The Accidental Revolutionary: George Whitefield and the Creation of America

II. Launching the Ministry

15 CHAPTER Launching the Ministry II Acrowded sanctuary, filled with people moved by the curiosity to hear one of their own sons, greeted George Whitefield when, at age twenty-one, he ascended to the pulpit at his home church in Gloucester to deliver his very first formal sermon. With the sounding board above his head, the congregation in pews at all sides, his voice rang out clearly and beautifully as he spoke from experience on the “benefits of a religious society.” It was a night to remember and hinted at things to come: Curiosity drew a large congregation together. The sight, at first, a little awed me. . . . As I proceeded, I perceived the fire kindled, till at last . . . I was enabled to speak with some degree of Gospel authority. Some few mocked; but most for the present seemed struck: and I have since heard, that a complaint had been made to the Bishop, that I drove fifteen mad. That bishop responded with approval, hoping that “the madness might not be forgotten, before next Sunday.” The outrageous reaction of the audience mirrors the larger reaction of people about his ministry throughout his early years: some would mock, most would be impacted, and some would go mad. But as Whitefield matured, he met the challenges of the mocking and madness, convincing with logical arguments and keeping audience emotions under control. Soon after his first sermon, a friend set up Whitefield at the chapel in the Tower of London while its regular minister was out of town. In London, people stepped out of their shops to gawk at such a young man in a minister’s gown. One person shouted out, “There’s The Accidental Revolutionary 16 II a boy parson!” A large, curious congregation showed up the first Sunday, and he got their attention. Whitefield preached there for two months until the regular minister returned. He had still not found his permanent niche in the world, but letters from the Wesley brothers who were in America inspired him: “Their accounts fired my soul, and made me even long to go abroad for God too.” * * * Charles Wesley returned to London and contacted Whitefield to “procure labourers” for the work in America in the colony of Georgia. Whitefield also received a letter from John Wesley, still in Georgia, informing him of the need for a minister. Wesley concluded with, “What if thou art the man, Mr. Whitefield?” Whitefield responded strongly, saying, “my heart leaped within me, and, as it were, echoed to the call.” Whitefield returned to Gloucester to say goodbye to friends and relatives, but found that he “began to grow a little popular.” When Whitefield said his farewells to family in Bristol, the minister of their church asked him if he would deliver the sermon. His preaching startled the community. An impromptu revival broke out as he started preaching every day and twice on Sundays to crowded churches throughout the locale. The people of that parish made him a lucrative offer to stay as their regular minister, but he declined. Whitefield moved on to London as the Georgia trip approached, and he preached regularly for three weeks to larger crowds than ever before. He was invited back to Gloucester and Bristol, by popular demand, where the crowds increased even further. This is when Whitefield started publishing his sermons—a prudent public relations tactic that helped spread his fame across the countryside. He may at this point have begun to recognize the effectiveness of returning to preach in a location after a short absence, giving the grapevine the opportunity to spread the news. Whitefield wrote, “Persons of all ranks, not only publicly attended my ministry, but gave me private invitations to their houses.” While waiting to depart for Georgia, Whitefield’s ministry evolved from simply filling in for a vacationing minister into a true revival enterprise. Pesky friends “prevailed upon” him to print more of his sermons. He also started collecting money for the poor in Georgia. 17 II Launching the Ministry He seized invitations to preach, and ministered regularly to growing masses without hesitation. Crowds grew larger and increased in passion. Whitefield often scheduled additional meetings to appease the throngs of people because they would not all fit in the English church buildings during a single service. Within a year of graduating, Whitefield was regular news in the London papers. He developed the basic strategies of his revival enterprise, preaching...