MY GRANDFATHER'S STORIES OF THE

GREAT AND GOOD.

HISTORY OF A ZEALOUS PREACHER.

MOST likely some of my readers know a little of Blackheath, near London; those who do have seen a small mound there with fir trees growing upon it. When first I saw those trees, I thought it rather strange that they should grow just on that spot, and asked my grandfather how it was.

"Those fir trees," he replied, "were planted many years ago by Lord Dartmouth, to mark the spot where the great and good Mr. Whitefield often stood and preached the gospel to thousands of his fellowmen."

"To thousands, grandfather!" I cried; "how could he make so many hear him ?"

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He had a very fine and powerful voice, and could be heard at a great distance. The mound is even now called Whitefield's Mount. Would you like to hear something about him ?"

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'Oh yes, grandfather, if you please.”

"Then I must first tell you that he was born on the 16th of December, 1714, in the city of Gloucester. When only two years old he lost his father; but his mother, whom he loved very much, was spared to him for a long period, and did all in her power to give him a good education, and to fit him for the duties of life. She told him, too, that she expected he would prove a comfort to her. This should be the aim of every little boy and girl, to make their parents happy.

"George Whitefield, when he grew up to manhood, wrote an account of his early days, in which he tells us that he was very thoughtless and sinful. He says he hated instruction, and, as often as he could, got out of the way of those who were able to teach and advise him; besides, he did not always speak the truth. But he confessed all this with the deepest sorrow, and felt that if God had not been very kind and merciful he would have cut him off in his sins. The words of his mother, however, often came into his mind, and he said to himself that he would be a comfort to her yet. This he resolved in his own strength: he should have prayed to God to help him so to live and act as to cause her pleasure and happiness. Were he alive now, he would advise you to improve your present opportunities of getting knowledge, and warn you against everything like dishonesty in word or deed.

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At twelve years of age, young Whitefield was placed in a grammar school in his native city. Having a good voice and memory, he gained credit for making speeches before the corporation at their annual visitation, and he received money as a reward. But at school he made companions of a number of youths who make a mock of good things, and in other ways he showed that he had a wicked heart.

"At length, however, the conduct of his schoolfellows became so wicked that, bad as he had grown himself, he could not bear to be in their company: his conscience would not let him rest: perhaps too his mother's wish came into his mind, and he thought if he went on as he was now doing, that he should prove anything but a comfort to her whom he loved so

dearly. He then told his master of the behaviour of his companions, and a stop was soon put to their conduct. Whitefield tells us that he now felt that he was delivered from this snare of the devil. He soon after left the school."

"I am so glad he got away from those wicked boys," said I.

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Ah, my boy," said my grandfather, "beware of bad companions, of those who would have you believe that gaiety and pleasure, as they call them, will make you happy. Be watchful, for, as Solomon says, 'Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird;' if you keep constantly on the watch, and pray to God against temptation, you will surely not be enticed into any wicked way. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not,' for 'evil communications corrupt good manners.' Beware of those who tell you there is no harm in evil ways, when conscience tells you your there is. Beware, I say, Harry, of the beginnings of evil.

"Whitefield now began to be more watchful over his thoughts, words, and actions. He would spend his evenings in reading good books, and sat up at night to read his Bible. One of his brothers, noticing this great change in him, said it would not continue long, and he feared he would soon forget all again. This remark led him to pray to God that he might not forget all, but be enabled to follow that which is good.

"For a long time Whitefield had a desire to go to the university, that he might become a minister; but his mother had not the means to send him. At length, by the kindness of friends, he was enabled to go, and

he entered Pembroke College, Oxford, as a servitor, at the age of eighteen."

"What are servitors ?" I asked.

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They are students who are unable to pay all the expenses of college, but, through the kindness of persons who have given money to the college for that purpose, have part of their expenses paid out of the fund so provided. In Whitefield's time servitors were almost like servants to those students who were better off, carrying their dishes for them, and even cleaning their boots, brushing their clothes, etc., for which they were paid.

"Whitefield was very obliging and polite to all, and won the confidence and esteem of many on whom he waited. They helped him forward, and he made great progress in his studies. In the college, however, there were many who did not love God, and they tempted him to do wrong; but he was enabled, by the grace of God, to resist their temptations, and at last they let him alone.

"At this time, too, there were some young men at the college who were called Methodists-I suppose by way of ridicule, because they lived and acted by a particular rule or method. They took the Bible as their guide, and they were very strict in keeping holy the sabbath, diligent in reading the word of God, and frequent and stated in prayer and in attendance upon religious services. Among them, as I have told you before, were John and Charles Wesley, and they were very pleased when Whitefield asked to be allowed to join them. It was a good thing for him that he united himself with this little band; for it