said, "I long to be with you--and, methinks, would willingly be found at the head of you kneeling and praying, 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,† 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 sacrament, 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, Gogunniantbendytti-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 justices desired I would stay till they rose, and they would come. Accordingly they did, and many thousands more; and several people of quality."

to throw on him.. A Mr. Saunders (who for several years drove what was called road work, post-chaises not then being much in use) was also a by-stander, and, though at that time an entire stranger to divine things, from a sense of the ill usage Mr. C. had received, and was likely to receive, felt an inclination to defend him. Seeing the man come with a pail nearly full of blood, he calmly went to meet him, and when he came even with him, suddenly caught hold of the pail, and poured it over the man's head. This drew the attention of the riotous part of the people from the preacher to Mr. Saunders, who with some difficulty escaped their rage, by taking shelter in a house, and was obliged to leave the town very early on the next morning.

Mr. Saunders was afterwards awakened to a true sense of his condition before God, under the ministry of the late Rev. William Romaine, at St. George's, Hanover Square. He continued his occupation as a coachman, till about the year 1745 or 6; when he was appointed body-coachman to his majesty, and so continued till about the year 1780, when he petitioned for a dismission, on account of his age, being about seventy years old; it was granted with regret. His majesty, when riding on horseback through Kensington, if he saw his old servant walking, would often inquire after his health; and the same regard was shown by the other branches of the royal family. On the 13th August, 1799, at the advanced age of eighty-nine, he sweetly breathed his happy soul into the bosom of his Redeemer.

In August Whitefield returned to London, but made no long stay there. "I thank you," says he to a correspondent, "for your kind caution to spare myself; but evangelizing is certainly my province. Every where effectual doors are opened. So far from thinking of settling at London, I am more and more convinced that I should go from place to place."

Accordingly we find him in the months of October, November and December, preaching and traveling through the country, as if it were the middle of summer. At Avon in Wilts, Retherton, Clack, Brinkworth, Chippenham, Wellington, Collampton, Exeter, Axminster, Ottery, Biddeford,* St. Gennis in Cornwall,t

"Here is a clergyman about eighty years of age, but not aboye one year old in the school of Christ. He lately preached three times, and rode forty miles the same day. A young Oxonian who came with him, and many others, were deeply affected. I cannot well describe with what power the word was attended. Dear Mr. Hervey, one of our first Methodists at Oxford, and who was lately a curate here, had laid the foundation."

"Many prayers were put up by the worthy rector and others, for an outpouring of God's blessed Spirit. They were answered. Arrows of conviction flew thick, and so fast, and such a universal weeping prevailed from one end of the congregation to the other, that good Mr. J. their minister, could not help going from seat to seat, to speak, encourage, and comfort the wounded souls."

Birmingham,* Kidderminster,t and Broomsgrove. Nor did he feel his health much impaired, though it was so late in the season. He observes, indeed, that he had got a cold; but adds, "The Lord warms my heart."

February, 1741, he lost his only child, an event which tended to keep him humble. Before its birth, his mind was so impressed, that he publicly declared that the child would be a boy, and hoped he would live to preach the gospel. But his fond expectations were speedily blasted, the infant dying when but four months old. This was no doubt very humbling to the father; but he was helped to make the wisest and best improvement of it. "Though I am disappointed," says he, writing to a friend, "of a living preacher by the death of my son; yet I hope what happened before his birth, and since at his death, has taught me such lessons as, if duly improved, may render his mistaken parent more cautious, more sober-minded, more experienced in Satan's devices, and consequently more useful in his future labors to the church of God."‡

March 3, he was obliged to attend the assizes at Gloucester. The occasion was this: in the summer of 1734, the Methodists had been severely persecuted by the mob, especially at Hampton, where many were hurt, and the lives of the preachers threatened. Other means having been tried in vain, Mr. Whitefield, with the advice and assistance of his friends, resolved to seek the protection of the law, and, lodged an information against the Hampton rioters, in the court of King's Bench. Facts being proved, and the defendants making no reply, the rule was made absolute, and an information filed against them. They pleading not guilty, the cause was referred to the assizes in Gloucester. After a full hearing, a verdict was given for the plaintifs, and all the defendants were brought in guilty. This prosecution had a very good effect; the rioters were greatly alarmed. But the intention of the Methodists was only to show them what they could do, and then forgive them.

About this time, several anonymous papers, entitled, “Observations upon the conduct and behavior of a certain sect, nsually distinguished by the name of Methodists," were printed and handed about in the religious societies of London and

"It is near eleven at night, and nature calls for rest. I have preached five times this day, and, weak as I am, through Christ strengthening me, I could preach five times more.'

↑ I was kindly received by Mr. Williams. Many friends were at his house. I was greatly refreshed to find what a sweet savor of good Baxter's doctrine, works, and discipline remained to this day."

+ In speaking to a friend of this child he said, he would not part with him for the whole world; but if God should demand him, he should have him at a moment's warning. God he added, took him at his word, and deprived him of his child by a sudden indisposition.

Westminster, and given to many private persons, with strict injunctions not to part with them, Mr. Whitefield having accidentally had the hasty perusal of them; and finding many queries concerning him and his conduct contained therein; and having applied for a copy which was refused him, thought it his duty to publish an advertisement desiring (as he knew not how soon he might embark for Georgia) a speedy, open publication of the said papers, that he might make a candid and impartial answer. He had reason to believe the bishop of London was concerned in composing or revising them: but that he might not be mistaken, after the publication of the advertisement, he wrote the bishop a letter, wherein he desired to know, whether his lordship was the author or not; and also desired a copy. The bishop sent word, "he should hear from him." Some time after, a Mr. Owen, printer to the bishop, left a letter for Mr. Whitefield, informing him that he had orders from several of the bishops, to print the Observations, with some few additions, for their use: and when the impression was finished, Mr. Whitefield should have a copy.

For these reasons Mr. Whitefield thought it proper to direct his Answer to the Observations, to the bishop of London, and the other bishops concerned in the publication of them. This answer occasioned the Rev. Mr. Church's expostulatory letter to Mr. Whitefield; to which he soon replied, with thanks to the author for prefixing his name.

Being invited by Mr. Smith, a merchant, then in England, (in the name of thousands) to make another visit to America, he took a passage with that gentleman, in a vessel going from Portsmouth; but the captain refusing to take him, as he said, for fear of spoiling the sailors, he was obliged to go to Plymouth, where he was in imminent danger of being assassinated. "In my way," says he, "I preached at Wellington, where a Mr. Darracott had been a blessed instrument of doing much good. Exeter also, I re-visited, where many souls were awakened to the divine life. At Biddeford, where good Mr. Hervey had been curate, we had much of the power of God; and also at Kingsbridge. But the chief scene was at Plymouth and the Dock, where I expected least success."*

it.

MS. Upon mentioning Biddeford, he adds [here a character of Mr. Hervey:] it is pity he did not write it down. However, we have a sketch of "Your sentiments concerning Mr. Hervey's book are very just. The author of it is my old friend; a most heavenly minded creature, one of the first of the Methodists, who is contented with a small cure, and gives all that he has to the poor. He is very weak, and daily waits for his dissolution."

Among the many whom Mr. Whitefield was honored to be the means of converting to the knowledge of the truth, who shall be a crown of joy to him in the day of the Lord, it is perhaps not generally known that the celebrated