George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

44
GEOkGE WHITEFlELD
streets in the midst of his friends, almost every one saluted and
blessed him. The general joy was deepened when, to his own
regret, Mr. Oglethorpe sent him word that their departure for
America would be delayed two months longer. Bristol was
completely under the spell of its visitor, or rather of him and
the doctrines he preached. The rich forsook their comforts
and pleasures, to jostle and push among the crowd which five
times every week besieged the church where Whitefield was
to preach. The quiet Quaker left the unimpassioned talk of
his meeting-house to feel the thrill of oratory. The uncom-
promising Nonconformist left his chapel for the church, where
he had too often failed to find the heart-searching preaching
which alone could satisfy his wants, but where he was now
pierced as with arrows, and healed as with the balm of Gilead.
The idle worldling, who seldom made an effort to be interested
in anything, shook off his supineness at least to go and hear
what the stranger had to say. The vicious and depraved strove
for a place where they might hear the love of God toward
sinners, the greatness and preciousness of the work of His Son
Jesus, and the mighty help of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of
all who would live a holy life, spoken of with a tenderness and
an earnestness befitting themes so dear to them in their abject
condition. The broken-hearted rejoiced in the sympathetic
feeling of a teacher who knew T
all their sorrow. The mixed
mass of hearers filled the pews, choked the aisles, swarmed
into every nook and corner, hung upon the rails of the organ-
loft, climbed upon the leads of the church. As many had to
turn away disappointed as had gained admission. And the
preacher's words were more than a pleasant sound, much
enjoyed while it lasted, and soon forgotten when it ceased ;
they struck into heart and conscience, turning the wicked man
from his wickedness, that he might save his soul alive, and
awakening the generous emotiuns of all.