George Whitefield - Philip - XXIV - Chapter 23

Required reading
Life and times of George Whitefield by Robert Philip (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter 23 (Whitefield's public spirit).

My summary
In Chapter 23 we return to Britain and are told 'But if he [Whitefield] loved America most, England loved herself more, and drew him with "the cords of love"'.  So we see Whitefield moving around all over England, Scotland and Ireland again.

At this time Whitefield engages a little in politics as 'the enroachments of the French upon the British colonies in America, awakened his jealousy.  He saw more than civil liberty at stake..."I hope I shall always think it my bounden duty, next to inviting sinners to the blessed Jesus, to exhort my hearers to exert themselves against the first approaches of popish tyranny."'  Philips believes that his being too political may be why he experienced less success in Scotland at this time.

We again witness further examples of persecution of Whitefield's preaching, including an attack from the secular theatre with the writing and performance of plays mocking him.

And now we also note the regular deterioration of Whitefield's health.

What grabbed me
As I read this title, I continue to be outraged at the attacks on Whitefield coming from those who purport themselves to be inside the Protestant Christian camp: 'The next time Whitefield preached in Long Acre, "all was hushed;" and he publicly ascribed the peace to the bishop's intervention. It was only a pause in the storm. The rioters contented themselves with making "odd noises" in an adjoining house, whilst a scaffold was preparing for the full flourish and chorus of "such instruments of reformation" as "a copperfurnace, bells, drums, clappers, marrow-bones and cleavers, and large stones of a pound weight to break the windows." This volley was planted and played off against the chapel, in the yard of his Lordship's overseer, by some of his Lordship's vestry and parishioners. This fact Whitefield told him, Lett. 1122, 1124; and added, " C, one of your Lordship's relations, can acquaint you with many more particulars; and if you would be so good as ride to C.'s house, you would see such a scaffold, (if not taken down,) and such costly preparations for a noise upon it, that must make the ears of all that shall hear it to tingle. I have only one favour to beg of your Lordship, that you will send to the gentlemen, as they are your parishioners, and desire them henceforward to desist from such riotous and dangerous proceedings."—" Indeed, my Lord, it is more than noise. It deserves no milder a name than premeditated rioting."  His Lordship's answer to these appeals seems to have been respectful to Whitefield, but useless to the occasion. He quoted canons, instead of quelling the riots; and threw doubts upon the lease and license of the chapel, instead of displacing the overseer of the parish.'

Imagine preaching in a church while at the minister's residence next door they have erected a scaffold on which to stand and make as much noise as possible!  Disgraceful behaviour.

Next week's reading
Read Chapters 24 (Whitefield's influence in America) and 25 (Whitefield and the Bishops).

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