Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-01-08

lin whose Diocese all the West Indies were in
cluded) held a conference with the Minister,
the result of which was that he told the Bishop
plainly that, as DIR. Berkeley's friend, he would
advise him to relinquish the idea of establish
ing College, and return to England. When
this information was communicated to the Dean
he had no alternative but to bear the disap-
pointment, as best he could, and to abandon
scheme on which he had already expended much
of his private fortune, and more than seven
years of the most vigorous part of his life.
He embarked for England, at Boston, in Sop
tember 1871. Before his departure from the
country however, he distributed the books
which he had brought with him among the Cler-
gy of Rhode Island; and Immediately after his
arrival in London, he returned all the private
subscriptions that had been advanced in aid of
his undertaking. 1t was not long before he
made some very substantial demonstrations of
his goodwill towards this country. He sent as
gift to Yale College, deed of the farm which
he held in Rhode Island the rents of which he
directed to be appropriated to the maintenance
of the three best classical scholars, who should
reside at College, at least nine months in the
year, in each of the three years between recciv-
ing their first and second degree. Whatever
surplus of money might arise from accidental
vacancies, was to he distributed in Greek and
Latin books to such undergraduates as should
produce the best Latin composition. on some
moral theme that should be given them. He
also presented to the Library of Yale College
nearly one thousand volumes.
Lord Bathurst told me that the members of
the Scriberus Club being met at his house at
dinner, they agreed to rally Berkeley, who was
also his guest, on his scheme at Bermudas.-
Berkeley, having listened to the many lively
tbn,- h..l II. l..
his turn, and displayed his plan with such an
astonishing and anmating force of eloquence
and enthusiasm that they were struck dumb ;
and, after some pause, rose all up together with
earnestness, eXclaiming-"Let us set out with
him Immediately"
~"~~~p ',-''r---rn,n
George Whitefeld was born at Gloucester,
England, Dec. l6, 20. ST. 17l4. His father,
who was first wine merchant, and afterwards
an inn-keeper, died when this this youngesu
son was only two years old in consequence of
which, his earliest education devoved entirely
upon his mother. His wonderful powers of or
atory began to display themselves at a very ear
ly age though his thoughts seem never to have
been directed towards the ministry till he was
about seventeen He had also, while he was
quite young, been the subject of some religious
Impressions but his prevailing inclinatons
were decidedly opposed to religion, and he was
at one time in great danger of being ruined
through the influence of evil companions.
Having enjoyed for several years, the benefit
of public school in his native town, in which
he became proficient especially in the Latin
classics he was sent at the age of eighteen. to
the University of Oxford. The state of relig-
ion, not only in the University but in the coun-
try at large, was now exceedingly low; inso-
much that even belief in Christianity was very
commonly regarded as evidence of an unphil-
osophica if not an imbecie, mind. The sect
OF Methodists, however, had just arisen at Ok
ford, with the two Wesleys at its head. and
Whitefed at the expense Of no small degree
odium from his fellow students, mingled freely
with this new sect, and was recognized as one
of thcm but he gradually became more rigid
In his austerities than any with whom he asso-
ciated, and he even imagined that it was his
so far perfected the work Of sscilmcrtification ,
that he could rise above the influence of all un-
hallowed motives To such an extreme did he
carry his abstemious habit, that he became sick
ly and emaciated, and was apparently drawing
rapidly near TO the grave; but by medical aid
his health was soon restored, and with a sound
er state of mind, and more consistent and ra-
tional course of conduct. From this period his
grand aim seem to be to do good to his fellow
creatures.
In January, 1889, he went to Oxford and re-
ceived Priests Orders from his ever faithful
friend, Bishop Benson; and, immediately after,
returned TO London, with a view to make col
lections in the different churches in behalf of
his Orphan House. But by this time the pref
udce against him had become so strong, on the
ground of his alleged fanatical irregularities,
that the ministers of the Establishment, with
very few exceptions, refused him their counte-
Ip Sbnrtl,- of 20, H., l..
he met with scarcely better reception but he
had here the most wonderful success in preach
ing in the open air to the GOLFERS His congre-
CATION continued to increase till it was supposed
to amount to nearly twenty thousand The
first discovery of their being affected" he saws.
"was to see the white cutters made by their
tears, which plentiiully fell down their black
checks, as they came out of their coal pits
Hundreds and hundreds of them were soon
brought under deep conviction, which, as the
SSn5 SF55uH Hr"yS% hRn 4a 4cr having made dnd
short tour in Wales, and some parts of Eng
land, he returned to London about the begin
ming OF May; and, by request of the stated
clergyman, attempted to preach at Islington
Church; but, in the midst of the service the
Church-warden came and demanded his license,
or otherwise forbade his preaching in the pulpit
The consequence was that he left the church
with his congregation, and preached in the
church-yard. From this time his preaching
was generally in the open air and on the sue
ceeding Sabbath he ventured into Moorfelds. a
very public place in London where, though he
had been warned that it would be at the peril
of his life that he should go, he preached to an
immense multitude without any serious moles-
tation. Here, and at some other places in the
neighborhood, he continued to preach daily, for
several months, his common auditories, at n
moderate computation, consisting of more than
twenty thousand, while, at the same time, he
was constantly receiving liberal collections for
his Orphan House.
wIIITEFIELD's PREACHING.
He was of about the middle height, perhaps
little inclined to corpulency, though not 9th
erwlse than wel-piroportioned, ful-faced, but at
that time somewhat pale. He wore large
white wig and surpice. He was somewhat
troubled with the asthma and though his voice
was originally one of great melody, and capa-
Die of being modulated to any tone or force
within the compass of human ability we'll ra