George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

RE VELS A T BA SINGSTOKE 1 05
geniality. But he could not keep down his tremendous
earnestness, or, rather, he could not bring into action along
with it the lighter qualities which have their part to play in the
intercourse of life. His soul was absorbed in the one thought
of winning the people for his Saviour. The crowds which
were to assemble at the revel the next day were resolved to
have their coarse pleasures and sins ; nor do the authorities
seem to have had any serious intention, except that of hindering
the preacher and sheltering them. There seems reason to
believe that Whitefield had purposely come on the day of the
revel, and if he did, his wisdom may be questioned ; for the
people had time to become exasperated before his arrival, and
that conquering influence which he generally threw over his
audiences had no fair chance to exert itself. Landlords,
showmen, cudgellers, wrestlers, and their attendant rabble
were sure to be active on the side of their interests ; and thus
the whole town had been set against him before he entered it.
However, being resolved to go on with his work, he went at
eight o'clock in the morning into a field to preach. One had
said that he should never come out alive, and another that the
drum should beat close by him, but nothing occurred to hinder
him from speaking freely against revelling. Only in going to
and fro from the field did he meet with any unpleasantness ;
the rabble and the boys saluted him and called him 'strange
names.'
He mounted to take his departure, but, he says :
' As I passed by on horseback, I saw a stage ; and as I rode further, I
met divers coming to the revel which affected me so much I had no rest
in my spirit. And therefore, having asked counsel of God, and perceiving
an unusual warmth and power enter into my soul, though I was gone above
a mile, I could not bear to see so many dear souls, for whom Christ had
died, ready to perish, and no minister or magistrate interpose. Upon this
I told my dear fellow-travellers that I was resolved to follow the example
of Ilowel Harris in Wales, and Id bear my testimony against such lying