George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

64 GEORGE WHITEFIELD
he could get a congregation to hear his message and help his
work. He was meant for more than a parish priest or founder
of a denomination ;
he was an evangelist of nations.
The journal of Whitefield on Wednesday, May 24th, and
the journal of Wesley on the same day, present a striking
contrast as well between the condition of mind as the work
of these much attached friends. It was a quiet day with
Whitefield ; and doubtless could Wesley have seen him going
among the people with a contented heart, welcomed and
honoured, he would have been both surprised and gratified
with his unexpected success. It was a day of excitement,
of anguish, and of joy with Wesley, the day of his conversion ;
and could Whitefield have known what was going on in
Aldersgate Street, London, it would have filled his mouth with
joyful praise, though he might have been surprised that not
until a time so late had his former religious teacher come to
experience the same spiritual change that had taken place in
himself long before.
While Whitefield, by his unceasing labours, his unfeigned
humility, and his judicious conduct, was laying the foundation
of an enduring affection between the whole colony and
himself, he acknowledged himself to be largely indebted to
his predecessors. Delamotte was much beloved by the poor,
to whom he was devoted, and his return home was an occasion
of grief to them. ' The
good Mr. John Wesley has done in
America, under God, is inexpressible,' says Whitefield. ' His
name is very precious among the people ; and he has laid
such a foundation among the people that I hope neither men
nor devils will ever be able to shake. Surely I must labour
most heartily, since I come after such worthy predecessors.'
It is pleasantest to see how he was welcomed in the villages ;
how they of Savannah delighted in his visits, even enduring
how at Frederica nearly the
his rebukes without murmuring ;