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
Happily Whitefield was blessed in bringing to Christ many who were
made eminently useful. Among others we might mention the late Rev.
Cornelius Winter, an eminent minister, who afterwards accompanied
our evangelist in his last voyage to America, and who after his
death conveyed his will to England, and sought ordination to return
and labor in Georgia. Disappointed in this, he became an able and
successful minister in England; and also trained several young men
for the Christian ministry, including the late celebrated William
Jay of Bath. Whitefield had often been heard by Winter with great
pleasure, for he admired his eloquence; but for some time no good
effects were apparent. One night, while playing at cards, an
amusement in which he much delighted, and though surrounded by a
number of gay companions, the thought presented itself to Winter's
mind that he might that evening hear his favorite preacher. He broke
off from play in the midst of the game, which made his companions
very angry, as they suspected where he was going. He tells us that
it was a night much to be remembered. He had reason to hope the
scales of ignorance were then removed from his eyes, he had a sense
of his misery as a sinner, and was led to earnest inquiry after the
way of salvation. It is scarcely necessary to say, that he never
again played at cards.
From the exhilarating scenes of Gloucestershire and Bristol, we
must accompany Whitefield into Cornwall, among the glens and dales
of which, or on the seaside to a somewhat similar population and
with almost equal success, he spoke "all the words of this life."
The robust and determined miners of the west of England, whose
very employment gives hardihood alike to their character and frame,
at first received him in somewhat rough and unpolished style,
but were soon after melted and transformed by the grace which
had displayed its triumphs among their brethren at Kingswood.
"I am just returned," he writes on one occasion, "from near the
Land's End, where thousands and thousands heard the gospel gladly.
Everywhere the word of God has run and been glorified. Every day I
have been travelling and preaching; and could I stay a month, it
might be spent to great advantage. At a place called Port Isaac,
the Redeemer's stately steps were indeed seen. At Camelford I
preached with great quietness in the streets. At St. Ann's we had
a very powerful season; and yesterday at Redruth several thousands
attended, and the word was quick and powerful." Again he writes,
"Immediately after writing my last, I preached to many thousands at
a place called Gwennap. The rain descended, but the grace of God
seemed to fall like a gentle dew, sprinkling rain upon our souls. It
was indeed a fine spring shower. In the evening I rode to St. Ives,
and preached to many who gladly attended to hear the word; a great
power seemed to accompany it. On the Lord's day I preached twice to
great auditories. On Monday I preached again at Redruth, at ten in
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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