George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

94
GEORGE WHITEFIELD
so, most likely, had the congregation on the common, on the
evening of the same day—a congregation which was reckoned
to consist of between thirty and forty thousand persons on foot
besides many horsemen, and about eighty coaches. The sight
that evening was such as surprised even Whitefield, well-
accustomed as he had become to look down upon vast crowds.
Quick, enterprising men, who perhaps would have had as
much pleasure, if not a little more, in erecting stands on a
racecourse, or stalls at a wake, saw that a sunshiny day for
trade had come, and soon provided accommodation in the
shape of waggons, scaffolds, and other contrivances ; and the
audience gladly paid for it. There was a pew-rent and a
collection at every service ; but with this advantage, that no
official brought the collecting-box round, and no hearer was
compelled to occupy a stand or go without the privilege of
hearing.
It is said that the singing of these congregations could be
heard two miles off, and Whitefi eld's voice nearly a mile.
Much as Whitefield felt the importance of his work, deeply
persuaded as he was that God had called him to it, and
encouraging as were the sympathy and help of the people, he
was not able to throw off some sense of discomfort arising
from his being an outcast from the sanctuary and pulpits of
his Church, and from his having to gather his money for the
orphan-house in such an irregular way. Something of this
feeling manifests itself in an entry in his journal while he was
in the first flush of his out-door popularity :
' I doubt not,' he says, ' but many self-righteous bigots, when they see
me spreading out my hands to offer Jesus Christ freely to all, are ready to
cry out, " How glorious did the Rev. Mr. Whitefield look to-day, when,
neglecting the dignity of a clergyman, he stood venting his enthusiastic
ravings in a gown and cassock upon a common, and collecting mites from
the poor people ! " But if this is to be vile, Lord grant that I may be