always observed, that there was a something peculiar in his manner of preaching, in which no person of sound judgment would venture to imitate him. But, notwithstanding this, he was in other respects, a signal and happy pattern and model for preachers. He introduced a way of close and lively application to the conscience, for which, I believe, many of the most admired and eminent preachers now living, will not be ashamed, or unwilling to acknowledge themselves his debtor."

How highly the Rev. William Romaine thought of Mr. Whitefield, his own account of his death will best tell. "Look at the public loss! O what has the church suffered in the setting of that bright star, which had shone so gloriously in our hemisphere. Mr. Whitefield's preaching is over-now he is praising. We have none left to succeed him: none of his gifts: none any thing like him in usefulness."

The Rev. Samuel Brewer, of Stepney, near London, also preached a sermon on the occasion, which his modesty would not permit him to print. And many ministers, both in and out of the establishment, amongst whom were the Rev. William Romaine, the Rev. Martin Madan, the Rev. Dr. Gibbons, and the Rev. Dr. Trotter, who, in their preaching and prayers, lamented the loss of so eminently faithful, and uncommonly successful a servant of God.

CHAPTER XXII.

Letters on Mr. Whitefield's death. His character as a preacher, by the Rev. Cornelius Winter, &c. Rev. A. M. Toplady, and William Cowper, Esq.

THE following extract of a letter appeared in the Georgia Gazette, soon after Mr. Whitefield's death:"The consideration of public calamities is never out of season; and if properly attended to, as they ought to be, will afford matter of great improvement to the mind, that views them as happening by the permission of an unerring divine Providence. And as the loss of eminent and public-spirited persons, who have signally distinguished themselves by serving their country in a free, disinterested, and generous manner, is none of the least, so it deserveth a particular regard.

"In this light, I look upon the very much-lamented death of the late Rev. George Whitefield, especially in respect to Georgia; for which he has demonstrated by every mean in his power, a most uncommonly warm, affectionate, and unabating regard, for near thirty-three years past; I say, by every mean in his power, because it is well known that until within a few years past, he has been constantly loaded with a heavy debt to support and carry on his benevolent institution, the orphan-house, which he frequently felt so severely, that had not that God, whom he faithfully served, supported him, he must have sunk under the burden: notwithstanding he was at the same time maligned, traduced, and persecuted with unrelenting virulence, as a cheat, an impostor, and a public robber; who under the specious pretence of promoting a charitable design, was amassing great wealth to himself: all which he bore with an uncommon degree of patience; and never to my knowledge said more, at these unmerited reproaches, than that the great day would shew his accusers their mistake.

"When he was the stated minister of this parish, which

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was before the orphan-house was settled, his liberal heart devised liberal things; and the then inhabitants of Savannah, of the villages of Highgate and Hampstead, and of the other adjacent places; the Saltzburghers, of Ebenezer, the inhabitants of Darian and Frederica, who were at that time not inconsiderable in number, all partook of his unbounded bounty to a very large amount; although he then almost denied himself the necessaries of life, with which I was intimately acquainted. In short, it was his whole study, in imitation of his great Master, to do good to the bodies, as well as to the souls, of all about him.

"He constantly performed divine service publicly very early every morning, and at the close of the day every evening, throughout the year, that he might not interrupt the new colonists in their labour in the day-time, when he always expounded part of the first or second lesson. Every Sunday he administered the holy communion, and had public service four times, and his congregations were very numerous, in comparison of the number of people in his parish; for though there were many dissenters, there were few absentees; besides, he made it his daily practice to visit in rotation from house to house, without any regard to religious denominations, or party distinctions, which he often told me, he thought a very important and indispensable part of a minister's duty, as by that means he had an opportunity of frequently dropping a word in season, as well as of being better acquainted with the spiritual and temporal circumstances of his parishoners; and thereby, as far as in his power, of assisting them in both. Thus he acted as a parish minister, considering himself as the steward of God, and accountable for every moment of time, which he had solemnly dedicated to his service. And it is no wonder, when, by a series of divine providence, his sphere of action became more enlarged and unconfined, that his zeal and activity were proportioned.

"These facts, of which there are some now living, besides myself, who can witness to the truth of them, I think it my honour and indispensable duty to communicate to the public, in memory of my very dear deceased friend.

"I could with great truth say much more, but I purposely confine my observations to his conduct in Georgia, where his memory appears to be deeply engraven on the hearts of its grateful inhabitants.

"The very honourable and truly respectful notice the legislature have publicly shewn to it, by causing the parish church in this town to be so decently and handsomely hung in mourning, and their attending as a body last Sunday on divine service, strongly mark their real concern for their loss. The rector, the Rev. Samuel Frink, gave a very suitable discourse in the morning, from Philippians i. 23, 24; and the Rev. Edward Ellington, another in the afternoon, from Hebrews ii. 26. Both of them affectionately remarked the many amiable qualifications of the deceased, as a christian, a divine, and a gentleman; and especially his liberality to this province; as likewise did the Rev. Mr. Zubly, in his meeting, which was also in mourning, from Daniel xii. 3.

"An old and real friend to the deceased, and to Georgia."

The following extract of a letter was published in the Gospel Magazine, for February, 1771:

"My very dear Sir,

"A great man is fallen in our Israel-the Rev. Mr. Whitefield is no more! he has left his charge, his flock, and gone to mansions of blessedness.

(( I may safely say, a great man, a great christian, an humble follower of the divine Redeemer, and a zealousdefender of the doctrines of grace died, when Whitefield closed his That voice which was lifted eyes. like a up trumpet, and flew round the sacred roof, proclaiming salvation through the dying Jesus, teaching a sinful world the Saviour's name, is now lost in perpetual silence! That man, whose labours in the cause of God, have been more abundant, has ceased from his work. That eminent minister of the New Testament, that son of thunder to the careless and secure, that cheering son of consolation to the

weary and heavy laden, who has been distinguished as the happy instrument of bringing strayed sheep to the fold of God, is gone to experience the truth of his doctrines; and will one day appear, with all those who have been savingly brought to the knowledge of Jesus by his means, at the right hand of God, to give an account of the ministry he received from him; and in the presence of a surrounding world, say, 'Lord, here am I, and the children thou hast given me.'

"It is an afflictive, awful, and alarming providence to the church of God. A great light extinguished, a bright star set, and a numerous people deprived of their pastor. Who shall supply his place? Who shall, with that pathetic language, strength of argument, and force of persuasion, compel sinners to partake of the gospel feast? Who shall animate our associations, and diffuse a spirit of candour, charity, and moderation, throughout our assemblies? Who shall declare the glories, the riches, the freeness, the fulness of that complete salvation which Messiah finished? Who shall exhort, by precept and example, to that steady, uniform, constant, character, which adorns the profession of the gospel? Who shall recommend a life of fellowship and communion with the Father, Son, and Spirit, as the most desirable blessing, and build up the saints in their most holy faith? Who shall!-I am stopped by the mouth of him who says, Shall I not do what I will with my own? Is it not my prerogative to take and leave, as seemeth me good? I demand the liberty of disposing my ser vants at my own pleasure-he hath not slept as others doit is your's to wait and trust, mine to dispose and governon me be the care of ministers and churches-with me is the residue of the spirit-I set my labourers to work, and when I please, I take them to the rest I have appointed for them-my power is not diminished, my arm not shortened, my love not abated, and my faithfulness still the same-I know my sheep, and they shall not stray into forbidden pastures, for want of a shepherd to feed them with knowledge and understanding.'

"With these thoughts my passions subside, my mind