George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

250 GEORGE WHITEEIELD
The Earl of Huntingdon, who rather yielded to his wife's
religious zeal than toned it down to harmonise with his colder
feelings, died on October 13, 1746, leaving the Countess in
command of immense wealth, and free to carry out her wishes
without interference from any one. Everything favoured her
assumption of that position she was soon to gain, and towards
which she took her first decisive step, when, in 1748, she
appointed Whitefield her chaplain. Liberal to profusion in
her gifts, arbitrary in temper, Calvinistic in creed, consummate
in administrative ability, devout in spirit, and thoroughly con-
secrated to the glory of Christ, she was unmistakably the proper \
leader of the Calvinistic side of the Methodist body, whether \
in or out of the Established Church. Whitefield might be its
great preacher, but he could not, and cared not to form a
party. The Countess must form any organisation that might
be required, or guide any movement.
In a letter to Wesley, Whitefield thus refers to the question
of union :
' What have you thought about a union ? I am afraid an external one
is impracticable. I find by your sermons that we differ in principles more
than I thought ; and I believe we are upon two different plans. My
attachment to America will not permit me to abide very long in England ;
consequently I should but weave a Penelope's web if I formed societies ;
and if I should form them I have not proper assistants to take care of them. \
I intend, therefore, to go about preaching the gospel to every creature. \
You, I suppose, are for settling societies everywhere : but more of this
when we meet.'
About this time Whitefield ceased to be moderator of the
Calvinistic Methodists, and henceforth his efforts and those of
Lady Huntingdon were directed, with much success, to the object
of giving an evangelical ministry to the Church of England.
The following are some of the great and noble who came
to the preaching in the drawing-room of the Countess of