The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, Volume 1 (of 2)Tyerman, L. (Luke)
History
The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, Volume 1 (of 2)
Tyerman, L. (Luke)
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770
"Saturday, Feb. 25. About six this morning, I went with friend
Habersham to the church to pray with some devout soldiers, who I
heard used to meet there at that time, and with whom my soul was
knit immediately. After we had finished our devotion, I found
that their Society had been subsisting about twelve years, and
that Sergeant B., now amongst them, was the beginner of it. At
first, they used to meet in dens, and mountains, and caves in
the rocks; but, afterwards, upon their applying for leave to
build a little place to retire in, Dr. C. and Governor Sabine
gave them the free use of the church, where they constantly met
three times a day to pray, read, and sing psalms, and at any
other season when they pleased. They have met with contempt, and
are now, in derision, called 'The New Lights.' A glorious light
they are indeed; for I conversed closely with several of them,
and they made me quite ashamed of my little proficiency in the
school of Christ. Governor Sabine countenances them much, and
has spoken of them to me with respect."
The circumstances which gave birth to this Society of praying
soldiers are now unknown; but the existence of such a Society, and
its unpretentious meetings, are facts of no ordinary interest and
importance. God is not confined to pulpits to carry on His work. In
all ages there have been devout fraternities, not recognised by men,
but cheered by His countenance and blessing. When Elijah thought
himself the only one "faithful among the faithless," God had seven
thousand left in Israel who had not bowed the knee to Baal. Who,
except God Himself, can tell the number of pious brotherhoods now
existing in India, China, Japan, and all the world over, bearing a
resemblance to the Society of "New Lights," with whom Whitefield so
strangely met at the Rock of Gibraltar?
The "New Lights," indeed, were not the only Society of a religious
kind in this famous garrison. These were evidently members of the
Church of England; but there was another coterie, called, with
equal derisiveness, "Dark Lanthorns," who belonged to the Church of
Scotland. Whitefield "did not think it agreeable to visit these."
Even in his eyes, they were a sort of tabooed Dissenters, with whom
it would not be orthodox to mingle; but he "sent them some proper
books, had religious talk with several of them, and endeavoured to
unite both Societies together."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account