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
While at Broad-Oaks, Whitefield was visited by William Delamotte,
son of the magistrate residing at Blendon Hall. William had become
a Moravian, and was now a student in Cambridge University. The
following account of him and of his family will be read with
interest. Whitefield writes:--
"To increase our satisfaction," at Broad-Oaks, "Mr. Delamotte,
a convert of Mr. Ingham's, came from Cambridge to meet us. He
is scandalously opposed at that University. The students make
him a proverb of reproach, and abuse him in the rudest manner.
He has been forbid coming into one college; and two or three
who associate with him have been threatened by their tutors
for keeping him company. And here I cannot but remark what
wonderful mercies God has shewn this Mr. Delamotte's family.
About three or four years ago, God was pleased to touch the
heart of his brother Charles, who, hearing that Mr. Wesley was
going to Georgia, (though his father would have settled him
in a very handsome way,) offered to go abroad with him as a
servant. His parents' consent was asked; but they, and almost
all their relations, opposed it strenuously. However, the young
man being resolute, and convinced that God called him, they
at length somewhat consented. He went abroad, lived with Mr.
Wesley, served under him as a son in the gospel, did much good,
and endured great hardships for the sake of Jesus Christ. Behold
how God rewarded him for leaving all. While he was absent, God
was pleased to make use of the ministry of Mr. Ingham and Mr.
Charles Wesley in converting his mother, two sisters, and this
young gentleman at Cambridge; who, I pray God, may stand as a
barrier against the profaneness, debauchery, lukewarmness, and
deism of that seat of learning, and prove both a Barnabas and
Boanerges in the Church of England."
Whitefield's prayerful anticipations respecting William Delamotte
were scarcely realized. Within four years after this, the young man
died.[224]
[224] "Oxford Methodists," p. 85.
Whitefield spent two happy nights at Broad-Oaks; and during the
day-time preached twice at Saffron-Walden, once at Thaxted, and once
at Bishop-Stortford. He returned to the Delamotte's at Blendon in
sufficient time to preach his famous sermon against the clergy on
June 24th.
In most, probably in all, of these journeys and open-air services,
Mr. William Seward was Whitefield's companion. The following extract
from a long letter written to the Rev. Thomas Seward, at Genoa, will
be welcome:--
"BLENDON, IN KENT, _June 16, 1739_.
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