George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

EARTHQUAKES IN LONDON 273
was talking about judgment and the last day. A soldier,
bolder and more fanatical than the rest of the people, an-
nounced the coming overthrow of a great part of the city on
a certain night between twelve and one o'clock. Multitudes
fled the city altogether, while others crowded the fields and
open places for safety from falling houses. The Methodist
chapels had enormous congregations. Whitefield sought his
congregation in Hyde Park on the dreaded night of the
soldier's prediction. He warned and entreated them all to
prepare for the coming of the Son of man, an event much
more stupendous and important than that which they now
expected every moment to see. Neither moon nor star shed
any light upon audience or preacher, and only one voice was
heard in the still darkness, like a voice crying in the wilder-
ness. It spoke of mercy and judgment, and could hardly
have spoken in vain.
The winter in London had been very trying to Whitefield's
health, if refreshing to his heart ; throughout the whole of it
his body was a daily trial to him, and sometimes he could
' scarce drag the crazy load along.' It was with delight that
he saw spring return, and that he went off into the west
for a time of ranging. He went with his hands so full of
work, and moved so rapidly from place to place, that he could
hardly find time to eat. He found it exceedingly pleasant,
and hoped now, in his Master's strength, ' to begin beginning
!
to spend and be spent for Him ' Twelve times in six days
did he preach at Plymouth, and the longer he preached, the
greater became the congregations and the mightier his word.
Still he was not satisfied. He wanted ' more tongues, more
bodi ;s, more souls for the Lord Jesus ; ' had he been gifted
with ten thousand, Christ should have had them all.
It was inevitable that his flaming zeal, kindled as it was by
the love of the Lord Jesus, and burnin only for His glory,
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