Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-09-02
The Whitefield Revivals
ssnjaain rranhlin's Autobiography. :

there as an ltinerant preacher He was at first
permitted 20 preach in OF churches but the
clergy taking dislike to him, soon refused him their
pulpits' and he was Obliged 10 preach in the fields.
Inc mutitudes OF all sects and denominations that at
tended his sermons were enormous and II a mat
ter OF speculation TO me was one OF the number
70 observe the extraordinary influence OF his oratory
on his hearers. and how much they admired AMI
respected him. Notwithstanding his common abuse OF
thern' by assuring them they naturally half
beasts ana half devils IL wonderful 20 the
change soon in the Of our inhabitants From
being thoughtess Indifferent about religion, Il
seemed as II all the world growing religious so
that one could not walk through the town in an even
ing without hearing psams in different families
OF every street
And II being found inconvenient to assemble in
the open air subject TO it's ncemencies. building
OK house to meet In no sooner proposed, and
persons appointed 20 contributions than suf-
ucent sums were received TO procure the ground
and erect the building which 100 feet long 10
D'oeu ana the work was carried with such spirit
as to be finished in a much shorter time than could
have been expected. Both house and ground were
vested In trustees. expressly for the of any
preacher OF any religious persuasion who might desire
70 say something TO the people at Philadelphia the
design in building being accommodate any par
ucular sect but the inhabitants in general; that
even II the muftl OF Constantinope were to send
missionary to preach Accommodation TO US, he
would find a pulpit at his service.
Mr.. whtefield. on leaving us went preaching all
the way through the colonies to Georgia The settle.
ment OF that province had been lately begun but In
stead Of being made with hardy industrious husband
men accustomed to labor the only people tit for such
an enterprise. ii WAS with families broken shop
keepers and other nsolvent debtors many Of nolent
and Idle habs taken out OF the jails who, being set
down In the woods, unqualified for clearing land and
unable 70 endure the hardshps OF a settlement,
persisted in numbers, leaving many helpless children
unprovided for. The sight Of their miserable situation
inspired the benevolent heart OF Mr.. whtefied with
the idea OF building orphan house there in which
they might be supported and educated. Returning
northward, he preached UP this charity and made
large collections; for his eloquence had wonderful
power over the hearts and Of his hearers OF
which myself was instance.
dd not disapprove Of the design but as Georgia
was then destitute OF materials and workmen and
was proposed to send them from Philadelphia at
great expense thought Il would have better
have built the house at Philadelphia and brought the
children to it. This advised; but he resoute in
his first project rejected my counsel therefore
refused to contribute happened soon after to attend
one Of his sermons. in the which perceived
he intended to finish with collection. and silently
resolved that he should get nothing from me- had
in my pocket handful OF copper money three or four
silver dollars, five pistoles gold As he pro-
ceeded began to soften and concluded TO give tho
copper. Another stroke OF his oratory made me
ashamed OF that and determined give the silver;
and he finished admirably that I emptied my
pocket wholly into the collectors dish gold and ALL
At this sermon there also one of our club who
being OF my sentiments respecting the building In
Georgia and suspecng collection might be intended
had by precauon emptied his pockets before he came
from home Toward the conclusion of the discourse.
however he felt strong inclination TO give, and ap-
piled to neighbor who stood him to lend him
some money for the purpose. The request was fortu
nately made TO perhaps the only In the company
who had the frnness not TO be affected BY the
preacher. His answer was, AT any other tinno
Friend Hopknson. 1 would lend to thee freely but
not now for thee seems to be out Of thy right
Some OF Mfr. whitefield's enemies affected 20 sum
pose that he would apply these collections TO his own
private emolument; but ], who was intimately ac-
quainted with him, being employed in printing his
sermon and Journals never had the least suspicion of
MS integrity, but to this day decidedly of opinion
that ne was In all his conduct perfectly honest man;
and methnks my testimony in his favor ought to have
the more weight, as we had religious connection.
He used. indeed. sometimes to pray for my CONVEX
sion. but he never had the satisfaction of believing
that his prayers were heard Ours was a mere civil
friendship. sincere on both sides. and lasted to mis-
death.
The following instance will show the terms on
which we stood. Upon OF his arrivals from Eng
land at Boston he wrote to that he should como
soon to Philadelphia, but knew not where he could
lodge when there he understood old friend and
host Mr.. Benezet was removed to Germantown Ny
answer was: you know my house; II you can mako
SHIFT with lite scanty accommodations you will be most
heartily welcome" He replied that II I made TINT
kind offer for Christs sake should not miss OF re
ward And l returned: Don't let me be mistaken;
IL was not FOR Chrsts sake. but for your sake One
or our common acquaintance loosely remarked that
knowing Il to be the custom OF the saints when they
received any favor to shift the burden the obga
heaven. had eontrived to fix It on earth.
The last time Mr.. whitefield was In London
where he consulted me about his orphan house con.
and his purpose appropratinE IL to the estab
lishment OF a college.
He had a loud and clear voice and articuated his
words 50 perfectly that he might heard and under
stood at great distance, especially as his auditors
observed the most perfect silence. He preached one
evening from the top OF the house steps which
are In the middle OF Market street on the west
side OF Second street which at right angles
Both streets filled with his hearers 10 eonsld-
cradle distance Being among the hindmost in Market
street. had the curiosity learn how far he could
be heard by retiring backward down the street toward
the river and found his voice distinct till I came
near Front street when noise in that street
obscured g. Imagining then semicrcIe. OF which
my distance would be the radius and that Il was
filled with auditors, TO each OF whom I allowed two
square feet. computed that he might well be heard
by more than $1,000 This reconciled 20 the news
paper accounts OF his having preached to people
In the fields. and 70 the history OF generals harangung
whole armies, OF which had sometimes doubted.