Whitfield's Revivals

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 8, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 14.

Whitfield's Revivals.

It may be interesting and profitable to note two facts in connection with the great work of this man of God.

1. They are coupled with foreign missions.

George Whitfield had shown some success as pastor through his great faithfulness and real ability. But while he was waiting for a church to be given by his bishop, after having entered upon the first stage of ordination, he decided to accept the foreign charge of Georgia in America. It took as long in 1738 to go to Georgia from England as it now takes to go from the United States to India. Then Georgia was a wilderness, and far more sickly than our Midnapore. Friends sought to dissuade Whitfield from this foreign charge. They told him of his talent, and of some large curacy to which he would be preferred at home. But Whitfield stood firm. There were some months before his ship would sail for Georgia. He meanwhile occupied his time in going about England, preaching and making an acquaintance with the churches as he was invited; and at once a most remarkable work began. Thousands flocked to hear the young preacher who had sacrificed himself to go to Georgia. The Spirit came with power upon preacher and hearers. Sinners by hundreds were melted. Whitfield went to bid his friends farewell at Bristol. He was invited to preach. The record says: 'All denominations hastened to hear him. The whole city seemed to be alarmed.' So from city to city, always with the same power, was he invited over England till the day he sailed.

2. His remarkable work occurred, too, in connection with giving.

In Georgia, Whitfield soon found he needed funds with which to provide for children made orphans by the pestilence with which that new climate swept away parents. Whitfield soon returned to England to solicit funds for his orphanage, and to complete his ordination. His zeal soon aroused the enmity of his brethren in the episcopacy. They refused him their pulpits. He, led by God, betook himself to commons and to groves. Thus he collected for his orphanage; but best of all, he gathered a rich harvest of souls for the garner of his Lord. Concerning Georgia, Whitfield says: 'Thus the place I intended to hide myself in became, through my being obliged to return for these purposes, a means of increasing that popularity which was already begun, but which, by me, was absolutely unforeseen, and absolutely undesigned.'—Morning Star.