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GEORGE WHITEFIELD
A BIOGRAPHY,
WITH
SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HIS LABORS
IN AMERICA.
COMPILED
BY JOSEPH BELCHER, D. D.,
AUTHOR OP THE LIFE OP REV. DR. CAREY, MISSIONARY TO INDIA,
ETC., ETC.

PUBLISHED BY THE

,
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY
150 NASSAU-STREET, NEW YORK.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
MORAL STATE OF GREAT BRITAIN IN THE EARLY
PART OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY — WHITE-
FIELD, FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS FIRST SERMON.
1714-1736.
Low state of religion in Great Britain and its dependencies when
Whitefield appeared—His birth in Gloucester—Hooper—Raikes
—Whitefield’s early life—His entrance at the university of Ox-
ford—Becomes connected with the Wesleys and other Method-
ists—Illness and mental trials—Relief—Preparation for the min-
istry—Return to Gloucester—Ordination—First sermon----13

CHAPTER II.
WHITEFIELD’S SUCCESS AS A PREACHER IN ENG-
LAND-FIRST VISIT TO AMERICA.
1736-1738
Whitefield’s return to Oxford—Usefulness there—-Visits London—
Great popularity—Georgia—His anxiety as to duty—Invited to
Georgia by the Wesleys—Preparation and departure—Preaching
and excitement at Deal—Labors and success on board—Arrival
and labors at Gibraltar—Interesting incidents on the voyage—
Sickness and recovery—His reception at Savannah—Visit to an
Indian king—Origin of the Orphan asylum—Visit to Frederica—
Return to Savannah—Visit to Charleston—Treatment by Gar-
den—Embarkation for Europe—Stormy voyage—Arrival in Lim-
erick—-Journey to London—Meeting with the trustees of Geor-
gia—Ordination as priest—Return to London—-First extempore
prayer—-First idea of open-air preaching-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 40

CHAPTER III.
OPEN-AIR PREACHING IN ENGLAND AND WALES—
ERECTION OF THE TABERNACLE IN LONDON.
1738, 1739.
Whitefield’s visit to Bristol—-New opposition—Interviews with the
chancellor of the diocese—-Preaching at Kingswood—Large con-
gregations—Preaching at Bristol—Labors in Wales with Howel
Harris—Gloucester—Old Mr. Cole—Return to London—Conflict

6 CONTENTS.
with Bishop Warburton and others—Moorfields—Kennington
Common—Blackheath—Anecdotes—Erection of the Tabernacle
—New Tabernacle—Certificate—Visit to Norwich—Conversion
of Robert Robinson—Preaching at the West End of London—
Liberality of Whitefield’s congregations—Attendance of the no-
bility on Whitefield’s ministry—Architecture of Tabernacle and
Tottenham Court road chapel .................... --- 71

CHAPTER IV.
WHITEFIELD’S SECOND VISIT TO AMERICA.
1739, 1740.
Joseph Periam’s release by Whitefield from Bedlam—Whitefield’s
arrival at Philadelphia—Preaches to vast crowds in the open
air—Testimony of Dr. Franklin and others—Account of the Log
College—William Tennent, Sen.—Whitefield’s own account of
his preaching at Philadelphia—Subsequent discovery of the con-
version of Dr. Rodgers—Whitefield’s first visit to New York
Description of him by one of his hearers—Sermons in New Jer-
sey—Old Tennent church—Places of preaching at New York—
Address to sailors—Letter to Pemberton—Interview with Gil-
bert Tennent—Some of Whitefield’s sermons printed—Departure
from Philadelphia—Sermons on his journey to Savannah—Arri-
val and reception at Charleston—Departure for Savannah—Dan-
gers of the way—State of things in Georgia—Whitefield revisits
Charleston—Controversy with Commissary Garden—Lays the
foundation-stone of the Orphan house—Sermon by Smith on the
character of Whitefield .............................. --- 97

CHAPTER V.
CONTINUATION OF HIS SECOND VISIT TO AMERICA.
1740.
Feebleness of Whitefield’s health—Again visits Charleston, Phila-
delphia, etc.—Extent of his former success—Extracts from Sew-
ard’s journal—Extracts from newspapers—Whitefield’s letter to
England—His correspondence on marriage—Birth and death of
his son—His funeral sermon for his wife—Franklin and others
on Whitefield’s eloquence—Anecdote—Extract from the New
England Weekly Journal—Return to Savannah—Manner of his
reception—Activity at Savannah—Again visits Charleston—
Cited into the Commissary’s court—Various examinations—
Whitefield’s appeal to the Court of Chancery—Interview with
the Commissary—Usefulness at Charleston—Sails for New Eng-
land ...... . ...... . ....... .............. .............. --- 129
CONTENTS. 5

CHAPTER VI.
WHITEFIELD’S FIRST VISIT TO NEW ENGLAND.
SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER, 1740.
State of religion in New England—Testimony of Prince—Dr. I.
Mather—Dr. Jonathan Edwards success—Prevalence of prayer—
Whitefield’s arrival and labors at Newport—Interview with
Clap—Honeyman—Letter from Barber—Journey to Boston—
Interview with the Commissary and the clergy—Preaches at
Brattle-street, Old South church, New North, Common, Rox-
bury, Old North, Cambridge, First church—Interview with Gov-
ernor Belcher—Roxbury—Hollis-street—Old South church—
Brattle-street — Marblehead — Salem — Ipswich — Newbury —
Plampton—Portsmouth—York — Return to Boston—Frequent
preaching—Invitation to children—Interesting conversation with
a child—Anecdote of juvenile usefulness—Remarks on an uncon-
verted ministry—Whitefield’s character of Boston—Preaches at
Concord, Sudbury, Marlborough, Worcester, Leicester, Brook-
field. Cold Spring, Hadley, Northampton—Revival there—White-
field’s opinion of Mr. Edwards and family—Important interview
—Preaching at East Windsor, Westfield, Springfield, Suffield—
Opinion of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Sen.—Relinquishment of
appointments to preach—Visit to New Haven—Interview with
Principal Clap—Departure from New England—Whitefield’s
character of it—Conversion of Mr. Emerson—Prince’s account of
Whitefield’s visit—Dr. Baron Stow on its results—Anecdote, --- 118

CHAPTER VII.
LABORS IN NEW YORK AND THE MIDDLE AND SOUTH-
ERN STATES.
1740, 1741.
Whitefield’s arrival and labors at New York, Staten Island, and
Newark—Mr. Burr-—Meeting with Gilbert Tennent—Visit to
Baskinridge—Tennent’s preaching in Cross’ barn—Whitefield
preaches in the new house at Philadelphia—Franklin’s advice to
Gilbert Tennent—Remarkable instances of conversion—Success
in Philadelphia—Apostrophe in a sermon—Visit to Gloucester,
Greenwich, Cohansey, Salem, Newcastle, Fagg’s Manor, Bohe-
mia—Sails from Reedy island to Charleston—Arrival at Bethes-
da—Remarkable escape from death—Prosecution at Charleston
—Preaching—Letters from Boston—Departure for England—
Separation from Messrs. Wesley—Difficulties in London—Tri-
umph—Howel Harris- ----- - -- --- - - -- - 196
6 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VIII.
FIRST AND SECOND VISITS TO SCOTLAND—LABORS
IN ENGLAND AND WALES.
1741-1744.
Scheme of comprehension—Account of Rev. John Cennick—Voy-
age to Scotland—Letter to Rodgers—Visit to Erskine—Preach-
ing in Edinburgh—Labors at Glasgow—His sermons printed—
Return to England—Letter from McCulloch—Renewed glance
at Edinburgh—Public attention deeply riveted—Execution of
a convict—Improvement of the event in a sermon—Conversion
of a mimic—A drunken sergeant—Miss Hunter—Marquis of
Lothian—Conduct of Rev. Mr. Ogilvie—Second visit to Scot-
land—Cambuslang—Kilmarnock—Glance at subsequent visits—
Orphan-house park, Edinburgh—Glasgow—Increasing reputa-
tion—Extracts from letters—Anecdotes—Visit to Wales—Let-
ters from America—Visit to Gloucester, Strand, Tewkesbury—
Encouraging news from America—Success in London—Awaken-
ing at the Tabernacle—Visit to Gloucester and its neighborhood
—South Wales—Return to London—Bristol—Exeter—Mr.
Saunders—Conversion of Thomas Olivers—Birmingham—Kid-
derminster—Health—Assizes at Gloucester—Plymouth—Deliv-
erance from assassination—Conversion of Mr. Tanner—Visits to
the poor—Anecdote—Embarkation for America- - - — --- 222

CHAPTER IX.
WHITEFIELD’S SECOND VISIT TO NEW ENGLAND.
1744, 1745.
Incidents of the voyage from England—Prayer heard—General
alarm—Whitefield’s illness—Arrival at York—-Threatening
sickness—Rev. Mr. Moody—Preaching at York and Portsmouth
—Apparent danger of death—Departure for Boston—Constant
preaching there — Chelsea—Malden—Prince’s account of his
preaching and conduct—Objections made to his administration
of the Lord’s supper—Changes in New England—Opposition to
Whitefield in Connecticut, New Haven, Massachusetts, Harvard
College—Large meeting in his favor at Boston—Number of sig-
natures to the testimony—Progress of revival—Proceedings of
Harvard College—Whitefield’s defence—Subsequent act of the
College—Expositions at Boston, Ipswich, Portland, Exeter—Ex-
pedition against Cape Breton—Sherburne’s request—Sermon to
the soldiers—Refusal of chaplaincy—Conversion of a colored
trumpeter—Of a noted scoffer—Anecdote of Whitefield and Dr.
Hopkins- -- ---- ------- - ................. - - — - -- ---- 254
CONTENTS. 7

CHAPTER X.
LABORS IN THE MIDDLE AND SOUTHERN STATES—
THE BERMUDAS.
1745-1748.
Whitefield’s preaching in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia—
Liberal offer declined—Usefulness of his printed sermons in Vir-
ginia—Preaches at Hanover—Isaac Oliver—Visit to Bethesda—
His account of the Orphan-house—His character as given by the
New York Post-boy—Public testimony as to Whitefield’s integ-
rity—Preaching tour in Maryland—Visit to Charleston—Success
of his preaching in Maryland—Visits New York, Newport, Ports-
mouth, Boston—Return to Philadelphia—Bohemia—Journey to
North Carolina—Embarkation for the Bermudas—His progress
and labors—Honored by the governor and others—Usefulness
among the negroes—-Summary of his proceedings in the Bermu-
das—Kindness of the people there—Voyage to England—His la-
bors on the voyage—Arrival at Deal- - - - -- -- -- -- 277

CHAPTER XI.
LABORS IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND-CHAPLAIN
TO LADY HUNTING-DON.
1748, 1749.
Triumphs and trials in London—Becomes chaplain to the Countess
of Huntingdon—Complimented by the great—Bolingbroke and
Rev. Mr. Church—Rev. James Hervey—Honors conferred on
Whitefield—Falsehoods of Horace Walpole—Charged with vul-
garism—Defence—Third visit to Scotland—Return to London—
Visit to the west of England—Conversions in Gloucestershire—
Tour in Cornwall—Brilliant assemblies in London—Excursion to
Exeter and Plymouth—Rev. Andrew Kinsman—Return to Lon-
don—Decline of health and visit to Portsmouth and Wales—
Arrival of Mrs. Whitefield from the Bermudas—Visit to the north
of England—Popularity there—Intensely interesting services—·
Rev. W. Grimshawe—Solemn instances of mortality—Return to
London for the winter—Usefulness — - - --- 301

CHAPTER XII.
LABORS IN GREAT BRITAIN—FOURTH VISIT TO AMER-
ICA-NEW TABERNACLE IN LONDON, AND TABER-
NACLE AT BRISTOL.
1750-1754.
Efforts made by Whitefield for Bethesda—His ardent love for Amer-
ica—Love to his mother—His mourning for sin—Dr. Doddridge

8 CONTENTS.

London ministers—Interview with Doddridge and Hervey—
Earthquake in London—Bishop Horne’s sermon—Universal con-
sternation—Preaching of Whitefield at midnight in Hyde park—
Whitefield and his friends at Court—Journey to Bristol—Taun-
ton—Rev. R. Darracott—Preaching at Rotherham, Bolton, Ul-
verston — Conversion of Mr. Thorpe — Edinburgh and other
places in Scotland—Testimony of Hume—Second visit to Ire-
land—Opposition on Oxmantown Green—Usefulness in Ireland
—Rev. John Edwards—Fourth voyage to America—Interview
with Lady Huntingdon—Moravians—Lady Huntingdon’s testi-
mony—Letter to Dr. Franklin—Itinerant labors—Revision of
manuscripts—Erection of the new Tabernacle—Again itinerates
—Dedication of the Tabernacle at Bristol—Somersetshire—Con-
dolence on Mr. Wesley’s sickness—Visit of Messrs. Davies and
Tennent to England—Whitefield’s fifth voyage to America--323
CHAPTER XIII.
FIFTH VISIT TO AMERICA— RENEWED LABORS IN
GREAT BRITAIN—TOTTENHAM COURT-ROAD CHAP-
EL.
1754-1763.
Whitefield’s arrival and proceedings in Lisbon—Lands at Beaufort,
S. C.—Voyage to New York—New Jersey—Interview with Will-
iam Tennent—Accompanies President Burr to New England—
Popularity at Boston—Correspondence, with Habersham—Ports-
mouth—Rhode Island—Franklin’s narrative of a drummer and
Whitefield—Powerful, address in Virginia—Pleasant interview
at Charleston—Embarks for England—Arrival at New Haven—
His feelings on arriving in England—Labors at the Tabernacle—
Love for America—Journey to Bristol, Gloucestershire, Nor-
wich—Returns to London—Reproof from Grimshawe—Serious
illness—Earthquake at Lisbon—Tottenham Court-road Chapel—
Conversion of Mr. Crane—Publication of “A short Address”—
Personal character of Whitefield’s preaching—His servant—Shu-
ter—Violent persecution—Interference of government—Journey
to Bristol—Lines on a chair—Journey to Kent, north of Eng-
land, Scotland—Meeting at Leeds—Interview with the new gov-
ernor of Georgia—Prosperity of Tottenham Court—Journey to
Scotland—Ireland—Returns to London—111 health—Anecdote—
Another visit to Scotland—Death of friends—Debts of Bethesda
paid—Renewed visit to Scotland—Visit to Brighton—Footers
mimicry—Activity—Sails on his sixth voyage to America--- 350.
CONTENTS. 9

CHAPTER XIV.
SIXTH VISIT AND LABORS IN AMERICA—RENEWED
LABORS IN GREAT BRITAIN.
1763-1767.
Improvement of Whitefield’s health—Friends in Virginia—Proceed-
ings in Philadelphia—New Jersey—A collegiate hearer—New
York—Letter from Boston Gazette—Opposition of Seabury—
Arrival and preaching at Boston—Public thanks to him—Leaves
Boston—New Haven—New York—New Jersey College—Phila-
delphia—Virginia—South Carolina—Bethesda—Proceedings of
the government—Prosperity of the Orphan-house—Thoughts of
returning to England—Still detained in America—Sails for
England—Arrival there—Dedicates a church at Bath—Returns
to London—Sickness—Interest in American affairs—Rev. Sam-
son Occum—Labors with Mr. Whitaker in England—Success—
Whitefield’s journey to Bristol—Success in London—Mr. Joss
becomes his colleague—Rev. Rowland Hill—Whitefield again
visits Bath and Bristol—Mr. Fletcher’s sermons in London—Pref-
ace to Bunyan’s works—Whitefield in Wales and Gloucester-
shire-North of England—Disappointed in obtaining a char-
ter for Bethesda ......... ....... ..... ............ 375

CHAPTER XV.
HIS LAST LABORS IN GREAT BRITAIN - COLLEGE
AT TREVECCA— EARL OF BUCHAN—TUNBRIDGE
WELLS.
1767-1769.
Letter to Keen—Whitefield preaches before the Book Society—
Change in his style and manner of preaching—Expulsion of six
students from Oxford—Whitefield’s letter to the Vice-chancel-
lor—Usefulness of the expelled young men—Letter to a gentle-
man at Wisbeach—To Captain Scott—To Hon. and Rev. Walter
Shirley—Death and funeral services of the Earl of Buchan—
Whitefield’s last visit to Edinburgh—Death of Mrs. Whitefield—
Whitefield’s own sickness—Dedication of the college at Trevec-
ca—Improvement of his health—Letter to Mr. Shirley—Letter
of Dr. Franklin to Whitefield—Whitefield’s remarks on it—Ded-
ication of church at Tunbridge Wells—Contemplated voyage to
America—His last sermon—Account of Rev. George Burder—
Messrs. Wilson—Embarkation of Whitefield—Detained in the
Downs—Ordination and preaching at Deal—Anecdote of Dr.
Gibbons—Clears the Channel—Arrival at Charleston------- 400