Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-02-10
Ghildreu's 9epartt4eut.
REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD.

REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD.
One of the most remarkable men Of the
eighteenth century was George White6eld.
He was born in Gloucester, England, in the
month of December, 1714. In early child
hood he showed most remarkably wayward
disposition. So soon as he was physically
able, he commenced course ofsin and shame.
Pilfering from his mother, who kept kind Of
public boarding house; lying, breaking the
Sabbath, conducting himself unbecomingly at
church, card playing, and similar things, were
the characteristic traits Of his boyhood. His
mother was very careful in the education of
him but although he was fond of reading, he
took but little delight in reading any thing
but novels. His father died when he was
quite young and when he had entered his
tenth year, his mother married again. The
match was unfortunate. 1t destroyed the
happiness of the house. The property of the
family began to decline. Still, George was
sent to a grammar school in his native town.
His progress was rapid, and he now began to
show some signs Of reform, and manifest a
desire for University education. During
this period he was noted for his powers Of de-
clamation. Often did he entertain the board
of school visitors with speeches.
1t soon became evident that his mothers
means would not permit her to keep George
at school any longer. He had, although only
fifteen years old, discernment enough to see
this himself and in order to prepare himself
for some trade, he dropped all his studies and
devoted all his attention to learning to write
good hand. His intention to become a trades
man he communicated to his mother; but she,
Notwithstanding her pecuniary difficulties,
did not approve of her sons course. She, in
sisted that he continue at school. George,
however, succeeded in winning her over to his
notions. Up to this time, George White6eld
was wild and wayward, with now and then
some compunctions Of conscience and occa-
sionaly CLEAN Of light. -.
Having quit school, he entered upon the
work of assisting his mother with the business
of the public house. He commenced the
work of common house servant. His busi-
ness, voluntarily assumed, was "to wash the
mops and clean the rooms"
Whilst engaged in the capacity of a COM
mon house servant, change in his general
conduct, which had heretofore been only dim
ly shadowed forth, now became evident. Not
withstanding his early wickedness, he had q
strange longing to be clergyman. One Of
his childish sports was to initiate the parish
minister in reading prayers and preaching.
Now, whilst discharging his duties as SER
want in his mothers public house, he wrote
out several sermons. He commenced to read
the Bible after the duties of the day were
ended. Although but lately he had been ta-
ken from school at his own urgent request,
now he began to repent of his folly and the
sight of boy going to school cut him to the
heart. When, in his sixteenth year, having
served as a common drawer about a year in
the public house of his mother, his brother
married and the public house was turned over
into his hands. The mother left the house,
but since George understood the business, it
was agreed that he should remain with his
brother. 1t, however, turned out that he and
his sister-in-law did not long agree.
He had an elder brother living at Bristol.
To this brother, by the advice of his mother
and consent of his brother, in whose employ
he was engaged, he determined to 60. At
Bristol the fires of devotion which had been
slowly burning now burst into fame. He
longed to partake of the sacrament of the
Lords Supper, and was constant attender
at church. His stay at Bristol lasted about
two months, and then he returned to Glouces-
ter That fervid devotion which was so man.
ifest during his short stay at Bristol, cooled
down on his arrival at Gloucester. Instead
of being now anxious as he was at Bristol, to
attend church, he ceased to attend church en-
tirely. From religious motives, however, he
determined never to 60 back to the public
house.
His mother was now reduced to straitened
circumstances. Still, with mothers love,
she made all the provisions she could for
George. A bed was provided for him in a
room which had no floor in it. Here he slept
on the ground and eat at his mothers table,
waiting for some opening to turn up in which
he could earn livelihood. He was now
verging on manhood, and was without any
thing to do. Satan took advantage Of the
occasion, and soon found much work for the
idle hands of young White6eld. The Bible
and all devotional books were laid aside and
romances and plays taken up in their place
He turned fop and dressed in the best clothes
he could procure, and commenced to stalk
about from place to place, not looking for
work but for mischief His associates were
the worst boys in the community. His for
mer religious impressions passed away with a
fearful rapidty.
Whilst young White6eld was wasting his
time in this wild, idle, reckless way, an &C.
quaintance, then student of Oxford, visited
his mother. During his stay he communica-
ted to Mrs. White6eld the manner in which
he had succeeded in defraying all his college
expenses and had something left. The hope
full mothers eye frightened and she, in ecsta-
cy, said: "This will do for my son." She then
turned to George and asked if he would go
to Oxford. "With all my heart" was the