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dove.' To overcome his unholy aversion he gave himself to prayer, and to the study of a fictitious character, 'Ourania,' which William Law has sketched in his 'Serious Call to a Devout Life,' as a pattern of humility. The unlovely rustics became more pleasant to his eye, and he found, what everybody finds who goes amongst the poor with a warm heart, that their conversation, artless, honest, and fresh, was full of instruction and stimulus; his new friends successfully contended for his heart against the old ones. It became no unpalatable duty to go and visit them, seeing they often taught him as much in an afternoon as he could learn by a week's private study. He imbibed the spirit of the Apostle, who was ready to become all things to all men, if by any means he might save some;' the spirit, too, of a greater than St. Paul, whom the common people heard gladly.'

His friend had also set him a good example of method in his work, which he wisely followed. Public prayers were read twice a day-in the morning before the people went out to work, and in the evening after they returned; children were also catechised daily, and the people visited from house to house. His day was divided into three parts; eight hours for study and retirement; eight for sleep and meals; and eight for reading prayers, catechising, and visiting the parish.

During this visit he had an invitation to a profitable curacy in London, no doubt through his London labours; but it was declined. A more inviting, because a more difficult and more trying, sphere of labour was Georgia, to which he was now called in a way earnest enough to arouse all the enthusiasm of his ardent soul, and plain enough to leave him without a doubt that God willed that he should go. While the agreeable quietude and holy companionships of Oxford were continued to him, Georgia was not thought of; but removal from them revived all the agitation and anxiety that he had felt

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when Georgian news first reached him at the Tower. A predisposition in favour of the new colony was in process of formation when, in December, news came of the return of Charles Wesley. Next there came a letter from his old friend, stating that he had come over for labourers; but adding, with reference to Whitefield,— I dare not prevent God's nomination.' A few days elapsed, and a letter came from John, couched in stronger and less diffident language than Charles had used. So strange and unexpected are the changes which come over the course of events in life, that Wesley, who was shortly to leave America, and never again visit it, could write in this urgent and confident way-' Only Mr. Delamotte is with me, till God shall stir up the hearts of some of His servants, who, putting their lives in their hands, shall come over and help us, where the harvest is so great, and the labourers so few. What if thou art the man, Mr. Whitefield?' Another of his letters, by presenting to Whitefield's mind nothing but heavenly rewards, was still better calculated to secure his cooperation-Do you ask me,' he says, what you shall have? Food to eat, and raiment to put on, a house to lay your head in such as your Master had not, and a crown of glory that fadeth not away.' As Whitefield read, his heart leaped within him, and echoed to the call. The call was heaven-sent, if ever any call has been.

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The United States, then a line of English colonies, were to share largely in Whitefield's labours, and he as largely in their kindness and generosity; and that hand which was beckoning him to their shore, was quietly and effectually undoing the ties which held him to England. Mr. Kinchin obtained the appointment of Dean of Corpus Christi, and could take Whitefield's place as the leader of Methodism at Oxford. Mr. Hervey was ready to serve the cure of Dummer. No place would suffer from Whitefield's departure, and there seemed to be a necessity for

him to help Georgia, which was a young, increasing colony, enjoying much favour from the home government. Besides, there were many Indians near the colony, and Whitefield felt the stirrings of a missionary spirit. As for the old hindrance of his supposed inability to endure a sea voyage, it was disposed of by the report that the sea was sometimes beneficial to feeble people. In any case, whether the experiment turned out well or ill, he would have to return for priest's orders, and it would then be for him to decide where his field of labour was to be. In short, the decision was given in favour of Georgia, and in a way that made alteration almost out of the question. Neither Oxford friends nor Gloucester relations were this time consulted; but a firm, personal resolution was made, which nothing was to be allowed to assail. Relations were informed of his intentions, but told that he would not so much as come to bid them farewell, unless they promised not to dissuade him; for he said that he knew his own weakness.

However, his weakness so far gained upon him as to send him down to Gloucester on New Year's Day, 1736-7, after he had said goodbye to his friends at Oxford; and his strength had so much increased that he succeeded in abiding by his purpose. Bishop Benson welcomed him as a father, approved of his design, wished him success, and said, 'I do not doubt but God will bless you, and that you will do much good abroad.' But his own relations at first were not so passive. His mother wept sore' which was both to his credit and hers. Others tempted him with base words, which must have buttressed his citadel, instead of undermining it; they urged what pretty preferments he might have if he would stay at home.' He showed no wavering, and the opposition ceased.

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This farewell visit was marked by that constant industry which distinguished him to the last. He preached often

FIRST SERMON AT BRISTOL.

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enough to grow a little popular,' and to gather large congregations, which were moved by the word of God. In three weeks he went to Bristol to take leave of his friends there; and again he preached, undertaking duty this time in an unexpected way. It being his custom, go where he might, to attend the daily services of the Church, he went to St. John's to hear a sermon. When prayers were over, and the psalm was being sung, the minister came to him and asked him to preach. Having his notes about him, he complied.' The next day the same thing was repeated at St. Stephen's, but this time the alarm' excited by his preaching was so widespread, that, on the following Sunday, crowds of people, of all denominations, Quakers, Baptists, Presbyterians, &c.' flocked to the churches where he had to officiate, and many were unable to find admission. The civic authorities paid him respect, the mayor appointing him to preach before himself and the corporation. For some time following he preached all the lectures on week-days, and twice on Sundays, besides visiting the religious societies.' As always, so now, he preached with power and with the Holy Ghost; and the new doctrines-new as compared with the prevalent teaching of the times-of justification by faith and the new birth made their way like lightning into the hearers' consciences.' It is touching to mark the holy jealousy with which, amid the city's excitement and eagerness to hear him, he entreated a friend-Oh! pray, dear Mr. H., that God would always keep me humble, and fully convinced that I am nothing without Him, and that all the good which is done upon earth, God doth it Himself.'

CHAPTER III.

March, 1737-March, 1738.

APPOINTED CHAPLAIN TO THE GEORGIAN COLONY-FIRST POPULARITY—

FIRST VOYAGE.

GEORGIA was the last colony founded in America by England. Its charter was dated the ninth day of June, 1732; its name was given in honour of George II. Reasons, partly political and partly philanthropical, actuated the original Trustees of the colony and the imperial government in undertaking the work. The chief political reason was, that the Spaniards and the French were likely to disturb the possessions already held by the British crown on the American sea-board, and Georgia was intended to be an outpost for holding them in check. How its exposed position caused Whitefield and his friends no little anxiety will by-and-by appear.

The philanthropical reason was discovered by James Oglethorpe, who, as a commissioner for inquiring into the state of the gaols throughout the kingdom, had found out how vast and how intense was the misery hidden in them. His attention was especially directed to the state of poor debtors, many of whom had been so long in confinement that when, at his intercession with Parliament, they were released, they went out both friendless and helpless. It was necessary to find a home for them, and not leave them to face fresh temptations and fresh risks of finding their way back to prison. The population of England was also thought to be greater than the country could well sustain; and Oglethorpe anticipated the satis

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