle in Moorfields. 2. Meetings for reading letters were still held among Whitefield’s followers. 3. Bristol was not one of Whitefield’s favourite preaching places. 4. _In Whitefield’s opinion, Methodist preachers were already deteriorated._ 5. _That, without right preachers and a working Church, spiritual progress is next to impossible._

On October 1, Whitefield set out for Bath. For twenty-five years, the Countess of Huntingdon had been accustomed to visit that fashionable city. Wherever she went, she took her religion with her, for her religion was a part of herself. Her position, in many respects, was new and peculiar. She seemed to be a combination of Puritan, Churchman, Dissenter, and Reformer. Her chief characteristic, however, was heartfelt and practical religion. Her lighted “candle” was never “put under a bushel.” On all suitable occasions, she was ready to speak of the sins and errors of her early life, and to tell of her conversion to God, and to insist that the same change is necessary in all. At Bath, she had conversed on religious subjects, with many of the most distinguished personages of the time. Whitefield, Charles Wesley, and others, had conducted religious services in her lodgings, and the services had been attended by considerable numbers of the aristocracy, who would have declined to enter an ordinary Methodist meeting-house. To meet the case of such, her ladyship, years ago, had built chapels of her own at Brighton, and at Bristol; and now she erected a third at Bath; and, soon afterwards, built a fourth at Tunbridge Wells,――all of them places of fashionable resort.

The chapel at Bath being completed, the Countess summoned six clergymen of the Church of England to the opening, namely, Whitefield, Romaine, Venn, Madan, Shirley,[526] and Townsend.[527] On October 6, Whitefield and Townsend preached, and an immense crowd attended, including a large number of the nobility, who had been specially invited by her ladyship.[528] Whitefield mentions this event in the following letter addressed to Mr. Keen:――

“BATH, _October 7, 1765_.

“The Chapel is extremely plain, and yet equally grand. A most
beautiful original![529] All was conducted with great solemnity.
Though a very wet day, the place was very full; and assuredly
the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, by His presence,
consecrated and made it holy ground. I preached in the morning,
and Mr. Townsend in the evening. I am to preach to-morrow night,
and have hopes of setting off on Wednesday morning.”

Whitefield, probably, spent the remainder of the year in London. Wesley breakfasted with him on October 28, and spoke of him as “an old, old man, fairly worn out in his Master’s service, though he has hardly seen fifty years.”[530] No doubt, he preached as often as he could. He was also occupied with his project for converting his Orphan House into a college. In a letter to Mr. Dixon, his manager, he wrote:――

“LONDON, _October 26, 1765_.

“Bethesda matters are likely to come to a speedy and happy issue.
We talk of my coming over again. It is not impossible, if my
health admits. At present, blessed be God! I am better than I
was last year. The word runs and is glorified in London.”

This was written only two days before he and Wesley breakfasted together. Evidently, he scarcely considered his case so serious as Wesley did. Hopefulness, throughout life, was one of his prominent characteristics. This was true at present, both in reference to his health and to the affairs of Bethesda. He was pushing the proposal for a college as much as possible; but the accomplishment of his wish was more remote than he expected. He had sent a memorial to the king, in which he embodied nearly the whole of his memorial to the Governor and Council of Georgia. That to the king concluded thus:――

“Upon the arrival of your memorialist, he was informed that this
address, ‘of the General Assembly to the Governor of Georgia,’
was remitted to, and laid before the Lords Commissioners for
Trade and Plantations; and, having received repeated advices
that numbers both in Georgia and South Carolina are waiting
with impatience to have their sons initiated in academical
exercises, your memorialist therefore prays that a charter,
upon the plan of New Jersey College, may be granted; upon which
your memorialist is ready to give up his present trust, and make
a free gift of all lands, negroes, goods, and chattels, which
he now stands possessed of in the Province of Georgia, for the
present founding, and towards the future support of a college,
to be called by the name of Bethesda College, in the Province
of Georgia.”

At this stage of the business, Bethesda must be left until the beginning of the year 1767.

One of the first of Whitefield’s good deeds, in 1766, was to heal a breach. Four years before, Wesley’s Society in London had been thrown into great confusion, by a large number of its members using the most fanatical expressions in reference to the doctrine of Christian Perfection. Thomas Maxfield, generally reputed (though incorrectly) to have been the first layman, whom Wesley authorised to preach, and George Bell, a corporal in the Life Guards, and who, for a season, seemed to be insane, became the chief agitators. The result was a great scandal, a reduction of Wesley’s metropolitan Society from 2,800 members to 2,200, and a Society debt of more than £600. After many strange vicissitudes, Bell was brought back to a better state of feeling, and Whitefield was the means of it. Wesley writes:――

“January 3, 1766. Mr. Bell called upon me, now calm, and in his
right mind. God has repressed his furious, bitter zeal, by means
of Mr. Whitefield.”

And again, a month later:――

“January 31. Mr. Whitefield called upon me. He breathes nothing
but peace and love. Bigotry cannot stand before him, but hides
its head wherever he comes.”[531]

Another event occurred about the same time, but of a painful character. In _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, for February 10, 1766, the following announcement was made:――

“Lately died suddenly, at the Countess of Huntingdon’s, at Bath,
Mr. James Whitefield, formerly a merchant of Bristol, and
brother of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield.”

At the commencement of the year, Whitefield was invited to Sheerness, where there existed a Society of what might be considered his followers. Some of Wesley’s preachers had visited the town. The simple-minded, but somewhat bigoted people took alarm. They were angry at their Calvinistic enclosure being approached by Arminian forces. Cornelius Winter, then in Kent, heard of this, and went and preached to them, from――“Gideon said unto him, O my lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? And where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us out of Egypt? but now even the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”[532]

The people now wanted Whitefield to visit them, and his affecting and admonitory answer was as follows:――

“LONDON, _January, 18, 1766_.

“DEARLY BELOVED,――Not want of love, but of leisure and health,
has occasioned you the trouble of writing a second letter. And
now I am sorry to acquaint you, that it is not in my power to
comply with your request. For want of more assistance, I am
confined in town, with the care of two important posts, when
I am only fit to be put into some garrison, among the invalids,
to stand by an old gun or two. However, my former ambition still
remains, and, through the help of your prayers, who knows but
I may yet be strengthened to annoy the enemy? If others are
blessed to do any execution, God forbid that I should hinder,
though in all things they follow not with us. Let the Lord send
by whom He will send. So that Christ is preached, and holiness
promoted, I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”

Whitefield was glad to get away from London. The care of his two chapels was too much for him. He went to Bath and Bristol, and was willing, if not wishful, to visit Wales. Hence the following to Mr. Keen:――

“Bristol, March 17, 1766. A desire to be free from London cares
has made me indifferent about frequent hearing from thence. If
dear Mr. Howell Davies will continue to officiate, I have a mind
to visit Wales for him. Last Friday evening, and twice yesterday,
I preached at Bath, to thronged and brilliant audiences.[533]
I am told it was a high day. The glory of the Lord filled the
house. To-morrow, God willing, I return thither. Mr. Townsend
is too ill to officiate. If any urgent business requires, be
pleased to direct either to this place or Bath. Pray shew my
wife this. Cordial respects attend her, yourself, dear Mr. Hardy
and sisters, and Mr. Howell Davies. Many think old times are
coming round again.”

At this period, England was visited by a man who rose to great notoriety. Samson Occum was a descendant of Uncas, the celebrated chief of the Mohegans, and was born at Mohegan, about the year 1723. His parents led a wandering life, dwelt in wigwams, and depended chiefly upon hunting and fishing for subsistence. During the religious excitement, at the time of Whitefield’s first visits to America, Occum was converted, chiefly by the preaching of Whitefield and Gilbert Tennent, and became desirous of acting as the teacher of his tribe. In a year or two, he learned to read the Bible, and then went to the Indian school of Mr. Wheelock, of Lebanon. Here he remained for four years. During the next ten or eleven years, he taught a school among the Indians, and also preached to them, in their own language. Many of his hearers became Christians. He lived in a house covered with mats, and changed his abode twice a year, to be near the planting ground in the summer, and the woods in the winter. Amongst his various toils for sustenance, he was expert with his fish-hook and his gun; he bound old books for the people at East Hampton; and made wooden spoons, cedar pails, piggins, and churns. In 1759, he was ordained by the Suffolk Presbytery. During his late visit to America, Whitefield met with Occum, took him along with him in his travels, and sometimes heard him preach.[534] Now, in 1766, in company with the Rev. Mr. Whitaker, Occum was sent to England, to obtain subscriptions towards the support of Wheelock’s school.[535] He was the first Indian preacher who had visited Great Britain. The chapels, in which he preached, were thronged. Between February 16, 1766, and July 22, 1767, he delivered, in various parts of the kingdom, above three hundred sermons. He and Mr. Whitaker met with the most liberal patronage from Christians of all denominations, and of all ranks in society. His majesty, King George III., gave a subscription of £200, and the whole contributions, in England and Scotland, amounted to £12,500.[536] After his return, Occum sometimes resided at Mohegan, but was often employed in missionary labours among distant Indians. In 1786, he removed to Brotherton, near Utica, in the neighbourhood of the Stockbridge Indians, where he died in 1792.[537] Upwards of three hundred Indians attended his funeral. A portrait of him appeared in the _Evangelical Magazine_ for 1808. Whitefield refers to him and his mission, in the following letter to the Rev. Mr. Gillies, of Glasgow:――

“LONDON, _April 25, 1766_.

“REVEREND AND VERY DEAR SIR,――Not want of love, but of leisure
and better health, has prevented you hearing from me more
frequently. I find I cannot do as I have done; but, through
infinite mercy, I am enabled to ascend my gospel-throne three
or four times a week; and a glorious influence attends the word.
People have a hearing ear, but we want more preachers.

“The prospect of a large and effectual door opening among the
heathen is very promising. Mr. Occum, the Indian preacher, is
a settled humble Christian. The good and great, with a multitude
of lower degree, heard him preach last week at Tottenham Court
chapel, and felt much of the power and presence of our common
Lord. Mr. Romaine has preached, and collected £100; and, I
believe, seven or eight hundred pounds more are subscribed. Lord
Dartmouth espouses the cause most heartily, and His majesty has
become a contributor. The King of kings, and Lord of all lords,
will bless them for it.

“I trust you and all my other dear friends at Glasgow are so
grown as to become tall cedars in the spiritual Lebanon. I pray
for them, though I cannot write to them. I hope all is well at
Cambuslang. Blessed be God! all will be well in heaven. I will
not interrupt you. You want to say, _Amen! Hallelujah!_ I only
add, when upon the mount, put in a word for an old friend, who
retains his old name, ‘the chief of sinners, less than the least
of all saints’――but, for Jesus Christ’s sake,

“Reverend and very dear sir, your willing servant,

“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”

Shortly after this, Whitefield formed a friendship with Thomas Powys, Esq., a gentleman in Shropshire, of large fortune and of high connections, who, in conjunction with Sir Richard Hill, in that county, became conspicuous for zeal in the cause of God and truth.[538] To Mr. Powys, Whitefield wrote as follows:――

“Tottenham Court, May 15, 1766. Though at present almost in
a breathless state, by preaching last night, yet I hope to be
strengthened to give the holy sacrament at seven next Sunday
morning; and, if able, to preach afterwards at ten. If good
Mr. R―――― and lady will come, at near seven, to the Chapel
House, they shall be conducted to a proper place. I wish them
a Pentecost, not only on Whit-Sunday, but every day, every hour,
and every moment of their lives.”

In the month of June, Whitefield set out for Bath and Bristol. He complained of the continuance of his “feverish heat,” and drank the water of the Hot Wells twice a day; but managed, at six o’clock, in the mornings, “to call thirsty souls to come and drink of the water of life freely.”[539]

On his return to London, he and the Wesleys met several days in succession, for the purpose of promoting a closer union between themselves and the Countess of Huntingdon. Wesley had set out on one of his gospel tours, but was summoned back to join in these important conferences. He writes:――

“My brother and I conferred with Mr. Whitefield every day; and,
let the honourable men do what they please, we resolved, by
the grace of God, to go on, hand in hand, through honour and
dishonour.”[540]

One of their arrangements was, that the Wesleys should preach in the chapels of the Countess of Huntingdon, as Whitefield, for many years, had been accustomed to preach in theirs. Charles Wesley was delighted. In a letter to his wife, he wrote:――

“London, August 21, 1766. Last night, my brother came. This
morning, we spent two blessed hours with George Whitefield. The
threefold cord, we trust, will never more be broken. On Tuesday
next, my brother is to preach in Lady Huntingdon’s Chapel at
Bath. That and all her chapels (not to say, as I might, herself
also) are now put into the hands of us three.”[541]

Some, however, were dissatisfied. In another letter to his “Dear Sally,” written within three weeks afterwards, he remarks:――

“September 9, 1766. This morning, I spent in friendly,
close conference with George Whitefield, who is treated most
magnificently, by his own begotten children, for his love to
us.”[542]

On the other hand, the Countess of Huntingdon approved of the arrangements made. In a letter to Wesley, she wrote:――

“September 14, 1766. I am most highly obliged by your kind offer
of serving the chapel at Bath during your stay at Bristol. _I
do trust that this union which is commenced_ will be for the
furtherance of our faith and mutual love to each other. It is
for the interest of the best of causes that we should all be
found, first, faithful to the Lord, and then to each other.
I find something wanting, and that is, a meeting now and then
agreed upon, that you, your brother, Mr. Whitefield, and I,
should, at times, regularly communicate our observations upon
the general state of the work. Light might follow, and would be
a kind of guide to me, as I am connected with many.”[543]

This “quadruple alliance,” as Charles Wesley called it, lasted till Whitefield’s death. Then, as all readers of Methodist history are well aware, there was, in more respects than one, a distressing rupture.

Whitefield continued his pulpit labours, as far as he was able; and also wrote letters in abundance. Hence the following extracts from his correspondence.

John Fawcett, afterwards Doctor of Divinity, and, for above half a century, a laborious minister of Christ in Yorkshire, had recently begun to preach, and, having been convinced of sin under Whitefield’s ministry, he wrote to him, asking his advice. Part of the answer was as follows:――

“London, September 1, 1766. I have been so often imposed upon
by letters from strangers, that it is high time to be a little
more cautious” [in answering them]. “Besides, bodily weakness
prevents my writing as formerly; but your letters seem to
evidence simplicity of heart. If truly called to the glorious
work of the ministry, of which I can be no judge at this
distance, I wish you much prosperity in the name of the Lord.
The language of my soul is, ‘Would to God that all the Lord’s
servants were prophets!’ A clear head, and an honest, upright,
disinterested, warm heart, with a good elocution, and a moderate
degree of learning, will carry you through all, and enable you
to do wonders. You will not fail to pray for a decayed, but,
thanks be to God! not a disbanded soldier. Whether I shall ever
visit Yorkshire again, is only known to Him, who holdeth the
stars in His right hand.”[544]

The next extract is from a letter addressed to a gentleman at Wisbeach:――

“London, September 25, 1766. I am sorry your letter has been
so long unanswered; but bodily weakness, and a multiplicity of
correspondents, at home and abroad, must be pleaded as excuses.
The shout of a King is yet heard in the Methodist camp. Had
I wings, I would gladly fly from pole to pole; but they are
clipped by the feeble labours of thirty years. Twice or thrice
a week, I am permitted to ascend my gospel-throne. Pray that
the last glimmering of an expiring taper may be blessed to the
guiding of many wandering souls to the Lamb of God.”[545]

The next was written to Mr. Gustavus Gidley, an officer of Excise, who was the principal founder of Wesley’s Society in Exeter, and the chief promoter of Wesley’s first chapel in that city:――

“London, October 2, 1766. The love of Christ constrains me
to wish you joy. Of what? Of being made partaker of the grace
and cross of Christ. You will find that both are inseparably
connected. God be praised that you have an inclination to invite
others to partake of your joy in the Lord. Thus, your brother
Matthew the publican did. He made a feast. Jesus, that friend
of publicans and sinners, was there. With such He is now; and
with such, to all eternity, He will be surrounded in the kingdom
of glory. There you and I must strive which will shout loudest,
‘Grace, grace!’ And why should not this contest begin on earth?
It will, it must, if the kingdom of God be _within us_. Look
continually unto Jesus. That He may be the Alpha and Omega――the
beginning and end of all your thoughts, words, and deeds, is the
earnest prayer of, dear sir,

“Your brother sinner,

“GEORGE WHITEFIELD.”[546]

Not unfrequently was Whitefield accused of disloyalty. From first to last, all such charges were absolutely false and calumnious. If he erred at all, it was in expressing his attachment to the throne and government of the day, in language stronger than they merited. His eulogiums of George II. were extravagant, but it would be unjust to designate them insincere. Everywhere, at home and abroad, he availed himself of every opportunity to evince his fidelity to his rightful sovereign, and his respect for the House of Hanover. This, at the time, was of more than ordinary importance. Jacobite and popish plots were numerous. Traitors existed in abundance. Loyal men were needed, and declarations of loyalty were of greater value than at present, when treason is not so rampant as it was in the days of the Pretender. Such facts will help to explain the following incident:――

On October 1, Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline Matilda, sister of George III., at the age of sixteen, was married to the worthless king of Denmark. The ceremony was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Grand Council Chamber at St. James’s, in the presence of the Royal Family and a large number of the English nobility. The puny king of Denmark was not present; but Her Royal Highness’s brother, the Duke of York, acted as his proxy. On the day after the marriage, at half-past six o’clock in the morning, the young queen set out for Harwich, to embark for Denmark, being escorted by a detachment of Horse Guards, and a numerous train of attendants. On the same day, says _Lloyd’s Evening Post_, “The Rev. Mr. Whitefield preached, at the Tabernacle, in praise of the queen of Denmark, and concluded with a fervent prayer for her preservation and good journey.”

This was an odd kind of service for worn-out Whitefield to undertake; but loyalty to the House of Hanover led him for once to use his “gospel-throne” in sounding the praises, not of King Jesus, but of the unfortunate queen of Denmark.

Among others, who now began to render assistance in Whitefield’s London chapels, was the saintly Fletcher, vicar of Madeley.[547] It is not improbable that this was one of the results of the “quadruple alliance,” formed two months before. Be that as it may, the following extract from Whitefield’s letter to Mr. Powys will interest the reader:――

“London, November 1, 1766. Dear Mr. Fletcher is become a
scandalous Tottenham Court preacher. I trust he will come down
into your parts, baptized with the Holy Ghost. Dear Mr. Romaine
has been much owned in good Lady Huntingdon’s chapel” (at Bath).
“I am to go thither next week. Dear Mr. Madan is detained at
Aldwinkle, by his children having the small-pox in town. The
shout of a King is yet heard in the Methodist camp. The glorious
cry, ‘What shall I do to be saved?’ is frequently sounding in
our years. Had we more reproach, and were we more scandalous,
more good would be done. Several promise well. Some say
_shibboleth_ with a good grace, and very proper accent; others,
as yet, can only say _sibboleth_; but I have heard of one who
can teach the tongue of the stammerer to speak plain. Good Lady
Huntingdon is an excellent school-mistress in this way. But
I must have done. A dear company of ministerial cast-outs are
coming to breakfast under my despised roof. I cannot die. Cold
bathing and cool weather brace me up.”

Whitefield went to Bath, as he intended; and, whilst there, wrote to his faithful friend, Mr. Keen, as follows:――

“Bath, November 12, 1766. I have been low ever since my coming
here. The Bath air, I believe, will never agree with me long.
However, if good is done, all will be well. They tell me, that
Sunday and last night were seasons of power. Some, we trust,
were made willing. I hope you enjoy much of God in town. Surely,
London is the Jerusalem of England. Happy they who know the day
of their visitation! Remember me to all at the Tabernacle. I
hope to write to Mr. Fletcher to-morrow or next day.”

“Bath, November 20, 1766. On Tuesday evening, I preached at
Bristol, to a very crowded auditory, though the weather was
very foul. Last night” (Wednesday) “I administered the sacrament
there. We used near eight bottles of wine. I trust some tasted
of the new wine of the kingdom. I want just one week more to
settle Bristol affairs; and have, therefore, written to dear
Mr. Jesse[548] to stay two or three weeks at London. Mr. Howell
Davies,[549] who, they say, is expected here next week, may then
officiate for that space of time at Bath, and, at Mr. Jesse’s
leaving London, may go up to town. I beg that Captain Joss
would go through with the Tabernacle work, and stick to it
with his whole heart. I hope, at farthest, to be in London by
next Tuesday se’nnight, and to preach at the Tabernacle the
following evening. I was afraid my wife would get cold by her
late excursions, as, at other times, she is so much confined.
Be pleased to show this to her.”

“Bristol, November 23, 1766. Such a numerous brilliant assembly
of the mighty and noble, I never saw attend before at Bath.
Everything is so promising, that I was constrained to give
notice of preaching next Sunday. Congregations have been very
large and very solemn. O what Bethels has Jesus given to us! O
that God would make my way into every town in England! I long to
break up fresh ground. I am just come here, weary, but am going
to speak a few words.”