George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

156 GEORGE WHITEEIELD
cautions about his notions on impulses, and his habit of
judging others to be unconverted. They, indeed, loved each
other as servants of the same Lord, and rejoiced in each
other's work. Edwards might be seen sitting weeping while
his visitor preached.
From Northampton he passed on to other places. At New
Haven he dined with the rector of the college, Mr. Clap.
The aged governor of the town also received him with tears
of joy. His preaching here was upon the subject of an
unconverted ministry, and he did not altogether avoid his
Cambridge fault of censuring too hastily and too severely.
Riding through Milford, Stratford, Fairfield, and Newark, at
each of which he preached, he came to Stanford, where his
words smote with unusual effect. Many ministers hung upon
his track, and at Stanford two of them confessed, with much
sorrow, that they had laid hands on two young men without
asking them whether they were born again of God or not.
An old minister, who could not declare his heart publicly,
called Whitefield and his friend Mr. Noble out, to beg, as well
as his choking emotions would allow him, their prayers on
his behalf. He said that although he had been a scholar,
and had preached the doctrines of grace a long time, he
believed that he had never felt the power of them in his own
soul.
At this point Whitefield set up his ' Ebenezer ' and gave
God thanks for sending him to New England, of which he
speaks in the highest terms. It was well settled ; large towns
were planted all along the east of it ; meeting-houses abounded
no such thing as a pluralist or non-resident minister could be
found ; the colleges had trained many men of God ; God was
honoured in private and public life ; and
often been poured out upon churches and people.
the Holy Spirit had
It was with but a desponding heart, and not expecting any