George Whitefield - Philip - XXVII - Chapters 29

Required reading
Life and times of George Whitefield by Robert Philip (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter 29 (Whitefield and nobility).

My summary
Now Philip gives us an account of Whitefield's experiences with the nobility and demonstrates that Whitefield did not treat them any differently due to their status: 'They were won by the preaching which won the multitude ; and when they wrote to him, he answered them just as he did any one else, who sought his counsel or prayers, courteously and faithfully. He paid them, indeed, the current compliments of his times : and if these ever amount to flattery in appearance, they are followed by warnings which no real flatterer would have dared to whisper.'

The chapter is made up mostly of accounts of the reactions of different upper class members to Whitefield - most of whom were introduced to Whitefield through the friendship of Lady Huntingdon.

What grabbed me
Interesting to read not just of Whitefield's successes with the nobility but also some of his failures: 'Lady Guildford prevailed on Lady Huntingdon to admit this beauty to hear Whitefield. He, however, knew nothing of her presence. He drew his bow at a venture: but every arrow seemed aimed at her. She just managed to sit out the service, in silence; and when Whitefield retired, she flew into fury; abused Lady Huntingdon to her face, and denounced the sermon as a deliberate attack on herself. In vain Lady Betty Jermain tried to appease the beautiful fury, or to explain her mistake. In vain old Lady Bertie and the Duchess dowager of Ancaster commanded her silence. She maintained that she had been insulted. She was compelled, however, by her relatives who were present, to apologize to Lady Huntingdon. Having done this with a bad grace, she left to return no more.'

When you clearly present the gospel, you run the risk of greatly offending people - particularly those who are not used to being told hard truths.  Lady Guildford is a prime example.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 30 (Whitefield's last itineracy).

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