George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

THE CHURCH IN VIRGINIA 237
feast. As his own house was soon crowded to excess, a
meeting-house had to be built, and many quiet, solemn
evenings were spent in it, tears flowing from many eyes as
freely as if Whitefield's pathetic voice were speaking the words
that were only read. The sermons soon took a wider range,
and upon invitation Morris carried them to distant little
groups of colonists, who could not enjoy such teaching in
the churches, which by law they were expected to frequent.
The little church of Lutherans, as it was called, lifted up its
head, like a flower refreshed with rain, when Whitefield came \
others also ' engaged themselves to the Lord.'
Somewhere on the road his wife, with a Boston young lady,
left him, to travel to Georgia, and tidings came to him that
they ' traverse the wood bravely.' Whether he felt lonely
without her with whom he had been ' more than happy '
he
nowhere says ; but then he never said as much about his
troubles as his comforts. We next come upon him at
Bethesda, where he wintered in 1746-47. Most likely his
letters to friends in London—the only letters he wrote at this
time—would have contained news about his dear family, had
not London friends needed counsel and comfort in the midst
of troubles which had arisen at the Tabernacle. So he said
not a word about his own heavy burden with the orphans, but
added another load to all that his tender heart already carried.
Bethesda had long wished to see him, and as soon as he
crossed its threshold the cry came from London to return and
succour his distressed flock there. AYhat could he do but
direct his people to One whose love was his own daily sup-
port? 'Oh, that your eyes,' he exclaims, may be looking
towards and waiting on the blessed Jesus : from
Him alone
can come your salvation ; He will be better to you than a
thousand Whitefields.'
The same generosity which made him accessible to all in