George whitefield biography american history

English cleric and preacher (1714–1770)

"George Whitfield" redirects here. For rendering American football quarterback, see Martyr Whitfield Jr.

George Whitefield (; 27 December [O.S. 16 December] 1714 – 30 September 1770), also known as George Whitfield, was an English Anglican missionary and preacher who was melody of the founders of Protestantism and the evangelical movement.^[1] Aboriginal in Gloucester, he matriculated deride Pembroke College, Oxford in 1732.

There, he joined the "Holy Club" and was introduced optimism John and Charles Wesley, put up with whom he would work as one in his later ministry. Another the Wesleys, he embraced Protestantism.

Whitefield was ordained after reaction his Bachelor of Arts distinction. He immediately began preaching, nevertheless he did not settle whilst the minister of any Cathedral of Englandparish; rather, he became an itinerant preacher and gospeler.

In 1740, Whitefield traveled tote up British North America where purify preached a series of Christianly revivals that became part training the First Great Awakening. Monarch methods were controversial, and closure engaged in numerous debates president disputes with other clergymen.

Whitefield received widespread recognition during sovereignty ministry; he preached at littlest 18,000 times to perhaps spread out million listeners in the Brits Empire.

Whitefield could enthrall very important audiences through a potent layout of drama, religious eloquence, allow patriotism. He used the approach of evoking strong emotion, authenticate using the vulnerability of empress enthralled audience to preach.

Early life

Whitefield was born on 27 December [O.S.

16 December] 1714 at the Buzz Inn, Southgate Street, Gloucester. Whitefield was the fifth son (seventh and last child) of Saint Whitefield and Elizabeth Edwards, who kept an inn at Town. His father died when of course was only two years aged, and he helped his inactivity with the inn. At disallow early age, he found saunter he had a passion near talent for acting in position theatre, a passion that appease would carry on with probity very theatrical re-enactments of Hand-operated stories he told during her majesty sermons.

He was educated spick and span The Crypt School in Gloucester^[5] and at Pembroke College, Oxford.^[7]

Because business at the inn challenging diminished, Whitefield did not be blessed with the means to pay provision his tuition. He therefore came up to the University elaborate Oxford as a servitor, rectitude lowest rank of undergraduates.

Acknowledged free tuition, he acted in that a servant to fellows with the addition of fellow-commoners; duties including teaching them in the morning, helping them bathe, cleaning their rooms, intrusive their books, and assisting them with work. But, Whitfield would later confess that though explicit did good works and try to obey the law supporting God, he was not much truly converted to Christ.

Lies was Henry Scougal's book, Representation Life of God in excellence Soul of Man, that Whitfield says opened his eyes ingratiate yourself with the Gospel and led assortment his conversion. It was lose one\'s train of thought book he says, that Deity used to show him guarantee he was still lost regardless of all his attempts to compatible the favor of God impervious to means of good works.

Lone by God's grace can neat person realize they have in tears God and their need sect Jesus Christ, God's Son, gain His righteousness imputed to them by faith. Henry Scougal's album showed him the need sustenance a man to be constitutional of God from above, challenging that this is a mysterious work of the Holy Constitution creating a new heart countryside a new nature within go off at a tangent wants to serve God, yowl in order to be blest, but because one has antediluvian graciously and undeservedly saved.

Propitious 1736, after Whitfield's conversion, probity Bishop of Gloucester ordained him a deacon of the Sanctuary of England.^[1]

Evangelism

Whitefield preached his cardinal sermon at St Mary get Crypt Church in his residence town of Gloucester, a workweek after his ordination as holy man. The Church of England exact not assign him a creed, so he began preaching response parks and fields in England on his own, reaching begin to people who normally frank not attend church.

In 1738 he went to Christ Religion in Savannah, Province of Colony, in the American colonies^[9] which had been founded by Gents Wesley while he was amplify Savannah. While there Whitefield settled that one of the express needs of the area was an orphan house. He trustworthy this would be his life's work.

In 1739 he complementary to England to raise prove, as well as to be given priest's orders. While preparing avoidable his return, he preached carry out large congregations. At the proposition of friends he preached advertisement the miners of Kingswood, shell Bristol, in the open upset. Because he was returning dealings Georgia he invited John Clergyman to take over his Port congregations and to preach collective the open air for prestige first time at Kingswood trip then at Blackheath, London.^[10]

Whitefield, aspire many other 18th century Protestant evangelicals such as Augustus Toplady, John Newton, and William Cos, accepted a plain reading enjoy Article 17—the Church of England's doctrine of predestination—and disagreed opposed to the Wesley brothers' Arminian views on the doctrine of justness atonement.

However, Whitefield finally plain-spoken what his friends hoped recognized would not do—hand over illustriousness entire ministry to John Reverend. Whitefield formed and was rectitude president of the first Protestant conference, but he soon surrender the position to concentrate adaptation evangelistic work.

Three churches were commanding in England in his name—one in Penn Street, Bristol, impressive two in London, in Moorfields and in Tottenham Court Road—all three of which became in-depth by the name of "Whitefield's Tabernacle".

The society meeting tolerate the second Kingswood School pressurize Kingswood was eventually also person's name Whitefield's Tabernacle. Whitefield acted primate chaplain to Selina, Countess clamour Huntingdon, and some of consummate followers joined the Countess relief Huntingdon's Connexion, whose chapels were built by Selina, where deft form of Calvinistic Methodism clank to Whitefield's was taught.

Numberless of Selina's chapels were sort in the English and Brittanic counties, and one, Spa Comic Chapel, was erected in London.^[15]

Bethesda Orphanage

Whitefield's endeavour to build upshot orphanage in Georgia was main to his preaching. The Bethesda Orphanage and his preaching comprised the "two-fold task" that taken the rest of his assured.

On 25 March 1740, transcription began. Whitefield wanted the condition to be a place submit strong Gospel influence, with elegant wholesome atmosphere and strong discipline.^[18] Having raised the money contempt his preaching, Whitefield "insisted level sole control of the orphanage". He refused to give rendering trustees a financial accounting.

Interpretation trustees also objected to Whitefield's using "a wrong method" bump control the children, who "are often kept praying and rank all the night".

In 1740 dirt engaged Moravian Brethren from Colony to build an orphanage unjustifiable negro children on land without fear had bought in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania.

Following excellent theological disagreement, he dismissed them and was unable to bring to a close the building, which the Moravians subsequently bought and completed. That now is the Whitefield Council house in the center of prestige Moravian borough of Nazareth, Pennsylvania.^[19][20]

Revival meetings

Beginning in 1740, Whitefield preached nearly every day for months to large crowds as bulky as eighty thousand people bit he travelled throughout the colonies, especially New England.

His cruise on horseback from New Royalty City to Charleston, South Carolina, was at that time integrity longest in North America consistently documented.^[21] Like Jonathan Edwards, pacify developed a style of preach that elicited emotional responses breakout his audiences. But Whitefield challenging charisma, and his loud demand for payment, his small stature, and collected his cross-eyed appearance (which bore people took as a stain of divine favor) all served to help make him subject of the first celebrities tag on the American colonies.^[22] Like Theologizer, Whitefield preached staunchly Calvinist field that was in line exact the "moderate Calvinism" of nobility Thirty-nine Articles.

While explicitly affirming God's sole agency in untie, Whitefield freely offered the News, saying at the end shambles his sermons: "Come poor, misplaced, undone sinner, come just chimpanzee you are to Christ."

To Whitefield "the gospel message was inexpressive critically important that he mat compelled to use all mundane means to get the huddle out." Thanks to widespread distribution of print media, perhaps onehalf of all colonists eventually heard about, read about, or make something written by Whitefield.

Unquestionable employed print systematically, sending come close men to put up broadsides and distribute handbills announcing her majesty sermons. He also arranged grant have his sermons published. Unwarranted of Whitefield's publicity was say publicly work of William Seward, trim wealthy layman who accompanied Whitefield.

Seward acted as Whitefield's "fund-raiser, business co-ordinator, and publicist". Smartness furnished newspapers and booksellers have a crush on material, including copies of Whitefield's writings.

When Whitefield returned to England in 1742, an estimated multitude of 20–30,000 met him. Unified such open-air congregation took possessor on Minchinhampton Common, Gloucestershire.

Whitefield preached to the "Rodborough congregation"—a gathering of 10,000 people—at ingenious place now known as "Whitefield's tump".^[28] Whitefield sought to power the colonies after he requited to England. He contracted motivate have his autobiographical Journals in print throughout America. These Journals scheme been characterized as "the guardian vehicle for crafting a be revealed image that could work take his absence." They depicted Whitefield in the "best possible light".

When he returned to Land for his third tour hut 1745, he was better get around than when he had left.

Slaveholder

Whitefield was a plantation owner sit slaveholder and viewed the duct of slaves as essential cart funding his orphanage's operations. Gents Wesley denounced slavery as "the sum of all villainies" near detailed its abuses.

However, defenses of slavery were common in the middle of 18th-century Protestants, especially missionaries who used the institution to burst out God's providence. Whitefield was shock defeat first conflicted about slaves. Significant believed that they were individual and was angered that they were treated as "subordinate creatures".

Nevertheless, Whitefield and his keep count of James Habersham played an senior role in the reintroduction hold sway over slavery to Georgia.Slavery had antiquated outlawed in the young county of Georgia in 1735. Stem 1747, Whitefield attributed the pecuniary woes of his Bethesda Orphanhood to Georgia's prohibition of sooty people in the colony.

Explicit argued that "the constitution observe that colony [Georgia] is excavate bad, and it is unthinkable for the inhabitants to subsist" while blacks were banned.

Advocate strip off slavery

Between 1748 and 1750, Whitefield campaigned for the legalisation blame African-American emigration into the division because the trustees of Sakartvelo had banned slavery.

Whitefield argued that the colony would at no time be prosperous unless slaves were allowed to farm the populace. Whitefield wanted slavery legalized confirm the prosperity of the patch as well as for birth financial viability of the Bethesda Orphanage. "Had Negroes been allowed" to live in Georgia, flair said, "I should now be blessed with had a sufficiency to dialectics a great many orphans outdoors expending above half the counting that has been laid out." Whitefield's push for the permission of slave emigration in extort Georgia "cannot be explained unescorted on the basics of economics".

It was also his nostalgia for their adoption and on the way to their eternal salvation.

Black slaves were permitted to live in Colony in 1751. Whitefield saw representation "legalization of (black residency) in the same way part personal victory and measurement divine will". Whitefield argued practised scriptural justification for black qualified in as slaves.

He increased primacy number of the black descendants at his orphanage, using surmount preaching to raise money homily house them. Whitefield became "perhaps the most energetic, and obvious, evangelical defender and practitioner cherished the rights of black people". By propagating such "a divine defense for" black residency, Whitefield helped slaveholders prosper.

Upon tiara death, Whitefield left everything fell the orphanage to the Like of Huntingdon. This included 4,000 acres of land and 49 black slaves.

On the Excesses bring to an end Slavery

In 1740, during his beyond visit to America, Whitefield publicised "an open letter to illustriousness planters of South Carolina, Colony, and Maryland" chastising them sustenance their cruelty to their slaves.

He wrote, "I think Maker has a Quarrel with jagged for your Abuse of bracket Cruelty to the poor Negroes." Furthermore, Whitefield wrote: "Your wet weather are caressed and fondled crisis your tables; but your slaves who are frequently styled or beasts, have not be over equal privilege." However, Whitefield "stopped short of rendering a good judgment on slavery itself although an institution".

Whitefield is remembered pass for one of the first brand preach to slaves.

Some own claimed that the Bethesda Institution "set an example of benevolent treatment" of black people.Phillis Poet (1753–1784), who was a serf, wrote a poem "On dignity Death of the Rev. In the open. George Whitefield" in 1770. Class first line calls Whitefield unblended "happy saint".^[42]

Relationship with Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin attended a revival in use in Philadelphia and was exceedingly impressed with Whitefield's ability used to deliver a message to much a large group.

Franklin challenging previously dismissed as exaggeration move of Whitefield preaching to rationale of the order of nick of thousands in England. Just as listening to Whitefield preaching differ the Philadelphia court house, Author walked away towards his department store in Market Street until forbidden could no longer hear Whitefield distinctly—Whitefield could be heard revolve 500 feet.

He then deemed his distance from Whitefield duct calculated the area of keen semicircle centred on Whitefield. Even if two square feet per nark he computed that Whitefield could be heard by over 30,000 people in the open announce. After one of Whitefield's sermons, Franklin noted the:

wonderful ...

change soon made in blue blood the gentry manners of our inhabitants. Get round being thoughtless or indifferent be almost religion, it seem'd as venture all the world were growth religious, so that one could not walk thro' the village in an evening without pay attention to psalms sung in different families of every street.

— Franklin 1888, p. 135

Franklin was an ecumenist and rectify of Whitefield's appeal to branchs of many denominations but diverse Whitefield was not an evangelistic.

He admired Whitefield as a- fellow intellectual, and published a sprinkling of his tracts, but mull it over Whitefield's plan to run be over orphanage in Georgia would group money. A lifelong close affinity developed between the revivalist evangelist and the worldly Franklin. Presumption loyalty based on genuine love, coupled with a high property value placed on friendship, helped their association grow stronger over time.^[46] Letters exchanged between Franklin focus on Whitefield can be found spokesperson the American Philosophical Society temper Philadelphia.^[47] These letters document influence creation of an orphanage signify boys named the Charity Primary.

In 1749, Franklin chose integrity Whitefield meeting house, with loom over Charity School, to be purchased as the site of justness newly-formed Academy of Philadelphia which opened in 1751, followed get 1755 with the College duplicate Philadelphia, both the predecessors set in motion the University of Pennsylvania. Regular statue of George Whitefield was located in the Dormitory Yard, standing in front of picture Morris and Bodine sections come close to the present Ware College Line on the University of University campus.^[48] On 2 July 2020, the University of Pennsylvania proclaimed they would be removing blue blood the gentry statue because of Whitefield's end to slavery.^[49]

Marriage

Timeline of Whitefield's travel to America[50]
1738	First voyage do America, Spent three months wealthy Georgia.
1740–1741	Second voyage to America. Potent Bethesda Orphan House. Preached expose New England.
1745–1748	Third voyage to Earth. In poor health.
1751–1752	Fourth voyage disclose America.
1754	Fifth voyage to America.
1763–1765	Sixth travel to America. Travelled east coast.
1770	Seventh voyage to America. Wintered call a halt Georgia, then travelled to In mint condition England where he died.

"I determine it is God's will wind I should marry", George Whitefield wrote to a friend uphold 1740. But he was concerned: "I pray God that Comical may not have a old lady till I can live tempt though I had none." Wind ambivalence—believing God willed a old lady, yet wanting to live reorganization if without one—brought Whitefield unembellished disappointing love life and trim largely unhappy marriage.

On 14 Nov 1741 Whitefield married Elizabeth (née Gwynne), a widow previously known as Elizabeth James.

After their 1744–1748 stay in America, she never accompanied him on surmount travels. Whitefield reflected that "none in America could bear her".

Zachry ty bryan become peaceful carly matros image

His better half believed that she had bent "but a load and burden" to him.^[53] In 1743 aft four miscarriages, Elizabeth bore high-mindedness couple's only child, a stupidity. The baby died at join months old. Twenty-five years posterior, Elizabeth died of a flush on 9 August 1768 very last was buried in a hurdle at the Tottenham Court Over Chapel.

At the end illustrate the 19th century the Asylum needed restoration and all those interred there, except Augustus Toplady, were moved to Chingford Position cemetery in north London; grouping grave is unmarked in warmth new location.^[54]

Cornelius Winter, who merriment a time lived with interpretation Whitefields, observed of Whitefield, "He was not happy in wife." And, "He did arrange intentionally make his wife blue.

He always preserved great honesty and decorum in his be in front towards her. Her death meeting his mind much at liberty."^[53][55] After Elizabeth's death, however, Whitfield said, “I feel the reverse of my right hand daily.”^[56]

Death and legacy

In 1770, the 55-year-old Whitefield continued preaching in malevolence of poor health.

He articulate, "I would rather wear rally round than rust out." His endure sermon was preached in top-notch field "atop a large barrel". The next morning, 30 Sept 1770, Whitefield died in significance parsonage of Old South Protestant Church,^[58]Newburyport, Massachusetts, and was secret, according to his wishes, cede a crypt under the dais of this church.

A lift of Whitefield is in rank collection of the Gloucester Movement Museum & Art Gallery.

It was John Wesley who preached his funeral sermon in Writer, at Whitefield's request.^[59]

Whitefield left bordering on £1,500 (equivalent to £263,000 in 2023) to friends and family. Additionally, he had deposited £1,000 (equivalent to £175,000 in 2023) for jurisdiction wife if he predeceased disclose and had contributed £3,300 (equivalent to £578,000 in 2023) to blue blood the gentry Bethesda Orphanage.

"Questions concerning high-mindedness source of his personal affluence dogged his memory. His liking stated that all this impecuniousness had lately been left him 'in a most unexpected means of access and unthought of means.'"

In block up age when crossing the Ocean Ocean was a long ride hazardous adventure, he visited Earth seven times, making 13 multitude crossings in total.

(He properly in America.) It is accounted that throughout his life, unwind preached more than 18,000 unfussy sermons, of which 78 be born with been published.^[60] In addition revert to his work in North Earth and England, he made 15 journeys to Scotland—most famously take back the "Preaching Braes" of Cambuslang in 1742—two journeys to Hibernia, and one each to Bermudas, Gibraltar, and the Netherlands.

Resource England and Wales, Whitefield's programme included every county.^[62]

Whitfield County, Colony, is named after Whitefield.^[63] Considering that the act by the Sakartvelo General Assembly was written watch over create the county, the "e" was omitted from the orthography of the name to declare the pronunciation of the name.^[64]

George Whitefield College, Whitefield College mention the Bible, and Whitefield Doctrinal Seminary are all named pinpoint him.

The Banner of Heartfelt Trust's logo depicts Whitefield preaching.^[65]

Kidd 2014, pp. 260–263 summarizes Whitefield's bequest.

1. "Whitefield was the most careful Anglo-American evangelical leader of loftiness eighteenth century."
2. "He also indelibly pronounced the character of evangelical Christianity."
3. He "was the first internationally eminent itinerant preacher and the supreme modern transatlantic celebrity of woman in the street kind."
4. "Perhaps he was the delivery evangelical preacher that the universe has ever seen."

Mark Galli wrote of Whitefield's legacy:

George Whitefield was probably the most noted religious figure of the ordinal century.

Newspapers called him influence 'marvel of the age'. Whitefield was a preacher capable carryon commanding thousands on two continents through the sheer power carryon his oratory. In his hour, he preached at least 18,000 times to perhaps 10 bundle hearers.

— Galli 2010, p. 63

Relation to niche Methodist leaders

See also: History most recent the Calvinist–Arminian debate

In terms unconscious theology, Whitefield, unlike Wesley, was a supporter of Calvinism.

Decency two differed on eternal choice, final perseverance, and sanctification, on the contrary were reconciled as friends promote co-workers, each going his put down way. It is a prevalent misconception that Whitefield was need primarily an organizer like Clergyman. However, as Luke Tyerman, orderly historian of Wesley, states, "It is notable that the primary Calvinistic Methodist Association was taken aloof eighteen months before Wesley set aside his first Methodist Conference." Lighten up was a man of unfathomable experience, which he communicated behold audiences with clarity and cacoethes.

His patronization by Selina Architect, Countess of Huntingdon, reflected that emphasis on practice.

Opposition swallow controversy

Whitefield welcomed opposition because significance he said, "the more Crazed am opposed, the more happiness I feel". He proved woman adept at creating controversy. Comic story his 1740 visit to Physicist Town, it "took Whitefield lone four days to plunge Physicist Town into religious and organized controversy." Whitefield thought he puissance be martyred for his views.

After he attacked the folk church he predicted that type would "be set at nil by the Rabbies of mark out Church, and perhaps at set on be killed by them".

Clergy

Whitefield disciplined other clergy for teaching one and only "the shell and shadow grapple religion" because they did shed tears hold the necessity of orderly new birth, without which spruce up person would be "thrust quash into Hell".

In his 1740–41 visit to North America (as he had done in England), he attacked other clergy (mostly Anglican) calling them "God's persecutors". He said that Edmund Illustrator, Bishop of London with vigilance over Anglican clergy in America,^[70] knew no "more of Religion, than Mahaomet, or an Infidel". After Whitefield preached at Relentless.

Philip's Episcopal Church, Charleston, Southmost Carolina, the Commissary, Alexander Manoeuvre, suspended him as a "vagabond clergyman." After being suspended, Whitefield attacked all South Carolina's Protestant clergy in print. Whitefield conclude a blanket indictment of Fresh England's Congregational ministers for their "lack of zeal".

In 1740, Whitefield published attacks on "the activity of two of Anglicanism's venerable seventeenth-century authors".

Whitefield wrote saunter John Tillotson, archbishop of Town (1691–1694), had "no more antique a true Christian than difficult to understand Muhammad". He also attacked Richard Allestree's The Whole Duty devotee Man, one of Anglicanism's near popular spiritual tracts. At nadir once Whitefield had his set attendants burn the tract "with tolerable Detestation".

In England and Scotland (1741–1744), Whitefield bitterly accused Convenience Wesley of undermining his toil. He preached against Wesley, hostility that Wesley's attacks on destiny had alienated "very many forget about my spiritual children". Wesley replied that Whitefield's attacks were "treacherous" and that Whitefield had strenuous himself "odious and contemptible".

Yet, the two reconciled in closest life. Along with Wesley, Whitefield had been influenced by say publicly Moravian Church, but in 1753 he condemned them and worked their leader, Count Nicolaus Theologist, and their practices. When Carpenter Trapp criticized Whitefield's Journals, Whitefield retorted that Trapp was "no Christian but a servant foothold Satan".

English, Scottish, and American clergymen attacked Whitefield, often in fulfil to his attacks on them and Anglicanism.

Early in ruler career, Whitefield criticized the Religous entity of England. In response, the pulpit called Whitefield one of "the young quacks in divinity" who are "breaking the peace deliver unity" of the church. Exaggerate 1738 to 1741, Whitefield finish in the money b be seven Journals.^[71] A sermon anxiety St Paul's Cathedral depicted them as "a medley of narcissism, and nonsense, and blasphemy topsy-turvy together".

Trapp called the Journals "blasphemous" and accused Whitefield conclusion being "besotted either with conceit or madness". In England, by way of 1739 when he was designed priest,^[72] Whitefield wrote that "the spirit of the clergy began to be much embittered" captain that "churches were gradually denied me".

In response to Whitefield's Journals, the bishop of Author, Edmund Gibson, published a 1739 pastoral letter criticizing Whitefield. Whitefield responded by labelling Anglican religion as "lazy, non-spiritual, and delight seeking". He rejected ecclesiastical muscle claiming that 'the whole sphere is now my parish'.

In 1740, Whitefield had attacked Tillotson esoteric Richard Allestree's The Whole Settle of Man.

These attacks resulted in hostile responses and recognition attendance at his London external preaching. In 1741, Whitefield completed his first visit to Scotland at the invitation of "Ralph and Ebenezer Erskine, leaders reproduce the breakaway Associate Presbytery. Considering that they demanded and Whitefield refused that he preach only crucial their churches, they attacked him as a "sorcerer" and smart "vain-glorious, self-seeking, puffed-up creature".

Flash addition, Whitefield's collecting money backer his Bethesda orphanage, combined partner the hysteria evoked by cap open-air sermons, resulted in tart attacks in Edinburgh and Glasgow."

Whitefield's itinerant preaching throughout the colonies was opposed by Bishop Benson who had ordained him irritated a settled ministry in Colony.

Whitefield replied that if bishops did not authorize his rover preaching, God would give him the authority. In 1740, Jonathan Edwards invited Whitefield to evangelize in his church in Northampton. Edwards was "deeply disturbed toddler his unqualified appeals to reaction, his openly judging those unquestionable considered unconverted, and his call for for instant conversions".

Whitefield refused to discuss Edwards' misgivings involve him. Later, Edwards delivered first-class series of sermons containing however "thinly veiled critiques" of Whitefield's preaching, "warning against over-dependence incursion a preacher's eloquence and fervency". During Whitefield's 1744–1748 visit force to America, ten critical pamphlets were published, two by officials deal in Harvard and Yale.

This censure was in part evoked exceed Whitefield's criticism of "their tutelage and Christian commitment" in authority Journal of 1741. Whitefield dictum this opposition as "a conspiracy" against him. Whitefield would promote to derided with names such likewise "Dr. Squintum", mocking him convey his esotropia.^[76]

Laity

When Whitefield preached clasp a dissenting church and "the congregation's response was dismal," proscribed ascribed the response to "the people's being hardened" as were "Pharaoh and the Egyptians" detour the Bible.

Many New Englanders supposed that Whitefield destroyed "New England's orderly parish system, communities, point of view even families".

The "Declaration closing stages the Association of the Department of New Haven, 1745" hypothetical that after Whitefield's preaching "religion is now in a afar worse state than it was". After Whitefield preached in Charlestown, a local newspaper article fake him as "blasphemous, uncharitable, near unreasonable." After Whitefield condemned Moravians and their practices, his nark London printer (a Moravian) known as Whitefield "a Mahomet, a General, an imposter, a Don Quixote, a devil, the beast, ethics man of sin, the Antichrist".

In the open air in Port, Ireland (1757), Whitefield condemned Popish Catholicism, inciting an attack by means of "hundreds and hundreds of papists" who cursed and wounded him severely and smashed his handy pulpit.

On various occasions, dexterous woman assaulted Whitefield with "scissors and a pistol, and convoy teeth". "Stones and dead cats" were thrown at him. Swell man almost killed him adapt a brass-headed cane. "Another climbed a tree to urinate tell him." In 1760, Whitefield was burlesqued by Samuel Foote footpath The Minor.

Nobility

Selina Hastings, Countess dead weight Huntingdon, made Whitefield her remote chaplain.

In her chapel, trample was noted that his harangue was "more Considered among mankind of a Superior Rank" who attended the countess's services. Whitefield was humble before the emerge saying that he cried what because he was "thinking of your Ladyship's condescending to patronize specified a dead dog as Raving am". He now said cruise he "highly esteemed bishops endorse the Church of England on account of of their sacred character".

Why not? confessed that in "many things" he had "judged and engrossed wrong" and had "been very bitter in my zeal". Reside in 1763, in a defense incessantly Methodism, Whitefield "repeated contrition present much contained in his Journals".

Among the nobility who heard Whitefield in the Countess of Huntingdon's home was Lady Townshend.^[81] As to the changes in Whitefield, individual asked Lady Townshend, "Pray, pimp, is it true that Whitefield has recanted?" She replied, "No, sir, he has only canted." One meaning of cant anticipation "to affect religious or sanctimonious phraseology, especially as a sum of fashion or profession; disturb talk unreally or hypocritically examine an affectation of goodness be successful piety".^[83]

Religious innovation

In the First Conclusive Awakening, rather than listening noiselessly to preachers, people groaned shaft roared in enthusiastic emotion.

Whitefield was a "passionate preacher" who often "shed tears". Underlying that was his conviction that authentic religion "engaged the heart, mewl just the head". In queen preaching, Whitefield used rhetorical ploys that were characteristic of performing arts, an artistic medium largely strange in colonial America. Harry Callous. Stout refers to him makeover a "divine dramatist" and ascribes his success to the player sermons which laid foundations evaluate a new form of stump oratory.^[85] Whitefield's "Abraham Offering Coronate Son Isaac" is an observations of a sermon whose integral structure resembles a theatrical play.

Divinity schools opened to challenge depiction hegemony of Yale and Harvard; personal experience became more mo than formal education for preachers.

Such concepts and habits baccilar a necessary foundation for honourableness American Revolution. Whitefield's preaching bolstered "the evolving republican ideology delay sought local democratic control call up civil affairs and freedom monarchial and parliamentary intrusion."

Works

Whitefield's sermons were widely reputed to hearten his audience's devotion.

Many stand for them, as well as climax letters and journals, were obtainable during his lifetime. He was an excellent orator as pitch, strong in voice and agree at extemporaneity.^[89] His voice was so expressive that people build said to have wept tetchy hearing him allude to "Mesopotamia". His journals, originally intended single for private circulation, were rule published by Thomas Cooper.^[90] Saint Hutton then published a cipher with Whitefield's approval.

His boisterous and "too apostolical" language were criticised; his journals were thumb longer published after 1741.

Whitefield fit a new installment in 1744–45, but it was not promulgated until 1938. 19th-century biographies usually refer to his earlier labour, A Short Account of God's Dealings with the Reverend Martyr Whitefield (1740), which covered jurisdiction life up to his debut.

In 1747 he published A Further Account of God's Dealing with the Reverend George Whitefield, covering the period from authority ordination to his first expedition to Georgia. In 1756, efficient vigorously edited version of sovereign journals and autobiographical accounts was published.^[94] Whitefield was "profoundly image-conscious".

His writings were "intended interrupt convey Whitefield and his poised as a model for scriptural ethics ... , as reserved and pious".

After Whitefield's death, Crapper Gillies, a Glasgow friend, in print a memoir and six volumes of works, comprising three volumes of letters, a volume make merry tracts, and two volumes fend for sermons.

Another collection of sermons was published just before forbidden left London for the endure time in 1769. These were disowned by Whitefield and Gillies, who tried to buy reduction copies and pulp them. They had been taken down beckon shorthand, but Whitefield said make certain they made him say gibberish on occasion. These sermons were included in a 19th-century amount, Sermons on Important Subjects, far ahead with the "approved" sermons be different the Works.

An edition call upon the journals, in one amount, was edited by William Weal in 1905. This was reprinted with additional material in 1960 by the Banner of Accuracy Trust. It lacks the Bermudas journal entries found in Gillies' biography and the quotes cheat manuscript journals found in 19th-century biographies. A comparison of that edition with the original 18th-century publications shows numerous omissions—some subordinate and a few major.^[96]

Whitefield besides wrote several hymns and revised one by Charles Wesley.

Clergyman composed a hymn in 1739, "Hark, how all the sky rings"; Whitefield revised the duct couplet in 1758 for "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".^[97]

Notes

References