George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

^06 GEORGE WHITEFIELD
in the holidays once more to attack the prince of darkness in
Moorfields ; for, said he, ' many
precious souls have been
captivated with Christ's love in that wicked place : Jerusalem
sinners bring most glory to the Redeemer.' Besides, there
was a bond of sympathy between that wicked place and
Bethesda. Many a load of copper, sprinkled here and there
with golden guineas, and whitened with a few crowns and
shillings, had been gathered from among the crowd for the
orphans ; and the old kindness towards the preacher and his
adopted ones was not extinct. Moorfields lifted the last straw
of obligation in England from Whitefield's back on the second
occasion of his getting free.
The incessant toil was making itself felt on that slim body
which contained a spirit of seraphic devotion. In about three
weeks, he says, he travelled about four hundred miles, spent
three days in attending two associations, preached about forty
times, visited about thirteen towns, and passed through seven
counties ! No wonder weariness and feebleness hung about
it for a time, but preaching was continued at the same rate, the
only relief being in the shorter distances travelled. The loving
heart made light of the body's weakness, and enjoyed for itself
all the more deeply the secret consolations which come from
above. It became so full of heaven that Whitefield sometimes
longed when in public to lie down anywhere, that on his face
he might give God thanks ; and when in private he wept for
hours the tears of his consuming love for his Lord.
' In perils by mine own countrymen ' was another experience
through which he and his friends were now called to pass.
Wiltshire had for some time been in commotion through the
animosity of several clergymen, and Whitefield felt himself
obliged to put the facts before the Bishop of Sarum, who,
however, does not seem to have interfered to stop the disgrace-
ful proceedings. Churchwardens and overseers were strictly