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While at Plymouth, four gentlemen came to the house of one of his particular friends, and with much seeming kindness, inquired after him, desiring to know where he lodged. Soon afterwards, Mr. Whitefield received a letter informing him, that the writer was a nephew of Mr. S, an attorney at New York; that he had the pleasure of supping with Mr. Whitefield at his uncle's house; and desired his company to sup with him and a few more friends, at a tavern. Mr. Whitefield sent him word, "that it was not customary for him to sup abroad at a tavern, but should be glad of the gentleman's company to eat a morsel with him at his lodgings." He accordingly came and supped; but was observed frequently to look around him, and to be very absent. At last he took his leave, and returned to his companions in the tavern; and being by them interrogated, what he had done, answered, that he had been used so civilly, he had not the heart to touch him." Upon which, another of the company, a lieutenant of the navy, laid a wager of ten guineas, that he would do his business for him. His companions, however, took away his sword. It was midnight: and Mr. Whitefield, having preached to a large congregation, and visited the French prisoners, had gone to bed; when the landlady came and told him, that a well dressed gentleman desired to see him. Mr. Whitefield imagining it was somebody under conviction, desired him to be brought up. He came and sat down by the bed side, congratulated him on the success of his ministry, and expressed much concern at being detained from hearing him. Soon after he broke out into the most abusive language; and in a cruel and cowardly manner beat him in bed. The landlady and her daughter hearing the noise, rushed into the room, and seized upon him; but he soon disengaged himself from them, and repeated his blows on Mr. Whitefield; who, being apprehensive that he intended to shoot or stab him, underwent all the surprise of a sudden and violent death. Afterwards, a second came into the house, and cried out from the bottom of the stairs, "take courage, I am ready to help you." But by the repeated cry of murder! the alarm was now so great, that they both made off. "The next morning," said Mr. Whitefield, "I was to expound at a private house, and then to set out for Biddeford. Some urged me to stay and prosecute; but being better employed, I went on my intended journey, was greatly blessed in preaching the everlasting gospel, and upon my return was well paid for what I had

Mr. Hervey is to be numbered. In a letter to Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Hervey thus expresses himself: "Your journals, dear sir, and sermons, and especially the sweet sermon on 'What think ye of Christ?' were a means of bringing me to the knowledge of the truth."

suffered curiosity having led perhaps two thousand more than ordinary, to see and hear a man that had narrowly escaped being murdered in his bed. And I trust in the five weeks time, while I waited for the convoy, hundreds were awakened and turned unto the Lord. At the Dock also, near Plymouth, a glorious work was begun. Could the fields, between Plymouth and the Dock, speak, they could tell what blessed seasons were enjoyed there.

The following narrative shows the power and influence of his preaching there.

The late Rev. Henry Tanner, of Exeter, in the year 1743, removed to Plymouth, to obtain employment as a ship builder. Here it pleased God to call him by his grace, under the ministry of Mr. Whitefield. Being at work, he heard from a considerable distance, the voice of that zealous man of God, who was preaching in the street, or fields, probably between Plymouth town and Dock: he immediately concluded that the preacher was a madman; and determined, with five or six more of his companions, to go and knock him off from the place on which he stood; and, for the purpose of more effectually injuring the mad parson, they loaded their pockets with stones. When, however, Mr. Tanner drew near, and perceived Mr. Whitefield extending his arms, and in the most pathetic language inviting poor lost sinners to Christ, he was struck with amazement. His resolution failed him: he listened with astonishment, and was soon convinced that the preacher was not mad; but was indeed speaking the "words of truth and soberness." Mr. Whitefield was then preaching from Acts xvii. 19, 20. "May we know what this new doctrine whereof thou speaketh is?-for thou bringest certain strange things to our ears." He went home much impressed, and determined to hear him again the next evening. He attended. Mr. Whitefield was wonderfully fervent in prayer. His text was Luke xxiv. 47. "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." After speaking of the heinous sin of the Jews, and of the Roman soldiers, who were the instruments of perpetrating the cruel murder of the Lord of life, Mr. Whitefield, turning from the spot where Mr. Tanner then stood, near his side, said, "You are reflecting now on the cruelty of those inhuman butchers, who imbued their hands in his innocent blood," when, suddenly turning round, and looking intently at Mr. Tanner, he exclaimed, "Thou art the man!" These words, sharper than any two edged sword, pierced him to the heart; he felt himself the sinner, who, by his iniquities, had crucified the Son of God. His sins stared him in the face; he knew not how to

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"Soon after he broke out into the most abusive language; and in a cruel and cowardly manner beat him in bed."

P. 99.

stand; and in agony of soul he was forced to cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" The preacher then, in melting language, proclaimed the free and superabounding grace of God in Christ, which was commanded to be preached; first of all to Jerusalem sinners, the very people who had murdered the Prince of life; and from which a gleam of hope beamed into his heart. Under this sermon, many other persons were convinced of sin, and brought to God. The next night Mr. Tanner heard Mr. Whitefield preach again: his subject was "Jacob's ladder." From this discourse he obtained such views of the person, character, and love of the great Mediator, as enabled him to lay hold on the hope set before him, and to rejoice in Christ Jesus.

The advances which Mr. Tanner made in religious knowledge and experience, were exceedingly rapid. By reviewing his former state, he learned to pity the souls of his fellow men, whom he saw perishing for lack of knowledge. Having experienced the power of divine truth on his own heart, he became strongly inclined to the ministry of the gospel. In 1754, he hired a room, and soon began to preach. His labors were

remarkably blessed, and he seemed never to preach one sermon in vain! A circumstance now occurred, which perhaps deserves to be recorded-A man, who lived in the court in which Mr. Tanner preached, was so very much exasperated at having a Methodist preaching room near him, that he determined to remove to another part of the city. He did so; but afterwards returned to the same house. Here he was taken ill; and was confined in a room so near the preaching place, as to be able to hear Mr. Tanner. He heard him pray with great fervor for the king, and all classes of men. His prejudices were overcome: he began to think well of him. Mr. Tanner, introduced some part of the articles and homilies of the Church of England, to prove that the doctrines which he taught were consistent with them. The next morning the man brought a bible with the articles, that he might judge of the truth of what he had heard. When he read, he said to those about him, "this is just as this man preaches." He afterwards ventured to go into the room, where the Lord made the gospel "the power of God" unto his salvation. This man afterwards went into the neighboring villages to speak to his fellow sinners; and there is reason to believe that his attempts were blessed to many souls.

In 1769, Mr. Tanner built the Tabernacle in Exeter, where he labored for many years, preaching three times every Lord's day, and twice in the week, besides engaging in more private

exercises.

Mr. Tanner did not confine his ministry to Exeter; he

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