"There is a mighty difference between appearance and reality. There is often the deepest pride where there is no high or lofty look, and the height of confidence and self-sufficiency under the guise of the greatest modesty. But how shall we _distinguish_? 'By their fruits ye shall know them.' A pharisaical ostentation, and outward show of piety, praying, or singing psalms _in the corners of the streets, to be seen of men_, is one undoubted sign of pride, and that the worst sort of it--_spiritual pride_. Again, he is proud who 'exercises himself in great matters which are too high for him,'--who pretends to be more than ordinarily knowing in things which he knows nothing of,--who peremptorily censures his betters, and takes upon him to teach his teachers. All this is contrary to the _spirit_ and genius of the Gospel, to the _modesty_ and _humility_ of the Christian religion. These are indications of the worst sort of pride; or if not pride, it is a _folly_ that approaches very near to _madness_." In reference to the Moravian and other Religious Societies, in whose meetings Whitefield so frequently expounded, the zealous, censorious preacher says:-- "The Church itself is, by these irregular, upstart _Societies_, even by the _best_ of them, and much more by the _worst_, greatly weakened and impaired. For though they do constantly attend divine service, as prescribed in the public offices, yet I appeal to all _discerning_ and _judicious_ persons, whether, _in the nature of things_, they are not likely to set a greater value upon _their own particular meetings and exercises_, set up purely by their own fancies, and commanded by no authority of God or man. To be plain, if what I am informed of these meetings be true, they are schismatical, in their _tendency_ at least, though not so designed; for there may be a schism _in_ the Church, as well as a schism _from_ the Church. If it be true that they consist of considerable numbers, that they have prayers (some, too, extemporary ones), and preaching, or something like it, I do not see how they can be deemed legal assemblies. The public meetings of Protestant Dissenters from the Church are tolerated by law, and licensed by authority; but I never heard that these are either. If they should be, I doubt there would be more danger _to_ the Church from a kind of half-dissenters _in_ it, than from those who are total dissenters _from_ it." Whitefield's open-air preaching occasioned great disquietude to the minister of three churches in London and one in the country. Dr. Trapp remarks:--