The book is neither artistic nor philosophic. I have merely done my utmost to collect information concerning Whitefield, and have related the facts as clearly, concisely, and honestly as I could. I have also, as far as possible, acted upon the principle of making Whitefield his own biographer. Perhaps, I ought to apologise for the introduction of such lengthened details concerning the first few years of Whitefield's public life. Apart from being influenced by the fact, that, it was during this eventful period that Whitefield's character was formed, and his unique mission among men determined, I was wishful to give to the Christian Church, at least, the _substance_ of his Journals--Journals which, unlike those of his friend Wesley, have never been republished, and which, in consequence of their rareness, are almost quite unknown. The two portraits are copied from original engravings, which Dr. Gillies, Whitefield's friend and first biographer, pronounced the most exact likenesses of the great preacher ever published. Whitefield's power was not in his talents, nor even in his oratory, but in his piety. In some respects, he has had no successors; but in prayer, in faith, in religious experience, in devotedness to God, and in a bold and steadfast declaration of the few great Christian truths which aroused the churches and created Methodism,--he may have many. May Whitefield's God raise them up, and thrust them out! The Church and the world greatly need them. L. TYERMAN. STANHOPE HOUSE, CLAPHAM PARK, S.W. _October 16th, 1876._ GENERAL CONTENTS. WHITEFIELD'S BOYHOOD. 1714 TO 1732. PAGE Whitefield's Genealogy--Autobiography--Birth--Wickedness--St. Mary de Crypt School--Tapster--Religious Feelings-- Reformation--Dr. Adams--Sin and Penitence--An Orator 1-13 WHITEFIELD AT COLLEGE. 1732 TO 1735. Oxford Methodists--Pembroke College--Dr. Johnson--Whitefield a Servitor--Law's 'Serious Call'--Joins Oxford Methodists-- Charles Wesley--Satanic Temptations--Introduced to John Wesley--Two Converts--Whitefield's Conversion--Religion of Oxford Methodists--The New Birth--Whitefield at Gloucester, etc. 14-34 WHITEFIELD ORDAINED. MAY 1735 TO JUNE 1736. Ten Months' Interval--How spent--Efforts to be useful--Books read--Stage Entertainments--Visiting a Prisoner--Letter to Wesley--Anxiety respecting Ministerial Office--A Dream--Rev. Thomas Cole--Bishop Benson--Sir John Philips--Preparing for Ordination--Ordained--Whitefield's Autobiography 35-46 COMMENCEMENT OF MINISTRY. 1736.