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
"What must we do to be saved?"
Mr. Shirley, in giving an account of this same service, tells us
that "not only the field, but the woodlands about it, were covered
with crowds collected from different parts. An unusual solemnity
pervaded this vast multitude, and at the close of the service the
one hundredth psalm was sung, and concluded with Mr. Grimshaw's
favorite doxology,
"'Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.'
The volume of sound produced by the united voices of thousands,
while it reëchoed through the vale below, had such an effect as no
language can describe."
Mr. Grimshaw was a very remarkable clergyman connected with the
church of England, though found fault with on account of his
irregularity. He studied at Cambridge for the ministry before he
was acquainted with the reality of true religion. His conversion
was very striking; after which he became a remarkably faithful and
pungent preacher. He settled at Haworth, in Yorkshire, where Mr.
Whitefield visited him.
In one of the services held by Mr. Whitefield in Yorkshire, a
deep solemnity was created by providential circumstances. He had
mounted the temporary scaffold to address the thousands before him.
Casting a look over the multitude, he elevated his hands, and in an
energetic manner implored the divine presence and blessing. With a
solemnity peculiarly his own, he then announced his text, "It is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Heb.
11:27. After a short pause, as he was about to proceed, a wild,
terrifying shriek issued from the centre of the congregation. A
momentary alarm and confusion ensued. Mr. Whitefield waited to
ascertain the cause, and requested the people to remain still. Mr.
Grimshaw hurried to the spot, and in a few minutes was seen pressing
towards the place where Mr. Whitefield stood. "Brother Whitefield,"
said he, manifesting in the strongest manner the intensity of his
feelings, and the ardor of his concern for the salvation of sinners,
"you stand among the dead and the dying. An immortal soul has been
called into eternity; the destroying angel is passing over the
congregation; cry aloud, and spare not." The awful occurrence was
speedily announced to the congregation. After the lapse of a few
moments, Mr. Whitefield again announced his text. Again a loud and
piercing shriek proceeded from the spot near where Lady Huntingdon
and Lady Margaret Ingham were standing. A thrill of horror seemed
to escape from the multitude when it was understood that a _second_
person had fallen a victim to the king of terrors. When the
consternation had somewhat subsided, Mr. Whitefield gave indications
of proceeding with the service. The excited feelings of many were
wound up to their highest point. All was hushed; not a sound was to
be heard; and a stillness like the awful silence of death spread
over the assembly, as he proceeded in melting strains to warn the
careless, Christless sinner to "flee from the wrath to come."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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