George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

FRIENDSHIP OF CHARLES WESLEY 13
the two students formed a life-long, honourable friendship.
Forty years afterwards Charles wrote of their meeting with
much tenderness and warmth
'Can I the memorable day forget,
When first we by Divine appointment met?
Where undisturbed the thoughtful student roves,
In search of truth, through academic groves
A modest, pensive youth, who mused alone,
Industrious the frequented path to shun.
An Israelite, without disguise or art,
I saw, I loved, and clasped him to my heart,
A stranger as my bosom friend caressed,
And unawares received an angel-guest.'
Charles Wesley put into the hands of his guest Professor
Francke's treatise against the 'Fear of Man,' and the ' Country
Parson's Advice to his Parishioners.' Whitefield then took his
departure.
The most interesting part of the spiritual life of Whitefield
begins at this point, up to which there has been an uncertain,
varying war carried on against sin, coupled with many
defeated attempts to attain to a severe form of external piety.
After the period just to be opened to our view he never
becomes entangled in doubts concerning the Divine method
of saving sinners, and never hesitates between rival plans of
practical living. He tried all the three great plans of being a
Christian and of serving God which have gained favour with
large sections of mankind ;
and finding satisfaction in the one
which he ultimately adopted, he felt no temptation ever after-
wards to leave it. Already, as we have seen, he has had large
experience of the effects upon conscience and heart of the
method which theologians call ' salvation by works ; ' and yet
he is neither at peace with God, nor established in a godly
life. He is more satisfied that he is on the right track, and