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 the month of July, Whitefield again set out for Scotland,
preaching on his way in many pulpits, including "Bishop Bunyan's,"
as he used to call him, at Bedford, Berridge's at Everton, and
Doddridge's at Northampton. Four Episcopal clergymen lent him their
pulpits. His health received, for some time, little benefit, so that
he sometimes feared he must return. But he adds, "Through divine
strength, I hope to go forward; and shall strive, as much as in me
lies, to die in this glorious work." He preached and collected in
Scotland with his accustomed energy and success, and returned to
London with his health somewhat renovated. This year he lost by
death some of his earliest and warmest friends, including Hervey in
England, and Presidents Burr and Edwards, and Governor Belcher, in
America. Such removals gave him also "a desire to depart," but his
work on earth was not yet done.
Three principal facts connected with our evangelist may be said to
mark the year 1759. One was, that he had the satisfaction to clear
off all his debts for the orphan-house. "Bethesda's God," he writes,
"lives for ever, and is faithful and all-sufficient." He longed
again to visit America, but several difficulties intervened for the
present.
A second event which marked the year, was another journey to
Scotland. He complains in his letters, that though his congregations
at Edinburgh and Glasgow were never more numerous and attentive,
yet, with respect to the power of religion, it was a dead time in
Scotland, in comparison with London and several other parts of
England. His presence in Scotland, however, at this time was very
important, especially in collecting for his orphan-house and the
Highland Society for the support of children. Many Scottish soldiers
were now in America, which greatly increased the interest felt in
every thing relating to it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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