for the people of God. Perhaps no mau, since the apostolic age, preached oftener or with greater success.

If we view his private character, he will appear in a most amiable point of light. The polite gentleman, the faithful friend, the engaging companion, above all, the sincere Christian, were visible in the whole of his deportment.

"With large opportunities of accumulating wealth, he never discovered the least tincture of avarice. What he received from the kindness of his friends, he generally employed in offices of piety and charity. His benevolent mind was perpetually forming plans of extensive usefulness. The Orphan house, which many years ago he erected in Georgia, and the College he was founding in that province at the time of his death, will be lasting monuments of his care that religion and learning might be propagated to future generations *."

Mr. Toplady testifies-"I deem myself happy, in having an opportunity of thus publicly avowing the inexpressible esteem in which I held this wonderful man; and the affectionate veneration which I must ever retain for the memory of one, whose acquaintance and ministry were attended with the most important spiritual benefit to me, and to tens of thousands beside.

It will not be saying too much, if I term him the Apostle of the British Empire: in point of zeal for God, a long course of indefatigable and incessant labours, unparalleled disinterestedness, and astonishingly extensive usefulness.

"If to be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; if a union of the most brilliant with the most solid ministerial gifts, ballasted by a deep and humbling experience of grace, and crowned with the most extended success in the conversion of sinners and edification of saints, be signatures of a commission from heaven, George Whitefield cannot but stand highest on the modern list of Christian ministers.

England has had the honour of producing the greatest men in almost every walk of useful knowledge. At the head

Ibid. p. vii, ix, x.

of these are:-first, Archbishop BRADWARDIN, the prince of divines; second, MILTON, the prince of poets; third, SIR ISAAC NEWTON, the prince of philosophers; and fourth, WHITEFIELD, the prince of preachers *."

Mr. Wesley's testimony will have the greatest weight with many, as to the character of his departed friend, who cherished for him the sincerest affection, as is manifest from the following extract from his will:-"I leave a mourning ring to my honoured and dear friends and disinterested fellowlabourers, the Rev. John and Charles Wesley, in token of my indissoluble union with them in heart and affection, notwithstanding our difference in judgment about some particular points of doctrine."

Christian affection in Mr. Wesley towards his early colleague was equally strong: for after having quoted the high testimonies of the public newspapers, he remarks, "These accounts are just and impartial; but they go little further than the outside of his character: they show you the preacher, but not the man- -the Christian-the saint of God. May I be permitted to add a little on this head, from a personal knowledge of forty years? Mention has already been made of his unparalleled zeal, his indefatigable activity, his tender-heartedness towards the poor. But should we not likewise mention his deep gratitude to all whom God had used as instruments of good by him, of whom he did not cease to speak in the most respectful manner, even to hiз dying day? Should we not mention, that he had a heart susceptible of the most generous and the most tender friendship? I have frequently thought that this, of all others, was the distinguishing part of his character. How few have we known of so kind a temper, of such large and overflowing affections? Was it not principally by this that the hearts of others were so strangely drawn and knit to him? Can any thing but love beget love? This shone in his very countenance, and continually breathed in all his words, whether in public or private. Was it not this which, quick and penetrating as lightning, flew from heart to heart? which gave

Ibid.
p. xxx, xxxi

T

life to his sermons, his conversation, his letters? Ye are witnesses. If it be inquired, what was the foundation of his integrity, or of his sincerity, courage, patience, and every other valuable and amiable quality, it is easy to give the answer. It was not the excellence of his natural temper, nor the strength of his understanding; it was not the force of education; no, nor the advice of his friends. It was no other than faith in his bleeding Lord; faith of the operation of God. It was a lively hope of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. It was the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost which was given unto him, filling his soul with tender, disinterested love to every child of man. From this source arose that torrent of eloquence which frequently bore down all before it; from this that astonishing force of persuasion, which the most ardent sinners could not resist. This it was which often made his head as waters, and his eyes a fountain of tears. I may close this head with observing, what an honour it pleased God to put upon his faithful servant, by allowing him to declare his everlasting gospel in so many and various countries, to such numbers of people, and with so great an effect on so many of their precious souls * !"

Mr. Whitefield's talents were altogether different from those of his beloved fellow-labourer Mr. Wesley; and their success corresponded greatly with their abilities. As a preacher, Mr. Whitefield was far the superior, and his extraordinary powers appear to have been rendered instrumental by their divine Author in the conversion of a much larger number of persons. But Mr. Wesley's talents for government incomparably exceeded those of Whitefield; and though at the time of his decease, the greater number of converts might be attached to him, yet, as they were never formed into a body, like those in connection with Mr. Wesley, the methodical diligence and indefatigable perseverance of that great man, personally superintending his infant societies, with his auxiliaries in conference, and his various subordinate colleagues, soon elevated him to superiority in the number of his followers.

* Ibid. p. xvii, xviii.

CHAPTER XII.

CALVINISTIC METHODISTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE COUNTESS

OF HUNTINGDON.

Lady Huntingdon - Her early seriousness - Her conversion - Her religious zeal — Her interview with Bishop Benson Her piety acknowledged at court - Her priaciples - Her evangelical chaplains, and their labours- Her establishment of many chapels - Her employment of laymen as ministers.

METHODISM received considerable aid by the conversion of Selina, countess of Huntingdon. She was the daughter of Washington, earl Ferrers, born August 24, 1707, and married June 3, 1728, to Theophilus, earl of Huntingdon.

Dr. Haweis, one of her ladyship's chaplains, in his Church History, says, "This noble and elect LADY HUNTINGDON had lived in the highest circle of fashion; by birth, a daughter of the house of Shirley, by marriage united with the earl of Huntingdon, both bearing the royal arms of England, as descendants from her ancient monarchs. When she grew up, and was introduced into the world, she continued to pray that she might marry into a serious family. None kept up more of the ancient dignity and decency than the house of Huntingdon. With the head of that family she accordingly became united. Lady Betty and Lady Margaret Hastings, his lordship's sisters, were women of singular excellence.

"In this high estate, she maintained a peculiar seriousness of conduct. Though sometimes at court, and visiting in the highest circles, she took no pleasure in the fashionable follies of the great. In the country, she was the Lady Bountiful among her neighbours and dependents; and going still about to establish her own righteousness, she endeavoured, by prayer, and fasting, and alms-deeds, to commend herself to the favour of the Most High and Most Holy.

"The zealous preachers, who had been branded with the name of Methodists, had now awakened great attention in the land. Lady Margaret Hastings happening to hear them, received the truth as it is in Jesus from their ministry; and was some years after united with the excellent Mr. Ingham, one of

the first labourers in this plenteous harvest. Conversing with Lady Margaret one day on this subject, Lady Huntingdon was exceedingly struck with a sentiment which she uttered; 'that since she had known and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation, she had been as happy as an angel.' To any such sensation of happiness Lady Huntingdon felt that she was as yet an utter stranger.

"A dangerons illness soon after brought her to the brink of the grave; the fear of death fell terribly upon her, and her conscience was greatly distressed. Hereupon she meditated sending for Bishop Benson of Gloucester, who had been Lord Huntingdon's tutor, to consult him, and unburden her mind. Just at that time the words of Lady Margaret returned strongly to her recollection, and she felt an earnest desire, renouncing every other hope, to cast herself wholly upon Christ for life and salvation. She instantly from her bed lifted up her heart to Jesus the Saviour, with this importunate prayer, and immediately all her distress and fear were removed, and she was filled with peace and joy in believing. Her disorder from that moment took a favourable turn; she was restored to perfect health, and what was better, to newness of life. She determined thenceforward to present herself to God, as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, which she was now convinced was her reasonable service.

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"On her recovery, she sent a kind message to the Messrs. Wesleys, who were then preaching in the neighbourhood, that she was one with them in heart, cordially wishing them good speed in the name of the Lord, and assuring them of her determined purpose of living for Him who had died for her.

"The change thus suddenly wrought on her ladyship became observable to all, in the open confession she made of 'the faith once delivered to the saints,' and in the zealous support she began to give to the work of God, amidst all the reproach with which it was attended. To the noble circle in which Lady Huntingdon moved, such professions and conduct appeared wondrous strange; but she had set her face as a flint, and refused to be ashamed of Christ and his cross. There were not wanting, indeed, some who, under the guise of friendship, wished Lord Huntingdon to interpose his authority: