CHAP. since" every preacher and every member may XIX. "leave me when he pleases." His defence reMETHO- moved dissatisfaction, or, at least, silenced complaint. DISM. The labours of Whitefield were not less strenuous than Wesley's. He had, in some measure, become reconciled with his former colleague, although their tenets on predestination still continued entirely opposed. Whitefield found, however, a powerful patroness and coadjutor in Selina Shirley, Countess of Huntingdon, who devoted her long life and ample income to the promotion of Calvinistic Methodism. The laymen educated at her college, and sent forth at her expense, and called, after her, My Lady's preachers," vied with the followers of Wesley in activity and enthusiasm, though not in organisation and numbers. Whitefield himself was certainly no common man. His published works would give a very mean idea of his capacity; but in this they resembled the written compositions of the Italian improvisatori, which are always so far beneath their sudden flow of verse; and his admirable eloquence and effect in preaching are recorded on the highest testimony. None, perhaps, is stronger than that of a cool reasoner, seldom stirred by eloquence, and still more rarely swerving from his purpose Benjamin Franklin. The philosopher and the preacher had had a discussion respecting an orphan-house at Savannah, to which Franklin refused to subscribe. "I happened soon "after," says he, "to attend one of Mr. White DISM. "field's sermons, in the course of which I per- CHAP. "ceived he intended to finish with a collection, XIX. "and I silently resolved he should get nothing METHO"from me. I had in my pocket a handful of "copper money, three or four silver dollars, and "five pistoles in gold. As he proceeded, I began "to soften, and concluded to give the copper; "another stroke of his oratory made me ashamed "of that, and determined me to give the silver; "and he finished so admirably, that I emptied my "pocket wholly into the collection, gold and all.” It appears, however, that in general his manner was theatrical and his language indiscreet. It was his custom to stretch out his arm and bid the people "look yonder," and then refer to our Lord's Passion as if actually present before them: "Hark! "hark! do you not hear!" Whenever he related how St. Peter went out and wept bitterly, he had ready a fold of his gown to hide his own face. Such little arts are seldom found with sincerity, yet no preacher was ever more zealous and fervent than Whitefield. Even the pressure of deadly illness could not check his activity. When, in 1770, having passed over to America, and suffering from asthma, he was entreated by his friends to spare himself, his answer was, "I had rather wear out "than rust out;" accordingly he persevered in his exertions, and expired in the course of the same year. I have now concluded my short sketch of this CHAP. remarkable society. It is not easy to avoid offence, XIX. where offence is so hastily taken; but it has been METHO- my anxious desire to say nothing that should DISM. wound the feelings or insult the doctrines of others. I have endeavoured to advance no assertion without adding some proof or instance of it, and I have selected these proofs in the manner most favourable to the Methodists—not from the charges of their opponents - not from the publications of their - unauthorised or less eminent ministers - but from A hundred years Thus, then, stands the case. ago the churchman was slack in his duty, and slumbering at his post. It was the voice of an XIX. DISM. enthusiast that roused the sleeper. Truth must CHAP. condemn alike the overstrained excitement of the one, and the untimely supineness of the other. METHO But the progress of time, and, still more, of mutual emulation, has corrected the defects of each. Sleep has never again fallen on the churchman; enthu siasm has, in a great degree, departed from the Methodist. So closely have the two persuasions drawn to each other, that they are now separated on no essential points, and by little more than the shadowy lines of prejudice and habit. It might be well for the followers of Wesley seriously to ponder whether, in still continuing apart from the Church, they do not keep up a distinction without a difference, whether, by joining the Church, they would not best serve the cause of true religion, and disappoint the machinations of their common enemies. Sure I am, at least, that if Wesley himself were now alive, he would feel and act in this manner; had the Church been in his time what it is in ours, he would never have left it; and were he to behold these times, he would acknowledge, that the establishment which once wanted efficiency, now stands in need of nothing but support. Were Wesley himself alive in these later times, he would surely exclaim, though in words more impressive than mine-Happy they who have grown up in the creed of their fathers, and who join in communion with the great body of their country DISM. CHAP. men ! To them the church bells are music, to XIX. them the church path is a way of pleasantness and METHO- peace! Long may they look with veneration and attachment to that time-worn spire where their infancy was blessed in baptism, where their manhood has drawn in the words of consolation, and where their remains will finally repose! |