Whitfield said, "We shall sing a hymn, during which those who do not choose to give their mite on this awful occasion, may sneak off." Not one moved; he got down from the pulpit, ordered all the doors to be shut but one, at which be held the plate himself, and collected the above large sum. Mr. Newton related what he knew to be a fact, that at the time of Whitfield's greatest persecution, when obliged to preach in the streets, in one week he received not fewer than a thousand letters from persons distressed in their consciences by the energy of his preaching. (h) HUME'S TRIBUTE TO WHITFIELD.-An extraordinary attestation to the excellence of Mr. Whitfield, as a preacher, was furnished by Hume, the historian, well known for his infidelity. An intimate friend having asked him what he thought of Mr. Whitfield's preaching, "He is, sir," said Mr. Hume, "the most ingenious preacher I ever heard: it is worth while to go twenty miles to hear him." He then repeated the following passage, which occurred towards the close of the discourse he had been hearing: "After a solema pause, Mr. Whitfield thus addressed his numerous audience :The attendant angel is just about to leave the threshold, and ascend to heaven. And shall he ascend, and not bear with him the news of one sinner, among all this multitude, reclaimed from the error of his ways?' To give the greater effect to this exclamation, he stamped with his foot, lifted up his eyes and hands to heaven, and, with gushing tears, cried aloud, Stop, Gabriel! Stop, Gabriel! Stop, ere you enter the sacred portals, and yet carry with you the news of one sinner converted to God.' He then, in the most simple, but energetic language, described what he called a Saviour's dying love to sinful man, so that almost the whole assembly melted into tears. This address was accompanied with such animated, yet natural action, that it surpassed anything I ever saw or heard in any other preacher." Happy had it been for Mr. Hume, if, in addition to his admiration of the preacher, he had received the doctrine which he taught, and supplied an instance of that conversion to God which Mr. Whitefield so ardently longed for on behalf of his hearers. (i) FRANKLIN'S TRIBUTE TO WHITFIELD.-The following anecdote, related by Dr. Franklin, which is equally characteristic of the preacher and himself, further illustrates the power of Mr. Whitfield's eloquence :- "I happened," says the doctor, "to attend one of his sermons, in the course of which I perceived he intended to finish with a collection, and I silently resolved he should get nothing from me. I had in my pocket a handful of copper money, three or four silver dollars, and five pistoles in gold. As he proceeded I began to soften, and concluded to give the copper. Another stroke of his oratory made me ashamed of that, and determined me to give the silver; and he finished so admirably, that I emptied my pocket wholly into the collector's dish,-gold and all. At this sermon there was also one of our club; who. being of my sentiments respecting the building in Georgia, and suspecting a collection might be intended, had, by precaution, emptied his pockets before he came from home. Towards the conclusion of the discourse, however, he felt a strong inclination to give, and applied to a neighbour, who stood near him, to lend him some money for the purpose. The request was made to, perhaps, the only man in the company who had the coldness not to be affected by the preacher. His answer was, 'At any other time, friend Hodgkinson, I would lend to thee freely; but not now, for thee seems to be out of thy right senses.' (j) A SCULPTOR'S OPINION OF WHITFIELD.-A baronet was one day examining some works of the celebrated sculptor, Mr. Bacon, and observed a bust of Mr. Whitfield among them, which led him to remark, "After all that has been said, this was truly a great man; he was the founder of a new religion." "A new religion, sir!" replied Mr. B. "Yes," said the baronet; "what do you call it?" "Nothing," was the reply, "but the old religion revived with new energy, and treated as if the preacher meant what he said." (k) THE BROKEN HEART.When Whitfield was preaching at in his voice and manner, which made my blood run cold, and my whole frame shiver. His peculiar phrases had that force of description, that the original scene seemed acting before our eyes. We saw the very faces of the Jews; the staring, frightful distortions of malice and of rage. But when he came to touch on the patience, the forgiving meekness of our Saviour; when he drew to the life his blessed eyes streaming with tears, his voice breathing to God the gentle prayer, Father, forgive them, for they knew not what they do,' Exeter (England), a man was present who had loaded his pockets with stones, in order to fling them at that precious ambassador of Christ. He heard his prayer, however, with patience; but no sooner had he named his text, than the man pulled a stone out of his pocket and held it in his hand waiting for a fair opportunity to throw it. But God sent a sword to his heart, and the stone dropped from his hand. After the service had closed, he went to Mr. W. and said, "Sir, I came to hear you this day with a view to break your head, but the spirit of the Lord, through your mini--the voice of the preacher, which had stry, has given me a broken heart." The man proved to be a sound convert, and lived to be an ornament to the gospel. (1) THE SHIP-BUILDER'S OPINION OF WHITFIELD.-A shipbuilder was once asked what he thought of Mr. Whitfield. "Think!" he replied; "I tell you, sir, every Sunday that I go to my parish church, I can build a ship from stem to stern under the sermon; but were I to save my soul, under Mr. W. I could not lay a single plank." (m) THE BLIND MINISTER."I was one Sunday travelling through the county of Orange, Virginia, on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge," says Wirt, in his "British Spy," "when my eye was caught by a cluster of horses tied near a ruinous wooden house, in the forest, not far from the road-side.. Having frequently seen such objects before, I had no difficulty in understanding that this was a place of religious worship. Curiosity to hear the preacher of such a wilderness induced me to join the congregation. On my entrance, I was struck with his supernatural appearance. He was a tall and very spare old man; his head, which was covered with a white linen cap, his shrivelled hands, and his voice, were all shaking under the influence of palsy; and a few moments ascertained to me that he was perfectly blind. It was the day of the sacrament-his subject was the passion of our Saviour; and he gave it a new and more sublime pathos than I had ever before witnessed. When he descended from the pulpit, to distribute the mystic symbols, there was a peculiar, a more than human solemnity 6 all along faltered, grew fainter and fainter, until his voice being entirely obstructed by the force of his feelings, he raised his handkerchief to his eyes, and burst into a loud and irrepressible flood of grief. The effect was inconceivable: the whole house resounded with mingled groans and sobs, and shrieks. I could not imagine how the speaker could let his audience down from the height to which he had wound them without impairing the solemnity of his subject, or shocking them by the abruptness of his fall. But the descent was as beautiful and sublime as the elevation had been rapid and enthusiastic. The tumult of feeling subsided, and a death-like stillness reigned throughout the house, when the aged man removed his handkerchief from his eyes, still wet with the torrent of his tears, and slowly stretching forth his palsied hand, he exclaimed, Socrates died like a philosopher,' - then pausing, clasping his hands with fervour to his heart, lifting his sightless balls' to heaven, and pouring his whole soul into his tremulous voice, he continued-but Jesus Christ died like a God!' Had he been an angel of light, the effect could have scarcely been more divine.” 6 (n) FLETCHER'S APPEAL. When the Rev. J. W. Fletcher, of Madeley (England), was once preaching on Noah as a type of Christ, and while in the midst of a most animated description of the terrible day of the Lord, he suddenly paused. Every feature of his expressive countenance was marked with painful feeling; and, striking his forehead with the palm of his hand, he exclaimed, Wretched man that I am! Beloved brethren, it often cuts me to the soul, as it does at this moment, to reflect, that while I have been endeavouring, by the force of truth, by the beauty of holiness, and even by the terrors of the Lord, to bring you to walk in the peaceable paths of righteous ness, I am, with respect to many of you who reject the gospel, only tying millstones round your neck, to sink you deeper in perdition!" The whole church was electrified, and it was some time before he could resume his discourse. ENEMIES LOVE TO. 154. NATURE OF LOVE TO ENEMIES. (a) THE HAND OF THE AVENGER STAYED.-The following incident is taken from the Diary of Hans Egede Saabye, a grandson of the celebrated Hans Egede, first missionary to Greenland. It has ever been a fixed law in Greenland, that murder, and particularly the murder of a father, must be avenged. About twenty years before the arrival of Saabye, a father had been murdered in the presence of his son, a lad of thirteen, in a most atrocious manner. The boy was not able then to avenge the crime, but the murderer was not forgotten. He left that part of the country, and kept the flame burning in his bosom, no suitable opportunity offering for revenge, as the man was high in influence, and many near to defend him. At length his plan was laid, and with some of his relations to assist him, he returned to the province of the murderer, who lived near the house of Saabye; there being no house unoccupied where they might remain, but one owned by Saabye, they requested it, and it was granted, without any remark, although he knew the object of their coming. The son soon became interested in the kind missionary, and often visited his cabin, giving as his reason, "You are so amiable I cannot keep away from you." Two or three weeks afterwards, he requested to know more of "the great Lord of heaven," of whom Saabye had spoken. His request was cheerfully granted; soon it appeared that himself and all his relatives were desirous of instruction, and ere long, the son requested baptism. To this request the missionary answered, "Kunnuk,"-for that was his name-"you know God; you know that he is good, that he loves you, and desires to make you happy; but he desires, also, that you should obey him." Kunnuk answered, "I love Him, I will obey Him." "His command is, 'Thou shalt not murder.'" The poor Greenlander was much affected, and silent. "I know," said the missionary, "why you have come hither with your relations; but this you must not do, if you wish to become a believer." Agitated, he answered, "But he murdered my father!" For a long time the missionary pressed this point, and the poor awakened heathen promised to "kill only one." But this was not enough. "Thou shalt do no murder," Saabye insisted was the command of the Great Lord of heaven. He exhorted the man to leave the murderer in the hand of God to be punished in another world; but this was waiting too long for revenge. The missionary refused him baptism, without obedience to the command; and he retired to consult his friends, who urged him to revenge. Saabye visited him, and without referring to the subject, read those portions of Scripture and hymns teaching a quiet and forgiving temper. Some days afterwards, Kunnuk came again to the cabin of Saabye. "I will," said he, "and I will not; I hear, and I do not hear. I never felt so before; I will forgive him, and I will not forgive him." The missionary told him, "When he would forgive, then his better spirit spoke; when he would not forgive, then his unconverted heart spoke." He then repeated to him the latter part of the life of Jesus, and his prayer for his murderers. A tear stood in his eye. "But he was better than I," said Kunnuk. "But God will give us strength," Saabye answered. He then read the martyrdom of Stephen, and his dying prayer for his enemies. Kunnuk dried his eyes and said, "The wicked men! -he is happy; he is certainly with God in heaven. My heart is so moved; but give me a little time; when I have brought the other heart to silence, I will come again." He soon returned with a smiling countenance, "Now I am happy; I hate no more; I have forgiven; my wicked heart shall be silent." He and his wife, having made a clear profession of faith in Christ, were baptized and received into the fellowship of the church. Soon he sent the following note to the murderer of his father: "I am now a believer, and you have nothing to fear," and invited him to his house. The man came, and invited Kunnuk in his turn to visit him. Contrary to the advice of friends, Kunnuk went, and, as he was returning home, he found a hole had been cut in his kajak (or boat) in order that he might be drowned. Kunnuk stepped out of the water, saying, "He is still afraid, though I will not harm him!" What a noble example of self-conquest! What an illustrious exhibition of the power of the Gospel! missionary again, "and I will tell you why. My religion commands me to love my enemies, and to do good to them who treat me injuriously." Then, turning to the culprit, he addressed him in these words: "I forgive you from my heart; but never forget that you owe your escape from punishment to that Jesus whom you persecuted in me." The effect of this scene on the Hindoos was most impressive. They saw it and marvelled; and unable any longer to keep silence, they sprang on their feet, and shouted, Victory to Jesus Christ!-Victory to Jesus Christ!" (c) LINKS AND THE MURDERER.-Peter Links, a Namacqua, was the brother of Jacob Links, who was murdered when on a journey into the country with Mr. Threlfall, the Wesleyan missionary. After we heard of his brother Jacob's murder, Peter, when speaking on the subject, said, "Oh that I could find the murderer who took away my brother's life! I would not care what distance I might have to travel; I would not mind any exposure, fatigue, or danger; I would not care what expense I might incur, if I could only lay hold of that man." Being aware that men in their savage state cherish an indomitable spirit of revenge, but believing Peter to be a decidedly pious character, I was a little astonished at his language, and rather hastily inquired, "Well, supposing you could find the man, what would you do to him?" "Do to him?" said Peter; "Mynheer, I would bring him to this station, that he might hear the Gospel, and that his soul might be converted to God." EXHIBITIONS OF LOVE TO ENEMIES. 155. BLESSING ENEMIES. (b) THE MISSIONARY ASSAILED.- Not may years ago, a missionary was preaching in a chapel to a crowd of idol-loving Hindoos. He had not proceeded far in his sermon, when he was interrupted by a strong native, who went behind the desk, intending to knock him down with his stick. Happily, the blow aimed at the minister fell on his shoulder and did him little, if any, injury. The hearers however, (a) MUNMOTH AND THE were very angry with the offender, and PAPIST.-Bishop Latimer tells us, in seized him at the very moment he was his seventh sermon on the Lord's Prayer, attempting his escape. "Now, what of a rich man who had a poor neighshall I do with him?" said the mis- bour, whom he treated very kindly. sionary to the people: "what shall I But the alderman became a Protestant, do to him?" Give him a good beating," and his poor friend became his enemy. answered some. "I cannot do that," said he. "Send him to the judge," Indeed, the poor man would not vouchsafe to speak to him; if he met the cried others; "and he will receive two years' hard labour on the road." "Iphrey Munmoth, sheriff and alderman of * The rich man here spoken of was Humcannot follow your advice," said the London. rich man in the street, he would go out of his way." One time it happened that he met him in so narrow a street that he could not shun him, but must come near him; yet for all this, this poor man was minded to go forward, and not to speak with him. The rich man perceiving that, caught him by the hand, and asked him, 'Neighbour, what is come into your heart, to take such displeasure with me? what have I done against you? tell me, and I will be ready at all times to make you amends.' "Finally, he spoke so gently, so charitably and friendly, that it wrought in the poor man's heart, so that by-and-by he fell down upon his knees, and asked his forgiveness. The rich man forgave him, and took him again into his favour, and they loved each other as well as ever they did before. Many a one would have said,-set him in the stocks, let him have bread of affliction, and water of tribulation; but this man did not so. And here you see an example of the practice of God's words; so that the poor man, bearing great hatred and malice against the rich man, was brought, through the lenity and meekness of the rich man, from his error and wickedness, to the knowledge of God's word. I would that you would consider this example well, and follow it." (6) NARDIN AND HIS ENEMIES. -This excellent pastor of the church of Blamont (France), was so little affected by the unjust proceedings and outrageous conduct to which he was exposed, that the remembrance of it was soon effaced from his mind. If he ever felt any thing like a desire to be avenged, nothing of the kind appeared in the case about to be related. Some time after he had been restored to the ministry, and re-established at Blamont, the intendant of Besançon repaired to the town, and immediately requested to see Mr. The latter having complied with the invitation, the other said to him, among several complimentary speeches, "Well, Mr. Nardin, you see yourself well avenged. You ought to be satisfied that your two adversaries, who laboured to make you end your days in the dungeons of the mighty Grisons, have been shut up there themselves, whilst you have been pronounced inno Nardin. cent." The two persons, indeed, who were most cruelly bent on his destruction, were for some time under confinement in the prisons of Besançon; one as a dealer in contraband commodities, and the other for disturbing certain rights claimed by the Roman Catholics. Mr. Nardin, feeling himself but little flattered by this compliment, replied, in a soft but unhesitating tone, "My religion, my lord, does not permit me to rejoice in the misfortunes of my enemies. I pity them; and wish that a wiser conduct may shelter them from such punishments." (c) BRUEN AND HIS ENEMY.A gentleman once sent his servant to John Bruen, Esq., of Bruen, requesting him never to set a foot upon his ground. Bruen returned this reply: "If it please your master to walk upon my grounds, he shall be very welcome; but if he please to come to my house, he shall be still more welcome;" and by thus heaping coals of fire upon the gentleman's head, he melted him down into love and tenderness, and made him his cordial friend. 156. DOING GOOD TO ENEMIES. (a) THE UNRULY CATTLE.— The horse of a pious man living in Massachusetts, happening to stray into the road, a neighbour of the man who owned the horse put him into the pound. Meeting the owner soon afterwards, he told him what he had done; "and if I catch him in the road again," said he, "I'll do it again." "Neighbour,” replied the other, "not long since, I looked out of my window in the night, and saw your cattle in my meadow, and I drove them out, and shut them in your yard; and if I again find them there, I'll do it again." Struck with the reply, the man liberated the horse from the pound, and paid the charges himself. "A soft answer turneth away wrath." (b) THE PRINCESS AND THE WARRIOR.-The Bechuanas of South Africa are divided into many different nations or tribes. Two of these nations carried on war for some years, each side trying to kill every man, woman, and child of the other nation, and practising cruelties too horrid for |