Christmas Well Kept, and the Twelve Days Well Spent: An Extract from Mr. Whitefield's Journal, 1738-9
SUNDAY, Decem. 24.
Being Christmas-Eve, and having preached twice, I went in the Evening to Crooked-Lane Society, where God enabled me to withstand several Persons, who cavil'd against the doctrine of the New Birth. I then went and expounded to a Company at Mr. B—'s, in Little-Britain, and then went to another Love Feast in Fetter-Lane, and continued till near four in the Morning in Prayer, Psalms, & Thanksgiving, with many truly Christian Brethren; and my Heart was much enlarged & full of Love. God gave me a great Spirit of Supplication; Adored be his free Grace in Christ Jesus, Amen & Amen.
MONDAY Decem. 25. About four I went and prayed and expounded to another Society in Red-Cross-Street, consisting of near two or three hundred People, the Room was exceeding hot. I had been watching to Prayer all Night, yet God vouchsafed so to fill me with his blessed Spirit, that I spake with as great Power, as I ever did in my Life. My Body was weak, but I found a supernatural Strength, and the Truth of that Saying, When I am weak, then am I strong.
At Six I went to Crutched-Friars Society, and expounded as well as I could, but perceived myself a little oppressed with Drowsiness. How does the corruptible Body weigh down the Soul! When shall I be deliver'd from the Burden of this Flesh!
Preached (never the less) three times, and assisted in administring the Sacrament the same Day, without going to Sleep. God will make his Power to be known in me. This Day 24 Years I was baptized. Lord, to what little Purpose have I lived! However, I seal'd my Baptismal Covenant with my dear Savior's most blessed Body and Blood; and trust in his Strength I shall keep & perform it. Amen, Amen.
SATURDAY Decem. 30. Preached nine times this Week, and expounded near eighteen times, with great Power & Enlargement. Blessed be God, I am every Moment imploy'd, from Morning till Midnight. There's no End of People's coming and sending to me, and they seem more and more desirous, like newborn Babes, to be fed with the sincere Milk of the Word.
What a great Work has been wrought in the Hearts of many within this Twelve-Month! Now know I, that though Thousands might come at first out of Curiosity, yet God has prevented & quickned them by his free Grace. O that I could be humble and thankful!
Glory be to God, that he fills me continually, not only with Peace, but also Joy in the Holy Ghost! Before my Arrival, I thought I should envy my Brethren's Success in the Ministry, but blessed be God I rejoyce in it, and am glad to see Christ's Kingdom come, whatever Instruments God shall make use of to bring it about. Sometimes I perceive myself deserted for a little while, and much oppress'd, especially before preaching, but Comfort soon after flows in. The Kingdom of God is within me! O free Grace in Christ!
SUNDAY, Decem. 31. Preached twice to large Congregations, especially in the Afternoon at Spittlefields. I had great Hoarsness upon me, and was deserted before I went into the Pulpit; but God strengthned me to speak, so as to be heard by all.
I despair'd of speaking much more that Night, my Cold being very great; but God enabled me to expound to two Companies in Southwark; and I was never more enlarged in Prayer in my whole Life.
Those Words were much pressed upon my Soul, "And the Power of the Lord was present to heal them", and indeed I believe it was; for many were pricked to the Heart and felt themselves to be Sinners. O that all the World knew and felt that!
MONDAY, Jan. 1. Received the Holy Sacrament, preached twice, and expounded twice; and found this to be the happiest New-Years-Day that I ever yet saw. Oh, what Mercies has the Lord shewn me since this Day Twelve Month! And yet I shall see greater Things than these! O that my Heart may be prepared to see 'em! O that my old Things may pass away and all Things become new! Had a Love Feast with our Brethren at Fetter-Lane, and spent the whole Night in close Prayer, Psalms and Thanksgivings. God supported me without Sleep. O that our Despisers were Partakers of our Joys!
TUESDAY, Jan. 2. Staid at Home to receive those who wanted to consult me. Blessed be God, from seven in the Morning, till three in the Afternoon, People came; some telling me what God [illegible] done for their Souls, and others crying out — "What shall we do to be saved? Being oblig'd to go out after this, I referr'd several till Thursday. God enabled me to give 'em Answers of Peace. How does he work by my unworthy Hands! His Mercies melt me down, O that I were thankful!
THURSDAY, Jan. 4. My Cold continued, and I fear'd it would prevent my Speaking, yet God enabled me to expound with extraordinary Power in a private Society; and then to preach at Wapping Chapel, so that the Word pierc'd the Hearers' Souls! And afterward I expounded & prayed for an Hour and half, with great Power and Demonstration of the Spirit, and my Heart was full of God.
How immediately does Jesus Christ reward me for my poor Services! As soon as my daily Work is done, he says, "Enter you into the Joy of your Lord." He commands, & it is done.
FRYDAY, Jan. 5. Held a Conference at Islington, concerning several Things of great Importance, with seven true Ministers of Jesus Christ, despised Methodists, whom God brought together from the East and West, North and South.
What we were in Doubt about, after Prayer, we determined by Lot; and every Thing was carried on with great Love, Meekness & Devotion. We continued in Fasting & Prayer till three o' Clock, and then parted with a full Conviction that God was going to do great Things among us. Oh that we may be any ways Instrumental to his Glory! That he would make us Vessels pure and holy, meet for our Master's Use.
Expounded twice afterwards in London with great Power, and then was much enlarged for near an Hour in Prayer, in Fetter-Lane Society. The Spirit of Supplication increases in my Heart daily! May it increase ever, more and more.
I did not find the Pity I ought, upon seeing a Brother full of Self-love. LORD, enlarge my narrow Heart, and give me that Charity, which rejoices not in Iniquity, but rejoices in the Truth. I perceived something a little bordering on Envy toward my Brother H. I find more & more that true Humility consists in being submissive to those who are a little above or a little below us. "Oh when shall [illegible] to rejoyce in Others' Gifts & Graces, as much as in my own! I am resolved to wrestle with Jesus Christ, by Faith & Prayer, till He thus blesses me.
SATURDAY, Jan. 6. (Twelfth-Day) Preach'd six times this Week, and should a seventh, but a Minister would not permit me; which caus'd me to pray for him most earnestly. Blessed be God I can say, I love my Enemies.
Expounded twice or three times every Night this Week. The Holy Ghost so powerfully worked upon my Hearers, pricking their Hearts, and melting them into such Floods of Tears, that a spiritual Man said, "He never saw the like before."
GOD is with me of a Truth. Adored be His unmerited Goodness, I find his Grace quickning me more & more every Day. My Understanding is more enlightened, my Affections more inflamed, and my Heart full of Love towards God and Man. O that the Scoffers of these last Days were not only almost, but [illegible] such as I am, except my [illegible] corruptions!
