Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1838-11-28
WHITFIELD.

only callto him for help
WHITFIELD.
Tue following description Of Whi,irlJs
preaching is extracted from a work pullsh'
ed in Bosom, entitled, " The Robels."
There was nothing int the appearance OF
this extraordinary man which would lead
you to suppose that Felix would trcmble
before him." He was something aboui
the middle stature, well proportioned and
rcmarkaqlc for native gracelulness OF
manner. Ills complexion was very fair
his FEATURES regular, and his dark blue eyes
small and lively. in recovering from The
nea!cs, he had contracted squnt with
one of them, but this peculiarly rather
rendered the expression Of his coun;enance
more remarkable than in any degree lessen
ed the effect of its uncommon sweetness
His voice cxcelled both IN melody and COM
pass and in lis fine moduIations were hap
Ply accompanied BY that grace OF action
which he possessed in an eminent degree,
and which has been said 10 be the chief
requisite in an orator." To have seen HIM
when he first commenced, one would have
thought him any thing than enthusiastic and
lowing g but rs he proceeded, his heart
warmed with his subject, ard his manner
became impetuols and animated, till forget
ful ofevery thing around him he seemed 10
knecl at the throne OF Jehovah, and be-
sccch in agony for his fellow beings.
After he had finished his prayer, he
knclt 10 e time in profound silence, and
so powerfully had it affected the mos: heart.
less OF his audience, that Stiffness like tha,
of the tomb pcrvadcd the whole house.
B,.fo-e he commenced his sermon, long,
darkening clouds crowded the bright sunny
sky of the morning; and swept their dull
shadows over tho building, in fearful augury
ofthc stolm.
Ills text WIS, &" Strive 10 en."r in at the
s,raigh, gate, for many say unto you shall
seek to en:er in. and shall not be able"
"See tha, emblem ofhuman lie," said
he, as he pointed to shadow that was fitting
across the floor; &" 1t passed for moment,
and concealed the brightness Of heaven
from or view-but it is gone. And where
will ye be, my hearers. when your lives have
passed away like that dark cloud ? On,
my dear friends, see thousands sitting at
.en.ivc, with their eyes fixed on tho poor
unworthy preacher. In few days we
shall meet a, the judgment scat Of Christ.
We shall form part Of tha, vast assembly
which will gather before his throne, and
every eye will behold the Judge. With a
voice whose call you must obey and answer,
he will inquire whether on earth you strovc
to enter in at the straight gate-whetl'cr
you were supremely devoted TO Cod
whether your hearts were absorbed IN him.
NV blood runs cold when l think how
many of you shall then seek 10 enter in
and shall not able. Oh, what plea can
you make before The Judge of the Whole
earh? Can you say it has been your
whole endeavor to mor'ry the flesh with its
affections and lus's !; that your mind has
been one long effort to do The viii of God
No you mus, answer. | made myself easy
in the world by fattering myself that all
would end well but have deceived my
soul md am lost.
"You, o false and hollow Christians Of
what avail will it be that you have done
many lhngs--that you have read much IN
the sacred word--that you have made long
prayers-tilat you have attended religious
duties, and appeared holy in the eyes of
men? What will all this be, if instead Of
loving linn supremcly, you have Leen sup
posing you should exait yourself to heaven
by acts really pullulcd and unholy?
"Ard you, rich mas, wherefore do you
hoard your silver? Wherefore count the
price you lave received for him whom
you every day cruelty in your love ofgain !?
Why, that when YOU are too poor to buy n
drop Of cold water, your beloved sen may
be rolled 10 hell in his chariot p;liowed and
cushioned about him.
Ills eye gradually lighted up as he pro.
cccded, Till towards the close it seemed TO
sparkle with celestial fire.
Goa, sinner!' he exclaimed, L" by all
your hopes Of happiness, | bcsccch you to
rcpcn,.--Lct not Tie wrath of God be
awakened. Let not the fires OF eternity be
kindled against you. See there {" said he,
pointing 10 the lightning w':;ch played On
Tic corner Of Tic pnIpif, " Tis glance from
the angry eye Of Jehovah ! 'lIark !! con-
tipucd he, raising his finger in listening
attitude, us the distant thunder grew louder
and louder, and broke in q tremendous
crash over the building. " 1t was the voice
Of the Almighty, as he passed in his anger"
As the sound died away, he covered his
face with lis hands, and knclt beside his
apparently lost in inward and intense
prayer. The s'orm passed rapidly by, and
he sun bursting forth in his might threw I: