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
subject which I sometimes am enabled to do; but the Lord so helped
me that, as I found afterwards, the governor and the other gentlemen
expressed their approbation, and acknowledged they did not expect to
be so well entertained. Not unto me, Lord, not unto me, but to thy
free grace be all the glory!
"After sermon, Dr. F----bs, and Mr. P----t, the collector, came
to me, and desired me to favor them and the gentlemen of the town
with my company at dinner. I accepted the invitation. The governor,
and the president, and Judge Bascom were there. All wondered at my
speaking so freely and fluently without notes. The governor asked
whether I used minutes. I answered, 'No.' He said it was a great
gift. At table, his excellency introduced something of religion by
asking me the meaning of the word HADES. Several other things were
started about freewill, Adam's fall, predestination, etc., to all
which God enabled me to answer so pertinently, and taught me to mix
the _utile_ and _dulce_ [useful and pleasant] so together, that all
at table seemed highly pleased, shook me by the hand, and invited me
to their respective houses. The governor, in particular, asked me to
dine with him on the morrow; and Dr. F----, one of his particular
intimates, invited me to drink tea in the afternoon. I thanked
all, returned proper respects, and went to my lodgings with some
degree of thankfulness for the assistance vouchsafed me, and abased
before God at the consideration of my unspeakable unworthiness. In
the afternoon, about five o'clock, I expounded the parable of the
prodigal son to many people at a private house; and in the evening
had liberty to speak freely and closely to those who supped with
me. O that this may be the beginning of good gospel times to the
inhabitants of this town."
We might fill other pages from Whitefield's journal, but will only
give two more passages. The first will show him in connection with
the African race, in whose highest welfare he always took a special
interest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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