they knew very well I was far from being against all church government (for how can any church subsist without it?) I only urged, as I do now, that since holy men differ so much about the outward form, we should bear with and forbear onc another, though in this respect we are not of one mind. I have often declared, in the most public manner, that I believe the Church of Scotland to be the best constituted national church in the world. At the same time I would bear with and converse freely with all others, who do not err in fundamentals, and who give evidence that they are true lovers of the Lord Jesus. This is what I mean by a catholic spirit. Not that I believe a Jew or pagan, continuing such, can be a true christian, or have true christianity in them; and if there be any thing tending that way in the late extract which I sent you, I utterly disavow it. And I am sure I observed no such thing in it when I published it, though, upon a closer review, some expressions seem justly exceptionable. You know how strongly I assert all the doctrines of grace, as held forth in the Westminster Confession of faith, and doctrinal articles of the Church of England. These I trust I shall adhere to as long as I live, because I verily believe they are the truths of God, and have felt the power of them in my own heart. I am only concerned that good men should be guilty of such misrepresentations. But this teaches me more and more to exercise compassion toward all the children of God, and to be more jealous over my own heart, knowing what fallible creatures we all are. I acknowledge that I am a poor, blind sinner, liable to err, and would be obliged to an enemy, much more to so dear a friend as you are, to point out my mistakes, as to my practice, or unguarded expressions in preaching or writing. At the same time I would humble myself before my Master for any thing I may say or do amiss, and beg the influence and assistance of his blessed Spirit, that I may say and do so no more.'

So much for Mr. Whitefield's difference with the seceders. But, notwithstanding all this, upon his second arrival in Scotland, June, 1742, he was received by great numbers, among

made by the seceders, who, though they had prayed for me at a most extravagant rate, now gave out that I was agitated by the devil. Taking it for granted that all converted persons must take the covenant, and that God had left the Scotch established churches long ago, and that he would never work by the hand of a curate of the Church of England, they condemned the whole work as the work of the devil, and kept a fast through all Scotland, to humble themselves, because the devil was come down in his wrath, and pray that the Lord would rebuke the destroyer, (for that was my title.) But the Lord rebuked these good men; for they split among themselves, and exconmunicated one another. Having afterwards a short interview with Mr. Ralph Erskine, we embraced each other, and he said, 'We have seen strange things.""

whom were some persons of distinction, with much joy; and had the satisfaction of seeing and hearing more and more of the happy fruits of his ministry.* At Edinburgh he preached twice a day, as usual, in the hospital park, where a number of seats and shades, in the form of an amphitheatre, were erected for the accommodation of his hearers. And in consequence of earnest invitations, he went to the west country, particularly to Cambuslang, where he preached three times, upon the very day of his arrival, to a vast body of people, although he had preached that same morning at Glasgow. The last of these exercises began at nine at night, continuing till eleven, when he said he observed such a commotion among the people as he had never seen in America. Mr. McCulloch preached after him, till past one in the morning, and even then could hardly persuade the people to depart. All night in the fields might be heard the voice of prayer and praise. As Mr. Whitefield was frequently at Cambuslang during this season, a description of what he observed there at different times will be best given in his own words: "Persons from all parts flocked to sce, and many, from many parts, went home convinced and converted unto God. A brae, or hill, near the manse at Cambuslang, seemed to be formed by Providence for containing a large congregation. People sat unwearied till two in the morning, to hear sermons, disregarding the weather. You could scarce walk a yard, but you must tread upon some, either rejoicing in God, for mercies received, or crying out for more. Thousands and thousands have I seen, before it was possibie to catch it by sympathy, melted down under the word and powCT of God. At the celebration of the holy communion, their joy was so great, that, at the desire of many, both ministers and people, in imitation of Hezekiah's passover, they had, a month or two afterwards, a second, which was a general rendezvous of the people of God. The communion table was in the field; three tents at proper distances, all surrounded with a multitude of hearers: above twenty ministers (among whom was good old Mr. Bonner) attending to preach and as sist, all enlivening and enlivened by one another."

Besides his labors at Glasgow and Cambuslang, it is some what surprising to think how many other places in the west of Scotland he visited within the compass of a few weeks, preaching once or twice at every one of them, and at several, three

"Edinburgh, June 4, 1742. This morning I received glorious accounts of the carrying on of the Mediator's kingdom. Three of the little boys that were corverted when I was last here, came to me and wept, and begged me to pray for and with them. A minister tells me, that scarce one is fallen back who was awakened, either among old or young. The Sergeant, whose letter brother has, goes on well with his company."

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or four times. It is worth while to set down the journal of a week or two. In the beginning of July, he preached twice on Monday at Paisley; on Tuesday and Wednesday, three times each day at Irvine; on Thursday, twice at Mearns; on Friday, three times at Cumberland; and on Saturday, twice at Falkirk. And again in the latter end of August, on Thursday he preached twice at Greenock; on Friday, three times at Kilbride; on Saturday, once at Kilbride, and twice at Stevenson; on the Sabbath, four times at Irvine; on Monday once at Irvine, and three times at Kilmarnock; Tuesday, once at Kilmarnock,* and four times at Stewarton; on Wednesday, once at Stewarton, and twice at Mearns. He was also at Inchanned, New Kilpatrick, Calder and Kilsyth, (where the religious concern was still increasing) and at Torphichen. He was indeed sometimes taken very ill, and his friends thought he was going off; "But in the pulpit, (says he) the Lord, out of weakness, makes me to wax strong, and causes me to triumph more and more." And even when he retired for a day or two, it was on purpose to write letters, and to prepare pieces for the press, so that he was as busy as ever.

When he was at Edinburgh, he received accounts that the Spaniards had landed at Georgia, and of the removal of his family from thence. He immediately wrote a very encourag ing epistle to the honourable Mr. Habersham; in which he

* A gentleman now living, of an irreproachable character, thus writes to the compiler, April 8, 1771. "When Mr. Whitefield was preaching at Kilmarnock, on the 23d of August, 1742, from these words, 'And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace,' I thought I never heard such a sermon on the fulness of grace that is treasured up in Christ Jesus; and can truly say that I felt the efficacy of the Holy Spirit upon my soul, during that discourse. I afterwards shut up myself in my chamber during the remaining part of that day; and, before I laid myself down to rest, I made a solemn and serious dedication of myself to God, by way of covenant, extended and subscribed the same with my hands, and, I think, had communion with God in so doing, to which I have often had recourse since, in adhering thereto, and in renewing thereof. Though my life since has been attended with many backslidings from God, and I have been perfidious in his covenant, yet still I rejoice in his salvation through precious Christ. And it is refreshing to behold the place at this very day, as I have often done since. I, from the era above mentioned, always looked upon Mr. Whitefield as my spiritual father, and frequently heard him afterwards in Edinburgh and Glasgow with much satisfaction. The mentioning of his name always gave me joy, and griev ed me when he was reproached. And I can very well remember, that when Cape Breton was taken, I happened to be then at Edinburgh, and, being invited to breakfast with Mr. Whitefield, I never in all my life enjoyed such another breakfast. He gave the company a fine and lively descant upon that part of the world, made us all join in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, and concluded with a most devout and fervent prayer. In the evening of that day he preached a most excellent thanksgiving sermon, from the first two verses of Psalm cxxvi.

+ “ I never preached with so much apparent success before. At Greenock, Irvine, Kilbride, Kilmarnock, and Stewarton, the concern was great; at the three last, very extraordinary."

said, "I long to be with you-and, methinks, would willingly be found at the head of you kneeling and praving, though a Spaniard's sword should be put to my throat." In a few weeks after, he heard that the enemy were repulsed, and his family returned in safety to Bethesda. About the end of October, he left Scotland, and rode post to London, where he arrived in about five days.

CHAPTER XI.

From his arrival in London in the year 1742, to his embarking for America, 1744.

ON Mr. Whitefield's arrival in London, he found a new awakening at the tabernacle, which had been enlarged. He observes: "I am employed, and glory to rich grace, I am carried through the duties of each day with cheerfulness and almost uninterrupted tranquility. Our society is large, but in good order. My Master gives us much of his gracious presence, both in our public and private ministrations."

In March, 1743, he went into Gloucestershire, where people appeared to be more eager to hear the word than ever. "Preaching," says he, "in Gloucestershire, is now like preaching at the tabernacle in London." And in a letter, dated April 7, he says, "I preached and took leave of the Gloucester people, with mutual and great concern on Sunday evening last. It was past one in the morning before I could lay my weary body down. At five I rose again, sick for want of rest; but I was enabled to get on horseback, and ride to Mr. T's, where I preached to a large congregation, who came there at seven in the morning. At ten, I read prayers and preached, and afterwards administered the sacrament in Stonehouse church. Then I rode to Stroud, and preached to about TWELVE THOUSAND in Mr. G's field; and about six in the evening, to a like number on Hampton common." Next morning he preached near Dursley to some thousands; at about seven reached Bristol, and preached to a full congregation at Smith's hall; and on Tuesday morning, after preaching, set out for Waterford, in South Wales,t where he opened the association

The manner in which the Spaniards were repulsed, with remarks upon the kindness of Providence to the colony, may be seen in an extract of general Oglethorpe's proclamation for a thanksgiving, in Letter 502.

"The work begun by Mr. Jones, spread itself far and near, in North and South Wales, where the Lord had made Mr. Howel Harris an instrument of converting several clergy as well as laymen. The power of God at the sacra ment, under the ministry of Mr. Rowland, was enough to make a person's

which he and his brethren had agreed upon, and was several days with them, settling the affairs of the societies. He continued in Wales some weeks, and preached with great apparent success; and in the latter end of April returned to Gloucester, after having, in about three weeks, traveled about FOUR HUNDRED English miles, spent three days in attending associations, and preached about FORTY times.

At one of the associations held in Wales, a motion was made to separate from the established church: "But," says Mr. Whitefield, "by far the greater part strenuously opposed it, and with good reason: for, as we enjoy such great liberty under the mild and gentle government of his present majesty King George, I think we can do him, our country, and the cause of God, more service in ranging up and down, preaching repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, to those multitudes who would neither come into church or meeting, but who are led by curiosity to follow us into the fields. This is a way to which God had affixed his seal for many years past.” In May, he went back to London: "Once more," as he expressed it, "to attack the prince of darkness in Moorfields," during the holidays. The congregations were amazingly great, and much affected. And by the collections made now, and formerly, he had the pleasure of paying all that he owed in England, and of making a small remittance to his friend Mr. Habersham, for Georgia.

About the middle of June following, he again left London, and went to Bristol, where he continued for some time, preaching twice every day, and four times on Sunday. Afterwards he preached at Exeter to very large congregations, where many of the clergy attended, who were successfully connected with him. Among these was the Rev. J. Cennick, then in co-operation with Mr. Whitefield. He was preaching in the high street of the city of Exeter, on a large open spot of ground, and surrounded by a great number of people, by some of whom he had been previously ill treated. An incident is worth relating here, to show how God sometimes confronts his servants' enemies. Mr. C. was expatiating on the blood of Christ, when a profane butcher, who was among the crowd, said, “If you love blood, you shall presently have enough ;" and ran to get some

heart burn within him. At seven in the morning have I seen perhaps TEN THOUSAND from different parts, in the midst of a sermon, crying, Gogunniant bendytti-ready to leap for joy. Associations were now formed, and monthly or quarterly meetings appointed, and a closer connection established between the English and Welsh, so that several came over to assist."

When at Carmarthen, he writes: "It was the great sessions. The jus tices desired I would stay till they rose, and they would come. Accordingly they did, and many thousands more; and several people of quality."