George Whitefield - Philip - XXI- Chapter 19

Required reading
Life and times of George Whitefield by Robert Philip (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter 19 (Whitefield revisiting).

My summary
Now we have a chapter of Whitefield revisiting places where he has already preached: 'It was a maxim with Whitefield to return back in a few days, if possible, upon new spots where his first or second sermon had made a visible impression.'

So we see him in England, Scotland and America.  Philip says: 'Whitefield's work and reward during his revisits in 1753, were much as usual for him; - like that of nobody else.  I can scarcely believe my own eyes, as I read the distances, dates, and numbers of his audiences, in his memoranda; connected as these are with frequent and even startling attacks of sickness.  If he had not eagle's wings, his strength was certainly renewed like the eagle's, even in a physical sense.'

We also read of his contact with notable people such Franklin, Hume and the Wesleys, but also with 'men of low estate' such as a poor highland schoolmaster and students.

What grabbed me
I was struck by an anecdote about some youths in Rotherham who attempted to mock Whitefield but got a lot more than they bargained: 'Rotherham had signalized itself by hostility to Whitefield. Both his person and character had been assailed there; and by none more than the late Thorpe of Masborough, then a young man. He was in the habit of meeting his boon companions in the alehouse, to mimic Whitefield, and turn religion into mockery. One evening Thorpe and three others laid a wager, which of them could imitate him in the highest style, at an off-hand sermon, from the first text which should turn up on opening the Bible. The buffoonery of the three soon failed, and Thorpe sprung on the table, saying," I shall beat you all hollow." The Bible was handed to him. He opened it at random. His eye fell on the words, " Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." He uttered them without fear or hesitation. But that moment his conscience smote him. It burst into flames. It compelled him to preach repentance to himself and all the club. He went on in spite of himself, until his own hair stood on end with horror, and all the bacchanals were blanched with terror. Not a word was said of the wager when he came down. He walked out in awful silence. Soon after this he joined the Wesleyans, and was sent out by Wesley himself as a preacher, who wisely stationed him at Rotherham. He afterwards became an independent.'

Wonderful to see God breaking a man down even at the height of his rebellion against God.  No one is able to resist the irresistible conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 20 (Whitefield in Lisbon).

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