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
“Some of my friends in Philadelphia are suspicious that I am
joined with the Moravian Brethren; but, indeed, I am not. My
principles are still the same; only, as I believe many of them
love the Lord Jesus, I would be friendly to them, as I would
be to all others who bear the image of our common Master,
notwithstanding some of my principles are as far distant from
theirs as the east is from the west.”
The next extract, from a letter to a minister in Wales, affords a
glimpse of Whitefield’s labours in Scotland, and announces his purpose
to return to England. Perhaps, it ought to be premised, that, on Sunday,
the 3rd of October, a sacrament was held at Kilsyth, in which a dozen
ministers took part. The solemnities of the day began at half-past
eight in the morning, and continued, without intermission, till
half-past eight at night. During the day, twenty-two different services
were held; and the number of communicants were nearly fifteen hundred.
At Muthel, also, a gracious revival had been vouchsafed. After public
worship in the kirk, crowds of people were wont to flock to the manse
of the Rev. William Hally, the minister, who wrote, “Their mourning
cries frequently drown my voice, so that I am often obliged to stop
till they compose themselves.”[24]
“EDINBURGH, _October 6, 1742_.
“The Lord has dealt bountifully with me. He gives me to rejoice
in all His dispensations towards me. I am taught more and more,
every day, to live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and
gave Himself for me. God keeps me, and brings me where I would
desire to be――at His feet, waiting His will, and watching the
motions of His blessed Spirit, word, and providence. Here I
find safety and refuge amidst the various storms of opposition
and reproach with which I daily meet. God is on my side: I will
not fear what men or devils can say of or do unto me. The dear
Messrs. Erskine have dressed me in very black colours. Dear men,
I pity them. Surely they must grieve the Holy Spirit much. O for
a mind divested of all sects and names and parties! I think, it
is my one single aim to promote the kingdom of Jesus, without
partiality and without hypocrisy, indefinitely amongst all. I
care not if the name of George Whitefield be banished out of the
world, so that Jesus be exalted in it.
“Glory be to His great name! we have seen much of His power
in Scotland. The work in the west goes on and increases. Last
Sabbath and Monday, things greater than ever were seen at
Kilsyth. There is a great awakening also at Muthel. I preach
twice every day with great power, and walk in liberty and love.
In about three weeks, I purpose to leave Scotland; and hope,
before long, to spend a month in Wales. I intend to travel
through Newcastle and Yorkshire.[25]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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