George Whitefield - Philip - V - Chapter 5

Required reading
Life and times of George Whitefield by Robert Philip (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter Five.

My summary
This week we read of Whitefield's journeys in the English countryside and his successful preaching in the open air.  Opposition continues, and not only from the church: 'The clergy having thus shut their pulpits against him, and the dissenters not opened theirs to him, the country magistrates followed in the train of his opponents, and even the inn-keepers were afraid to admit him.'

What grabbed me
I liked this incident: 'On one occasion, whilst preaching at the Bristol glass-houses, he says, "I heard many people behind me hallooing, and making a noise; and supposed they were set on to disturb me by somebody. I bless God, I was not in the least moved, but rather increased more in strength. When I was done, I inquired the cause of the noise : I found a gentleman (?) being drunk, had taken the liberty to call me a dog and say, "that I ought to be whipped at a cart's tail;" and offered money to any that would pelt me. Instead of that, the boys and people near began to cast stones and dirt at him. This retaliation Whitefield reprobated in strong terms, before he left the ground ; slyly reminding the people, however, of "the sorry wages the devil gives his servants." Some days after he visited this ungentlemanly disturber, to condole with him upon his punishment. The visit was well received, and they parted very friendly.'

What an example of love for one's enemies!

Next week's reading
Read Chapter Six.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.