George Whitefield: A Biography, with special reference to his labors in AmericaBelcher, Joseph
Religion
George Whitefield: A Biography, with special reference to his labors in America
Belcher, Joseph
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770
In 1742, Mr. Whitefield again visited Scotland. In the mean time
he had heard that his dear friends the Erskines had become greatly
offended, on account of what they considered his lax views of church
government. But notwithstanding this difference with the seceders,
he was received by great numbers, among whom were some persons of
distinction, with cordiality and joy, and had the satisfaction
of hearing more and more of the happy fruits of his ministry.
At Edinburgh he again preached twice a day, as before, in the
Hospital-park, where a number of seats and shades, in the form of
an amphitheatre, were erected for the accommodation of his hearers.
On the day of his arrival at Cambuslang, he preached three times
to an immense body of people, although he had preached that same
morning at Glasgow. The last service continued till eleven o'clock;
and so much were the people interested, that Mr. M'Culloch, after
preaching till past one in the morning, could scarcely persuade them
to depart. Mr. Whitefield himself thus describes the scene: "Persons
from all parts flocked to see, and many, from many parts, went home
convinced and converted to God. A brae, or hill, near the manse at
Cambuslang, seemed to be formed by Providence for containing a
large congregation. People sat unwearied till two in the morning,
to hear sermons, disregarding the weather. You could scarcely walk
a yard, but you must tread upon some either rejoicing in God for
mercies received, or crying out for more. Thousands and thousands
have I seen, before it was possible to catch it by sympathy, melted
down under the word and power of God. At the celebration of the holy
communion, their joy was so great, that, at the desire of many,
both ministers and people, in imitation of Hezekiah's passover,
they had, a month or two afterwards, a second, which was a general
rendezvous of the people of God. The communion was in the field;
three tents, at proper distances, all surrounded with a multitude of
hearers; above twenty ministers, among whom was good old Mr. Bonner,
attending to preach and assist, all enlivening and enlivened by one
another."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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