CHAPTER VIII.

Dr. Gibbons--Dr. Gill--Mr. Darracott--Lord Huntingdon--Lord Chesterfield--The Jews--German Ministers--An Impostor--David Levi--Lady Fanny Shirley--Mr. Whitefield and Mr. Wesley--Ashby-place--Mr. Baddelley--Lady Huntingdon’s Illness--Lady Anne Hastings--Mr. Hervey--Bishop of Exeter--Mr. Thompson--Duke of Somerset--Mr. Moses Browne.

On Mr. Whitefield’s leaving London, Lady Huntingdon invited Mr. Wesley to preach at her house, which he did twice a week, and continued so to do, with the occasional assistance of Mr. Charles Wesley, Mr. Bateman, and some others, until Mr. Whitefield’s return to the metropolis. Her Ladyship’s acquaintance with Dr. Andrew Gifford and Dr. Gibbons, men of great piety, of unimpeachable morals, refined manners, upright and benevolent, and of great cheerfulness, enabled her to enlarge the circle of her usefulness. Her spirit and temper were catholic, in the only true sense of the word. The Christian minister, whatever the name or denomination of his Church, was always welcomed to her house. The late Robert Cruttenden, Esq., a pious Dissenter, in a letter to Mr. Whitefield, writes thus:--“Dr. Gibbons went with me to wait on her Ladyship, where he owns he spent two hours with more pleasure than he ever remembered to have done in any company before; and, I must freely own, he spoke my own sentiments.” This intelligence was gratifying to the benevolent heart of that great and good man:--

“I am glad (says he) your Ladyship approves of Dr. Gibbons. He is, I think, a worthy man. By maintaining your present course, you will have an opportunity of conversing with the best of all parties, without being a bigot and too strenuously attached to any. Surely in this your Ladyship is directed from above. The blessed Jesus cares for his people of all denominations. He is gathering his elect out of all. Happy they, who, with a disinterested view, take in the whole Church militant, and, in spite of narrow-hearted bigots, breathe an undissembled catholic spirit towards all. I believe that you will daily reap the fruit of this spirit, and a free conversation with the truly gracious of all denominations. It is a conduct truly godlike. I rejoice that your Ladyship hath such a promising prospect of doing good among the rich and great--that you approve of Mr. Wesley’s conduct, and that he hath preached at your house. The language of my heart is--Lord, send by whom thou wilt send, only convert some of the mighty and noble, for thy mercy’s sake! Then, I care not if I am heard of no more. I am much obliged to those honourable ladies who are pleased to send me their good wishes. In return, they have my earnest prayers that they may be filled with all the fulness of God.”

Few men were more unconscious of their own abilities, or more desirous of improving by the meanest instrument, than Mr. Whitefield. In lowliness of mind, he would prefer others to himself. He never considered himself as George Whitefield, the celebrated preacher, but as a poor guilty sinner, equally indebted to Divine grace with the lowest and meanest of the human race. Lady Huntingdon having written him word, that “the prospect of doing good at his return to London was very encouraging,” this otherwise intrepid man trembled at the idea of again addressing the rich and honourable. In a letter to Mr. Cruttenden, he thus expresses himself:--“This post carries answers to the honourable women. I suppose you will be pleased to find that I am thus far on my return to London. O my friend, my friend, I come with fear and trembling. To speak to the rich and great, so as to win them to the blessed Jesus, is indeed a task. But wherefore do we fear? We can do all things through Christ strengthening us.”

Mr. Whitefield now returned to London, having travelled about six hundred miles in the West of England, where he had found, to his satisfaction, that his former labours had been abundantly blessed. At this period Lady Huntingdon had a house in North Audley-street, where he preached every Thursday evening to very crowded auditories, composed chiefly of the nobility, whom her Ladyship invited to hear him. To an American correspondent, he says:--“The news you have had of my preaching to some great ones is true; I have done so for some time twice a week; and, thanks be to the blessed Redeemer, it has already produced great effects. Lady Huntingdon is a mirror of piety indeed. In time, I trust, of the honourable women, there will not be a few who dare to confess the Lord Jesus before men.”

Lady Huntingdon continued in London till the month of June, when she removed to Clifton for the benefit of her health; and about this time became acquainted with that eminent writer, Dr. Gill, whose private character was so excellent, that it has been said, his learning and labours were exceeded only by the invariable sanctity of his life and conversation. He had then lately published his celebrated Commentary on the New Testament, in three folio volumes, which impressed Lady Huntingdon with esteem for the purity of his intentions, and admiration for the magnitude of his labours. The immense reading and learning which it displayed induced the University of Aberdeen to send him the diploma of D.D., with the following compliment: “On account of his knowledge of the Scriptures, of the Oriental languages, and of Jewish antiquities, of his learned defence of the Scriptures against deists and infidels, and the reputation gained by his other works, the University had, without his privity, unanimously agreed to confer on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.” His intimate friend and warm admirer, Mr. Toplady, has left on record a high opinion of his excellent character.

The young Earl of Huntingdon was now approaching his majority, and Lady Huntingdon was preparing to resign Donnington Park to her son. She left Bristol early in the month of August, and taking a house at Ashby, established herself there with her other children, and her excellent sisters-in-law, the Ladies Hastings. In a letter to the Rev. Risdon Darracott her Ladyship mentions this favourite residence:--

“The affairs of my family called me from home; but I am again brought back in safety, and much happiness of heart, and that to a sweet little family, who live but to devote every hour more and more to the love and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. We had agreed upon this retreat, and taken a larger house among us for this purpose, and we wish all your prayers. To become the Lord’s in body, soul, and spirit, is the one cry and desire of our hearts; and we know He will not reject us, nor cast us out; and though we can do nothing, yet we can receive of his fulness grace for grace; and in this world suffer reproach and persecution for his name’s sake, which is sweet and honourable to us; when, though we can do nothing, we glory in this, that, to his praise, he hath redeemed, and will make us priests unto God. We should rejoice to see you amongst us: and I hope nothing will prevent it, if convenient to you. All Gospel ministers it is our highest honour and happiness to serve, and no denomination do we ever reject.”[59]

On coming of age, the Earl of Huntingdon took possession of Donnington Park, Ledstone Hall, &c.; and soon after set out on his travels through France, Italy, and Germany. The Earl of Albemarle was then ambassador to the court of France, and lived in a style of great magnificence. Among the English residents in Paris, were Lady Hervey, Sir John Lambert, Colonel York, and Lord Stormont, who received the young Earl with most polite attention. Lord Chesterfield, who considered himself his second father, thus introduces him to the notice of one of his most intimate correspondents, a lady whose accomplishments and personal virtues were at least equal to her birth and high rank:--

“In spite of my promises, Madam, not to saddle you with my countrymen, here is one whom I take the liberty to recommend to you. Don’t be afraid, don’t be presently angry, and I dare say you will thank me hereafter. It is the Earl of Huntingdon, one of the first peers of England, whose family is celebrated in the most ancient records. His merit and talents are at least equal to his descent; he is distinguished from all our young nobility by his personal erudition; in short, he wants nothing to make him perfect, but what he will acquire with you, better than anywhere else; I mean an acquaintance with the polite world. I will venture to add one merit more, which I flatter myself he will have in your opinion, which is that of being my particular friend. He looks upon me as his father, and I consider him as my adopted son. I therefore earnestly beg, Madam, you will protect, encourage, and even advise him. He has too much discernment not to be sensible of the value of your friendship, and too much feeling ever to forget it. To sum up all in one word, he will soon be what his second father is now, your very faithful servant,

“CHESTERFIELD.”

Lady Fanny Shirley now began to make an open profession of the faith once delivered to the saints, and amidst all the scoffs and tauntings of a benighted, ill-natured, and ridiculing world, to rejoice with joy unspeakable, even a joy that is full of glory. During Lady Huntingdon’s absence from London, Lady Fanny opened her house for the preaching of the Gospel: there Mr. Whitefield, and other ministers of Christ, proclaimed all the words of this life, and were heard with deep and serious attention. “On Saturday (says he, in a letter to Lady Huntingdon), I had the honour of being almost all the day long with Lady Fanny, Lady Gertrude Hotham, Lady Chesterfield, and the Countess Delitz. Lady Fanny and the Countess received the blessed sacrament before the others came, and I think they both grow.” The Countess Delitz had been the instrument of much good to Lady Fanny, and was the open and avowed friend of Mr. Whitefield, and all who were suffering for the testimony of Jesus. When writing to her Ladyship, he observes--“How much are you indebted to divine grace, that hath singled you out from among the mighty and noble, and placed your Ladyship in the number of those happy few to whom it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God! I trust your honoured sister (Lady Chesterfield) will ere long bear you company, and travel with you in that narrow road which leads to eternal life. When I remember you, I always think of her, and beg my most dutiful respects may find acceptance with her Ladyship.”

Mr. Whitefield was very attentive to the spiritual interests of his converts in high life, and maintained a constant correspondence with several of them. Soon after he left London, for a tour in Yorkshire and the North of England, he writes thus to Lady Fanny Shirley:--

“Newcastle, Oct. 1, 1749.

“Honoured Madam--Some time last week, my wife sent me the letter your Ladyship was pleased to favour me with about three weeks ago; though I was sorry it did not reach me before I left town, yet I rejoiced to find that it bespoke your Ladyship’s attachment to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, and a desire to partake of the sacred symbols of his most blessed body and blood. I doubt not but your Ladyship, with full purpose of heart, will cleave unto him, and, in spite of men and devils, go on in that narrow way which leads to life eternal. God’s grace will be sufficient for you--he hath promised, and he is faithful who hath promised, never to leave or forsake those that put their trust in him. He is in the burning bush--he is in the fiery furnace--he can and will make us more than conquerors over all. With what courage then may your Ladyship go on through this howling wilderness, whilst leaning on our beloved Saviour! In him alone is all our strength found. Honoured Madam, look to him, consider him, and thereby you will be kept from being weary and faint in your mind. I doubt not but you meet with daily crosses. Persons that stand alone, and in high places, must expect storms; but Jesus is able and willing to uphold you--thanks be to his great name for giving you such a share of prudence and courage. May the glorious Immanuel increase both; and, without being attached to any party, may you be preserved unspotted from the world, and be a common friend to all! My heart’s desire and prayer is, that you may go on from strength to strength, and be continually growing in the knowledge of yourself and Christ Jesus your Lord. I must now add no more, but my repeated thanks for all your Ladyship’s favours, and my repeated assurances of being, honoured Madam, your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient, and ready servant, for Christ’s sake,

“G. WHITEFIELD.”

Another object lay near to Mr. Whitefield’s heart at this time. It was during this winter that he formed the design of identifying Lady Huntingdon with his Societies--the _only_ plan he ever laid for perpetuating them. He told Lady Fanny that he had disengaged himself from the immediate care of the Societies, that he might be more at liberty to preach the Gospel; and he saw Lady Huntingdon a _Dorcas_, and felt that she might and ought to be a Phœbe. She had used her influence, at his solicitation, with the Court and the Government, in behalf of the sufferers in the Cork riots; and had readily patronized such poor or persecuted ministers as he brought under her notice. All this, and the want of a _leader_, led him to seek her patronage, especially for his Societies in the west end of the town. How he _opened_ the subject to her is not known, but it does not seem to have been ill received, for she desired the public prayers of the Tabernacle for herself at the time; and Mr. Whitefield read that part of her letter to the people, and informed her, that “thousands heartily joined in singing the following verses for her Ladyship:”--

“Gladly we join to pray for those Who, rich with worldly honours, shine, Who dare to own a Saviour’s cause, And in that hated cause to join: Yes we would praise thee, that a few Love thee, though rich and noble too.”

“Uphold this star in thy right hand-- Crown her endeavours with success; Among the great ones may she stand, A witness of thy righteousness, Till many nobles join thy train, And triumph in the Lamb that’s slain.”

In the same letter he said to her--

“A _leader_ is wanting. This honour hath been put upon your Ladyship by the great Head of the Church; an honour conferred on few, but an earnest of one to be put upon your Ladyship before men and angels, when time shall be no more. That you may every day add to the splendour of your future crown, be always abounding in the work of the Lord, is the fervent prayer of, &c.----”

The great leaders of both the Methodistic connexions were at this period in the metropolis, each at their different spheres, labouring diligently to promote the salvation of immortal souls. Lady Huntingdon, always desirous of promoting peace and unanimity amongst those who professed to be the followers of her adorable Master, determined on an endeavour to heal the differences that then existed between these great and good men. For this benevolent purpose she wrote to Mr. Whitefield and Mr. Wesley, urging on them to love as brethren, to let controversy alone, and to labour more zealously for the service of their Lord and Master. This advice seems to have had the desired effect. In a letter, dated the 12th of January, 1750, Mr. Whitefield informed her Ladyship that he had offered Mr. Wesley to assist occasionally at his chapel:--

“And I do not know (says he) but it may be accepted: your Ladyship will hear soon. O that I may learn from all I see to desire to be nothing! and to think it my highest privilege to be an assistant to all, but the head of none. I find a love of power sometimes intoxicates even God’s own dear children, and makes them to mistake passion for zeal, and an overbearing spirit for an authority given them from above. For my own part, I find it much easier to obey than govern, and that it is much safer to be trodden under foot, than to have it in one’s power to serve others so. This makes me fly from that, which at our first setting out we are too apt to court. Thanks be to the Lord of all lords for taking any pains with hell-deserving me! I cannot well buy humility at too dear a rate. This is a grace after which your Ladyship pants, and with which our Lord will delight to fill you more and more. Your Ladyship’s letter convinces me that those who know and do most, think they know and do least. If it were not so, grace itself would prove our bane, and goodness and zeal, through the pride and corruption of our hearts, be our destroyers. Honoured Madam, my hands and heart are continually lifted up for you, that you may abound ever more in every good word and work, and be clothed with that humility which your Ladyship delights to wear every day--I mean that humble mind which was in Christ Jesus.”

Peace being thus happily restored, Mr. Wesley read prayers at the chapel in West-street, on Friday, the 19th of January, after which Mr. Whitefield preached an affectionate discourse to a very crowded congregation. On the following Lord’s-day Mr. Whitefield read prayers, and Mr. Wesley preached at the Tabernacle, after which the sacrament was administered to above _twelve hundred_ persons. The following morning Mr. Wesley prayed at the Foundry, and Howel Harris preached a powerful sermon to an overflowing auditory. This delighted Mr. Whitefield much. “Oh for love and gratitude! (he exclaims) I have preached thrice in Mr. Wesley’s chapel, and God was with us of a truth.” From this time those two great men always spoke of each other in the most affectionate manner, and assisted each other in their labours wherever they providentially met; and kept up a correspondence by letter while Mr. Whitefield lived.

“Thanks be to God (says Lady Huntingdon) for the love and unanimity which have been displayed on this happy occasion. May the God of peace and harmony unite us all in a bond of affection! In forbearance towards each other, and mutual kindness, may we imitate his blessed disciples, so that all those who take knowledge of us may say--‘See how these Christians love one another!’”

The close of the year 1749, and beginning of the succeeding year, Lady Huntingdon spent at Ashby-place, fully occupied in administering to the spiritual and temporal necessities of the poor around her. In these labours of love her Ladyship was ably assisted by her domestic chaplain, Mr. Baddelley, and her excellent sisters, the Lady Anne and Lady Frances Hastings. In her Ladyship’s intercourse with the poor and illiterate, she always studied what was most plain and easy, and best suited to their capacities; and endeavoured to set before them from time to time the most important and necessary truths of Christianity, such as most immediately concerned their speedy conversion to God; the sinfulness and misery of their state by nature; the desperate depravity of their hearts; the entire pollution of their natures; the heavy guilt they were under, and their liability to everlasting punishment; as also their utter inability to save themselves, either from their sins, or from those miseries which are the just punishment of them; their unworthiness of any mercy at the hands of God, on account of anything they themselves could do to procure his favour; and consequently their extreme need of Christ to save them. These truths were insisted on with zeal and fidelity, while, at the same time, her Ladyship endeavoured to open to the view of her attentive listeners the fulness, all-sufficiency, and freedom of that redemption which the Son of God has wrought out by his obedience and suffering--how this provision he had made was suited to all their wants; and how he called and invited them to accept of everlasting life freely offered, notwithstanding all their sinfulness, inability, and utter unworthiness.

The degree of knowledge which some of these poor people attained was considerable: and that which afforded Lady Huntingdon the greatest encouragement, amidst many difficulties and disconsolate hours, was that the truth of God’s word seemed at times to be attended with some power upon the hearts and consciences of those around her. Several of them came of their own accord, to speak with her Ladyship about their souls’ concerns; and some, with tears, enquired what they must do to be saved? A visible reformation appeared in the lives and manners of some; many vicious practices were broken off; and a greater degree of regard was manifested for the Lord’s-day. Yet there was much of a discouraging nature; and while the benevolent heart of the Countess rejoiced to observe any seriousness among the poor in her neighbourhood, she was not without continual fear lest such encouraging appearances might prove like a morning cloud that passeth away.

Mr. Baddelley resided, as we have said, in the family of Lady Huntingdon, in the capacity of domestic chaplain: his piety and talents were much respected by her Ladyship, and he was very zealous in the discharge of his ministerial duties. His views of divine truth became more consistent; and at this change his religious friends rejoiced, and none more than Lady Huntingdon, whose heart-searching conversations, under the influence of the Spirit of God, first directed his apprehensions to Christ’s righteousness; and led him to a clear light and understanding of the Gospel of the grace of God. He seems to have been peculiarly endeared to her Ladyship, from the frequent mention of him in Mr. Whitefield’s letters.

“I thank the Lord (says he) ten thousand times that your Ladyship is so well pleased with Mr. Baddelley: he expresses the strong sense he has of the obligations he lies under to the Lord Jesus Christ, and under him, to your Ladyship. O that neither of us may prove ungrateful in any respect!” And again: “I bless God for Mr. Baddelley, and rejoice exceedingly in the comfort which your Ladyship has in him. I will take care to cultivate our acquaintance, and earnestly pray that it may be blessed to our natural improvement. I trust he will be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and doubt not ere long I shall hear of his receiving some wounds and scars of honour in the field of battle.”

Mr. Whitefield had a strong personal regard for Mr. Baddelley, and frequently corresponded with him. The following letter, while it exhibits that good man’s concern for him, makes Mr. Baddelley’s principles and views also evident:--

“London, Jan. 12, 1750.

“My very dear Sir--Lest I should be hindered to-morrow, or in the beginning of the week, I now sit down to answer your kind letter. O that I may be helped to write something that may do you service, and be a means of quickening you in that delightful cause in which you are embarked. I see, my dear Sir, you are likely to have hot work before you quit the field; for I find you have begun to batter Satan’s strongest holds--I mean the self-righteousness of man. Here, Sir, you must expect the strongest opposition--it is the Diana of every age--it is the golden image which that apostate Nebuchadnezzar, man, continually sets up; and the not falling down to worship it, but much more the speaking, writing, or preaching against it, exposes one immediately to the fury of its blind votaries, and we are thrown directly into a den of devouring lions. But fear not, Mr. Baddelley; the God whom we serve--the Captain under whose banner we are listed, is able to deliver us: he knows how to train us up gradually for war, and is engaged to bring us off more than conquerors from the field of battle. If any one need give way, it must be the poor creature that is writing to you, for I believe there is not a person living more timorous by nature. But I trust, in a degree, Jesus hath delivered me from worldly hopes and worldly fears, and by his grace strengthening me, he makes me often bold as a lion. But O, my dear Sir, this petty character of mine I did not at first care to part with; ’twas death to be despised, and worse than death to think of being laughed at by all: but when I began to consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, I then longed to drink of the same cup, and, blessed be God, contempt and I am pretty intimate, and have been so for about twice seven years. Jesus’ love makes it a very agreeable companion, and I no longer wonder that Moses made such a blessed choice, and rather chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. May the Lord Jesus make us thus indeed! For there is no doing good without enduring the scourge of the tongue; and take this for a certain rule, ‘the more successful you are, the more hated you will be by Satan, and the more despised you will be by those that know not God.’ What has the honoured Lady Huntingdon suffered, under whose roof you dwell? Above all, what did your blessed Master suffer, who hath done such great things for you? O let us follow him, though it be through a sea of blood. I could enlarge, but time will not permit. I am ashamed of my unprofitableness, and must retire after begging that you will not forget, reverend and dear Sir, yours, &c.,

“G. WHITEFIELD.”

Whilst Lady Huntingdon was thus actively engaged in the country, Mr. Whitefield was rejoicing in the success attending his ministry in the metropolis:--

“Though I am wearied (says he) in walking to and from South Audley-street,[60] yet I must not omit sending to your Ladyship this night. Every day we have new hearers, and I find some one or another is almost continually brought under convictions, or is edified at the Tabernacle. Were it as big again, I believe, on Sunday mornings, it would be filled. This day hath been spent with the Countess,[61] Lady Gertrude,[62] Colonel Gumley, &c. I gave them the communion, and afterwards preached; the public minister from Genoa came to hear me, and I believe it was a profitable season. Lady Fanny holds on, and writes word to the Countess, that she wishes all were as happy as she hath been in reading Bishop Hall’s ‘Contemplations.’”

He also expounded at the residence of Lady Gertrude Hotham--

“Where (says he) I gave the blessed sacrament, and afterwards a word of exhortation. Our Lord was there, and your Ladyship and honoured sisters were remembered before Him. On Tuesday next the blessed feast is to be again repeated at the Countess’s house.”

Towards the end of January, Lady Huntingdon was attacked by an alarming indisposition, which for several days seemed to threaten the loss of her valuable life. The Ladies Hastings, with that solicitude all must feel for an object of so much moment, sought the best medical assistance which could be procured in the vicinity of Ashby-place, yet looked continually to God for his blessing on every means pointed out for the relief of the Countess. An express was immediately despatched to Northampton, and in about ten days the violence of the disease began to abate under the judicious treatment of Dr. Stonhouse, and her Ladyship became so far recovered as to be able to write to her friends, though for some weeks unable to leave her apartment. Lady Anne Hastings wrote to apprise Mr. Whitefield of Lady Huntingdon’s alarming situation, but he being in the country, did not receive her letter, and knew nothing of her Ladyship’s indisposition, till he heard of her recovery on his arrival at Bristol, whence he wrote to her thus:--

“With great delight (on my coming to Bristol last night), I heard of your Ladyship’s recovery. May the Lord of all lords perfect the begun blessing, and give you to live many years to be an ornament to his Church, and a blessing to his people. May the Lord Jesus be with your spirit, and with the spirit of your honoured sisters, whom I always remember. I doubt not but they were much concerned at your Ladyship’s illness. May they long live with you to be fellow-helpers of each other’s faith, and to shine as lights in the world! May the blessing of many ready to perish descend on your Ladyship!”

Immediately on the approach of convalescence, Lady Huntingdon wrote to Mr. Whitefield, who replied from Bristol, where he was still labouring, to the following effect:--

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, in mercy to his Church and people, is yet pleased to hold your soul in life, and make your Ladyship instrumental in plucking sinners as brands out of the burning. All these things I look upon only as the earnests of good things to come. Goodness and mercy will follow your Ladyship all the days of your life, and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever! Lady Anne’s sudden shock[63] proves that the old observation is true, ‘seldom one affliction comes alone.’ I rejoice to hear that her Ladyship is recovered, and pray the Lord of all lords so to sanctify it to her better part, that she may be ready at a moment’s warning to go forth and meet the heavenly Bridegroom. O, to be always ready--to have nothing to do but to die! Surely the Redeemer hath purchased this blessing for us. Doth not your Ladyship find it difficult to be resigned to life, and to continue so long absent from the Lord? But there is one consideration which may make life desirable to the greatest saint on earth; he may here do and suffer for Jesus, and call sinners to Him; but in heaven all this will be over. Come life, then, come death, Jesus, may thy will be done, in, by, and upon thy people! I know your Ladyship’s heart echoes back, Amen. But what shall I say to the opposition arising at Ashby? I trust it is a sign that good has already been done, and that more is still doing. The Searcher of hearts knows how highly I value your Ladyship’s letters: yet I think it honour enough to have leave to write to you, without expecting punctual answers. O that I may gladden your heart with glad tidings from the west! I believe I shall. I have been much helped in preaching here, and have heard of two that were thoroughly ashamed when I was here last. But I forget that your Ladyship is yet confined to your room. May the Lord Jesus make it a Bethel, a house of God, and a gate of heaven to your soul!”

Hitherto Lady Huntingdon had not corresponded with Mr. Hervey, though she had long entertained a great regard for this amiable man. One or two letters had passed between them, but no regular correspondence took place till the close of the year 1749, at which time Mr. Whitefield congratulated him thus:--“I am glad you have opened a correspondence with our elect Lady. Keep it open, I entreat you, my dear friend, and be not _nimis nullus_.” To the repeated request of Lady Huntingdon, conveyed through Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Hervey at length yielded, and commenced a correspondence, which continued uninterrupted till he was removed to his eternal reward. His first letter was dated February 2, 1750, and runs thus:--

“My Lady--It is impossible for me to withhold my pen, or to neglect the opportunity of the very first post, since I am assured by your ladyship’s excellent chaplain, that a letter from so mean a hand may hope for the honour of your acceptance.

“But how shall I proceed, now I have begun? What religious truth can I write that your Ladyship has not known? What Christian grace can I suggest, that your Ladyship does not exercise? Or, what valuable subject touch upon, which your own meditations have not gone through? Yes, there is _one_ subject, which even your Ladyship’s exalted apprehensions have never found out to perfection; I mean the sublime and adorable attributes of the infinite God. What amazing glories shine forth, even in the ‘back parts’ of the Lord Jehovah, in those transient and dim discoveries of himself which He vouchsafes to the children of men--to creatures that dwell in clay!

“If we talk of _power_, who is like unto the Lord our God? ‘which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble; which commandeth the sun and it riseth not, and sealeth up the stars; which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea; which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.’

“If we admire _greatness_, how supremely great is He who inhabits eternity; who spans immensity; before whom all nations are as the small drop of the bucket; are as the smaller dust upon the balance; are less than nothing, and vanity.

“If we reverence _holiness_, the Lord of Hosts is ‘glorious in holiness.’ O how transcendently holy is that Being who looketh into the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight; who sees defilement in the brightness of the firmament, and charges his angels with folly; to the footstool of whose throne not the most irreproachable saint may draw near, but only through the atonement and intercession of a Divine Mediator.

“Does _wisdom_ challenge our esteem? ‘O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!’ He has ordered all things, through heaven, through earth, and through universal nature, in numbers, weight, and measure. But, by the marvellous work of redemption, he has brought light out of darkness; fetched the most sovereign good from the most destructive evil; has reconciled the claims of inflexible justice with the overtures of unmerited mercy. Has given such a display of his unsearchably wise counsels, as the highest archangels contemplate with amazement, adoration, and joy.

“Is _goodness_ aimable? How superabundant is the goodness of the Lord! To give us a world for our accommodation, enriched with innumerable conveniences, adorned with innumerable beauties, is a small thing for the God of love. He has prepared a heaven of happiness, and mansions of immortal glory, for our final reception. Is not this enough?--enough, one would think, to charm our hearts, and make them glow with gratitude. Yet not nearly enough for the boundless beneficence of our God. He spared us when we deserved everlasting punishment. He loved us when we were altogether become abominable. So immensely, so inconceivably did he love us, apostates and rebels as we were, that he gave his Son, his Son beyond thought illustrious, to die in our stead, and to make a reconciliation for our iniquities.

“My paper shortens, and my subject increases: I must therefore refrain. Only I pray that your Ladyship may enjoy, every day, every hour, every moment, richer manifestations of this adorable God, and of Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. May your Ladyship delight yourself in this unutterably excellent Being, and may he give you the desire of your heart! Your Ladyship’s desire, I am persuaded, is, that you may be conformed to his lovely image, and resigned to his blessed will. My desire, and the desire of thousands, to whom your Ladyship’s bounty has been a relief, and your Ladyship’s example a blessing, is comprehended in that precious promise recorded Psalm xci. 14, 15, 16. I have not room to transcribe it; but it shall be turned into a prayer for your Ladyship, by your Ladyship’s most obliged and most dutiful servant,”

“JAMES HERVEY.”

To return to Mr. Whitefield. From Bristol he proceeded to the Land’s End, preaching at a great many places by the way. From St. Ginny’s he writes thus:--

“I preached at Tavistock on my way hither, and yesterday was a glorious day of the Son of Man. Our Lord gave us to see his stately steps and outdoings in the sanctuary. Four of Mr. Wesley’s preachers were present, and also four clergymen in their gowns and cassocks; Mr. Bennett, aged four-score, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Grigg, and myself. Mr. Thompson desired that his most dutiful respects might be presented to your Ladyship. Blessed be God that you are better. I am not forgetful of you by night or by day. I hope the souls of your honoured sisters do prosper; and that you will yet live to see Jesus Christ formed in the hearts of all your relations. That everything your Ladyship writes, says, or does, may be mightily owned and blessed by the Redeemer, is the continual prayer of your Ladyship’s most obliged and ready servant, for Christ’s sake.”

One reason for Mr. Whitefield’s visit to the West, at this time, was to see how his letter to the Bishop of Exeter had been received. He found, in his own circle there, that it had been “much blest.” He learnt also that “my Lord of Exeter had said, he writes like an honest man, and had recanted several things; but (added Lavington) he _goes on_ in the same way yet.” He did. He went to Exeter, and appeared in the _fields_ again. The Bishop, therefore, threatened another pamphlet. Lavington could do no more against Methodists than write. Mr. Thompson, Vicar of St. Ginny’s--the intimate friend of Lady Huntingdon, Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Wesley, and Mr. Hervey--was educated at Exeter College, Oxford; and after entering into orders, became chaplain to the “Tiger” man-of-war, in which he went to America. On his return to England, he became incumbent of St. Ginny’s, near Camelford, in Cornwall, and succeeded to a family estate of about five hundred pounds a year. He was a first-rate genius, and much caressed by neighbouring ministers and gentry; but was a very gay, dissipated young man. In the midst of his debaucheries, he had the following dream:--“This day month, at six in the afternoon, you must appear before the judgment of Christ, to give an account of the dreadful abuse of all your talents, and the injuries done to the souls committed to your care.” This remarkable dream, twice repeated, with circumstances of great terror, was the means of his conversion. He was now filled with a burning zeal for the honour of God, and love for immortal souls. He returned to his pulpit, and commenced preaching experimentally the doctrine of man’s fall, sin, and misery; the necessity of regeneration; the imputation of Christ’s righteousness; the necessity of holiness as the evidence of acceptance before a holy God; and the absolute need of the energy of the Holy Spirit, to begin and carry on a saving change in the heart and life. The hand of the Lord remarkably sealed the promulgation of these doctrines in the conversion of numbers in his parish. In March, 1748, all the neighbouring ministers shut their pulpit doors against him; and he was soon after summoned before his diocesan to answer the charges made against him. The Bishop threatened to “strip the gown from him” for his “Methodistical practices,” and for daring to countenance Mr. Whitefield. His Lordship was saved the trouble; for that moment Mr. Thompson stripped himself, and throwing the gown at Lavington’s feet, said, “I can preach the Gospel without a gown;”[64] and retired. Astonished at such independent conduct, the Bishop stood amazed, and on recovering his surprise, sent for Mr. Thompson, and soothed him; but he indemnified himself for his condescension, by publishing immediately the second part of his “Enthusiasm Compared.” Mr. Whitefield had good reason, as well as great provocation, to say of both parts, “The Bishop has served the Methodists as the Bishop of Constance served John Huss, when he ordered painted devils to be put round his head before burning him.” He did not answer him. He did better. He went to Exeter, accompanied by a Rural Dean, to preach the Gospel as usual, and divine influence accompanied the word. “This (he says) is, I think, the best way to answer those who oppose themselves.” He preached there twice on the same day. In the evening, the Bishop and several of his Clergy stood near to him, and saw ten thousand persons awe-struck by his appeals. They saw also three large stones thrown in succession at his head, by a furious drunkard, one of which cut him severely; but neither the high-priest nor his Levites interfered, although one of their own parishioners also was felled to the ground at the same time.

These particulars are detailed in a letter from Mr. Whitefield to Lady Huntingdon.

About this period Lady Huntingdon received the melancholy intelligence of the death of the Duke of Somerset, which occurred on the 7th of February, at Percy Lodge, near Colnbrook. “Truly (writes her Ladyship) I sympathize with my beloved Duchess on the loss of such a husband, who was not more distinguished for his high birth and exalted rank, than for generosity, affability, and every amiable quality which can render a nobleman beloved and esteemed.” For some time previous to his decease, his Grace was afflicted with severe pain, which he was enabled to bear with the utmost patience and sweetness of temper. He was a man of real piety, and presented to the view of every noble person a pattern worthy of imitation. His end was peace: and in his last moments he displayed such a calmness, composure, and resignedness, such a heroic fortitude and constancy in death, as excited admiration, and left a glorious proof of the powerful support with which the faith and hope of the real Christian will furnish the good man in his most destitute and latest moments.

On the decease of the Duke, her Grace retired to “Percy Lodge,” the place so often mentioned in the works of Shenstone, Thomson, and other poets of her time, by whom she was deservedly admired and celebrated for her fine taste, distinguished genius, amiable manners, and exalted virtues. It was at Bath that Lady Huntingdon first became acquainted with the Duchess, to whom she was introduced by the Dowager Lady Hyndford, when a friendship commenced that continued uninterrupted to the death of her Grace, which took place a few years after.[65]

Her Grace’s acquaintance with Lady Huntingdon was the means, under God, of leading her to a saving knowledge of the Gospel before she was removed hence. Mr. Whitefield, writing to Governor Belcher, speaking of Lady Huntingdon, says:--“Her Ladyship corresponds with the Duchess of Somerset, but I fear the latter doth not yet glory in the cross of Christ so much as might be wished. You know we must have true self-denial and a disinterested spirit, before we can be sincerely willing to be accounted fools for Christ’s sake.”