for ever. I long to be with you, and methinks could willingly be found at the head of you kneeling and praying, though a Spaniard's sword should be put to my throat. But, alas! I know not how I should behave, if put to the trial: Only we have a promise, that as our day is, so our strength shall be. The thoughts of divine love carry me above every thing. My dear friend, the Spaniards cannot rob us of this; nor can men or devils. I humbly hope that I shall shortly hear of the spiritual and temporal welfare of you all." And he was not disappointed; for a few weeks after, he was informed of his family's safe return to Bethesda. About the end of October he left Scotland, and rode post to London, where he arrived in about five days.

From October 1742 to August 1744, Mr. Whitefield continued in England, but was employed in travelling up and down to preach the kingdom of GOD, and with the same success and the same opposition as before. After a variety of these circumstances, he resolved to make another visit to America, whither Mr. Smith, a merchant, then in England, in the name of thousands invited him. With him he took passage in a ship going from Portsmouth; but being informed, just before he was about to take his farewell, that the captain refused to take him, for fear, as he alleged, of spoiling the sailors, he was obliged to go as far as Plymouth. "In my way, says he, I preached at Wellington, where one Mr. Darracott had been a blessed instrument of doing much good. At Exeter also, I revisited, 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 is remarkable, that just before his success at Plymouth, he was in danger of being killed. Four gentlemen, it seems, came to the house of one of his particular friends, kindly inquiring after him, and desiring to know where he lodged. Soon afterwards, Mr. Whitefield received a letter, informing him, that the writer was a nephew of Mr. S-, an attorney at New York; that he had the pleasure of supping with Mr. Whitefield at his uncle's house; and desired his company to sup with him and a few more friends, at a tavern. Mr. Whitefield sent him word, that it was not customary for him to sup abroad at taverns, but should be glad of the gentleman's company to eat a morsel with him at his lodging; he accordingly came and supped; but was observed frequently to look around him, and to be very absent. At last he took his leave, and returned

turned to his companions in the tavern; and being by them interrogated what he had done, he answered,That he had been used so civilly, he had not the heart to touch him.' Upon which, it seems, another of the company, a lieutenant of a man of war, laid a wager of ten guineas, that he would do his business for him. His companions, however, had the precaution to take away his sword. It was now about midnight, and Mr. Whitefield having that day preached to a large congregation, and visited the French prisoners, was gone to bed: When the landlady came and told him that a well-dressed gentleman desired to speak with him, Mr. Whitefield, imagining it was somebody under conviction, desired him to be brought up. He came, and sat down by the bed-side, congratulated him upon the success of his ministry, and expressed much concern at being detained from hearing him. Soon after he broke out into the most abusive language, and in a cruel and cowardly manner, beat him in his bed. The landlady and her daughter hearing the noise, rushed into the room, and seized upon him; but he soon disengaged himself from them, and repeated his blows on Mr. Whitefield, who, being apprehensive that he intended to shoot or stab him, underwent all the surprise of a sudden and violent death. Afterwards, a second came into the house, and cried out from the bottom of the stairs, Take courage, I am ready to help you.' But by the repeated cry of murder, the alarm was now so great, that they both made off. The next morning, says Mr. Whitefield, I was to expound at a private house, and then to set out for Biddeford. Some urged me to stay and prosecute; but being better employed, I went on my intended journey, was greatly blessed in preaching the everlasting gospel, and upon my return was well paid for what I had suffered: Curiosity having led perhaps two thousand more than ordinary, to see and hear a man that had like to have been murdered in his bed. And I trust in the five weeks' time, while I waited for the convoy, hundreds were awakened, and turned unto the Lord. At the dock also, near Plymouth, a glorious work was begun. Could the fields between Plymouth and the dock speak, they could tell what blessed seasons were enjoyed there.'

Mr. Whitefield embarked again for America in the beginning of August 1744, though in but indifferent health. He had a tedious passage of eleven weeks, which increased his disorder. When he arrived in New England, Col. Pepperell and others received him gladly. But his indisposition prevented his reaching Boston for three weeks, where he re

sumed

sumed his labours, and set up a lecture, which he preached at six in the morning. "I seldom preached (says he) to less than two thousand. It was delightful to see so many of both sexes, neatly dressed, flocking to hear the word, and returning home to family-prayer and breakfast, before the opposers were out of their beds. So that it was commonly said, that, between early rising and tar-water, the physicians would have no business." In short, he began to think of remaining in America; but the unfavourable climate so injured his constitution, and the debts of the Orphan House were so heavy, that it was necessary for him to make a voyage elsewhere for the recovery of his health, and to think of English liberality for the support of this establishment in America. Accordingly, upon advice, he embarked for the Bermudas, where he arrived on the 15th of March 1748.

At these islands he met with a very kind reception from all sorts of people, and preached usually twice a-day for above a month, in various parts of this little colony, which is placed by itself in almost the middle of the Atlantic ocean. These have been already celebrated by Waller the poet, and the late Bishop Berkeley, who resided here for some time. Here Mr. Whitefield obtained a collection for the Orphan House, which he transmitted to Georgia; but dreading to go back to America in that season of heat, and having pressing calls to England, he took the opportunity of a brig, and in twenty days arrived at Deal, and on the next evening, July 6, 1748, he reached London, after an absence of near four years.

On Mr. Whitefield's visiting a few of his friends, immediately after his return, he found himself in no very agreeable situation. His congregation at the Tabernacle was sadly scattered. And as to his outward circumstances, he had sold all his household furniture, to help to pay the Orphan House debt, which yet was far from being cancelled. But under all these discouragements, he was still supported. His congregation was soon re-united, and received him with the greatest joy. And at this time a very unexpected thing happened to him. Lady Huntingdon, before his arrival, had ordered Mr. Howel Harris to bring him to her house at Chelsea, as soon as he came on shore. He went, and having preached twice, the Countess wrote to him, that several of the nobility desired to hear him. In a few days the Earl of Chesterfield and a whole circle of them attended: and having heard once, desired they might hear him again. "I therefore preached again (says he) in

the

the evening, and went home, never more surprised at any incident in my life. All behaved quite well, and were in some degree affected. The Earl of Chesterfield thanked me, and said, Sir, I will not tell you what I shall tell others, how I approve of you;' or words to this purpose. At last Lord Bolingbroke came to hear, sat like an archbishop, and was pleased to say, I had done great justice to the divine attributes in my discourse.' Soon afterwards her ladyship removed to town, where I preached generally twice a-week to very brilliant auditories. Blessed be Gon, not without effectual success on some.'

In September 1748 he made a third visit to Scotland, where he met with a hearty welcome. Great multitudes flocked to hear him both at Edinburgh and Glasgow. "I have reason (says he) to believe some have been awakened, and many quickened and comforted. My old friends are more solidly so than ever, and a foundation, I trust, has been laid for doing much good, if ever the Lord should call me thither again. Two synods, and one presbytery, brought

A motion was

He means the synods of Glasgow and Perth, and the presbytery of Edinburgh. What happened in the synod of Glasgow may be seen "A fair and impartial Account of the Dein a pamphlet, entitled, bate in the synod of Glasgow and Ayr, 6 October 1748, anent employing Mr. Whitefield." Published at Edinburgh the same year, and supposed to be written by the Reverend Dr. Erskine, who was then minister at Kirkintilloch. The short history of the matter is this: made, tending to prohibit or discourage ministers from employing Mr. Whitefield. The speeches made in support of the motion were upon the following topics: His being a priest of the church of England. That he had not subscribed the Formula. His imprudencies. Want of evidence that Chimerical scheme of the Orphau-house. the money he collects is rightly applied. Asserting that assurance is essential to faith. Encouraging a dependence on impulses aud immeDeclaring on slender evidence, some people condiate revelations. Often, indeed, preverted, and others carnal and unregenerated. tending to repent of his blunders, and retract; but as often relapsing into them. And lastly, his being under a sentence of suspension by Commissary Garden, from which he had appealed to the High Court of Chancery, and made oath to prosecute that appeal in a twelveOn the other hand, the never prosecuted. I mouth; and yet it was ministers who were against the motion, spoke in this manner: blush to think, said one, that any of our brethren should befriend a proposal so contrary to that moderation aud catholic spirit which hope ever shall be, the glory of our church. I am sennow is, and sible, many things in the church of England need reformation; but I honour her, notwithstanding, as our sister church. If Bishop Butler, Bishop Sherlock, or Bishop Secker were in Scotland, I should welcome them to my pulpit. In this I should imitate Mr. Samuel Rutherford, as firm a presbyterian as any of us, who yet employed Bishop Usher. There is no law of Christ, no act of assembly prohibiting me to give

my

brought me upon the carpet; but all has worked for good." While he was in Scotland he endeavoured to do all the service he could to the New Jersey college, and, in conjunction with some ministers who wished well to that institution, advised the sending over a minister from America to make application in person: Which was afterwards done in the year 1754, when Mr. Tennent and Mr. Davies applied to the General Assembly, and obtained an appointment

my pulpit to an Episcopal, Independent, or Anabaptist minister, if of sound principles in the fundamentals of religion, and of a sober life. Our church expressly enjoins, Act XIII. April 1711, that great tenderness is to be used to foreign protestants. The requiring stran gers to subscribe our Formula, before they preach with us, would lay as effectual a bar against employing those of congregational principles, or presbyterian non-subscribers, as those of the church of England. As to Mr. Whitefield, said another, there are few ministers whose character hath been so well attested by the most competent judges, both at home and abroad. One thing I cannot but observe: Those who bave spoken most warmly against Mr. Whitefield in this debate, acknowledge they have made little or no inquiry into his character: Whereas those on the other side have made a very careful inquiry; and that inquiry has turned out entirely to their satisfaction. With regard to his imprudencies, there is a great difference betwixt blunders owing to a bad heart, and those that are owing only to a misinformed judgment: Especially, when the mistakes that occasioned them have misled several great and good men. Whether Mr. Whitefield's scheme of the Orphan-house be prudent or not, it is demonstrable it was honestly meant. The magistrates of Savannah published three years ago, in the Philadelphia Gazette, an affidavit that they had carefully examined Mr. Whitefield's receipts and disbursements, and found that what he had collected in behalf of the orphans had been honestly applied; and that, besides, he had given considerably to them of his own property. As to bis maintaining that assurance is essential to faith; encouraging an unwarrantable regard to impressions; and being too hasty in pronouncing men carnal or converted; his sentiments in these particulars, have been altered for upwards of two years. And now he scarce preaches a sermon, without guarding his hearers against relying on impressions, and telling them that faith, and a persuasion we are justified, are very different things, and that a holy life is the best evidence of a gracious state. These retractions are owing to a real change of sentiment. Letters from correspondents in New England shew, that this change is, at least, of two years date, and that, ever since it happened, he has preached and acted with remarkable caution. Lastly, with respect to the prosecution of his appeal, Mr. Whitefield exerted himself to the utmost to get his appeal heard, but could not prevail on the Lords Commissioners so much as once to meet on the affair; they, no doubt, thinking of Mr. Gardens's arbitrary proceedings with the contempt they deserved. But, say some, Mr. Whitefield being under a suspension not yet reversed, is now no minister.' But for what was be suspended? Why, for no other crime than omitting to use the form of prayer prescribed in the communion book, when officiat ing in a presbyterian congregation. And shall a meeting of presbyteriin ministers pay any regard to a sentence which had such a foun

dation?