"You talk about being called to the work of the ministry," he said to one of the Philadelphia clergy; "if ability and great power in the pulpit are evidence of being called of God, then Whitefield must have had a louder call than any of you." "But he is very peculiar in his methods, and harsh in his treatment of sinners," suggested the minister. "But if we sinners do not object, why should you saints? We have heard him say nothing but the truth yet." "All that may be true," continued the preacher, "but so much excitement is not healthy for the spiritual growth of the people." "When did you, or any one else, ever see so great moral and spiritual improvement of the people," said Franklin, "as we have seen since Whitefield has been preaching here? The whole population appears to be thinking about religion." "Excitement! excitement!" exclaimed the minister; "and when Whitefield is gone, there will be a reaction, and the last state of the people will be worse than the first." So Franklin supported Whitefield, was a constant attendant upon his ministrations, and a lasting friendship grew up between them. "Let us put up a building for him to preach in, now that he is excluded from the churches," proposed Franklin to a number of Whitefield's friends, who were discussing the situation. "A preacher of so much power and self-denial should be sustained." "A capital suggestion!" answered one of the number, "and you are the man to carry the measure into effect." "A rough building is all that is necessary for our purpose; the finish will be in the preaching," added Franklin. "A preacher of any denomination whatever, who comes here to instruct the people, without money and without price, should be provided with a place for worship." "Yes, even if the Mufti of Constantinople were to send a missionary here, I would provide a place for him to hold forth and not turn him into the street," responded Coleman. "I will announce in the _Gazette_ at once what our purpose is, and call a meeting," continued Franklin. "The announcement will test the feelings of the people on the subject." "Let it be done in a hurry, too," said Coleman. "Public sentiment is ripe for something now, and I think the citizens will endorse the scheme." The project was announced, a meeting called, and subscriptions obtained with little effort, to erect a building one hundred feet long and seventy wide. In an almost incredibly short time the house of worship was completed, and Whitefield occupied it. XXXIV. MORE HONORS AND MORE WORK.