Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals. * * * * * [Illustration: titlepage] [Illustration: George Whitefield. (handwritten signature)] GEORGE WHITEFIELD: A BIOGRAPHY, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HIS LABORS IN AMERICA. COMPILED BY JOSEPH BELCHER, D. D., AUTHOR OF THE LIFE OF REV. DR. CAREY, MISSIONARY TO INDIA, ETC., ETC. PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 150 NASSAU-STREET, NEW YORK. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. MORAL STATE OF GREAT BRITAIN IN THE EARLY PART OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY--WHITEFIELD, FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS FIRST SERMON. 1714-1736. Low state of religion in Great Britain and its dependencies when Whitefield appeared--His birth in Gloucester--Hooper-- Raikes--Whitefield's early life--His entrance at the university of Oxford--Becomes connected with the Wesleys and other Methodists--Illness and mental trials--Relief-- Preparation for the ministry--Return to Gloucester-- Ordination--First sermon 13 CHAPTER II. WHITEFIELD'S SUCCESS AS A PREACHER IN ENGLAND--FIRST VISIT TO AMERICA. 1736-1738. Whitefield's return to Oxford--Usefulness there--Visits London--Great popularity--Georgia--His anxiety as to duty-- Invited to Georgia by the Wesleys--Preparation and departure--Preaching and excitement at Deal--Labors and success on board--Arrival and labors at Gibraltar-- Interesting incidents on the voyage--Sickness and recovery-- His reception at Savannah--Visit to an Indian king--Origin of the Orphan asylum--Visit to Frederica--Return to Savannah--Visit to Charleston--Treatment by Garden-- Embarkation for Europe--Stormy voyage--Arrival in Limerick-- Journey to London--Meeting with the trustees of Georgia-- Ordination as priest--Return to London--First extempore prayer--First idea of open-air preaching 40 CHAPTER III. OPEN-AIR PREACHING IN ENGLAND AND WALES--ERECTION OF THE TABERNACLE IN LONDON. 1738, 1739. Whitefield's visit to Bristol--New opposition--Interviews with the chancellor of the diocese--Preaching at Kingswood-- Large congregations--Preaching at Bristol--Labors in Wales with Howel Harris--Gloucester--Old Mr. Cole--Return to London--Conflict with Bishop Warburton and others-- Moorfields--Kennington Common--Blackheath--Anecdotes-- Erection of the Tabernacle--New Tabernacle--Certificate-- Visit to Norwich--Conversion of Robert Robinson--Preaching at the West End of London--Liberality of Whitefield's congregations--Attendance of the nobility on Whitefield's ministry--Architecture of Tabernacle and Tottenham Court road chapel 71 CHAPTER IV. WHITEFIELD'S SECOND VISIT TO AMERICA. 1739, 1740.