The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, Volume 2 (of 2)Tyerman, L. (Luke)
History
The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, Volume 2 (of 2)
Tyerman, L. (Luke)
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770
Whitefield spent more than a fortnight in this revival excursion to
the west,――one of the most remarkable fortnights in his eventful life.
Hence the following letters to his friends. The first and second were
addressed to John Cennick.
“GLASGOW, _June 16, 1742_.
“Last Lord’s-day, I preached, in the morning, in the park at
Edinburgh, to a great multitude. Afterwards, I attended, and
partook of the holy sacrament, and served four tables. In the
afternoon, I preached in the churchyard, to a far greater number.
Such a passover, I never saw before. On Monday, I preached again
in Edinburgh. On Tuesday, twice at Kilsyth, to ten thousand; but
such a commotion, I believe, you never saw. O what agonies and
cries were there! Last night, God brought me hither. A friend
met me without the town, and welcomed me in the name of twenty
thousand. The streets were all alarmed. By three o’clock this
morning, people were coming to hear the word of God. At seven,
I preached to many, many thousands; and again this evening. Our
Lord wounded them by scores. It is impossible to tell you what
I see. The work flies from parish to parish. O what distressed
souls have I beheld this day! _Publish this on the housetop; and
exhort all to give thanks._”
In this letter, Whitefield’s wife added a postscript:――
“My husband _publicly declared here_, that, he was a _member
of the Church of England_, and a curate thereof; and, yet, was
permitted to _receive_, and _assist at the Lord’s supper_ in the
churches at Edinburgh.”[8]
“_June 19, 1742._
“Yesterday morning, I preached at Glasgow, to a large
congregation. At mid-day, I came to Cambuslang, and preached,
at two, to a vast body of people; again at six, and again at
nine at night. Such commotions, surely, were never heard of,
especially at eleven o’clock at night. For an hour and a half,
there was such weeping, and so many falling into such deep
distress, expressed in various ways, as cannot be described.
The people seemed to be slain in scores. Their agonies and cries
were exceedingly affecting. Mr. M’Culloch preached, after I had
done, till past one in the morning; and then could not persuade
the people to depart. In the fields, all night, might be heard
the voice of prayer and praise. The Lord is indeed much with me.
I have, to-day, preached twice already, and am to preach twice
more, perhaps thrice. The commotions increase.”[9]
On his return to Edinburgh, Whitefield wrote to a friend in London, as
follows:――
“EDINBURGH, _July 7, 1742_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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