Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-11

TN 1885, Just 175 years ago George White
i field came here from Ireland and rouseo
Philadelphia to a new religious fervor FROM
a much smaller city he drew audiences larger
than any Of the crowds that have heard
"Billv" Sunday. and his fame travelled all
over the country.
Whitefeld's message and the manner Oh ITO
delivery were so repugnant to many of the
leading churchmen of the day that alteF
opening their churches to him they turned
him out. Then he preached in the fields. 30
conservative reporter as B. Franklin said
that audiences of $4,000 were not unusual
The evangelist was bitterly criticised for
his collections. Just some critics OF sum
day declare that he profits too much imam
cally for preaching the gospel, so did the
hostile critics of Whitefeld attack him. But
Just as Sunday can make the people give
freely, 80 did whitefield make them shell
out" Sunday has tabernacle that was
built for his use. And the people of two CEN
turies ago built one for Whiteheld.
The impression that this mans preaching
made on Philadelphia is described by the
free-thinking Franklin in a way that is not
only interesting in itself, but that has spe-
cial interest at this time. Franklin wrote:
''In 1879 arrived among us from ireland the
Rev Mr. Whtefield, who has made himself
remarkable there as an itinerant preacher.
He was at first permitted to preach in some
of our churches; but the clergy, taking dis
like to him. soon refused him their pulplts'
and he was obliged to preach in the fields
The multitudes of all sects and denomina-
tions that attend his sermons were enor-
nous, and 1t was matter of speculation to
yhp of ia observe
the extraordinary influence of his oratory on
his hearers, how much they admired and re-
spected him, Notwithstanding his common
abuse of them by assuring them that they
were naturally half beasts and half devils
Songs in Every Street
at was wonderful to see the change he
soon made in the habits and manners of our
inhabitants. From being thoughtless or in
different about religious matters 1t seemed as
If all the world were growing religious so
that one could not walk through the town
in the evening without hearing songs and
psalms sung by the families in every street.
"It being found inconvenient to assemble
in the open air, subject to inclemencies OF
the weather. the building OF a house was no
sooner proposed and persons appointed to re-
ceive contributions. but sufficient sums were
soon procured to secure ground and to erect
a building, which was 100 feet long and 70
feet broad. about the size of Westminster
Hall; and the work was carried on with such
spirit as to be finished in much shorter
time than could have been expected. Both
house and grounds were vested In trustees
expressly for the use OF any preacher OF any
religious persuasion who might desire to say
something to the people at Philadelphia; the
design in building not being to accommodate
any particular sect, but the inhabitants in
general; so that even II the Mufti of Con-
stantinople were to send a missionary to
preach Mohammedanism to us he would find
pulpit at his service"
Whiteiield Aa Money Raiser
Franklin's story of Whitehelds ability to
raise money for his own and special charities
is most interesting. On this point he said;
"Mr. Whiteheld In leaving us went preach
ing all the way through the Colonies to
Georgia The settlement OF that province
had but lately been begun, but. instead Of
being made with hardy, Industrious hus-
bandmen accustomed to labor the only peo-
pie At for such enterprise It was with
families OF broken shopkeepers and other in
solvent debtors, many Of indolent and idle
habits, taken out OF the jails. who, being set
down in the woods. unqualified for clearing
the lands, and unable to endure the hard
ships OF new settlement, perished in num-
bers leaving many helpless children unpro-
vided for, The sight OF their miserable situa-
tion inspired the benevolent heart OF Mr..
Whiteheld with the idea OF building an or
phan house there. In which they might be
supported and educated. Returning north
ward he preached up this charity and made
large collections, for his eloquenee had a
wonderful power over the hearts and purses
OF his hearers OF which / myself was an In
stance.
II did not disapprove Of the design, but
Georgia was then destitute OF uaterials and
from Philadelphia At great expense /
Thought II would have been better % have