George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

POPULARITY AND CONTEMPT 49
preached in London, whither Whitefield went about the end of
August. If his life in Bristol had been busy and excited
enough, what shall be said of the 'torrent of popularity and
contempt,' as he calls it, that swept through the metropolis ?
His intention was to remain in perfect retirement and devote
himself, until the time of his departure for Georgia, to his much-
loved employment of reading and praying over the word of
God upon his knees ; but his soul had not long tasted the
sweetness of this repose when invitations to preach poured in
amain. The stewards and members of the religious societies
(societies which did religious, moral, and social work) were
remarkably fond of hearing him, and for a good reason—he
attracted large congregations, and got large collections.
Friendly clergymen—only too soon to forget their admiration—
wanted help in their services, and sought it from this willing
worker. The churches could not hold the people ; thousands
went away for want of room. Then the churchwardens and
managers of the charity schools, perceiving the effect of his
preaching, that is to say, its money-effect, thought that they
must have a share of the harvest, and began to plead with him
for the benefit of the children. For three months the stream
of people flowed steadily towards any church in which he
might be ministering ; and sometimes constables had to be
placed both inside and outside the building, to preserve order.
Nine times a week did Whitefield engage in his delightful work
of preaching. On Sunday morning it was his habit to rise very
early, and during the day to walk many miles between the
various churches at which he was expected. These early
sacraments, which called him out before daybreak, 'were,' he
says, ' very awful. At Cripplegate, St. Anne's, and Foster Lane,
O how often have we seen Jesus Christ crucified, and evidently
set forth before us ! On Sunday mornings, long before
day, you might see streets filled with people going to church,
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