George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

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GEORGE WHITEEIELD
sees him poring over Matthew Henry's Commentary, and
then writing to a friend down at Gloucester
' Herewith I have sent you seven pounds to pay for Mr. Henry's Com-
mentary. Dear Squire Thorold lately made me a present of ten guineas,
so that now (for ever blessed be the Divine goodness !) I can send you
more than I thought for. In time I hope to pay the apothecary's bill. If
I forget your favours, I shall also forget my God. Say nothing of your
receiving this money ; only give thanks, give hearty thanks to our good
and gracious God for His infinite, unmerited mercy to me, the vilest of
the sons of men.'
A trivial circumstance called him forth from his study
before he was twenty-two years old. The curate of the Tower
Chapel, London, who was an intimate friend, having to go
into Hampshire to officiate there for a short time, asked him
to fill his place during his absence from home. Whitefield
complied with the request, and took coach for London on
Wednesday, August 4, 1736, with much fear and trembling.
His first sermon in the metropolis was preached on the follow-
ing Sunday afternoon, August 8th, in Bishopsgate Church.
His youthful appearance as he went up the pulpit stairs
provoked, as he in his sensitive state of mind thought, a
general sneer, which, however, was exchanged for solemn
seriousness when he got into his sermon. He again con-
quered himself and his congregation ; and the people, on his
coming down from the pulpit, showed him every respect, and
blessed him as he passed along. No one could answer the
question which was now on every one's lips—
' Who was the
preacher to-day?' Attention had been gained, and the two
short months of the London visit were quite long enough to
secure a crowded chapel at the Tower every Sunday. Any
ordinary man might have been sure of perfect quietness in
such a place, and of returning home as unknown as when he
entered the city ;
and no doubt such would have been White-