George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

ASSAILED BY THE BISHOPS 217
nection with many similar expressions of Whitefield, a sufficient
explanation of the firm union between these distinguished
Christians :
' I am one of the least of God's children,' said
Doddridge, ' and yet a child ; and that is my daily joy.
Indeed, I feel my love to Him increase ; I struggle forwards
towards Him ; and look at Him, as it were, sometimes with
tears of love, when, in the midst of the hurries of life, I cannot
speak to Him otherwise than by an ejaculation.'
Other persons of a different communion, and more exalted
in station than Neal, were trying as well as he what could be
done in a secret way to damage the Methodists in general,
and Whitefield in particular. The mean attempt to sever
Doddridge from his friend was probably never known to its
intended victim ; but this other meaner work of an enemy,
or rather enemies, did come to his knowledge. On
January 26, 1744, the following advertisement appeared in
London :
' Whereas some anonymous papers against the people called Methodists
in general, and myself and friends in particular, have been for some weeks
printed in a large edition, and handed about and read in the religious
societies of the cities of London and Westminster, and given into the hands
of many private persons, with strict injunctions to lend them to no one,
nor let them go out of their hands to any, and whereas, after having had
the hasty perusal of them, I find many queries of great importance con-
cerning me and my conduct contained therein ; and as it appears that one
paper has little or no connection with another, and a copy, when applied
for, was refused me, and I know not how soon I may embark for Georgia,
1 am therefore obliged hereby to desire a speedy open publication of the
aforesaid papers, in order that a candid, impartial answer may be made
thereto by me.
' George Whitefield.'
Rumour was not silent about the authorship of the secret
papers ; no less a personage than the Bishop of London was
singled out as their writer. Whitefield, accordingly, with the