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 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
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AT THE AGE OF 3 9 , 
 ' list erected at the death of tlie Earl, in ttie Church at 
 A' M K\Y- DE -LA- Z OTJ CH , LEICE S TER SHIRF. .. 
 
^ 
 
 MEMOIR LOCT 8 1931 
 
 OF 
 
 x\\\n, CuuntfSiS of l^aintinghn 
 
 COMPILED FROM AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS, 
 
 EEY. ALFRED H. NEW, 
 
 Author of " The Voice of the Bible to the Age." 
 
 J^ttJisetr SBtrCtton 
 
 NEW YOEIC 
 
 PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF 
 EVANGELICAL KNOWLEDGE, 
 
 NO. 11 BIBLE PLACE, ASTOR HOUSE. 
 
 1858. 
 
PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITIOIS". 
 
 The great events now in progress, render tliis new 
 Life of Lady Huntingdon a timely re-publication. But, 
 in issuing it from a'Cliurcli press, some explanatory ob- 
 servations are deemed advisable. 
 
 It is hardly possible for us to conceive the spiritual 
 state of England in 1735. The rulers of the Church 
 were ignorant of the Gospel, and generally opposed to 
 all measures for its revival, some from constitutional 
 arrogance^ others from worldliness and prejudice. 
 
 The nobility and upper classes were either utterly 
 indifferent, or openly infidel. The rudeness and deprav- 
 ity of the common people answered in full to the picture 
 of it drawn by Mr. Foster, in his Essay on " Popular 
 Ignorance ;" while the few zealous ones here and there, 
 were, for the most part, walking in the moon-light Gos- 
 pel of Mr. Law. One of this class was the mother of 
 the Wesleys, whose experience, as described by the 
 younger, may still be read upon her tomb in Bunhill 
 Fields, though she came to the light at the eleventh 
 hour: 
 
 " True daughter of affliction, slie, 
 Inured to pain and misery, 
 Wept a long night of grief and fears, 
 A legal night of seventy years." 
 
 It is impossible to appreciate the subsequent history 
 of religion without keeping these facts in view. Some 
 might wish to see them suppressed, especially such delin- 
 quencies of high officers in the Church as occasionally 
 appear in the following Memoir, and in every faithful 
 
 history of the times. But this is neither wise nor neces- 
 
 (iii) 
 
iv PREFACE. 
 
 sary. Let the facts speak as in tlie impartial records of 
 the apostolic and early churches. The church properly 
 speaking is not responsible for them. Her standards were 
 sound and pure, nor is it an unheard of thiug that 
 such standards should find their true representatives at a 
 particular time, not in those who are in power, but in 
 those who are in humbler stations. These facts convey 
 wholesome lessons. They stand forth to vindicate the 
 necessity and often the measures of succeeding reforma- 
 tions, and in the light of them only can subsequent his- 
 tory be fully understood. 
 
 Such was the state of religion throughout England 
 when God raised up a new order of Evangelists such 
 as the world has not seen since the first apostles of Chris- 
 tianity. They were nurtured in the bosom of the Estab- 
 lished Church. In it and for it they opened their mis- 
 sion, and to it they were loyal in judgment and in feeling. 
 They loved its doctrines, its discipline, and its worship. 
 Let it now be put to vote in the Establishment itself 
 whether the Chaplains of Lady Huntingdon, or Dr. 
 Cornwallis and Bishop Lavington were the true church- 
 men of that day. We have lived to see the time when 
 the highest dignitaries of the Church are contending in 
 parliament for such "liberty of prophecying," as would 
 have satisfied the revivalists — a liberty which it is now 
 generally held to be not only impolitic but sinful to with- 
 hold : though there are not wanting men who will plead 
 the letter of tyrannical laws to hinder Bishops and Arch- 
 bishops themselves from evangelizing the masses by 
 extra canonical services. These are the parties charge- 
 able with the separations which ensued, and which they 
 forced upon those who were the benefactors of the 
 
PREFACE. y 
 
 ChurcTi and nation. They had no sympathy with the 
 DissenterS; or with any others who were uufilial to the 
 Church, though suffering so much from its unjust and 
 infatuated rulers. In proof of this, the chief of those 
 who ultimately were forced out, said, so late as 1766, 
 '' We are not Dissenters. We are not Seceders ; nor do 
 we bear any resemblance to them. We set out upon 
 quite opposite principles. The Seceders laid the very 
 foundation of their work in judging and condemning 
 others. We laid the foundation of our work in judging 
 and condemning ourselves. They begin ever where with 
 showing their hearers how fallen the Church and ministers 
 are. We begin everywhere by showing our hearers how 
 fallen they are themselves J'' 
 
 The peculiar power of these reformers was in their in- 
 tense and unquestionable love for the souls of their 
 fellow-creatures, and in the fact that they preached the 
 Gospel, which was then like a new revelation from 
 heaven. And this solves the mystery of their treatment 
 from its enemies ; for this Gospel is ever an amazement, 
 a scorn, and a riddle to the world and to the mere 
 Churchman, when preached by such evangelists as 
 Whitefield. Theirs was not the undefined and dreamy 
 devoutness of the pietist school, the connection of which 
 with the doctrines of Scripture was slender and precari- 
 ous, and which the world allows to pass unchallenged ; 
 on the contrary, their preaching was a distinct and 
 sharply defined announcement of the doctrines of grace, 
 which employed without scruple the very terms in which 
 they had been revealed by the Holy Ghost." 
 
 As to the separations which ensued, while we are not 
 
 1* 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 wise enough to pronounce upon the designs of Provi- 
 dence in allowing them, we think it must be evident now 
 that the permanent usefalness and influence of Lady 
 Huntingdon's chapels, (and as much may be said of the 
 WesleyanS;) would have been far better secured had these 
 separations not taken place. Whitefield, indeed, and 
 many others, never had their allegiance to the Church 
 severed, or as they said, at all weakened ; and the same 
 was true of the Countess herself; and a part of our de- 
 sign in the re-publication of her Life, is to acknowledge 
 and claim her distinguished labours as being in, and of, 
 and for the Church, Avhile our models are the persecuted 
 but still conforming evangelists, such as Yenn, Berridge, 
 Walker of Truro, Adam, Eomaine, and their successors. 
 And this leads us to say that " the great awakening" 
 has been too much connected in our minds with the men 
 who, through undesired events, were separated from our 
 own communion. These, from their peculiar talents, 
 came more prominently into history, but they were, by 
 no means, the exclusive originators of the work. Different 
 minds, unknown to one another, were at the same time 
 similarly affected towards the truth of the gospel. All 
 were in the Church, and but very few of her own minis- 
 ters, nothwithstanding their provocations, ever thought 
 of separation. They loved the Church as the Keformers 
 left it, and obeyed laws subsequently imposed, which 
 they believed most injurious to the Church, and most 
 unjust to her members, as the lesser evil. The names 
 of the conformers have been less conspicuous, as they 
 refused to head any parties; but they bore their full 
 share with the " irregulars " in producing the most sur- 
 prising moral revolution upon record, in which the 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 nobility shared as well as the ignorant multitude. It is 
 not denied that tlie Churcli was benefited by the struc- 
 tures external to it, which yet leaned against its walls ; 
 but the work of renovation was chiefly accomplished by 
 the builders, who continued within, and who, under per- 
 secution, repaired in the night what thieves had broken 
 down by day. Their work came with less of " observa- 
 tion," but it continued with historic succession in the 
 Church of England, and there it now lives, and is preg- 
 nant with further consequences. It is a remarkable 
 fact, acknowledged by observers from without, that the 
 '^ succession " of the great revival is now found not 
 among the Wesleyans, or Nonconformists of any name, 
 but in the bosom of the National Church. With some 
 abatement of its original fervors, it there survived and 
 and still survives, with a growing influence which has 
 removed innumerable abuses, and animated with new life 
 every department of that Church which has now greater 
 power for good than any other upon earth, which has 
 reached and controlled the government in its connection 
 therewith, and extended itself, through its missionaries 
 to the most distant nations. It is not pretended that 
 there are now living any full representatives of that un- 
 rivalled dispensation of the Spirit. There are not. But 
 it is not without a somewhat extended, and we trust 
 impartial reading and observation, that we express the 
 belief that the genius of the great revival of the eigh 
 teenth century is at this hour better represented in those 
 who fill the sees of Canterbury, York, and London, than 
 in the heads of the hierarchy which Wesley invented. 
 
 We may never have precisely the same demonstratior 
 again, but new revivals take new forms, as seems likel}' 
 
VIU PREFACE. 
 
 to be the case in the unprecedented religious interest 
 now in progress ; but as the last extended over thirty 
 years, with little abatement; and was in other respects 
 incomparably superior to any which had preceded it, in 
 virtue of which every religious community holding the 
 truth, has distanced the position which it held in 1740, 
 by many a league, of which little reckoning has been 
 had, so we trust that those which are to come, will be 
 still more extensive and glorious ; for the subjugation of 
 the whole world to the Spirit of the Gospel, is yet to be 
 accomplished. While sympathizing cordially in good, 
 and evil, and blessings, which other churches experience, 
 we rejoice with joy unspeakable over the progress of the 
 Gospel in the Church of England. Two nations, indeed, 
 are yet struggling in its womb — Jacob and Esau — but it 
 cannot be doubtful which shall prevail. A great work 
 for the truth in Europe, and throughout the Eastern 
 world, is before that church. With her relative strength, 
 as indicated in London, where she has church room for 
 875,000 hearers, while the Independents accommodate 
 but 59,000, the Methodists 57,000, and the Eomanists 
 85,000 — she is called to it. With a majority of the 
 bishops, and a body of eight or nine thousand minis- 
 ters, who hold the truth, and public sentiment still more 
 largely with them, sanguine hopes are entertained that 
 a greater day of evangelic aggression throughout the 
 British dominions, cannot be very far distant. The 
 Lord hasten it in his time. 
 June, 1858. 
 
 Note. — A few Abbreviations iu tliis Edition have been judged expe- 
 dient. — Editor. 
 
PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION. 
 
 For some years past, a regret has been very generally 
 expressed; that there existed no concise and popular 
 memoir of the Countess of Huntingdon. The excellent 
 volumes of her ^^ Life and Times,'''' were deemed too 
 voluminous and costly for an extensive circulation, and 
 not adapted to attract the general reader. Year after 
 year, however, passed, without any thing being attempted 
 to meet this pressing want ; until, at the beginning of 
 last year, the Author had the honour of being requested 
 to prepare a volume to supply the deficiency. Several 
 important documents, and a large mass of materials, 
 were placed in his hands; which, with the published 
 statements to which he has had access, have enabled 
 him to compile the following chronological record of 
 the Life of Lady Huntingdon. He has endeavoured to 
 state impartially the views and opinions of the celebra- 
 ted persons noticed in these pages; and has left the 
 startling facts, here recorded, to produce their natural 
 effect, without being tinged with any remarks of his 
 own. He regrets that, at this distant period, he has 
 been unable to discover many documents which would 
 throw light upon certain stages of her Ladyship's career ; 
 and takes this opportunity of thanking those friends who 
 have kindly assisted him with materials and advice. 
 
 As the life of the Countess extends over nearly the 
 whole of the eighteenth century, this volume discloses 
 much of the social and religious condition of England, 
 during this interesting period. At the commencement 
 of her career, the nation was overclouded with spiritual 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 darkness; tlie voice of evangelical tnith was nearly 
 speechless; a rigid formality chilled the church; and 
 every form of vice flourished. lu these pages it will be 
 seen, how God enkindled the light of divine truth, and 
 raised up many champions, to revive the church, and 
 evangelize the world ; and how the Countess succeeded 
 in blessing the extremes of society — the highest and the 
 lowest, the richest and the poorest — and thus sent forth 
 two streams of holy influences, which, at length, met in, 
 and permeated the middle classes. 
 
 It is singular that the revivalists of this period were 
 chiefly ministers and members of the Establishment; who 
 would have made the Church of England powerful and 
 popular in the land, but for the short-sighted bigotry, 
 which cast out those who were conspicuous for piety and 
 zeal. When the Countess first commenced her labours, 
 she never dreamt of the possibility of her separation 
 from the Church. She considered her ministers as her 
 chaplains, and her students as evangelists; and it will be 
 seen in this Memoir, how firmly she adhered to her prin- 
 ples, until she was reduced to the dilemma of relinquish- 
 ing her work, or separating from the Establishment. 
 She chose the latter alternative ; and endeavoured to 
 carry out the spirit and doctrines of the English Church, 
 more purely than she could have done, had she bowed to 
 the decision of that relic of a bygone age — the ecclesias- 
 tical court. Her position justified her step ; and the 
 proceedings of the evangelical portion of the clergy, in 
 the present day, silently honour her deeds by effecting 
 luitlciii the pale of the Establishment, what she could 
 effect only beyond it. 
 
PREFACE. XI 
 
 England is rapidly passing to a position, whence she 
 will be able to appreciate the value of the labours of 
 Lady Huntingdon. The more clearly the condition of 
 the nation, in the last century is discerned, the more ex- 
 alted will the character of her Ladyship appear. She 
 was at least half a century before her times. The claims 
 of the poor — the value of lay -agency — the importance of 
 open-air preaching to bring the Gospel to the masses — 
 the establishment of missions to the Heathen, and to the 
 Jews — the necessity of popular education — and the bless- 
 edness of Christian union, and catholicity of spirit — were 
 advocated by the Countess in an age, when the profes- 
 sion of such sentiments caused her to be branded as a 
 "Methodist," treated as an "enthusiast," and to be cast 
 out of the Establishment. Yet all of these tbings are now 
 being advocated by the evangelical dignitaries of the 
 Church of England, and are being carried out by the 
 clergy ! The poor have never received such attention 
 from the Church as at the present day ; the recent Bishop 
 of Norwich, Dr. Hinds, in his farewell address to his 
 clergy, urges upon them "the development of the prin- 
 ciple, now more and more claiming to be recognized, 
 that laymen and clergymen must he fellow-workers in the 
 Church, if it is to accomplish all that is required of it 
 at home and abroad." Open-air preaching, by distin- 
 guished clergymen, and even a learned bishop, is be- 
 coming common ; Church Missionary Societies are flour- 
 ishing ; school-rooms for educating, and preaching to the 
 poor, are being erected ; and a liberal catholic spirit now 
 happily prevails. Had the Countess, therefore, lived in 
 these days, she would have found public feeling in favour 
 
Xii P K E F A C E . 
 
 of her plans ; and instead of being maligned and perse- 
 cuted, slie would, doubtless, have been honoured and 
 praised. 
 
 The example of Lady Huntingdon is, however, still 
 needed to arouse and animate the Christian Church. 
 Although there is much that is bright and prosperous in 
 the religious condition of England, there is much that is 
 dark and deadly. Error, either in the form of rational- 
 ism, or of a refined Popery, is secretly poisoning many 
 fair districts ; a spirit of indifference is creeping over the 
 people ; and a morbid taste is springing up, which read- 
 ily turns from the Gospel to welcome any novelty in 
 doctrine or practice. The times require the services of 
 sincere, zealous, evangelical ministers and laymen, who 
 shall be ''instant in season and out of season" to win 
 souls ; and, like the illustrious Lady whose life is here 
 recorded, shall consecrate every thing they possess to 
 secure the extension of Christ's kingdom on earth. This 
 volume is, therefore, sent forth with the prayer, that the 
 perusal of it may stimulate many to imbibe the spirit, 
 and emulate the piety, zeal, and devoted activity of 
 Selina, Countess of Huntingdon. 
 
 A. H. N. 
 
 Leamington, 
 
 June 12th, 1857. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTEK I. 
 
 THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. — THE SHIRLEY FAMILY. 
 — STANTOX HAROLD. — LADY SELINA SHIRLEY 
 
 Page 
 
 5 
 
 HER childhood; EARLY IMPRESSIONS; EDUCA- 
 TION; APPEARANCE AT COURT. — IklARRIAGE WITH 
 LORD HUNTINGDON. — HIS FAMILY AND CHARAC- 
 TER. — DONNINGTON PARK. — LADY BOUNTIFUL. — 
 SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. — STRUGGLES AFTER TRUTH. 
 — ILLNESS OF THE COUNTESS. — THE DAWN OF 
 LIGHT. 21 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS CONDITION OF ENG- 
 LAND. — RISE OF METHODISM AT OXFORD. — JOHN 
 WESLEY. — GEORGE WHITEFIELD. — THE STARTLING 
 LABOURS OF THE METHODISTS. — PROVINCE OF GEOR- 
 GIA. — WHITEFIELD'S preaching. — LORD HUNT- 
 INGDON'S SISTERS CONVERTED THROUGH MR. ING- 
 HAM. — THE COUNTESS ENJOYS PEACE. — OPPOSI- 
 TION OF THE WORLD. — DR. BENSON. — DR. SOUTHEY. 
 THE COURT CIRCLE. — FETTER-LANE CHAPEL. — THE 
 
 nobility flock to whitefield through lady 
 Huntingdon's influence. - - - - 83 
 
 2 Cxiiij 
 
XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 LAY-PKEACHERS INTRODUCED BY LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 —MR. MAXFIELD. — THE COUNTESS AT BATH. — 
 DEATH OF LADY BETTY HASTINGS. — LADY HUNT- 
 INGDON'S CONCERN FOR HER SERVANTS. — BISHOP 
 BURNET. — ASHBY SCHOOLS. — DEATH OF MISS 
 COOPER. — LABOURS AND SUCCESS OF LADY HUNT- 
 INGDON AMONG THE POOR. - - - - 62 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 LADY HUNTINGDON AT DONNINGTON. — PIOUS CLER- 
 GY. — WHITEFIELD ON MOORFIELDS. — LADY HUNT- 
 INGDON AT BATH AND CLIFTON. — POET SAVAGE, 
 AND HIS MOTHER. — LEDSTONE HALL.— PROGRESS 
 OF METHODISM IN YORKSHIRE. — MR. GRIMSHAW. — 
 JOHN NELSON. — PERSECUTION. — DEATH OF GEORGE 
 AND FERDINANDO HASTINGS. — DR. WATTS. — DR. 
 DODDRIDGE. — THE PRETENDER. — THE COUNTESS 
 AT CLIFTON. — DEATH OF LORD HUNTINGDON. - 64 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 THE ZEAL AND LIBERALITY OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 — HER FAMILY. — ILL HEALTH. — VISIT TO LONDON. 
 — DR. POTTER, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. — 
 BATH. — IN WALES. — ^WHITEFIELD APPOINTED IIER 
 CHAPLAIN. — PREACHES IN HER DRAWING ROOMS. 
 — HIS SUCCESS AMONG THE NOBILITY. — LORD BO- 
 LINGBROKE. — LADY SUFFOLK. — SOCIAL PRAYER 
 MEETING AMONG LADIES. — THE DEVIL's CASTAWAYS. 82 
 
 CHAPTER YI. 
 
 THE PROTECTOR OF THE PERSECUTED. — BISHOP OF 
 EXETER. — WELSH PERSECUTION. — CATHOLICITY OF 
 
CONTENTS. XV 
 
 Page 
 LADY HUNTINGDON. — HER ELDEST DAUGHTER. — 
 THE COUNTESS AT BRISTOL. — THE GOAL PRISON- 
 ERS. — THE TABERNACLE. — EARL OF HUNTINGDON. 
 — IRISH PERSECUTION. — ASHBY : HER EFFORTS 
 THERE. — THE COUNTESS DELITZ. — LADY HOTHAM. 
 — LADY FANNY SHIRLEY. — A LEADER WANTED. — 
 UNION OF WESLEY AND WHITEFIELD. — MR. THOMP- 
 SON. — EARTHQUAKE IN LONDON. - - - 100 
 
 CHAPTEE YII. 
 
 REV. JAMES HERVEY.— WHITEFIELD. — NEW JERSEY 
 COLLEGE. — PERSECUTION AT ASHBY. — MR. THORPE. 
 — ^WHITEFIELD IN YORKSHIRE. — MINISTERS' BREAK- 
 FAST AT THE TABERNACLE. — MESSRS. MADAN AND 
 BROWNE ORDAINED. — ILLNESS. — DEATH OF LADY 
 FRANCES HASTINGS. 118 
 
 CHAPTEE YIII. 
 
 AT BRISTOL. — DEATH OF THE PRINCE OF WALES: — 
 HIS RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS. — AT CHELTENHAM ; 
 BATH. — ^WARBURTON. — DEATH OF DR. DODDRIDGE. 
 — DR. OLIVER. — FAITH. — DEATH OF LORD BOLING- 
 BROKE: his WRITINGS, FAMILY. — IN LONDON. — 
 MARRIAGE OF HER DAUGHTER TO BARON RAWDON. 
 — AT BATH. — BEAU NASH. — HERVEY'S " THERON 
 AND ASPASIO." — AT CLIFTON. — THE NEW TABERNA- 
 CLE, MOORFIELDS. — BRISTOL TABERNACLE OPENED. 132 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 ILLNESS OF JOHN WESLEY AND MRS. C. WESLEY. — 
 IN YORKSHIRE. — AWFUL OCCURRENCE. — LABOURS 
 IN LONDON, ASHBY, AND YORKSHIRE. — DEATH OF 
 LADY ANNE HASTINGS. — WHITEFIELD AT DONN- 
 
Xvi CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 INGTON PAEK. — TABERNACLE AT NORWICH. — REV. 
 W. ROMATNE APPOINTED HER CHAPLAIN. — AT BATH. 
 — CLERGY AT HER HOUSE. — LONG-ACRE AND TOT- 
 TENHAM-COURT CHAPELS. — SHUTER, THE COME- 
 DIAN. — VISITS BRIGHTON. — THE WOMEN'S COTTAGE 
 MEETING. — JOSEPH WALL, THE BLACKSMITH. — 
 DEATH OF HENRY HASTINGS. .... 149 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 REVIVAL OP RELIGION IN THE ESTABLISHMENT. — 
 REV. HENRY VENN PREACHES AT HER MANSION. 
 — MESSRS. MADAN AND ROMAINE ITINERATE FOR 
 HER.— REV. JOHN FLETCHER. — AT BATH. — FAST-DAY 
 IN LONDON : SPECIAL SERVICES. — SACRED MUSIC : 
 HANDEL. GIARDINI. KENT. — REV. JOHN BERRIDGE. 
 — AT EVERTON. — WONDERFUL EXCITEMENT. — MAG- 
 DALEN HOSPITAL. — FOOTE. — GARRICK. — IN YORK- 
 SHIRE. — SANDEMANIAN THEORIES. — ANECDOTES OF 
 FLETCHER AND BERRIDGE. 169 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 ERECTION OF BRIGHTON CHAPEL. — FAST -DAY. — RO- 
 MAINE. — HER CHARITY. — BERRIDGE. — BISHOP OF 
 LINCOLN. — CHAPEL AT OATHALL. — CAPTAIN SCOTT. 
 — OLD ABRAHAM. — IN YORKSHIRE. — DR. CONYERS. 
 ARCHBISHOP OF YORK. — AT BRIGHTON. — ROMAINE, 
 FLETCHER, BERRIDGE. — DEATH OF GRIFFITH JONES, 
 AND MR. JONES, OF ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH. - - 189 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 AT BRIGHTON. — ROMAINE; HIS EARLY BREAKFASTS. 
 DR. CONYERS. — THE GREEK BISHOP. — DEATH OF 
 GRIMSHAW. — LADY SELINA HASTINGS; ITER DEATH. 
 
CONTENTS. XVU 
 
 Pago 
 SORROW OF THE COUNTESS. — SYMPATHY. — LETTER 
 OP BERRIDGE. — TUNBRIDGE WELLS; ITS CONDITION; 
 HER MINISTERS PREACH THERE. — MRS. CARTERET. 
 MRS. CAVENDISH. — REV. WALTER SHIRLEY. — PERSE- 
 CUTION OF ROMAINE. — LAW- SUITS. — TRIUMPH OF 
 THE GOSPEL. — HER JOY. 205 
 
 CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 POWER OF EXAMPLE. — CHAPEL AT LEWES. — WORTH- 
 ING. — HER CATHOLICITY. — CHAPEL AT BRETBY. — 
 OPENING OF BATH CHAPEL. — HER MINISTERS. — 
 FLETCHER. — CONVERSION OF LADY GLENORCHY. — 
 DEATH OF THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF SUTHER- 
 LAND. — ANECDOTE. — LETTER TO MRS. POWYS. — 
 WESLEY AT BATH. — HORACE WALPOLE. — NICODE- 
 
 CHAPTER XIY. 
 
 AT BATH. — MR. VENN. — CAPTAIN SCOTT. — DRS. AND- 
 REWS AND WARBURTON. — S. FURLEY. — LADY ANN 
 BRSKINE. — VISITS YORKSHIRE. — STRANGE SCENES. 
 RODBOROUGH. — MADELEY. — BRETBY HALL. — HUD- 
 DERSFIELD. — SERIOUS ILLNESS. — CONSOLATIONS OF 
 FRIENDS. — MRS. DEAN. — SAMSON OCCUM. — AT BATH. 
 DEATH OF MRS. VENN. — ROWLAND HILL. — LORD 
 DARTMOUTH. — DEATH OF EARL BUCHAN. - - 241 
 
 CHAPTER XY. 
 
 COLLEGE AT TREVECCA. — PLAN OF ADMISSION. — LET- 
 TERS OF FLETCHER. — AT BATH. — HER TRIALS. — 
 BERRIDGE. — DISPUTES RESPECTING THE LIVING OP 
 ALDWINCLE. — KIMPTON. — MADAN. — DR. HAWEIS. — 
 PURCHASES THE ADVOWSON. — CORRESPONDENCE. — 
 
XVlll 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 PIETY AT OXFORD. — EXPULSION OF SIX STUDENTS 
 
 OF ST. EDMUNDS HALL. — PAMPHLETS, 
 OXONIENSIS." — PREPARES HER COLLEGE. 
 
 PIETAS 
 
 Pago 
 
 263 
 
 CHAPTER XYI. 
 
 TUNBRIDGE WELLS. — DEATH OF LADY MARGARET ING- 
 HAM. — WHITEFIELD. — TWO EXPELLED STUDENTS 
 AND LORD HUNTINGDON. — ANECDOTES. — COLLEGE 
 AT TREVECCA OPENED. — STUDENTS ; THEIR STUDIES, 
 ZEAL, AND LABOURS. — LETTER OF BERRIDGE. — 
 IN LONDON. — PAINFUL REMINISCENCES. — BOOTH'S 
 "REIGN OF GRACE." — AT BATH. — REMEDY FOR SICK 
 MINISTERS.— REV. DR. DE COURCY, — OPENING OF 
 CHAPEL AT TUNBRIDGE WELLS. - - - 279 
 
 CHAPTER XYII. 
 
 EEV. R. DE COURCY. — LABOURS IN SUSSEX. — TREVEC 
 CA COLLEGE. — CLASSICAL TUTOR. — ANNIVERSARY, 
 — BERRIDGE. — HER LIBERALITY. — VENN AT BATH 
 — STAR OF FIRST MAGNITUDE. — ITINERANT LA 
 BOURS. — IN LONDON. — TRIALS. — STATE OF CONGRE 
 GATIONS. — VINCENT PERRONET. — JOURNEYINGS. 
 
 295 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 PERIOD OF CONTROVERSY. — CALVINISTIC AND ARMIN- 
 lAN METHODISTS. — MINUTES OF CONFERENCE. — J. 
 BENSON. — FLETCHER AT COLLEGE. — SECOND ANNI- 
 VERSARY. — PROSPERITY. — DEATH OF WHITEFIELD. 
 — NOBILITY AT BATH. — ROWLAND HILL. — STRIFE. 
 — BENSON DISMISSED. — FLETCHER RESIGNS. — THE 
 RISING STORM. — CONFERENCE. — PAPER WAR. — RE- 
 FLECTIONS ON THE CONTROVERSY. 
 
 311 
 
CONTENTS. xix 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. ^''' 
 
 HER EESPONSIBLE POSITION. — WALES. — SWANSEA. — 
 THE STUDENTS. — MARGATE. — DOVER. — FOLKSTONE. 
 DEAL. — CANTERBURY. — ASHFORD. — MAIDSTONE. — 
 THE MIDLAND COUNTIES. — DORSETSHIRE. — DEVON- 
 SHIRE. — AFFECTION FOR HER STUDENTS. — ARCH- 
 BISHOP OF CANTERBURY. — KING AND QUEEN. — 
 PETITION AGAINST THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES. — 
 THE DISSENTERS.' — LORD CHATHAM. - - - 830 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 WHITEFIELD'S will. — CORNELIUS WINTER. — AMERI- 
 CAN MISSIONS. — EMBARKATION. — SUCCESS. — DE- 
 STRUCTION OF THE ORPHAN HOUSE. — AMERICAN 
 WAR. — LEONE MISSIONS. — AT BATH. — REV. THOMAS 
 WILLS. — YORK AND HULL. — REV. JOSEPH MILNER. 
 — LORD AND LADY CHESTERFIELD. — COUNTESS DE- 
 LITZ. — HOWELL HARRIS. — WORCESTER CHAPEL. - 346 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 IRELAND. — DUBLIN. — PLUNKET - STREET CHAPEL. — 
 PERSECUTION. — ITINERANCY IN IRELAND. — LETTER. 
 ILLNESS OF LADY FANNY SHIRLEY. — CHAPELS IN 
 LONDON, ETC. — MULBERRY GARDENS. — TREVECCA. 
 REV. MR. HAWKESWORTH. — BRIGHTON. — CHICHES- 
 TER. — MR. PENTYCROSS. — ^WALLINGFORD CHAPEL. - 363 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 INCREASE OF LABOURS. — CHAPEL AT KIDDERMINSTER. 
 READING. — DR. TALBOT. — PERSECUTION. — READING 
 AND BRISTOL. — VISITS CORNWALL, ST. IVES, MEVA- 
 GISSEY, ST. COLUMB, WEST LOO, TRURO, NORWICH. 
 PURCHASES THE TABERNACLE. — ANNIVERSARY. — 
 COLLEGE. — REMARKABLE SCENES- - - - 878 
 
XX CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 CHAPTEE XXIII. 
 
 POWER OP EXAMPLE. — SPAFIELDS. — THE PANTHEON. 
 — NORTHAMPTON. — RICHMOND. — SPAFIELD'S CHA- 
 PEL. — PERSECUTION. — ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS. — 
 BATH CHAPEL. — DISPUTES WITH WHITEFIELD'S 
 TRUSTEES. — CHELTENHAM. — WELSH CONGREGA- 
 TIONS. — ROWLAND HILL. 392 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 EXTRAORDINARY TIMES AND MEASURES. — INCREASE 
 OF LABOUR. — PIER TRIALS. — READING. — ITINERANT 
 PREACHING THROUGHOUT ENGLAND. — MR. GLAS- 
 COTT. — TUNBRIDGE WELLS. — CHARITABLE ABUSES 
 AT EPWALL AND REPTON. — VALUE OF COLLEGE. — 
 — PRAYERS FOR HER STUDENTS. — DEMAND FOR 
 MINISTERS. — ORDINATION AT SPAFIELDS. - - 406 
 
 CHAPTER XXY. 
 
 EXERTIONS IN CUMBERLAND. — CHAPELS AT BOOTLE, 
 WHITEHAVEN, KENDAL, WEYMOUTH, HEREFORD, 
 AND BIRMINGHAM. — ANECDOTE. — LORD DOUGLAS. 
 — INTENDED VISIT TO GERMANY. — LETTER. — POPISH 
 PLOTS. — ANECDOTE. — SEPARATION OF MR. WILLS 
 FROM CONNEXION. — SION CHAPEL. — ANECDOTE. • 417 
 
 CHAPTER XXYL 
 
 LAST OF THE REVIVALISTS. — INCREASING WEAKNESS. 
 DEATH OF LORD HUNTINGDON. — PREPARATIONS 
 FOR DEATH. — REMOVAL OF THE COLLEGE TO CHES- 
 HUNT. — THE CONNEXION. — GENERAL ASSOCIATION. 
 HER WILL. — MISSIONARIES TO OTAHEITE. — LAST 
 ILLNESS. — HAPPY STATE. — DEATH. — CHARACTER. — 
 INFLUENCE. — CONCLUSION. 428 
 
Mmoir of Xabq Buntinghn. 
 
 CHAPTER I. A.D. 1707—1738. 
 
 THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. — THE SHIRLEY FAMILY. — 
 STANTON HAROLD. — LADY SELINA SHIRLEY; HER 
 CHILDHOOD; EARLY IMPRESSIONS; EDUCATION; AP- 
 PEARANCE AT COURT. — MARRIAGE WITH LORD HUN- 
 TINGDON. — HIS FAMILY AND CHARACTER. — DONNING- 
 TON PARK. — LADY BOUNTIFUL. — SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. 
 — STRUGGLES AFTER TRUTH. — ILLNESS OF THE COUNT- 
 ESS. — THE DAWN OF LIGHT. 
 
 The providence of God is no where more clearly mani- • 
 fested tlian in the history of the religion of Jesus Christ. 
 The first establishment of Christianity was effected by 
 displays of divine power and grace, which attracted uni- 
 versal attention, scattered the mists of ignorance and 
 superstition, and collected a band of faithful followers 
 around the standard of the cross. The infant church 
 was shielded by heavenly protection, and rapidly in- 
 creased in power and extent. The storms which rose 
 against her only strengthened her vitality; and for a 
 long time, the fierce trials through which she passed 
 ■united the faithful more closely to Christ, and to each 
 other. Even when clouds hung darkly over her, and 
 the wicked raised a shout of triumph at her prostrate 
 condition; the hand of God painted the bow of promise 
 upon the threatening darkness, "Lo! I am with you 
 always, even to the end of the world." Every season of 
 dif&cnlty called forth the appropriate agency by which it 
 could be removed. Remarkable men were raised up 
 adapted to the peculiar situation of the Church, and able 
 
 21 
 
22 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 to cope with the spirit of the times. When certain doc- 
 trines were obscured or denied, the champion came forth 
 to direct particular attention to the 'truths which were 
 hidden; when pompous rites and gorgeous ceremonies 
 usurped the place of sincere and heart-felt worship, an 
 intrepid reformer appeared to sweep away the popish 
 mummeries which contaminated the Church : and when 
 a death-like slumber fell upon her, and paralysed her 
 efforts to evangelize the world, God stirred up in some 
 noble breasts a burning love for the salvation of men, 
 which soon created an excitement in the world, and led 
 many to use extraordinary exertions to rescue sinners 
 from destruction by bringing them to Christ. The in- 
 terests of religion required the services of such men as 
 Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, Calvin, and Knox, at the sev- 
 eral epochs in which they lived ; and the providence of 
 God raised them up to effect a glorious reformation, and 
 to give new life to the Church of Christ. Among those 
 who were thus rendered conspicuous in the eighteenth 
 century for the services they rendered to true religion, 
 none shone more brightly than the illustrious lady whose 
 life is here recorded. 
 
 Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, was descended 
 from the ancient and honourable house of Shirley, which 
 was as distinguished for the purity of its genealogy, 
 traceable to the time of Edward the Confessor, as for the 
 piety which adorned its most celebrated members. Her 
 grandfather. Sir Eobert Shirley, was created Yiscount 
 Tamworth and Earl Ferrars in 1711, by reason of his 
 grandfather's marriage with the youngest daughter of 
 Robert Dcvereux, the -unfortunate Earl of Essex and the 
 favourite of Queen Elizabeth. He married twice, and 
 had a family of twenty-seven children. His second son, 
 the father of Lady Huntingdon, was born June 22nd, 
 1677, and named Washington Shirley after his mother, 
 the daughter and heiress of Lawrence Washington, Esq., 
 
STANTON HAROLD. 23 
 
 of Caresclen, WiltsMre. He succeeded to his father's 
 titles in 1717 ; and was highly beloved for the integrity 
 of his conduct, the benevolence of his disposition, the 
 affability of his manners, and the impartiality of his 
 judgment. He married Mary, the eldest daughter of Sir 
 Kichard Levinge, a distinguished ornament of the Eng- 
 lish bar; by whom he had three daughters: Elizabeth, 
 afterwards Lady E. Nightingale, to whom the celebrated 
 monument in Westminster Abbey was erected; Selina, 
 Countess of Huntingdon; and Mary, Viscountess Kil- 
 morey. 
 
 Lady Selina Shirley, the second daughter of Washing- 
 ton Shirley, was born at Stanton Harold, for many years 
 the seat of the Shirley family, on the 24th of August 1707. 
 The mansion was most delightfully situated in a fine park 
 of one hundred and fifty acres, which was well wooded, 
 and diversified by hill and dale. It stood midway be- 
 tween the ancient town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Don- 
 nington Park, the residence of the Earl of Huntingdon ; 
 and was rendered conspicuous by the massive structure 
 of the edifice, and the noble apartments it contained. The 
 grounds Avere laid out with great taste and care ; a spaci- 
 ous lake of ornamental water gave increased beauty to the 
 sweeping lawn, and reflected on its surface a handsome 
 stone bridge which was thrown across it. Adjoining the 
 house was a church or chapel, which consisted of a nave, 
 aisles, chancel, and tower ; and v/ithin it are some monu- 
 ments with long inscriptions, which commemorate the 
 names, titles, and characters of the members of the Shir- 
 ley family there interred. This was the spot which wit- 
 nessed the development of the body and mind of Lady 
 Selina. 
 
 She inherited the talents and benevolent disposition of 
 
 her father, and from a very early age manifested great 
 
 seriousness of mind. When she was nine years old, she 
 
 ^saw the corpse of a young person about her own age 
 
24 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 carried to its last resting place. She followed it to the 
 grave, and listened to the impressive service read over 
 the body. Her mind was deeply affected with the thought 
 of a future world ; her heart was filled with sad and pain- 
 ful feelings ; the tears rolled down her little cheeks ; and 
 she fervently prayed that, when God should be pleased 
 to take her away, he would deliver her from all her fears, 
 and give her a happy departure. The influence of that 
 event was long after felt. She. often retired to the lonely 
 church-yard to visit the grave, and to revive the thoughts 
 and feelings she had at first experienced. These feelings 
 "were still further deepened by the death of her grandfather 
 Dec. 25, 1717; which naturally cast a gloom over the family 
 circle. Her sensitive mind was keenly affected by every 
 little trouble; and she frequently entered into a closet, 
 where she could remain unobserved, and unburdened her 
 heart in earnest prayer to God. Though in her early 
 years she had no clear views of the distinctive doctrines 
 of the gospel, she felt great relief in prayer ; and rejoiced 
 in being able to make known her requests to the Lord. 
 She sought divine direction in all that she did ; and as 
 she grew up to womanhood, she earnestly prayed that she 
 might marry into a serious family, where she would be 
 preserved from the temptations peculiar to her station. 
 
 Her education was directed with the view to fit her for 
 the high position in which she moved ; and successfully 
 drew out the talents of her mind, the disposition of her 
 heart, and the graceful deportment of her manners. At 
 a tender age she exhibited the dawn of those excellencies, 
 for which she was afterwards so distinguished ; and gave 
 the promise of becoming, if her life were spared, a use- 
 ful and valuable member of noble society. Her acquire- 
 ments were much beyond the ordinary standard of the 
 age in which she lived. She possessed a highly intelli- 
 gent mind, an extraordinary quickness of apprehension, 
 a brilliant fancy, a retentive memory, a strong clear under- 
 
THE EARL OF HUNTINGDON. 25 
 
 standing, and a sound judgment, whicli was improved by 
 reading, conversation, observation, and reflection. Her 
 position gave her many opportunities of gaining a general 
 knowledge of mankind ; and she early evinced great 
 ability in penetrating into the character of those with 
 whom she came in contact. Her countenance grew more 
 engaging with the development of her mental powers. 
 She was not what would be termed a beauty ; yet there 
 was a grace, a sweetness, about her features, when lit up 
 witli benevolence and the ardent workings of her spirit, 
 which fully compensated for the absence of more per- 
 ishable charms. Her person was noble and commanding; 
 her eyes were large and lustrous ; her nose slightly aqui- 
 line ; her lips well-formed and expressive ; her forehead 
 bold and intellectual. There was a serene tranquility, 
 sometimes shaded with a tinge of sadness, depicted on 
 her countenance, which was rarely disturbed by outward 
 events. 
 
 When she was introduced to the world, and made her 
 appearance at court, she manifested no inclination to fol- 
 low the example of her companions in the gaieties of 
 fashionable life. She mingled with them in their amuse- 
 ments, and appeared in the splendid assemblies, which 
 met at Kensington ; but she was free from the vanity, 
 pride, and still greater foibles, which at that period char- 
 acterized too many of the ladies of the court. She loved 
 to retire to some secluded spot, where she could read the 
 word of God: she was constantly impressed with the 
 thought of a future world ; and the habitual realization 
 of divine things gave a seriousness to her conduct, which 
 preserved her am.id scenes of great danger. 
 
 On June 3rd, 1728, Lady Selina Shirley was united in 
 marriage to Theophilus, the ninth Earl of Huntingdon. 
 The ancient dignity of the House of Hastings might have 
 excited the ambition of many an heiress ; but the strict 
 decorum and outward propriety, which she observed and 
 
 3 
 
26 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 mistook for religion, were far more grateful to her than 
 riches or renown : and she recognised in her marriage 
 with the head of that house the answer to her many 
 prayers that she might marry into a serious family. The 
 Hastings family had been distinguished by their connex- 
 ion with royalty, their talents, and their piety. The 
 unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots, was for some time 
 confided to the keeping of the Earl of Huntingdon ; and 
 King James the First and his Consort were often visitors 
 at the famous Castle of Ashby. Lord Hastings, the un- 
 cle of Theophilus, was a nobleman of great learning, and 
 of a benevolent disposition. The House of Hastings has 
 also produced many bright examples of religious women, 
 who consecrated their time and talents to the service of 
 God. 
 
 Theophilus, ninth Earl of Huntingdon, was the eldest 
 son of Theophilus, seventh Earl, by his second marriage ; 
 and was born at Donnington Park, Leicestershire, Nov. 
 12, 1696. He succeeded his half-brother George, eighth 
 Earl, Feb. 22, 1705. He passed a considerable portion 
 of his time in Italy and France, and finished his travels 
 with a tour in Spain, which, in that day, was regarded as 
 a courageous enterprise. He carried with him abroad a 
 good stock of learning, which he had acquired at Oxford, 
 under the care of his tutor Dr. Benson ; and brought it 
 back improved with a thorough knowledge of men and 
 manners. There he became tolerably perfect in the best 
 modern languages, and their classic literature ; and re- 
 turned with '' a taste as elegant, and a judgment as sound, 
 as perhaps any man in Europe." He was thoroughly 
 acquainted with the history and constitution of his own 
 country ; and had his modesty and love of retirement 
 permitted him to engage in the bustling busy world, none 
 would have appeared in the senate or cabinet with more 
 wisdom, or with more fortitude. He was rarely seen in 
 any public capacity, though he carried the sword of state 
 
DONNINGTON PARK. 27 
 
 at tlie coronation of George II ; lie souglit his enjoyment 
 in his homC; and in scattering blessings in his private 
 paths. His birth, eminent as it was, reflected much less 
 honour upon his abilities, than his abilities did upon his 
 birth ; for his natural and acquired talents were such as 
 might have raised him to the highest rank of men, had 
 fortune placed him in the lowest. 
 
 Such was the noble Earl to whom Lady Selina Shirley 
 was united by the "sweet and sacred tie of love." He 
 well knew how to value the treasure which Providence 
 had given him in a woman of such merit and amiable 
 qualities ; and he accordingly made it his study to repay 
 the felicity with which she crowned his life. He loved 
 her with a warm and devoted attachment, and considered 
 her as the greatest addition to his earthly happiness ; and 
 from the period of his marriage to the day of his death 
 he maintained his character as an attentive and affec- 
 tionate husband. His esteem and love for her increased 
 with time ; and he frequently declared that her life and 
 actions rendered even virtue more lovely, and her society 
 and conversation constituted his greatest happiness. 'Nov 
 could any one have been happier than she was in her 
 husband. The more she knew him, the stronger she 
 loved him ; she reared a noble tablet to him at his de- 
 cease ; his image was never effaced from her heart ; her 
 highest respect and veneration were paid to his memory : 
 and but a short time before her death, the tears which 
 she shed at the mention of his name, indicated the strong 
 hold he still retained on her affection. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon now took up her residence at the 
 favourite seat of the Earl, at Donnington Park. The 
 ancient mansion was then situated in the midst of a park 
 which abounded with fine old majestic oaks, and other 
 forest trees. The grounds were diversified by rising hills 
 and sweeping valleys; and near the northern extremity, 
 were broken into craggy precipices with hanging 
 
28 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 woodS; wliich gave a wild and romantic feature to the 
 scenery. 
 
 The situation of Ladj Huntingdon was congenial to 
 lier feelings and desires. She often visited the court, 
 where her position was high and influential; and received 
 the marked attention of King George; but her heart 
 was by no means at ease when surrounded by the gay 
 and the frivolous. Her station required her to visit the 
 higher circles, and to mingle with the fashionable world ; 
 yet the seriousness of her mind kept her from participat- 
 ing in the follies of the great, and deriving any real plea- 
 sure from the gaieties of life. She rejoiced when the 
 season came that she might return to the quiet seclusion 
 of Donnington Park, and gratify her benevolence by her 
 pious deeds. She took a deep interest in the welfare of 
 her neighbours and dependents.' She entered the abodes 
 of poverty, and enriched the inmates with her charities. 
 Often might she be seen standing over the sick and the 
 dying, administering to their temporal wants, and reading 
 to them the sacred Scriptures. Many were the benedic- 
 tions which her good deeds drew from those whom she 
 had benefited; and she was called '^Lady Bountiful" by 
 the grateful recipients of her favours. To her now 
 might be applied the character which was afterwards 
 written under the name of Aspasia in the forty-second 
 number of the Tatler. '' Methinks I now see her walk 
 ing in her garden, like our first parent, with -unaffected 
 charms, before beauty had spectators ; and bearing celes- 
 tial conscious virtue in her aspect. Her countenance is 
 the lively picture of her mind, which is the seat of hon- 
 our, truth, compassion, knowledge, and innocence. In 
 the midst of the most ample fortune, and veneration of 
 all that behold and know her, V/'ithout the least affecta- 
 tion, she consults retirement, the contemplation of her 
 own being, and that Supreme Power which bestowed it. 
 Without the learning of schools, or the knowledge of a 
 
SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS. 29 
 
 long course of arguments, slie goes on in a steady course 
 of 11 n interrupted piety and virtue; and adds to the 
 severity and privacy of the last age, all the freedom and 
 ease of this. The language and mien of a court she is 
 possessed of in the highest degree; but the simplicity 
 and humble thoughts of a cottage are her more welcome 
 entertainments. Aspasia is a female philosopher, who 
 does not only live up to the resignation of the most re- 
 tired lives of the ancient sages, but also to the schemes 
 and plans which they thought beautiful, though inimita- 
 ble. This lady is the most exact economist, without ap- 
 pearing busy ; the most strictly virtuous, without taking 
 the praise of it: and shuns applause with as much in- 
 dustry as others do reproach." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was at this period an utter stranger 
 to the spiritual character of the gospel of Christ. She 
 saw not the depravity of the human heart, as she after- 
 wards discerned it ; she knew nothing of salvation by 
 faith in Jesus Christ, and of the regenerating power of 
 the Iloly Spirit ; and had not yet experienced that peace 
 of mind which passeth all understanding, and that joy 
 which is unspeakable and full of glory. She afterwards 
 felt and declared that she was now aiming to establish 
 her own righteousness, and endeavouring by prayer, fast- 
 ing, and alms-deeds, to recommend herself to the favour 
 of Heaven. She entertained high opinions resi^ecting 
 the dignity of human nature ; and aspired to reach, by 
 her own works, the lofty standard she had placed before 
 her. She strove after moral perfection, and shaped her 
 conduct by the principles she had imbibed. It cannot be 
 wondered at, that she surpassed her equals by birth, and 
 the multitudes around her. She was a strict observer of 
 her duties in the various relations of life ; rigidly just in 
 her dealings, and true to her word. She was liberal in 
 her sentiments, prudent in her conduct, courteous in her 
 deportment, and profuse in her charities. Truth found 
 
30 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 in her a diligent student ; virtue, a most strenuous advo- 
 cate ; the Scriptures, a devout and prayerful reader ; and 
 public worship, a regular and constant attendant. Her 
 moral accomplishments were so many and so distin- 
 guished, that she was admired by the world ; and looked 
 down upon herself with self-complacency, as su^Dcrior in 
 virtue, and eminent piety to those around her. 
 
 Nor was Lady Huntingdon at all singular in cherishing 
 such feelings in her heart. There is nothing more grate- 
 ful to our pride, than to indulge in lofty conceptions of 
 human nature. It flatters our vanity to imagine that we 
 are able to recommend ourselves to God by our good 
 deeds. The men of the world would much rather work 
 out a righteousness of their own, than receive the right- 
 eousness of Christ. They take their stand on the merit 
 of their good works, and trust that it will avail for their 
 justification with God. They have erroneous conceptions 
 of themselves, of the position they sustain towards God, 
 the consequences their sins have entailed, and the nature 
 of Christ's mediatorial work. One conviction takes 
 possession of their mind, — that something must be done 
 by them ; and aroused by the hope of gaining peace, joy, 
 and heaven, they diligently endeavour to work out their 
 own salvation. They are never successful. Hope may 
 buoy them up for a time, but ''hope deferred maketh the 
 heart sick." The satisfaction they seek after rarely comes ; 
 for though they may pursue their course for many years, 
 and may mistake self-complacency for divine approbation 
 and insensibility for peace, they can never "rejoice in 
 hope of the glory of God'' until their minds have been 
 enlightened by heavenly wisdom, and their hearts changed 
 by divine grace, — until they have been '' created anew in 
 Christ Jesus unto good works." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was far from enjoying the happiness 
 which she had anticipated would result from her pious 
 endeavours ; and she redoubled her exertions to procure 
 
ILLNESS OF THE COUNTESS. Si 
 
 the favour of the Most High. Her sister-in-law Lady 
 Margaret Hastings had been awakened to see the truth, 
 and often conversed with her respecting the concerns of 
 her souL The joy and happiness she experienced formed 
 a strange contrast to the state of Lady Huntingdon's 
 mind, who soon perceived that she had not realized what 
 she had been vainly striving after. The peace of mind 
 which flows from faith in Christ had not entered her 
 heart ; she felt that she was unworthy to appear before 
 God, that her best deeds were not sufficient to establish 
 her righteousness, and that pride and self-satisfaction had 
 mingled with all her thoughts and feelings. The dis- 
 covery of her sinfulness greatly harassed her, and her 
 mind was filled with the most distressing doubts. Again 
 she strove to conquer her evil nature by rigorous austeri- 
 ties, and more self-denying labours ; but the harder she 
 sought to work out her own justification, the more she 
 became convinced of her inability to accomplish the 
 task. 
 
 A dangerous illness soon laid the Countess low, and 
 brought her to the confines of the grave. Her strength 
 was completely prostrated ; her mind was dark and de- 
 sponding ; the fear of death fell upon her ; and her con- 
 science greatly distressed her. She looked back on her 
 past career, but could not linger on a single portion of it 
 with satisfaction. Her former deeds were stripped of the 
 charm they once had ; the piety, virtue, and morality, in 
 which she had trusted, appeared to her tainted with sin ; 
 she perceived that she had been ignorant of her own cha 
 racter, had been building her hopes on imaginary found- 
 ations, and had been satisfied with a mere visionary 
 happiness which a single ray of light had dispelled. Her 
 mind was deeply alBfected with the thought of God's holy 
 nature ; she dreaded the idea of standing in his presence 
 to render an account of her deeds ; her heart appeared 
 full of sin and deceit ; her condemnation was the only 
 
32 M E M I K OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 sound wMcli fell upon her ears ; slie recoiled from tlie cer- 
 tainty of a dark and dreadful eternity ; and she saw no 
 hope of escape from the punishment threatened by the law. 
 God; however, had been preparing the way for light to 
 be brought to her desponding soul. A powerful religi- 
 ous movement had been commenced, which created great 
 excitement abroad; the report of the singular preaching 
 of the Methodists reached Don nington Park; the truth 
 impressed some members of the Hastings family ; and 
 through them, Lady Huntingdon was directed to the only 
 source whence she could obtain peace and joy. To the 
 delineation of these events we must next proceed. 
 
GEORGE WniTEFIELD. 33 
 
 CHAPTER II. A. D. 1738—1739. 
 
 THE SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS CONDITION OF ENGLAND. — RISE 
 OF METHODISM AT OXFORD. — JOHN WESLEY. — GEORGE 
 WHITEFIELD. — THE STARTLING LABOURS OP THE METHO- 
 DISTS. — PROVINCE OF GEORGIA. — WHITEFIELD'S PREACH- 
 ING. — LORD Huntingdon's sisters converted through 
 
 MR. INGHAM. — THE COUNTESS ENJOYS PEACE. — OPPOSI- 
 TION OF THE WORLD. — DR. BENSON. — DR. SOUTHEY. — THE 
 COURT CIRCLE. — FETTER LANE CHAPEL. — THE NOBILITY 
 FLOCK TO WHITEFIELD THROUGH LADY HUNTINGDON'S 
 INFLUENCE. 
 
 The domestic condition of England had been for some 
 time past in a very unsatisfactory state. A spirit of indif- 
 ference had crept over the various sections of the Christian 
 Church, and the people were left to the mercy of designing 
 men. An inordinate thirst for wealth was manifested by 
 all parties, and the most extravagant visions floated before 
 the eyes of the people. Bubbles were easily blown to catch 
 the rapacious spirit of the age. All the distinctions of party, 
 religion, sex, character, and circumstances melted before 
 the rage for gold. Exchange-alley was filled with a strange 
 concourse of statesmen and clergymen, churchmen and dis- 
 senters, whigs and tories, physicians, lawyers, tradesmen, 
 and even with multitudes of women. The effect was highly 
 injurious to morals and religion. Robbers, assassins, and 
 incendiaries infested every part of the country ; acts of 
 ferocious brutality were openly committed ; letters were 
 circulated demanding money from individuals, and threat, 
 ening to lire their houses if the demand were refused ; and 
 the greatest alarm and terror pervaded all classes. Luxury 
 vice, and profligacy increased to a woeful extent. The 
 
34 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 fortunate speculators indulged themselves in the richest 
 dainties, and the most splendid equipages. They were 
 intoxicated with pride and vain-glory ; they gave unbri- 
 dled license to their passions, scoffed at religion and mo- 
 rality, and set an example which was but too easily im- 
 itated by the majority of the people. 
 
 The influence of the Church was by no means calcu- 
 lated to stem the torrent of ungodliness. In the Estab- 
 lishment, the high dignitaries were more eager to secure 
 power and emolument than to rescue the people from 
 sin. A cold morality and a withering Arminianism had 
 usurped the place of evangelical religion ; the sermons 
 were sedatives, and never touched the conscience ; and the 
 flocks were uncared for, and exposed to the attacks of 
 evil. Infidelity was every where rampant. The press 
 teemed with deistical works : wit, satire, and poetry lent 
 their charms to foster profligacy of manners ; and to such 
 an extent had this proceeded that a bill was introduced 
 into- the House of Lords in 1721, for the suppression of 
 blasphemy and profaneness, which, after a long and 
 stormy debate, was rejected by a large majority. The 
 state of religion among the dissenting communities Avas 
 scarcely more favourable. A worldly spirit had blighted 
 the piety for which they were once conspicuous ; and 
 they shared in the surrounding contagion. The congre- 
 gations of many chapels had dwindled away under the 
 repulsive errors of Socinianism ; the spirit and life of the 
 old Puritans were nearly extinct ; and a cold formality 
 appeared equally in the meeting house, and in the parish 
 church. It is true there were a few men in each com- 
 munity who were filled with Evangelical truth and holy 
 zeal ; but the very prominence they gained only indicated 
 the darkness which was spread over the people. A light, 
 however, was silently being prepared, which soon was to 
 burst upon the nation, struggle with the surrounding 
 darkness, and enkindle the flame of true religion. 
 
GEORGE WHITEFIELD. 35 
 
 In ISTovember 1729, four young men at Oxford univer- 
 sity formed themselves into a society ; and agreed to meet 
 several evenings in the week to read the Greek New Tes- 
 tament, and to promote their spiritual concerns ; among 
 whom were John and Charles Wesley, who afterwards 
 gained great noteriety as the leaders of the Arminian 
 section of Methodism. They entered into solemn engage- 
 ments to lead holier and more self-denying lives ; they 
 read the scriptures, prayed, and fasted with great dili- 
 gence ; went to the sacrament every Lord's day ; and were 
 gradually led to see the truth as it is in Jesus. Their zeal 
 increased with the clearness of their apprehension of divine 
 things ; they strengthened each others' piety and love ; 
 visited the prisoners in the goal, and instructed them in 
 religion : devoted two or three hours a week to the poor 
 and sick around, and denied themselves the comforts of 
 life that they might be able to minister to the wants 
 of the needy. Their self-sacrificing efforts provoked the 
 hostility of the college authorities ; they were branded as 
 Methodists, and treated as enthusiasts ; but all the oppo- 
 sition they met with could not quench the ardour of their 
 zeal. In 1732, the society was increased to fifteen persons : 
 and among them were Mr. Ingham, who afterwards 
 became the brother-iujlaw of Lord Huntingdon ; Mr. Her- 
 vey, the renowned author of the " Meditations ; " and that 
 remarkable man, who for many years was chaplain to 
 the Countess, and the great leader of the Calvinistic 
 Methodists. 
 
 George Whitefield was the youngest son of an inn- 
 keeper at Gloucester, and was born Dec. 16th, 1714. He 
 received a good education in his youth, and gained loud 
 applause at St. Mary's grammer school in his native city 
 for his graceful elocution and good memory, which enabled 
 him to pronounce the recitations before the corporation 
 with great effect. At the age of fifteen, he left school to 
 assist his mother at the inn ; where he fostered the religious 
 
36 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 impressions he had early received, and composed two 
 sermons which he dedicated to his brother. The inn 
 passed into the hands of his eldest brother ; and George 
 after a time left it, and again lived with his mother. His 
 heart was fixed on a residence at Oxford ; but his scanty 
 means forbade him to hope for its realizatioD. One day, 
 however, an Oxford student, a servitor of Pembroke 
 College, visited his mother, and related how he had just 
 cleared his expenses there by his services. '' This will do 
 for my son," exclaimed the gladdened mother, and turning 
 to George, said, "Will you go to Oxford ?" "With all my 
 heart," he replied. Application was made to some friends 
 wdio promised to assist him ; he returned to the grammar 
 school, and prepared himself for the university ; and in his 
 eighteenth year set out for Pembroke College, which he 
 entered as a servitor. He was quickly surrounded by the 
 gay and the thoughtless: but being shocked by their 
 impiety and immorality, he strenuously avoided their 
 society : and by his diligence, learning, and obliging dis- 
 position, he gained many friends. Soon after he had taken 
 up his residence at Oxford, he heard of the young men 
 who were branded as Methodists, and desired to join them : 
 but his diffidence kept him aloof, until Charles Wesley 
 introduced him to the little band. Whitefield not only 
 conformed to the rules of the society, but far exceeded his 
 companions in bodily austerities. His anxiety for sal- 
 vation led him to shut himself up in his study, to fast and 
 to pray, till he became so weak that he could scarcel}^ 
 walk. "When I knelt down," he says, "I felt great pres- 
 sures both on soul and body, and have often prayed under 
 the weight of them till the sweat came through me. Whole 
 days and weeks have I spent, lying prostrate on the 
 ground, in silent and vocal prayer." At length he was 
 led to see the truth in Christ, which filled his soul with 
 joy unspeakable and full of glory. 
 These devoted young men soon commenced preaching 
 
wiiitefield's preaching. 37 
 
 the truths which had impressed and gladdened their own 
 souls. John Wesley for a short time served his father 
 in the parish church at Epworth : and then returned to 
 Oxford that he might encourage the society, and imbue 
 his pupils with religious fervour. A new sphere of 
 labour, however, now invited his serious attention. In 
 1732, a colony was founded in North America by a pri- 
 vate company, which received the name of Georgia, in 
 honor of King George II. General Oglethorpe was 
 appointed Governor, who, in 1733, established the town 
 of Savannah. The trustees were anxious to procure 
 proper persons to preach the gospel to the colonists, and 
 to the surrounding heathen. John Wesley and his 
 friends were applied to ; and after much prayer and con- 
 sultation, he consented to leave his native land, and 
 enter upon the wide American field thrown open to him. 
 On the 14th of October, 1735, John Wesley, his brother 
 Charles, and Mr. Ingham, who had been ordained by Dr. 
 Potter, bishop of Oxford, embarked for Georgia, and 
 safely landed February 6th, 1736. Their success was 
 not equal to their expectations, probably because they 
 were too sanguine ; still, they prepared the way for the 
 energetic labours of Whitefield, and the missionaries 
 which Lady Huntingdon afterwards sent out. They 
 became acquainted with the Moravian brethren, who 
 produced such a favorable impression as to give a direc- 
 tion and tone to the early efforts of the Methodists. Mr. 
 Ingham preached to the Indians, founded schools, and 
 composed an Indian grammer for their use ; and returned 
 to England in the latter end of 1736. Mr. Charles 
 Wesley sailed to procure fresh preachers and teachers ; 
 and his brother arrived in England February 3rd, 1738. 
 Meanwhile George Whitefield visited his native city, 
 and attracted attention by his pious labours among the 
 poor and the goal prisoners. Dr. Benson, the tutor of 
 Lord Huntingdon, was then bishop of Gloucester; and 
 
 4 
 
38 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 hearing of the piety of Whitefield, he presented him with 
 live guineas, and ordained him in the cathedral June 20th, 
 1736. The following sabbath the youthful orator deliv- 
 ered his first sermon in St. Mary's Church. Curiosity 
 drew a vast audience ; and he preached with remarkable 
 animation and energy. He says, " Some few mocked, but 
 most for the present seemed struck ; and I have since 
 heard that a complaint had been made to the bishop that 
 I drove fifteen people mad the first sermon." He went 
 to London, and made his first appearance there in 
 Bishopsgate Church, and laboured in the Tower Chapel 
 for two months with great zeal and success. He. had 
 received many pressing invitations to follow his friends 
 to America ; and when Charles Wesley returned, the 
 accounts he gave of the colony, and of the Indians induced 
 Whitefield to pay a visit to Georgia. Before he left, 
 however, he visited his friends in. various parts of the 
 country. His fame spread rapidly throughout the nation ; 
 the churches were crowded, almost to suffocation ; and 
 the people listened with rapture to his thrilling addresses, 
 which were frequently interrupted by sobs and strong- 
 cries. Oh his second visit to Bristol, before his voyage, 
 he was met about a mile from the city by multitudes on 
 foot, and some in coaches ; the streets were lined with 
 spectators, who blessed him as he passed ; and the 
 congregations were more numerous than he had ever 
 witnessed. ''Some," he says, "hung upon the rails, 
 others climbed up the leads of the church ; and altogether 
 the church was so hot with their breath, that the steam 
 would fall from the pillars like drops of rain." He 
 preached twice at Bath, and again at Bristol and Glou- 
 cester : and then came to London, where similar marvel- 
 lous crowds folloAved him. He generally preached nine 
 times a week, and collected thousands of pounds for 
 various charities. The assemblies were so great that the 
 largest churches could not contain them ; and the multi- 
 
whitefield's preaching. 39 
 
 tudes thronging the doors were obliged to be kept back 
 by the constables. His popularity, however, stirred up 
 many enemies among the clergy ; several pulpits were 
 closed against him ; numerous complaints respecting him 
 v^ere lodged with the bishop : and perhaps active meas- 
 ures would have been taken to attempt to put him down, 
 if he had not been on the point of leaving England. The 
 ship which conveyed him to Georgia, set sail, just as the 
 vessel, which brought John Wesley home, entered the 
 harbour. 
 
 Among those who were induced from motives of 
 curiosity to listen to the preaching of the Methodists, 
 were the sisters of Lord Huntingdon. They were deeply 
 impressed with the truth they heard from Mr. Ingham 
 in Yorkshire, and were led to see the insufficiency 
 of their own unrighteousness to secure the favour of 
 God. The plan of salvation by faith in Christ was 
 clearly unfolded to them ; and they were enabled by 
 divine grace to put their trust in Jesus Christ. They 
 made a public profession of their change, and availed 
 themselves of every opportunity to strengthen their faith, 
 and increase their zeal. They manifested great anxiety 
 for the salvation of others, but confined their early efforts 
 to their family circle. Lady Margaret Hastings was the 
 first to receive the truth, and to exhibit in her daily life 
 the important change which had been wrought in her 
 heart by the Holy Spirit. Next to the salvation of her 
 own soul, that of her family and friends became the 
 object of her constant care. She exhorted them faith- 
 fully and affectionately to flee from the wrath to come ; 
 and God was pleased to make her the honored instrument 
 of the conversion of Lady Huntingdon, and of many of 
 her family. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon often conversed with her on religious 
 topics, and was exceedingly struck with one of her 
 remarks, " that since she had known and believed in the 
 
40 MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTINGDON. 
 
 Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation, she had been as 
 happy as an angel." The Countess had never derived 
 such happiness from her religion ; and the contrast led 
 her on reflection to see her own dark and sinful condition. 
 Her illness increased the despondency of her mind ; and 
 she was about to give up all hope of salvation, when the 
 words of Lady Hastings were brought to her recollection, 
 and revived her spirits. She felt a strong desire to 
 relinquish every other method, and to cast herself wholly 
 upon Christ. This desire she expressed in fervent 
 prayer to God, and was shortly after realized. Her 
 mind was enlightened to discern the truth ; her heart was 
 softened to feel its power ; soon her doubts vanished, her 
 fears departed, and she was filled with joy and peace in 
 believing. The dark and terrible night had now passed, 
 and was succeeded by the dawn of a day which was clear, 
 beautiful, and refulgent with the increasing brightness 
 of the Sun of Eighteousness. She became a new creature, 
 and was amazed at the wondrous change which had 
 passed over her. She regarded herself as a brand 
 plucked from the burning ; she had well-nigh perished, 
 and had been snatched from the brink of Hell by the 
 power of God. The contrast between her former condi- 
 tion and her present state was so great, that she was 
 lifted, as it were, from sorrow to joy, from despair to 
 hope, from death to life. Every power and principle of 
 her nature was thrilled with the rich feeling of gratitude ; 
 the change in her heart exerted a beneficial influence on 
 her body ; her disorder took a favorable turn ; she was 
 at length restored to perfect health; and she solemnly 
 dedicated herself to God as a living sacrifice, holy and 
 acceptable to the Lord. When John and Charles Wesley 
 soon after preached in the neighborhood of Donnington 
 Park, she sent a kind message to them, acknowledging 
 that she was one in heart with them, bidding them go on 
 in the great work of the Lord, and assuring them of her 
 
O P i' O S 1 1 1 O N U F T 11 E ^\' O il L D . 41 
 
 determination to live to promote the glory of that Saviour 
 who had died for her. 
 
 The terrible struggle, through which Lady Huntingdon 
 had passed, had the efiect of rendering her convictions 
 more powerful, her experience more varied, and her zeal 
 more energetic, than perhaps they otherwise would have 
 been. Her mind was now calm and peaceful, and rapidly 
 gained a clear insight into the distioguishing doctrines 
 of the gospel ; her will was bent in lowly submission to 
 the will of God, and concentrated its energy to maintain 
 an unwavering obedience to the divine commands. Her 
 heart was enraptured with the grand views she obtained 
 of God, and of her Saviour ; and as she entwined her 
 affections around the objects which were alone worthy 
 of them, and experienced the love of Christ constraining 
 her, she felt that her praises could never be too extrava- 
 gant, nor her gratitude sufficiently ardent, for the inesti- 
 mable blessings she had received. The language of her 
 heart, as well as of her lips, was beautifully expressed 
 by her friend Dr. Watts, 
 
 " Were the whole realm of nature mine. 
 That were a present far to small ; 
 Love, so amazing, so divine. 
 Demands my soul, my life, my all." 
 
 The change which she had experienced was very 
 speedily manifested in her outward conduct. Eeligion 
 had taken too strong a hold upon her inner nature to be 
 restrained by the fear of man, or the frowns of the world. 
 She openly confessed her faith in the Lord Jesus, and 
 warmly supported those who preached the simple gospel. 
 Her friends were astonished at her conduct, and unable 
 to comprehend the spiritual darkness through which she 
 had passed, and the spiritual happiness she now enjoyed, 
 ridiculed her as a fanatic, and exclaimed, as Festus did 
 to Paul, ''Thou art beside thyself!" Some nobles even 
 wished Lord Huntingdon to interpose his authority, and 
 
42 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 forbid her to continue her proceeding ; but though he 
 differed from her in his views of religion^ he had too 
 much respect for her love and sincerity to interfere in 
 her religious concerns. He recommended her to converse 
 with Dr. Benson, his former tutor, and now bishop of 
 Gloucester ; and she readily complied with his request. 
 The learned dignitary was sent for ; and he attempted to 
 convince her that her conduct and sentiments were 
 unnecessarily strict. She, however, was prepared for the 
 contest ; she brought many arguments from the Articles 
 and Homilies, and quoted appropriate passages of Scrip- 
 ture to vindicate her conduct : and so clearly and faithfully 
 set before the prelate his duties and responsibilities, that 
 his temper was rufiled, he rose up in haste to depart, and 
 bitterly lamented that he had ever ordained George 
 Whitefield, to whom he attributed the change which had 
 taken place in her mind. ''My Lord," said Lady 
 Huntingdon, '^ mark my words : when you are on your 
 dying bed, that will be one of the few ordinations you 
 will reflect upon with complacence." The prediction of 
 Lady Huntingdon was verified by the conduct of the 
 bishop a short time before his death. He then expressed 
 his high regard for Whitefield, sent him ten guineas as a 
 mark of his respect, and begged to be remembered by 
 him in his prayers. 
 
 Dr. Southey, in his life of Wesley, has uublushingly 
 asserted that the religious feelings of Lady Huntingdon 
 originated in a decided insanity in her family ; a statement 
 which is false as to fact, and betrays his great ignorance 
 of what he writes about ; and he adds, that all the 
 arguments of Bishop Benson were ineffectual to bring 
 her to a saner sense of devotion. Such a statement 
 would not have deserved notice, were it not that the 
 talents and reputation of the Poet Laureate might be 
 regarded by many as a guarantee fur its validity. Truly, 
 if such be insanity, England presented a very sorry 
 
THE COURT CIRCLE. 43 
 
 spectacle daring the days of Wesley and Whitefield. 
 Hundreds and thousands were similarly affected as the 
 Countess ; some of the stars of the English nobility were 
 like-minded ; and even Kings and Princes consorted with, 
 and highly appreciated the insane! The illusions of 
 Southey were so completely scattered, and his misrepre- 
 sentations and ridicule so thoroughly exposed, that his 
 royal patron George lY., exclaimed with feelings of pity, 
 when reading the animadversions upon him, •' Oh my 
 poor Poet Laureate ! Oh my poor Poet Laureate ! " No 
 one can peruse the letters of Lady Huntingdon without 
 being struck with the intellectual power, the good 
 common sense, and the wise discrimination which they 
 exhibit. She lived in an age of great excitement, and 
 of mighty religious fervour, when the power of the Spirit 
 was marvellously displayed ; and her conduct appeared 
 strange, only because, for some time previous, religion 
 had been but little more than a name, and the church 
 and the world had been slumbering in spiritual insensi- 
 bility. 
 
 Before the great change had passed over her, Lady 
 Huntingdon had been much at court, and numbered 
 among her acquaintances, most of the celebrated charac- 
 ters of the day. She was on terms of great intimacy 
 with the polished Lord Bolingbroke ; and her frequent 
 visits to Twickenham, at the residence of her aunt. Lady 
 Fanny Shirley, brought her into the society of many of 
 the literary men of the age. Among her personal friends 
 were the witty and eccentric Lady Townshend, and Lady 
 Mary Wortley Montague, the rival of her aunt at court, 
 whose splendid talents threw an inexpressible charm 
 even around the brilliant court circle. When the 
 rupture took place between the Prince of Wales and his 
 father George IL, and the Prince set up his own court at 
 Kew, Lady Huntingdon attended it ; though she gradually 
 discontinued her visits, that she might have more time 
 
44 M E ]\I O I K OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 and opportunity for doing good. Her frequent absence 
 was noticed, and provoked the sarcasm of many wlio 
 were in the habit of attending it. One day the Prince 
 of Wales inquired of Lady Charlotte Edwin where Lady 
 Huntingdon was, that she so seldom visited the circle. 
 Lady Charlotte replied with a sneer, " I suppose praying 
 with her beggars." The Prince shook his head, and 
 turning to her Ladyship, said, ''Lady Charlotte, when 
 I am dying, I think I shall be happy to seize the skirt 
 of Lady Huntingdon's mantle, to lift me up with her 
 to heaven." This lady afterwards became very intimate 
 with the Countess, and constantly attended the ministry 
 of her preachers. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon throughout her life took a deep 
 interest in everything which concerned the best interests 
 of the nation. At one time she manifested great eager- 
 ness on political subjects, and an incident occured in 
 1738, in which she, with other noble ladies, became very 
 conspicuous. In the month of May there were some 
 very stormy debates in the House of Lords, respecting 
 the depredations of the Spaniards, in which the Earl of 
 Huntingdon and several of his friends took an active 
 part. Lady Mary Wortley Montague has given a spirited, 
 humorous description of this affair. '' At the last warm 
 debate in the House of Lords, it was unanimously 
 resolved that there should be no unnecessary auditors ; 
 consequently the fair sex were excluded, and the gallery 
 destined to the sole use of the House of Commons. 
 Notwithstanding this determination, a tribe of dames 
 resolved to show, on this occasion, that neither men nor 
 laws could resist them. These heroines were Lady 
 Huntingdon, the Duchess of Queensbury, the Duchess 
 of Ancaster, Lady Westmorland, Lady Cobham, Lady 
 Charlotte Edwin, Lady Archibald Hamilton and her 
 daughter Mrs. Scott, Mrs Pendarves, and Lady Frances 
 Saundcrson. I am thus particular in their names since 
 
THE COURT CIKCLE. 45 
 
 I looked upon them as the boldest assertors and most 
 resigned sufferers for liberty I ever read of. They 
 presented themselves at the door at nine o'clock in the 
 morning ; when Sir William Saunderson respectfully 
 informed them that the Chancellor had made an order 
 against their admittance. The Duchess of Queensbury, 
 as head of the squadron, " pished " at the ill-breeding of 
 a mere lawyer, and desired Sir William to let them up 
 stairs privately. After some modest refusals, he swore 
 he Avould not admit them. Her Grace, with a noble 
 warmth, answered that they would come in, in spite of 
 the Chancellor and the whole House. This being 
 reported, the Peers resolved to starve them out ; an 
 order was made that the doors should not be opened till 
 they had raised their siege. These Amazons now showed 
 themselves qualified for the duty even of foot soldiers ; 
 they stayed there till five in the afternoon without any 
 sustenance, every now and then plying volleys of thumps, 
 kicks, and raps with so much violence against the door, 
 that the speakers in the House were scarce heard. When 
 the Lords were not to be conquered by this, the two 
 Duchesses, very well apprised of the use of stratagems in 
 war, commanded a silence of half an hour ; and the Chan- 
 cellor, who thought this a certain proof of their absence, 
 the Commons being also very impatient to enter, gave 
 orders for the opening of the door ; upon which they all 
 rushed in, pushed aside their competitors, and placed 
 themselves in the front rows of the gallery. They staid 
 there till after eleven, when the House rose ; and during 
 the debate gave applause, and showed marks of dislike, 
 not only by smiles and winks, which have always been 
 allowed in these cases, but by noisy laughs, and apparent 
 contempts ; which is supposed the true reason why poor 
 Lord Hervey spoke so miserably." 
 
 In 1738 the first Methodist Society was formed in the 
 Nevills's Court Chapel, Fetter Lane, in connection with 
 
46 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 the Moravians ; in whose favour John Wesley had been 
 greatly prepossessed. Here the eminent preachers un- 
 tolded the truths of the gospel to the thronging multi- 
 tudes : and Lord and Lady Huntingdon often attended 
 their meetings. While Whitefield was in America, Wes- 
 ley was indefatigable in his labours. In London he 
 preached not only in crowded churches, but to the con- 
 demned felons in Newgate, and to his little societies in 
 Bear Yard, the Minories, and other places ; and spent a 
 considerable time at Oxford. The arrival of Whitefield 
 from America increased the excitement which prevailed 
 in London. In Fetter Lane the services were attended 
 with remarkable scenes. Whitefield, the Wesleys, Mr- 
 Ingham, Howel Harris a celebrated Welsh preacher, and 
 others, attended the love-feasts ; when sometimes whole 
 nights were spent in prayer, and many were filled with 
 such joy that they cried out and fell on the ground, and 
 were overwhelmed with a sense of the divine presence. 
 The clergy, however, greatly discountenanced their efforts ; 
 and the churches were gradually closed against these 
 zealous preachers. Mr. Ingham was very successful in 
 his labours in Yorkshire ; the churches were thronged 
 with attentive hearers ; and a great awakening was pro- 
 duced. 
 
 Though the Bishop of London had written a pastoral 
 letter against the Methodists, he accepted Whitefield's title, 
 and gave him letters dismissory to Dr. Seeker, Bishop of 
 Oxford, who gave similar letters to the Bishop of Glouces- 
 ter, through which he was ordained priest at Oxford by 
 the same prelate who had conferred upon him his deacon's 
 orders. Dr. Benson wrote to Lord Huntingdon an ac 
 count of Whitefield's ordination, and expressed the hope 
 that the act would give satisfaction to her Ladyship, and 
 that she would not have occasion again to find fault with 
 the old tutor. '^ Though mistaken on some points," he 
 says, '' I think him a very pious, well meaning young 
 
DR. YOUNG. ' 47 
 
 man, with good abilities and great zeal. I find liis Grace 
 of Canterbury thinks highly of him. I pray God graiit 
 him great success in all his undertakings for the good of 
 mankind; and the revival of true religion and holiness 
 among us, in these degenerate doys; in which prayer 
 your Lordship and my kind good Lady Huntingdon will 
 most heartily join." 
 
 Whitefield preached wherever he could obtain a 
 church ; and when, at length, they were closed against 
 him, he stood in the open air. " I thought " he says, '' it 
 might be doing the service of my Lord who had a mountain 
 for his pulpit, and the heavens for his sounding board, and 
 who, when his gospel was refused by the Jews, sent his 
 servants into the highways and hedges." Kingswood, 
 near Bristol, first witnessed the marvellous efiects of his 
 open-air services. On Feb. 17, 1739, he preached at Kose 
 Green to about two hundred persons. The ice was broken ; 
 and every time he visited Kingswood, the number of his 
 hearers increased. Thousands soon flocked from Bristol ; 
 the poor colliers came out of their coalpits in vast 
 swarms ; the tears flowed, and made white gutters down 
 their black faces ; and very many were deeply impressed. 
 The youthful preacher was extremely diffident, yet re- 
 ceived strength from heaven. '' The open firmament 
 above me, the prospect of the adjacent fields, with the 
 sight of thousands and thousands, some in coaches, some 
 on horseback, and some on the trees, and at times all 
 affected and drenched in tears together, to which some- 
 times was added the solemnity of the approaching evening 
 — was almost too much for me, and quite overcame me." 
 After a tour in Wales, in company with Howel Harris, 
 a man of great learning, zeal, and ability, Whitefield 
 travelled towards London, preaching everywhere on his 
 way. He obtained permission to preach in Islington 
 Church ; but during the reading of the prayers, the 
 churchwardens forbade him to enter the pulpit : the con- 
 
4:8 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 gregatiou, therefore, turned out into tlie churchyard, and 
 Whitefield mounted a tombstone. He preached to vast 
 crowds on Moorfield, Kennington Common, and Black- 
 heath, ^Yhere great numbers were powerfully impressed, 
 and cried out for salvation. The singing of the assem- 
 bled thousands could be heard two miles off: and it is 
 said that the clear powerful voice of Whitefield could, 
 under favourable circumstances, be distinctly heard for 
 nearly a mile. 
 
 Lord and Lady Huntingdon not only attended the 
 meetings in Fetter-Lane, but constantly followed the 
 ministry of Whitefield ; and by their example and in- 
 fluence, they induced many of the nobility to listen to 
 his sermons. Her Ladyship availed herself of her inti- 
 macy with persons of rank to bring the high and the 
 learned to a knowledge of salvation. She met with the 
 celebrated Dr. Young at the residence of Lord Boling- 
 broke, and had many opportunities of seeing and con- 
 versing with him. After the death of his daughter-in- 
 law. Lady Temple, whom he had taken to France, where 
 she died of consumption, and for whom, he sings with 
 such pathetic notes, 
 
 " With pious sacrilege a grave I stole :" 
 
 a gloomy melancholy settled upon him, which was greatly 
 increased by the death of his wife. The Countess endea- 
 voured to pour the consolations of the gospel into his 
 bleeding heart. She introduced him to Charles Wesley, 
 and persuaded him to attend the ministry of the Metho- 
 dist leaders ; from whom he derived much comfort and 
 support. There can be little doubt that the evangelical 
 portions of the '' Night Thoughts" were the result of the 
 impressions produced by the preaching of Whitefield and 
 his coadjutors : so strikingly do they resemble the utter- 
 ances, in a versified form, of that prince of preachers. 
 Many distinguished characters were prevailed u})on lo 
 
THE NOBILITY FLOCK TO WHITE FIELD. 49 
 
 accompany Lady Huntingdon to hear the gifted White- 
 field. Lady Ann Frankland, daughter of the Earl of 
 Scarborough, was the first among the nobility converted 
 by his ministry. Her husband was so enraged at it, that 
 he treated her with the greatest cruelty, and ordered her 
 to leave his house only three weeks after their marriage. 
 The Countess greatly cheered her under her trials ; but 
 her sorrows were too poignant for her to bear, and in 
 less than nine months she passed into the grave. Lady 
 Betty Finch, wife of Lord Mansfield ; Lady Townshend, 
 so noted for her wit and eccentricities : Lady Mary Wort 
 ley Montague ; the Duchess of Buckingham ; the re- 
 nowned Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, one of the most 
 influential ladies of the day ; the Duchess of Queensbury, 
 so celebrated for wit and beauty by Pope, Swift, and 
 Prior ; and many other noble women corresponded with 
 Lady Huntingdon, and accompanied her to hear White- 
 field. The Countess was very anxious to impress the 
 great truths of the gospel on the minds of her friends ; 
 and in her letters the Duchess of Malborough acknow- 
 ledges her great kindness in seeking her religious im- 
 provement, and expresses the hope that she will be the 
 better for her excellent advice ; She says, '^ I have lived 
 to see great changes in the world — have acted a conspic- 
 ous part myself ; and now hope, in my old days, to obtain 
 mercy from God, as I never expect any at the hands ot 
 my fellow-creatures. You must direct me. You are all 
 goodness and kindness, and I often wish I had a portion 
 of it. Woman of wit, beauty, and quality cannot hear 
 too many humiliating truths." 
 
 The Duchess of Buckingham was very much opposed 
 to the sentiments of the Methodists, and wondered how 
 Lady Huntingdon could relish them so much. Her 
 pride refused to bend to the requirements of the word of 
 God, and was greatly offended by those '^humiliating 
 truths " which her rival gladly received from the Countess. 
 
50 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 She, however, accepted her invitation to hear her favorite 
 preacher, and, with the Duchess of Queensbury, accom- 
 panied Lady Huntingdon to the church where Whitefield 
 was preaching. The latter lady was at one period of lier 
 life deeply impressed with the preaching of the gospel, 
 and constantly attended the ministry of the Methodists. 
 She was extremely partial to Mr. Ingham and Charles 
 Wesley, who indulged the hope that she would employ 
 her splendid talents and extensive influence for the 
 promotion of evangelical religion ; but her wit and beauty 
 drew her into scenes of dissipation, which eflaced the 
 holy impressions she had early received. The good, 
 however, effected by the efforts of Lady Huntingdon Avas 
 very great ; and through her persuasions, numbers of the 
 aristocracy were brought within sound of the f\ithful 
 preaching of the gospel. She embraced every opportu- 
 nity of speaking on religious subjects to her friends in 
 her mansions ; and her manners were so polished, her 
 talents so conspicuous, that her society was much sought 
 after, notwithstanding her religion. Her drawing-rooms 
 in town were crowded with doctors, poets, philosophers, 
 statesmen, lords and ladies ; where the great truths of 
 religion were discussed ; and she not unfrequently aston- 
 ished those present by the clearness and force of her 
 views of truth. 
 
 The Countess was very intimate with Lady Margaret 
 Cavendish Harley, only daughter of the Earl of Oxford ; 
 who was distinguished for her love of the fine arts, and 
 patronage of literature. Their friendship was cemented 
 by her frequent visits to Wimpole, Cambridgeshire, the 
 seat of Lord Oxford. This nobleman, who was the 
 owner of the Harleian Library, now in the British 
 Museum, was a great admirer of Whitefield's oratory, 
 and frequently attended his ministry. He had a high 
 opinion of the character of Lady Huntingdon ; and when 
 near his death, he sent for her to give him spiritual 
 
THE NOBILITY FLOCK TO W II I T E F 1 i: L D. 51 
 
 advice and consolation in his last moments. He died at 
 tlae early age of forty-two, after testifying to the fact, 
 that the profound scholar and the philosopher could 
 learn much from a pious and zealous lady. At Wimpole, 
 the Countess met with the celebrated Miss Eobinson, a 
 lady of well known genius, and was present at her 
 marriage with Mr. Montague, the distinguished philoso- 
 pher and mathematician ; and there is every reason to 
 believe that her pious conversation was blessed to them. 
 These instances, and many others might be quoted 
 where great good was produced among the nobility 
 through her efforts, are sufficient to show how deeply 
 important was the work in which Lady Huntingdon was 
 engaged ; and how widely her influence was exerted for 
 the conversion of the nobility, and the scientific and 
 literary characters of her times. It must also be remem- 
 bered that she did not neglect the poor, in her concern 
 for the rich. While her drawing-rooms were filled with 
 brilliant assemblies, her kitchen was crowded with poor 
 creatures, to whom she dispensed her charities for the 
 relief of their wants, and presented Jesus Christ as the 
 only remedy for their guilt. It is impossible to estimate 
 the result of these labors ; many instances have come to 
 light where she has been made useful, but the majority 
 of cases will never be known till the great day of account. 
 She rendered incalculable service to the cause of true 
 religion ; and as her history is unfolded, it will be seen 
 how much Methodism was indebted to her influence, her 
 counsel, and her self-denying efforts. 
 
52 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON, 
 
 CHAPTER III.— A. D. 1739—1742. 
 
 LAY-PREACHERS INTRODUCED BY LADY HUNTINGDON. — 
 MR. MAXFIELD. — THE COUNTESS AT BATH. — DEATH OF 
 LADY BETTY HASTINGS. — LADY HUNTINGDON'S CONCERN 
 FOR HER SERVANTS. — BISHOP BURNET. — ASHBY SCHOOLS. 
 — DEATH OF MISS COOPER. — LABOURS AND SUCCESS OF 
 LADY HUNTINGDON AMONG THE POOR. 
 
 The great stir which the Methodists had created, was 
 produced not only by declaring the simple truths of the 
 gospel, but also by the then singular manner in which 
 they presented them. The sermons of the preachers had 
 previously been dry essays on some point of morality, or 
 theological controversy ; which were carelessly read in 
 the pulpit," and lulled the audience to sleep. The Metho- 
 dists left their manuscripts at home, and poured forth 
 their experience of divine truth in stirring extempora- 
 neous strains. Their oratory Avas fervid and powerful, 
 because their souls were deeply impressed with the 
 importance of their message ; and the spiritual fire, which 
 glowed within, animated their discourses, and awakened 
 a powcrfu] sympathy in the minds of their hearers. The 
 number of ordained ministers, hovfever, was insufficient 
 to meet the demands made for their services. Whitefield 
 was realizing great success in America ; John Wesley 
 was following up the labours of that distinguished man 
 at Bristol ; Mr. Ingham was working amid the dark 
 heathenish population of Yorkshire ; Howel Harris was 
 journeying through Wales, and attracting many to the 
 standard of the cross ; and others were itinerating 
 throughout the country. A new agency was now rising, 
 
THE PREACHING OF M R . M A X F i E L 1> . 58 
 
 tlirougli tlie instrumentality of Ladj Huntingdon, Avhich 
 has done more to bring the gospel into the villages of our 
 land, than the most illustrious men, sent from our 
 colleges and universities, have been enabled to effect. 
 
 The first example of lay-preaching appears to have 
 been set by Mr. Bowers, who, after Whitefield had 
 finished his sermon in Islington church-yard, rose to 
 address the people. He also preached in the streets of 
 Oxford ; but Charles Wesley severely reprimanded him 
 for preaching without being ordained ; and the timid man 
 confessed that he bad done wrong, and promised never to 
 offend again. John Wesley greatly felt the need of some 
 one to vf atch over the little societies, when he was absent. 
 He accordingi}^ sent Mr. Cennick, a man w^ell known in 
 the history of the revival of religion, to reside at Kings- 
 wood school, which Whitefield had founded, and to which 
 Lady Huntingdon liberally contributed ; that he might 
 read to them the Word of God, pray with them, and 
 exhort them to continue in the ways of holiness. When 
 Wesley left London, he appointed Mr. Maxfield to 
 perform a similar duty in the society at Fetter Lane. 
 Lady Huntingdon was at this time a constant attendant 
 at the chapel, and a member of the first Methodist Society 
 there formed. She was greatly pleased with the talents 
 and fervency of Mr. Maxfield, and having frequently 
 heard him pray, she exhorted him to expound the 
 Scriptures. His expositions w^ere singularly clear and 
 beautiful ; his voice and manner rendered his utterances 
 very impressive ; and his labours were very useful, and 
 gave a mighty stimulus to the piety and zeal of the 
 society. After hearing him several times. Lady Hunting- 
 don w^rote a letter to John Wesley, and communicated to 
 him how greatly Mr. Maxfield was blessed by the Lord. 
 She confessed that she was surprised at his talents ; that 
 when she first heard him she expected very little from 
 him ; but as he proceeded he gained her attention, and at 
 
 5* 
 
54 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 length so riveted her, that she remained immovable on 
 her seat. She says, " You can have no idea what an 
 attachment I have to him." The Countess took a great 
 interest in his proceedings, and delighted to unite with 
 him in prayer, of which he had an extraordiniiry gift, 
 and to attend his expositions. Frorn the exhorter to the 
 preacher is but a single step ; yet it does not appear that 
 Mr. Maxfield contemplated taking that step. He was a 
 sincere humble-minded Christian, anxious to do good, 
 and to save souls. His services were very acceptable to 
 the people, and multitudes flocked to hear him ; whose 
 deep and serious attention, and the urgent entreaties of 
 Lad}^ Huntingdon, induced him to persevere in his 
 efforts, and at length to preach. His ministrations were 
 greatly blessed by the Lord ; many were brought to see 
 their sinful condition, and to find pardon and peace 
 through the merits of Jesus Christ. 
 
 The preaching of Mr. Maxfield, however, gave great 
 offence to several members of the society ; who declared 
 that he had usurped the sacred office, without being called 
 to it ; and represented to Mr. Wesley that it was an 
 irregularity which should be instantly put down. He 
 immediately hastened to London, and reached his mother's 
 house, adjoining the Foundry in the City Eoad, greatly 
 displeased. His mother was a woman of genuine piety, 
 clear understanding, and good sense. She had often heard 
 Mr. Maxfield preach, and was fully persuaded, by the 
 tokens of success, that Christ had called him to be his 
 ambassador. She perceived that her son was displeased 
 and irritated, and inquired the cause. He indignantly 
 replied, " Why Thomas Maxfield has turned preacher." 
 The old lady looked seriously at her son, and said, 
 ^' John, take care what you do with respect to that young 
 man ; for he is as surely called of God to preach as you 
 are. Examine what has been the fruits of his preaching, 
 and l]car him also yourself." He attended to the good 
 
DEATH OF LADY BETTY il A S T I N fi S . 55 
 
 advice of liis motlier, and after having heard him, he ex- 
 pressed his satisfaction, and gave him his sanction by 
 saying, " It is the Lord ; let him do what seemeth him 
 good." He clearly discerned that it would be impossible 
 to keep his followers from preaching ; and he, therefore, 
 admitted them to be his assistants, and to preach 
 wherever he appointed them. It is, however, a fact 
 which should be remembered, that we owe all the bles- 
 sings which the world has received from lay-preachers to 
 the good sense and spiritual discernment of Lady Ilun- 
 tingdon, and the mother of John Wesley.* 
 
 At the close of the year, 1789, the Earl and Countess 
 of Huntingdon paid a visit to Bath, which was then in 
 the height of its reputation as a fashionable city. The 
 Earl had been very much indisposed during the previous 
 summer, and had been strongly recommended to use the 
 Bath waters. His intimate friend, Mr. Allen, then 
 resided at Prior Park, the most magnificent seat among 
 the many beautiful spots around, where Pope and Dr. 
 Warburton, afterwards Bishop of Gloucester, were visi- 
 ting. In the society of these distinguished men, Lady 
 Huntingdon found many opportunities of introducing 
 religious topics, which she discussed with great force and 
 zeal, and enlightened by the clearness of her comprehen- 
 sion of divine things. Warburton, however, was bitterly 
 opposed to her sentiments, and embraced every occasion 
 to denounce the preaching of the ministers she attended. 
 He pronounced her an " incurable enthusiast ; " and 
 throughout his life, he fiercely censured and opposed the 
 principles and adherents of Lady Huntingdon. He 
 hated Methodism, and applied the term as an opprobrious 
 epithet to all who were conspicuous for their piety, and 
 their enjoyment of the religion of Jesus Christ. Mr. 
 Charles Wesley was then at*Bath ; but met with such 
 
 *0u lay-preacliing see Notes in the Life of Walker, of Truro.— Ed. 
 
56 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 opposition, that he preached only once or twice. He, 
 however, laboured very successfully at Bristol, Bradford, 
 and the neighbouring places ; whither he was accom- 
 panied by the Countess. The Earl never thwarted her 
 Ladyship in any of her plans ; but Warburton was so 
 deeply prejudiced against her, that he was ever ready to 
 ridicule her on her return from these excursions. 
 
 Before this year closed, the family of Lord Huntingdon 
 was thrown into mourning by the decease of his sister 
 Lady Betty Hastings. She had spent the greater portion 
 of her life at Ledstone Hall, Yorkshire ; which came into 
 her possession after the death of her brother George, the 
 eighth Earl of Huntingdon. It was while on a visit to 
 Lady Bett}^, that the Ladies Hastings were brought to a 
 knowledge of the truth. Mr. Ingham was preaching in 
 the neighbourhood, and curiosity led them to hear him ; 
 when they were so deeply impressed with the truth, that 
 they invited him to Ledstone Hall, where he soon became 
 a great favorite. Lady Betty was a very remarkable 
 character. She possessed good natural abilities, a vigor- 
 ous intellect, a sound judgment, and an extraordinary 
 quickness of comprehension. Her temper was sweet and 
 placid ; her heart benevolent and affectionate ; her manners 
 refined and engaging. She employed her talents and her 
 ample fortune in doing good ; and secured the esteem of 
 those who were her equals in rank, and of the poorest of 
 her dependants, by her piety and her unostentatious 
 generosity. She died December 22nd, 1739, in the fifty- 
 seventh year of her age ; and was interred with great 
 solemnity in the family vault at Ledstone. Her loss was 
 severely felt in Yorkshire ; her sisters returned to 
 Donnington Park, with the Earl and Countess ; and 
 Ledstone Hall became the property of Lord Huntingdon. 
 
 AVhile Lady Huntingdon was in the midst of her 
 labours among the nobility and the poor, she enjoyed 
 much of the favour of God. She lived in a region of 
 
THE POOE. 57 
 
 peace and joy ; the world and its pleasures possessed no 
 charm to attract her attention; and she daily crucified 
 the flesh with all its affections and lusts. At the 
 beginning of the year 1742, she says : — "My whole heart 
 has not one single grain of thirst after approbation. I 
 feel alone with God ; he nils the whole void ; I see all 
 mortals under my feet. I have not one wish, one will, 
 one desire, but in him : he hath set my feet in a large 
 room. All but God's children seem as so many machines 
 appointed for uses which I have nothing to do with. I 
 have wondered and stood amazed that God should make * 
 a conquest of all within me by love. Others may be 
 conquered by less gifts and graces, but what must that 
 evil heart be that nothing but the love of God can 
 conquer ? I am brought to less than nothing ; broken 
 to pieces like the potter s vessel. I long to leap into the 
 flames to get rid of my sinful flesh, and that every atom 
 of these ashes might be separate, that neither time, place, 
 nor person should stay God's spirit." 
 
 Lady Huntmgdon* took the deepest interest in the 
 welfare of her servants and workpeople. She instructed 
 them in the scriptures, pointed out to them the way of 
 salvation, through Christ, and exhorted them to believe 
 in him for pardon and peace. She met with much 
 success in her efforts. She once spoke to a workman, 
 who was repairing a garden wall, and urged him to 
 reflect on the state of his soul, and on eternity. Some 
 years after, she was speaking to another on the same 
 subject, and said to him, " Thomas, I fear you never 
 pray, nor look to Christ for salvation." Your Ladyship 
 is mistaken," he replied, " I heard what passed between 
 you and James, when he was mending the wall some 
 years ago, and the word designed for him took effect on 
 me." " How did you hear it," she asked ; and he 
 answered, ''I heard it on the other side of the garden 
 
58 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 tliroiigli a bole in the wall, and shall never forget the 
 impression I then received." 
 
 The Countess had a great veneration for the memory 
 of Bishop Burnet, and took a warm interest in the 
 spiritual welfare of his descendants. She was at this 
 time very intimate with his daughter, Mrs. Mitchell, a 
 woman of genuine piety and benevolence, who frequently 
 visited and conversed with her on religious subjects. 
 The grandson of the excellent prelate, Kichard West, 
 Esq., was a great fav^ourite with both Lord and Lady 
 Huntingdon : but a rapid consumption terminated his 
 brief career at the age of twenty-six, when his piety and 
 talents gave the promise of extensive usefulness. She 
 admired Burnet among other things for his condemnation 
 of pluralities, which he termed, "Sacrilegious robberies,'''^ 
 and was fond of relating a circumstance which transpired 
 respecting him, which displayed his conscientiousness 
 and integrity. In his first charge to his clergy at 
 Salisbury, he quoted the following anecdote : — St. Ber- 
 nard, being consulted by one of his followers, whether 
 he might accept two benefices, asked him, "How will 
 you be able to serve them both? " ''I intend," aDswered 
 the priest, "to officiate in one of them by a deputy." 
 *' Will your deputy be damned for you too? " cried the 
 saint, " Believe me; you may serve your cure by proxy, 
 but you must be damned in person." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon spent the greater part of 1742 at 
 Donnington Park, in devising schemes for more exten- 
 sively diffusing divine truth, and ameliorating the condi- 
 tion of the poor around her. She was deeply sensible of 
 the value of sound religious education, and accordingly 
 established schools at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, which had 
 long been in the possession of the Huntingdon family, 
 and at Markfield, a village mid-way between Ashby and 
 Leicester, for the instruction of the children of those 
 districts. For a short time they appeared to prosper 
 
LADY HUNTINDON'S SCHOOLS. 59 
 
 well, and then they gradually declined. The parents 
 foolishly allowed their children to absent themselves, and 
 were extremely careless of the advantages to be derived. 
 She was greatly discouraged at the result of her efforts ; 
 but was fully convinced that, under such circunistances, 
 it would be useless to continue the services of the 
 masters. They were accordingly dismissed, the schools 
 were closed, and Lady Huntingdon, aware that a school 
 would never prosper without the co-operation of the 
 parents, directed her exertions into another channel. 
 She communicated to John Wesley her determination, 
 and stated that it was but " too plain the time is not yet 
 come." Between these two distinguished characters there 
 existed at this time the most intimate friendship. The 
 letters that passed between them are full of that freedom 
 and spirituality, which their cordiality and anxiety for 
 the revival of religion prompted. The Countess gratefully 
 received counsel and instruction from Wesley ; and he 
 solicited her judgment on many occasions. From her 
 letters it is evident, that about this time, he submitted to 
 her his Journals for her inspection ; for she tells him that 
 he has exercised his gift of humility in an extraordinary 
 manner, to ask her opinion upon the journal, and that 
 she does not think there is a single thing in it that ought 
 to be omitted. It greatly delighted and strengthened her 
 heart, and awakened within her the spirit of prayer, that 
 she might live and die in the service in which he was 
 engaged. 
 
 There was at this period residing with the Countess, 
 a young lady named Cooper, who was in the last stage of 
 consumption. She expressed a great desire to see John 
 Wesley ; and Lady Huntingdon wrote to him, and urged 
 him to come down and visit her, before her spirit took its 
 departure. He reached Donnington Park May 22nd, and 
 remarks, " Miss Cooper was just alive, but as soon as we 
 came in, her spirits greatly revived. For three days we 
 
60 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 rejoiced in the grace of God, whereby she was filled with 
 a hope full of immortality." Her sufferings were very 
 acute, but her faith was triumphant; and often after a 
 night of intense pain, she said, '' Oh ! what a delightful 
 night I have felt." Lady Huntingdon was constant in 
 her attendance upon her ; and though deeply affected by 
 her removal, she seemed to partake more of the happiness 
 of the departed, than of the sorrow of the mourner. She 
 says in a letter written at this time, " Miss Cooper is still 
 with me ; it has not seemed like death among ns ; we 
 rejoice upon every remembrance of her; all tears are 
 wiped from our eyes ; her last hours were all spent in 
 prayer ; and when her change came, her countenance 
 spoke her blessed ; and I, for a moment, tasted her joy ; 
 for I thought my whole soul was so filled with delight, it 
 could have followed." 
 
 The happiness Lady Huntingdon experienced, prompt- 
 ed her to increase her exertions to bring others to par- 
 ticipate in it. She was unremitting in her attentions to 
 the poor; she bountifully relieved their necessities, visi- 
 ted them in sickness, conversed with them about the 
 state of their souls, and prayed most earnestly with them 
 in their houses. She found that the instruction and short 
 exhortations given to them were of great service to them, 
 especially to her workpeople, with whom she spent a 
 part of every day. She never waited for them to solicit 
 her services ; but sought them out with great diligence, 
 entered into all their troubles, and awakened their grati- 
 tude by the kindness of her manner. Soon after the 
 death of Miss Cooper, her Ladyship walked down to the 
 water-side, where six small houses Avere inhabited by the 
 poor. Two of them were public houses, which she says 
 *' appear to be a harbour for the devils themselves ; " yet 
 she often entered this dark locality to visit a poor woman, 
 in whom she took a deep interest. One day the woman 
 told her that she had been asking her neighbour, whether 
 
THE COUNTESS VISITING THE SICK. 61 
 
 she could know before her departure if she should be 
 happy ; and thej requested her opinion. The Countess 
 at once took a friend with her, and found the poor woman 
 in great distress of body and mind. She cried out in 
 deep agony, " I may die, and what will become of my 
 soul ; 0, pray for me ! O, mercy ! mercy ! " Her Lady- 
 ship reminded her that her past deeds could never atone 
 for her sins, and that it was right to cherish the feeling 
 of guiltiness in the sight of God; and said, ''JSTow you 
 are quite lost, you will find Him who came to seek and 
 to save just such as you are." The poor woman how- 
 ever, refused to be comforted, and passed the night in 
 great fear. 
 
 The next morning Lady Huntingdon was at her bed- 
 side, and read and prayed with her ; and about six at 
 night, they brought her word that she was seized with a 
 cold shivering fit and was in the agonies of death. Her 
 Ladyship hastened to the college, and saw the poor crea- 
 ture held down by four men, and suffering great anguish 
 and pain. The conflict, however, passed, and the storm 
 was succeeded by a beautiful calm: and when Lady 
 Huntingdon came at noon the following day, the woman 
 exclaimed, " O my Lady, my dear Lady, what great 
 things the Lord hath done for me. I have no doubt or 
 fear. He hath given me that peace which the world can 
 neither give nor take away. You have saved my soul ; 
 you know the blessedness I have found this night. O 
 what a thing it is to have the heart all flaming to the 
 Lord Jesus." The Countess was filled with unspeakable 
 pleasure in witnessing the result of her instructions to 
 this poor creature. She delighted to hear her experience 
 of God's dealings with her, and to observe her simplicity 
 and holy joy. She constantly visited her, and brought 
 many to witness her faith, and had the satisfaction of 
 seeing one of the daughters also turning to the Lord. 
 
 The hand of death, however, soon snatched away the 
 
62 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 body wbicli had become the temple of the Holy Ghost, 
 and set the enraptured spirit free. About a week before 
 her departure, she was in great pain, and longed for death. 
 One evening the Countess, with her sisters-in-law Lady 
 Anne and Lady Frances, prayed with her; when she 
 broke out in praise to Christ, and continued all night 
 crying, ''Glory, Glory, to the Lamb." She once pre- 
 vailed upon Lord Huntingdon to accompany her on her 
 visit, when he was surprised and affected even to tears at 
 what he witnessed. The poor woman gradually became 
 weaker, as her spirit ripened for the better land. At 
 length the hour came. The Countess was present, with 
 her excellent sisters-in-law, and many others. Lady 
 Frances approached, and said to her, " Your sufferings 
 will soon be over." She made a feeble motion, stretched 
 out her hand, and whispered a faint farewell. She soon 
 after collected the little strength remaining, and said, 
 " The fear of death is gone. — The name of Jesus — how 
 sweet ! All glory to the Lamb." She could proceed no 
 further ; but by signs, looks, and soft accents, manifested 
 the happiness she enjoyed. ''Just before she breathed 
 her last," says her Ladyship, "she gave us a parting 
 smile; and her happy spirit entered into rest. There 
 were many witnesses around her dying bed, to whom I 
 spoke with much fervour and fidelity. The impression 
 will, I trust, be lasting. Vast numbers, from respect, as 
 well as from curiosity, attended her funeral." 
 
 Such were the labours of this distinguished Lady. 
 She left the society of the rich and the noble, for that of 
 the poor and the sinful. She denied herself the luxury 
 ,and ease, which her rank and fortune placed within her 
 reach, that she might follow the example of her Saviour, 
 "who went about doing good." In her mansion, she was 
 the model of an affectionate mistress to her servants ; 
 who respected and loved her, and never presumed on her 
 kindness. Abroad, she was the missionary of the cross, 
 
LABOURS OP LADY HUNTINGDON. 63 
 
 ever on tlie alert to save souls. No darkness was too 
 terrible for her to visit ; even tlie " harbour for devils 
 themselves" was entered^ that she might seek out the 
 perishing victims, and attempt to rescue them from the 
 power of Satan. Her example is worthy of being fol- 
 lowed by all. What a mighty change in society would 
 be effected, if every lady would employ her leisure, and 
 a portion of her wealth, in active exertions for the good 
 of those around her ! She would experience the grati- 
 tude which Lady Huntingdon received from those whom 
 she blessed. No wonder that she says, '' I find some 
 difficulty in keeping them from clinging to me, such won- 
 drous love they bear me." They will ever fondly cherish 
 the memory of their benefactor, and will be her crown 
 of rejoicing at the last great day and for ever. 
 
64 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 CHAPTER lY. A.D. 1741—1746. 
 
 LADY HUNTINGDON AT DONNINGTON. — PIOUS CLEEGY. — 
 WHITEFIELD ON MOORFIELDS. LADY HUNTINGDON AT 
 BATH AND CLIFTON. — POET SAVAGE, AND HIS MOTHER. 
 LEDSTONE HALL. — PROGRESS OF METHODISM IN YORK- 
 SHIRE. — MR. GRIMSHAW. — JOHN NELSON. — PERSECU- 
 TION. — DEATH OF GEORGE AND FERDINANDO HASTINGS. 
 DR. WATTS. — DR. DODDRIDGE. — THE PRETENDER. — THE 
 COUNTESS AT CLIFTON. — DEATH OF LORD HUNTINGDON ; 
 HIS CHARACTER. 
 
 John Wesley quitted Donnington Park before the death 
 of Miss Cooper, and preached in various parts of York- 
 shire. He then visited Epworth, where he was fornierly 
 curate to his father ; and being denied the pulpit, he gave 
 notice that he would preach in the church-yard. A vast 
 congregation assembled ; and he stood near the east end 
 of the church, upon his father's tombstone, and preached 
 from the words, " The kingdom of heaven is not meat 
 and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the 
 Holy Ghost." 
 
 While the Countess resided at her mansion in Leices 
 tershire, the Wesleys and their associates became constant 
 visitors, and were received by her Ladyship as the 
 servants of that God to whom she had solemnly dedicated 
 herself, and by Lord Huntingdon with every mark of 
 polite attention. This accomplished nobleman possessed 
 such love and veneration for his Countess that, instead 
 of thwarting any of her plans for promoting the diffusion 
 of truth and the interests of religion, he afforded her 
 
moorefield's fair. 65 
 
 much facility and encouragement to gratify the desires 
 of her heart. Every minister of the gospel, of whatever 
 name and denomination, whom she wished to invite, was 
 always welcomed at Donnington Park, and treated by 
 his Lordship with that politeness and affability, for which 
 he was so distinguished. He freely conversed on religious 
 subjects with many of these worthy men ; and when, on 
 one occasion, the conversation turned on the doctrine of 
 the atonement through the death of Christ, he frankly 
 confessed, " The morality of the Bible I admire ; but the 
 doctrine of the atonement I cannot comprehend." It was 
 a matter of great grief to her Ladyship, that his heart 
 remained insensible to the beauties of the gospel ; and 
 though it never disturbed their domestic felicity, it drew 
 many prayers from her heart for his conversion. 
 
 George Whitefield had, meanwhile, been zealously 
 pursuing his energetic labours. After his separation 
 from Wesley, he visited Scotland ; where he preached 
 in the churches and in the fields with astonishing success, 
 and collected about five hundred pounds for his Orphan 
 House. He returned through "Wales, where he married 
 Mrs. Elizabeth James, a widow ; and travelled to Bristol, 
 and thence to London, preaching everywhere with his 
 accustomed energy and success. Moorfields was then a 
 place of great resort during the Easter and Whitsuntide 
 holidays, and thousands attended the fairs and shows day 
 and night. Whitefield issued forth on Whit-Monday at 
 six in the morning, and again at noon, and a third time 
 in the evening ; and preached to the assembled crowds 
 amid the most exciting scenes. The merry-andrews were 
 deserted ; which so enraged them, that one mounted a 
 man's shoulders, and attempted to lash the preacher with 
 a long whip. All sorts of annoyances were created to 
 drown his voice ; a recruiting sergeant, with drum and 
 fife, marched throuo-h the cono-resfation ; mountebanks 
 played their antics before him ; and showmen sounded a 
 
 6* 
 
66 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 terrible blast of trumpets. His preaching was very 
 successful. He says, ''At a moderate computation I 
 received, I believC; a thousand notes from persons under 
 conviction ; and soon after upwards of three hundred 
 were received into the society in one day. Some I 
 married that had lived together without marriage ; one 
 man had exchanged his wife for another, and given 
 fourteen shillings in exchange. Numbers that seemed as 
 it were, to have been bred up for Tyburn, were at that 
 time plucked as firebrands out of the burning." He 
 spent the greater part of 1742, in Scotland, and re- 
 turned to London to resume his duties at the Taber- 
 nacle. 
 
 The Earl and Countess of Huntingdon were now con- 
 stant in their attendance on the ministry of White field 
 and were often accompanied by the Ladies Hastings ; and 
 occasionally by the Prince of Wales and his youngest 
 brother William, the Duchess of Marlborough, the Duch- 
 ess of Buchingham, and many of the nobility. At the 
 beginning of the next year, Whitefield itinerated in 
 Gloucestershire and Wales ; and established at Waterford 
 an Association of societies and ministers, which he and 
 his brethren had agreed upon for their mutual edification 
 and encouragement ; the number of which was greatly 
 increased throughout the principality. At one of the 
 meetings of the Association, a proposition was made to 
 separate formally from the Established Church; "but," 
 says Whitefield, ''the far greater part opposed it, and 
 with good reason ; for we enjoy such great liberty under 
 the mild and gentle government of his present Majesty 
 King George, that I think we can do our country and 
 the cause of God more service in ranging up and down, 
 preaching repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, to those multitudes would come neither into 
 church nor meeting, but who are led by curiosity to 
 follow us into the fields." 
 
THE MOTHER OF THE POET SAVAGE. 67 
 
 Lady Huntingdon spent the winter of 1742, at Bath, 
 
 in the company of her relatives, Lady Fanny Shirley, 
 
 and Lady Anne and Lady Frances Hastings. The 
 
 imprisonment of the poet Savage for debt, in the common 
 
 goal of Bristol, was then the general topic of conversation 
 
 .n the higher circles at London, Bath and Clifton. His 
 
 career had been a very singular one. His mother, once 
 
 Countess of Macclesfield, and afterwards Mrs. Brett, 
 
 disowned her child, and left him to pass his infancy and 
 
 childhood, under the precarious protection of strangers. 
 
 He early commenced his career as an author, and plunged 
 
 into scenes of dissipation and vice. In a broil at a tavern, 
 
 he killed a man, and was condemned to death on the 
 
 evidence of his mother and an infamous woman. The 
 
 intercession of the Countess of Hertford, the friend of 
 
 Lady Huntingdon, procured for him the royal pardon ; 
 
 and his popularity was increased by the notorious cruelty, 
 
 and implacable hatred of his mother. His season of 
 
 prosperity,, however, was soon clouded by his ingratitude ; 
 
 and he vainly struggled with poverty and distress. Lady 
 
 Fanny had known him at the residence of Pope, and now 
 
 sent him relief. Soon after his imprisonment. Lady 
 
 Huntingdon and her family removed to Clifton, and 
 
 proposed to raise a subscription for the benefit of the 
 
 unhappy man ; but he pertinaciously refused to sanction 
 
 it. His keeper, Mr. Dagge, was well known to her 
 
 Ladyship as a frequent hearer of Whitefield ; who was 
 
 now preaching at Bristol, and often visited him at his 
 
 house„ Savage was principally supported by this ''tender 
 
 goaler," as Johnson calls him ; and often heard the gifted 
 
 preacher, not only in the prison-chapel, but also at the 
 
 table of his humane keeper. Lady Huntingdon and her 
 
 family did not confine their benevolence to the relief of 
 
 his temporal Avants ; they frequently visited him in 
 
 prison, and anxiously sought to direct his attention to 
 
 the momentous concerns of eternity. IN'otwithstanding 
 
68 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 their civility and kindness, he gratified his resentment 
 by writing a satirical poem ; which would only have 
 alienated his remaining friends, had he not abandoned 
 the task at the urgent request of Lady Fannj^ He was 
 seized with a painful disorder, which ultimately brought 
 on a fever, of which he died, July 31st, 1743, leaving 
 behind him a character strangely checkered with vices 
 and good qualities. 
 
 About nine years after, when Lady Huntingdon was 
 at Bath, she was accosted in the street by an elderly 
 gentlewoman, who, with much politeness, inquired for her 
 address, intending to do herself the pleasure of calling 
 upon her Ladyship. She omitted to ask the name of the 
 stranger, and in a short time left Bath without bearing or 
 seeing anything more of the old lady. Nearly a year after, 
 Lord Ty rconnel presented to her a letter from this stranger 
 It was from the mother of the poet Savage ; who aftei 
 apologizing for her seeming rudeness in not calling upon 
 her Ladj^ship, says : — 
 
 *'The day after I saw your Ladyship, I was seized 
 with such a violent illness, that I thought I should have 
 died ; and even now v/hilst I write, a shuddering horror 
 steals over me at the recollection of what I then endured 
 from the terrifying of an alarmed conscience. When 
 you call to mind some transactions in the life of the 
 miserable individual who now addresses you, perhaps 
 you will recoil with disgust from any association with a 
 being so depraved and so debased. But, oh, dear Madam, 
 recollect for a moment that 1 am touching my last hour, 
 and that the prospect is dark and dreary as the tomb to 
 which I am rapidly hastening. I tremble, yes, my knees 
 smite against each other at the apprehension of the sen- 
 tence I must receive at that awful tribunal before which 
 I must soon appear. But I trust there may be mercy, 
 even for me, vile offender as I am." 
 
 This was an object to excite the compassionate in- 
 
THE COUNTESS VISITING TUE SICK. 69 
 
 terest of Lady Huntingxlon; and tliougli tliere are no 
 documents to testify to it, there can be no doubt that her 
 Ladyship visited this wretched woman, and endeavoured 
 to point out how even her great crimes could be forgiven 
 through Jesus Christ. She died October 11th, 1753. 
 
 In the summer of 1743, the Earl and Countess of 
 Huntingdon, with the Ladies Hastings, arrived at Led- 
 stone Hall, which had not been visited by any of the 
 family since the decease of Lady Betty Hastings. The 
 progress of Methodism in Yorkshire had been very en- " 
 couraging. Mr. Ingham and Mr. Eogers, a clergyman of 
 the church of England, were attracting great crowds of 
 hearers ; and a number of Moravian ministers settled in 
 the country. Many lay-preachers also arose, among 
 whom were three brothers of the name of Batty, who 
 were eloquent preachers. The societies were considered 
 in communion with the Established Church, and in 
 union with the Moravians, till being greatly disturbed by 
 mobs, they were compelled to shelter themselves undei 
 the Toleration Act, and license their chapels by the name 
 of The Protestant Church of the United Brethren. A mighty 
 coadjutor was raised up in the Eev. William Grimshaw, 
 rector of Ha worth, near Bradford ; a village, whose in- 
 habitants were as wild and uncultivated as the soil, and 
 as cold and lifeless as the bleak rocks and hills which 
 surrounded them. His preaching was powerful and ef- 
 fective, and aroused the attention of men. Soon his 
 church was crowded with astonished hearers ; and a great 
 reformation in the morals of the place quickly appeared. 
 He visited his parish from house to house, teaching and 
 expostulating with his people ; and paid great attention 
 to the aged and the young. His energy and zeal were 
 not confined to his own parish ; he assisted Mr. Ingham 
 in his circuits ; and in his idle week preached about four- 
 teen times, whilst in his husy week, the number of his 
 sermons sometimes amounted to thirty. While Lady 
 
70 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Huntingdon was at Ledstone, !Mr. and Lady Margaret 
 Ingliam, and Mr. Grimsbaw were guests at tlie Hall ; and 
 were afterwards joined by Charles Wesley and Mr. 
 Graves, who were itinerating in Yorkshire with considera- 
 ble success. During their stay at the mansion, there was 
 preaching twice for many successive days, and great 
 crowds were gathered from various parts, and often from 
 a great distance. The congregations were so vast that 
 the services were generally held in the open air, and often 
 many sermons were preached at intervals on the same 
 day. 
 
 There was then a preacher in Yorkshire, named 
 John Nelson, of whom her Ladyship had heard so much 
 that she greatly desired to see him. He was a native ot 
 Birstal near Leeds ; and while employed in the building 
 of Somerset House, London, was deeply impressed by the 
 preaching of Wesley and Whitefield, and led to believe 
 in Christ. On his return to his native place, he longed 
 to impart the blessings he had received to his friends ; 
 whom he assembled at his house. The room was soon 
 crowded ; and when his house could not contain those 
 who flocked to him, he stood on his door-step in the 
 evening, and talked about the way of salvation. Mr. 
 Ingham heard him expound, and secured his services to 
 exhort in his societies; which he did with surprising 
 success. Lady Huntingdon, accompanied by Mr. Ingham 
 and Mr. Graves, went to Birstal to hear this remarkable 
 exhorter. After Mr. Ingham had addressed the assembled 
 thousands, John Nelson rose, and spoke for half an hour 
 amidst the breathless silence of the audience. The Coun- 
 tess was delighted, and, when parting, told him with her 
 characteristic energy, that God had called him to the 
 work, and would severely punish him if he grew weary 
 of it, and added, " He that calleth you is mighty to save ; 
 fear not, press forward ; He will bless your testimony." 
 John followed her advice, and pressed forward ; he greatly 
 
J II :^ N E L S N . 71 
 
 extended his circuity and preached in different parts of 
 the country. Many were the difficulties and dangers he 
 met with. Sometimes a fierce mob attacked him while 
 preaching, and drove him and his congregation to some 
 place of refuge ; missiles and mud were thrown at him ; 
 and his life endangered by the violence of his enemies. 
 
 The vicar of Birstal resolved to rid him. self of this 
 zealous preacher ; and arranged that he should be pressed 
 for a soldier. He was carried to Halifax before the com- 
 missioners, where the vicar was on the bench ; and after 
 vainly remonstrating, was marched off to Bradford, and 
 thrust into a dungeon, for the sole crime of being anxious 
 for God's glory, and the good of mankind. His courage 
 did not for one moment forsake him; friends brought 
 him candles, meat, and water, and sang outside the prison 
 the hymn he was singing within ; and his wife came and 
 shouted to him through the key-hole, ''Fear not, but 
 trust in God." The indignities he suffered on his way to 
 York were of the most barbarous kind : and wherever he 
 staid for the night, vast crowds came to see him through 
 the grated windows of his goal. Soon after his arrival 
 at York, he was brought before the court ; and when the 
 indictment was read, the only charge preferred Avas, ''This 
 is the Methodist preacher, and he refuses to take the ser- 
 vice money." No threat could induce him to take the 
 king's coin ; and he bore his arms and accoutrements as 
 a cross he was compelled to take up. He still, however, 
 preached, prayed, and distributed Wesley's little books, 
 with as much zeal as ever ; for which he was cursed by 
 the ensign of his company, and thrust into prison. Lady 
 Huntingdon used all her influence to obtain his discharge. 
 She Avas well acquainted with the Dowager Countess of 
 Sunderland, through whom she obtained an interview 
 with her step-son Charles, Earl of Sunderland, who, a 
 short time before, had been promoted to the rank of Bri- 
 gadier General of His Majesty's forces. His Lordship, 
 
72 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 after patiently hearing tbe case, assured her that those for 
 whom, she had pleaded should be set at liberty in a few 
 days. She communicated the intelligence to Nelson, 
 through Charles "Wesley; and he was released from his 
 captivity, July 28th. 
 
 During Lord Huntingdon's life, Ledstone Hall was 
 visited every summer, when numerous meetings were 
 held of a highly interesting character. General convoca- 
 tions of the preachers and exhorters were convened, which 
 were frequently attended by Lady Huntingdon, and Lady 
 Margaret Ingham ; special services were held in the 
 church and in the open-air ; and a great interest was 
 created among the people for the difi'usion of the gospel. 
 ]\Ir. Grimshaw was very zealous on these occasions ; and 
 though he encountered much opposition, his determined 
 and undaunted nature enabled him to disarm his enemies, 
 and to effect his purpose. He met with a stout opponent 
 in the vicar of Colne, who, on one occasion, rushed with 
 staffin hand into the house where he was holding a 
 meeting, followed by the constable, and a mob of the 
 lowest rabble ; and dragged him and his fellow preachers, 
 Mr. Ingham and Mr. Batty, off as prisoners. They re- 
 fused to sign a contract not to preach for six months, and 
 were hurried along by their captors, pelted with mud and 
 stones, and had their lives endangered by the clubs of the 
 mob. Mr. Ingham's coat was torn from his back ; and 
 the three captives were compelled to remain at an inn till 
 the vicar was pleased to release them. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was shortly after her return from 
 Yorkshire, visited by a severe domestic trial. She was 
 devotedly attached to her children ; and it now pleased the 
 Lord to remove two of her beloved sons, George and 
 Ferdinando Hastings, by the small pox, which was then 
 making such fearful ravages in England. They died 
 within a very short period of each other, one aged thir 
 teen and the other aged ten years. Her mind was very 
 
DR. DODDRIDGE. 73 
 
 deeply affected with lier loss, yet her grief was mitigated 
 by the consolations of the gospel. She humbled herself 
 under the bereaving stroke, and was enabled to realize 
 the precious promises which God has given to his people 
 through Christ. Even the dark clouds which surrounded 
 her appeared beautiful, because they reflected so clearly 
 the bow of promise ; which only increased in brightness 
 with the intensity of the surrounding darkness. 
 
 The revival of religion had now assumed some form 
 and consistence in the land. Many meeting houses had 
 been erected in various places, societies formed and dis- 
 ciplined, rules laid down, lay-preachers admitted, and a 
 regular system of itinerancy established. Several clergy- 
 men, who had been aroused by the preaching of Wesley 
 and Whitefield, now came boldly forward, and united 
 themselves with the cause of Methodism. Among these 
 were the Eevs. J. Hodges, rector of Wenvo ; H. Piers, 
 vicar of Bexley ; S. Taylor, vicar of Quintin ; C. Manning, 
 vicar of Hayes ; V. Perronet, vicar of Shoreham ; J. Mer- 
 riton, from the Isle of Man ; and E. T. Bateman, rector 
 of St. Bartholomew's the Great, London. These pious 
 ministers were intimately acquainted with Lady Hun- 
 tingdon, and were encouraged by her to persevere in 
 their efforts to spread the gospel throughout the land. 
 The first Methodist Conference was held in London, June 
 25th, 1744 ; at which there were six clergymen and four 
 travelling preachers present, who were received and hos- 
 pitably entertained by her Ladyship at her house in- 
 London. Her drawing-rooms were thrown open, and the 
 first public services held there, that we have any mention 
 of during Lord Huntingdon's lifetime. John Wesley 
 then preached from the text " What hath God wrought ;" 
 and other ministers took part in the service. 
 
 Though Lady Huntingdon was warmly attached to the 
 Established Church, she possessed enlightened views of 
 Christianity, and a glowing zeal for the salvation of men. 
 
74 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 She was far in advance of her times in catholicity of 
 S2:)irit^ and liberality of sentiment ; and frequently stimu- 
 lated the great leaders of Methodism to extend their 
 operations, when they were inclined to restrict their 
 efforts to certain modes of action. She felt a powerful 
 sympathy towards all who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and formed an acquaintance with many of the pious and 
 distinguished Dissenters. She had been introduced to 
 Dr. Watts by his friend and patroness Lady Abney, and 
 was on terms of intimate friendship with him during the 
 remainder of his life. He often visited her town residence, 
 corresponded with her when in the country, and through 
 the kindness of Lady Abney, enjoyed much of her society 
 at Abney Park. Dr. Doddridge, the renowned author of 
 " The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soid,''^ a work 
 which has been so extensively useful, was also numbered 
 among her intimate friends, and with whom she frequently 
 corresponded. He incurred the censure of his brethren 
 by preaching for Whitefield at the Tabernacle ; and even 
 Dr. Watts was inclined to think unkindly of him for it ; 
 but the conversation of Lady Huntingdon induced him to 
 commend his efforts to spread everywhere the blessings 
 of salvation. The letters of the Countess to Doddridge, 
 indicate the high opinion she entertained of his abilities 
 and spirituality ; and his communications to her show the 
 regard he had for her intellectual powers, her piety, and 
 her generous exertions. In one of them she says, " We 
 want not that friendship which the world has, discovering 
 its degree by the mere outward shows of ceremony ; but 
 those hearts who hiow Him that was from the beginning: 
 — by this acquaintance, they can trace back the several 
 other influences upon their minds, besides the secret ones 
 of His to them ; and will not wonder such things should 
 help them to maintain an esteem of mankind till a 
 stronger motive supplies its place." 
 
 The year 1745 was a period of great anxiety and some 
 
PERSECUTION. 75 
 
 dan£rer to those who were concerned for the interests of 
 religion. War was declared between England and 
 France ; and the latter power resolved to create a favour- 
 able diversion, by landing the young Chevalier to erect 
 the banner of the Pretender in Scotland. A desperate 
 efibrt was made to restore him to the throne of the ex- 
 iled Stuarts ; and for a time the Jacobite party prevailed. 
 The standard of the young prince was followed by many 
 of the highland nobility ; and before the year closed, he 
 had defeated the royal troops in several engagements, 
 taken possession of the principal towns of Scotland, and 
 had advanced into England as far as Derby. During the 
 progress of these events, it was natural that the govern- 
 ment should closely watch the movements of the people, 
 and prevent any demonstration of sympathy for the Pre- 
 tender. The extraordinary proceedings of the Methodists 
 were under the eye of the state. The cabinet was quickly 
 informed, that AVhitefield was accustomed to draw thirty 
 thousand persons out of London to hear him preach on 
 Kennington Common, and that nearly as many were col- 
 lected to hear him on Moorfields ; and that Wesley fre- 
 quently stood on Tower Hill, in the streets of Bristol, 
 among the miners of Cornwall, and the colliers of Kings- 
 Avood and Newcastle, and addressed vast crowds of 
 people. 
 
 The strangest suspicions, and vilest calumnies were in- 
 dustriously circulated respecting the designs of the 
 Methodists. Whitefield was now away in America, and 
 escaped the condemnations which were freely uttered ; 
 but Wesley had to bear the whole force of the misrepre- 
 sentations of his enemies. It was confidently asserted 
 that he was a papist, and kept priests in his house ; that 
 he was in league with the Spaniards, and received large 
 sums of money to distribute among the people ; and 
 that he was acting in concert with the Pretender ! His 
 brother Charles was summoned before the magistrates at 
 Wakefield, and accused of disloyalty. In a prayer, he 
 
76 MEMOIR OF LADY UUNTINGDON. 
 
 had supplicated that God would call home ''his banished 
 ones ;" which was interpreted by his enemies to mean the 
 Pretender. He^ however, clearly explained his meaning 
 to the magistrates, who expressed themselves perfectly 
 satisfied with his statement. Even the rank and influence 
 of Lady Huntingdon did not screen her from the base in- 
 sinuations of the enemies of religion. She was accused 
 of favouring the Pretender ; and mobs were collected in 
 the streets near her house, who called out for her Lady- 
 ship to appear, and threatened to tear her in pieces if they 
 could seize her person. 
 
 These aspersions, which were freely cast on the charac- 
 ter of the Methodists, increased the hatred and stimulated 
 the zeal of their persecutors. Every Sunday damnation 
 was denounced against them from the pulpits ; mobs 
 broke into their assemblies, and insulted their preachers ; 
 and many of the itinerants, sent out by Lady Huntingdon, 
 were ill-treated and beaten. As some of the magistrates 
 refused to interfere, and others condemned the Methodists, 
 Lady Huntingdon addressed a remonstrance to Lord 
 Carteret, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of 
 State ; who laid it before the King. It was a fortunate 
 circumstance for the interests of religion, that the throne 
 was occupied by a prince of the House of Hanover. 
 George II. was too wise a sovereign not to perceive 
 where the strength of his throne existed. The high- 
 church party viewed him as an alien ; the dissenters 
 treated him as the patron of civil and religious liberty ; 
 and he adopted the policy of increasing the privileges of 
 the latter, that they might be a check upon the former. 
 Lady Huntingdon and many of her noble friends, who 
 had joined the Methodists, were well-known at Court as 
 the staunch supporters of the House of Hanover. King 
 George, therefore, caused Lord Carteret to forward to her 
 Ladyship a letter, dated November 19th, 1745, in which 
 he says that the King, as father and protector of his 
 people, will permit no persecution to take place on ' 
 
PERSECUTION. 77 
 
 account of religion ; and that all magistrates sball be 
 requested to aflbrd protection to those who require it, in 
 the discharge of their religious observances. 
 
 One effect of the persecution, to which the Methodists 
 were exposed, was, to force them to take refuge under 
 the Toleration Act. Yet their position was totally 
 distinct from that for which the Act provided ; and a less 
 tolerant monarch might have driven them from it, or 
 forced them to give up what they highly valued. They 
 refused to call themselves Dissenters, and professed a 
 warm, and devoted attachment to the Establishment ; 
 they believed her articles, retained her liturgy and cere- 
 monies, communed at her tables ; and professed that they 
 were the strictest members of the Church, because they 
 were anxious, to restore her to her former dignity and 
 usefulness. The intentions of the King were soon made 
 known throughout the nation : and although petty magis- 
 trates, inflamed by a godless clergy, sometimes refused to 
 afford redress to the persecuted, the superior courts were 
 ordered by the government to punish with severity all 
 who insulted or injured the Methodists. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon spent part of the summer of 1745 at 
 Clifton, and was unremitting in her exertions for the 
 diffusion of the truth. In August the second Methodist 
 Conference was held at Bristol ; w^hich was attended by 
 three clergymen, the Eevs. John Hodges, rector of 
 Wenvo, John and Charles Wesley, and seven travelling 
 preachers. Her Ladyship formed an acquaintance with 
 these apostolic labourers, particularly with Messrs. Eich- 
 ards, Meyrick and Moss, whom she invited to follow her 
 to Bath, whither she retired for a short period. These 
 three preachers were great favourites with Lady Hunting- 
 don ; and, after they left "Wesley's societies, were episco- 
 pally ordained through her interest. 
 
 At the commencement of 1746 the storm which had 
 threatened to overturn the house of Hanover, and bring 
 
78 MEMOIE OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 back the Stuarts and despotism, had nearly blown over. 
 The Chevalier, disappointed at his failure, returned to 
 Scotland, where every day his position became more 
 critical. Lady Huntingdon exerted all her influence in 
 the cause of civil and religious freedom ; and from the 
 pulpits of the Methodists, stirring sermons were preached 
 against the insurgents. The dissenters w^ere also zealous 
 in their concern for the safety of the throne ; and Dr. 
 Doddridge assisted, as far as possible, to induce his people 
 to enlist. John Wesley preached at Newcastle to the 
 English army, and was made very useful to many of the 
 soldiers. At length the fatal battle of Culloden, April 
 16th, put an end to the wild schemes of the Pretender, 
 and restored peace to the United Kingdon. It was in 
 this struggle that the intimate friend of Lady Huntingdon, 
 Colonel Gardiner, perished, of whom Dr. Doddridge has 
 written such an interesting memoir. The Doctor preached 
 an eloquent sermon on his death, which he afterwards 
 published, and sent her Ladyship one hundred copies 
 for distribution. The Countess deplored his death, yet 
 rejoiced in the thought that he was fully prepared for it, 
 and that he was realizing what was still to her the object 
 of faith. She pays a graceful tribute to his memory, in a 
 long letter to John Wesley, and also records her praise 
 of the author of the discourse. ^'Eminently successful 
 in illuminating multitudes, in various parts of the 
 country, with the knowledge of the truth as it is in 
 Jesus, the soul of this excellent minister of Christ is ever 
 burning for a more extensive advancement of religion, 
 where it is not yet known, or its blessed effects felt by 
 the people. He would do honour to any age of the 
 Church, and his honesty and zeal entitle him to unquali- 
 fied praise." 
 
 In the month of April, Lady Huntingdon was attacked 
 by a serious illness which brought on fever, and greatly 
 alarmed her friends ; biit by the skill of her medical at- 
 
siCKNUss. 79 
 
 tendants^ and tlie blessing of Grod, slie was restored to 
 health and strength. While she was suffering from such 
 debility that she could hardly hold a pen, she wrote to 
 the Wesleys and Dr. Doddridge for their assistance in a 
 fresh attempt to spread the gospel in the neighbourhood 
 of her mansion. She had lately taken a young clergy- 
 man, the Eev. Gr. Baddelley, D.D., into her family as her 
 domestic chaplain; and feeling great interest in his wel- 
 fixre, had presented to him the rectory of Markfield. He 
 gained the affection of his people, and by the desire of 
 the Countess, conducted a little meeting in the mansion ; 
 which, though greatly opposed at first, became increasingly 
 useful. He was very anxious to meet with a pious minis- 
 ter to supply his place whenever he was absent ; and her 
 Ladyship wrote to her ministerial friends, and requested 
 them to look out for a suitable person to be his curate. 
 He would have an entrance into four churches, and to of- 
 ficiate as her chaplain ; and by their united efforts, Lady 
 Huntingdon cherished the hope that the gospel would be 
 widely diffused in Leicestershire, and great good ef- 
 fected. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon had scarcely recovered from the loss 
 of her children, and from her own illness, before she was 
 bereaved of her husband, who died at his house in Down- 
 ing-Street, Westminster, October 13th, 1746. This was 
 a severe blow to her Ladyship ; but she realized the 
 poAver of the gospel to console and support in the time 
 of trouble. Never was there a better father, a kinder 
 brother, a more tender husband, and a more indulgent 
 master. He always yielded to the wishes of the Countess ; 
 and though a stranger to the divine happiness she en- 
 joyed, he rejoiced in seeing her full of joy. He was 
 buried with his ancestors in the old church of Ashby-de- 
 la-Zouch, where the following epitaph, from the pen of 
 Lord Bolingbroke, may be seen. It is not more honoura- 
 ble to the Earl than to the widow ; it records the domestic 
 
80 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 cliaracter of the Countess, and exhibits the majesty and 
 loveliness of genuine piety ; and is the more remarkable, 
 as it emanated from the pen of a sceptic, who, by his in- 
 timacy with the family, had witnessed all that he has ex- 
 pressed on the tablet. 
 
 " Here lie the remains of the Eight Honourable Theo- 
 philus. Earl of Huntingdon, Lord Hastings, Hungerford, 
 Botreaux, Moels, Newmark, and Molins. If his death 
 deserved respect, his life deserved it more. If he de- 
 rived his title from a long roll of illustrious ancestors, he 
 reflected back on them superior honours. He ennobled 
 nobility by virtue. He was of the first rank in both ; 
 good in every relation of natural duty and social life. 
 The learning he acquired at school, he improved at Ox- 
 ford,, under the care of that excellent person, the late 
 Bishoj) of Gloucester. Acquainted by his studies with 
 tlie characters of past ages, he acquired by his travels a 
 knowledge of the men and manners of his own ; he visi- 
 ted France, Italy, and even Spain. After these excursions 
 into other couutries, he settled in his own. His own was 
 dear to him. No man had juster notions of the true con- 
 stitution of her government ; no man had a more com- 
 prehensive view of her real interests, domestic and 
 foreign. Capable of excelling in every form of public 
 life, he chose to appear in none. His mind fraught with 
 knowledge, his heart elevated with sentiments of an un- 
 affected patriotism, he looked down from higher ground 
 on the low level of a futile and corrupt generation. 
 Despairing to do national good, he mingled as little as 
 his rank permitted in national affairs. Home is the 
 refuge of a wise man's life ; home was the refuge of his. 
 By his marriage with the Lady Selina Shirley, second 
 daughter, and one of the co-heirs of Washington, Earl 
 Ferrars, he secured to himself, in retreat, a scene of happi- 
 ness he could not have found in the world; the uninte- 
 rupted joys of conjugal love, the never failing comforts 
 
LORD HUNTINGDON'S EPITAPH. 81 
 
 of cordial friendship. Every care was softened, every 
 satisfaction heightened, every hour passed smoothly away, 
 in the company of one who enjoyed a perpetual serenity 
 of soul, that none but those can feel in this life who are 
 prepared for greater bliss in the next. By her, this 
 monument is. erected, to record the virtues of the de- 
 ceased, and the grief of the living. He was born ISTo- 
 vember 12th, 1696, and married the said Lady, June 8rd, 
 1728. By her he had four sons and three daughters, 
 Francis, the present Earl, born March 13th, 1729 ; George, 
 born March 29 th, 1730, who died of the small -pox, aged 
 fourteen ; Ferdinando, born January 23rd, 1732; who 
 also died of the small-pox, aged eleven ; Elizabeth, the 
 eldest daughter, born March 23d, 1731 ; Selina, born 
 June 1735, who died an infant ; Selina, the third daugh- 
 ter, born December 8rd, 1737. The said Earl died of a 
 fit of apoplexy, October 13th, 1746, in the fiftieth year 
 of his ase." 
 
82 MEMOIR OF LADY H U X T I X G D O N . 
 
 CHAPTEE Y. A. D. 1746—1748. 
 
 THE ZEAL AXD LIBERALITY OF LADY HUXTIXGDOX. 
 
 HER FAMILY. — ILL-HEALTH. — VISIT TO LOXDOX. — DR. 
 POTTER, ARCHBISHOP OF CAXTERBURY. — BATH. — LADY 
 HUXTIXGDOX IX WALES. — WHITEFIELD APPOIXTED HER 
 CHAPLAIX — PREACHES IX HER DRAWIXG-ROOMS — HIS 
 SUCCESS AMOXG THE XOBILITY. — LORD BOLIXGBROKE. 
 — ^LADY SUFFOLK. — SOCIAL PRAYER - MEETIXG AMOXG 
 XOBLE LADIES. — THE DEVIL'S CASTAWAYS. 
 
 The death of Lord Huntingdon formed a new era in 
 the life of the Countess. The losses she had sustained 
 deeply chastened her spirit, and led her to fix her affec- 
 tions more entirely on Christ. She became dead to the 
 world ; she placed a fine bust of herself upon the tomb 
 of her deceased husband ; and to the latest period of her 
 life, she treasured up his memory in her widowed bosom. 
 She did not give way to unavailing grief, nor shut herself 
 up in seclusion ; but devoted herself to the discharge of 
 those duties which demanded her attention, and sought 
 relief in active exertion for the salvation of men. His 
 Lordship had such esteem for her character, that he com- 
 mitted to her the entire management of his children and 
 their fortunes; which she carefully attended to, and 
 improved with great fidelity. During his lifetime, her 
 means of usefulness were very circumscribed. Her family 
 and domestic concerns necessarily took up much of her 
 time ; and her attendance on her husband prevented her 
 doing as much good as she desired to do. Her pecuniary 
 
H E R L I B E n A L I T Y . 83 
 
 resources were not large ; yet all she possessed was ex- 
 pended in promotiDg the extension of the Eedeemer'a 
 kingdom, and in relieving the temporal distresses of the 
 indigent. She was thoroughly unostentatious in her 
 benevolent exertions ; her general mode of life was retired; 
 her charities were principally distributed through her 
 chaplains ; her gifts and donations were rarely made 
 public ; yet in a long life of self-denial, she devoted up- 
 wards of One Hundred Thousand Pounds towards the 
 spread of Evangelical religion. To her may be applied 
 the lauguage of a beautiful writer; — ''She was seen 
 wherever disappointment and losses had left nothing but 
 the attractions of misery. She and the selfish crew were 
 sure to meet very near the door ; they leaving their friends 
 when they found nothing more was to be enjoyed, and 
 she hastening thither as soon as she found something was 
 necessary to be done." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was now in the thirty-ninth year of 
 her age, and she solemnly dedicated herself, her time, her 
 talents, and her substance to the Lord. She renounced 
 the ease and splendour of noble rank for the service of 
 her Saviour. She mingled with the world only that she 
 might be useful in saving souls ; and exerted all the in- 
 fluence she possessed to secure greater triumphs to the 
 gospel. Her own piety was bright and shining ; the 
 purity and devotion of her zeal were most strikingly 
 displayed ; and no one could remain long in her presence 
 without being warmed with the burning love which 
 gloAved within her soul. She spent the first six months 
 of her widowhood at Donnington Park, which she con- 
 tinued to occupy till the young Earl of Huntingdon 
 became of age. She interested herself in the welfare of 
 the members of her little societies around her, and directed 
 her exertions to increase their number, their piety, and 
 their usefulness. She enjoyed at this season of affliction 
 the consolations of many distinguished friends. Sir John 
 
84 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Thorold was the early and steady friend of the late Earl, 
 and a man of genuine piety. The painful task of con- 
 signing the remains of his Lordship was intrusted to him ; 
 and he manifested a lively interest in the affairs of the 
 Countess and her children. He deeply sympathized with 
 her in her bereavement; wrote a very aftectionate letter of 
 condolence with her, and prayed that every divine support 
 and comfort might be abundantly administered to her, 
 and every blessing rest on the young and interesting 
 family. Letters were received from most of her friends ; 
 especially from Dr. Doddridge, for whom she cherished 
 great afiection. Her reply to him indicates the heavenly 
 state of mind she enjoyed at this period, and her zeal 
 in the service of her Master. In one of her letters she 
 says, 
 
 '^How do I lament the weakness of my hands, the 
 feebleness of my knees, and coolness of my heart. I 
 want it on fire always, not for self-delight, but to spread 
 the gospel from pole to pole. Pray for me, my very 
 excellent friend, and cause others to do so. I dread slack 
 hands in the vineyard ; we must be all up and doing ; the 
 Lord is at hand ; and let ns not lose the things we have 
 wrought, but labour and exhort each other to diligence 
 and faithfulness. ! my friend, we shall reap plentifully 
 if we faint not." 
 
 Dr. Doddridge had given to her ladyship an account 
 of the academy which he had long established for the 
 education of young men for the ministry. The Countess 
 greatly encouraged the work, and offered to support one 
 there, if he knew of a youth who might be deemed fit for 
 the ministry. He wrote to her, and assured her that he 
 had great hopes of finding a suitable candidate ; and in 
 her reply, dated March 15th, 1747, she says, ''What 
 contribution will be wanting from me toward this pur- 
 pose, I beg you will let me know, and my excellent 
 friend may depend upon my gratitude for this high 
 
HERWIDOWTHOOD. 85 
 
 honour vouchsafed me ; I feel my mite is cast into the 
 treasury of Grod ; and 0, inexpressible consolation I that 
 he in his love is sending these calls to poor, vile and 
 unworthy me. My heart wants nothing so much as to 
 dispense all — all for the glory of Ilim whom my soul 
 loveth." Ilcr health was at this time in a very delicate 
 state; which, though it did not alarm her, created great 
 uneasiness in the minds of her family, and especially of 
 her sister. Lady Kilmorey. They advised her to obtain 
 medical advice, and Dr. Doddridge recommended to her 
 Dr. Stonhouse, an eminent physician then in the height 
 of his practice at Northampton. She consented to their 
 solicitations, and requested that, whenever she should be 
 so ill as to be thought in any danger, he was to be the 
 only person sent for. Her own mind was calm and 
 joyful; the thought of her departure was associated with 
 that of her happiness ; and she frequently said, '' I look 
 to that bed which promises me a refuge from an evil 
 world, and from a yet more evil heart. Death is called a 
 monster, a king of terrors, but as a Gabriel's salutation 
 shall my soul meet him ; he can bring no other message 
 to the redeemed in Christ, but, ' Hail thou who art highly 
 favoured of the Lord.' " 
 
 Lady Huntingdon went to London, towards the end of 
 the summer ; and her sister. Lady Kilmorey, departed for 
 Shropshire. Lady Huntingdon had for some years 
 enjoyed the friendship of Dr. Potter, now Archbishop of 
 Canterburj^, who frequently visited her, and affectionately 
 endeavoured to console her bereaved heart. When Bishop 
 of Oxford, he viewed the rise of Methodism with great 
 repugnance ; but towards the close of his life, his feelings 
 towards its leaders were very favourable ; and there can 
 be no doubt that the change must be attributable to his 
 long intimacy with her. After a partial restoration, her 
 health began to decline, and Dr. Stonhouse was accord- 
 ingly sent for. His efforts to reduce her complaint were 
 
86 MEMOIE OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 unavailing ; and lie strongly recommended Iter to visit 
 Bath, for tlie benefit of tlie waters. Before she left 
 London, she called on the Archbishop, who was then in 
 his seventj'-fifth year, and in a precarious state of health. 
 She spoke to him with great tenderness and fidelity of 
 the near approach of that event which would terminate 
 their earthly friendship. The Archbishop appeared 
 deeply affected, and when parting, took her hand, and 
 said with evident feeling, " May the Lord God of Abra- 
 ham, of Isaac, and of Jacob bless thee ! " The Countess 
 spent a few days with her sister in Shropshire, and then 
 hastened to Bath. Not long after her departure from 
 London, the Archbishop wrote to her a short note, stating 
 that he was very well, and that he hoped the Bath waters 
 had recruited her health, and asking an interest in her 
 prayers. After he had written it, he was walking with 
 it to his secretaire, when being suddenly seized with a 
 fit, he dropped upon the floor, and expired with the note 
 in his hand ! 
 
 During her Ladyship's stay at Bath, she corresponded 
 with her ministerial friends, as far as her strength would 
 permit, and cheered them on in their labours, and 
 warmed their hearts with the love and zeal of her own. 
 She cherished the deepest humility, and cast her whole 
 dependence upon Christ. '' I am nothing ; Christ is all ; 
 I disclaim, as well as disdain any righteousness but his. 
 I not only rejoice that there is no wisdom for his people 
 but that from above, but reject every pretension to any 
 out what comes from himself. I want no holiness he 
 does not give me, and I could not accept a heaven he did 
 not prepare me for; I can wish for no liberty, but what 
 he likes for me, and I am satisfied with every misery he 
 does not redeem me from ; that in all things 1 may feel 
 that without him I can do nothing." Ilcr fiimily then 
 consisted of two sons and two daughters, and she watched 
 over them with maternal anxiety, and fervently prayed 
 
LADY HUNTINGDON AT BATH. 87 
 
 for their salvation. Her time was divided between her 
 social duties, and her pions exertions to do good ; and 
 was jealously watched lest any portion of it should pass 
 unoccupied. She was a diligent student ; and by her 
 painful experience had gained clear views of truth, and 
 of the ceaseless workings of the human spirit. The gos- 
 pel was her most delightful study and the more she 
 drank of its waters, the clearer and deeper were her 
 views of the spirit and liberality of the Christian re- 
 ligion. She endeavoured to carry out its principles in her 
 intercourse with the world and the church. She ex- 
 amined the peculiarities of the Dissenters, and of the 
 Church of England ; and deliberately decided that it was 
 her duty to adhere to the latter. She, however, was no 
 bigot, but encouraged all holy ministers, who were 
 anxious to save souls and promote the interests of re- 
 ligion, though they might differ from her on many minor 
 points. The society of worthy ministers was courted by 
 her ; and with many of them she became intimate, kept 
 up a regular correspondence, and invited them to her 
 house. She respected the conscientious scruples they 
 cherished, and did everything in her power to assist them 
 in their labours, and to foster the spirit of piety and 
 unity among them. 
 
 In the month of May, 1748, Lady Huntingdon and 
 her daughters, accompanied by Lady Anne and Lady 
 Frances Hastings, left Bath on a tour through Wales. 
 Her attention had been often directed to this interesting: 
 sphere of labour. Howell Harris had created a great 
 stir among the people by his energetic labours ; White- 
 field had frequently preached to them the startling truths 
 of the gospel ; and many of the clergy had been stimu- 
 lated by the word of life, and were co-operating with the 
 Methodists. The position and influence of Ladj^ Hunt- 
 ingdon, and her well-known sentiments, induced the 
 Welsh preachers to invite her to a people, remarkable 
 
88 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 for tlieir simplicity; earnestness; and gratitude. Tlie 
 Countess vras met at Bristol by four celebrated Welsli 
 ministers ; tlie well-known Howell Harris ; Griffith 
 JoneS; rector of Llandowrer ; Daniel Kowlands, rector of 
 Llangeitto ; and Howel Davis, rector of Prengast. These 
 preachers accompanied her Ladyship into the principality. 
 They travelled by easy stages ; and for fifteen days two 
 of the ministers preached daily in some town or village 
 through which they passed; and scattered the seed of di- 
 vine truth. It was surprising to see the readiness with 
 which the people left their occupations to hear the glad 
 newS; and the deep attention they paid to the preaching 
 of the gospel. 
 
 On her Ladyship's arrival at Trevecca in Brecknock- 
 shire, the spot which twenty years after became her chief 
 residence, and the centre of her sphere of action, the 
 party was joined by several of the awakened clergymen, 
 some pious and laborious dissenting ministers, and many 
 exhorters or lay-preachers. The place quickly became 
 the scene of a wonderful excitement ; crowds were 
 attracted by the rank and character of the Countess from 
 all parts of the country ; the ministers preached four or 
 five times a day to immense congregations ; and the 
 Spirit of God wrought powerfully on the hearts of the 
 hearers. On one occasion Griffith Jones preached in a 
 large field, from the text, ''What shall I cry?" when 
 many were so powerfully convinced of their guilt and 
 misery, that they cried out with agonizing earnestness. 
 On the conclusion of the sermon. Lady Huntingdon 
 mingled with the crowd, and asked them the cause of 
 their loud cries ; and most of them answered that they 
 were so deeply convinced of their awful condition in the 
 sight of God, that they were afraid he would never 
 extend his mercy to them. On another occasion, when 
 Mr. Rowlands was preaching, the Spirit applied the word 
 with such power to the heart, that believers were so 
 
G E I F F I T II J O X E S . 89 
 
 enraptured tliat tliey burst out into praises and rejoicing, 
 while sinners cried out with heartfelt distress, "Men and 
 brethren, what shall we do ! " Lady Huntingdon shortly 
 after left Wales, accompanied by Howell Harris and 
 Howell Davis, and arrived in London June 15th, 1748. 
 Her efforts in the principality had been made very useful ; 
 her own spirit had been greatly refreshed ; her interest 
 in the welfare of the Welsh people had been largely 
 increased ; and she ever looked back upon this visit to 
 them with feelings of devout gratitude. 
 
 The Countess now became the avowed patroness of all 
 the zealous clergy of the Church of England, and sheltered 
 them, as far as she was able, from the obloquy and perse- 
 cution to which they were exposed. Her correspondence 
 with the Welsh ministers, and many of the friends of 
 AVhitefield, opened to her mind views of divine truth, 
 which appeared to her more consonant to the Scriptures 
 than those she had formerly held ; and from this period 
 she became more intimately connected with ministers and 
 Christians of the Calvinistic sentiments, which she believ- 
 ed, with Lord Chatham, harmonized with the natural 
 sense of the Articles of the Church of England. She 
 held these opinions, with great tenacity, to the day of her 
 death; though her heart was ever ready to welcome all 
 whom she believed to be real Christians, whatever their 
 denomination ; and her mansion at Chelsea, and its 
 hospitality were always open to the faithful minister of 
 the cross. Dr. Doddridge, who was now in London, 
 often visited her, and enjoyed the kind and friendly 
 hospitality of her house. In a letter to his wife, he gives 
 a beautiful picture of the inmates of this mansion. He 
 says : — 
 
 " I can conclude with telling you that I am now come 
 to the conclusion of one of the most pleasant days I shall 
 ever spend without you. After an hour's charming 
 
90 MEMOIR OF LADY IIUNTIXGDON. 
 
 conversation ^vitli Lady Huntingdon and Mrs. Edwin,* 
 I preaclied in the family, by express desire, and met 
 Colonel Gumlej^, wlio is really a second Colonel Gardiner. 
 Such a monument of the power and sovereignty of 
 divine grace, as, truly, I have hardly met with, since 1 
 was acquainted Avith his story. After dinner, the ladies 
 entertained us with their voices and a harpsichord, with 
 which I was highly delighted ; and I have stolen a hymn, 
 which I steadfastly believe to be written by good Lady 
 Huntingdon, and which I shall not fail to communicate 
 to you. ****-x-***-5{- 
 
 " Lady Huntingdon is quite a mother to the poor ; she 
 visits them and prays with them in their sickness ; and 
 they leave their children to her for a legacy when they 
 die, and she takes care of them. I was really astonished 
 at the traces of religion I discovered in her and Mrs. 
 Edwin, and cannot but glorify God for them. More 
 cheerfulness I never saw intermingled with devotion." 
 
 George Whitefield arrived in England in July, 1748 
 after an absence of four years in America, where his 
 labours had been abundantly blessed by God. Lady 
 Huntingdon frequently attended his ministry, was per- 
 sonally acquainted with him, and had occasionally inter- 
 changed letters with him. Though her former sentiments 
 and associations attracted her rather to Wesley, White- 
 field entertained a high opinion of her piety and abilities ; 
 and in his letters speaks of her in very flattering terms. 
 He says, " She shines brighter and brighter every day, 
 and will yet I trust be spared for a nursing-mother to our 
 Israel," and he prays " the God of all grace to keep her 
 steadfast in the faith, and make her a burning and a 
 shining light in our British Israel." As she was now 
 able to sympathise more fully with the sentiments of 
 
 * The wife of John Edwin, Esq., a distinguished M. P., and sister-in 
 law of Lady Charlotte Edwin. 
 
ARRIVAL OF WIIITEFIELD. 91 
 
 this distinguished man, she requested Ilowell Harris to 
 bring him to her house at Chelsea^ as soon as he came 
 ashore. Whitelield preached twice in her drawing-rooms, 
 and shortly after, she wrote to him that several of the 
 nobility desired to hear him at her house. He replied 
 the next day, August 21st, 
 
 ^' I have received your Ladyship's letter last night, and 
 write this to inform you that I am quite willing to com- 
 ply with your invitation. As I am to preach, God will- 
 ing, at St. Bartholomew's on Wednesday evening, I will 
 wait upon you the next morning, and spend the whole 
 day at Chelsea. Blessed be God that the rich and great 
 begin to have hearing ears. I think that it is a good 
 sign that our Lord intends to give to some, at least, an 
 obedient heart. Surely your Ladyship and Madam 
 Edwin are only the first fruits. May you increase and 
 multiply ! I believe you will. How wonderfully does 
 our Kedeemer deal with souls. If they will hear the 
 Gospel only under a ceiled roof, ministers shall be sent 
 to them there. If only in a church or a field, they shall 
 have it there." 
 
 On the day appointed, a distinguished circle of the no- 
 bility assembled to hear the talented preacher. White- 
 field was in his thirty -fourth year, and though somewhat 
 care-worn with toil and exposure to the weather, was a 
 most commanding person. His stature was well propor- 
 tioned, his manners graceful, his features regular and ex- 
 pressive, his countenance exquisitely sweet and placid. 
 His oratory was singularly bold and engaging ; his small 
 dark blue eyes sparkled with the animation of his soul : 
 and his marvellous voice possessed such melody and 
 compass, that it could either drive the audience into the 
 most fearful state of alarm, or thrill it with feelings of 
 compassion, gratitude, or love. It is not to be wondered 
 at that, having once heard him, they desired to hear him 
 again. He says, ''On Tuesday I preached twice at Lady 
 
92 MEMOIK OF LADY II U N T I N G L) O X. 
 
 ITuutiDgdon's to several of tlie nobility. In the morning 
 tlie Earl of Chesterfield was present ; in the evening Lord 
 Bolingbroke. All behaved quite well, and were in some 
 degree affected. Lord Chesterfield thanked me, and said, 
 'Sir, I will not tell you what I shall tell others, how I 
 approve of you,' or words to this purpose. He conversed 
 with me freely afterwards. Lord Bolingbroke was much 
 moved, and desired I would come and see him the next 
 morning. I did ; and his Lordship behaved with great 
 candour and frankness. All accepted of my sermons, and 
 seemed surprised but pleased." 
 
 The religious sentiments and the glowing eloquence of 
 Whitefield so attracted the attention of Lady LL untingdon, 
 that she greatly desired to secure his services, and offered 
 him the honourable office of chaplain to her Ladyship. 
 He thus replied, September 1st, to her letter, in which 
 she had promised him her scarf and her patronage. 
 
 '' Although it is time for me to be setting out, yet I 
 dare not leave town witbout dropping a few lines grate- 
 fully to acknowledge the many favours I have received 
 from jour Ladyship, especially the honour you have 
 done me in making me one of your Ladyship's chaplains. 
 A sense of it humbles me, and makes me to pray more 
 intensely for more grace, to walk more worthy of that 
 God who has called me to his kingdom and glory. As 
 your Ladyship hath been pleased to confer on me the 
 honour before mentioned, I shall think it my duty to 
 send you weekly accounts of what the Lord Jesus is 
 pleased to do for and by me. Glory be to his great name, 
 the prospect is promising. My Lord Bath received me 
 yesterday morning very cordially and would give me five 
 guineas for the orphans, though I refused taking anything 
 for the books. I send your Ladyship a little box of my 
 sermons, and the last account of God's dealing with 
 me. * * * I hope God intends to honour your Ladyship 
 in making you instrumental of doing good to the nobility. 
 
WHITE TIE LD APPOINTED CKAPLAIN. 93 
 
 His providence, liis peculiar providence hatli placed your 
 Ladyship at Chelsea. I am persuaded you will not quit 
 that post; till he, that hath placed you there, plainly gives 
 you a dismission." 
 
 His appointment to the chaplaincy, and his preaching 
 to large numbers of the nobility at her mansion, increased 
 the popularity of Whitefield, though it did not divert him 
 from his usual sphere of labour. He never flattered the 
 rich, nor succumbed to the high ; but while he respected 
 their station, and honoured them with their appropriate 
 titles, he faithfully warned them of their danger, and 
 afiectionately encouraged their souls. Few took offence 
 at his preaching ; except the Bishop of London, who 
 commenced proceedings against the Eev. Mr. Bateman, 
 for permitting him to preach so frequently in St. Bartholo- 
 mew's church. In September, he again visited Scotland 
 where great multitudes flocked to hear him, though some 
 of the clergy attempted in the Presbytery to exclude him 
 from the pulpit, by maligning his character. He was 
 greatly pleased to find that many of the soldiers lately 
 returned from Flanders were pious persons ; he stimulated 
 their faith and love, and formed them into a little society 
 at Edinburgh. Some of these devoted soldiers became 
 known to Colonel Gumly, who introduced them to the 
 notice of Lady Huntingdon. She took a deep interest in 
 their welfare, and was surprised to find such powerful 
 faith and a devotional spirit among these hardy men. 
 
 With the intention of giving Whitefield a wider field 
 of usefulness, the Countess removed from Chelsea to town, 
 and opened her house in Park-Street for the preaching of 
 the gospel. She then, and for many years after, thought 
 that, as a peeress of the realm, she had an indisputable 
 right to employ the ministers of the Church, whom she 
 had appointed as her chaplains, in openly proclaiming the 
 glad tidings of salvation. Whitefield, therefore, having 
 returned from Scotland, commenced his ministry at her 
 
9i MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Ladyship's residence early in November, and continued 
 to preach there twice a week, during the winter, to a 
 large circle of the nobility. In his letters, dated Novem- 
 ber 10th, he says, " Good Lady Huntingdon is come to 
 town, and I am to preach at her Ladyship's house twice 
 a week to the great and noble. O that some of them 
 may be effectually called, and taste of the riches of re- 
 deeming love ! " '' About thirty have desired to come, and 
 I suppose they will bring thirty more. I have heard of 
 two or three more dear Christians among the great ones. 
 I know you will pray the Lord of all lords to increase 
 their number. Her Ladyship hath a great regard for all 
 those in Scotland, who stand up for vital religion. She 
 intends to send you down the picture of poor Aaron, the 
 late negro preacher." 
 
 Many of the highly distinguished nobility were brought 
 to hear the truth through the influence of Lady Hunting- 
 don. The Earl of Chesterfield, Lord Bolingbroke, Lord 
 Bath, Lady Townshend, Lady Thanet, and many of those 
 attached to the Prince of Wales' court, constantly attended 
 the ministry of Whitefield. Lady Eockingham, a woman 
 of very superior talents and accomplishments, and cousin 
 to Lady Huntingdon, was often present at these drawing- 
 room services, accompanied by her daughter Lady Mon- 
 son. She possessed an extensive acquaintance, and ex- 
 erted great influence at court ; and she embraced every 
 opportunity of recommending religion to the serious 
 attention of the great. Lord Bolingbroke was so deeply 
 impressed with Whitefi eld's appeals, that he once said to 
 the Countess, ''You may command my pen when you 
 will ; it shall be drawn in your service : — for admitting 
 the Bible to be true, I shall have little apprehension of 
 maintaining the doctrines of predestination and grace, 
 against all your revilers." He had a high opinion of 
 Whitefield, and says of him, " He is the most extraordi- 
 nary man in our times. He has the most commanding 
 
LORD BOLINGBROKE. 95 
 
 eloquence I ever heard in any person ; his abilities are 
 very considerable ; his zeal unquenchable ; and his piety 
 and excellence genuine — unquestionable." His family 
 was on terms of great intimacy with Lady Huntingdon ; 
 and his brother Lord St. John was frequently at her resi- 
 dence^ and derived much good from the sermons of her 
 chaplain. A few months after, he was taken suddenly 
 ill ; and his Lady wrote in great alarm to the Countess 
 to send to him some pious clergyman, as he wished to 
 receive the sacrament before his death, which was then 
 hourly expected. Mr. Bateman was with her Ladyship 
 when the letter came ; and he immediately hurried to the 
 bed of the dying man. His Lordship grasped' his hand, 
 and expressed how much he was indebted to Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon and Whitefield for the peace he enjoyed. The 
 holy minister read and prayed with him ; conversed about 
 spiritual affairs ; and at the request of Lady St. John, 
 remained watching the departure of the spirit. ILis Lord- 
 shij) said that all his hope was on Christ ; and then gently 
 j)assed away, while Mr. Bateman was engaged in prayer 
 on his behalf. Lord Bolingbroke felt the decease of his 
 brother very keenly, and was much impressed with his 
 language in his last moments. Many were the fevent 
 prayers which the Countess offered for his conversion. 
 In a letter to Whitefield she says, '^ that the obdurate 
 heart of this desperate infidel may yet be shook to its 
 very centre ; may his eyes be opened by the illuminating 
 influence of Divine truth ; and may the Lord Jesus Christ 
 be revealed to his heart as the hope of glory and immor- 
 tal bliss hereafter ! I tremble for his destiny ; he is a 
 singularly awful character ; and I am fearfully alarmed 
 lest that Gospel, which he so heartily despises, yet affects 
 to revcj^ence, should prove eventually the savour of death 
 unto death to his immortal soul." 
 
 Some of the nobility, however, were highly incensed 
 at the conduct of Lady Huntingdon, and the preaching 
 
96 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 of Whitefield. The celebrated Countess of Suffolk had 
 been prevailed upon by Lady Eockingham to visit her, 
 and hear her popular chaplain. He was not aAvare of 
 her presence ; but the truth preached was so peculiarly 
 adapted to her circumstances; that it seemed as if pointed- 
 ly addressed to her. She managed to sit quiet until the 
 service was concluded ; and AYhitefield had scarcely re- 
 tired, before she flew into a violent passion, abused Lady 
 Huntingdon to her face, and denounced the sermon as a 
 deliberate attack upon herself. In vain her sister-in-law 
 Lady Betty Grermain tried to appease the beautiful fury, 
 and to explain the mistake ; — in vain her relatives. Lady 
 Eleanor Bertie, and the Duchess Dowager of Ancaster, 
 commanded her silence; — she still maintained that she 
 had been insulted. She was, however, compelled to apolo- 
 gize to the Countess, which she did with a very bad 
 grace, and then turned away with the bitter feelings oi 
 wounded pride. Lord Chesterfield paid such marked a,t- 
 tention to this Lady Suffolk, that he offended the Queen 
 and was dismissed from his office of Lord High Steward. 
 Lady Huntingdon deeply regretted the course he had 
 adopted, and used every exertion to induce him to follow 
 a better line of policy. She faithfully pointed to him the 
 error of his ways ; and he received her admonitions with 
 such patient attention, that she cherished the hope that 
 he, with Lord Bolingbroke, would at length be brought 
 to the feet of Jesus. 
 
 It was pleasing to trace how widely the influence of 
 Lady Huntingdon was extending, and how much real 
 good was effected by the services held at her house. She 
 became acquainted with some of the pious Scotch nobility, 
 who had been converted by the labours of Whitefield in 
 their own land, and who came to London to attend to 
 their parliamentary duties. They often visited at her 
 Ladyship's mansion, and prevailed upon many among 
 their acquaintance to accompany them. Never, however, 
 
PRAYER MEETINGS. 97 
 
 will it be fully seen, till the last day, how extensively the 
 power of the piety of the Countess was felt among all 
 ranks. The most remarkable circumstance in these 
 dark and profligate times, was the establishment by several 
 ladies among the nobility, of a meeting for prayer and 
 reading the Scriptures, which was held alternately at 
 each other's houses. It continued to be well attended 
 and very useful for many years. They stimulated each 
 other's faith, animated each other's zeal, and allured each 
 other to higher attainments in divine grace. They set 
 an example to a gay and frivolous nobility, which com- 
 manded respect, even where it did not produce any greater 
 result. Lady Huntingdon watched the progress of these 
 events with great satisfaction ; and in her letters, gives a 
 most flattering prospect of the success of the gospel. 
 *'Eeligion," she says, ^'was never, I believe, so much the 
 subject of conversation as now." The great and the noble 
 flocked in large parties to hear Whitefield, at her resi- 
 dence ; and were charmed with his eloquence, and im- 
 pressed with the truth. Many were induced to seek the 
 Lord ; honourable women owned the power and purity 
 of the gospel ; the mansions of the rich resounded with 
 the praises of Jesus Christ ; and the company, invited to 
 their houses, spent the time, which had formerly been de- 
 voted to feasting or pleasure, in singing and praying, and 
 reading the Scriptures. Lady Huntingdon was more 
 than a mother to the new converts. She watched over 
 them with an observant eye, instructed them in the truth, 
 consoled them in their trials, and cheered them to perse- 
 vere in their work by her frequent epistles. 
 
 While the Countess was thus promoting the spiritual 
 interests of the rich, she was not unmindful of the claims 
 of the poor around her. On the Sabbath days, her draw- 
 ing-rooms were crowded by brilliant assemblies to hear 
 the word of life ; and on the week-days, her kitchen wa;^ 
 tilled with the poor, whose wants she relieved, and to 
 
98 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 whom the gospel was simply proclaimed. Like her 
 gifted chaplain, she was equally adapted to converse with 
 the most polished society in the saloon, and to secure the 
 attention of the poor by her piety and love. Whitefield 
 had his trophies among the highest and the lowest. It 
 is said that Lady Huntingdon once invited some ladies to 
 hear him preach, who had never heard him before. They 
 attended the place where he was preaching on the Lord's 
 day evening; and the next morning called on her Lady- 
 ship. She inquired if they had heard him, and they re- 
 plied, " my Lady, he is the most strange and unac- 
 countable preacher we ever heard. Among other pre- 
 posterous things, he declared that Jesus Christ was so 
 willing to receive sinners, that he did not object to re- 
 ceive even the deviVs castaways ! Now, my Lady, did you 
 ever hear of such a thing since you were born ?" The 
 Countess replied that it certainly appeared rather singu- 
 lar, but as Mr. Whitefield was in the parlour, she would 
 call him, and let him answer for himself. On his enter- 
 ing the room, she informed him of the charge the ladies 
 had brought against him. Her chaplain replied, '^ I cer- 
 tainly must plead guilty of the charge ; whether I did 
 what was right or otherwise, your Ladyship shall judge 
 from the following circumstance : — Did your Ladyship 
 notice, about half an hour ago, a very modest single rap 
 at the door ? It was given by a poor, miserable-looking, 
 aged female, who requested to speak Avith me. I desired 
 her to be shown into the parlour, when she thus accosted 
 me: — 'I believe Sir, you preached last evening at such 
 a chapel?' 'Yes, I did.' ^ Ah, Sir, I was accidentally 
 passing the door of that chapel, and hearing the voice of 
 some one preaching, I did what I have never been in the 
 habit of doing — I went in ; and one of the first things I 
 heard you say was, that Jesus Christ was so willing to 
 receive sinners, that he did not object to receiving the 
 devil's castaways. Now Sir, I have been a great sinner 
 
THE devil's castaways. 99 
 
 for many years, and am so worn out in bis service that 
 I think I may with truth be called one of the devil's 
 castaways. Do you think, Sir, that Jesus Christ would 
 receive me ? ' I assured her there was not a doubt of it, 
 if she was but willing to go to him." The ladies eagerly 
 listened ; and relinquished their charges. 
 
 It afterwards appeared that this poor soul was savingly 
 converted ; and Lady Huntingdon Avas informed, on good 
 authority, that she departed this life, rejoicing in the 
 glorious declaration that, "the blood of Jesus Christ 
 cleanseth from all sin." How many of the poor and of 
 the rich are now praising the sovereign grace of God, 
 Avhich raised up such mighty instruments to scatter the 
 darkness which had fallen on the land ; to snatch them 
 from the paths of sin, whether in high or low life ; and to 
 introduce them to the blessings of salvation. "Let him 
 know that he which converteth the sinner from the error 
 of his ways, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide 
 a multitude of sins." 
 
100 MEMOIR OF LADY UUNTINGDON 
 
 CHAPTER VI. A. D. 1748—1750. 
 
 THE PROTECTOR OF THE PERSECUTED. — BISHOP OF EXETER. 
 — WELSH PERSECUTION. — CATHOLICITY OF LADY HUX- 
 TINGDOX. — HER ELDEST DAUGHTER. — THE COUNTESS AT 
 BRISTOL. — THE GOAL PRISONERS. — THE TABERNACLE. — 
 EARL OF HUNTINGDON. — IRISH PERSECUTION. — ASHBY : 
 — EFFORTS OF LADY HUNTINGDON THERE. — THE COUNT- 
 ESS DELITZ. — LADY HOTHAM. — LADY FANNY SHIRLEY. 
 A LEADER WANTED. — UNION OF WESLEY AND WHITE- 
 FIELD. — MR. THOMPSON. — EARTHQUAKE IN LONDON. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon had now fully started on Tier hon- 
 ourable and useful career. Every year her labours 
 became more extended, and her self-denying efforts more 
 multii3lied, till she entered into her rest. Her soul was 
 filled with love to Christ, and sympathy towards a sinful 
 world. She thoroughly comprehended the position in 
 which Providence had placed her ; and with great clearness 
 of perception, and confidence, she pressed all her talents, 
 influence, and wealth into her service, to diffuse the 
 knowleds^e of Christ. She heeded not the sarcasms or 
 witticisms of the gay, nor the stern opposition of the 
 world. The anathema of worldly-minded priests fell 
 powerless upon her ; the fear of man was unknown to her 
 courageous breast; and she could dare the spirit of 
 persecution to do its utmost to those who were animated 
 with like precious faith. She cast the shield of protection 
 around her OAvn ministers ; the cry of the oppressed, when 
 re-echoed from her own heart, obtained relief from the 
 highest authorities ; and when she journeyed through the 
 
THE BISHOP OF EXETEE. 101 
 
 country, her very name was sufficient to strike terror into 
 the enemies of the cross, and to attract thousands to see 
 the illustrious lady. 
 
 Iler Ladyship was very jealous of the reputation of 
 her chaplain, and took stringent measures to vindicate 
 him from certain accusations which Lavington, Bishop 
 of Exeter, made against Whitefield and Wesley. He 
 delivered a charge to his clergy ; and a printer soon after 
 circulated a pamphlet as the address of the Bishop, which 
 contained a statement of doctrines, that caused him to be 
 stigmatized as a Methodist. The angry prelate published 
 a declaration, accusing the Methodist leaders of the fraud, 
 and loading them with calumny and reproach. The 
 character of Whitefield was thoroughly vindicated by a 
 friend of the Bishop ; who, however, had not the candour 
 to acquit him of the malignant charges he had preferred. 
 Lady Huntingdon wrote to his Lordship, and demanded 
 a candid and honourable renunciation of the aspersions 
 cast upon her chaplain ; and in her letter she enclosed an 
 acknowledgment on the part of the printer, that he 
 received the manuscript from one entirely unconnected 
 with the Methodists, and that he alone was responsible 
 for the publication. The Bishop took no notice of her 
 communication ; which drew from her Ladyship a spirited 
 letter, stating that, unless he withdrew his charge against 
 Whitefield and Wesley, she was determined to make the 
 whole transaction public. This had the desired effect; 
 for on the next day, he sent to her a recantation of the 
 charges made against them, and expressed his regret at 
 having unjustly wounded their feelings, and exposed 
 them to the odium of the w^orld. Her Ladyship was 
 well aware of the crafty character of her opponent, and 
 published this concession in the leading journals of the 
 day. The Bishop thought that she would have been 
 satisfied with the mere private communication, and that 
 his public denunciation of the Methodists would still be 
 
102 MEMOIR OF LADY II U X T I X G D O N . 
 
 intact; and his indignation scarcely knew any bounds 
 wlien he read his humiliation in print. The Countess 
 had no other end to serve but the interests of religion ; 
 and she thus jDroolaimed to the world, that she would 
 never suffer injustice and oppression to trample down the 
 zealous ministers of Christ. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was greatly pained when she heard 
 of the persecution which many of the Welsh magistrates 
 inflicted on the Methodists. Howell Harris was doing a 
 very great work in the principality. He says in one of 
 his letters, 
 
 '' It is now about nine weeks since I be^-an to s-o round 
 South and North Wales, and this week I returned home. 
 I have visited, in that time, thirteen counties, travelled 
 about one hundred and fifty miles every week, and dis- 
 coursed twice a day, occasionally three or four times. In 
 this last journey I have not taken off my clothes for seven 
 nights together, being obliged to meet the people, and 
 discourse at midnight, or very early in the morning, to 
 avoid persecution. One man, near Wrexham, the week 
 before I went thither, was obliged to pay twenty shillings 
 to Sir W. W. Wynn, several of the hearers five shillings ; 
 and one of them, who had paid that sum before, was now 
 fined ten shillings. This is the third time the poor people 
 have been so served in that neighbourhood for assembling 
 together. Near the town of Bala, were I was formerly 
 like to be murdered, I had a severe blow on my head, 
 but received no hurt. I never saw such crowds coming 
 to hear ; many hearts and doors have been opened lately ; 
 \ve know of several who had been awakened ; and many 
 speak with delight in coming to hear Mr. Whitefield 
 
 The gentlemen hunted these poor Christians like 
 partridges, but Sir W. W. Wynn was intolerably bitter 
 against them. As soon as Lady Huntingdon was ac- 
 
WIIITEFIELD IN LONDON. 103 
 
 quainted with tlie sufferings of her Welsh friends, she 
 immediately laid the particulars before the government. 
 The matter was investigated ; and to the great chagrin of 
 Sir W. TV. "Wynn and his coadjutors, the different sums, 
 which had been exacted from the Methodists, were ordered 
 to be returned. He vowed to execute vengeance upon 
 ever J member of the society in. Denbighshire ; but before 
 many months had passed, he was summoned to the future 
 world, by the effects of a fall from his horse ! The pro- 
 tection and influence of the Countess formed an invalua- 
 ble aid to the various ministers who were promoting the 
 revival of religion, and was gratefully remembered by 
 all who enjoyed its benefits. 
 
 Early in December 17-i8, Whitefield made an excursion 
 to Gloucester and Bristol, where he preached to very 
 great multitudes. He proposed to extend his tour into 
 Cornwall; but a letter from Lady Huntingdon summoned 
 him immediately to London. He remained in the metro- 
 polis about six weeks, preaching regularly to crowded and 
 brilliant assemblies at her Ladyship's mansion, and wher- 
 ever else he had an opportunity. His letters, written 
 during this period, are full of references to the good he 
 was effecting among the great. Thus to Dr. Doddridge, 
 to whom he had submitted his journals for correction, 
 before reprinting them, he writes, '' Blessed be God, the 
 prospect is promising. Last Sunday evening I preached 
 to a most brilliant assembly indeed ; they expressed great 
 approbation, and some, I think, begin to feel. Good 
 Lady Huntingdon is indeed a mother in Israel ; she is all 
 in a flame for Jesus." To Howell Harris he writes, " I 
 am now waiting for Lord Bolingbroke and others, who 
 are coming to hear the glorious gospel. Lord Lothian is 
 in town. Our good Lady is going on, and every day 
 increasing her reward in heaven." To Mr. Hervey, he 
 says, '' You will not be oflbnded if I tell you, that good 
 Lady Huntingdon saw your letter ; she was much pleased 
 
10-i MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 with it, and has a great regard for you. She goes on 
 from strength to strength ; the prospect of doing good to 
 the rich that attended her house is very encouraging. I 
 preach twice a week, and yesterday Lord Bolingbroke 
 was one of my auditors ; he was pleased to express very 
 great satisfaction. AYho knows what God may do ? He 
 can never work by a meaner instrument." 
 
 These laborious efforts in town greatly impaired his 
 health : and feeling assured that travelling and preaching 
 in the country would be beneficial to him he left London 
 in February 174:9, and made an excursion to Exeter and 
 Plymouth. He was greatly benefitted by the change, and 
 often wrote to her, and to some of those noble hearers 
 who had been impressed with the truth. During his 
 absence, Lady Huntingdon invited John Wesley to preach 
 at her house ; which he did twice a week, with the 
 occasional assistance of his brother, Mr. Bateman, and a 
 few others, until Whitefield returned to the metropolis. 
 Her catholicity of mind encouraged ministers of Christ, 
 of all names, to seek her society ; and no one rejoiced 
 more than her chaplain, when she welcomed Dr. Gifford, 
 minister of the Baptist Chapel in Eagle-Street, and Dr. 
 Gibbons to her house. Whitefield, however, was the 
 decided favourite with the assemblies at her residence ; 
 and the time was anticipated with much pleasure, when 
 he would return. 
 
 In March 1749, the eldest daughter of Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon was appointed lady of the bedchamber to the 
 Princesses Amelia and Caroline, sisters to George TIL, 
 in the room of Lady Anne Montague, who resigned. 
 She was then in her eighteenth year, and was much 
 admired at court for her elegant manners, her vivacity, 
 and great abilities. Horace AValpole, afterwards Lord 
 Orford, says, ''The Queen of the Methodists got her 
 daughter named for lady of the bedchamber to the 
 Princesses ; but it is all off again, as she will not let her 
 
PORTSMOUTH TABERNACLE. 105 
 
 play at cards on Sundays." Wliether tliis be the real 
 cause or not, it is certain tliat she retained tire appoint- 
 ment only a few montliS; and was succeeded by a daugh- 
 ter of Earl Gower. 
 
 The Countess intended to have met Whitefield at 
 Bristol, where his brother requested to have the honour 
 of receiving her at his residence ; but a very serious 
 indisposition prevented her. She had at this time a 
 house in North Audley-Street, where Whitefield, when 
 in town, preached on Thursday evenings to crowded 
 audiences, chiefiy of the nobility. In the month of May 
 this devoted minister visited Portsmouth, where his 
 ministry was made so very useful, that a small tabernacle 
 was afterwards erected, which, under the fostering care of 
 many devoted ministers, has grown into the spacious and 
 handsome edifice now existing in that important town. 
 Continued indisposition detained Lady Huntingdon in 
 London till the beginning of June, when she repaired to 
 Bristol, and took up her residence, for a time, at the 
 house of Whitefield's brother. Her chaplain was itinera- 
 ting through Wales, and returned to Bristol, June 23rd. 
 In a letter to Mr. Hervey, he says, 
 
 '' Yesterday God brought me here, after having carried 
 me a circuit of about eight hundred miles, and enabled 
 me to preach I suppose, to upwards of a hundred thou- 
 sand souls. I have been in eight Welsh counties, and I 
 think we have not had one dry meeting. The work in 
 AVales is much upon the advance, and likely to increase 
 daily. Had my dear Mr. Hervey been there to have seen 
 the simplicity of so many dear souls, I am persuaded lie 
 would have said, Sit anima mea cum MetJiodistis ! But 
 every one to his part. ^ * * Good Lady Huntingdon is 
 here, and goes on in her usual way, doing good. She is 
 recovered from her indisposition." 
 
 With recruited health, the Countess recommenced her 
 
106 MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTIXGDOX. 
 
 active endeavours to extend the Redeemer's kingdom. 
 She devised many plans for benefiting tlie poor around 
 her ; and in coDJunction with the Ladies' Hastings, who 
 now joined her at Clifton, she visited the prisoners who 
 were cast into goal for debt. She enlisted the sympathies 
 of some ladies of rank, and had the satisfaction of libera- 
 ting many miserable individuals, Avhose debts were under 
 ten pounds. Some she restored to their disconsolate 
 families, and others she enabled, through her liberality, 
 to pursue their usual employments. She was also unre- 
 mitting in her exertions to bring the sound of mercy into 
 the wretched hovels which crowded the water-side. The 
 preaching of Whitefield had attracted such crowds, and 
 awakened so many to care for the soul, that a large com- 
 modious place of worship was much needed in Bristol. 
 Lady Huntingdon was ever ready to assist him in his 
 efforts ; she entered warmly into the proposal to erect a 
 Tabernacle in the city ; and used her influence Avith her 
 acquaintance in high rank to obtain contributions towards 
 the object. She wrote to Lords Chesterfield, Bolingbroke, 
 and Bath ; and they replied to her solicitations wdth 
 liberal donations, and expressed their delight at the suc- 
 cess which was following the labours of her honoured 
 chaplain. 
 
 As the young Earl of Huntingdon was approaching 
 his majority, the Countess made great preparations to 
 resign to him Donnington Park. She left Clifton early 
 in the month of August, and proceeded to Ashby-de-la- 
 Zouch, where she took a large house, and resided with 
 her other children and the Ladies' Hastings. In a letter 
 to the Rev. R. Darracott, she says, 
 
 '' 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 know- 
 ledge of the Lord Jesus. We had agreed upon this re- 
 
THE EARL OF IIUXTINGDOX. 107 
 
 treat, and taken a larger house among ns 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 re- 
 deemed, 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." 
 
 When the young Earl became of age, he took possession 
 of the ancestral mansions, Donnington Park, Ledstone 
 Hall, &c. ; and soon after set out on his travels through 
 France, Italy, and Germany. Lord Chesterfield took a 
 deep interest in his welfare, and introduced him to the 
 most distinguished continental society. In a letter to a 
 lady, in whose society he wished to place him, he says, 
 '' He is the Earl of Huntingdon, one of the first peers of 
 England, whose family is celebrated in the most ancient 
 records. His merits 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 my adopted 
 son." His mother, however, well knew that what he 
 most wanted was the grace of God to change his heart. 
 How fervently did she wrestle with Heaven on his behalf! 
 how solemnly, yet how affectionately, did she instruct 
 
108 MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTINGDOX. 
 
 warn, and beseecli liini to make tlie Lord liis choice! Her 
 greatest grief was occasioned by tlie sceptical tenets which 
 the young man imbibed from his gay and fashionable 
 companions. He, however, always treated her with that 
 reverence and love which such a kind and devoted 
 mother deserved. 
 
 It was about this period that her Ladyship's attention 
 was first directed to Ireland. That unhappy country was 
 in a most deplorable condition. Popery was every where 
 rampant, and the people were crushed down by the heavy 
 rule of an intolerant priesthood. The Protestants were 
 few in number, and, for the most part, destitute of a liv- 
 ing piety ; though here and there a devoted minister ap- 
 peared, like an oasis in a desert, to relieve the dreary 
 aspect. On Whitefield's return from his first voyage to 
 America, the vessel was so shattered with storms, that 
 they made for the port of Limerick, where he landed, 
 and preached in the cathedral. The Bishop, Dr. Burs- 
 cough, received him with the utmost cordiality and kind- 
 ness ; and in Dublin, the Bishop of Derry, and the Lord 
 Primate of Ireland invited him to their houses, and 
 engaged him to preach. The successful labours of Mr. 
 Williams, an itinerant Methodist, induced John Wesley, 
 to visit Dublin in 1748 ; where he formed a small society, 
 and preached to great crowds. His brother Charles, ac- 
 companied by several preachers, succeeded him, and 
 laboured for a considerable time in Ireland. At Cork, a 
 most violent persecution was raised against them ; the 
 magistrates refused to grant them protection ; and the 
 grand jury returned this singular verdict; — ''We find 
 and present Charles Wesley to be a person of ill-fame, a 
 vagabond, and a common disturber of his Majesty's peace ; 
 and we pray that he may be transported ! " 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was deeply concerned for the spread 
 of the gospel in Ireland. The country had a claim upon 
 her sympathies. Her grandfather was a Baronet of that 
 
PERSECUTION IN IRELAND. 109 
 
 Idngxlom, and lier mother was an Irish Laclj ; many of 
 her relatives were nati^^ es and residents there ; and her 
 daughter was betrothed to an Irish lord. A statement 
 of these persecutions was, therefore, forwarded to her ; 
 and she immediately requested Whitefield to wait on the 
 Speaker of the House of Commons, in her name, and de- 
 mand redress. Dr. Gifford, the friend of Sir Arthur 
 Onslow, introduced him, and opened the business. The 
 Speaker expressed his great regard for her Ladyship, and 
 indignation at the sufferings of the Methodists; but said 
 that Lord Harrington, the Lieutenant of Ireland, or the 
 Secretary of State, were the most proper persons to apply 
 to, and he did not doubt but that, through her application, 
 the grievances would be redressed, A well attested narra- 
 tive of the whole affair was forwarded to Lord Harrino:- 
 ton ; a memorial was presented to the King by Lady 
 Chesterfield, at the request of the Countess ; and the 
 Duke of Newcastle, then Secretary of State, was spoken 
 to. These attempts were successful ; and many blessed 
 God that it was in the power of her Ladyship to help the 
 poor sufferers of Cork. 
 
 As soon as Lady Huntingdon had taken up her resi- 
 dence at Ashby, she commenced her labours for the bene- 
 fit of the poor around her. She devised many plans to 
 promote their temporal comfort, and was very zealous to 
 impart to them the glad tidings of salvation. Assisted 
 by her domestic chaplain, Mr. Baddelley, of whose piety 
 and ftiithfulness she had a high opinion, and the Ladies' 
 Hastings, she instructed the children, and visited the 
 cottages of the poor ; and spoke affectionately to them 
 of the important truths of the gospel. The kindness of 
 manner, and the simplicity of her faith, enabled her to 
 present the truth in a way calculated to reach the under- 
 standing and heart of the illiterate ; and though often 
 discouraged by the indifference of her hearers, she per- 
 severed, and at length witnessed the fruit of her labours. 
 
 10 
 
110 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 She set plainly before tliem the depravity of tlieir hearts, 
 and guilt they had contracted by their sins, the divine 
 punishment which threatened them, the mercy God has 
 displayed in the gift of his Son, and the all-sufficiency of 
 the atoning sacrifice of Christ to procure pardon and 
 peace for the sinner. With her characteristic love for 
 perishing souls, she urged them by every consideration to 
 flee from the wrath to come, and to embrace Jesus as 
 their Saviour by believing in him. Many were deeply 
 impressed with the truth ; the tears might often have 
 been seen flowing down the hardened cheeks ; and several 
 came to her, of their own accord, under great distress of 
 mind, to speak to her Lad3^ship respecting their souls. 
 A visible reformation appeared in the lives of not a few ; 
 the Sabbath was observed with much greater strictness ; 
 and many vicious practices were either given up, or with- 
 drawn from the public gaze. 
 
 While Lady Huntingdon was absent from London, the 
 nobility crowded to the drawing-rooms of her friends to 
 listen to the preaching of the gospel. The Countess 
 Delitz, sister of Lady Chesterfield, opened her mansion in 
 South Audley Street ; and the residence of Lady Gertrude 
 Hotham became a temple for the service of the Lord. 
 Whitefield laboured there with great diligence and suc- 
 cess ; and in his letters to the Countess at Ashby, he re- 
 cords the evident tokens of God's favour. He says, 
 " Though I am weary in walking to and from South 
 Audley Street, yet I must not omit sending to your Lady- 
 ship this night. This day hath been spent with the 
 Countess, Lady Gertrude, Colonel Gumley, &c. I gave 
 them the communion, and afterwards preached ; the pub- 
 lic minister from Genoa came to hear me, and 1 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 Con- 
 templations/' Lady Fanny Shirley also now made an 
 
A L E A D E R W A N T E D . Ill 
 
 open profession of her faith in Christ, and remained 
 stedfast amid the sneers and ridicule of her fashionable 
 friends. She opened her house for the preaching of the 
 gospel ; and there Whitefield and other ministers pro- 
 claimed the glad tidings of salvation. He says, " On 
 Saturday 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." While White- 
 field was preaching in Yorkshire, where, in connexion 
 with Mr. Grimshaw, he produced the most marvellous 
 excitement, he often wrote to the noble converts in Lon- 
 don, and urged them to maintain their faith and zeal, and 
 to persevere in their efforts to make known the gospel. 
 He did not visit Scotland this year, but after preaching 
 for Wesley's societies at Leeds and JSTewcastle, returned 
 to London. 
 
 Whitefield had a very high opinion of the wisdom and 
 the talents of Lady Huntingdon. He generally deferred 
 to her judgment in religious matters, and was thankful 
 for her advice in all his movements. His diffidence led 
 him to shrink from exercising authority and power. 
 He says, '' 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. He, however, was 
 by no means insensible to the advantages of systematic 
 unity ; and he formed the design of identifying Lady 
 Huntingdon with his societies, by appointing her the 
 head of them. He wished to be free from the care of 
 them, that he might be more at liberty to preach the 
 gospel ; he had seen the many benefits accruing to the 
 persecuted from her patronage ; and he discerned in her 
 tliose qualities which admirably fitted her to command. 
 In a letter to her Ladyship he says " A leader is wanting. 
 This honour hath been put upon your Ladyship by the 
 
112 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 great Head of tlie Cliurcli ; an lionoiir canferred on few, 
 but an earnest of one to be put upon your Ladyship be- 
 fore men and angels^ wben time shall be no more." It is 
 not known how she replied to his suggestion ; but no one 
 can peruse her life, and see how wisely she managed the 
 affairs of a vast number of chapels, and regulated an 
 itinerancy spread over the greater part of England and 
 AYales, without admitting, that Whitefield was correct in 
 his estimate of her powers of supervision and controul. 
 It was a matter of deep concern to the Countess, that 
 there existed so little cordiality between the two great 
 leaders of Methodism. Each was labouring in his different 
 sphere, and was anxious to promote the salvation of souls ; 
 but they never assisted one another, nor interchanged 
 their services. Her Ladyship possessed the true spirit of 
 the Evangelical Alliance, a century before such a thing- 
 was realized : and with a view to heal the breach between 
 these good men, and to promote Christian union, she 
 wrote to Whitefield and Wesley, and urged them to for- 
 get their differences, and remember their point of agree- 
 ment, — to abandon controversy, — and to show an example 
 of forbearance and love. Her advice secured the most 
 happy results. Whitefield offered his services to Wesley, 
 which were accepted. On Friday, January 19th, 1750, 
 Wesley read prayers at West-Street Chapel, and White- 
 field preached to a very crowded congregation ; and on 
 the following Sabbath, Whitefield read prayers and 
 Wesley preached at the Tabernacle, after which the 
 sacrament was administered to above twelve hundred 
 persons. The next morning, Wesley read prayers at the 
 Foundry, and Howell Harris preached to the people. 
 These fraternal services greatly delighted Whitefield ; 
 and filled Lady Huntingdon with devout thankfulness. 
 She fervently prayed that the union might be lasting, 
 and exert a beneficial influence on the Church and the 
 world. From this time, these champions of the truth 
 
WESLEY AND WHITEFIELD. 113 
 
 were drawn closer together ; tliey cherished more kindly 
 feelings, and occasionally assisted each other. It is true 
 the deep scar of the wound still remained, and sometimes 
 called up a feeling of rivalry ; but they strove to gain 
 the mastery over it ; they kept up a correspondence, 
 which was broken off only by death ; and when AVhite- 
 field fell in the service of his Master on a foreign land, 
 the surviving veteran preached his funeral sermon, and 
 pronounced a just and eloquent eulogy on his character. 
 
 Towards the end of January 1750, Lady Huntingdon 
 was attacked with an alarming illness, which for several 
 days threatened the loss of her valuable life. The Ladies 
 Hastings were anxiously concerned for her safety ; they 
 procured the best medical aid in the vicinit}^ of Ashby, 
 and immediately dispatched a messenger to Northampton 
 for Dr. Stonhouse. Many were the fervent prayers they 
 offered to Him, in whom we live, and move, and have 
 our being, that her life might be spared ; and these petitions 
 were heard and answered. In about ten days, under the 
 judicious treatment of the doctor, the violence of the 
 disease began to abate ; and her Ladyship soon became so 
 far recovered, as to be able to write to her friends, though 
 for some weeks she was unable to leave her apartment. 
 Lady Anne Hastings wrote to Whitefield, and informed 
 him of the illness of the Countess ; but as he was travel- 
 ling in Gloucestershire, he did not receive the letter, till 
 he heard at Bristol of her recovery ; when he forwarded 
 to her one of those cheering and consolatory letters, which 
 he knew so well how to indite. The anxiety and con- 
 stant attendance of Lady Anne, brought on a serious in- 
 disposition ; but repose and care speedily restored her to 
 health and strength. 
 
 The mind of Lady Huntingdon was greatly chastened 
 by the affliction through which she had passed, and she 
 resolved more earnestly to employ the life God had been 
 pleased to spare. She had passed through so many seasons 
 
114 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 of trial; tliat slie was eminently calculated to sootlie the 
 mourning spirit ; and lier experience had been so varied, 
 that there were few cases in which she could not sympa- 
 thize, as having passed through the same. It was about 
 this time that the news of the death of the Duke of 
 Somerset reached her ; and she wrote a letter of condo- 
 lence to the sorrowing widow, whom she had known, and 
 often visited, when the celebrated Countess of Hertford. 
 After his decease, his widow returned to Percy Lodge, 
 near Colnbrook ; a most magnificent spot, which has been 
 celebrated by Sbenstone, Thomson, and other poets. She 
 was a distinguished patroness of literature, saved the life 
 of Savage by her intercession Avith the Kiug, and was de- 
 servedly admired for her fine taste, splendid talents, and 
 exalted virtues. Her friendship increased for Lady 
 Huntingdon ; whose piety and holy conversation were 
 the means of leading her to a saving knowledge of Jesus 
 Christ, before she was removed from this world — an 
 event which took place a few years after the Duke. 
 
 Whitefield was now zealously itinerating in Cornwall. 
 He had written a letter to the Bishop of Exeter, and he 
 was anxious to see how it had been received. He went 
 to Exeter in March, and again appeared in the fields ; for 
 which Lavington threatened to Avrite another phamphlet 
 against him. In the evening, the Bishop, and several of 
 his clergy stood near him, and saw ten-thousand persons 
 awe-struck by his appeals. Three large stones were 
 hurled at the preacher by a furious drunkard, one of which 
 cut him severely on the head ; yet, neither the prelate nor 
 his friends interfered, though the lives of their own 
 parishioners were endangered. Whitefield met with a 
 warm coadjutor in the Kev. Mr. Thompson, vicar of St. 
 Ginny near Camelford, an intimate friend of Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon. He was a man of great talents, and social dis- 
 position ; but had been very gay and dissipated. In the 
 midst of his debaucheries, he had a remarkable dream ; 
 
EARTHQUAKE IN LONDON. 115 
 
 when a voice said to him, '^ This clay month, about six 
 in the afternoon, you must appear before the judgment- 
 seat of Christ, to give an account of the dreadful abuse 
 of all your talents, and the injuries done to the souls com- 
 mitted to your care." The dream was twice repeated, 
 and filled him with the greatest alarm. He confessed his 
 sins, cried out for mercy, and became a burning and 
 shining light. His heart was filled with intense love for 
 perishing souls ; and he commenced faithfully to preach 
 the gospel, and to warn all to flee to Christ for safety. 
 The Spirit of God greatly blessed his labours ; a mighty 
 awakening took place in his parish ; and throughout the 
 county, his zeal and piety were conspicuous. His devo- 
 tedness to his Master stirred up the opposition of the 
 clergy ; the neighbouring pulpits were all closed against 
 him ; and he was summoned before his diocesan, to 
 answer certain grave charges which were made against 
 him. The Bishop threatened to strip him of his gown, 
 for his Methodistical practices, and for daring to counte- 
 nance Whitefield. His Lordship, however, was saved 
 the trouble ; for Mr. Thompson immediately disrobed 
 himself; and throwing his gown at Lavington's feet, ex- 
 claimed, ''I can preach the gospel without a gown," and 
 retired. Astonished at such independent conduct, the 
 Bishop stood for some time confounded ; but at length, 
 he sent for the intrepid man, and persuaded him to re- 
 main in the church. This laborious minister was the 
 means of bringing many to the knowledge of the truth. 
 Dr. Doddrido-e calls him a second Colonel Gardiner, 
 '' whose story may be told whenever the Established 
 Church shall lose one of its brightest living ornaments, 
 and one of the most useful members, of which that, or 
 perhaps any Christian communion, can boast." 
 
 Towards the end of March 1750, London was thown 
 into the greatest consternation by the shocks of an 
 earthquake. The city was notorious for its ignorance 
 
116 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 and vice. Infidelity liad spread widely among the higher 
 classes, and breathed its blasphemy in the most public 
 manner. Error had crept into the chnrches, and, in 
 various forms, was lulling men to destruction. Idleness, 
 drunkenness, luxury, extravagance, and debauchery were 
 seen in all directions. The shocks were very violent and 
 rapid. The earth trembled and rocked with great vel- 
 ocity ; and a low rumbling sound, like the murmur of 
 distant thunder, was heard. The houses vibrated on 
 their foundations ; the windows rattled in their frames ; 
 the tiles flew oflP from the roofs; and many chimneys were 
 thrown down. Fear seized the hearts of the people ; and 
 multitudes rushed out of the city to seek safety elsewhere. 
 The roads were crowded with fugitives ; and vast numbers 
 repaired to the fields and open places near the metropolis. 
 Tower-hill, Moorfields, and especially Hyde Park were 
 filled with men, women, and children ; who remained 
 there a whole night in the most fearful apprehension. 
 The places of worship were thronged with frightened 
 sinners ; and the Methodist chapels were literally besieged 
 by the crowds, who knocked at the doors, and cried out 
 for God's sake to be admitted. 
 
 As usual on such occasions, many prophets arose to 
 point out the coming disasters. A soldier spread the 
 tidings that it had been revealed to him that a part of 
 London and Westminster would be destroyed by an 
 earthquake, on a certain night between twelve and one 
 o'clock. When the night approached, thousands fled 
 from the city to the fields, where they awaited the awful 
 event, in solemn and breathless silence ; while many ran 
 through the streets in a state of frenzy, eying out that 
 the day of judgment was come, and their damnation was 
 at hand. The chapels of the Methodists were filled with 
 excited audiences ; and Charles Wesley and Whitefield 
 preached incessantly, and succeeded in calming their 
 minds, and directing them to Christ. Whitefield repaired 
 
WHITEFIELD IN HYDE PARK. 117 
 
 to Hyde Park at inidniglat, to speak to the people there 
 assembled. No pen can adequately describe the scene. 
 The vast space was one sea of living beings, whose move- 
 ments could hardly be discovered through the darkness 
 of the night. A confused murmur ran through the whole 
 mass ; which was often disturbed by wild cries and 
 shrieks, when fancy pictured the horror of the approach- 
 ing earthquake. Whitefield rose, and began to speak 
 amid the most breathless silence. His soul was in 
 sympathy with the solemn occasion ; his majestic voice 
 sounded clear and impressive in the midnight air : — and 
 with all the pathos and grandeur of his nature, he led the 
 minds of his audience to the consideration of that great 
 day, when every soul will stand before God, and receive 
 the reward of his deeds ; and when the framework of 
 nature will be dissolved, and this very earth and its 
 works be wrapped in flames. His appeals to their hearts 
 and consciences were overwhelming. His words stirred 
 up the depths of the soul ; and as his impassioned 
 eloquence streamed forth, lie irresistibly carried his 
 audience along with him, bringing terror to the sinner, 
 hope to the desponding, faith to the awakened, and peace 
 and joy to the believing heart. He wrote to Lady 
 Huntingdon, and said, " God has been terribly shaking 
 the metropolis. I hope it is an earnest of his giving a 
 shock to secure sinners, and making them cry out ^ What 
 shall we do to be saved ? '" 
 
118 ME MO IK OF LADY HUNTINGDON 
 
 CHAPTER YIL A.D. 1750—1751. 
 
 THE KEV. JAMES HERVEY. — WHITEPIELD AT NORTHAMP- 
 TON AND ASHBY. — NEW JERSEY COLLEGE. — PERSECUTION 
 AT ASHBY. — CONVERSION OF MR. THORPE. — WHITEFIELD 
 IN YORKSHIRE. — MINISTERS' BREAKFAST AT THE TAB- 
 ERNACLE. — MESSRS. MADAN AND BROWNE ORDAINED 
 THROUGH LADY HUNTINGDON'S INFLUENCE. — ILLNESS 
 OF THE COUNTESS. — DEATH OF LADY FRANCES HAS- 
 TINGS. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon remained for some time at Ashby 
 in a very precarious state of health. Her active and 
 enterprising mind, and her ardent feelings were almost 
 too powerful for her weak frame, and frequently brought 
 her to the verge of the grave. Through a long life, she 
 was often severely afflicted ; yet she bore it with patient 
 resignation ; and increased her exertions for the glory of 
 God while it was yet day, because she could not tell how 
 soon the night might close in upon her. Every year her 
 circle of friends and correspondents was widening ; whom 
 she greatly stimulated by her pious conversation, and 
 her devout and beautiful letters. When her illness 
 prevented her exhorting the strong, visiting the sick, or 
 reading to the dying, her time was occupied in writing to 
 her friends ; and in her voluminous correspondence* it 
 would be difficult to determine which to admire most ; — 
 the simplicity of style, the vigour of thought, and the 
 judicious wisdom which characterized her letters ; or, the 
 
 ^ See The Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon, 2 vols. 
 London, Painter. 
 
WHITEFIELD AT NORTHAMPTON. 119 
 
 earnestness of zeal, the spirituality of mind, the humility 
 and self-abnegation, and the unreserved consecration of 
 heart which pervade them. It was about this time she 
 corresponded regularly with the excellent Mr. Hervey, 
 and continued to do so till his death ; and his letters to 
 her are full of that pathos and spirituality for which his 
 writings are remarkable. 
 
 During her Ladyship's indisposition, Whitefield left 
 London, in the beginning of May, to visit her at Ash by : 
 and on his way, spent a few days, at Northampton with 
 Dr. Stonhouse, Dr. Doddridge, Mr. Hervey, and Mr. 
 Hartley, rector of Winwick. He had been associated 
 with Mr. Hervey at the university, and when on a previ- 
 ous visit to him, preached in Northampton for Dr. Dodd- 
 ridge, who, in return, took the service of the Tabernacle 
 in London. Dr. Stonhouse had imbibed infidel principles 
 when studying anatomy under Dr. Nicholls at Oxford, 
 and laboured to difiuse them abroad ; but the work of 
 Doddridge on the " Rise and Progress of Religion,'''' and 
 the efforts of Mr. Hervey were the means of his conver- 
 sion to God. Whitefield says : — 
 
 " On the Tuesday I preached in the morning to Dr. 
 Doddridge's family, and in the afternoon to above two 
 thousand in the field. Dr. Stonhouse, Mr. Hervey, &c., 
 attended me, and walked with me afterwards along the 
 street ; so that I hope the physician will now turn his 
 back on the world, and be content to follow a despised 
 crucified Kedeemer without reserve. I expounded at his 
 house in the evening, and am hereafter to come to it as 
 my own." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon took a warm interest in the spiritual 
 welfare of the physician. While he was attending to the 
 health of her body, she was ministering to the prosperity 
 of his soul ; and her conversation and letters were of the 
 most signal service to him, and encouraged him to make 
 an open profession of the gospel. Dr. Stonhouse soon 
 
120 me:\ioir of lady iiuntixgdox. 
 
 after began to preach, and Lady Hunting-don and her 
 chaplain wrote to him and urged him to go forth boldly, 
 and proclaim the glad tivdings of salvation every where. 
 As the Eev. Sir James Stonhouse, he afterwards became 
 well known, and was considered one of the most correct 
 and elegant preachers in the kingdom. 
 
 On Whitefield's arrival at Ashby, he found the Countess 
 very weak, but much better than he had anticipated. He 
 commenced his energetic labours, and aroused many to a 
 sense of their miserable condition. He preached daily at 
 her house, and whenever he could, in the neighbouring 
 churches. He, however, experienced great opposition at 
 Ashby ; a mob was collected around her Ladyship's door, 
 while he was preaching ; and some of those who attended, 
 very narrowly escaped being murdered on their way 
 home. Still thousands flocked to hear the gospel ; and a 
 neighbouring magistrate took active steps to bring the 
 rioters to justice. He remained here about a fortnight, 
 during which time many plans were devised for promo- 
 ting the general interests of religion. He brought letters 
 to her Ladyship from Governor Belcher and President 
 Burr respecting the re-establishment of the Presbj'terian 
 College in New Jersey on a more extensive scale. A 
 statement of the proposed enlargement and constitution 
 of the College was drawn up, which, by her Ladyship's 
 advice was printed, together with a recommendation of 
 the plan, subscribed by Lady Huntingdon, George White- 
 field, Dr. Doddridge, and others. The Countess entered 
 warmly into the scheme ; she collected considerable sums 
 among her friends and acquaintances ; and corresponded 
 with many persons of eminence in England and Scotland. 
 Her chaplain also preached several sermons on its behalf, 
 and obtained a large sum of money, which he immedi- 
 ately transmitted to America. 
 
 Ashby now enjoyed the labours of four distinguished 
 ministers of Christ. Mr. Baddelley, her domestic chap- 
 
121 
 
 lain, was in London, and his place was supplied by Mr. 
 Graves and Mr. Simpson, who were zealously engaged in 
 preaching the gospel. Lady Huntingdon wrote to Mr. 
 Hervey, requesting him to pay her a visit as soon as he 
 could ; and he arrived at her mansion a few days before 
 Whitefield left. She wished also to have the company of 
 Dr. Doddridge, to whom Whitefield wrote, "Your kind 
 letter found me happy at our good Lady Huntingdon's, 
 whose path shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect 
 day. Gladly shall I call upon you again at Northampton, 
 if the Lord spares my life. * ^ * Good Lady Hunting- 
 don greatly esteems you. I go with regret from her Lady- 
 ship, who intends writing to you this evening ; do come 
 and see her soon." Dr. Doddridge was then unable to 
 leave, but paid a visit to Ashby in June. 
 
 Whitefield left Ashby May 20th, 1750, and proceeded 
 on his way towards Scotland, preaching the gospel at the 
 principal towns in his route. He often wrote to her 
 Ladyship and narrated the incidents of his career : and 
 in these letters we find the following expression respect- 
 ing her efforts at Ashby. " I shall be glad to hear what 
 becomes of the rioters. that your Ladyship may live 
 to see many of those Ashby stones become children to 
 Abraham." " Ungateful Ashby ! that thou knewest 
 the day of thy visitation ! Surely your Ladyship may 
 shake off the dust of your feet against them. This was 
 the command which the meek and lowly Jesus gave to 
 his Apostles, where the gospel was not received ; and he 
 himself departed when the Gadarenes desired him to go 
 from their coasts. This justifies your Ladyship in remov- 
 ing Mr. Baddelley. What avails throwing pearls before 
 swine, who only turn again and rend you? " Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon, however, did not prosecute those who had dis- 
 turbed her friends ; and Whitefield says, "Your Ladyship 
 hath acted like yourself in forgiving the offenders ; such 
 offences come that Christ's followers may give evidence 
 
 11 
 
122 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 of his blessed temper being wrougbt in their hearts. 
 Your letter revived my heart, and gave me some fresh 
 hopes for ungrateful Ashby." 
 
 On his way to Nottingham, Whitefield met with an 
 intimate friend of her Ladyship, Mrs. Hester Gibbon, 
 aunt to the eloquent historian of The Decline and Fall of 
 the Roman empire. She had retired with a Mrs. Hutcheson 
 to a delightful retreat at King's Cliff, Northamptonshire, 
 where, having determined to devote their remaining days 
 to charitable and religious duties, they selected the cele- 
 brated Mr. Law, as a suitable person to be their chapbin 
 and almoner. Lady Huntingdon had occasionally corres- 
 ponded with these singular and benevolent ladies ; who 
 when informed by Dr. Stonhouse of the severe illness of 
 the Countess, requested Mr. Hartley to visit Ashby, and 
 convey their condolence to her Ladyship. He, however, 
 was unable to leave his parish; but when Whitefield 
 informed them of her restoration to health, they wrote a 
 cheerful letter to her, and sent it by the hands of Mr, 
 Hartley. '^O, how have w^e prayed and wrestled with 
 the great Author of life and light, for the preservation of 
 your invaluable existence. Precious above estimation is 
 the prolongation of such a life as yours. We mourned, 
 we wept, we prayed ; and, each returning day, your case 
 was presented on our family altar. Thanks, eternal 
 thanks to Him, with whom are the issues of life and 
 death, for your restoration and subsequent amendment." 
 At Eotherham, Whitefield received much opposition, 
 but gained still more success. He preached on the Friday 
 evening and Saturday morning ; and writes to Lady 
 Huntingdon, " The crier was employed to give notice of 
 a bear-baiting ; your Ladyship may guess who was the 
 hear. About seven in the morning the drum was heard, 
 and several watermen attended it with great staves. The 
 constable was struck, and two of the mobbers were appre- 
 
CONVERSION OF MR. THORPE. 123 
 
 hended, but rescued afterwards. But all this does not 
 come up to the kind usage of the people of Ashby." 
 
 There was a young man named Thorpe who was ex- 
 ceedingly bitter against him, and was not content with 
 personal insult, but added private ridicule to public 
 interruption. The taverns were then the resort of young 
 men, who exercised their talents in mimicry and jesting. 
 At one of these convival parties, Thorpe and three of his 
 companions undertook to entertain their associates by 
 'taking off' Whitefield. The proposal was received with 
 loud applause, and a prize promised to the best performer. 
 The three, in their turn, mounted the table, opened the 
 Bible, and soon exhausted their stock of ribaldry. Thorpe 
 then arose, and exclaimed, '' I shall beat you all." The 
 book was opened, and the text selected, "Except ye 
 repent, ye shall all likewise perish ; " but he had no 
 sooner uttered the words, than his mind was affected in a 
 very extraordinary manner. The sharpest pangs of con- 
 viction seized him, and his conscience denounced tremen- 
 dous vengeance on his souL The light of heaven flashed 
 on his mind ; his discourse rose orderly before him ; and 
 almost unconsciously he proceeded with great fluency 
 of thought and expression, speaking more like a practised 
 divine, than a profligate jester. He afterwards often 
 declared that if ever he preached by the assistance of the 
 Spirit it was then. The impression made upon his mind 
 by the subject, had such an effect upon his manner, that 
 his audience was astounded. They felt he was sincere ; 
 instead of being enlivened they were depressed, and were 
 speedily filled with the most gloomy apprehensions. 
 The change in them increased the power of his own con- 
 victions ; no one dared to stop him ; all were riveted to 
 their seats ; and his sentences were frequently so thrilling 
 that even his own hair stood erect. At length he finished, 
 and desended from the table ; not a word was uttered 
 about the prize ; and Thorpe, without noticing any one, 
 
12i MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 hastily retired to his home. This was his last Bacchana- 
 lian revel. He broke away from his companions ; and 
 afterwards became the pastor of the Independent Church 
 at Masborough, near Eotherham, and the father of the 
 eloquent minister of Castle-Green Chapel, Bristol. 
 
 While Lady Huntingdon was entertaining her friends 
 at Ashby, and corresponding with others at a distance, 
 Whitefield was pursuing his labours in Yorkshire. Ac- 
 companied by Mr. Grimshaw, and Mr. Ingham, he 
 preached at Leeds, Haworth, and Manchester to astonish- 
 ing crowds of people. His talents were peculiarly 
 adapted to itinerancy ; his manner, voice, solemnity and 
 fervour commanded, and riveted the attention of his audi- 
 ence, and held the crowds spell- bound around him. He 
 travelled through Lancashire, Westmoreland, and Cum- 
 berland, preaching every where to the people, who gene- 
 rally were attentive and orderly ; and then proceeded to 
 Edinburgh, where he took up his residence at the house 
 of Mr. J. Nimmo, whose Lady was an intimate friend and 
 correspondent of Lady Huntingdon. Whitefield wrote 
 to Ashby an account of his proceedings, which greatly 
 cheered the Countess ; and she replied to his letters, and 
 requested him to invite the correspondence of some of 
 the Scottish ministers. She cultivated an acquaintance 
 with Dr. Gillies of Glasgow, Dr. Webster of Edinburgh, 
 and Mr. Wardrobe of Bathgate, whom she often called 
 her zealous Scotch chaplain. After visiting Glasgow, 
 AYhitefield returned to his duties in London, and fre- 
 quently assisted John Wesley, at West Street chapel. 
 
 Though the health of Mr. Harvey had been greatly 
 benefited by his visit to Ashby, Dr. Stonhouse advised 
 a fresh change of air ; and as Whitefield had invited him 
 to the Tabernacle house in London, he resolved to accept 
 the invitation. On his way thither, he paid a visit to Dr. 
 Cotton, an eminent physician, who kept a private lunatic 
 asylum at St. Albans. This gentleman was a poet, and 
 
DR. DODDRIDGE'S LETTER. 125 
 
 had been introduced to Lady Huntingdon by Dr. Ston- 
 bouse. When he published his '' Visions, ^^ he presented 
 her Ladyship with a copy, who, in a letter acknow- 
 ledging its receipt, made some remarks on what she con- 
 sidered the defects of the work. He took her friendly 
 criticism in good part, and was confirmed in the sound- 
 ness of her remarks by the similar animadversions, which 
 his sincere friend Mr. Hervey made on the poem. While 
 Mr. Hervey was in town. Lady Huntingdon persuaded 
 him to avail himself of the visits of Dr. Cotton to the 
 metropolis to secure the benefit of his distinguished skill. 
 She also introduced him to many of the pious nobility, 
 particularly to Lady Hotham, Lad}^ Chesterfield, the 
 Countess Delitz, and Lady Fanny Shirley, at whose house 
 he occasionally expounded to an attentive and fashionable 
 audience. As often as his health permitted, he attended 
 the services of the Tabernacle, and was greatly delighted 
 with the fervour of Whitefield's preaching. The Taber- 
 nacle house was the resort of evangelical ministers of all 
 denominations. On one oceasion John AVesley, the cele- 
 brated Eomaine, Dr. Gill, Dr. Gifibrd, Messrs : Cudworth 
 and Cennick, breakfasted with Whitefield and Hervey ; 
 and afterwards spent the morning in reading the Scrip- 
 tures, prayer, and exhortation. These meetings were sea- 
 sons of holy joy to them; the Spirit descended with 
 great power upon their souls ; their faith was strengthened, 
 their love quickened, their zeal stimulated, and their 
 lives afresh devoted to the service of their Master. 
 
 Meanwhile, Lady Huntingdon was actively engaged at 
 Ashby and was reaping a most glorious harvest. She 
 frequently wrote to Whitefield an account of her labours ; 
 and he promised to take Ashby on his travels, and visit 
 her Ladyship. He says, '' I am surprised at your Lady- 
 ship's doing, and going through so much ; but what can- 
 not a believer do, when strengthened by the blessed 
 
 Jesus ? " Early in October her honoured chaplain arrived 
 
 11* 
 
126 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 at lier mansion, and was highly delighted with the pros- 
 pect which was opening in the neighbourhood of Ashby. 
 He thus writes to the Countess Delitz from Ashby, Oc- 
 tober 11th, 1750. 
 
 "Good Lady Huntingdon goes on acting the part of a 
 mother in Israel more and more. For a day or two she 
 has had five clergymen under her roof, which makes her 
 Ladyship look like a good Arclibisliop with his chaplains 
 around him. Her house is a Bethel ; to us in the minis- 
 try it looks like a college. "We have the sacrament every 
 morning, heavenly conversation all day, and preach at 
 night. This is to live at Court indeed ! Last night I 
 had the pleasure of seeing a little flock that seemed to be 
 awakened by the grace of God; so that out of ungrate- 
 ful Ashby, I trust there will be raised up many children 
 unto Abraham. Your Ladyship, and the other elect la- 
 dies are never forgotten by us. I would write to good 
 Lady Fanny, but I hear she is out of town." 
 
 AYhitefi eld's labours were much more successful than 
 when he was last at Ashby ; his preaching produced a 
 deep impression on the hearts of many, and filled her 
 Ladyship's circle with love, joy, and peace. His discourses 
 were full of fervour and spirituality ; he preached Christ 
 as the only remedy for sin, the only refuge for safety, 
 and the only hope which can support in death, and 
 brio-hten the future. The neioflibourinoc churches, and the 
 open fields witnessed his enthusiastic exertions ; and the 
 drawing-rooms of the Countess bore testimony to his 
 faithfulness and zeal. All were highly delighted with 
 his visit, and were stimulated to seek after higher attain- 
 ments in the divine life, and to consecrate themselves 
 more entirely to the service of Jesus Christ. The heart 
 Qf this distinguished minister was absorbed in his great 
 work. His eye was constantly overlooking the vast 
 sphere of his labours; and while he was zealously itine- 
 rating in the vicinity of Ashby, he did not forgQi the 
 
ministers' breakfast. 127 
 
 other parts of his vineyard^ but addressed letters to his 
 converts elsewhere ; and especially to Lady Hotham, to 
 console her under the bereaving stroke which removed 
 her beloved daughter from her. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was ever on the alert to introduce 
 holy and devoted men to the ministry, by procuring for 
 them episcopal ordination. She was truly anxious for 
 the efficiency of the Church of England, and longed to 
 see evangelical religion flourish in her pulpits ; and noth- 
 ing but her love for perishing souls, which was stronger 
 than her love for any earthly community, induced her, at 
 a later period of her career, reluctantly to break through 
 the ties Avhich connected her with the Establishment. 
 She was about this time instrumental in procuring ordi- 
 nation for two young men, who afterwards became cele- 
 brated preachers in her chapels, and in the episcopal 
 church. 
 
 Mr. Martin Madan was the eldest son of Colonel 
 Madan, and was brought up to the study of the law. He 
 possessed great powers of imitation, and caused much 
 amusement to his gay companions at the noted coffee 
 houses in the metropolis. One evening he was requested 
 to hear Wesley preach, and then return, and exhibit his 
 style of discourse for their entertainment. He entered 
 the chapel just as the holy man named his text, ^^ Prej^tare 
 to meet thy God!^^ and was deeply impressed with his 
 solemn appeals. He returned to his companions, who 
 asked him if he had taken off the old Methodist. '' No, 
 gentlemen," he replied, "but he has taken me off." He 
 withdrew from their company, and henceforth associated 
 with religious persons. He was early introduced to Lady 
 Huntingdon, whose pious conversation greatly stimulated 
 his faith. He possessed an ample fortune, commanding 
 talents, and a prospect of great eminence in his profes- 
 sion ; but the love of Christ so warmed his heart, that he 
 wished to consecrate himself to the work of the ministry. 
 
128 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 His connection with tlie Methodists, however, was a great 
 barrier to his success ; but through the perseverance and 
 influence of Lady Huntingdon, he was admitted into holy 
 orders. Soon after his ordination, he preached his first 
 sermon in All-hallows Church, Lombard Street. The 
 curiosity of the people was aroused ; the novelty of a 
 lawyer turning divine, drew a large audience ; and his 
 eloquence and Christian doctrines filled his hearers with 
 gladness. He was rather tall in stature, and robust in 
 constitution ; his countenance was majestic, open, and en- 
 gaging ; and his whole appearance noble and command- 
 ing. He preached extempore ; his voice was clear, 
 musical, and powerful; his action peculiarly graceful; 
 his language forcible and expressive ; his doctrines tho- 
 roughly evangelical ; his arguments perspicuous and con- 
 clusive. He was mighty in the Scriptures ; and was the 
 founder and first chaplain of the Lock Hospital, near 
 Hyde Park corner. Whitefield writes to her Ladj^ship, 
 '^I am glad Mr. Madan is ordained, and I hope Mr. 
 Browne will be the next. By the Bishop's letter to him, 
 I find your Ladyship has acted in the affair like yourself. 
 Mr. Browne is much for embarking in Christ's cause, and 
 if the Duchess (of Somerset) would but help him at this 
 juncture, he might be a useful and happy man." 
 
 Mr. Moses Browne, afterwards well known as the vicar 
 of Olney, of Morden College, Blackheath, met with many 
 obstacles in endeavouring to obtain episcopal ordination. 
 Though he had not received an university education, he 
 was a man of considerable talent, and had a great taste 
 for poetry. His large family and slender means called 
 forth his activity ; and he became a constant contributor 
 to the " Gentleman's Magazine,''^ through which he was 
 made known to Dr. Watts, who introduced him to Lady 
 Huntingdon and Lady Hertford, afterwards Duchess of 
 Somerset, at whose house he niet with the most eminent 
 literary characters of the day. A serious illness, and the 
 
MR. MARTIN MAD AN. 129 
 
 preaching of the Methodists led to his conversion ; and 
 he desired to proclaim to others the salvation he had re- 
 ceived. Her Ladyship's success on behalf of Mr. Madan 
 induced her to persevere in her efforts to procure ordina- 
 tion for Mr. Browne. She wrote to the Bishop of Win- 
 chester, who politely refused ; and then forwarded his 
 testimonials, signed by three beneficed clergymen, Messrs. 
 Baddelley, Hervey, and Hartley, to the Bishop of Wor- 
 cester. As he was in very straitened circumstances, she 
 collected a sum of money among her friends to relieve 
 his wants. Lady Chesterfield took a deep interest in his 
 welfare ; the Countess Delitz sent him ten guineas ; Lady 
 Fanny Shirley wrote to the Duchess of Somerset and se- 
 cured her interest ; and Lord Bath assured her Ladyship 
 of his favour and support. Her application to the 
 Bishop of Worcester failed ; but at length, Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon secured the interest of the Hon. Welbore Ellis, 
 one of the Lords of the Admiralty, through which Mr. 
 Browne procured ordination, and soon after commenced 
 his ministry as curate to Mr. Hervej at CoUingtree. He, 
 however, first repaired to Ashby, and preached effective- 
 ly to the people there, and assisted her domestic chaplain 
 in his duties at her house ; and frequently preached for 
 Mr. Madan at the Lock." 
 
 The health of Lady Huntingdon still continued very 
 feeble. After rallying for a short time, toward the close 
 of the year she gradually declined. Her friends were 
 very anxious on her behalf. Dr. Doddridge expressed 
 his fear that they would soon lose her ; and Mr. Hervey 
 wrote for tidings of her health, ^'for never " he remarks 
 '' will the physicians' skill be employed for the lengthen- 
 ing of a more valuable life." At the beginning of 1751, 
 her illness became so alarming, that Whitefield Avas 
 immediately sent for. He rode post to Ashby, not 
 knowing whether he could be in time to see Lady 
 Huntingdon alive. He found the house one of gloom and 
 
130 M E M O I E OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 sadness. Death had entered, and carried off his victim. 
 A fever had prostrated her daughter, Lady Selina ; the 
 Countess was brought to the door of death ; and a few 
 hours before her chaplain arrived, Lady Frances Hastings 
 had been suddenly snatched away. Her death was a 
 translation to glory ; she smiled sweetly on those who 
 were around her, and fell asleep in Jesus without a groan. 
 The Countess bore up under the trial, and thought only 
 of her own speedy dismissal ; but her Master had yet 
 much work for her to do. He gradually brought her out 
 of danger, and restored her daughter to health. He sent 
 his Spirit to dry up the mourner's tears, and caused the 
 sad event to produce humility and resignation to Him in 
 all things. Whitefield says, in a letter to Lady Mary 
 Hamilton, dated Ashby, January 30th, 1751 : — 
 
 "I got safe to Ashby, where I found good Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon very sick, though I trust not unto death. All 
 advise her Ladyship to take a journey to Bristol, for the 
 benefit of the waters, which her Ladyship seems determi- 
 ned to do. The death of Lady Frances has not affected 
 her Ladyship so as to hurt her. She rejoices at the 
 thought of her sister being so quickly translated out of 
 this house of bondage into the glorious liberty of the sons 
 of God. Her death was a translation indeed. Her 
 Ladyship died without a groan. She seemed, as it were, 
 to smile at death ; and may be said, I trust truly, " to fall 
 asleep in Jesus." Ere long, she and all that sleep in 
 Jesus, shall come with him. I hope it hath been a 
 purging time in this family. Almost all have been sick 
 in their turns. Lady Selina has had a fever, but is 
 better. Lady Betty is more affected than ever I saw her. 
 A letter now from one of the young ladies, I hope would 
 do service. Lady Anne bears up pretty well, but Miss 
 Wheeler* is inconsolable. It is a house of mourning ; 
 
 * Niece of Lady Huntiugdou. 
 
DEATH OF LADY FRANCES. 131 
 
 that is better tlian a house of feasting. The corpse is to 
 bo interred on Friday evening. May all that follow it 
 look and learn ! I mean, learn to live, and learn to die." 
 
 Lady Frances Hastings died January 23rd, 1751, in 
 the fity -eighth year of her age. She was to all a pattern 
 of humility, sincerity, and heavenly mindedness. Her 
 piety was deep and genuine, her manners graceful and 
 obliging, and her disposition cheerful and happy. She 
 was a great friend to the poor : who deeply lamented her 
 death, and attended her funeral in large numbers. When 
 her remains were placed beside those of her ancestors in 
 the church of Ashby, Whitefield preached a most pathetic 
 and thrilling sermon from these beautiful words : — 
 ''Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from 
 henceforth ; yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from 
 their labours, and their works do follow them." 
 
132 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 CHAPTER YIII. A. D. 1751—1753. 
 
 LADY HUNTINGDON AT BRISTOL. — DEATH OF THE PRINCE 
 OF WALES: — HIS RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS. — THE COUN- 
 TESS AT CHELTENHAM; BATH. — WARBURTON. — DEATH 
 OF DR. DODDRIDGE. — DR. OLIVER. — FAITH. — DEATH OF 
 LORD BOLINGBROKE I HIS WRITINGS, FAMILY. — LADY 
 HUNTINGDON IN LONDON. — MARRIAGE OF HER DAUGH- 
 TER TO BARON RAWDON. — THE COUNTESS AT BATH. — 
 BEAU NASH. — HERVEY'S '' THERON AND ASPASIO." — 
 LADY HUNTINGDON AT CLIFTON. — THE NEW TABERNA- 
 CLE, MOORFIELDS. — BRISTOL TABERNACLE OPENED. 
 
 Whitefield could not stay long witli her Ladyship at 
 Ashby. The illness of his wife suddenly called him to 
 London, where he arrived the first week in Febuary 1751. 
 Before his departure he wrote to Dr. Stonhouse, and 
 urged him to use his influence to induce Mr. Hartley to 
 come without delay to Ashby ; but as the latter was 
 unable to leave his parish, the Doctor himself came, and 
 remained with her Ladyship until she was sufficiently 
 recovered to remove to the Hot-Wells, Bristol. He also 
 prevailed upon Dr. Doddridge to pay her a visit during 
 his stay there. They were actively engaged in the work 
 of the Lord ; every evening they preached alternately ; 
 and occasionally administered the sacrament. Dr. Ston- 
 house was then in a state of doubt and anxiety. The 
 letters of Whitefield and others had urged him to come 
 boldly out and preach the gospel ; but he had such a 
 dread of the world's sneers, and of being branded as a 
 Methodist, that he hesitated to take a decided step. 
 
BRISTOL. 133 
 
 During tliis visit, lier Ladyship and Dr. Doddridge spoke 
 to him so faithful!}^, that the poor man burst into tears, 
 and appeared to be in great distress. Early in March, 
 her Ladyship was sufficiently restored to proceed with 
 her family to Bristol, where she again took up her resi- 
 dence at the house of Whitefield's brother. She bore the 
 journey much better than was anticipated, notwithstand- 
 ing the wretched roads through which she passed ; and 
 derived much benefit from the change. A few days after 
 her arrival, she was agreeably surprised by a visit from 
 her chaplain, who had been preaching in Gloucestershire 
 with his accustomed energy and success. After spending 
 a few days with her, and witnessing the beneficial effects 
 of the waters in recruiting her health, he resolved to 
 itinerate in Devonshire, and wrote, by her request, to 
 Mr. Hervey to prevail upon him to supply his place in 
 her Ladj^ship's circle. His precarious state of health 
 prevented his compliance ; and A¥hitefield then wrote to 
 Mr. Hartley, and enclosed a letter from the Countess, 
 requesting him to come to Bristol immediately. ''It 
 would much refresh her, and, I believe, be very agreeable 
 to you. Some pulpits would be open to you, and who 
 knows but you might catch some great fish in the gospel 
 net." He came, and preached several times in the neigh- 
 bouring churches with much acceptance. When White- 
 field returned from his excursion, he found that Mr. 
 Daniel Rowlands a celebrated Welsh clergyman, had 
 arrived on a visit to her Ladyship, a few days before. 
 They immediately commenced their united services in the 
 open air, and preached to the vast crowds which attended 
 them ; and many notoriously wicked persons were induced 
 to forsalvic their profligate ways, and turn unto the Lord. 
 The Countess was highly delighted with the sight of the 
 multitudes listening to the gospel, and mingled her joy 
 with that of those pure spirits who rejoice over one sinner 
 that repenteth. She blessed the Lord for the affliction 
 
 12 
 
134: MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 which brought her to Bristol, and remarked, with her 
 chaplain, that she often found Luther's words truly ap- 
 plicable to herself : — " He was never employed about any 
 fresh work, but he was either visited with a fit of illness, 
 or some violent temptations." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon at this time received a shock, in 
 common with many in high life, by the unexpected death 
 of the Prince of Wales, who died of pleurisy, March 20, 
 1751. Ever since his unhappy difference with his father, 
 George II., he had formed his own party, kept his own 
 court, and placed himself in opposition to the Govern- 
 ment. His literary tastes and patronage collected arouud 
 him the most distinguished literati of the day, among 
 whom were Swift, Pope, and Thomson. The rising 
 statesmen crowded to his court ; Pitt, Lyttleton, and the 
 Grenvilles were his associates ; and Lord Bolingbroke 
 was his chief adviser. Lady Huntingdon had frequently 
 attended his court, and had received the most marked 
 attention from the Prince ; and Lord Huntingdon, Lord 
 Ferrars, and many of her relatives and friends were his 
 political supporters. He was a prince of amiable and 
 generous disposition, elegant manners, considerable tal- 
 ents, and liberal principles. He appointed Mr., afterwards 
 Lord, Lyttleton, her Ladyship's intimate friend, his prin- 
 cipal secretary, and Dr. Ayscougb the preceptor to his 
 children. The latter gentleman was introduced by Lady 
 Huntingdon to Dr. Doddridge, who was prevailed upon 
 by her Ladyship to present his work on " TJie Rise and 
 Progress of Religion,''^ to the Princess of Wales through 
 Dr. Ayscough ; for which he received the special thanks 
 of her Eoyal Highness. These two distinguished men 
 corresponded with each other ; and Dr. Ayscough says in 
 one of his letters to him, that the young prince, afterwards 
 George III., has ''learned several pages in your little 
 book of verses without any directions from me." 
 
 The Countess was deeply anxious to ascertain the 
 
PRINCE OF WALES. 135 
 
 religious feelings and sentiments of the Prince of Wales 
 at the close of his life. He had always manifested a 
 regard to the outward propriety and decorum of religion. 
 Amidst the blaze of his splendid court, where the mar- 
 vellous religious excitement among the great was a 
 frequent topic of conversation, he always insisted on the 
 necessity and value of religion ; and more than once 
 rebuked the sarcasms which were indulged in, chiefly at 
 the expense of Lady Huntingdon. Her Lad3^ship, there- 
 fore, wrote to Mr. Lyttleton for what information he could 
 give her ; and though the particulars were few, they were 
 so far satisfactory. It appears that the Prince looked 
 upon the rise and growth of Methodism with a very 
 friendly eye, and was very anxious to know what were 
 the distinguishing doctrines they held. He had frequent 
 arguments with Lord Bolingbroke respecting it, who 
 considered that he was fast verging towards embracing 
 it ; and he went more than once to hear Whitefield, with 
 whom he was highly pleased, and would, had he lived, 
 have attempted to honour him with his favour. He was 
 also in the habit of reading the works of Doddridge, 
 wdiich had been presented to the Princess, and expressed 
 his approbation of them in the highest terms. 
 
 Dr. Doddridge had been for many years employed on 
 his ^^ Family Expositor,'''' which he was publishing by 
 subscription. Few persons made greater exertions to 
 circulate the work than Lady Huntingdon, She had a 
 warm attachment to the author, and a high opinion of 
 the work ; and most earnestly prayed the Lord to j)rolong 
 his valuable life, and to give him strength and abilities 
 for the completion of " a work so calculated to promote 
 the glory of His name, and the everlasting good of 
 mankind.'' Her friend Mr. Lyttleton was very active in 
 securing for it an extensive circulation ; but a dangerous 
 illness seized him, and retarded the appearance of the 
 volumes. On his recovery, he renewed his exertions, and 
 
136 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 forwarded to her Ladyship a long list of I'resh subscribers * 
 and by his influence he introduced the work into many 
 families, where otherwise it would never have entered. 
 Mr. Lyttleton shortly afterwards had the misfortune to 
 lose his father, Sir Thomas Lyttleton, an intimate friend 
 of the late Earl of Huntingdon. The Duchess of Bridge- 
 w^ater, who had attended the services at the house of Lady 
 Huntingdon in London, and Dr. Ayscough, son-in law of 
 the deceased baronet, wrote to the Countess, and presented 
 some particulars of his last moments. The work of Dod- 
 dridge on Religion was much blessed to him, and he recom- 
 mended it to his children just before his departure. His 
 son George read and prayed around the bed of his dying 
 parent, and treasured up his last words, '^ My dear child, 
 I feel that God my Saviour has pardoned all my sins ; and 
 from what you have just read, that his blood cleanseth 
 from all iniquity, I derive great comfort, for he is my 
 only, only hope." 
 
 The health of Lady Huntingdon was greatly invigora- 
 ted by her residence at Bristol. Mrs. Whitefield had 
 spent some time with her, and on her return to London 
 in June, told Mr. Hervey at the Tabernacle house that 
 the good Countess' health was very much restored, and 
 that, to use her own expression, ''She was charmingly 
 well." From a letter of the Dachess of Somerset, dated 
 July 9th, 1751, it appears that her Ladj^shiphad removed 
 to Cheltenham, and was in good health. She did not, 
 however, stay long there, but visited Bath the end of 
 August on a deeply interesting mission. The consump- 
 tive disease, from which Dr. Doddridge had long suffered, 
 had made such rapid progress, that Dr. Stonhouse recom- 
 mended him to try a voyage to Lisbon. He had been to 
 Shrewsbury, for the benefit of the air and exercise ; and 
 spent some weeks at Bristol, where his kind friends did 
 every thing to cheer his mind and recruit his health. 
 As the worthy doctor hesitated to take the journey to 
 
ILLNESS OF DR. DODDRIDGE. 137 
 
 Portugal, lest the necessary expense should involve his 
 family in difficulties, Lady Huntingdon, with that noble 
 generosity which distinguished her character, collected 
 among her friends the sum of three hundred pounds, of 
 which she contributed one hundred pounds, and placed it 
 in the hands of Mrs. Doddridge. She manifested the 
 greatest sympathy towards the sufferer, and expressed 
 herself truly grateful that she was able to administer to 
 the external comfort of one of God's dear servants. Nor 
 was this all. On the 17th of September, 1751, Dr. Dodd- 
 ridge left Bristol, and became the guest of the Countess 
 at Bath, till his departure for Falmouth. Her time and 
 attention were taken up with him; she provided for him 
 every comfort that could be procured ; and cheered him 
 with her pious and animated conversation. 
 
 Dr. Doddridge met with many kind friends during his 
 stay at her Ladyship's residence. Between him and Dr. 
 Warburton. there had existed a long friendship, which 
 even the violence of the latter towards the Methodists 
 did not impair. Dr. Oliver was his physician ; and Mr. 
 Allen, Dr. Hartley, then in the height of his reputation 
 as a physician in Bath, and Pope frequently visited him. 
 Their disputes respecting Whitefield, who had just em- 
 barked on his fourth voyage to America, frequently ran 
 high and vehement. On one occasion, when her Lady- 
 ship was dining at Prior Park, the conversation happened- 
 to turn on her chaplain. Dr. Hartley spoke of his abili- 
 ties with the warmest admiration, and supported the doc- 
 trines he preached. Warburton replied, " Of his orato- 
 rical powers, and their astonishing influence on the minds 
 of thousands there can be no doubt; they are of a high 
 order : but with respect to his doctrines, I consider them 
 pernicious and false." An animated debate ensued ; and 
 Dr. Hartley defended Whitefield against the aspersions 
 of his antagonist, and proved that his doctrines were in 
 accordance with the Articles of the Established Church, 
 
 12* 
 
138 MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTINGDON. 
 
 and witli the Confessions of Faith of all the Eeformed 
 Churches of Christendom. Lady Huntingdon, Dr. Oliver, 
 and Mr. Allen concurred with him ; and Warburton 
 unable to restrain his malignity against the Methodists, 
 rose up hastily, and abruptly left the room. 
 
 On the morning of the day on Avhich Dr. Doddridge 
 set out from Bath to Falmouth, Lady Huntingdon came 
 into his room, and found him weeping over the passage 
 in Daniel x., 11, 12. ''You are in tears, Sir," said her 
 Ladj^ship. '' I arn weeping, madam," answered the Doc- 
 tor, " but they are tears of comfort and joy ; I can give 
 up my country, my relations, my friends into the hands 
 of God ; and as to myself I can as well go to heaven from 
 Lisbon as from my own study at Northampton." His 
 friends j^arted with him without the slightest expectation 
 of seeing him again in this life. He embarked Septem- 
 ber 80th, and landed at Lisbon October 13th, 1751. He 
 was then in a dying condition ; and he lingered a few 
 days before his happy spirit took its joyful flight to the 
 mansions of glory, to receive the welcome from his Mas- 
 ter, and to meet those who will be his crown of rejoicing- 
 His remains were interred in the burying ground belong- 
 ing to the British factory at Lisbon; and a handsome 
 monument was erected by his congregation to his memo- 
 ry at Northampton. The news of his decease, though 
 expected, cast a gloom over many circles. His warm and 
 attached friend Dr. Stonhouse early communicated the 
 intelligence to Lady Huntingdon, who says, ''The death 
 of my dear lamented Doddridge has affected my heart in 
 a very uncommon manner, and I am often melted into 
 tears when I reflect upon his unspeakable loss to the 
 Church and the world." She bowed submissively to the 
 stroke, and felt that the event only formed a stronger in- 
 ducement to labour more earnestly for Christ, while her 
 life was daily prolonged. 
 
 The serenity and divine happiness, which Doddridge 
 
DEATH OF DR. OLIVER. 139 
 
 enjoyed in tlie prospect of death, formed a strange con- 
 trast to the condition of his friend and physician at Bath, 
 Dr. Oliver. He had acquired a large fortune by his 
 profession, but remained an infidel till within a short time 
 of his death. In his last illness, a strong conviction of the 
 truth took possession of his mind ; and Lady Huntingdon 
 said she never saw a person more thoroughly humbled, 
 distressed, and broken in heart. She visited him a few 
 days before lie died, when he deeply lamented his past 
 infidelity, and his zeal and success in seducing the minds 
 of others. '' ! that I could undo the mischief I have 
 done," he exclaimed, "I was more ardent to poison people 
 with the principles of irreligion and unbelief, than almost 
 any Christian can be to spread the doctrines of Christ." 
 ''Cheer up," replied her Ladyship, "Jesus, the great 
 sacrifice for sin, atoned for the sins of the second table as 
 well as for those of the first." ''God certainly cfw?," he 
 answered, " but I fear he never will pardon such a wretch 
 as I." " You may fear it at present," said Lady Hunting- 
 don, " but you and I shall most certainly meet each other 
 in heaven." The doctor exclaimed, " woman ! great is 
 thy faith ! my faith cannot believe that I shall ever be 
 there." Light soon after broke in upon him ; and he 
 departed praising God for his unspeakable grace. 
 
 The intelligence of the decease of Dr. Doddridge was 
 quickly followed by that of the death of Lord Boling- 
 broke. He had suffered severely from a cancer in the 
 cheek-bone, and unwisely relinquished the services of a 
 most accomplished surgeon for those of a notorious quack. 
 He died in an awful manner, December 15th, 1751. His 
 friendship for the Huntingdon family was sincere and 
 affectionate ; and to the day of his death, he expressed 
 his admiration of the talents of Lady Huntingdon, and 
 her devotedness to the cause of religion. He was seldom 
 in her society without conversing with her on some 
 religious topic, and always paid great attention to the 
 
140 ME MO IK OF LADY HUX-TINGDON. 
 
 remarks she made. On one occasion he asked, " Ilow 
 does your Ladyship reconcile prayer to God for particular 
 blessings, with absolute resignation to the divine will ? " 
 "Very easily," replied the Countess, "just as if I was to 
 offer a petition to a monarch, of whose kindness and 
 wisdom I have the highest opinion. In such a case my 
 language would be — ' I wish you to bestow on me such 
 a favour ; but your Majesty knows better than I how far 
 it would be agreeable to you, or right in itself to grant 
 my desire. I, therefore, content myself with humbly 
 presenting my petition, and leave the event of it entirely 
 to you.' " 
 
 His Lordship's family were on terms of great intimacy 
 with Lady Huntingdon. His second wife, the Marchio- 
 ness of Villetta, a woman of superior accomplishments, 
 and niece to the celebrated Madame de Maintenon, often 
 attended the preaching of Whitefield at her residence ; 
 but his only sister. Lady Luxborough, the patroness of 
 the poet Shenstone, could not be prevailed upon to listen 
 to the glad tidings of the gospel. Her time was complete- 
 ly occupied with poets and literary acquaintances ; and 
 she passed her life amid the exciting scenes of fashiona- 
 ble society, and gave no attention to the concerns of her 
 soul. Lady Huntingdon took a deep interest in her wel- 
 fare, and often attempted to direct her thoughts to the 
 serious consideration of religion. " Of Lord Bolingbroke 
 and the Marchioness," she says, "I sometimes have a 
 hope ; they attend with such regularity, and hear with 
 such apparent attention." Her hope, however, was never 
 realized. Lord Bolingbroke gave orders that none of the 
 clergy should be permitted to trouble him in his last mo- 
 ments, and died in the deistical principles which he had 
 always avowed. His sister died a few years after ; and 
 Lady Huntingdon deeply lamented her end. " Unhappy 
 woman! how insensible has she been to the many 
 alarmino: calls of Providence which she lias received from 
 
WORKS OF LORD BOLINGBEOKE. 14:1 
 
 time to time. Siicli repeated deaths in her family, the 
 awful end of her brother, Lord Bolingbroke, made no 
 impression on her; and she left this world, as she had 
 always lived, intoxicated with the vanity of her numer- 
 ous accomplishments and literary acquirements." 
 
 Two years after the death of Lord Bolingbroke, his 
 works were published by David Mallet, a determined in- 
 fidel, and a man of worthless character, who had ingra- 
 tiated himself into his favour by infamously blackening 
 the memory of Pope. Lady Huntingdon was well aware 
 of the character of the writings of the deceased noble- 
 man, and made some fruitless attempts to prevent their 
 publication. She wrote to Mr. Mallet, and used her in- 
 fluence with Lord Chesterfield and others, to try if possi- 
 ble to suppress what she knew would prove so detrimen- 
 tal to society. His works were refuted by a number of 
 learned men. Bishops Clayton and AYarburton, and Dr. 
 L eland entered the lists against him; and Mr. Hervey 
 dedicated to Lady Fanny Shirley his answer to the attack 
 on religion contained in the '^ Study and Use of History.^'' 
 Dr. Johnson pronounced this memorable verdict on the 
 noble author, and his editor, " Sir, he was a scoundrel and 
 a coward ; a scoundrel, for charging a blunderbuss 
 against religion and morality; a coward, because he had 
 31 ot resolution to fire it off himself, but left half-a-crown 
 to a beggarly Scotchman to draw the trigger after his 
 death!" 
 
 Lady Huntingdon spent the early part of 1752 in Lon- 
 don, where her residence was crowded by the nobility and 
 the poor to hear the gospel. Her eldest daughter. Lady 
 Elizabeth Hastings, had been betrothed to Baron Rawdon, 
 afterwards first Earl of Moira, and was in this year uni- 
 ted to him. He was cousin-german to the Countess ; and 
 at the death of the young Earl of Huntingdon in 1789 
 obtained possession of the baronies connected with her 
 
142 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Ladyship's family. The Duchess of Somerset, writing to 
 a friend, sstjs : — 
 
 ''Lady Eawdon's marriage has given unmingled satisfac- 
 tion to all her family and friends, and Lady Huntingdon 
 tells me she is extremely happy and contented. I rejoice 
 at this, not only on her account, but on account of her 
 worthy mother, who has certainly done her duty by her, 
 and fulfilled her trust with the most scrupulous fidelity. 
 Lady Selina is a great comfort to her, and is a most ami- 
 able, pious, and affectionate character. What an affliction 
 is Lord Huntingdon's dislike to religion ! and what have 
 not my Lords Chesterfield and Bolingbroke to answer for? 
 but he is most attentive, respectful, and kind to Lady 
 Huntingdon. This is some consolation; and we may 
 hope, that in the course of time, her example, and the 
 excellent advice which he has received, may have their 
 full weight of influence on his character. He is a most 
 interesting, elegant, and accomplished young nobleman, 
 and very likely to make some figure in the world. He 
 was much affected at the death of Miss Hotham, to whom 
 he is said to have been greatly attached ; but of this I 
 cannot speak with certainty, as Lady Huntingdon has 
 never mentioned it to me." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon shortly after, retired to Bristol and 
 Bath, where she was joined by Whitefield, who had lately 
 returned from America. He arrived at Bath, June 22nd, 
 and remained three weeks, preaching every evening to 
 large numbers of the nobility. He here first became 
 acquainted with Mrs. Grinfield, a lady who waited on 
 Queen Caroline, and who had been awakened through the 
 instrumentality of Lady Huntingdon. The Countess was 
 acquainted with Beau Nash, the celebrated Master of the 
 Ceremonies at Bath, who sometimes conversed with her 
 on religious subjects, and was once prevailed upon to 
 hear Whitoficld at her house. Ho was com2;ratulatod on 
 
BEAU NASH. 143 
 
 his conversion by his gay associates, who rallied him on 
 his turning Methodist. Verses were written on her Lady- 
 ship and Nash, and were fastened to the walls of the 
 pump-room and the assembly-room; and printed notices 
 were circulated in every direction, announcing that ''the 
 Countess of Huntingdon, attended by some saintly sister, 
 purposed preaching at the pump-room the following 
 morning, and that Mr Nash, henceforth to be known as 
 the Bev. Richard Nash, was expected to preach in the 
 evening at the assembly-room." It was hoped that the 
 audience would be numerous, as a collection was intended 
 for the late Master of the Ceremonies, on his retirement 
 from office. This affair gave great offence to Beau Nash ; 
 he never could be prevailed upon to go to Lady Hunting- 
 don's house again ; and he passed his old age in vice and 
 pleasure, and trembled when he saw the approach of death, 
 in the eighty-seventh year of his age, 1761. Whitefield 
 spent four days at Bristol, and then journeyed through the 
 Welsh circuit : and in the space of a fortnight, travelled 
 three hundred miles, and preached twenty times to very 
 large congregations. Lady Huntingdon continued her 
 residence at Bath for a considerable time, and employed 
 her talents and opportunities in promoting the interests 
 of religion. 
 
 At this period Mr. Hervey was much occupied with his 
 admirable work entitled '' Theron and AspasioJ^ He had 
 submitted the manuscript pages to Whitefield, and asked 
 his opinion of them ; who says, " For me to play the 
 critic on them would be like holding up a candle to the 
 sun." Lady Huntingdon was an ardent admirer of the 
 writings of Mr. Hervey. She had read his ''Meditations''' 
 with great pleasure and profit, and had much enjoyed 
 his society, and his spiritual conversation at her house. 
 Anything, therefore, which came from his pen would bo 
 perused by her with attention and delight. He wrote a 
 long letter to her Ladyship, in which he says : — 
 
144 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 " Your Ladyship is pleased to express a wish that I 
 should proceed without delay in finishing my intended 
 work. Be assured your wishes. Madam, have all the 
 force of a command with me. I send you the first four 
 dialogues, beseeching you to peruse them, not with the 
 partiality of a friend, but the severity of a critic. The 
 like request I have made to others, and have received 
 their friendly corrections. I am deeply sensible of my 
 own deficiencies, and in order, therefore, to render my 
 work, if possible, fit for public view — meet for the Mas- 
 ter's use — I shall feel obliged by any corrections and 
 improvements which your pen may make. Your Lady- 
 ship is at liberty to show the manuscript to whom you 
 please. Your remarks and those of your friends, may 
 supply the sterility of my invention, and the poverty of 
 my language." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon took a deep interest in the progress 
 and success of the work. She showed the manuscript to 
 her most distinguished acquaintances, and discussed its 
 merits with those ministers and friends who met at her 
 residence. The opinions expressed were diversified. 
 Some admired his style of writing, to which others 
 objected, as too florid and laboured ; though all admitted 
 that the doctrines expounded were vital truths of Chris- 
 tianity, except Mr. Hartley, who objected to the doctrine 
 of the imputed righteousness of Christ, and gave it as his 
 opinion, that it would be better to suppress, than to 
 publish the work. Mr. Hervey wished to obtain permis- 
 sion to dedicate the work to Lady Huntingdon, but she 
 declined the honor ; and, in a letter to her, he says : — 
 
 '' Accept my thanks for taking the trouble of perusing 
 my very imperfect manuscript, and my grateful acknowl- 
 edgments for the improving touches and remarks you 
 have made, as well as for those of your highly valuable 
 friends and acquaintances. The corrections you have 
 
MR. hervey's letters. 14:5 
 
 done me tlie honour to transmit will be exceedingly 
 beneficial to tbe work, and render it more acceptable to 
 the public in general. But I confess I feel disappointed 
 at your Ladyship's declining to patronize the public 
 attempt of my pen ; nevertheless your observations are so 
 sensible and just, and carry with them so much weight, 
 that I cannot think of pressing the matter on your 
 attention, further than to solicit your prayers for the 
 success of the undertaking, and for the unworthy author." 
 
 During his stay in London, Mr. Hervey had preached 
 several times at the residence of Lady Fanny Shirley, 
 with whom he maintained an uninterrupted correspond- 
 ence until his death. He became a great favourite with 
 her Ladyship, and obtained her consent to dedicate his 
 new work to her. Through her influence, it was intro- 
 duced to the notice of Eoyalty : for he says, " I should 
 never have been known to such grand personages, if you 
 had not condescended to introduce me. My name bad 
 never been heard by a royal ear, if it had not received 
 some credit by your Ladyship's notice." It was at her 
 request Mr. Hervey drew up his "Letter^'' containing his 
 remarks on Lord Bolingbroke's "Letters on the Study and 
 Use of History,''^ which was addressed to her Ladyship. 
 
 In December 1752, Lady Huntingdon changed her 
 residence to Clifton, where Charles Wesley had lately 
 fixed his abode, after his- marriage with the daughter of 
 M. Gwynne, Esq., of Garth. Mrs. Wesley was a lady of 
 good sense, piety, and agreeable accomplishments ; with 
 whom Lady Huntingdon formed an intimate friendship, 
 which continued till her death. Mr. C. Wesley was often 
 at her house, where he frequently preached and adminis- 
 tered the sacrament to many distinguished persons. 
 AVhitefield was, at this time, in the midst of his labours 
 in London, though he still kept up his regular corres- 
 pondence with the Countess. He was constantly engaged 
 
 13 
 
146 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 at the residence of Lady Fanny Shirley, in South Audley- 
 Street; preaching the gospel and administering the sacra- 
 ment. His Tabernacle at Moorfields was crowded, and 
 was far too small to accommodate the persons who 
 flocked to it. During his visit to Ashby, Lady Hunting- 
 don suggested to him the erection of a larger edifice, to 
 which she promised to contribute, and to use her influence 
 with her friends to secure their support. Lady Fanny 
 Shirley now joined in urging, that active steps should be 
 immediately taken to carry out the design. Whitefield 
 yielded to their entreaties, and commenced the prepara- 
 tions : though he determined not to begin the building 
 till a sufficient sum had been collected. He says in a 
 letter, dated February 9th, 1753, ''It would have pleased 
 your Ladyship to have seen how willingly the people 
 gave last Lord's day. At seven in the morning we 
 ■collected fifty pounds, in the evening one hundred and 
 twenty-six. Blessed be God, we have now near nine 
 hundred pounds in hand." Lady Huntingdon contributed 
 handsomely towards its erection ; in fact her generosity 
 sometimes required curbing, as she had been greatly 
 imposed upon by designing persons under the ostensible 
 purpose of promoting the conversion of the Jews. Her 
 chaplain wrote to her, " Your Ladyship wants a bridle 
 rather than a spur." The foundation stone was laid, 
 March 1st, 1753, when Whitefield preached to a crowded 
 assembly. The new Tabernacle was so much larger than 
 the old, that the congregation was able to assemble in 
 the original structure while the walls Avere being built 
 around it„ The building was rapidly reared, and on the 
 10th of the following June, it was opened for divine 
 service, ^lore than five thousand persons crowded to 
 the place, to whom Whitefield preached with his accus- 
 tomed eloquence and power. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon continued at Clifton till the latter 
 end of this year, and intended to visit Bath as soon as the 
 
TABERNACLE AT BRISTOL. 147 
 
 Tabernacle at Bristol liad been opened. After preaching 
 a short time in his new Tabernacle in London, Whitefield 
 set out on an excursion to Scotland. He preached to 
 great numbers in JSTorthamptoD shire and Leicestershire, 
 and met with much success in Yorkshire. At Eotherham 
 he was gratified by the kind reception he received from 
 those who formerly had been his bitter persecutors, but 
 had been converted through his ministrations. After 
 three months' incessant labour, preaching often to ten 
 and twenty thousand persons, he returned to London. 
 His stay, however, was short ; and he set out for Stafford- 
 shire, and itinerated in the neighboring counties. Every 
 resting place was a preaching station; and amid much 
 opposition and not a few dangers, he proclaimed the glad 
 tidings of salvation wherever he went. His Tabernacle 
 at Bristol was nearly completed, and he anxiously 
 awaited the time when it could be publicly dedicated to 
 the service of the Lord. The building was at length 
 finished ; and on the 25th of November, 1753, he opened 
 this spacious chapel, and preached to crowded congrega- 
 tions. He says : — 
 
 '^On Sunday I opened the new Tabernacle. It is large 
 but not half large enough ; would the place contain them, 
 I believe nearly as many would attend as in London.^ ^ * 
 On Tuesday, at seven in the evening, I preached in the 
 open air to a great multitude ; all was hushed and exceed- 
 ingly solemn ; the stars shone bright ; and then, if ever, 
 b}^ an eye of faith I saw Him who called them all by 
 their names. My soul was filled with a holy ambition, 
 and I longed to be one of those who shall shine as the 
 stars for ever and ever My hands and body, at this and 
 at other times, were pierced with cold ; but what are out- 
 ward things when the soul is warmed with the love of 
 God." 
 
 Whitefield also preached in his brother's large house to 
 the nobility, who were induced to attend through the in- 
 
148 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 flaence of Lady Huntingdon. Shortly after the dedica- 
 tion^ her Ladyship retired to Bath; but she quickly 
 hastened back to Bristol to attend Mrs. Charles Wesley 
 in an alarming and infectious disorder. Her devoted- 
 ness and kindness, could not be restrained by fear ; her 
 love grew warmer in the presence of danger ; and lier 
 soul panted for an opportunity of displaying lier tender 
 care and anxious solicitude for those in sorrow or afflic- 
 tion. The Countess possessed, and on many occasions 
 displayed, true heroism ; not that whicb sparkles on the 
 battle field, and is paraded before the world ; but that 
 wbich, unseen by men, braves a thousand dangers and 
 obstacles, and defies the sarcasms of the rich and mighty, 
 in attempting to direct the soul to God, to peace, and to 
 heaven. 
 
ILLNESS OF WESLEY. 149 
 
 CEAPTEK IX. A. D. 1751—1753. 
 
 ILLNESS OF JOHN WESLEY AND MRS. C. WESLEY. — LADY 
 HUNTINGDON IN YORKSHIRE. — AWFUL OCCURRENCE. — 
 HER LABOURS IN LONDON, ASHBY, AND YORKSHIRE. — 
 DEATH OF LADY ANNE HASTINGS. — WHITEFIELD AT 
 DONNINGTON PARK. — TABERNACLE AT NORWICH. — REV. 
 W. ROMAINE APPOINTED HER CHAPLAIN. — THE COUN- 
 TESS AT BATH. — MEETING OF THE CLERGY AT HER 
 HOUSE. — LONG-ACRE AND TOTTENHAM COURT CHAPELS. 
 SHUTER THE COMEDIAN. — LADY HUNTINGDON VISITS 
 BRIGHTON. — THE WOMEN'S COTTAGE -MEETING. — JOSEPH 
 WALL THE BLACKSMITH. — DEATH OF HENRY HASTINGS. 
 
 During tlie year 1753, Mr. JoTin Wesley had laboured 
 so diligently, and travelled so much, that he greatly im- 
 paired his constitution. On his return to London, from 
 a tour in the Isle of Wight, he was repeatedly attacked 
 with violent colds ; which produced such painful results, 
 as to threaten his life. By the advice of Dr. Fothergill, 
 he retired, early in October, to Lewisham, for the benefit 
 of rest and country air: where he was so thoroughly 
 prostrated, that his life was despaired of. He there wrote 
 his own Epitaph, as he says, " to prevent vile panegyric ; " 
 and Whitefield in a letter expressed his fear "that shortly 
 John Wesley will be no more, as the physicians think 
 his disease is a rapid consumption." Charles Wesley 
 hurried to London to visit his brother, and preach in his 
 chapels ; and while thus engaged, received the mournful 
 intelligence that his wife had been seized with the small- 
 pox. His situation was exceedingly painful ; the death 
 
 16* 
 
150 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 of liis brother was daily expected ; the congregations 
 could not be left unprovided for ; and bis beart longed to 
 see and console bis beloved partner. Lady Huntingdon 
 immediately came from Batb ; and, at tbe risk of losing 
 ber own life, by tbat disease wbicb bad made sucb rava- 
 ges in ber family, sbe attended Mrs. Wesley tbrougbout 
 ber illness. 
 
 Wbitefield was tben at Bristol, and wrote a sympa- 
 tbizing letter to Cbarles Wesley. "Now is tbe time," be 
 says, '' to prove tbe strength of Jesus yours. A wife, a 
 friend, a brother ill together ! Well ! this is our comfort — 
 all things shall work together for good to those that love 
 God." He also wrote to John AVesley, and expressed bow 
 deeply be felt tbe affliction which God bad placed upon 
 him. ''If seeing you so weak, when leaving London, 
 distressed me, tbe news and prospect of your approaching 
 dissolution bath quite weighed me down. I pity myself 
 and the Church, but not you. A radiant throne awaits 
 you, and ere long you will enter your Master's joy. 
 Yonder be stands with a massy crown, ready to put it on 
 your bead, amidst an admiring throng of saints and 
 angels." He set off to London the next day to relieve 
 Charles Wesley, and enable him to see his beloved wife, 
 before the disease had accomplished its deadly work. 
 She remained in imminent danger for twenty-two days. 
 He rode down to visit her twice ; and during the interval 
 of bis visits, bis first child, a lovely boy scarcely two 
 years old, took the infection from the mother, and was 
 buried before the father returned again. Some of his 
 funeral hymns were composed on this occasion, and de- 
 scribe tbe feelings of bis beart at tbe affecting circum- 
 stance. Lady Huntingdon was unremitting in ber atten- 
 tion to tbe bereaved lady; and ber cheerful and encou- 
 raging conversation greatly stimulated and refreshed the 
 mind of tbe sufferer. Wbitefield was very much afraid 
 her Ladyship would injure ber own health by ber close 
 
LADY HUNTINGDON IN YORKSHIRE. 151 
 
 attendance in tlie sick room. In a letter to her, dated 
 December 15th, he says, ''I am yet kept in suspense about 
 Mrs. Wesley, and have been much concerned lest, by 
 intense sympathy, your Ladyship should contract an 
 illness yourself. But you have long since learnt that as 
 your day is, so your strength shall be. I pray the Lord 
 of all lords to lengthen out your important life, and to 
 make you ten thousand times more useful than ever, long 
 after my worthless head is laid in the silent grave." ISTot 
 long after this, a letter from Lady Huntingdon announced 
 the pleasing intelligence, that Mrs. Wesley was pro- 
 nounced out of danger by her physician, who entertained 
 sanguine hopes of her speedy restoration. John Wesley 
 also was rapidly recovering; and Whitefield joined 
 heartily in the public thanks which were offered at the 
 Tabernacle for their restoration to health. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon spent the summer of 1754 at Ashby- 
 de-la-Zouch, where she was visited by Mr. Ingham, who 
 preached frequently in the neighbourhood during his 
 stay. Whitefield had embarked with twenty-two poor 
 destitute orphans for America, where he remained a year, 
 attending to the affairs of his Bethesda, and preaching 
 the gospel to the negroes, and to the large cities in the 
 States. Lady Huntingdon returned with Mr. Ingham to 
 Aberford, and passed some delightful weeks in the com- 
 pany of her excellent sister-in-law. Lady Margaret, and 
 in revisiting those spots where she had once witnessed 
 the triumphs of the gospel. She had occasionally ac- 
 companied her chaplain in his excursions into Yorkshire, 
 and was highly delighted with the magnificent spectacle, 
 which the assembled thousands presented. The prayers 
 were then generally read in the church ; a scaffold was 
 erected in the churchyard, on which the preacher stood ; 
 and the Lord's Supper was administered after the dis- 
 course to as many as the church would contain, and was 
 repeated till all had communicated. On one of these oc- 
 
152 MEMOIR OF LADY UUXTIXGDOX. 
 
 casions, "VTliitefield mounted tlie scafibld to address a very 
 large assembly. He silently prayed for a few minutes ; 
 then glanced at the people, and fervently implored the 
 divine blessing to rest upon them. "With deep solemnity 
 he announced the text, "It is appointed unto men once to 
 die, but after this the judgment." After a short pause, 
 he was about to proceed, when a wild terrifying shriek 
 issued from the centre of the congregation. Alarm 
 seized the assembled multitude ; Whitefield stopped ; and 
 Mr. Grimshaw hastened to the spot. He soon after 
 pressed through the crowd to the scaffold, and cried out 
 with a voice, rendered peculiarly impressive by the in- 
 tensity of his feelings, " Brother "Whitefield ! you stand 
 amongst the dead and the dying — an immortal soul has 
 been called into eternity — the destroying angel is pass- 
 ing over the congregation. Cry aloud, and spare not ! 
 The awful occurrence was made known to the people ; 
 and after a few moments' silence, Whitefield once more 
 announced his text. Again a loud piercing cry proceeded 
 from the spot where Lady Huntingdon and Lady Margaret 
 Inscham were standino^. A thrill of horror ran throuo;h 
 the assembly, when it was announced that a second per- 
 son had fallen a victim to the king of terrors. It was 
 some time before the consternation had suf&ciently sub- 
 sided to enable Whitefield to proceed with his sermon. 
 At length all was hushed by the solemn music of his 
 voice ; a death-like stillness pervaded the assembly ; and 
 when he poured out his streams of impassionate eloquence 
 in warnins: the careless sinner to flee from the wrath to 
 come, the entire mass of the people seemed overpowered, 
 and surrendered themselves to the influence of the truth. 
 The Countess continued for some time at Aberford, and 
 thence proceeded to London. ''I was surprised," says 
 the Duchess of Somerset, " to meet Lady Huntingdon on 
 the road last Saturday fortnight ; she was on her way to 
 London, but her coach drove by so fast that I had only 
 
DEATH OF LADY A N X E II A S T I X G S . 153 
 
 time to send Lomas after her with mj compliments ; she 
 seemed to me to look as well as ever I saw her." Here 
 she remained during the winter, zealously employed in 
 gathering around her the noble and the rich to hear the 
 gospel, and in fostering the spirit of unity among the de- 
 voted ministers of Christ. She was extremely anxious 
 on behalf of those who had been impressed with the 
 truth ; and watched over them with great solicitude, lest 
 the sneers of friends, or the gaieties of the world, should 
 obliterate the impressions, and destroy the good which 
 had been effected. She was a true mother in Israel, and 
 divided her attention equally between the rich and the 
 poor. To save a soul was an object worthy of her ambi- 
 tion; and one which amply compensated for the time, 
 talents, and substance she consecrated to the service of 
 the Lord. Thousands will bless God for her kindness to 
 their souls, as thousands, during her life, blessed her for 
 the temporal gifts she bestowed upon them. 
 
 In May 1755, Whitefield returned to England, and on 
 his arrival at London found that Lady Huntingdon had 
 left the metropolis for Ashby. He was highly gratified 
 by receiving from her Ladyship a liberal donation for 
 his Bethesda, and by the intelligence that so many had 
 been stirred up to preach a crucified Saviour during his 
 absence. Mr. Ingham again visited her Ladyship at 
 Ashby, and preached at her house, and in the neighbor- 
 hood, to numerous con2:re£rations. On his return to 
 Yorkshire, she accompanied him, and visited most of the 
 societies in the vicinity of Aberford. During her stay in 
 Yorkshire, a general meeting of preachers was held at 
 "Winewall, when some interesting points of doctrine and 
 church government were discussed, and Mr. Ingham was 
 appointed the general overseer of the societies. Her 
 Ladyship, therefore, henceforth styled him '' The Bishop.'''' 
 She was far from approving many of the rules and 
 regulations adopted by the conference, and attempted to 
 
154 MEMOIR OF LADY II U N T I N G D O X . 
 
 effect a lauiou with the followers of Wesley. After she 
 left; she induced Whitefield, when in the north, to confer 
 with Messrs. Ingham, Grimshaw, and the Wesleys on the 
 subject. Charles Wesley assented to the proposal, but 
 his brother decidedly objected to it ; and the line of 
 demarcation gradually became so much broader, that the 
 attempt to unite the Ingliamites with the Methodists was 
 not renewed. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was now bereaved of her sister-in- 
 law, Lady Anne Hastings, who was removed to her 
 eternal rest after a short illness, July 1st, 1755, in the 
 sixty-fifth year of her age. Lady Anne had been a most 
 valuable assistant to the Countess in her benevolent 
 exertions. She united with her in visiting the poor, and 
 directing them to Christ ; she was her constant attendant 
 in sickness, and greatly cheered her by the simplicity of 
 her faith, the happiness of her heart, and the foretastes 
 of heaven which filled her with peace and joy. Whitefield 
 heard of her death at Bristol, and wrote a sympathizing 
 letter to the Countess. He says, '' I heard of the death 
 of good Lady Anne, and was glad to find that Miss 
 Wheeler bore the news of it with so much composure. 
 Alas I how many has 3^our Ladyship lived to see go 
 before you 1 An earnest this, I hope, that you are to 
 live to a good old age, and be more and more a mother 
 in Israel. A short, but sweet character." 
 
 The Countess spent a few months at Donnington Park, 
 while the Earl was at Bath. She was here visited by her 
 chaplain on his way into Yorkshire, and delighted to 
 renew her acquaintance with her poor friends. She 
 recommenced her little meetings, and embraced every 
 opportunity of directing the soul to the Lord Jesus. 
 Whitefield enjoyed his visit to the old family mansion, 
 and in a letter to her Ladyship, dated September 24:th, 
 says, " A sense of the satisfaction I felt when at Donning- 
 ton still lies upon my heart. Surely were I not called 
 
MR. WHEAT LEY. 155 
 
 out to public work, waiting upon and administering to 
 your Ladj^sliip in the lioly offices would be my choice 
 and liigliest privilege." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was at tins time greatly interested in 
 the religious condition of Norwich. Towards the end of 
 1751, a gentleman slowly rode into the city, and stopped 
 before one of the inns, where he asked a soldier on guard, 
 if he knew any religious people in the city. It was the 
 Rev. James Wheatley, who had been a popular preacher 
 in Wesley's societies. The soldier conducted him to a 
 little band of puritans, with whom this minister commen- 
 ced his labours. His first sermon was preached under 
 the trees on Tomb-land, and his second at the Felon's 
 Gate, Castle Hill. He soon created great excitement, 
 and, drew upon himself the bitter hostility of many. 
 Finding it impossible to preach in the open air, he 
 erected a temporary building, which he called the Taber- 
 nacle. This, however, only increased the persecuting 
 spirit of the people. The windows were broken ; the 
 chapel was completely unroofed, and Mr. "Wheatley was 
 publicly insulted. They once drew him from the chapel, 
 stripped him, and hurried him to one of the bridges to 
 drown him, where he was mercifully rescued by the 
 mayor. His life was frequently in danger from the fury 
 of the mobs ; and he was often dragged by the hair of his 
 head through the streets of the city. His preaching, 
 however, was very successful ; many of the most profli- 
 gate and abandoned characters became reformed ; and he 
 succeeded in gathering a considerable society. The 
 manner in which he bore the persecutions of his enemies 
 turned the tide in his favour ; and his friends began to 
 erect the noble and spacious chapel, which still retains 
 the name of the former building, " The Tabernacle.^'' 
 Whitefield spent a few days in Norwich in April 1753, 
 and preached to very large crowds of people, notwith- 
 standing the opposition he experienced. Through his 
 
156 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 representations, Lady Huntingdon contributed a band- 
 some sum towards the erection of the New Tabernacle, 
 and was glad to see the gospel triumphing in that dark 
 and profligate city. 
 
 The fair prospect of success was soon blighted by the 
 conduct of Mr. Wheatley, who was obliged to leave the 
 city for a time under very distressing circumstances. Mr. 
 and Mrs. C. Wesley and his brother arrived there at this 
 critical period, and found the whole city in an uproar 
 respecting the late minister. "The people," says Wesley, 
 " are so scandalized and exasperated that they are ready 
 to rise and tear him to pieces." John Wesley soon left 
 the i^lace, but Charles preached in the open air to many 
 thousands. " At night," he says, " I had multitudes of 
 the great, vulgar, and the small to hear me, w4th three 
 justices, and nine clergymen." He rented a large brew- 
 house, and rapidly formed a society in Norwich, though 
 he was frequently mobbed and disturbed, and his wife 
 hooted at by the rabble. Before Whitefield visited Don- 
 nington Park in 1755, Lady Huntingdon requested him 
 to open the Kew Tabernacle at Norwich. He repaired 
 thither early in August, and attracted an unusual crowxl 
 to hear him. The design of his preaching in this city 
 was misrepresented, by some malicious persons, to John 
 Wesley, who sternly remonstrated with him for having 
 intruded on the scene of his labours. Whitefield thus 
 wrote to Wesley, dated Norwich, August 9th. 
 
 " Till Tuesday evening, I knew no more of coming to 
 Norwich than the child unborn. Had I been well enough^ 
 and my private business permitted, I should have been 
 some miles in my way towards Donnington Park. This 
 I told Mr. Hartley, and acquainted him with every step ; 
 he should have written himself, and not retailed our con- 
 versation. As I expect to be in town some time next 
 week, I choose to defer writing more till we have a per- 
 
WILLIAM RO MAINE. 157 
 
 sonal interview. My time is too precious to be employed 
 hearkening to, or vindicating myself against, the false 
 and invidious insinuations of narrow and low-life in- 
 formers. Never was I more satisfied of my call to any 
 place, than of my present call to ISTorwich. The Ee- 
 deomer knows the way that I take. I came hither purely 
 for his glory, without the least design to make a party 
 for myself, or to please or to displease any other party 
 whatsoever. In this way, and in this spirit, through his 
 divine assistance, I hope to go on. Blessed be his name; 
 I trust my feeble labours have not been in vain. Sin, 1 
 hope, hath been prevented, errors detected, sinners con- 
 victed, saints edified, and my own soul sweetly re- 
 freshed." 
 
 It was at the request of Colonel and Mrs, Galatin, who 
 had been for some time at Norwich, and had formed an 
 intimacy with many of the religious people there, that 
 Lady Huntingdon sent her chaplain to preach at the dedi- 
 cation of the Tabernacle. The chapel was supplied by 
 several ministers, chiefly in connexion with Whitefield, 
 till the year 1758, when John Wesley rented it of Mr. 
 Wheatley for a few years ; and it afterwards came into 
 the possession of Lady Huntingdon. 
 
 It was about this period, the Countess took under her 
 protection a celebrated metropolitan preacher, by appoint- 
 ing him one of her chaplains. "William Romaine was the 
 son of a French refugee, who had been driven from his 
 country by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. He 
 had for a long time occupied a high position in London, 
 where he was almost the only minister in the Church of 
 England who preached the distinguishing doctrines of the 
 gospel of Christ. He had filled the of&ce of chaplain to 
 the Lord Mayor of London with great satisfaction to his 
 friend, Sir D. Lambert ; attacked the theory of Warhurton's 
 Divine Legation of Moses ; issued an elaborate edition of 
 
 14 
 
158 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. ' 
 
 Oalasto's Sebrew Concordance and Lexicon ; and faithfully | 
 discharged his duties as lecturer in two of the city 
 churches. He held a lectureship at St. Dunstan's in the i 
 West, and was appointed assistant morning-preacher at 
 St. George's, Hanover Square. In these two churches, . 
 he preached the gospel with great simplicity and boldness. | 
 His voice, his manner, and especially the truths he ' 
 declared, attracted the attention of the people. He read j 
 his sermons with an energy and a pathos which power- ; 
 fully impressed his hearers. His fame, therefore, spread ' 
 far and wide ; St. George's church was crowded with i 
 attentive audiences ; the parishioners complained that i 
 they were incommoded ; the neighbouring clergy were • 
 jealous of his popularity and opposed him ; and in ' 
 September, 1755, the rector was induced to dismiss him, j 
 because, like the Apostle Paul, Eomaine '' determined to 
 know nothing among men save Jesus Christ and him , 
 crucified." He was turned out of St. George's church ; ! 
 but reluctant to part with many friends, who were dear 
 to him, and who wished still to profit by his labours, he 
 met them regularly at the house of Mr. Butcher. Lord : 
 Northampton, who had married the Baroness Ferrars, a i 
 relative of Lady Huntingdon, was a great friend to 
 Komaine, and had often spoken of him to her Ladyship. -j 
 To shelter this eminent minister from persecution, she \ 
 invited him to her house, gave him her scarf, and secured ■ 
 his services to preach to the nobility in her drawing ! 
 rooms, the poor in her kitchen, and in the numerous ; 
 chapels which she ultimately erected in various parts of 
 the country. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon passed the winter at Bath, in the \ 
 midst of a large circle of friends. Lady Gertrude Hoth- : 
 am had been there during the summer, and was visited | 
 by Lords Chesterfield and Huntingdon, Mr. Stanhope, 
 Mrs. Bevan, and Mrs. Grinfield ; and Whitcfield had 
 
LONG ACRE eHAi'KL. 159 
 
 frequently preached there at the residence of Lady Ger- 
 trude and Mrs. Bevan to large audiences of the nobility. 
 Lady Huntingdon immediately commenced her labours 
 to further the interests of true religion. On her last 
 visit to this city, she had invited to her house a number 
 of the neighbouring evangelical clergy, to consult upon 
 the best means to be adopted to secure a wider circulation 
 of divine truth throughout the kingdom, and especially 
 in their respective cures. In the month of January, 1756, 
 the invitation was repeated, and the following band of 
 zealous ministers met at her house : — the Eevs. Messrs. 
 Chapman, vicar, and Brown, curate of Bradford ; Hart, 
 curate of Warminster; Johnston, curate of Cirencester; 
 Eawlings, vicar of Padstow ; Hill, rector of Tavistock ; 
 and a few others. During their stay, they frequently 
 preached to numerous audiences ; and their sermons were 
 listened to with great attention, and made useful to many. 
 Her own spirit was much refreshed by these meetings, 
 which she continued for a number of years ; and her 
 clerical friends Avere accustomed to hail her arrival at 
 Bath as a time of peculiar pleasure and profit to them. 
 She was thus enabled to stimulate the faith and zeal of 
 these devoted ministers of Christ ; and they returned to 
 their duties with a stronger determination to devote them- 
 selves to their sacred calling, and to make everything 
 subservient to the one grand object of winning souls to 
 Christ. 
 
 Meanwhile AYhitefield was breaking up fresh ground 
 in London. Long Acre Chapel had been for some time 
 used as a Dissenting place of worship ; and Whitefield 
 was requested to preach there twice a week, and use the 
 Liturgy. Regarding the offer as a providential call, he 
 readily complied with the request; and commenced 
 preaching there, December 23rd, 1755. A violent storm 
 of persecution soon burst over him. Some soldiers united 
 with the rabble, and raised a terrible clamour during the 
 
160 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 service with a copper-furnace, bells, drums, and clappers ; 
 and a mob collected round the door, and assaulted the 
 preacher and his congregation. Whitefield applied to the 
 magistrates for protection, and wrote to the Bishop of 
 Bangor, then Dean of Westminster, requesting his per- 
 mission to officiate in the chapel. The magistrates 
 silenced the mob for a time; but the Bishop prohibited 
 him from preaching there again. A long controversy 
 ensued; Whitefield continued his services; and the 
 Bishop's partizans co-operated with the rioters to put 
 down the eloquent minister. As the uproar increased, 
 Whitefield resolved to appeal to His Majesty ; for which 
 a letter was sent to him, threatening his life. By 
 the advice of Lady Huntingdon, he consulted the 
 Hon. Hume Campbell, an eminent solicitor, and occasion- 
 ally one of his audience ; who advised him to put all con- 
 cerned into the court of King's Bench. One effect of this 
 persecution was, to induce him to erect a permanent place 
 of worship at the west end of London. He thus writes 
 to Lady Huntingdon, May 2nd, 1756 : — 
 
 ''I suppose your Ladyship hath seen His Majesty's 
 promise of a pardon to any that will discover the letter- 
 writer ; and this brings your Ladyship the further news 
 of my having taken a piece of ground very commodious to 
 build on, not far from the Foundling Hospital. On Sun- 
 day I opened the subscription, and through God's bless- 
 ing, it hath already amounted to near six hundred pounds. 
 If he is pleased to continue to smile upon my poor 
 endeavours, and to open the hearts of some more of his 
 dear children to contribute, I hope in a few months to 
 have what hath been long wanted — a place for the gospel at 
 the other end of the town. This evening, God willing, 
 I venture once more to preach at Long Acre. The enemy 
 boasts that I am frightened away ; but the triumph of the 
 wicked is short. Our people Sir Hume Campbell, Mr. 
 
S H U T E R THE COMEDIAN. 161 
 
 Madan, &c., are all for bri aging the rioters to tlie King's 
 bench, and, perhaps, upon the whole, it may be best. 
 Lord Jesus, direct my goings in thy way ! " 
 
 Tbe foundation stone of Tottenham- Court Chapel was 
 laid, with great solemnity, in the beginning of May, 
 1756, when Whiteiield Avas assisted by three celebrated 
 Dissenting ministers, Dr. Grosvenor, Dr. Gibbons, and 
 Dr. Gifford, who occasionally preached for him at the 
 Tabernacle. It was his intention to place this chapel 
 under the protection of Lady Iluntingdon ; and he took 
 some steps to accomplish it. He wrote to her from Lon- 
 don, June 4:th : — 
 
 "In hopes of seeing your Ladyship, I hastened to 
 Bristol, but found you had been in London whilst I was 
 there. Sorry was I for the occasion of your Ladyship's 
 journey, and yet glad to hear that Master Hastings was 
 so well recovered. * * * "We liave consulted the Com- 
 mons about putting it under your Ladyship's protection. 
 This is the answer : — 'No nobleman can license a chapel, 
 or in any manner have one, but in his dwelling house ; 
 that the chapel must be a private one, and not with doors 
 to the street for any person to resort to at pleasure, for 
 then it becomes a public one ; that a chapel cannot be 
 built and used as such, without the consent of the parson 
 of the parish, and when it is done with his consent, no 
 minister can preach therein, without license of the 
 Bishop of the diocese.' There seems then to be but one 
 way — to license it as our other houses are ; and thanks 
 be to Jesus for that liberty which "we have." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon visited Donnington Park this sum- 
 mer, and then went to Clifton to her usual circle of 
 friends, and her accustomed sphere of usefulness. She 
 contributed liberally towards the erection of the new 
 chapel ; and AVhitefield embraced the opportunity, while 
 
 14- 
 
162 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 it was building, to itinerate in England and Scotland. 
 He returned to London ; and opened the spacious edifice 
 for divine worship, according to the forms of the Church 
 of England, November 7th, 1756. The chapel was soon 
 crowded, and many were induced to pay attention to the 
 claims of religion. A neighbouring doctor facetiously 
 termed it " WMtefielcVs soid-trajy,^^ as so many were there 
 convinced of sin, and brought to the feet of Jesus. 
 Among his frequent hearers was Shuter the Comedian, 
 then in the height of his reputation as the representative 
 of " BamhUy On one occasion, when Whitefield was 
 inviting sinners to come to the Saviour, he fixed his eye 
 on Shuter, who was seated in a pew exactly opposite the 
 pulpit, and said to him, "And thou poor Eamble, who 
 hast long rambled from Him, come thou also, and end 
 thy ramblings by coming to Jesus ! " Shuter was exceed- 
 ingly struck ; and after the service he came to White- 
 field, and said, '^I thought I should have fainted ; how 
 could you serve me so ? " This attractive actor was, at 
 one time deeply impressed with the truth, and often 
 regretted the part he had performed in life. He once 
 visited Lady Huntingdon in Bath, when he was perform- 
 ing in that city. Her Ladyship met him in the street ; and 
 though personally unknown to him, inquired after his 
 health, and invited him to her house. In a letter to Lady 
 Fanny Shirley she says : — 
 
 " I have had a visit from Shuter, the comedian, whom 
 I saw in the street, and asked to call on me. He was 
 wonderfully astonished when I announced my name. 
 We had much conversation ; but ho cannot give up his 
 profession for another more reputable. He spoke of Mr. 
 Whitefield with great affection, and with admiration of 
 his talents. He promised to come some other time, when 
 he had more leisure for conversation. Poor fellow! I 
 think he is not far from the kino-dom." 
 
AT BRIGHTON. |(]3 
 
 The attractions of his profession, however, soon nipped 
 the buds of promise, and dissipated the hopes which his 
 religious friends had fondly cherished. 
 
 The Tottenham-Court Chapel speedily became too 
 small to hold the crowds that flocked to it. Twelve alms- 
 houses and a chapel house were built in 1758 ; and in the 
 next year it was enlarged by the addition of an octangu- 
 lar front. Whitefield continued the sole minister for 
 many years, and then associated with himself Captain 
 Joss, whom he had persuaded to give up maratime pur- 
 suits for the service of the sanctuary, and whose thrilling 
 sermons attracted vast multitudes, and were very useful. 
 Eowland Hill was a great favourite at this chapel ; and 
 for more than fifty years, the Eev. Matthew Wilks 
 preached the gospel here, and at the Tabernacle. Daring 
 Whitefield's absence, the affairs were regulated by his 
 appointed managers, who invited to the pulpit many 
 ministers of zeal and piety, who were anxious to preach 
 Christ, and were acceptable to the people. We shall fre- 
 quently see the names of many distinguished men, in 
 connection with this place of worship, who were inti- 
 mately associated with Lady Huntingdon in the service 
 of Jesus Christ. 
 
 The Countess was much alarmed for the safety of her 
 fourth son, the Hon. Henry Hastings, who was in a very 
 delicate state of health ; and her chaplain feared that her 
 anxiety would bring upon herself an attack of the gout. 
 She was also deeply interested in the case of an unhappy 
 youth, belonging to an honorable family, who had been 
 convicted of some serious breach of the law, but had ob- 
 tained His Majesty's pardon, through the benevolent 
 exertions of the Countess. The young man appears to 
 have been greatly benefited by her kindness and advice. 
 Her liberality was also extended to some convicts, in 
 whose welfare Whitefield felt a lively interest. In a letter 
 to her, dated March 2nd, 1757, he says : — 
 
164 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON, 
 
 '' A few days ago I received the kind benefaction for 
 the unhappy convicts. Not doubting of success, I had 
 advanced some guineas which, with what hath been pro- 
 cured from other hands, hath bought both their liberties, 
 and they are provided for on the other side of the water ; 
 just now, I believe, they are under sail. O that he, who 
 I suppose will now receive a pardon, was alike favoured ! 
 But not many mighty, not many noble, are called. I 
 hope this will not find your Ladyship ill of the gout. 
 May the Lord Jesus bear all your sickness, and heal all 
 your infirmities, both of body and soul ! I am sensibly 
 touched when anything affects your Ladyship ; gratitude 
 constrains to this." 
 
 The continued illness of her son induced Lady Hun- 
 tingdon to visit Brighton, in the summer of 1757. That 
 town was then rising in importance as a fashionable 
 watering-place ; but like too many towns in England was 
 in a very benighted condition. Her Ladyship was greatly 
 concerned for the spiritual welfare of the inhabitants and 
 the visitors ; and used her utmost exertion to benefit them 
 by carrying the glad tidings of salvation to the houses of 
 the rich and the poor. In the course of one of these 
 visits of mercy, she entered the lodgings of a soldier's 
 wife, who was in, and having relieved her temporal wants, 
 she conversed with the woman on religious topics, and 
 pointed her to the fountain opened for sin and unclean- 
 ness. Her manner arrested the attention of the invalid : 
 her zeal was tempered with discretion, and her solemnity 
 softened with sweetness ; and when the Countess spoke 
 of the corrupt state of the heart, and the awful danger 
 which threatened the sinner, the woman burst into tears, 
 and cried out for God to have mercy on her soul. Lady 
 Huntingdon renewed her visits, and was greatly encour- 
 aged by the evident anxiety of the woman to hear the 
 way of salvation through Christ. The room in which 
 she was lying was contiguous to a public bakehouse ; and 
 
CON'VERSION' OF JOSEPH WALL. 165 
 
 the people who came to the oven, heard^ through a crack 
 in the wall, the glad tidings which her Ladyship pro- 
 claimed. The affair soon became the subject of conversa- 
 tion among the neighbours ; and other poor women came 
 to the lodgings of the soldier's wife to listen to the story of 
 Christ crucified. Her Ladyship took great delight in this 
 little meeting, and beheld with satisfaction, the number 
 of persons who attended rapidly increasing. She met 
 them as often as they could come together, and generally 
 read and expounded the Scriptures to them, prayed with 
 them, and conversed on the unsearchable riches of Christ. 
 No spectacle could be more beautiful than this lovely 
 scene ; the highest and the lowest were attracted to each 
 other : and the peeress displayed her true nobility and 
 greatness when she was seated in the rude hovel, sur- 
 rounded by these poor creatures. Her fervent and affec- 
 tionate heart yearned for their salvation ; her earnestness 
 convinced them that she was deeply interested in their 
 welfare ; and her subject, her language, the tones of her 
 voice, and her benevolent countenance, conspired to fix 
 their attention, and affect their hearts. 
 
 Though the meeting was confined to women, on one 
 occasion, a blacksmith, named Joseph Wall, a man notori- 
 ous for his profligacy, discovered the sacred retreat, and 
 obtained admittance. When the Countess came on her 
 accustomed visit, she was greatly surprised at seeing him 
 in a corner of the room, and hesitated whether to request 
 him to withdraw or to speak to him. She, however, 
 determined to take no notice of him, and to proceed in 
 her usual manner, to pray with and instruct the poor 
 women. The word spoken was applied by the Holy 
 Spirit to the heart of the blacksmith ; a marvellous 
 change appeared in his life ; and he became a distinguished 
 monument to the power of divine grace. For a period 
 of twenty-nine years, he adorned the doctrines of God 
 his Saviour by a life of holiness, and patiently awaited 
 
166 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 his dismissal to glory. He told a friend, a day or two 
 before his departure, that he longed to be dissolved, that 
 he was very happy, and had not a doubt of his salvation, 
 and would not change his state with the King. In his 
 last hour, his lips moved slightly ; and when his daughter 
 bent over him, she heard him faintly breathe the prayer, 
 "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." It was soon an- 
 swered ; and he departed to his heavenly rest, one of the 
 first-fruits of the abundant harvest which has been 
 gathered from Brighton, through the instrumentality of 
 Lady Huntingdon. 
 
 Though her Ladyship's efforts were greatly blessed to 
 the spiritual welfare of many, all her care and attention 
 could not stay the progress of disease in her son. He 
 died at Brighton in the eighteenth year of his age, Sep- 
 tember 13th, 1757. She deeply felt the blow, yet she 
 knew it was her duty to be resigned to the will of her 
 heavenly Father. It is to be regretted that the only 
 record of this event is contained in the following letter of 
 Whitefield to her. 
 
 "London, October 21st, 1757. 
 "Ever honoured Madam, 
 
 " I burnt, but I believe I shall never forget the contents 
 of your Ladyship's letter. Who but the Eedeemer him- 
 self can possibly describe the yearnings of such a tender 
 parent's heart ? Surely your Ladyship is called to cut 
 off a right hand, and pluck out a right eye : but "it is the 
 Lord, let Him do what seemeth him good." This was the 
 language of Eli, whose sons were sinners before the Lord 
 exceedingly. This hath often been the case of the best 
 of people, and the greatest favourites of heaven ; but 
 none knows the bitterness of such a cup, but those who 
 are called to drink it. If not sweetened with a sense of 
 the love and mercy of God in Christ, who could abide it? 
 what physic, what strong physic, do our strong affec- 
 
DEATH OF HENKY HASTINGS. 167 
 
 tions oblige our heavenly Father to give us! AYhat 
 pruning knives do these luxuriant branches require, in 
 order to preserve the fruit and delicacy of the vine. 
 Blessed be God, there is a time coming, when these mys- 
 terious dignified providences shall be explained. I am 
 glad Mr. L. is with your Ladyship ; he has a friendly 
 heart. May the Lord Jesus raise up your Ladyship 
 many comforters. Above all may he come himself. He 
 will, he will. * ^ * that I could bear part of your 
 Ladyship's heavy load! But I can only in my feeble 
 way bear it on my heart before him, who came to heal 
 our sicknesses and bear our infirmities. That your 
 Ladyship may come out of these firery trials, purged and 
 purified, like the brightest gold, is the earnest prayer of 
 your Ladyship's most dutiful, obliged, smypathizing, and 
 very ready servant for Christ's sake. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon retired to Clifton to enjoy a season 
 of solitude after her berervement. Amid all her efforts 
 for Christ she never forgot the duties of her social circle. 
 She watched over her children with more than maternal 
 tenderness ; she pointed them to the Saviour, and, to use 
 the beautiful figure of Goldsmith, 
 
 " And, as a bird, eacli fond endearment tries 
 To tempt its new-fledged offspring to tlie skies, 
 She tried eacli art, reproved each dull delay, 
 Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way." 
 
 She was abundantly repaid for all her care by the 
 affectionate regard they manifested towards her ; and 
 though she bitterly lamented the impiety of her eldest 
 son, the Earl, she retained a strong hold upon his love, 
 which, neither his principles, nor his contact with the 
 world, could destroy. He respected her opinions and 
 feelings, and never attempted to thwart any of her plans, 
 though he had no sympathy with her spiritual religion. 
 
168 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 The Countess enjo3^ed in her retreat, much of the presence 
 of Christ; and the consohitions of many distinguished 
 friends ; her heart was gently chastened, her piety re- 
 ceived a more heavenly tone, her will became more thor- 
 oughly subdued to the will of God ; and she renewed her 
 vow of consecration to the service of Christ, and stimula- 
 ted her faith and zeal to enter the useful and blessed 
 career which was widely opening to her. 
 
REVIVAL OF RELIGION. 169 
 
 CHAPTER X. A. D. 1757—1760. 
 
 REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN THE ESTABLISHMENT. — REV. 
 HENRY VENN PREACHES AT HER LADYSHIP'S MANSION. 
 — MESSRS. MADAN AND ROMAINE ITINERATE FOR HER. — 
 REV. JOHN FLETCHER. — THE COUNTESS AT BATH. — THE 
 FAST-DAY IN LONDON. — SPECIAL SERVICES. — SACRED 
 MUSIC : HANDEL. GIARDINI. KENT. — REV. JOHN BER- 
 RIDGE. — LADY HUNTINGDON AT EVERTON. — WONDER- 
 FUL EXCITEMENT. — THE MAGDALEN HOSPITAL. — FOOTE. 
 — GARRICK. — THE COUNTESS IN YORKSHIRE. — SANDE- 
 MANIAN THEORIES. — ANECDOTES OF FLETCHER AND 
 BEERIDGE. 
 
 The great movement; with which the life of Lady 
 Huntingdon Avas identified^ was every year producing 
 the most marvellous effects. The revival of religion was 
 not confined to any one district; or community ; but; like 
 the light; silently affected all; and everywhere secured its 
 glorious triumphs. The labours of "Wesley and White- 
 field had scattered the fearful darkness which hung over 
 the people, and stimulated many holy men to come forth 
 as champions of the truth. Methodism germinated in 
 the University of Oxford; and for some time grew and 
 gathered strength within the Established Church. The 
 great leaders were her members and ministers; warmly 
 attached to her Articles and Liturgy, and anxious to 
 arouse her to a sense of her important mission to the 
 world. When insuperable obstacles arose; and prevented 
 them labouring within her pale, they chose rather to obey 
 the dictates of their conscience and heart, and preach to 
 
 15 
 
170 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 the perishing crowds in the fields and highways, than to 
 silence their voice, and calmly settle down, and confine 
 their exertions within the narrow limits of a parish. 
 They, however, accomplished much for the Church of 
 England, and by their influence, aroused her to put forth 
 those efibrts Avhich have secured to her the prosperity 
 she enjoys. Before they arose, there was scarcely any 
 real spiritual religion in her midst ; but, through them, 
 an impetus was given to many of the clergy, whose 
 numbers gradually increased, and formed a devoted band 
 of Evangelical ministers. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon still more extensively furthered the 
 revival of religion in the Established Church. It has been 
 seen how anxiously she gathered around her, and watched 
 over, the godly clergy ; how, by her influence, she intro- 
 duced pious persons to the ministry, by obtaining for 
 them episcopal ordination ; and, how she was ever on the 
 alert to aid, by her counsel, wealth, and protection, the 
 zealous ministers of the Church of England. Though 
 her catholicity induced her to welcome every pious min- 
 ister of Christ, and to assist evangelical dissenters in their 
 labours, her warmest sympathies were towards the Esta- 
 blishment ; and secured the services of its clergy to 
 preach in her drawing-rooms, and in the chapels Avhich 
 she afterwards erected in destitute places, until the strong 
 hand of episcopal authority and persecution, forced her 
 to decide, whether she should leave the people to perish 
 uncared for, or shelter herself under the law, expressly 
 provided for dissenters, whose name and principles, how- 
 ever, she refused to adopt. It was about this time, she 
 became acquainted with some of the bright and shining 
 lights of the Church of England. 
 
 The Rev. Henry Venn had accepted a curacy in Lon- 
 don to serve the Church of St. Matthew, Friday Street, 
 part of the summer, and of West Horsley in Surrey, the 
 remainder of the year. While in London, he became 
 
REV. HENRY VENN. 171 
 
 intimate with the Rev. Bryan Brouglaton, secretary to 
 the '^ Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge,'^'' who had 
 been one of the first Methodists at Oxford, and was a 
 great friend and associate of Whitefield. Through him, 
 and the perusal of Law's "Serious Call,^^ Mr. Venn 
 became deeply impressed with the responsibility of his 
 sacred calling, and the necessity of fervent personal reli- 
 gion. When he was appointed curate of Clapham, he 
 formed an intimate acquaintance with the excellent and 
 benevolent John Thornton Esq., then a young man of 
 genuine piety, who was rapidly rising into public notice. 
 At the house of this gentleman, he had many opportu- 
 nities of meeting Lady Huntingdon and Whitefield, who 
 frequently preached there, in his presence, to overflowing 
 assemblies. The instructions of this honoured preacher 
 were instrumental in leading him to obtain clear views 
 of divine truth ; and shortly after, Mr. Venn invited his 
 friend. Dr. Haweis, from Oxford, to spend some time 
 with him at Clapham. The Doctor had been converted 
 under the powerful ministry of the renowned Mr. Walker, 
 of Truro, and was warmly attached to the moderate 
 opinions of Calvin. He was very zealous in bringing 
 the young men at Oxford to Christ, and met with consi- 
 derable success. He afterwards became intimate with the 
 Countess, preached in her chapels, was appointed one of 
 her chaplains, and at her death, became one of the devi- 
 sees of all her chapels. 
 
 The conversation of Dr. Haweis had a very beneficial 
 influence on the mind and heart of Mr. Yenn. He searched 
 the Scriptures with prayerfulness, discerned more clearly 
 the depravity of the human heart, and warmly appre- 
 ciated the doctrines of divine grace. A mighty change 
 passed over him ; he gave free expression in his sermons 
 to the feelings of his soul; and preached five times 
 a week at his cure and lectureships, besides his privo,te 
 exhortations among his friends. His ministry was greatly 
 
172 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 blessed ; crowds attended his services ; and many owned 
 that he was the means of their conversion to God. He 
 adhered to the practice, tlien so general, of reading his 
 sermons, till he was attacked by a serious illness, w^hich 
 laid him by for several months; after wbich he threw 
 aside his manuscript, and was almost the first to com- 
 mence extempore preaching in the Churcb. His view^s 
 of religion now became clearer: his conception of the 
 work of Christ more distinct; and his conversation and 
 preaching were pervaded by a more spiritual tone and 
 tendency. 
 
 In 1757 Whitefield induced Mr. Yenn to accompany 
 him on a preaching excursion into Gloucestershire. 
 Lady Huntingdon had engaged Mr. Madan to itinerate 
 through several parts of the kingdom, and preach the 
 gospel wherever he had an opportunity. He was accom- 
 panied through Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buck- 
 inghamshire by Mr. Komaine, and visited Warwickshire 
 and Worcestershire, on his way to Bristol to meet 
 Whitefield. Immense crowds attended w^henever they 
 preached the glad tidings of salvation in this city. Lady 
 Huntingdon was still at Clifton ; and during their stay 
 Messrs. Yenn, Madan, and Howell Davies who was sup- 
 plying the Tabernacle, were hospitably entertained at 
 her Ladyship's residence. The conversation of the 
 Countess was attended with the happiest results to Mr. 
 Yenn. His soul expanded, and his thoughts ripened 
 under the genial influence of her character ; and his zeal 
 was so stimulated by her example that he resolved to 
 preach boldly the gospel every where, unheeding the 
 smiles or the frowns of man. The Countess frequently 
 wrote to him, and urged him to remain stedfast in the 
 path he had chosen. She pointed out to him the dangers 
 which surrounded his position ; the flattery, pride, and 
 self-esteem which the heart welcomed ; and the tempta- 
 tions which would certainly assail him. She advised 
 
REV. H E X R Y VENN. 178 
 
 him to preach Christ as the only foundation of the 
 sinner's hope, the sole object of iUith, the Prince, the 
 Saviour. '' Be bold, be firm, be decisive. Let Christ be 
 the Alpha and Omega of all you advance in your 
 addresses to your fellow men." Her chaplain witnessed 
 the beneficial efiect of her instructions, and in a letter to 
 her says, "He owes your Ladyship much, under Grod; 
 and I believe his whole soul is gratitude to the Divine 
 Author of his mercies, and to you, the honoured instru- 
 ment in leading him to the fountain of truth." 
 
 In the spring of 1758 Lady Huntingdon arrived in 
 London with her family, and soon threw open her house 
 twice every week for the preaching of the gospel. 
 Messrs. Komaine, Yenn and Madan principally ofiiciated 
 at her Ladyship's residence. Whitefield was at this 
 time at Bristol, and in a letter to her dated June 17th, 
 1758, says, "I rejoice in the increase of your Ladyship's 
 spiritual routs. I can guess at the consolation such un- 
 common scenes must afford to your Ladyship's new-born 
 souL No wonder you are distressed from other quarters. 
 Indeed my most noble, and ever honoured patroness, 
 thus it must be, Christ's witnesses must be purged at 
 home. Inward domestic trials fit for outward public 
 work. Nature recoils, when constrained to take the 
 cross, and it may be from a near and dear relation's hand; 
 but infinite wisdom knows what is best." 
 
 Soon after the Countess arrived in London, she became 
 acquainted with that useful and holy minister, the Eev. 
 John Fletcher, for many years vicar of Madeley in 
 Shropshire. He was a native of Switzerland, and in his 
 youth had an intense passion for a military life. When 
 Providence, in a very remarkable manner, frustrated his 
 hopes and blighted his prospects, he came to England, 
 and in 1752 became the tutor in the family of Thomas 
 Hill, Esq., Tern Hall, near Shrewsbury. He was here 
 led to see the importance of religion, and to gain clear 
 
 la* 
 
174 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 views of tlie doctriues of salvation; tliough not without 
 passing through many severe conflicts, and inward trials. 
 He early became connected with Mr. Wesley, who encou- 
 raged him to consecrate himself to the service of the 
 sanctuary. For two years he remained undecided; but 
 at length, yielding to the sacred impulses of his heart, and 
 the solicitations of his friends, he was ordained by the 
 Bishop of Bangor in March, 1757. After that service, 
 he preached on the same day for John Wesley, and while 
 in London, diligently proclaimed the gospel in his chapels, 
 both in French and English. He soon became known to 
 the leading persons among the Methodists, who fostered 
 within him the spirit of liberality and zeal, Whitefield 
 spoke of him in very high terms to Lady Huntingdon, 
 and John Wesley introduced him to her shortly after 
 her arrival in London. She was highly delighted with 
 this remarkable man ; his piety, and learning, and humili- 
 ty attracted her heart ; and the interview soon ripened . 
 into a lasting and cordial friendship. Hearing that he 
 preached in French, she mentioned to him the condition 
 of the French prisoners at Tunbridge; and at her 
 request, he went down and proclaimed the gospel to them 
 in their native language. They were deeply affected 
 with his addresses; they requested him to preach to 
 them every Sabbath day ; and presented a petition to the 
 Bishop of London to grant him permission to do so. The 
 Bishop, however, rejected their prayer. 
 
 When Lady Huntingdon resumed her drawing-room 
 services, which had been discontinued for a time in the 
 latter part of the summer, at London, in November, she 
 invited Mr. Fletcher to preach to the distinguished circle 
 surrounding her. In a letter to Charles Wesley, he re- 
 cords his interview with her Ladyship. 
 
 ''I carried the enclosed agreeably to its address, and 
 passed three hours with a moderate prodigy — a pious and 
 humhle Countess/ 1 went with trembling, and in obedi- 
 
KEV. JOHN FLETCHER. 175 
 
 ence to your orders; but I soon perceived a little of what 
 the disciples felt, when Christ said to them '' It is I, be not 
 afraid." She proposed to me something of what you 
 hinted to me in your garden; namely, to celebrate the 
 communion sometimes at her house in a morning, and to 
 preach when occasion offered ; in such a manner, how 
 ever, as not to restrain my liberty, or prevent my assist- 
 ing you, or preaching to the French refugees ; and that 
 only till Providence should clearly point out the path in 
 which I should go. Charity, politeness, and reason 
 accompanied her offer ; and I confess, in spite of the reso- 
 lution which I had almost absolutely formed, to fly the 
 houses of the great, without even the exception of the 
 Countess, I found myself so greatly changed, that I 
 should have accepted on the spot, a proposal which I 
 should have declined from any other mouth, but my 
 engagement with you withheld me ; and thanking the 
 Countess, I told her, when I had reflected on her obliging 
 offer, I would do myself the honour of waiting upon her 
 again." 
 
 He accepted her Ladyship's invitation, and commenced 
 his ministry at her house with much fear and trembling. 
 His success among the noble was equal to what he had 
 gained in humbler assemblies; his affectionate and fer- 
 vent manner won the hearts of his hearers ; and his 
 earnestness and zeal for their conversion proved that he 
 had but one object before him — the glory of God. 
 During the winter, Ladj^ Huntingdon continued her use- 
 ful efforts in every possible way, and endeavoured, with 
 the most unwearied diligence, to promote the honour and 
 interests of her divine Master. She steadily pursued her 
 grand designs both at home and abroad, in public and 
 private ; and drew into prominence all who had talents 
 and the disposition to serve the Lord. She found a 
 powerful assistant in ^[r. Fletcher, who was every way 
 calculated to fan the flame of holy zeal which glowed 
 
176 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTIXGDOX. 
 
 Avitliiii her, and to stimulate her to still greater exertion 
 in the service of Christ. He continued actively engaged 
 in London for a few months ; he frequently assisted the 
 Wesley s ; and preached alternately with them and others, 
 once or twice a week, at the house of Lady Huntingdon, 
 Lady Gertrude Hotham, and Lady Fanny Shirley. 
 
 At the commencement of 1759, Lady Huntingdon was 
 actively engaged in her good work at Bath, where a large 
 circle of the nobility surrounded her. She was accompa- 
 nied thither by Lady Fanny Shirley, and her daughter 
 Lady Selina ; and on the 4th of January prevailed upon 
 Mr. Wesley, who was at Bristol, to come to the fashion- 
 able city, and preach in her house to the nobility. Her 
 stay here Avas but short ; for early in February, she 
 returned to London, where the people were deeply 
 impressed with a sense of their national guilt. A public 
 humiliation was appointed to be observed on Friday, 
 February IGth, which was rigidly kept at all the places 
 of worship. In the morning, the Countess went to the 
 Tabernacle, to hear AYhitefield ; and in the evening to 
 the Foundry, where AVesley preached. The chapels 
 were crowded with attentive and prayerful audiences, 
 and great seriousness was every where manifested. At 
 this solemn period, Lady Huntingdon established prayer- 
 meetings at her house, where many wrestled mightily 
 with God, on behalf of the sinful nation. On Wednesday, 
 the 21st, Messrs. AVhitefield, C. Wesley, Maxfield, and 
 Venn conducted the services ; and on the following 
 Friday, Messrs. Romaine, Wesley, Madan, and Jones 
 fervently prayed for the divine blessing to rest on the 
 land. These interesting meetings were continued some- 
 times for two or three successive days, and were very 
 useful in stimulating the feith, the zeol, and the spirit- 
 uality of those who attended them. The Countess greatly 
 enjoyed the fervent spiritual prayers and addresses ; and, 
 in her letters of this period, speaks of the effect they 
 
THE COUXTESS AT LONDON. 177 
 
 prodaced upon lier own soul, Slie seemed to realize lier 
 own unwortliinesS; and confessed that she had as 3-et 
 done nothing to manifest her gratitude to Christ. The 
 thought humbled her, and led her to pour out the desire 
 of her heart to God in prayer, that henceforth she might 
 live only to him. ''May he increase my faith, animate 
 my heart Avith a zeal for his glory, enlarge my sphere, 
 and make me more faithful in the sphere in which I move." 
 The sacrament was frequently administered on these 
 occasions, and addresses given to the communicants. At 
 one time, March 6th, Whitefield presided, and spoke to 
 them", in such strains of simple and touching eloquence, 
 that all were bathed in tears. This mighty master of 
 oratory could penetrate the hearts of his audience, and 
 play upon them, as upon the strings of a harp. He could 
 thrill them with indignation by a feeling of injustice ; 
 melt them with compassion by sympathy with woe ; and 
 arouse them to experience the noblest and sublimest 
 feelings by the touch of his seraphic fire. The rooms 
 were crowded Avith nobility to partake of the sacrament, 
 and received an accession to hear the sermon which was 
 preached at the conclusion of the ordinance. These were 
 solemn and soul-quickening seasons ; many a gay and 
 thoughtless heart was arrested, and impressed by the 
 truth; and in those who openly professed Christ, the 
 flame of true religion was increased, and exerted a warm 
 and inspiring influence in their respective circles. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was extremely fond of sacred music. 
 Her family was musical, and frequently entertained her 
 guests with singing and playing. She had in early life 
 formed an acquaintance with the celebrated Handel, who 
 Woas a great favourite with His Majesty, George II.; 
 v/hich, after being suspended for many years, was 
 renewed about this time. He had often conducted 
 private concerts at the residences of the Duke of Eutland, 
 the Earl of Burlington, the Earl of Huntingdon, and of 
 
178 MEMOIE OF LADY HUXTIXGDOX. 
 
 Other nobles, wlio were patrons of music, and his friends. 
 He had for some time been afflicted Avith blindness ; his 
 health was rapidly declining ; and his recovery was 
 pronounced hopeless. A great change passed over his 
 mind and heart. He prepared for his approaching disso- 
 lution with, great calmness, and often spoke of the 
 pleasure he had experienced in settiDg Scripture to 
 music ; and the comfort and satisfaction the sublime 
 passages of the Psalms had afforded him. Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon was attracted to him by his solemn situation, and 
 anxiously sought to ascertain the character of his hope. 
 At his particular request, she visited him, not long 
 before his death. Mr. Madan, who was highly musical, 
 frequently came to see him, and won the confidence and 
 affection of the aged master. The testimony of her 
 Ladyship is very satisfactory. ^'He is now old, and at 
 the close of his long career ; yet he is not dismayed at 
 the prospect before him. Blessed be God for the comfort 
 and consolations which the Gospel affords in every 
 situation, and in every time of our need.""^' He died 
 April 13th, 1759, and was interred in Westminster 
 Abbey, where a splendid monument by Roubilliac, repre- 
 sents him standing with a scroll in his hand, on which 
 the well- known passage from his " Messiah " is inscribed 
 — '' I know that my Redeemer liveth." 
 
 The Countess was well acquainted with most of the 
 eminent musicians of her times. Giardini, whose won- 
 derful execution on the violin procured for him universal 
 admiration, was a great favourite with her Ladyship. 
 Lady Gertrude Hotham, and Lady Chesterfield, who was 
 esteemed one of the best amateur musicians of ber day, 
 gave occasional concerts of sacred music at their residen- 
 ces, where Giardini's performance on the violin, excited 
 great interest, and called forth most rapturous praises. 
 At Lady Huntingdon's request, he composed a few tunes 
 * Life caiid Times, &c., VoL L p. 229. 
 
SACRED MUSIC. 179 
 
 to some of the hymns -Qsed in the chapels ; and this 
 circumstance led Horace Walpole to remark, " It will be 
 a great acquisition to the Methodist sect to have their 
 hymns set by Giardini." Her Ladj^ship also became 
 acquainted with Giordini, an Italian composer, who was 
 noted for his thorough mastery of the English style of 
 music. He also composed several hymn tunes, among 
 which is the well-known air called '' Camhridger Mr. 
 Kent, whose name is intimately associated with some of 
 the finest specimens of English Anthems, was intimate 
 with the Countess, and the Methodist leaders. His 
 Authems and hymn -tunes were much used in her Lady- 
 ship's chapels, where, it will be seen, the Countess paid 
 considerable attention to the " Psalmody of the Lord's 
 House," and cultivated choral singing, by establishing 
 societies for the practice of music. She greatly assisted 
 the sons of Charles "Wesley, who were passionately fond 
 of music ; especially Charles, the eldest son, who composed 
 some of his favourite tunes at the request of Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon, and assisted in the formation of her choral 
 societies. 
 
 It was during the year 1759, Lady Huntingdon became 
 acquainted with the celebrated John Berridge, vicar of 
 Everton, Bedfordshire. He was a man of considerable 
 learning and ability ; an accurate scholar, a thorough 
 linguist, a distinguished wit. He possessed a most com- 
 manding figure, a deep powerful voice, a correct and 
 clear utterance. His countenance reflected every passion 
 which played on his soul, and gave increased effect to 
 his pointed and sparkling sentences. His addresses were 
 remarkably original ; his style, clear and expressive ; his 
 figures, often quaint but forcible. His doctrines were 
 thoroughly evangelical, and imparted a richness to his 
 discourses, which indicated the habitual realization of the 
 truths of the gospel. He was a most devoted and 
 laborious minister of Christ, and was the means of doing 
 
180 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 much good in the service of his Master. His preaching 
 had created a profound sensation in the county; and 
 vast numbers came many miles to hear him. His church 
 became densely crowded ; the windows were filled within 
 and without; and even the pulpit was so surrounded 
 with people that the preacher seemed almost lost in the 
 crowd. His hearers were deeply affected with his stirring 
 appeals ; and they often uttered loud piercing cries, and 
 were thrown into strong convulsions by the intensity of 
 their feelings. The Eev. Mr. Hicks, vicar of "Wrestling- 
 worth, also attracted large crowds of persons, who were 
 aftected in a similar manner. 
 
 When Lady Huntingdon heard of the remarkable 
 scenes transpiring at Everton, she requested Messrs. 
 Eomaine and Madan to repair thither, and investigate the 
 circumstances. They were heartily welcomed by Mr. 
 Berridge and his coadjutor, and accompanied them on 
 their itinerant excursions. They were astonished at what 
 they witnessed, while John Berridge was preaching. 
 Loud cries and ejaculatory pra3^ers burst from the people ; 
 many fell down on the ground, some, senseless as if dead, 
 and others in sharp convulsive struggles, as if in the 
 agony of death ; and men and women wept aloud, and 
 cried out for mercy. They conversed with those who 
 had been convulsed, and found that their minds had been 
 filled with awe, their consciences aroused and their con- 
 viction of their guilt brought home to them. When 
 Eomaine and Madan returned to London, John Wesley 
 went to Everton, and noticed the same symptoms atten- 
 ding the ministry of his friend, as had resulted from his 
 early efforts. In a letter to the Countess he says : 
 
 " Mr. Berridge appears to be one of the most simple as 
 well as most sensible men of all whom it pleased God to 
 employ in reviving primitive Christianity. I designed to 
 have spent but one night with him ; but Mr. Gilbert's 
 mistake, who sent him word I would be at Everton on 
 
REV. JOHN BERKIDGE. 181 
 
 Friday, obliged me to stay there another day, or multi- 
 tudes of people would have been disappointed. They 
 come now twelve or fourteen miles to hear him ; and very 
 few come in vain. His word is with power ; he speaks 
 as plain and home as John Nelson, but with all the pro- 
 priety of Mr. Eomaine, and the tenderness of Mr. Hervey. 
 
 At Colchester, likewise, the word of God has free 
 course, only no house will contain the congregation. On 
 Sunday I was obliged to preach on St. John's-green ; the 
 people stood on a smooth sloping ground, sheltered by 
 the walls of an old castle, and behaved as men who felt 
 that God was there." 
 
 AYhen Mr. Berridge was called to preach before the 
 university at Cambridge, Lady Huntingdon prevailed upon 
 Mr. Fletcher to go to Everton, and stated her intention of 
 shortly proceeding thither, to witness the astonishing 
 efiects which the preaching of the gospel had produced. 
 Accompanied by Messrs. Madan and Yenn, she left Lon- 
 don, and arrived at the vicarage late in the evening. Her 
 arrival had been made known to the people ; and at an 
 early hour on the following morning, an immense con- 
 course of persons flocked to Everton from all parts. The 
 services of the day commenced at seven o'clock, when 
 Mr. Berridge preached to a large and attentive congrega- 
 tion in a spacious field. At eleven, Mr. Hicks read prayers 
 in the church, and Mr. Venn preached from the text, 
 " There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over 
 one sinner that repenteth." In the afternoon, the crowd 
 was so great that the church could not contain one-fifth 
 of the people ; and Mr. Madan preached to the multitudes 
 in the open air. The next day, the number of the people 
 was greatly augmented, the church was crowded to excess, 
 and those who were unable to gain admittance Avere ad- 
 dressed by Mr. Berridge. The arrival of Lady Hunting- 
 don, and the preaching of the ministers who accompanied 
 her, attracted great attention. The report soon spread 
 
 16 
 
182 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGD0:N'. 
 
 round the country ; and on the third day more than ten 
 thousand persons assembled to hear the gospel. Mr. Yenn 
 preached with remarkable power from the words of 
 Jeremiah, '' The harvest is past, the summer is cDded ; 
 and we are not saved." Crowds came pouring in from all 
 parts during the day ; and in the evening, Mr. Berridge 
 addressed them from the words, " Behold the Lamb of 
 God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Towards 
 the close of the sermon, five persons fell down at once, as 
 if dead ; which created an intense excitement in the con- 
 gregation. Lady Huntingdon was deeply impressed 
 with what she had witnessed ; and leaving Mr. Madan at 
 Everton, she returned to London with Messrs. Fletcher, 
 Yenn, and Berridge, whom she wished to introduce to 
 the religious circles of the metropolis. During his stay 
 in London, Mr. Berridge preached in some of the city 
 churches, expounded almost every morning and evening 
 at Lady Huntiugdon's mansion, and gave occasional 
 lectures at the residences of Lady Gertrude Hotham, and 
 Lady Fanny Shirley. 
 
 Shortly after her return to London, the Countess 
 visited the Magdalen Hospital, in the company of the 
 Prince Edward, afterwards Duke of York. A distin- 
 guished party was formed at Northumberland House for 
 the purpose of attending an evening service in the chapel. 
 The Prince was accompanied by a select circle of friends, 
 among whom were Lord Huntingdon and Horace Wal- 
 pole ; and was conducted to a state arm-chair, near which 
 Lady Huntingdon, her daughter Lady Selina, and Ladies 
 Faony Shirley, Hotham, and Chesterfield were seated. 
 The Magdalens, about one hundred and thirty in number, 
 sung a hymn on his entrance ; and Dr. Dodd, whose 
 melancholy end, some years after, excited such interest 
 amoDg all classes, preached an eloquent and impressive 
 sermon, which was afterwards published by the express 
 desire of the Prince. After his service, his Eoyal High- 
 
THE MAGDALEN HOSPITAL. 183 
 
 ness retired to tlie parlour, and conversed for a short time 
 with Lady Huntingdon and Ladj Chesterfield, on the 
 importance of the institution, and the merits of the ser- 
 mon. At the time of his departure, some nobleman 
 observed to Lord Hertford, that he thought the sermon 
 savoured a good deal of Methodism. His Lordship was 
 about to reply, when the Prince, who had overheard the 
 remark, turned hastily round and said : " Your Lordship 
 must be fastidious indeed ; I thought the discourse excel- 
 lent, and well adapted to this most useful institution ; a 
 sentiment in which Lady Huntingdon, I am most happy 
 to say, cordially coincides with me. Her Ladyship I 
 suspect is much better versed in theology than either of 
 us." The astonished noble bowed, and the Prince with- 
 drew. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon continued in London till June 1760, 
 and was greatly affected by a very painful and distressing 
 occurrence, which threw a deep shade over the extensive 
 acquaintance of the Shirley family. She was, however, 
 usefull}^ engaged in her good work, and rarely allowed 
 relative affliction to interfere with her labours for the 
 diffusion of the truth. Her chaplain, George Whitefield, 
 had visited Brighton, and preached in the fields to large 
 assemblies; and was succeeded by those excellent men 
 whom her Ladyship had taken under her patronage and 
 protection. The enemies of Whitefield employed the 
 celebrated actor, Foote, to ridicule him in a most profane 
 and ludicrous manner on the stage of Drury Lane Thea- 
 tre. His success there, and his pecuniary embarrassments, 
 induced him to write and bring out at the Haymarket 
 Theatre, a ridiculous comedy, called " The Minora It 
 was intended to take ofi* the Methodists ; but it is suffi- 
 cient to say of it, that Foote and his agents, employed to 
 procure materials for the work from the chapels where 
 AVhitefield preached, were so ignorant of the Scriptures, 
 that what they paraded and ridiculed as Whitefield's pecu- 
 
184 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 liar language, were portions of tlie word of God! Mr. 
 Madan addressed a letter to Garrick on tlie intended rep- 
 resention of this comedy, which had a very extensive 
 circulation ; and Lady Huntingdon waited on the Lord 
 Chamberlain to apply for the suppression of the ^' Minora 
 Her request could not then be granted ; but his Lordship 
 assured her that, if he had had any intimation of its evil 
 tendency, previous to its being licensed, the play should 
 never have appeared. The Countess next sought an in- 
 terview with Garrick, with whom her remonstrance was 
 so far successful, that he promised to use his influence in 
 excluding it for the present, and added that, had he been 
 aware of the offence it was calculated to give, it should 
 never have appeared with his consent. The opposition 
 and ridicule which Whitefield met with, only increased 
 his popularity, and brought thousands of fresh hearers to 
 his chapels. About this period, he frequently preached on 
 behalf of the poor French Protestants in Prussia, who 
 had suffered severely from the cruelty of the Eussians in 
 the Seven Years^ War. Great numbers of the nobility, 
 and the highest officers of the crown went to hear him 
 on these occasions, when he collected upwards of fifteen 
 hundred pounds ; for which act of benevolence he re- 
 ceived the thanks of his Prussian Majesty, Frederick the 
 Great. 
 
 In September 1760, Lady Huntingdon accompanied 
 Mr. Eomaine into Yorkshire, on a visit to Mr. and Lady 
 ^Margaret Ingham at Aberford. Eomaine had before 
 visited that part of England, and, as her Ladyship's chap- 
 lain, had received the most marked attention. He was 
 much attached to Mr. Ingham, who was a student at Ox- 
 ford, while he was at the university, though Eomaine 
 then had no sympathy with the Methodists. In his ex- 
 cursions into the neighbouring towns, he was often accom- 
 panied by Mr. Ingham ; he preached wherever he could 
 obtain a church, and occasionally in some of the chapels ; 
 
MR. ROMATNE IN YORKSHIRE. 185 
 
 and sometimes attended the meetings of the preachers to 
 regulate the order and discipline of the churches. He 
 was also much attached to Lady Margaret Ingham, who, 
 with her characteristic benevolence and kindness, fre- 
 quently ministered to his temporal necessities, and added 
 to the scanty stipend he received from the cliurch. Lady 
 Huntingdon's journey to Yorkshire Avas partly occasioned 
 by the confusion which was then prevailing amongst 
 the societies there, from repeated discussions on church 
 government and discipline. Mr. Ligham had readSande- 
 man's ^'Letters on Thero7iand Aspasio,''^ and Glass's " Testi- 
 mony to the King of Martyrs ;'^ and he sent Mr. Batty and 
 Mr. Allen, two of his distinguished preachers, to Scotland, 
 to obtain privately more information respecting their 
 principles. On their return, they adopted the Sandema- 
 nian views ; and warm debates took place among the 
 societies respecting the nature of a true church. Mr. 
 Allen made the first breach. He expressed his dissatis- 
 faction with the use of the lot for voting-in the members, 
 objected to the choice of elders, and became jealous of the 
 authority which Mr. Ingham exercised over the people. 
 Mr. Ingham remained firm to his principles, and desired 
 the dissentients to withdraw from his societies. Many 
 attempts were made- to reconcile the parties and prevent 
 the schism ; Lady Huntingdon wrote, and visited York- 
 shire with Eomaine ; Whitefield prayed and wept : but 
 all was in vain. Mr. Ingham never recovered from the 
 severe trial through which he passed on this occasion. 
 Disputes became more frequent and violent ; excommuni- 
 cation quickly followed excommunication ; the whole 
 body was shattered into a thousand pieces, like a wrecked 
 vessel ; and out of more than eighty flourishing churches 
 only thirteen remained true to the great principles they 
 had embraced. 
 
 Mr. Yenn had left the scene of his labours in London, 
 and had, in 1759, accepted the large and valuable living 
 
186 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 of Iladclersfield, Yorksliire. He found his parish in a 
 yery benighted condition, and energetically commenced 
 his labours to enlighten the people. He threw his whole 
 soul into the work. Sometimes he began the service by 
 addressing his hearers, and reminding them they were in 
 the presence of God, and therefore should be devout and 
 prayerful. Often he explained and enforced the Psalms 
 and Lessons for the day, and breathed forth his love and 
 compassion for the souls of his hearers. During the 
 week, he visited the different hamlets in his extensive 
 parish, collected some of the inhabitants in private 
 houses, and addressed them with an earnestness and 
 kindness that moved every heart. Many young persons 
 were among the first-fruits of his ministry ; and of these, 
 at least thirteen became useful, and some of them very 
 eminent ministers, chiefly in the Independent denomina- 
 tion. He had been preaching for a short time, with Mr. 
 Fletcher, at Brighton, and returned to Yorkshire with 
 Lady Huntingdon. He was deeply grieved at the fatal 
 results of the dreadful division, which had scattered so 
 many flourishing churches, and caused the enemies of the 
 cross to triumph ; and made many efforts to mitigate the 
 evil. Whitefield also, who had recently sent a poor 
 orphan to Georgia, which Lady Huntingdon supported, 
 arrived at Aberford ; but all their united efforts to restore 
 peace and order were ineffectual. 
 
 Mr. Fletcher could not join the Countess in Yorkshire 
 but frequently wrote to her, and acknowledged how 
 greatly he was indebted to her " for what light he had into 
 the nature of the foundation of Christianity." When 
 at Tern Hall, he had often taken the duty for Mr. Cham- 
 bers, vicar of Madeley : and as the place was ten miles 
 distant, the groom was ordered to get a horse ready for 
 him every Sunday morning ; but so great was his aver- 
 sion to give any trouble, that if the groom did not hap- 
 pen to wake at the proper time, he prepared the horse 
 
ANECDOTES OF FLETCHER. 187 
 
 with his own hands, and quietly departed. One day Mr. 
 Hill informed him that the living at Dunham, Cheshire, 
 was then vacant, and at his service. The parish was 
 small, the duty light, the income good, about four hun- 
 dred a year, and the locality healthy and beautiful. Mr. 
 Fletcher thanked his generous patron, and said, ^^ Alas ! 
 sir, Dunham will not suit me ; there is too much 
 money, and too little labour." " Pew clergymen make 
 such objections," replied Mr. Hill : " it is a pity to decline 
 such a living, as I do not know that I can find you another. 
 What shall we do ? "Would you like Madeley ! " That, 
 sir, would be the very place for me." '' My object, Mr. 
 Fletcher, is to make you comfortable in your own way. 
 If you prefer Madeley, I shall find no difiSculty in per- 
 suading Chambers to exchange it for Dunham, which is 
 worth more than twice as much." The exchange was 
 soon effected ; and Mr. Fletcher wrote to Lady Hunting- 
 don in Yorkshire an account of his call to Madeley. He 
 enumerates the indications of the providence of God in 
 leading him to the colliers and forgemen of that town. 
 He says : — 
 
 " The time is come — the church is vacated — the pre- 
 sentation to it brought, unasked for, into my hands — the 
 difficulty of getting proper testimonials, which I looked 
 upon as insurmountable, vanishes at once — the three 
 clergymen that had opposed me with most bitterness, 
 signed them, and the Bishop of Lichfield countersigns 
 them without the least objection — the lord of the manor, 
 my great opposer, leaves the parish — and the very man, 
 the vicar, who told me I should never preach in that 
 church, now recommends me to it, and tells me he will 
 induct me himself. Are not these indications of the will 
 of God ? It seems so to me. What does your Ladyship 
 think of it ? I long to go and consult you in Yorkshire, 
 but cannot do it now, without giving up the point on 
 which I want vour advice." 
 
188 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Some time before his induction, on liis journey to 
 London with his pupils, Fletcher determined to avail 
 himself of the opportunity to call upon John Berridge 
 at Everton. He introduced himself as a new convert, 
 who wished to obtain the benefit of his experience and 
 advice. Berridge perceived by his accent that he was a 
 foreigner, and inquired from what country he came. He 
 replied that he was a Swiss, from the Canton of Berne. 
 ''From Berne?" asked Berridge, ''then, probably, 3^ou 
 can give me some account of a young countryman of 
 yours, one John Fletcher, who has lately preached a few 
 times for the Wesleys, and of whose talents, learning; 
 and piety they both speak in terms of high eulogy. Do 
 you. know him ? " '' Yes, sir, I know him intimately ; 
 and did those gentlemen know him as well, they would 
 not speak of him in such terms, for which he is more 
 obliged to their partial friendship than to his own 
 merits." ''You surprise me," said Mr. Berridge, "in 
 speaking so coldly of a countryman in whose praise they 
 are so warm." " I have the best reason " he replied, 
 " for speaking of him as I do : — I am John Fletcher." " If 
 you be John Fletcher" exclaimed Berridge, " you must 
 do me the favour of taking my pulpit to-morrow ; and 
 when we are better acquainted, without implicitly re- 
 ceiving your statement, or that of your friends, I shall 
 be able to judge for myself." An intimacy soon sprung 
 up between these two distinguished men, the commence- 
 ment of which has been seen, and which was not inter- 
 rupted by the violent storms of controversy. 
 
BRIGHTON CHAPEL. 189 
 
 CHAPTER XL A.D. 1760—1762. 
 
 ERECTION OF BRIGHTON CHAPEL. — THE FAST-DAY. — RO- 
 MAINE. — LADY HUNTINGDON'S CHARITY. — ANECDOTE OF 
 BERRIDGE. — BISHOP OF LINCOLN. — THE CHAPEL AT OAT- 
 HALL. — CAPTAIN SCOTT. — ANECDOTE OF OLD ABRAHAM. 
 — LADY HUNTINGDON IN YORKSHIRE. — DR. CONYERS. — 
 ARCHBISHOP OF YORK. — LADY HUNTINGDON AT BRIGH- 
 TON. — ROMAINE, FLETCHER, BERRIDGE. — DEATH OF 
 GRIFFITH JONES, AND MR. JONES OF ST. SAVIOUR'S 
 CHURCH. 
 
 The attention of Lady Huntingdon Avas now given to 
 the erection of Chapels in various localities, where places 
 of worship were required. The prejudice of the clergy 
 against her zealous efforts to bring the perishing to 
 Christ, had almost completely shut up the churches to 
 her ministers ; and if she persevered in her work, she was 
 reduced to the alternative of either confining her labours 
 to open air services, when the weather permitted, or 
 establishing commodious chapels, which would afford a 
 home to those who had been impressed with the truth, 
 and desired to become better acquainted with the doc- 
 trines of the gospel. She chose the latter mode of proce- 
 dure, and commenced her efforts at Brighton. The 
 preaching of Whitefield, Yenn, Eomaine, and Fletcher, 
 had been greatly blessed to the people. Many had been 
 convinced of their sins, and reformed in their lives ; the 
 number of hearers had steadily increased ; and a small 
 Christian Society had been formed among them, whose 
 members frequentl}^ met for prayer, praise, and reading 
 the Scriptures. The promising state of affairs in this 
 
190 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDOX. 
 
 town, induced Lady Huntingdon to erect a small but 
 neat cliapel contiguous to her house, on the site of the 
 present noble building in Korth Street. She defrayed 
 the expense of it, either wholly or in part, by the sale of 
 her jewels to the amount of Six hundred and ninty-eight 
 'pounds, fifteen shillings. 
 
 The chapel was opened in the summer of 1761 by the 
 Eev. Martin Madan, and was for some time solely sup- 
 plied by clergymen of the Church of England. Messrs. 
 Eomaine, Berridge, Venn and Fletcher, successively took 
 the charge of the congregation, and preached with great- 
 acceptance to the people. The Countess had a very warm 
 attachment to the Liturgy, which then formed a distin- 
 guishing feature of all her chapels ; and she always con- 
 sidered herself, her ministers, and congregations, members 
 of the Established Church. The labours of the apostolic 
 men who assisted her, soon raised a storm of persecution 
 ao:ainst them ; their doctrines were offensive to the world- 
 ly-minded; their zeal, to the slothful; and their stirring 
 addresses, to those who were dead in trespasses and sins. 
 Many attempts were made to intimidate them, and pre- 
 vent them preaching the gospel ; but they continued their 
 useful efforts in the most undaunted manner, regardless 
 of the torrents of reproach which were continually dash- 
 ing against them. The Great Head of the Church pro- 
 tected his servants, and cheered them onward in their 
 career, by making them the instruments of converting 
 many souls, and establishing them in the faith. 
 
 Whitefield was prevented, by a serious indisposition, 
 being at Brighton on this joyful occasion. He had been 
 zealously employed all the winter in London, at his own 
 cliapcls, and at Lady Huntingdon's house. On the day 
 appointed for a general fast, February 13th, 1761, he 
 preached twice at the Tabernacle, and once at Tottenham 
 Court Chapel, and collected nearly six hundred pounds 
 for the relief of the German Protestants, and the suf- 
 
E R I G 11 T O N C H A P E L . 191 
 
 ferers by a dreadful fire at Boston. The attendance of 
 the nobility was very large. Lady Huntingdon prevailed 
 upon man}^, who otherwise never would have entered the 
 place, to hear her gifted chaplain. Lady Chesterfield, Lady 
 Gertrude Hotham, and Lady Fanny Shirley, also took 
 large parties of the nobility with them, who expressed 
 themselves highly delighted with his discourses. Lord 
 Halifax, and Lord Holderness, then Secretary of State, 
 tlie personal friends of the Countess, were present ; also 
 the Duke of Grafton, so vehemently attacked in the elo- 
 quent ^'Letters^^ of ^'Junius ;''' and Charles Fox and Wil- 
 liam Pitt, the two greatest men of their day. Few places 
 could boast of such a brilliant assemblage of men, who 
 were distinguished for genius, wisdom or oratorical 
 powers, as was convened in these humble chapels to listen 
 to the genuine eloquence of Whitefield. The health of 
 this gifted preacher, however, was greatly shattered by 
 repeated colds, which even threatened his life ; and 
 during the whole of this year, and the greater part of 
 the next, he was obliged to remain quiet and to preach 
 only occasionally. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was now less dependent than hith- 
 erto upon her first chaplain, to carry on the great work 
 she had commenced. God had been pleased to raise up 
 many zealous labourers in his vineyard, who sympa- 
 thized with her in her plans, and warmly co-operated 
 with her in her efforts. Romaine was her second chap- 
 lain, and was indefatigable in carrying out her inten- 
 tions. He had itinerated for her through several parts 
 of England, preached with much acceptance to her draw- 
 ing-room assemblies, and was ever her adviser and coad- 
 jutor. They both harmoniously strove to carry out 
 the same grand object; the one by her influence and 
 wealth, the other by his zeal and diligence. His ser- 
 vices were thoroughly, disinterestedly given, and were 
 rendered without the least expectation of any remuner- 
 
192 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 ation ; for, to his honor be it said, all he would receive 
 from her Ladyship barely paid his journeys and expenses. 
 Neither of her chaplains were enriched, in a pecuniary 
 point of view, by the services they rendered Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon, They discerned too clearly their reward from 
 their heavenly Master to be eager for the rewards of 
 earth ; and they witnessed with pleasure the sums, which 
 might have been lavished on them, employed for the 
 noblest purposes. The Countess was liberal, even to 
 excess. All she possessed she devoted to the service of 
 Christ ; and though she knew that it was a duty to feed 
 the hungry and clothe the naked, she employed her 
 wealth chiefly to bring the gospel to those who were 
 perishing in their sins. One of her ministers, the Eev. 
 John Eyre, relates that he once conversed with her 
 respecting the wants of a family who appeared to be in 
 great distress. Lady Huntingdon said, " I can do for 
 them but very little. I am obliged to be a spectator of 
 miseries which I pity, but cannot relieve. For when I 
 gave myself up to the Lord, I likewise devoted to him 
 all my fortune ; with this reserve, that I would take with 
 a sparing hand what might be necessarj^ for my food and 
 raiment, and for the support of my children, should they 
 live to be reduced. I was led to this from a consideration, 
 that there were many benevolent persons who had no 
 religion, who would feel for the temporal miseries of 
 others, and help them ; but few, even among professors, 
 who had a proper concern for the awful condition of 
 ignorant and perishing souls. What, therefore, I can 
 save, for a while, out of my own necessaries, I will give 
 ^hem ; but more I dare not take without being guilty of 
 sacrilege." 
 
 The Kev. John Berridge was a particular favourite 
 with her Ladyship. Her conversation and correspond- 
 ence with him were greatly blessed to him ; and were the 
 means of Icadinj him to obtain clearer views of salvation, 
 
BISHOP OF LINCOLN. 193 
 
 and of stimulating liim to preach the gospel with greater 
 boldness and power. He was indefatigable in his labours ; 
 and for twenty-four years he continued to ride nearly 
 one hundred miles, and preach a dozen sermons every 
 week. He was also exceedingly liberal; and employed 
 in the service of Christ all the income arising from his 
 vicarage and fellowship. 
 
 At homC; his house and stables were thrown open to 
 his hearers who came from a distance ; and abroad, houses 
 and barns were rented, lay-preachers supplied, and their 
 travelling expenses paid out of his own purse. His ear 
 was ever attentive to the tale of woe, his eye keen to 
 detect misery, his heart ready to sympathize, and his 
 hand open to relieve. He was a man of great boldness 
 and power, and was rarely intimidated. He says : — 
 
 " Soon after I began to preach the gospel at Ever ton 
 the churches in the neighbourhood were deserted, and 
 mine so over crowded, that the squire, who 'did not like 
 strangers,' he said, ' and hated to be incommoded,' joined 
 with the offended parsons, and soon after, a complaint 
 having been made against me, I was summoned before 
 the Bishop. ' Well, Berridge,' said his Lordship, ' did 1 
 institute you to Eaton or Potten? Why do you go 
 preaching out of your own parish?' 'My Lord,' said 1, 
 * I make no claims to the living of those parishes ; 'tis 
 true, I was once at Eaton, and finding a few poor people 
 assembled, I admonished them to repent of their sins, and 
 to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of 
 their souls. At that very moment, my Lord, there were 
 •five or six clergymen out of their own parishes, and 
 enjoying themselves on the Eaton bowling-green.' 'I 
 tell you,' retorted his Lordship, 'that if you continue 
 preaching where you have no right, you will very likely 
 be sent to Huntingdon goal.' ' I have no more regard, 
 ray Lord, for a goal than other folks,' rejoined I ; ' but I 
 
 ir 
 
194 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 had rather go there with a good conscience, than be at 
 liberty without one.' His Lordship looked very hard at 
 me/ ' Poor fellow I' said he, 'you are beside yourself, and 
 in a few months you will be either better or worse.' 
 ' Then, my Lord,' said I, 'you may make yourself quite 
 happy in this business ; for if I should be better, you 
 suppose I shall desist of my own accord ; and if worse, 
 you need not send me to Huntingdon goal, for I shall be 
 better accommodated in Bedlam.' His Lordship then 
 pathetically entreated . me, as one who had been and 
 wished to continue my friend, not to embitter the 
 remaining portion of his days by any squabbles with my 
 brother clergymen, but to go home to my ^^arish, and 
 stated that so long as I kept within it, I should be at 
 liberty to do what I liked there. 'As to your con- 
 science,' said his Lordship, 'you know that preaching 
 out of your parish is contrary to the canons of the 
 Church.' * There is one canon, my Lord,' said I, ' which 
 I dare not disobey, and that says, Go, preach the Gospel 
 to every creature^ " 
 
 Though the Bishop was greatly displeased, Berridge 
 gave him little concern about the affair, and the subject 
 soon after dropped. An old friend, who was very inti- 
 mate with William Pitt, urged that distinguished states- 
 man to apply to the Bishop on behalf of Berridge, who 
 was thus enabled to triumph over his enemies. Though 
 the vicar of Everton attributed his success to the influence 
 of Pitt, it is evident that Lady Huntingdon aided in 
 securing the happy result. The Lord Chancellor Henley, 
 who had promoted the Bishop to the see of Lincoln, was 
 a personal friend of her Ladyship, who applied to him to 
 use his influence with the learned prelate on behalf of 
 Berridge. To this Mr. Grimshaw alludes in a letter, 
 when he says, " May the Lord eternally bless that dear, 
 good, honourable Lady Huntingdon, who would defend a 
 
OATH ALL. 195 
 
 persecuted minister of Clirist to the last gown on her 
 back, and the last shilling in her pocket I " 
 
 Another place of worship was opened by the Countess 
 during the year 1761. Among the numbers, attracted by 
 the fame of the preaching at her Ladyship's chapel at 
 Brighton, were many farmers and country people from 
 the wilds of Sussex. Some of them were deeply impres- 
 sed with the truth, and entreated the Countess to afford 
 them the opportunity of hearing the same glorious doc- 
 trines nearer home. She was as willing to spread the 
 joyful sound of salvation as they could be to hear it, and 
 only wished to find a suitable place in which to erect the 
 standard of the Cross. Providence now seemed to point 
 out the way. An old gentleman, named Warden, a well- 
 known justice of the peace for the county of Sussex, then 
 occupied the mansion of Oathall, near Cuckfield, which 
 had formerly belonged to the Shirley family. Hearing of 
 her desire to introduce the gospel into the wilds of Sussex, 
 he waited on her Ladyship, and offered to let his house 
 for a term of years for the very purpose she meditated. 
 The agreement was speedily drawn up ; and the Countess 
 took possession of the premises, fitted up the large hall 
 for a chapel, and furnished the upper rooms for her own 
 residence, and the accommodation of the ministers whom 
 she invited thither. Here her zealous coadjutors preached 
 the gospel, with great success, among a people who loved 
 the simple truths of the Bible. The labours of the Eev. 
 W. Eomaine were particularly crowned with success. 
 He wrote to Lady Huntingdon, " Such a time I scarce 
 ever knew as we have had at Oathall. I met the society 
 twice, and had spoken with them one by one for two Sun- 
 days before we had the sacrament ; we were about one 
 hundred communicants fed at the Lord's table. It was a 
 feast indeed ; he not only made us welcome to the bread 
 and cup of salvation, but also vouchsafed his divine 
 presence, and gave us blessed foretastes of the marriage 
 
196 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 supper. Surely Oathall is a iiiglily favoured place, where 
 the Lord himself delighteth to dwell." 
 
 During the stay of this eminent minister at Oathall, he 
 became instrumental in the conversion of Captain Scott, 
 afterwards a noted preacher of the gospel. The Captain had 
 seen distinguished service in Germany, and was deeply 
 impressed with the danger to which his profession ex- 
 posed him. He had experienced many seasons of religi- 
 ous anxiety, and had often formed resolutions to live a 
 holy life. These he had repeatedly endeavoured to carry 
 out ; but all his works could not quiet his conscience, and 
 satisfy his heart. The Captain happened to be quartered 
 with his regiment in the neighbourhood of Oath all ; and 
 when on a shooting excursion, he was driven by a storm 
 to seek shelter at the house of a farmer, with whom some 
 of the horses of the regiment were at grass, where he 
 was kindly and hospitably entertained. The farmer 
 being a pious man, and Scott happening to be at the time 
 in what he termed a " religious mood^^ the conversation 
 took a serious turn, and resulted in an importunate invi- 
 tation by the farmer for him to hear the Rev. W. Romaine, 
 whom he represented as a very extraordinary man, and 
 now preaching for Lady Huntingdon at the Hall. Cap- 
 tain Scott accepted the invitation, and accordingly repaired 
 thither on the following Sunday. He was there struck 
 with the solemnity which pervaded the congregation, and 
 the impressive manner in which the service was conducted. 
 Romaine preached from our Lord's words, "I am the 
 way." The message was exactly suited to the case of the 
 soldier ; and God, who in his good providence had brought 
 him to hear it, by the power of his grace made it effectual 
 to the salvation of his soul. From that time commenced 
 the happy change, for which hundreds, who have been 
 called under his ministry, have had reason to bless God. He 
 retained his military profession, though his altered con- 
 duct exposed him to many annoyances in the army ; as 
 
CAPTAIN SCOTT. 197 
 
 lie was marching tlirongli Leicester with his regiment, he 
 opened his commission as a minister of the Lord Jesus • 
 and wherever he was stationed, he boldly preached the 
 gospel in his regimentals. Whitefield invited him to his 
 London pulpits, ''to bring his artillery to Tabernacle 
 rampart, and try what execution he can do here." Ro- 
 maine greatly encouraged him to persevere in his course, 
 and advised him to accept the invitation of Whitefield. 
 A tremendous storm of thunder and lightning burst over 
 him as he entered London ; which he regarded as an in- 
 dication of the divine displeasure. He, however, came to 
 the Tabernacle, where an immense crowd was assembled 
 to hear the red-coated preacher. The sight of the vast 
 audience completely unnerved him ; his utterance failed ; 
 his tears flowed fast ; and it was some time before he 
 could recover himself. At length he became composed 
 and preached with power and acceptance, and for twenty 
 years he was one of the most popular supplies at the 
 chapel. After a while, he sold his commission, quitted 
 the service of the King for that of Christ, and became a 
 burning and a shining light. 
 
 Another remarkable first-fruit, gathered at Oathall by 
 her Ladyship's ministers, was an old man called Abra- 
 ham. He had been for fifty years a soldier, and, after 
 his discharge, settled with his wife near Oathall. He 
 became serious, and sought after the truth ; but not 
 being satisfied with what he heard at his church, he went 
 round to the neighbouring churches, and still failed to 
 meet with what he desired. He thus roamed about till 
 her Ladyship's chapel was opened at the Hall; and though 
 he was greatly prejudiced against the Methodists, he re- 
 solved to go once and hear. He was then one hundred 
 years old ; but he was still hearty, and his faculties were 
 nearly unimpaired. Mr. Yenn was at that time with the 
 Countess, and preached at the chapel on the morning 
 
 when old Abraham attended. Tlie truth came to his 
 
 17* 
 
198 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 mind with a power and conviction the aged man had 
 never before experienced. He listened with the deepest 
 attention and delight, and could scarcely restrain his. joy ; 
 and as soon as the service was ended, he laid his hand on 
 the shoulder of a neighbour, who was at his side, and 
 said, '^Ah, neighbour, this is the very truth of God's 
 word, which I have been seeking for, and never heard it 
 so plain before. Here will I abide." From that time he 
 was most regular in his attendance on the ministry of 
 the different clergymen who preached there, and daily 
 grew in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and 
 Saviour, Jesus Christ. His age, and snow-white head 
 made him a conspicuous personage, and his conversation 
 rendered him very precious to all the serious persons 
 around. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon took a deep interest in this aged 
 disciple, and frequently visited his cottage. One day 
 when she was talking with him, he gave her an account 
 of some of his little trials. ^'Oh, my Lady," he said, 
 " 'tis my grief that my old partner is a little too apt to 
 run ahead sometimes; but I will tell ye what happened 
 the other day. When that remarkable darkness and 
 tempest came over us here, she was terribly frightened, 
 and thought it was the day of judgment, and in she ran 
 with an old gossip of hers, who was of her mind and 
 against me, and down they fell upon their knees upon the 
 floor, and said, 'Abraham, come and pray for us.' So 
 said I, 'What is the matter, dame?' '0' she said, 'it is 
 the day of judgment! it is the day of judgment ! Ar'n't 
 you afraid ? ' ' Afraid ! no ' said I ; ' what should I be 
 afraid of? If it is the day of judgment, then I shall see 
 Christ Jesus, my Lord, and that will be a joyful sight.' 
 So, my Lady, I began to sing a hj^mn. By and bye the 
 storm was oyer, and then they both forgot the fright it 
 had put them in." Old Abraham died calmly and tri- 
 umphant, in the one hundred and sixth year of his age, 
 
DEATH OF OLD ABRAHAM. 199 
 
 and was gathered by his Saviour as a shock of corn fully 
 ripe. 
 
 The glorious results, which these efforts produced, 
 greatly stimulated Lady Huntingdon in her work of faith 
 and labour of love. Every moment of her time was devo- 
 ted to Christ. The winter was spent in corresponding with 
 her numerous friends, arranging circuits for itinerating 
 in the summer, and gathering the nobility in London, 
 Bath or Clifton to hear the gospel in her drawing-rooms. 
 Charles Wesley generally oflQ.ciated as her chaplain when 
 she was at Bath or Clifton, and preached at her residence. 
 She was constantly increasing the number of her minis- 
 terial friends, and found employment for them all in the 
 vineyard of her Master. She did not, however, neglect 
 her own soul in her concern for the souls of others. Her 
 piety was always nourished by an earnest, constant com- 
 munion with Christ ; her love grew warmer with her 
 increasing experience of the love of God ; her faith be- 
 came stronger as her views of truth expanded and 
 ripened; and her zeal was stimulated to fresh acts of 
 benevolence by the success which had attended her efforts, 
 and the insight she had gained of the ignorance and sin- 
 fulness of the perishing world. 
 
 In the summer of 1762 Lady Huntingdon paid another 
 visit to Yorkshire, where she became interested in the 
 labours of the Rev. Dr. Conyers, afterwards brother-in- 
 law to Mr. Thornton, of Clapham, at Helmsley in the 
 North Riding. He had been for some years a most ami- 
 able clergyman, and had entered on the discharge of his 
 sacred duties with great zeal and energy. He regularly 
 visited his parish, conversed with his parishioners, cate- 
 chised the children, gathered the young men around him, 
 and exhorted all to lead moral and peaceful lives. His 
 views of religion, however, were very different from what 
 the gospel unfolds to us ; he was easy, good-natured, and 
 social ; but a stranger to a clear comprehension of that 
 
200 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 salvation, wliicli alone can rescue a guilty world. One 
 day lie was struck with tlie apostle's expression " The 
 unsearchahle riches of Christ]^'' and remarked that lie bad 
 never found anything unsearchable in him, that every- 
 thing seemed very simple, and that he discerned no mys- 
 tery in the gospel. The contrast between his state, and 
 the apostle's sentiment, forcibly impressed his mind ; and 
 after many painful exercises, he was led to see the nature 
 of Christ's mediatorial work. The discovery filled him 
 with intense joy. He says, '^I went upstairs and down 
 again, backwards and forwards in my room, clapping my 
 hands for joy, and crying out, 'I have found him ! I have 
 found him ! I have found him whom my soul loveth ; ' 
 and for a little time, as the Apostle said, whether in the 
 body, or out of it, I could hardly tell.' With great can- 
 dour, he informed his hearers of the important change 
 which had taken place in his mind and heart, and redou- 
 bled his efforts to promote the welfare of his charge. He 
 preached with greater fluency and power than previously, 
 and prominently set forth those doctrines which had 
 lately been brought to his attention. He soon experienced 
 the opposition, which all godly ministers were then 
 exposed to. His former friends treated him with cold- 
 ness and neglect, and many openly heaped upon him con- 
 tumely and scorn. He, however, meekly bore their 
 reproaches ; and God gave him great success in his 
 labours. His converts rapidly increased, whom he divi- 
 ded into distinct classes, men and woman, the married and 
 the unmarried by themselves ; and each day he preached 
 in some part of his parish, and conversed with the 
 people. 
 
 He was once called upon to preach a sermon before the 
 clergy at a visitation of the Archbishop of York. His 
 evangelical principles were well known ; and the neigh- 
 bouring clergy declared that if he dared to proclaim his 
 Tvlethodism in the presence of his Grace, his gown would 
 
ARCHBISHOP OF YORK. 201 
 
 soon be taken from liim. He, undaunted^ preaclied with 
 his usual fervour, and gave free expression to the grand 
 truths of the gospel ; which excited many frowns and 
 fears in his hearers. After the service, he happened to 
 be standing in the street conversing with some of his 
 parishioners, when the Archbishop came up to him, and 
 said, ^'Well, Conyers, you have given us a fine sermon!" 
 ''I am glad" said the Doctor, "it meets with the appro- 
 bation of your Grace." " Approbation 1 approbation ! " 
 replied the Archbishop, " if you go on preaching such 
 stuff, you will drive all your parish mad ! Were you to 
 inculcate the morality of Socrates, it would do more 
 good than canting about the new birth." His Grace 
 quickly turned round, and departed, without waiting for 
 any reply. The Countess wrote to Dr. Conyers to meet 
 her at Knaresborough ; but he was unable to do so, and 
 sent her Ladyship a beautiful letter excusing and regret- 
 ting her absence. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon attended the nineteenth Conference 
 of Methodists, held at Leeds, August 9th, 1762, when 
 Messrs. Eomaine, Madan, Yenn, Whitefield, and the 
 Wesleys were present. Whitefield proceeded to Scot- 
 land, and Lady Huntingdon to Kndresborough, where 
 she remained some time, and held frequent meetings of 
 all the evangelical clergymen in Yorkshire with the 
 view of stimulating them to more active exertions in dif- 
 fusing the light of salvation into the benighted districts 
 of the north. She afterwards went to Harrowgate, where 
 Eomaine preached several times, and thence to Kippax 
 and Aberford, where she remained for several weeks 
 actively engaged in promoting the»spread of the gospel. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon went from Yorkshire to Brighton 
 to see after her infant church in that town. She was ex- 
 tremely anxious for its prosperity, and endeavoured to 
 obtain the services of eminent clergymen of the Church 
 of England to sustain the interest which had been 
 
202 MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTINGDOX. 
 
 awakened. She personally arranged all the supj^lies, and 
 with great wisdom tried to select those preachers whose 
 ministrations would form a pleasing variety. Mr. 
 Eomaine repaired from Harrowgate to Brighton, and 
 remained there till Michaelmas, where his efforts were 
 very successful in counteracting the influence of some, 
 who were very clamorous for the doctrine of perfection, 
 which had created very serious divisions among Wesley's 
 societies in London ; and who threatened to disturb the 
 peace and prosperity of her Ladyship's congregation at 
 Brighton. On his return to London, Mr. Madan went 
 down to supply the chapel; and Eomaine promised to 
 undertake the duty at the Lock Hospital, and set Dr. 
 Haweis at liberty to preach for her Ladyship. The 
 preaching of Mr. Madan was attractive and useful; he 
 drew large crowds to the chapel, and succeeded in heal- 
 ing the wounds which the cry of perfection had made in 
 the hearts of the people. He spent ten weeks at Brigh- 
 ton, and left amid the deep regrets of the congregation. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon had written to Mr. Fletcher, and 
 invited him to pay her a visit in the summer; but he was 
 so peculiarly situated at Madeley that he was obliged to 
 decline the invitation. He stood alone in his neiofhbour- 
 hood; no clergyman would condescend to hold any 
 intercourse with him, because of his principles ; and he 
 was so closely tied to his parish tliat, since his induction, 
 he had not preached out of his church. He, however, 
 was enabled to leave for a short time, and supplied the 
 place of Mr. Madan at Brighton for some weeks, till 
 Howell Davis could relieve him. The Countess, however, 
 could not now prevail .upon John Berridge to leave his 
 stated labours, and supply her chapel. She wrote to him 
 an urgent request for his services ; and he sent her the 
 following reply, which is very characteristic of the man. 
 It is dated Everton, November IGth, 17G2. 
 
 '' I cannot see my way to Brighthelmstone ; and 1 
 
203 
 
 ought to see it for myself, not anotlier for nie. Was any 
 good done when I was there ? It was God's doing ; all 
 the glory be to him. This shows I did not then go with- 
 out my Master, but it is no proof of a second call. Many 
 single calls have I had to villages, when some good was 
 de'ne, but no further call. I am not well able to ride so 
 long a journey, and my heart is utterly set against wheel- 
 carriages in these roads. Indeed, I see not my call ; I 
 cannot think of the journey ; and, therefore, pray your 
 Ladyship to think no more of it. I write thus plainly, 
 not out of forwardness, I trust, but to save your Ladyship 
 the trouble of sending a second request, and myself the 
 pain of returning a second denial You threaten me. 
 Madam, like a Pope, not like a mother in Israel, when you 
 declare roundly that God will scourge me, if I do not 
 come ; but I know your Ladyship's good meaning, and 
 this menace was not despised. It made me slow in resol- 
 ving, and of course slow in writing ; it made me also 
 attend to the state of my own mind during its deliberation, 
 Avhich was as follows : — Whilst I was looking towards the 
 sea, partly drawn thither with the hope of doing good, 
 and partly driven by your Vatican Bull, 1 found nothing 
 but thorns in my way ; and now, while I am sending a 
 peremptory denial, I feel no check or reproof within, 
 which I generally do when I am not willing to go about 
 my Master's business." 
 
 The Countess was this year deprived of two valuable 
 assistants by death. The Kev. Grifiith Jones, rector of 
 Llanddowror, had been one of her earliest ministers, and 
 had excited a warm interest in her heart towards the 
 W^elsh people. His death was peaceful and triumphant. 
 The Rev. Mr Jones of St. Saviour's Church, London, had 
 been introduced to her Ladyship, w^hen he was under deep 
 religious concern ; and her conversation and friendship 
 were useful in consoling him in his distress, and strength- 
 ened his faith in Christ. He was a gifted preacher, a fine 
 
204 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 scholar; and possessed a remarkably sweet and placid dis- 
 position. He liad often preached at her Ladyship's 
 residence in London ; and Lady Huntingdon intended to 
 have secured his services at Brighton and Oathall, if death 
 had not snatched him from this world, in the thirty -third 
 year of his age. He had been long the subject of afflic- 
 tion, and his life often despaired of ; but his trials were 
 sent to prepare him for that bright and pure land, where 
 sorrows and death are unknown. The mind of the Coun- 
 tess was deeply affected by the loss she had sustained, as 
 she had fondly hoped to employ these two clergymen in 
 her chapels ; but her faith rose to God ; and confiding in 
 his care and wisdom, she pursued her career with redou- 
 bled energy, and felt assured that he would raise up 
 men to preach the gospel, if she humbly trusted to his 
 guidance, and aimed at the promotion of his glory. 
 
BRIGHTON. 205 
 
 CHAPTER XII. A.D. 1763—1764. 
 
 LADY HUNTINGDON AT BRIGHTON. — ROMAINE ; HIS EARLY 
 BREAKFASTS. — DR. CONYERS. — THE GREEK BISHOP. — 
 DEATH OF GRIMSHAW. — LADY SELINA HASTINGS ; HER 
 DEATH. — SORROW OF THE COUNTESS. — SYMPATHY OF 
 FRIENDS. — LETTER OF BERRIDGE. — TUNBRIDGE WELLS; 
 ITS CONDITION ; HER MINISTERS PREACH THERE. — MRS. 
 CARTERET. — MRS. CAVENDISH. — REY. WALTER SHIRLEY. 
 — PERSECUTION OF ROMAINE. — LAW-SUITS. — THE TRI- 
 UMPH OF THE GOSPEL. — JOY OF THE COUNTESS. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon continued her residence at Brighton 
 during the greater part of 1763, and watched over the 
 interests of her congregation with the greatest assiduity. 
 Her house was the abode of prayer and praise ; her social 
 circle was blessed with the constant presence of some 
 devoted minister of Christ : and the little company 
 enjoyed that divine happiness which Jesus communicates 
 to those who love and serve him sincerely. The attend- 
 ance at the chapel was most encouraging, and many 
 signs of good were appearing among the people. The 
 labours of her zealous clergymen had a very beneficial 
 influence on the prosperity of the community ; the threat- 
 ening symptoms passed away, and the utmost love and 
 unanimity prevailed. The zeal of the Countess inspired 
 all around her with enthusiastic energy ; her faith 
 strengthened the weak, her love warmed the cold, her 
 activity put the slothful to the blush ; and her self-deny- 
 ing generosity caused even avarice to loosen its grasp, 
 and testify to the power of her example. The number 
 of her faithful labourers, however, was so limited, and 
 
 IS 
 
206 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 their engagements were so various, that she experienced 
 some difficulty in securing a regular supply of clergy- 
 men ; and this occasioned her to enter into a voluminous 
 correspondence with pious ministers, in different parts of 
 the country, which alone was sufficient to occupy the 
 attention of a person of ordinary ability. At this time, 
 too, there was a considerable excitement in London 
 among those who had hitherto co-operated with her. 
 
 Dr. Haweis was associated with Mr. Mad an in the 
 chaplaincy of the Lock Hospital ; and when the Broad- 
 way chapel, "Westminster, became vacant, by the death 
 of Mr. Briant, he proposed to rent it of the widow, and 
 applied to the Dean of Westminster for a license. This 
 was refused him; and Romaine, who possessed a license 
 to preach in the diocese of London, opened the chapel, 
 and speedily gathered a large congregation. Before, 
 however, a year had elapsed, he was compelled to vacate 
 the pulpit, through fear of incurring the penalties of the 
 Spiritual Court. Lord Dartmouth, his steclfast friend, 
 offered him a living in the country; and Whitefield, 
 who was still in very delicate health, and preparing for 
 a voyage to America, invited him to settle at a great 
 church in Philadelphia, and on his refusal, pressed the 
 invitation with Dr. Haweis. These two devoted men 
 however, resolved to stay in their own land, and preach 
 the gospel wherever they could obtain a church. Eo- 
 maine greatly desired to assist Lady Huntingdon at 
 Brighton, and intended to have succeeded Howell Da vies ; 
 but as Mr. Madan was denied access to his pulpit, and 
 Dr. Haweis was without a license, he was unable to leave 
 London. He was doing a great work in the metropolis. 
 Ever since his marriage in 1755, he had resided at a 
 pleasant retreat, in Walnut-tree Walk, Lambeth, where 
 he was in the habit of inviting young clergymen to his 
 early breakfasts; many of whom have spoken with deep 
 gratitude of the instruction and encouragement they have 
 
DR. CONYERS. 207 
 
 received from Hm. He was, however, so convinced of 
 the importance of the work Lady Huntingdon was 
 engaged in, that he wrote to her from Lambeth, February 
 6th, 1763 ; and after explaining the cause of his inability 
 to come and assist her then, says, ''It would be a great 
 blessing if the Head of the Church should have more 
 places open to sound his fame and praise in your neigh- 
 bourhood ; and if he has such a gracious design, there 
 shall not be wanting heralds to proclaim his style and 
 titles. Get churches, and you won't want ministers. 
 For my part, I am quite fixed, and every day more so, 
 in my present work. I am called to it, and commanded 
 therein to abide with God." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was now carrying on a correspon- 
 dence with Dr. Conyers ; and aware of the feeble state of 
 his health, she invited him to Brighton that he might 
 have the benefit of the sea-air and enlarge the sphere of 
 his usefulness. The Doctor was an exceedingly nervous 
 man. He seldom preached out of his own pulpit ; even 
 the sight of a stranger often threw him into a state of 
 excitement ; and it was very rarely his friends could in- 
 duce him to conduct family worship at their homes. He 
 frequently said to Mr. Thornton, ''If ever you expect 
 any blessing under my ministry, I beg you will not 
 bring so many black coats with you." He immediately 
 declined her Ladyship's invitation ; and assigned as a 
 reason, that the duties of his parish, which was very ex- 
 tensive, demanded all his time and strength, and that he 
 was afraid to venture where so many eloquent ministers 
 of Christ had so successfully proclaimed his salvation. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon's visit to the metropolis was very 
 short ; for she was summoned to Brighton by the serious 
 illness of one of her daughters. While she was in Lon- 
 don, a person named Erasmus, a Greek Bishop, who 
 stated that his see was Arcadia in Crete, attempted to in- 
 gratiate himself into the favor of the Countess. The 
 
208 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 attempt, however was unsuccessful ; as she suspected he 
 was an impostor. " There is something singular in this 
 man" she says, "and it strikes me that he is not alto- 
 gether what he appears or pretends to be. Mr. Komaine, 
 Mr. Madan, and others have strong doubts of the reality 
 of his office." Mr. Wesley, however, held a different 
 opinion ; and contrary to the advice of his brother 
 Charles, and some of his best friends, he obtained for 
 some of his lay-preachers ordination from the bishop ; 
 though the opposition was so strong against them, that 
 they never exercised their new functions. Wesley was 
 accused of a breach of the oath of supremacy in thus 
 availing himself of the powers of a foreign prelate, and 
 was also charged with having pressed the bishop to con- 
 secrate him a bishop, that he might have power to ordain 
 whom he pleased. The former charge was denied by 
 Mr. T. Olivers ; the latter was vindicated on the ground 
 that Wesley and his followers manifestly had the inward 
 call, and desired the outward call also ; which, being re- 
 fused them by English Bishops, justified them in seeking 
 it wherever they pleased. 
 
 While in London, Lady Huntingdon had the misfor- 
 tune to lose her valuable and faithful friend, the labo- 
 rious and apostolic Grimshaw. In the early part of 1763 
 Ilaworth was visited by a violent putrid fever, which 
 carried off a great number of the inhabitants. He was not 
 the man to shrink, through fear, from the calls of duty ; 
 though he had a strange presentiment that some one of 
 his family would be among its victims. He exhorted his 
 household to be prepared for the event ; and committing 
 himself to the care of his Master, he went among the 
 sick and the dying, that he might point the soul to 
 Christ before it took its flight into the future world. He 
 caught the infection ; and knowing that his days here 
 were numbered, he longed for and welcomed the speedy 
 approach of death. Many of his friends came to visit 
 
DEATH OF MR. G R I M S H A W . 209 
 
 him, and to cheer him in his passage throngh the valley 
 of the shadow of death. Mr. Ingham was by his bed- 
 side for a long time, and was then relieved by Mr. Yenn. 
 His faith was strong, and his hope buoyant when Mr. 
 Ingham came to him, Grimshaw said, " My last enemy 
 is come ! the signs of death are upon me ; but I am not 
 afraid. No! No! Blessed be God, my hope is sure, and 
 I am in his hands." His friends prayed that he might be 
 restored, and his useful life long spared ; and the dying 
 man only wished for life, because, he said, '' if the Lord 
 should raise me up, I think I could do no more for his 
 glory than I have hitherto done. Alas ! what have my 
 wretched services been ? " Yet he was perfectly resigned 
 to the will of God, He said, ^' I harbour no desire of 
 life ; my time is come ; I am entirely resigned to God ; 
 Thy will be done." Mr. Ingham mentioned that he had 
 received a letter from Lady Huntingdon, in which she 
 expressed her sympathy and consolation ; and at the 
 mention of her name, Mr. Grimshaw lifted up his hands 
 to heaven, and said, " Tell her Ladyship, that dear elect 
 woman, that I thank her from the bottom of my heart 
 for all her kindnesses to me during the years that I have 
 known her. With my dying breath, I implore every 
 blessing, temporal and spiritual, to rest upon her. 
 May the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, bless 
 her, — bless her in body, soul, and spirit. I can never 
 repay the spiritual good I have reaped at her hands. O 
 that she may be eminently useful in her day and genera- 
 tion." He lingered a short time ; and exclaiming, ''Here 
 goes an unprofitable servant;" he died, April 7th, 1763, 
 in the fifty-fifth year of his age. 
 
 On the return of the Countess to Brighton, she imme- 
 diately proceeded to Oathall, where the Lord was pleased 
 to visit her with a very severe and afiecting calamity, by 
 removing from her an affectionate daughter. Lady 
 Selina Hastings was the youngest of seven children, and 
 
 18* 
 
210 MEMOIR OF LADY H U N T I2n^ G D O N . 
 
 was born December 3rd, 1737. Her education "had been 
 carefully superintended by her mother, who early trained 
 her in the ways of ];eligion, as well as fostered those 
 graces and accomplishments which were indispensable to 
 her high station. Her disposition was naturally amiable ; 
 and she studied to repay the tenderness of her mother 
 with an affection that beautifully ripened with her in- 
 creasing age. She was her comfort in sorrow, her joy in 
 health, and her helper in many of her benevolent enter- 
 prises. She cultivated the religion of the heart ; and 
 neither the attractions of youth, and fortune, nor the 
 dazzling splendour of high life, could divert her from an 
 habitual intercourse with the Most High. She was most 
 constant in her attention and love to her mother, and 
 was rarely absent from her. She had made her appear- 
 ance at Court, and was one of the six Earls' daughters 
 who assisted the Princess Augusta in supporting the 
 train of Queen Charlotte at her coronation, in September 
 1761 : and was to have been married, with the consent 
 of her mother and the Earl, to her relative Colonel 
 George Hastings. Lady Selina manifested the reality of 
 her religion by her conduct in life. It gave a spiritual 
 and heavenly tone to her mind, and a sweetness to her 
 disposition ; and closed a useful career with a bright and 
 happy prospect. During her trying illness, she was 
 greatly supported by the rich promises of the gospel ; 
 her mind was peaceful and happy ; her faith was firmly 
 fixed on her Saviour ; a holy smile played on her fea- 
 tures ; and if ever a cloud cast its shadow over them, and 
 disturbed the tranquility of her soul, it was the thought 
 of leaving her widowed mother behind her in the troub- 
 lous scenes of life, without her presence to soften her 
 trials, and alleviate her cares. Lady Huntingdon has 
 left the following touching account of the illness and 
 death of her beloved daughter : 
 
 " It pleased our dear God and only Saviour to take 
 
DEATH OF LADY SELINA HASTINGS. 211 
 
 from me May 12tli^ 1763, at three-quarters after four in 
 tlie morning, my dearest, my altogether lovely child and 
 daughter. Lady Selina Hastings, the desire of my eyes, 
 and continual pleasure of my heart. On the 26th of 
 April, she was taken ill of a fever, which lasted obsti- 
 nate till the seventeenth day from the time it began. On 
 her going to bed, she said she should never rise from it 
 more ; and from all she said to me through her illness, it 
 was evident that she continued satisfied she could not 
 live. She said she did not begin to think about death 
 then, and that she had no desire to live ; ' therefore, my 
 dear mother, why not now ? The Lord can make me 
 ready for himself in a moment ; and if I live longer, I 
 may not be better prepared; I am a poor creature; I 
 can do nothing myself; I only hope you will be sup- 
 ported.' She often desired me to pray by her, and with 
 great earnestness accompanied me ; and at one time she 
 called me and said, 'My dearest mother, come and lie down 
 hy me, and let my heart he laid dose to yours, and then I 
 shall get rest.'' She often called on the Lord Jesus to have 
 mercy on her, and complained of her impatience ; though 
 none ever heard a complaint pass her lips, notwithstand- 
 ing her sufferings were so great. I said she was blessed 
 with patience; she replied, 'Oh, no!' with some tears. 
 During the last four days, these sentences at times fell 
 from her: — 'Jesus, teach me! Jesus, wash me, cleanse 
 me, and purify me ! ' Lying quiet, she said two angels 
 were beckoning her, and she must go, but could not get 
 up the ladder. Another time she said, 'I am as happy 
 as my heart can desire to be.' The day before her 
 death, I came to her, and asked her if she knew me? 
 'My dearest mother!' I then asked if her heart was 
 happy? She replied, 'I now well understand you;' and 
 raising her head from the pillow, added, ' I am hai^i^y, 
 very, very happy ! ' and then put out her lips to kiss me. 
 She gave directions to her servant, Catharine Spooner, 
 
212 M E M O I K OF LADY H U N T I N G ]J O X . 
 
 about tliG disposal of some rings, observing that she 
 'mentioned it to her lest it should shock her dear mother 
 to tell her.' She often said, ' to be resigned to God's will 
 was all/ and that sbe had 'no hope of salvation but in 
 the mercy of Jesus Christ alone.' Blessed are the dead 
 that die in the Lord." 
 
 To resign into the arms of death such an affectionate 
 and dutiful daughter, was a severe trial to Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon ; but the conviction that it was ordered by that 
 Being, who is too wise to err, and too good to be unkind, 
 silenced every rising murmur. The choicest flowers, 
 which breathe out the richest perfumes, often droop and 
 perish most quickly ; and the loveliest members of the 
 family circle are frequently first gathered to their final 
 home. The afflicted mother best knew the worth of her. 
 child, and, therefore, most keenly felt the loss she had 
 sustained. Her faith, however, realized the preciousness 
 of the promise, ''As thy day, thy strength shall be." 
 She knew that God was doing all things well ; she re- 
 pressed every murmuring thought, yielded implicit sub- 
 mission to the divine will, humbled herself under the 
 bereaving stroke; and came forth from the trial with a 
 chastened spirit, and a more unreserved consecration of 
 herself to the service of her Saviour. The Lord had 
 removed the last member of her family living with her, 
 tbat she might devote all her thoughts and energies to his 
 own cause. 
 
 This season of bereavement caused her friends to rally 
 around her, and to pour in their consolatory letters from 
 all sides. Whitefield was on the point of embarking for 
 America, and rejoiced that her daughter died so triumph- 
 antly, and that her Ladyship was so divinely supported. 
 Lord Dartmouth conveyed his and Lady Dartmouth's 
 sympathy to her in a very beautiful letter in which he 
 says, " We are deeply indebted to your Ladyship, more 
 deeply than we can express. Our obligations are of a 
 
SYMPATIIAY OF FRIENDS. 213 
 
 nature never to be repaid by us ; but you will be rewarded 
 openly before an assembled world, when we shall swell 
 that innumerable train of children, which the Lord hath 
 given to you. There, Madam, we shall hope to meet you, 
 and join your beautiful child." Letters were also received 
 from Messrs. Venn, Komaine, Fletcher, Berridge and 
 others, consoling the Countess under her affliction. The 
 letter of Berridge is so characteristic that we give it 
 entire. 
 
 '^Everton, June 23rd, 1763. 
 " My Lady, — I received your letter from Brighthelm- 
 stone, and hope you will soon learn to bless your Ee- 
 deemer for snatching away your daughter so speedily. 
 Methinks I see great mercy in the suddenness of her 
 removal, and when you have done yearning for her ; you 
 wiU see it too. O ! what is she snatched from ? why, 
 truly, from the plague of an evil heart, a wicked world, 
 and a crafty devil ; snatched from all such bitter grief as 
 now overwhelms you ; snatched from everything that 
 might wound her ear, afflict her eye, or pain her heart. 
 And what is she snatched to ? To a land of everlasting 
 peace, where the voice of the turtle is ever heard, where 
 every inhabitant can say, 'I am no more sick,' — no more 
 whim in the head, no more plague in the heart ; but all 
 full of love and full of praise, ever seeing with enraptured 
 eyes, ever blessing with adoring hearts, that dear Lamb 
 who has washed them in his blood, and has now made 
 them kings and priests unto God for ever and ever. Amen. 
 O Madam ! what would you have ? Is it not better to sing 
 in heaven, ' Worthy is the Lamb that was slain,' &c., 
 than crying at Oathall, ' wretched woman that I am ? ' 
 Is it not better for her to go before, than to stay after you, 
 and then to be lamenting, ' Ah, my mother ! ' as you now 
 lament ' Ah, my daughter ? ' Is it not better to have 
 your Selina taken to heaven, than to have your heart 
 divided between Christ and Selina ? If she was a silver 
 
/ 
 
 214 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDOiS^. 
 
 idol before, miglit sTie not have proved a golden one 
 afterwards ? She is gone to pay a most blessed visit, and 
 will see you again by and by, never to part more. Had 
 she crossed the sea and gone to Ireland, you could have 
 borne it ; but now she is gone to heaven, 'tis almost intol- 
 erable. Wonderful strange love this ! Such behaviour 
 in others would not surprise me, but I could almost heat 
 you for it ; and I am sure Selina would beat you too, if 
 she was called back but one moment from heaven, to 
 gratify your fond desires. I cannot soothe you, and I 
 must not flatter you. I am glad the dear creature is gone 
 to heaven before you. Lament if you please ; but glory, 
 glory, glory, be to God, says 
 
 JOHN BEREIDGE." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon spent a short time at Brighton after 
 the death of Lady Selina ; and then repaired to Oathall 
 in June, to make arrangements for recommencing the 
 services, which had been suspended since the illness of 
 her daughter. Mr. Madan was now supplying her chapel 
 at Brighton, and was soon afterwards joined by Mr. Venn, 
 who came to London to arrange the publication of his 
 " Complete Duty of Man,''^ and was persuaded by the 
 Countess to meet her at Brighton. Her heart was over- 
 flowing with love and gratitude to Christ, and yearned 
 for the salvation of her fellow-creatures. She had a 
 deep sense of her obligations for the many blessings she 
 had recently enjoyed, and wished to testify her thankful- 
 ness by more active labours in her Master's service ; she, 
 therefore, consulted these two devoted ministers on a 
 plan which she had formed to bring the gospel into 
 other benighted localities. She beheld with satisfaction 
 the blessed results of her efforts at Brighton and Oathall ; 
 and she longed to become instrumental in awakening an 
 interest for religion in some other town. Her attention 
 was directed to Tunbridge Wells. 
 
TUNBRIDGE WELLS. 215 
 
 This rising town bad gained great celebrity by its mine- 
 ral springS; and was a place of considerable resort for 
 fashionable and noble society, as well as for the sick and 
 invalid. It was the scene of much gaiety and pleasure ; 
 and witnessed all the vices, which at this period flourished 
 so luxuriantly in watering-towns. Little attention was 
 here paid even to the forms of religion ; the sabbath was 
 a day of amusement and frolic, when every one did what 
 was right in his own eyes ; and the chapel, which had 
 been erected after the Eestoration, and dedicated to King 
 Charles the Martyr, was but scantily attended. The 
 spiritual destitution of the town, and the numbers of 
 visitors who flocked to it, attracted the attention of Lady 
 Huntingdon ; and after consulting with her friends, she 
 resolved to visit this fashionable place, and see what 
 means could be taken to erect the gospel-standard among 
 the people. Accompanied by Messrs. Yenn and Madan, 
 she entered the town, and made inquiries respecting the 
 spiritual condition of the neighbourhood. She was 
 agreeably surprised to find that it was far more favourable 
 than she had anticipated. Sir Thomas 1' Anson, who 
 resided in the neighbourhood, had exerted himself to 
 introduce the gospel, with some success. His house was 
 thrown open for preaching, where many were deeply 
 impressed with the truth, and were anxious to enjoy more 
 publicly the ordinances of religion. 
 
 The name of Lady Huntingdon was now so identified 
 with the cause of evangelical religion, that her arrival, 
 with her ministers, was hailed by the godly as the com- 
 mencement of a new era in the spiritual condition of the 
 place. The clergy became alarmed. The chapel belong- 
 ing to the Established Church was refused to Messrs. 
 Madan and Venn ; but the large Presbyterian place of 
 worship, where occasionally Wesley and others had pro- 
 claimed the message of mercy, was freely placed at their 
 disposal. This building, however, soon became too small 
 
216 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 to contain tlie crowds which thronged the doors ; and the 
 Countess, cheered by the eagerness of the people to listen 
 to the gospel, urged these zealous clergymen to stand in 
 the open-air, and imitate the example of Christ by addres- 
 sing the multitudes. It was a new and startling occur- 
 rence at Tunbridge Wells, and created a great stir among 
 the people. All classes poured out of their abodes to see 
 this great sight ; and a large and diversified congregation 
 gathered around the little band of Christ's servants. Mr. 
 Yenn preached from the invitation of our Lord, " Come 
 unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I 
 will give you rest." He had proceeded but for a short 
 time, before a man, who stood near him, suddenly cried 
 out, fell down, and expired. A thrill of fear ran through 
 the congregation ; and after a pause, Mr. Yenn, in the 
 most solemn and impressive manner, availed himself of 
 the circumstance to remind them of the uncertainty of 
 lifC; and of the necessity of at once fleeing to Christ for 
 pardon and peace. His words fell upon the ears of the 
 people with great power ; the tears rolled down the cheeks 
 of many ; and there were few present who did not feel 
 the solemnity of the occasion. When he had concluded, 
 the people still lingered around the spot ; and Lady Hun- 
 tingdon urged Mr. Madan to address them before they 
 went away. The Countess was greatly cheered by the 
 prospect of doing good in the town ; the readiness of the 
 people to hear the Gospel was to her an indication that 
 God had directed her steps thither : and she resolved as 
 soon as possible to cultivate this vineyard for the Lord. 
 She says, '' The fields are white already to harvest. May 
 the precious name of Him, who died to save, be made 
 very dear to many in this place ; and may this grain of 
 mustard-seed become, by the blessing of God, a flourish- 
 ing tree, extending its branches fVir and wide." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon could not stay long at Tunbridge 
 Wells to follow up the good which had been effected. 
 
MRS. CAKTERET AND MRS. CAVENDISH. 217 
 
 Mr. Yenn was obliged to hasten into Yorkshire ; and Mr. 
 Madan to London, and Everton, to enable John Berridge 
 to set out for Oathall, where he preached during the 
 month of August. The Countess was still in a delicate 
 state of health. Her anxiety for the prosperity of her 
 chapels, and her sorrow for her departed child, brought 
 her into a very low state. She was then attacked with 
 a fever, which prostrated her strength, though only for a 
 short time. Berridge refers to this in one of his letters, 
 before he came into the south ; and says, " Nothing ex- 
 pels undue grief of mind like bodily correction. Nothing 
 makes the child leave crying like the rod ; at least I find 
 it so by experience. A little whipping from your Father 
 will dry up your tears much sooner than a thousand 
 pretty lullabies from your brethren." 
 
 The Countess continued at Brighton during the autumn 
 and winter ; where she eojoyed the company of two dis- 
 tinguished friends, Mrs. Carteret and Mrs. Cavendish, who 
 were visiting her at her residence. These ladies were 
 sisters, and were allied to two of the noblest and most 
 ancient families in England. They formed a part of the 
 great harvest which had been gathered among the nobi- 
 lity at the house of her Ladyship in London, where they 
 first heard and received the glad tidings of salvation. 
 They united their influence and wealth to that of Lady 
 Huntingdon, and other honourable women ; made many 
 exertions to spread the truth, wherever they went ; and 
 frequently accompanied the Countess on her visits to Bath 
 and Clifton. Mrs. Carteret was much attached to Uv. 
 Yenn ; and when he visited her on her death-bed, she 
 took hold of his hand, and prayed most earnestly that 
 Jesus would blot out all her sins, clothe her in his perfect 
 righteousness, and grant her a happy dismissal to glory. 
 Her sister was equally attached to her Ladyship's minis- 
 ters ; and departed this life, full of hope, soon after death 
 had snatched away her beloved companion. They were 
 
 19 
 
218 MEM OIK OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 ''lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death 
 they were not divided." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon spent the year 1764 in visiting the 
 various places, where she had been accustomed to meet 
 her friends to hear the gospel; and divided her time 
 between London, Bath, and Brighton. She now added 
 to the number of her chaplains, the Hon. and Eev. 
 Walter Shirley, Eector of Loughrea, in Ireland. He was 
 brother to the -unfortunate Earl Ferrars, and cousin to 
 her Ladyship ; and was introduced by her to most of the 
 leading characters in the religious world. The ministry 
 and conversations of Mr. Venn were so greatly blessed 
 to him, that he ever after styled himself " his son in the 
 gospel." His connection with her Ladyship raised a vio- 
 lent storm of persecution against him in his own country ; 
 his name was blackened with opprobious epithets; the 
 clergy were shamed by his zealous and energetic labours, 
 and closed their churches against him ; and wherever he 
 went he was followed by their bitterest resentment and 
 opposition. His heart was too deeply impressed with the 
 truth to allow his lips to be sealed by clerical intolerance ; 
 and the persecution he met with only stimulated his 
 efforts to spread abroad more widely the simple doctrines 
 of the gospel. He became a warm and devoted labourer 
 in the various chapels which Lady Huntingdon erected. 
 
 Mr. Romaine was during this year most bitterly perse- 
 cuted in London. The only church preferment he held 
 was the lectureship at St. Dunstan's, which brought him 
 in the astonishing salary of eighteen pounds a year 1 
 He was now threatened with the loss even of this. His 
 preaching highly offended the rector, who now took pos- 
 session of the pulpit, while the Liturgy was being read, 
 to prevent Romaine preaching to the congregation. He 
 appealed to law; and Lord Mansfield, the Lord Chief 
 Justice, decided that Romaine could not be excluded from 
 the pulpit. The opposition-party, however, did every- 
 
LAW-SUITS. 219 
 
 thing to annoy tlie preacher; — ^tlie cTinrcli doors were 
 kept closed till the commencement of divine service ; and 
 when they were opened, the thousands who were crowd- 
 ing the street, rushed in, like a foaming torrent, regardless 
 of the sanctity of the place, or their own comfort and 
 safety. The churchwardens refused either to light the 
 church, or permit it to be lighted ; and Eomaine might 
 often have been seen preaching by the light of a single 
 candle, which he held in his hand, and which gave a 
 ghastly hue to the vast crowds who were profoundly lis- 
 tening to the eloquent minister. At length the influence 
 of the Bishop of Peterborough put an end to these pro- 
 ceedings, and secured tranquility to Mr. Eomaine. 
 
 During this year there occurred an election for the 
 living of St. Ann's, Blackfriars; the right of presenta- 
 tion to which is vested alternately in the crown and in 
 the parishioners. The late incumbent was the nephew 
 of the Lord Chancellor Henley, an intimate friend of the 
 Countess; who was seized with a putrid fever, while 
 visiting a person infected with that frightful disorder, and 
 died, after holding the living six years and a half As 
 soon as Lady Huntingdon heard of the vacancy, she im- 
 mediately thought of Eomaine, and took active measures 
 to secure, if possible, his election. She spoke to the Lord 
 Chancellor to solicit his influence; and at her suggestion, 
 John Thornton and Mr. Madan went among the parish- 
 ioners to secure their votes. Eomaine was absent in 
 Yorkshire ; and his enemies industriously circulated the 
 most foolish reports respecting him. They stated that 
 he was a very proud and overbearing man ; that his 
 preaching would never suit them; and that he never 
 came personally to ask their votes. They drew a contrast 
 between him and the other candidates, who came to them 
 in their canonicals, and humbly solicited their favour. 
 The candidates were to preach the probation sermon the 
 end of September, 1764 ; and the friends of Eomaine re- 
 
220 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 quested him to come to London for the occasion. It was 
 an anxious time for them. To avoid giving oflence, and 
 to afford the parishioners every accommodation, Lady 
 Huntingdon and her friends kept away ; and Eomaine 
 preached an eloquent sermon on the words, " "We preach 
 not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves 
 your servants for Jesus' sake." It was exceedingly well 
 received, and afterwards printed at the request of the in- 
 habitants. 
 
 The election proceeded ; and a great trouble ensued be- 
 tween the two parties. A scrutiny was demanded ; and 
 a second election gave Eomaine a great majority. The 
 opposition, however, was so determined, that new diffi- 
 culties were raised, and the matter finally thrown into 
 the Court of Chancery. For more than • a year, this 
 vexatious suit was prosecuted with unwearied diligence. 
 The Countess watched its progress with the deepest in- 
 terest ; and Eomaine preached for her during its continu- 
 ance, and frequently corresponded with her on the sub- 
 ject. His mind was calmly staid on God. He says, 
 '' Blackfriars' church is desirable, but we cannot tell 
 whether Jesus wants it, or not ; if he does, he will bring 
 it about ; if not, his will be done." At length, after 
 many tedious delays, the Lord Chancellor Henley de- 
 cided in his favour, in February, 1766; and Eomaine 
 was accordingly inducted into the living. His friends 
 greatly rejoiced at his success ; but he knew too well the 
 state of the parish to indulge in many glowing visions. 
 He says, " I can see nothing before me, so long as the 
 breath is in my body, but war, and that with unreason- 
 able men, a divided parish, an angry clergy, a wicked 
 Sodom, and a wicked world." No one was more zealous 
 in his cause, and rejoiced more at his success, than the 
 noble-hearted Countess. Mr. Jesse, of West Bromwich, 
 who was with Lady Huntingdon and Mr. Shirley at Oat- 
 hall, describes tlie interest she took in the welfare of her 
 
LAW- SUITS. 221 
 
 minister, and in his success. "We have had quite a 
 little jubilee on the confirmation of the validity of our 
 dear brother Eomaine's election. Never have I seen more 
 heart-felt joy and gratitude than was expressed on that 
 occasion by her Ladyship. I verily believe that if Mr. 
 Romaine had not gained his election, the disappointment 
 and vexation would have well nigh killed her." The 
 anxiety of the Countess arose, not so much from her 
 concern for the personal comfort and pecuniary advan- 
 tage of her chaplain, though she could not be indifferent 
 to these things, as for the consequences which would 
 have resulted to the interests of true religion, if the ene- 
 mies of the gospel had triumphed in Blackfriars. The 
 church occupied a most commanding position in a popu- 
 lous neighbourhood, and exerted an extensive influence 
 around ; and the Countess was desirous of obtaining it 
 for Mr. Romaine, that not only its walls might ring with 
 the glad tidings of salvation, but its influence might be 
 of that holy nature, which would further the spread of 
 the gospel, and induce multitudes to listen to its impor- 
 tant truths. Her Ladyship was inflamed with holy zeal ; 
 and she was determined to act on the advice of Romaine 
 — to get churches, and pray for evangelical ministers ; — 
 and the remainder of her life was occupied in providing 
 both. 
 
 19* 
 
222 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. A.D. 1764—1767. 
 
 THE POWER OF EXAMPLE. — THE CHAPEL AT LEWES. — 
 WORTHING. — LADY HUNTINGDON 's CATHOLICITY. — 
 CHAPEL AT BRETBY. — OPENING OF THE CHAPEL AT 
 BATH. — HER MINISTERS. — FLETCHER. — CONVERSION OF 
 LADY GLENORCHY. — DEATH OF THE EARL AND COUN- 
 TESS OF SUTHERLAND. — ANECDOTE. — LETTER OF LADY 
 HUNTINGDON TO MRS. POWYS. — WESLEY AT BATH. — 
 HORACE WALPOLE. — NICODEMUS' CORNER. — THE NOBI- 
 LITY FLOCK TO THE CHAPEL. — ENLARGEMENT OF 
 BRIGHTON CHAPEL. 
 
 The efforts of Lady Huntingdon were not confined to 
 the locality where she had erected a place of worship. 
 Briefhton was a centre of influences which radiated in 
 all directions, — the starting point, whence her devoted 
 ministers issued to carry the gospel into the neighbour- 
 ing towns and villages. The Countess was always the 
 pioneer in these preaching excursions; she procured the 
 Established Churches for her learned chaplain, Mr. Ro- 
 maine, wherever she could ; stood by her ministers when- 
 ever they preached in the open air ; shared in the privations 
 and perils they had to undergo ; and braved with them 
 the storms of persecution to which not unfrequently they 
 were exposed. Her example was well calculated to ani- 
 mate their zeal, and sustain their faith. She surrendered 
 all the luxuries and comforts of life, endured the scorn 
 and animosity of the wicked, rejoiced in the thought that 
 she was counted worthy to sulfer shame for Christ, and 
 even counted not her own life dear unto her; that she 
 
THE CHAPEL AT LEWES. 2 Jo 
 
 might have the unspeakable satisfactioa of knowing, that 
 the tidings of salvation were proclaimed to perishing sin- 
 ners. God smiled upon her disinterested efforts ; and 
 made her the honoured instrument of planting the gospel 
 standard in the midst of the strongholds of Satan's 
 empire. 
 
 The town of Lewes, Sussex, early attracted her atten- 
 tion. It was then a place of considerable notoriety for 
 trade, situated to the north-east of Brighton, and was 
 most delightfully located on the banks of the Otise, which 
 opened up a communication with the sea at New-haven. 
 Her chaplains visited this place at her request ; and in 
 the beginning of the year 1765, she procured one of the 
 churches for Mr. Eomaine. His preaching, however, 
 gave great offence to the rector, who closed the pulpit 
 ao-ainst him ; and her chaplain afterwards preached in a 
 large room, and ultimately in the open fields. He once 
 preached on the text "Behold the Lamb of God, which 
 taketh away the sin of the world," to a large congrega- 
 tion ; and there was reason to believe that many were 
 deeply impressed with the truth. Lady Huntingdon 
 could not then prolong her stay at Lewes ; and in Feb- 
 ruary, she hastened to London, where she visited her 
 aunt Lady Fanny Shirley, and in company with her 
 chaplains, attended the performance of the oratorio 
 " Ruth " at the Lock chapel. Mr. Madan and Dr. Haweis, 
 chaplains to the Hospital, were very musical, and com- 
 posed several tunes. Among the productions of Mr. 
 Madan are the well-known popular pieces, " Before Jeho- 
 vah's awful throned '' From all that dwell hehw the sides.'" 
 " Salvation, the joyful sounds " To God the only luise.'' 
 After a short visit, she returned to Brighton, and again 
 repaired to Lewes in the company of Messrs. Madan 
 and Fletcher. She obtained permission for these minis- 
 ters to preach in the churches; but the opposition of the 
 clergy to their doctrines speedily drove them from the 
 
224 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 pulpits, and obliged tliem to hire a large room, where 
 they preached to great numbers. She was satisfied that 
 the Lord had called her to erect a chapel in this place. 
 
 The opposition of the clergy to the spiritual doctrines 
 of the gospel, the desire of the people to listen to the 
 truth, the impression made on many of the hearers, and 
 their earnest request that they might enjoy the ministra- 
 tions of some evangelical preacher, combined to deter- 
 mine her Ladyship to erect a place of worship at Lewes. 
 It was opened on the 13th of August, 1765, when ser- 
 mons were preached by Dr. Peckwell, rector of Bloxham, 
 Lincolnshire, who afterwards frequently ministered in 
 her chapels ; by Mr. Penty cross, afterwards rector of 
 Wallingford ; and by the celebrated George Burder, then 
 about to enter on his career as an independent minister. 
 This chapel was regularly supplied by her Ladyship's 
 ministers, and afterwards by her students. 
 
 In the month of April, Eomaine again visited Lady 
 Huntingdon at Brighton, where Mr. Howell Davies was 
 zealously labouring. At this period the present fashiona- 
 ble watering-town of Worthing was a small fishing place ; 
 though even now it began to be visited by a few persons, 
 who wished to enjoy the quietude of the country, and 
 the benefit of sea-bathing, for w^hich its extensive sands 
 were far preferable to the shingles of Brighton. Into 
 this place, she attempted to introduce the gospel, and 
 went thither with her ministers to reconnoitre the locality. 
 While Howell Davies was preaching, several clergymen 
 assembled, and used every exertion to create a riot 
 among the people ; but they were defeated in their 
 object ; and went away, threatening revenge on the first 
 Methodist preacher they met with. After visiting this 
 town a few times, the Countess did not attempt anything 
 further here, but confined her labours for the present to 
 the three chapels she already possessed in Sussex* 
 
 The tone of Lady HuntingTlon's mind was exalted far 
 
CHAPEL AT BRETBY. 225 
 
 above tlie narrow feelings of sectarian principles. She 
 had her own views and principles, which she held with 
 a tenacity, that nothing but a conviction of their errone- 
 ousness could ever have destroyed ; but she never con- 
 stituted them the standard by which to test others, and to 
 pronounce sentence upon them. Her catholicity em- 
 braced all pious ministers, who held the essential truths 
 of the gospel ; and though she was thoroughly attached 
 to the services of the Established Church, she frequently 
 observed, that she had no objection to hear the truth 
 from the lips of a dissenter, provided he has no design to 
 form a party ; and delighted to correspond with such 
 liberal-minded men as Doddridge, Watts, and others. By 
 the advice of Howell Davies, she wrote to the Kev. D. 
 Edwards, a dissenting minister at Ipswick, and invited 
 him to supply her chapel at Brighton. This eminent min- 
 ister was of the same catholic spirit as Lady Huntingdon, 
 and in a long letter to her, descants on the importance of its 
 manifestation. He says, " I have had repeated evidences 
 from many parts of the kingdom, that your Ladyship's 
 truly catholic spirit has influenced many ; and a review 
 of that evangelical temper, which you cultivate, will 
 afford an inward satisfaction, which applause cannot give, 
 or censure take away. What a great historian says of 
 Vespasian is equally applicable to your Ladyship ; — that 
 your noble descent and your rich abundance have 
 changed nothing in you but this, that your power of 
 doing good is made in some degree to answer your will, 
 counting it a greater honour to lay out for God than to 
 lay up for yourself." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon shortly after quitted Brighton, and 
 repaired to Bath. Her labours in this beautiful city had 
 been crowned with the divine blessing ; and she resolved 
 to erect a permanent residence and a chapel, that she 
 might be enabled to glorify God on a more extensive 
 scale. She selected an appropriate piece of ground in 
 
226 MEMOIR OF LADY H U N T I X G D O X . 
 
 the Vineyards, and with great zeal commenced building 
 her house, and that chapel which for nearly a century 
 has attracted crowded audiences to hear the glad tidings 
 of salvation. While these buildings were in progress, 
 Lady Huntingdon accepted Lord Chesterfield's oft'er of 
 his house and chapel at Bretby Hall, Derbyshire. She 
 was accompanied by Mr. Jesse, of West Bromwich, and 
 arrived at his Lordship's residence about the end of July; 
 and was soon after followed by Mr. Komaine, and Mr. 
 Townsend, rector of Pewsey, Wilts. These ministers 
 alternately preached at the Hall chapel ; but when White- 
 field, who had just returned from America, visited them 
 on his way to London, the audience was so great that, 
 while Eomaine preached in the chapel, the other minis- 
 ters addressed the vast crowds in the extensive park sur- 
 rounding the mansion. Their labours, however, were 
 not confined to Bretby ; for Eomaine says in one of his 
 letters, '' Fifteen pulpits were open, and showers of grace 
 came down ; but Mrs. Wordsworth (Townsend's sister) 
 was taken ill, and obliged to go to Bath, and this broke 
 up the party." Lady Huntingdon returned to Bath with 
 Mr. Townsend and his sister, and Eomaine journeyed to 
 Brighton and OathalL 
 
 The chapel was now nearly completed ; and the Coun- 
 tess wrote to her various ministers to summon them to be 
 present on the joyful occasion of dedicating it to the 
 service of God. Eomaine was reaping a plentiful harvest 
 in her chapels at Brighton and Oathall ; aud wrote to 
 her, ''The society most earnestly entreat you, if Mr. 
 Madan should come down to Bath, that I may be suffered 
 to stay here with them. Why should we both be there 
 at the same time, to stand in one another's way ? " Mr. 
 Madan was unable to attend, and the Countess wrote 
 again to Eomaine, pressing him to come ; but he replied, 
 ''I must openly tell you that my very heart and soul are 
 now in this work; inasmuch that I have not minded 
 
HEK MINISTERS. 227 
 
 going to Oathall wet to the skin, for the joy that was set 
 before me." At length the arrangements were completed ; 
 and on the 6th of October, 1765, this substantial and 
 commodious chapel was thrown open for the public wor- 
 ship of God, and the preaching of the gospel. The 
 phxce was densely crowded with an attentive audience, 
 and great numbers of the nobility, who had been speci- 
 ally invited by her Ladyship, attended. Whiteiield 
 preached an eloquent discourse in the morning from ii 
 Cor. vi; 16, and Mr. Townsend proclaimed the glad 
 tidings of salvation in the evening. In a letter to 
 his friend, Robert Keene, Whitefield says: — '^ Could you 
 have been present at the opening of the chapel, you 
 would have been much pleased. The building is ex- 
 tremely plain, and yet equally grand. A most beautiful 
 original ! All was conducted with great solemnity. 
 Though a wet day, the place was very full, and assuredly 
 the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls consecrated and 
 made it holy ground by his presence." 
 
 Whitefield preached at Bath but a few times, being 
 obliged soon to return to London; but Mr. Madan 
 speedily arrived, and attracted considerable notice in the 
 city. Mr. Romaine also spent some weeks at her Lady- 
 ship's house, and preached with great power and success 
 in her chapel. He deemed it no slight honour to be asso- 
 ciated with the gifted Whitefield in proclaiming the truths 
 of the gospel. He followed up his early labours at 
 Brighton ; and though for prudential reasons, and for the 
 purpose of securing an entrance into the pulpits of the 
 Establishment, he did not officiate in Whitefield's chapels, 
 lie honoured his character, gloried in his friendship, 
 and associated with him in his extensive labours. Both 
 were excellent and remarkable men, though possessing 
 different qualities. For popular eloquence and com- 
 manding oratory, Whitefield was unrivalled ; but in 
 erudition, and critical knowledge of the Scriptures, 
 
228 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTIXGDON. 
 
 Eomaine was far superior to liim, and to most of liis 
 coDtemporaries. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon passed the winter of 1765 between 
 Brighton and Oathall, and returned to Bath in the begin- 
 ning of the spring of the next year. Shortly after her 
 return, the Countess invited Mr. Fletcher from Madeley 
 to preach in her chapel. He accepted the invitation ; and 
 soon attracted large audiences by his fervid and spiritual 
 addresses. He had made astonishing progress in acquir- 
 ing the English language, which he now spoke with a 
 fluency and precision, which, when animated with his 
 lively feelings, rendered his eloquence peculiarly touching 
 and impressive. His friend Mr. Gilpin says of him : — 
 
 " There was an energy in his preaching that was irre- 
 sistable. His subjects, his language, his gestures, the tone 
 of his voice, and the turn of his countenance, all con- 
 spired to fix the attention, and affect the heart. Without 
 aiming at sublimity, he was truly sublime ; and uncom- 
 monly eloquent, without affecting the orator. He was 
 wondrously skilled in adapting himself to the different 
 capacities and conditions of his hearers. He could stoop 
 to the illiterate, and rise with the learned ; he had incon- 
 trovertible arguments for the sceptic, and powerful per- 
 suasions for the listless believer ; he had sharp remon- 
 strance for the obstinate, and strong consolation for the 
 mourner. To hear him without admiration was impossi- 
 ble; without profit, improbable! The unthinking went 
 from his presence under the influence of serious impres- 
 sions, and the obdurate with kindled relentings." 
 
 It was during her present stay in Bath, that Lady 
 Huntingdon became acquainted with Lady Glenorchy ; a 
 name which was soon associated with all that is good and 
 holy in the metropolis of Scotland. Lord and Lady 
 Glenorchy had lately returned from the continent, and 
 resided at Great Sugnal, a short distance from Hawkestonc, 
 
CONVERSION OF LADY GLENORCHY. 229 
 
 the celebrated seat of Sir Eowland Hill. At this time, 
 several members of the family — Mr. Eichard Hill, his 
 brother Eowland, their eldest sister, and Elizabeth, 
 another sister — were of a decidedly pious character ; and 
 bore with meekness the reproach which the world cast 
 npon them, because of their religion. Lady Glenorchy 
 soon became intimate with the Hills, and often expressed 
 the wish that she possessed the jDcace and happiness 
 which she perceived they enjoyed. A warm attachment 
 speedily grew up between her and Miss Hill, who was 
 about her own age, and became her bosom friend. In 
 the summer of the year 1765, her Ladyship was seized 
 with a dangerous putrid fever, which confined her to her 
 bed for a considerable time. This affliction, however, was 
 the means of leading her to see her sinful state by nature, 
 and to confide in Christ alone for salvation.' She then 
 felt the value of possessing such a gentle, wise, and affec- 
 tionate friend as she found in Miss Hill, whose holy con- 
 versation exerted a most blessed influence on her mind 
 and body. The joy of the believer was awakened in her 
 heart ; and she resolved to forsake the gaieties of the 
 world, to consecrate herself to Christ and to spend the 
 remainder of her life in promoting the interests of his 
 kingdom. As soon as she was well enough to bear the 
 fatigue of a long journey, she repaired to Bath ; where 
 her friends tried every inducement to lead her to forget 
 her past sorrows, and shake off her serious impressions, 
 by mingling with gay and fashionable society. She, 
 however, remained firm in her purpose to devote her 
 whole energies and influence to the cause of Christ. Her 
 intimacy with Lady Huntingdon, at this critical period, 
 was of essential service to her. The excellent advice, 
 and scriptural conversation of the Countess, and the 
 preaching of her devoted ministers, greatly contributed 
 to establish her faith, and animate her zeal ; and prepared 
 her to tread firmly the path which the providence of God 
 
 20 
 
230 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 liad marked out for lier. Her career was a very check- 
 ered one ; yet all lier trials and temptations, her afflictions 
 and the reproaches of friends, could not move her from 
 the position she had taken, nor quench the burning love 
 which she felt towards perishing souls. She was destined 
 to be the Selina of Scotland. Lady Huntingdon was 
 her model; from her she drank copious draughts of spiri- 
 tual truth, and caught that inspiration which urged her 
 along in her noble efforts. She left Bath in the spring ; 
 and soon after her arrival in Edinburgh, thus ex^^ressed 
 to Lady Huntingdon her gratitude and thanks for the 
 inestimable benefits she had conferred upon her by her 
 conversation and society : — 
 
 '' My dear Madam, — How shall I express the sense I 
 have of your goodness ? It is impossible in words. But 
 my comfortis, that the Lord knows the grateful thoughts 
 of my heart, and he will amply reward you for the 
 kindness you have shown a poor unworthy creature, 
 whom blindness and ignorance rendered an object of 
 pity. When you say your heart is attached to me, I 
 tremble lest I should prove an additional cross to you in 
 the end; and the pain I suffer in the apprehension of 
 this is unspeakable. I hope the Lord permits it as a 
 spur to me to be watchful, and to keep near to him, who 
 alone is able to keep me from falling. I can truly say, 
 that, next to the favour of God, my utmost ambition is 
 to be found worthy of the regard which your Ladyship 
 is pleased to honor me with, and to be one of those who 
 shall make up the crown of rejoicing for you in the day 
 of our Lord. 
 
 I am sorry to take up more of your precious time 
 than is needful to express my gratitude for the obliging 
 lines your Ladyship favoured me with ; and will only 
 add, that I ever am, with the greatest respect and affec- 
 tion, my dear and much honoured Madam, your most 
 obedient servant, w. glenorchy." 
 
EARL AND COUNTESS OF SUTHERLAND. 231 
 
 A short time after the departure of Lady Glenorchy, 
 tlie Earl and Countess of Sutherland came to Bath in 
 deep distress at the untimely death of their eldest daugh- 
 ter. The Countess, who was the only sister of Lady 
 Glenorchy, gave her a letter of introduction to Lady 
 Huntiugdon. They called upon her Ladyship, who mani- 
 fested a very strong interest in them. ''Never," she 
 says, ''have I seen a more lovely couple; they may, 
 indeed, with justice be called the Flower of Scotland ; 
 and such amiability of disposition, so teachable, so mild ! 
 They have indeed been cast in Nature's finest mould. 
 Bowed down to the earth by grief, they are almost incon- 
 solable for the loss of their daughter. Dear Lady Glen- 
 orchy is extremely anxious on their account." At this 
 critical period in their history, Whitefield came to Bath 
 to supply the chapel. He says in a letter to a friend, 
 dated March 17th, 1766, "Last Friday evening, and 
 twice yesterday, I preached at Bath to very thronged 
 and brilliant auditories. I am told it was a high day. 
 The glory of the Lord filled the house. To-morrow, God 
 willing, I return thither again. Mr. Townsend is too ill 
 to officiate. Lady Huntingdon is mounting on her high 
 places." The Earl and Countess were induced to attend 
 the preaching of the gospel at the chapel. The opportu- 
 nity of doing this was not long continued ; for shortly 
 after their arrival, the Earl was attacked by a violent 
 fever, with which he struggled fifty-four days, and then 
 expired, in the fifty- first year of his age. His Countess 
 was unremitting in her attention to him; for twenty-one 
 days and nights she watched over him in his chamber, 
 without retiring to rest ; and when he died, she gave way 
 to the most poignant grief, which crushed her to the 
 ground. Lady Huntingdon was her true friend in the 
 season of her anguish ; she visited her frequently, and 
 endeavoured to pour into her bleeding heart the rich 
 consolations of the gospel : and caused public prayers to 
 
232 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 be offered on her behalf at the chapel. The blow, how- 
 ever, was too severe for her devoted heart to bear. Her 
 strength was prostrated bj the fatigue of watching at the 
 bedside of her husband ; her mind was consumed with 
 grief; and in seventeen days after his death, she fell a 
 victim to that disease which had snatched away her be- 
 loved partner. The melancholy event spread a general 
 gloom over the gay inhabitants of Bath ; the deep inte- 
 rest, which their death awakened, was increased by the 
 spectacle of the infant daughter, left an orphan ; and 
 many were induced to attend the chapel, who had hith- 
 erto refused to enter it, and were impressed with serious 
 convictions. Two sermons were preached there on the 
 solemn occasion, when most of the nobility then in Bath 
 attended ; and the mysterious stroke of God's providence 
 reminded many of their own frailty and sinfulness, and 
 brought them to submit to the authority of Christ. 
 
 A remarkable circumstance occurred in connection 
 with this sudden bereavement. It may appear strange 
 and unaccountable, but it is a fact, that Lady Alva, the 
 mother of the Countess, knew nothing of the death of 
 her daughter till nearly three weeks after the event had 
 taken place. The death of the Earl had been communi- 
 cated, but not that of the Countess. The manner in 
 which she became acquainted with it was peculiarly 
 singular and impressive. When she was hastening from 
 Scotland to the assistance of her daughter, she happened 
 to alight from her carriage at the door of a certain inn 
 on the road to Bath. She saw two hearses standing near, 
 and curiosity prompted her to ask whose remains they 
 contained. Her feelings may be easier imagined than 
 described, when she was informed that they contained 
 the remains of Lord and Lady Sutherland, which were 
 going to Scotland to be interred in the ancestral vault ! 
 
 Shortly after the death of her friends. Lady Hunting- 
 don left Bath for Brighton; where she remained the 
 
LADY Huntingdon's letter. 233 
 
 principal part of tlie summer, actively engaged in tlie 
 work of the Lord. She was here visited by Mr. and Mrs. 
 Powys, who were intimate friends of Whitefield, and 
 warm admirers of her Ladyship. Whitefield styled 
 them, ''his honoured and happy pair," and congratulated 
 them that, while his cloud pointed towards Bath and 
 Bristol, their's directed them to Brighton. He wrote to 
 them, June 2nd, and says, ''How glad will the noble 
 Countess be of the intended visit! How will the hearts, 
 both of the visited and visitors, be made to burn within 
 them ! " Messrs. Fletcher and Romaine were with her 
 Ladyship during the stay of her friends ; and in October, 
 Mr. Fletcher, accompanied by Lady Huntingdon, came 
 to London, where, says Whitefield, "he became a scanda- 
 lous Tottenham-court preacher; and Mr. and Mrs. Powys 
 went on a visit to Mr. Venn in Yorkshire. Thither the 
 Countess sent the following letter to Mrs. Powys, which 
 gives a fair specimen of the correspondence of her Lady- 
 ship with her friends, and her intense devotion to Christ. 
 
 " My Dear Madam, — As I have no expectation of see- 
 ing you again, from all the uncertainty of all things 
 on earth, which suffers us not to call anything 
 our own that time possesses us of, I could not for- 
 bear communicating my sentiments of love and tender 
 regard to you and Mr. Powys, hoping that the conviction 
 that will follow from them Avill be sufficient to assure 
 you how glad I should be to wait upon you, though the 
 interposition of providence may prevent my ever having 
 that opportunity. I really mean that my frieiidships, 
 visits, conversatio7is, with every intercourse of mankind, should 
 lead to hut one end. I don't mean by this merely the 
 necessary consistency required of a religious profession, 
 or the splendid appearances of a devout (or sanctimoni- 
 ous) character. 0, no! these the poorest and blindest 
 hypocrite may excel in; but the knowledge of truth — 
 
 20* 
 
234 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 essentially and eflfectually distinguislied from all the 
 plausible opinions about it — is my all! 
 
 *' These words in youv letter struck me with a simpli- 
 city I loved ; — ' All I know is, that I am exceedingly 
 ignorant, and have need to be taught as a little child.' 
 To this real disposition is all trust eminently and speci- 
 ally addressed ; and without this kind of docility, we 
 must remain where we were. I don't suppose you con- 
 sider it needful to become so, as to man ; but are you so 
 before Him who alone can teach, guide, and lead into all 
 truth ? Kead from the 25th verse to the end of the 14th 
 chapter of St. Luke ; and see if, out of that great multi- 
 tude that followed Him, you would have rejoiced when 
 he turned and said to them, ' If any man come to me, and 
 hate not,' &c., 'he cannot be my disciple; ' for we hear 
 of none that chose Him out of that multitude ; and in 
 what a state of preparation for heavenly things must 
 that heart have been, that could have embraced Him in 
 his low and despised estate so highly, as to fly from all 
 things else, nearest and dearest, as hateful, to follow Him. 
 Is then, this the disposition of your heart, my dearest 
 Madam? This was not said to apostles, or eminently 
 chosen instruments, but 'if any man come to me.' * ^ ■^• 
 
 "A lady of great quality I knew, that had most seri- 
 ous and religious sentiments, and of this world, in person, 
 fortune, family, friends, &c., an uncommon share. A 
 gentleman, who was well acquainted with her, and saw 
 the snares that would beset her in order to prevent the 
 solid experience of the truth, dealt most plainly with her, 
 and showed her the consequence of a divided heart. It 
 gave her great pain for a time ; but at and before her death, 
 she would often cry out, 'O what great, what unspeaka- 
 ble obligations do I now feel for that dear and faithful 
 friend who dealt so plainly with me; ' and indeed her death 
 was the most blessed proof of that solid and most sub- 
 
WESLEY AT BATH. 235 
 
 stantial evidence she had of future glory ; for mortality 
 was swallowed up of life, visibly to others. 
 
 " It is this sort of friends I feel I want for myself, who 
 will ever contend with every false rest I would set up ; 
 and with faith and zeal be hastening my slow and lazy 
 steps through this rough wilderness of woe ; such it only 
 is to pilgrims ; they cannot take up with what is in it, 
 yet loiter in that way, when faith and love would make 
 them wings to soar upon. * * * 
 
 ^'Thus, my dearest Madam, may you and I practically 
 know, understand, and follow, by the guidance of the 
 Spirit of truth, the meaning and intent of all religious 
 truths revealed in the Bible; unless this is the case, we 
 are, and shall be found, the sounding brass, and nothing 
 better. To our great Prophet, Priest, and King may we 
 ever trust and commit ourselves ; and in his arms of love 
 and mercy may we be found, when nothing else but the 
 merits of his death, shall fill heaven and our hearts with 
 his praises. I am, dearest Madam, your much obliged 
 friend, and obedient humble servant, 
 
 S. HUNTINGDON." 
 
 ''To Mrs. Powys." 
 
 The Countess of Huntingdon's chapel at Bath was, 
 meanwhile, crowded with attentive and noble au.diences. 
 She procured the assistance of the most celebrated preach- 
 ers to supply the pulpit. Whitefield preached there with 
 his usual acceptance, though it was evident to his friends 
 that his powers were becoming feeble through incessant 
 toil. Wesley was particularly struck with the change in 
 his appearance. He says, "He seems to be an old man, 
 being fairly worn out in his Master's service, though he 
 has hardly seen fifty years. He breathes nothing but 
 peace and love. Bigotry cannot stand before him, but 
 hides its head wherever he comes." Wesley had failed 
 to accomplish his plan of uniting all the evangelical 
 
236 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 clergymen in England; and it was agreed that Lady 
 Huntingdon; Whitefield, John and Charles Wesley, 
 should meet as frequently as convenient, and co-operate 
 with each other in the diffusion of truth. "Wesley 
 preached in Bath towards the end of August, and says, 
 ^'Many were not a little surprised at seeing me in the 
 Countess of Huntingdon's chapel. The congregation was 
 not only large but serious ; and I fully delivered my own 
 S0U.1." During his stay at Bristol, he offered his services 
 to Lady Huntingdon, who, in a letter to him, dated Sep- 
 tember 14th, 1766, says : — 
 
 "I am most highly obliged by your kind offer of serv- 
 ing the chapel at Bath, during your stay at Bristol ; I 
 mean on Sundays. It is the most important time, being 
 the height of the latter season, when the great of this 
 world are only in the reach of the sound of the gospel 
 from that quarter. The mornings are their time ; the 
 evenings, the inhabitants chiefly. I do trust that this 
 union which is commenced will be for the furtherance of 
 our faith and mutual love to each other. It is for the 
 interest of the best of causes, that we should all be found, 
 first, faithful to the Lord, and then to each other. I find 
 something wanting, and that is a meeting now and then 
 agreed upon, that you, your brother, Mr. Whitefield, and 
 I, should at times be glad regularly to communicate our 
 observations upon the general state of the work. Light 
 might follow, and would be a kind of guide to me, as I 
 am connected with many. 
 
 " Universal and constant usefulness to all, is the impor- 
 tant lesson. And when we are fully and wholly given up 
 to the Lord, I am sure the heart can lono^ for nothins; so 
 much as that our time, talents, life, soul, and spirit, may 
 become upon earth a constant and living sacrifice. How 
 can I be most so, that is the one object of my poor heart. 
 Therefore to have all the light that is possible, to see my 
 way in this matter, is my prayer day and night; for 
 
X I C O D E M U S ' CORNER. 237 
 
 wortliy is the Lamb to receive all honour, and glory 
 and blessing. 
 
 "What you say of reproach, I hope never to be with- 
 out, so that it be for obeying. I am honoured by every 
 degree of contempt, while my heart has its faithful testi- 
 mony before Him who can search it to the bottom, and 
 knows that his glory and the good of souls is my one 
 object upon earth. I shall turn coward and disgrace you 
 all, when I have any worse ground to stand upon ; and I 
 am sure my prayer will be answered, which has been 
 made these seven-and-twenty years, that whenever his 
 eye, which is as a flame of fire, sees any other end or 
 purpose of my heart, he will remove my poor wretched 
 being from this earth." 
 
 "Wesley was very popular at her Ladyship's chapel, 
 and drew a vast audience to hear him. This sanctuary 
 was the chief place of resort for the nobility ; and Horace 
 Walpole, who was now visiting Bath, and attended with 
 his friends, gave the following description of its appear- 
 ance. " They have boys and girls with charming voices 
 that sing hymns in parts. The chapel is very neat, with 
 true gothic windows. I was glad to see that luxury is 
 creeping in upon them before persecution. They have 
 very neat mahogany stands for branches, and brackets of 
 the same, in taste. At the upper end in a broad hautpas 
 of four steps, advancing in the middle ; at each end of 
 the broadest part are two eagles, with red cushions, for 
 the parson and clerk. Behind them rise three more steps, 
 in the midst of which is a third eagle for a pulpit. 
 Scarlet arm-chairs to all three. On either hand a balcony 
 for elect ladies. The rest of the congregation sit on 
 forms. Behind the pit, in a dark niche, is a plain table 
 within rails ; so you see the throne is for the apostle. 
 Wesley is a clean elderly man, fresh coloured, his hair 
 smoothly combed, but with a little soupcon of curl at the 
 ends. Wondrous clever, but as evidently an actor as 
 
238 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Garrick. He spoke his sermon, but so fast, and with so 
 V'Jde accent, that I am sure he has often uttered it, for it 
 /as like a lesson. There were parts and eloquence in it; 
 3ut towards the end, he exalted his voice, and acted very 
 vulgar enthusiasm." Such was the picture of this chapel 
 ninety years ago. Horace Walpole would scarcely 
 recognise the same in its present improved condition. 
 There was one thing, however, which escaped the keen 
 eye of Walpole. It was a seat for Bishops ; who were 
 frequently present during the service. The witty and 
 eccentric Lady Betty Cobbe, daughter-in-law of Dr. 
 Cobbe, Archbishop of Dublin, was cousin-german to 
 Lady Huntingdon. Her influence was extensive, and 
 was frequently exerted in bringing Bishops to the chapel, 
 whom she always contrived to smuggle into the curtained 
 seats immediately inside the door, where they heard the 
 preacher, without incurring what they thought would 
 be a dreadful disgrace if they were seen in such a place ! 
 This seat Lady Betty facetiously termed '' Nicodemiis'' 
 Corner^'' 
 
 Almost all the persons of distinction who visited Bath 
 attended Lady Huntingdon's chapel ; and Walpole states 
 that it was quite a rage among persons in high life to 
 form parties to hear the different preachers who officiated 
 there. Among these he enumerates Lord Camden, High 
 Chancellor ; Lord ISTorthington, President of the Council, 
 Earl Chatham and family ; Lord Kockingham ; Lord 
 Malpas; Lord and Lady Powys ; Lord and Lady Buchan 
 and family ; Miss Eich, sister to Lord Ly ttleton ; Duke of 
 Bedford and family; &c., &c. The Bishop of Derry 
 attended frequently. His infirmities led him often to 
 visit Bath, and ultimately to take up his residence there. 
 He was introduced to Lady Huntingdon by Lady Betty 
 Cobbe, and spent a considerable time in her society. He 
 often went with Lady Betty to hear the various ministers, 
 towards many of whom he manifested great kindness and 
 
R E-0 P E N I NG OF THE CHAPEL. 239 
 
 friendship. On one occasion, Wesley spent an hour with 
 him before he preached at the chapel, and was highly de- 
 lighted with his pious conversation. When Wesley 
 recommended Mr. Maxfield, the first local-preacher, for 
 episcopal ordination, the Bishop readily complied, and 
 said to the candidate, " Sir, I ordain you to assist that 
 good man that he may not work himself to death." 
 
 At the beginning of the year 1767, Lady Huntingdon 
 returned to Brighton to superintend the enlargement of 
 her chapel. The preaching of the gospel had attracted 
 such crowds, and produced such blessed results, that the 
 place was far too small to accommodate the people. The 
 chapel was closed during the alterations ; and on the 20th 
 of March, her Ladyship gathered her chaplains around 
 her, and re-opened the sanctuary for worship. The pre- 
 vious day was devoted to earnest and solemn prayer. 
 In the morning the Countess retired to her closet, and for 
 several hours wrestled with God for a blessing to rest on 
 the chapel she had erected for his service; and in the 
 evening, a prayer-meeting was held in her house, when 
 her ministers implored the divine sanction and presence. 
 Lady Huntingdon was accustomed to anticipate the pub- 
 lic prayers of her chaplains by her own private interces- 
 sions for the congregations. Before the officiating minis- 
 ter entered upon the discharge of his duties, she prayed 
 in retirement that divine assistance might be given, to 
 enable him to preach with wisdom, power, fidelity, and 
 fervour ; and that the hearers might have a serious mind 
 and a retentive memory. While he was preaching, she 
 was praying that the Lord might bless the message to her 
 own heart, and the hearts of the people ; and when the 
 service was concluded, she often retired to her room, to 
 pray that the Spirit would seal the instructions of the 
 sanctuary, and bring many sinners to Christ. '' The seed 
 thus sown was watered by her abundant prayers and 
 tears; and in the day of the revelation of all things, it 
 
LADY HUNTINGDON'S LETTER. 240 
 
 may be seen that through prayers the CouDtess and 
 others of kindred spirit wielded a no less mighty power 
 in the revival than those whose coming was with observa- 
 tion in the public assemblies." 
 
MR. VENN. 241 
 
 CHAPTER Xiy. A.D. 1767. 
 
 LADY HUNTINGDON AT BATH. — MR. VENN. — CAPTAIN 
 SCOTT.— DR. ANDREWS AND DR. WARBURTON. — REV. S. 
 FURLEY. — LADY ANN ERSKINE. — THE COUNTESS VISITS 
 YORKSHIRE. — STRANGE SCENES. — RODBOROUGH. — MAD- 
 ELEY. — BRETBY HALL. — HUDDERSFIELD. — HER LADY- 
 SHIP'S SERIOUS ILLNESS. — CONSOLATIONS OF FRIENDS. — 
 MRS. DEAN. — SAMSON OCCUM, THE INDIAN PREACHER. — 
 LADY HUNTINGDON AT BATH. — DEATH OF MRS. VENN. 
 — REV. ROWLAND HILL. — LORD DARTMOUTH. — DEATH 
 OF EARL BUCHAN. — SOLEMN SERVICES. 
 
 On the 30tli of March 1767, Lady Huntingdon left 
 Brighton with Miss Orton, an intimate friend, for London, 
 where she remained only a few days, and thence pro- 
 ceeded to Bath to visit her friends, and to witness the 
 work of the Lord in that fashionable city. While her 
 Ladyship was at the seaside, Romaine, Whitefield, and 
 other distinguished ministers of Christ, preached in her 
 chapel at Bath, and stimulated the hearts of the people 
 with their heavenly fervour. Whitefield was succeeded 
 by Mr. Yenn, who was admirably calculated to attract 
 and impress the illustrious hearers. He was a powerful 
 and successful preacher, and was a most agreeable com- 
 panion and friend. He had at his comm^and a vast store 
 of racy anecdotes, which he told with such effect that 
 they illustrated the point he was enforcing, and deeply 
 impressed it on the heart. After supplying her Ladyship's 
 chapel at Bath for two months, he preached at Bristol, 
 and Gloucester, and went to Talgart, whence he gives a 
 
 21 
 
242 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 beautiful account of a spot dear to the Countess — '' Happy 
 Trevecca" — and of Howell Harris, who had been with her 
 at Brighton, and afterwards joined her at Bath, where he 
 preached in her chapel, and in some of the houses of the 
 nobility. Mr. Yenn writes ; — 
 
 " Howell Harris is the father of that settlement, and the 
 founder. After labouring for fifteen years, more vio- 
 lently than any of the servants of Christ, in this revival, 
 he was so hurt in body as to be confined to his own 
 house for seven years. Upon the beginning of this con- 
 finement, first one and then another, whom the Lord had 
 converted under his word, to the number of near a hun- 
 dred, came and desired to live with him, and that they 
 would work and get their bread. By this means, near 
 one hundred and twenty, men, women, and children, 
 from very distant parts of Wales, came and fixed their 
 tents at Trevecca. We were there three days, and heard 
 their experience; which they spoke in Welsh to Mr. 
 Harris, and he interpreted to us. Of all the people I 
 ever saw, this society seems to be the most advanced in 
 grace. They speak as men and women who feel them- 
 selves every moment worthy of eternal punishment and 
 infinitely base ; and yet at the same time, have such cer- 
 tainty of salvation through the second Man, the Lord 
 from heaven, as is indeed delightful to behold. My heart 
 received a blessing from them and their pastor, which 
 will abide with me." 
 
 His stay at Trevecca, however, was very short ; and on 
 his return to Huddcrsfield, he visited Mr. Powys, at Ber- 
 wick, where he wrote a long letter to Lady Huntingdon. 
 He says ''From Trevecca, we came to Berwick, where, 
 though we did not find you had yet made the squire a 
 preacher, yet botli his consort and himself were much 
 the better in their souls for the rummaging they went 
 through at Brighthelmstone ; — not from the custom- 
 house officers, but from one who is zealous least the 
 
HAPPY TREVECCA. 243 
 
 revenue of Jesus sliould sustain damage, and that none 
 should be deceived into a notion that their goods have 
 the seal royal upon them, when it is no more than a 
 counterfeit ticket. In a word, they are both, I trust, in 
 earnest, seeking the face of the Lord, and to know the 
 certainty of the words of truth." 
 
 During his stay at Berwick, he was surprised with a 
 visit from CaiDtain Scott, who was spending a few days 
 with his friends in the neighbourhood, and rode over to 
 deliver a letter from Mr. Eomaine to Mr. Powys. His 
 conversion to God had not been made known to them ; 
 and one morning, soon after breakfast and family prayer, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Powys and Mr. Yenn were looking from 
 the parlour window in the front of the hall, and per- 
 ceived a military officer in his uniform riding towards 
 the house. Mr. Powys recognised him at a distance, and 
 said, '^Ilere comes Captain Scott; what can he want 
 here ? I am determined not to see him if I can avoid it." 
 They immediately withdrew from the window. The 
 Captain rode up, and asked if Mr. Powys was at home : 
 and the servant uninstructed by his master to tell an un- 
 truth to avoid an inconvenience, replied that he was. 
 Mr. Powys appeared, and received his visitor with an air 
 of distant civility, thinking that his presence would be 
 an interruption to the spiritual enjoyment of himself 
 and his friends. The Captain presented Eomaine's letter, 
 which narrated the remarkable conversion of the offi- 
 cer. Mr. Powys read it with very deep interest ; which 
 at length so increased, that he caught Captain Scott in his 
 arms, embraced him with the affection of a father, and 
 cried out, in a voice tremulous, with emotion, "Mr. 
 Venn ! Mrs. Powys ! come ! come here quickly. Here is 
 Captain Scott a convert to Christ, a new creature in 
 Christ Jesus ! " They hurried to the spot, read the letter 
 of her Ladyship's chaplain, embraced their brother in 
 the faith ; and like those pure spirits who weep over sin- 
 
244 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 ners, and sing over the penitent, they rejoiced over bim 
 witli full and grateful hearts. 
 
 While Lady Huntingdon was at Bath, Dr. Andrews, 
 who held the living of Stinchcombe, preached very fre- 
 quently at her Ladyship's chapel, and united with her 
 ministers in their work of faith. His delicate bealtli pre- 
 vented him labouring with as much, energy as he wished; 
 yet he braved the reproach wMch they suffered, accom- 
 panied them on their preaching excursions, and gloried in 
 the brand of Methodist, which his clerical brethren stam- 
 ped upon him. His Bishop, the intolerant Warburton, 
 threatened him with the terrors of the spiritual court, if 
 he continued his practices ; and sarcastically wrote to 
 him, "I shall insist upon your constant residence in your 
 parish, not so much for the good you are likely to do 
 there, as to prevent the mischief you may do by ram- 
 bling about in other places." The Bishop continued to 
 persecute him, because he was a Methodist, and had com- 
 mitted the unpardonable sin, in his eyes, of preaching for 
 Lady Huntingdon. At length the Countess interfered. 
 She wrote to his Lordship, trusting that her long and in- 
 timate acquaintance with him would induce him to relax 
 his severity tOAvards Dr. Andrews for her sake. She had 
 little hope of success, as she knew the bitter enmity he 
 cherished towards the Methodists, and his opposition to 
 herself, whom, she says, " he sometimes treated most un- 
 courteously ; " and she was prepared for his laconic reply. 
 ''Mr. Andrews is under my jurisdiction, and I am re- 
 solved to keep him and his fanatic conduct within his 
 own parish ! " 
 
 Another zealous minister of the Gospel assisted her 
 Ladyship at this time in her labours at Bath. The Eev. 
 Samuel Furley had been connected with the Methodists 
 from an early period ; and after his ordination, had oc- 
 casionally preached for Mr. Romaine. During his resi- 
 dence at Kippax, he became acquainted with Lady Hun 
 
D K . A X D K E W S . 245' 
 
 tingclon throiigli her uiece Mrs. Meclhurst, and afterwards 
 often corresponded with her Ladyship. She introduced 
 him to John Thornton, Esq., who generously presented 
 him with the living of Eoche, in Cornwall, to show his 
 esteem for the Countess, and his high opinion of the tal- 
 ents of Mr. Furley. He seldom left his parish, except 
 when his health required it ; and then he generally re- 
 paired to Bath, and officiated in the Countess' chapel. 
 During his short stay here, Lady Huntingdon frequently 
 met him at the residence of Miss Gideon, the correspond- 
 ent of Romaine, Venn and Whitefield, who was at this 
 period greatly afflicted. Her Ladyship was a most con- 
 stant attendant on the sick and the infirm. She watched 
 at the bed-side with maternal solicitude ; she read the 
 most consoling passages of Scripture, prayed for them 
 with very great fervour and unction, and cheered their 
 desponding hearts by her lively and heavenly conversa- 
 tion. Her visits to Miss Gideon were highly prized by 
 the sufferer and by Mr. Furley ; and the Countess was 
 surprised at the Christian fortitude and patience with 
 which her friend bore her severe pains. A complainino- 
 word scarcely ever passed her lips ; her soul was ripened 
 under the chastising hand of God ; and her faith and love 
 strengthened in the fire of affliction. 
 
 Among the personal friends of Lady Huntingdon, who 
 v^^ere at this period in Bath, was the illustrious Lady, 
 Avho, from this time, became intimately associated with 
 the Countess in her labours, and after Lady Huntingdon's 
 death, regulated the affairs of the Connexion. Lady Ann 
 Erskine was the daughter of tlie Earl of Buchan, and the 
 eldest of a numerous family, which has furnished some 
 of the brightest ornaments of the English and Scottish 
 Bar. Her early days were spent in Scotland, where, 
 when about seven years old, she was deeply affected with 
 love to Jesus, and often prayed to him privately. As 
 she grew up, her early impressions wore off; and for 
 
 21* 
 
246 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 some years she livedo like too many of her rank and sex, 
 in fashionable follies, and in the company of those who 
 were strangers to themselves, never thought of the Lord, 
 and whose love of pleasure created a disinclination for 
 the consideration of solemn and important matters. The 
 Earl of Buchan removed to Bath, where he became ac- 
 quainted with Lady Huntingdon, whose lioly conversa- 
 tion greatly contributed to revive and deepen the early 
 convictions Lady Ann had experienced. A warm friend- 
 ship^ also, with the pious members of the Hawkestone 
 family, greatly assisted her faith, and led her to make 
 an open profession of evangelical religion. Her growing- 
 intimacy with the Countess developed the powers of her 
 mind and the affections of her heart ; and the congeniality 
 of their views, spirit, and aspirations, induced Lady 
 Huntingdon to invite Lady Ann to remain with her, as 
 her friend and companion. She was then in her twenty- 
 eighth year ; and with the consent of her father, she ac- 
 cepted the invitation. 
 
 Early in the month of May, the Countess, Lady Ann 
 Erskine, Miss Orton, and Howell Harris, who had been 
 staying a short time with her Ladyship, left Bath in the 
 company of "Whitefield, on a preaching excursion- towards 
 Yorkshire and Scotland. Gloucestershire was the scene 
 of their first labours ; and Whitefield says : — ■ 
 
 ^'We have had good seasons at Kodborough; I Avas 
 regaled wdth the company of some simple hearted, first- 
 rate old Methodists, of nearly thirty years standing. 
 God willing, I am to preach to-morrow morning, and to 
 have a general sacrament on Friday evening. I have 
 been out twice in the fields. On Sunday I hope to take 
 to Rodborough wood again. Good Lady Huntingdon, 
 kc, were wonderfully delighted. She and her company 
 Liy at Eodborough House. They honoured dear Mr. 
 Adams with their presence ; he is but poorly and wants 
 a nurse ; perhaps before next Sunday he may be married 
 
RODBO ROUGH. 247 
 
 to a simple-liearted, plain, good creature that hath waited 
 vipon him and the preachers near twenty years. She 
 hath no fortune^ but is one who, I think, will take care 
 of and be obedient to him, for Christ's sake." 
 
 From Kodborough they proceeded to Gloucester, 
 Whitefield's birth-place, where, he says, ^'we had a most 
 blessed season. Thousands and thousands, I trust, heard, 
 saw, and felt." He here parted from Lady Huntingdon 
 to visit Wales, before he returned to London ; and the 
 Countess and her party journeyed to Hawkestone to visit 
 Sir Eowland Hill, and thence proceed to Trevecca, where 
 they were joined by Mr. Fletcher, who conducted them 
 to Madeley, on their way into Derbyshire. In a letter 
 to "Whitefield, dated May 18th, Mr. Fletcher says:— 
 
 "I should be glad to go and be your curate some time 
 this year ; but I see no opening, nor the least prospect of 
 any. What between the dead and the living, a parish 
 ties one down more than a wife. If I could go any- 
 where this year, it should be to Yorkshire, to accompany 
 Lady Huntingdon, according to a design that I had half 
 formed last year; but I fear that I shall be debarred even 
 from this. I set out, God willing, to-morrow morning 
 for Trevecca, to meet her Ladyship there, and to show 
 her the way to Madeley, where she purposes to stay 
 three or four days, on her way to Derbyshire. What 
 chaplain she will have there, I know not; God will 
 provide. * * * 
 
 Last Sunday seven-night. Captain Scott preached to my 
 congregation in a sermon which was more blessed, though 
 preached only upon my horse-block, than a hundred of 
 those I preach in the pulpit. I invited him to come and 
 treat her Ladyship next Sunday with another, now the 
 place is consecrated. If you should ever favour Shrop- 
 shire with your presence, you shall have the cajDtain's, 
 or the parson's pulpit at your option. Many ask me 
 Avhether you will not come to have some fruit here also; 
 
248 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 what must I answer tliein ? I, and many more, complain 
 of stagnation in tlie work ; Avhat must we do ? every- 
 thing buds and blossoms around us, yet our winter is not 
 over." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon remained a few days at Madeley, 
 and enjoyed the pleasure of Captain Scott's company, 
 who, at the request of Mr. Fletcher, preached to attentive 
 congregations on the Sabbath-day from the horse-block, 
 and on the following day to a very large assembly of 
 people, who were attracted by curiosity to see the Coun- 
 tess and the preaching of&cer. From Madeley they pro- 
 ceeded to Bretby Hall, where they awaited the arrival of 
 Messrs. Yenn and Townsend. Mr. Yenn had written to 
 her Ladyship, before she set out, — as she had arranged 
 the plan of the journey with great precision — and 
 says : — 
 
 '^Your coming into Yorkshire, attended by two such 
 faithful labourers, will, I doubt not, be blessed exceed- 
 ingly to the souls of the people, as your parlour-preach- 
 ing will be to our own souls. If I can, I shall do myself 
 the pleasure of meeting you at Bretby; if not on the 
 ninth of next month, we shall receive you and your 
 blessed company with that exalted joy which the Holy 
 Ghost inspires. I must take the liberty of begging, 
 your Ladyship will present our most respectful compli- 
 ments to Lady Ann and Miss Orton, and express our 
 sense of the favour they will confer on us by coming to 
 my vicarage. We were in hopes you could have con- 
 trived to have spent a Sabbath with us, rather than at 
 Kippax. Three thousand hearers would be present to 
 receive the word of life here, whereas at the village there 
 would be very few. Love to my flock, and desire for 
 their good, prompt me to mention this. To make one of 
 your tour to Scotland would delight me much indeed ; 
 but my complaint in iTiy breast is returned, and I am not 
 able to lift up my voice." 
 
HUDDEESFIELD. 249 
 
 Her cliapel at Bretby was at tins time supplied by 
 Messrs. Jesse and Maxfield ; and on tlie arrival of the two 
 expected clergymen, the five ministers, now surrounding 
 the Countess, preached twice a day, and created great ex- 
 citement in the neighbourhood. Their labours were 
 greatly blessed in the conversion of souls. 
 
 On the 9th of June, Lady Huntiugdon, attended by 
 Messrs. Yenn, Townsend, and Fletcher, arrived at Hud- 
 dersfield, and was hospitably entertained by Mrs. Venn 
 at the vicarage. At the earnest solicitation of the vicar, 
 she remained there the following Sabbath, when Mr. 
 Fletcher preached twice to very large and deeply atten- 
 tive congregations, and scattered the seed of divine truth. 
 The Countess proceeded thence to Aberford, and spent 
 some time with her relative. Lady Margaret Ingham. 
 From this place, the party made many excursions into 
 the neighbouring towns and villages, that the benighted 
 people might be visited with the light of the gospel. 
 Once she went, with her ministers, to Haworth, the scene 
 of the labours of the lamented Grimshaw ; where the re- 
 port that Messrs. Fletcher and Townsend would preach, 
 had collected a vast multitude of people. The successor 
 of Grimshaw, however, was averse to open-air-preaching, 
 and refused the use of '' Whitefield's pulpit." Lady 
 Huntingdon remonstrated with him, but to no purpose ; 
 the people were waiting to hear the word of life ; her 
 two ministers were willing to preach ; and her Ladj^ship, 
 therefore, requested them to address the crowds in the 
 open-air, and point them to Jesus. 
 
 Not long after the arrival of the Countess at Kippax 
 on a visit to her niece, Mrs. Medhurst, she became so 
 alarmingly indisposed as to preclude the possibility of 
 journeying into Scotland, as she had arranged. She, 
 therefore, sent Mr. Townsend forward to Edinburgh, 
 where he was received with the greatest cordiality by 
 Lady Glenorchy, and by many of the ministers, and 
 
250 ME MO IK OF LADY HUNTING I) ON. 
 
 ]3reached with astonislnng success in that city and other 
 places. Her indisposition prevented her personally 
 carrying out the plans she had formed for the general 
 diffusion of divine truth in Yorkshire ; though it did not 
 damp the ardour of her zeal, nor diminish her anxiety 
 to bring the gospel to the poor. She gathered around 
 her such evangelical ministers as Madan, Venn, Fletcher, 
 Conyers, John Kyland, curate of Huddersfield, and sent 
 them out in different directions to blow the gospel 
 trumpet. Some laboured in the surrounding villages and 
 hamlets ; some visited the distant parts of the county ; 
 and some extended their labours into the neighbouring 
 counties. Whitefield was informed of the triumphiint 
 success which attended their efforts ; and early in Septem- 
 ber, he hastened into Yorkshire, to enter upon ^'thc 
 blessed Methodist field-street-preaching plan before him ; " 
 visited Leeds, Newcastle, Sunderland, and Hartlepool, 
 where he preached before the house of Eomaine's mother ; 
 and spent one month in very active exertions to bring 
 souls to Christ. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon Avas greatly cheered in her affliction 
 by the kind and congenial friends who surrounded her. 
 Her love for others attracted towards her the warmest 
 gratitude of their hearts ; and they strove how they could 
 best increase the joy, and restore the health of their in- 
 valuable leader. Mr. Fletcher was obliged to return to 
 Madeley ; but he wrote a long consolatory letter to her 
 Ladyship, which breathed towards her the sympathies 
 of a warm and heavenly affection. ''I have often heard," 
 he says, '^ your Ladyship speaking admirably upon know- 
 ing Christ, and the power of his resurrection, together 
 with the fellowship of Ids sufferings. The Lord will have 
 you improve in that heavenly knowledge, therefore he 
 gives you so long a lesson at this time. The lesson is 
 hard, I grant, but the Master is so loving, the science so 
 noble, and the scholar so used to severe exercises, that it 
 
CONSOLATIOIs'S OF FRIENDS. 251 
 
 is no wonder jou are placed in tliis highest form. 'No 
 cross, no crown ! The heavier the cross the brighter the 
 crown. I often wish I could bear your Ladyship's bur- 
 den, but check this impotent wish, by rejoicing that One, 
 who feels not only touches of sympathy, but love ever- 
 lasting and almighty as himself, bears it for you, and 
 bears you with it. On the bosom of this dear heavenly 
 Physician I desire to place you. There I want you to 
 enjoy all the birth-sweets of sickness, and when patience 
 hath had its perfect work there, I beg you may live and 
 love till I have received my dismission; and when yours 
 is sealed, may I be allowed to come and meet your de- 
 parting soul among those, whom you have made your 
 friends with the mammon of unrighteousness, and with 
 the blessings of Gospel righteousness, and who will long 
 to welcome you to everlasting habitations." 
 
 The kind attentions of her friends^ and the blessing 
 of God, caused the indisposition of the Countess to pass 
 away ; and she was enabled to proceed to Leeds with her 
 oldest chaplain, George "Whitefield. She was, soon after 
 her arrival, joined by Captain Scott, who was now at the 
 height of his popularity. The crowds he collected were 
 vast beyond conception ; and the people listened to his 
 simple yet thrilling addresses with the utmost attention 
 and gladness. Here her Ladyship became acquainted 
 'with Mrs. Deane, a lady of great talent and literary ac- 
 complishments, and a near relative of Lord Irvine, of 
 Temple Newson, near Leeds. She was then just emerging 
 out of spiritual darkness into the light of the gospel, and 
 was invited by the Countess to meet her ministers at her 
 temporary residence. The conversations of Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon opened to her vigorous mind the great truths of 
 Christianity ; her influence attracted and won the homage 
 of her heart ; and her example formed the model which 
 she placed before her, as worthy of her imitation. Mrs. 
 Deane lou^-ed to bring her noble relatives to share with 
 
252 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON". 
 
 her tlie sweets of piety ; she prayed for them with fervency 
 of spirit, introduced them to the Countess, and prevailed 
 upon them to attend the preaching of the gospeL When 
 she had once heard a sermon which she thought would 
 have deeply impressed their minds, she manifested her 
 anxiety for their welfare, by audibly expressing the wish 
 that Lady Irvine had been present. The efforts of Lady 
 Huntingdon greatly aided her own ; and in a letter to 
 her Ladyship, Mrs. Deane informs her that the impressions 
 made on the mind of Lady Irvine, by her last conversa- 
 tion with her, have remained, and that Lady Irvine 
 acknowledges her deep obligation to the Countess for the 
 light and comfort she was permitted to enjoy. 
 
 Considerable attention was about this period drawn to 
 the labours of the Kev. Samson Occum, an Indian preacher, 
 who, with the Eev. Mr. Whitaker, minister of ISTorwich, 
 New England, had arrived in the summer of 1766, to 
 obtain contributions towards supporting an Indian charity 
 school, established by the founder and president of Dart- 
 mouth College. Occum was the first Indian preacher 
 who had visited England ; and having brought letters of 
 introduction to Lady Huntingdon, he was well received 
 among the religious circles. He officiated for Whitefield 
 several times to large and attentive audiences ; and during 
 his stay in England, he preached in various parts of the 
 country, and collected large sums of money, which were 
 vested in trustees, of whom the Earl of Dartmouth was 
 the principle. While he was in England, Lady Hunting- 
 don showed many proofs of her interest in his mission. 
 She frequently entertained him at her residence, introduced 
 him to many of the pious nobility in England and Scot- 
 land, and generously contributed to the object of his visit- 
 The accounts he gave of the state of the Mohegan In- 
 dians, his own tribe, awakened a lively interest in her 
 heart. She became very anxious for their spiritual wel- 
 fare ; her benevolent heart yearned for their salvation ; 
 
AN" INDIAN" PREACHER. 253 
 
 her mind pictured the happy time when all the tribes 
 would cast away their superstitions, and receive the gos- 
 pel of Jesus Christ. Occum had been made very useful 
 to many of his tribe in persuading them to renounce 
 their idols and worship the Lord ; and the Countess 
 stretched towards them the sympathies of her heart, and 
 longed to cultivate the heathen vineyard for the Lord. 
 At |:)resent there Avere many obstacles in the way ; but 
 full of faith, she says, ''I hope yet to have it in my 
 power, if the Lord should see fit to continue me in his 
 service, to extend some aid to this interesting people." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon left Yorkshire with Whitefield, and 
 arrived in London early in October. Her stay was limited 
 to a few days, when she proceeded to Bath for the winter. 
 Soon after her arrival, she received the melancholy intel- 
 ligence of the death of Mrs. Yenn. She had been for some 
 months in a declining state of health ; and when the Coun- 
 tess was at Huddersfield, she perceived strong symptoms 
 of a rapid decline. Her spirits generally had been re- 
 markably lively and buoyant, but now they became very 
 low and desponding ; and the thought of being removed 
 from her beloved husband and her children almost over- 
 whelmed her. She suffered much pain, and often desired 
 Mr. Yenn and his curate, Mr. Ryland, to pray for some 
 mitigation of it. God heard the prayers offered on her 
 behalf; her agonies passed away ; and a short time before 
 she died, she appeared to be sleeping peacefully, then 
 drew in her breath twice in heavy inspirations, and de- 
 parted to the presence of her Saviour. Between Lady 
 Huntingdon and this pious and accomplished lady, there 
 had existed a warm friendship, which had commenced 
 with her marriage to Mr. Yenn, and every year had grown 
 stronger and more affectionate. Shortly after the distress- 
 ing event, her Ladyship w^rote to the bereaved husband, 
 and invited him to spend the winter with her at Bath. 
 Her nieces, Mrs. Medhurst and Miss Wheeler, also invited 
 
 22 
 
25-i MEMOIK OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 him and liis cliildren to Kippax, tliat his mind might be 
 relieved from the great grief which pressed heavily upon 
 him. He wrote to Lady Huntingdon from Huddersfield, 
 dated, October the 15th, 1767, and says: — 
 
 " The only return I can make your Ladyship, for the 
 very tender sympathy you show for me in my present 
 trial, is prayer to Him who has already made so much 
 use of you as an instrument, that he would do so more 
 and more. Six places I have been most cordially invited 
 to ; but I know my soul would receive a blessing under 
 your roof, as it has done again and again. I am now a 
 living witness of the truth you so strenuously maintain, 
 and of the necessity of that truth in our miserable condi- 
 tion here below. Did I not know the Lord to be mine ; 
 were I not certain his heart feels even more love for me 
 than I am able to conceive ; were not this evident to me, 
 not by deduction and argument, but by consciousness, by 
 his own light shining in my soul, as the sun's doth upon 
 my bodily eyes ; into what a deplorable situation should 
 I have been now cast ! I have lost all that I could wish 
 myself to have been, in the partner of my cares and joys; 
 and lost her when her industry and ingenuity, and tender 
 love and care of her children, were all just beginning to 
 be perceived by the two eldest girls, and to strike them 
 with a sense of the excellency of such qualities. I have 
 lost her, when her own soul was as a watered garden, 
 when her mouth was opened to speak for God, and he was 
 blessing the testimony she bore to a free, full, and ever- 
 lasting pardon in the blood of Jesus. Nevertheless, I can 
 say, all is well! Hallelujah ! for the Lord God omnipotent 
 reigneth, -^ **->«• ^ * 
 
 '' I have been enabled to remember your Ladyship in 
 your sickness, and cannot but hope you will yet be spared, 
 and many more seals be added to your labours of love 
 before you rest above. I shall be much obliged for a 
 letter, when health and leisure will permit ; and returning 
 
EEV. ROWLAND HILL. 255 
 
 3^()U my most heart-felt thanks for your prayers, your 
 example, your invitation, and a thousand instances of 
 kindness to such a sinful man, I remain your servant in 
 the bonds of Jesus. 
 
 Towards the end of October Lady Huntingdon received 
 a visit from the famous Rev. Rowland Hill, then a young- 
 man in his twenty-third year, returning to the university 
 of Cambridge. She was on terms of friendship with the 
 family at Hawkestone, and had for some time manifested 
 great interest in the piety and zeal of some of its mem- 
 bers, especially Tvliss Hill and her brother Richard. The 
 report of the earnest piety of young Rowland soon 
 reached the ears of the Countess. Though he was a 
 student of St. John's College, he had preached in many 
 places with much acceptance and success : he formed a 
 small society among his fellow students, and others, of 
 which he was appointed leader; and he stimulated them 
 to preach Christ wherever they had an opportunity. His 
 conduct was speedily assailed on all sides. His parents 
 were decidedly opposed to his proceedings, and the heads 
 of his college condemned them in the strongest terms. 
 Threats were held out to intimidate him ; the refusal of 
 his degree, testimonials, and even money for his support, 
 could not shake his determination ; and the prospect of 
 his expulsion from the university only stimulated his ac- 
 tivity to serve his Master. He sought the advice of 
 Messrs. Berridge and Whitefield, who encouraged him to 
 persevere in his efforts. Lad}^ Huntingdon manifested a 
 warm interest in his career, and wrote to his parents an 
 intercessory letter on his behalf Through the instru- 
 mentality of Whitefield, it was ' arranged that young 
 Rowland should pay a visit to her Ladyship at Bath. 
 He left Hawkestone October 21st, and immediatel}^ pro- 
 ceeded to meet Lady Huntingdon. On his arrival in the 
 city, he was received by her Ladyship, as she expresses 
 
256 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 it, ''with open arms;" and preached in her chapel and 
 expounded at her home " with mnch comfort. " He also 
 preached at the residence of Mrs. Layton, a lady who 
 was very conspicuous in the religious circles at Bath, 
 and the friend and correspondent of Berridge and other 
 celebrated ministers. Here a great number of persons 
 of distinction assembled ; and the youthful preacher 
 says, he was " rather dashed at the audiences, " and adds, 
 ''I do not love to speak to fine people." He, however, 
 enjoyed his visit much, and felt honoured by the marked 
 attentions of the Countess. Her kindness to him in a 
 season of distress, when he was under the frowns of his 
 family, proved the sincerity of her friendship towards 
 him. She says : — 
 
 '^ He was as my own son, received into my house, and 
 23reached in my pulpits. I have again written to Lady 
 Hill in his behalf, my former application to Sir Eowland 
 having met with no redress. But they obstinately refuse 
 to answer any letter I write to entreat for him. There is 
 no hope then from that quarter. But blessed be God, we 
 have a strong-hold, a never failing source of comfort and 
 support to look to under every trial * * ^ He has 
 preached frequently, and great crowds attended at the 
 chapel and at my house. His word fell with great power 
 and some were pierced to the heart. Dear Mr. Brown 
 was much delighted, and poured forth fervent prayers on 
 his behalf, at our parting prayer-meeting, before he set 
 off for Cambridge. " 
 
 Mr. Brown was the vicar of a large parish near Taun- 
 ton, and was then associated with Mr. Furley in suj)ply- 
 ing her Ladyship's chapel. He became a warm friend to 
 Mr. Hill, and as vicar of Kingston, furnished him with 
 his titles to orders. Lady Huntingdon says of him, 
 "He is in many respects an extraordinary man. His 
 classical knowledge, I am told, exceeds that of most men 
 of his age and standing. His information is extensive, 
 
MR. BROWN. 257 
 
 accurate and correct ; liis knowledge diversified and 
 profound. But what I admire most is liis zeal and 
 devotedness of heart to God. His preaching is much 
 admired, and is owned by the great Master of assem- 
 blies." 
 
 The health of Lady Huntingdon continued in a very 
 precarious state and it must excite some surprise that she 
 was able to accomplish so much, considering her frequent 
 indisposition. During the month of October, she had 
 been ailing, and aroused the fears of her friends; but 
 towards its close, she was so far recovered that Eomaine 
 informed Mrs. Medhurst that ''Lady Huntingdon was 
 pure and well." The amendment, however, was of short 
 duration; for early in November, she was attacked with 
 an alarming illness, which lingered for many weeks, and 
 totally incapaciated her for writing, or any active em- 
 ployment. The most serious apprehensions were enter- 
 tained for her safety ; prayers were daily offered for her 
 at her chapel; thousands in all parts of the country sup- 
 plicated the blessing of heaven to rest upon her ; and a 
 general gloom was spread over the fashionable circles at 
 Bath, by the anticipation of her death. All were deeply 
 impressed with the great loss the cause of vital religion 
 would suffer, if she were removed. Mr. Venn wrote to 
 her, ''In your illness I could not but be concerned for the 
 ark, and mentioned your chapels, and the unspeakable 
 loss if they were not kept open. Lord Dartmouth said, 
 ' Should Lady Huntingdon leave them to me, I should 
 think myself hound in conscience exactly to comply with lier 
 u-ilV I said nothing more upon that head, but thought 
 it proper to acquaint you." Her Ladyship was anxiously 
 concerned for the fate of her chapels, and appears, from 
 a letter, to have taken some steps to put them into Lord 
 Dartmouth's hands in the event of her decease. His 
 Lordship had been long intimate with her, and had at- 
 tended her drawing-room services, where he became 
 
 22 = 
 
258 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 acquainted ^7itlI several of tlie ministers who officiated 
 at her residence. The Countess had a high regard for 
 his character, and had won his veneration and esteem by 
 the services she had rendered to him, in conciliating his 
 friends, when they were bitterly persecuting him for his 
 religion. He was a man of the greatest integrity, and 
 had gained the esteem of the King, and of the highest 
 personages in the realm. Dr. Talbot, then vicar of St. 
 Giles, Reading, had for some years itinerated for Lady 
 Iluntingdon, preached in her various chapels, and asso- 
 ciated with her ministers. Her Ladyship had a high 
 opinion of his talents and integrity; and intrusted to him 
 the difficult task of consultino; with Lord Dartmouth. 
 
 o 
 
 He thus communicated to her the result of his inter- 
 view : — 
 
 '' I have had a long conference with my Lord Dart- 
 mouth, who is ready and willing to do anything your 
 Ladyship may direct. He feels his inability for a work 
 so great, but humbly hopes the Lord will strengthen his 
 hand, if you should think proper to repose the trust in 
 him. He is delicate of writing, lest he should appear 
 to dictate. Messrs. Madan, Stillingfleet, Romaine, and 
 Downing, are of opinion that his Lordship is the fittest 
 person for this great cause. How have we wrestled with 
 God on your behalf! prayer-meetings have been fre- 
 quently held at his Lordship's house, and the most 
 importunate supplications have been poured forth before 
 the throne of the great Shepherd and Head of his Church 
 and people to spare his heritage in this ungodly land, 
 and raise your Ladyship up again to be a nursing-mother 
 to the Church of Christ. 'Spare thy people, 0, God! 
 and spare thy servant, we beseech thee ! ' has been the 
 perpetual cry of our hearts in this season of suspense 
 and deepest anguish ; and I trust our prayers will be 
 heard for his great name's sake. To him we commit 
 
DEATH OF EARL BUCHAN. 250 
 
 your Ladyship, and liis cause and interest iii tlie land, 
 with which you are so identified." 
 
 To the unspeakable joy of her numerous friends, Lady 
 Huntingdon's disorder began rapidly to abate ; and she 
 was at length pronounced by her physicians out of dan- 
 ger. For some weeks, however, she remained exceed- 
 ingly weak, and depressed in spirits. Whitefield visited 
 her early in December, and wrote to Mr. Shirley in 
 Ireland on the 8th, ''The news (that you intend to visit 
 England next spring) rejoiced me before I left town, and 
 was most grateful to our good Lady Huntingdon, whom 
 I have the honour of waiting upon at this time in Bath. 
 She has been sick, nigh unto death, but through mercy 
 is now somewhat recovered, though as yet unable to write 
 much. This her Ladyship much regrets on your account ; 
 and, therefore, enjoins me to inform your whole self that 
 your letter did not reach her hands, till many weeks 
 after the proper time ; that ever since she has been visi- 
 ted with lingering sickness, but begs you will not linger 
 in coming over to our Macedonia to help us. The 
 thought of it seems to refresh her heaven-born soul. 
 Blessed be God, her Ladyship still takes the lead." 
 
 Death passed over Lady Huntingdon this time, but at- 
 tacked and carried off the father of her friend and com- 
 panion, Lady Ann Erskine. Lord Buchan had been for 
 a considerable time in a declining state of health, and 
 his disorder bafQed the skill of his physicians. The 
 circumstances attending his decease were highly consoling 
 to his aflOlicted family. His long intimacy with pious 
 persons in Scotland had prepared his mind for the recep- 
 tion of those great and important truths, with which he 
 became acquainted through Lady Huntingdon, and the 
 junior members of the Hawkestone family. He was a 
 most regular attendant at her Ladyship's chapel, when- 
 ever his health permitted, and received much light and 
 joy from the ministrations of the holy men who officiated 
 
260 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 tliere. A few days before liis cleatL, the CouDtess went 
 to see him at his particular request. The interview was 
 deeply affecting. Her Ladj^ship realized how near she 
 had been brought to the verge of the grave, and was 
 thus able most thoroughly to sympathize with his con- 
 dition. As soon as he could speak, he said, " I have no 
 foundation of hope whatever, but in the sacrifice of the 
 Son of God ; I have no where else to look ; nothing else 
 to depend upon for eternal life and salvation ; and my 
 confidence in Him is as firm as a rock." In his last mo- 
 ments, he retained the same happy confidence; and wel- 
 comed the approach of death with a holy smile. His 
 heart was filled with joy ; he seemed to realize a fore- 
 taste of the bliss that awaited him. Like the aged 
 patriarch, Jacob he gathered his children around him, 
 and bk^sscd them: and solemnly added, ''Yea, and they 
 sliall be blessed." His soul was filled with the love of 
 Christ. He once said "Had I strength of body, I would 
 not be ashamed before men and angels to tell what the 
 Lord Jesus hath done for my soul. Come, Holy Ghost ! 
 Come, Holy Ghost! Happy, happy, happy — ." Thus 
 with the sounds of glory quivering on his dying lips, he 
 entered into his rest, December 1st, 1767, in the fifty- 
 eighth year of his age. Lady Huntingdon says, "I have 
 witnessed the dismissal of many from the burden of mor- 
 tality, but I have seldom seen an end more satisfactory, 
 more solidly happy, or more triumphant. Thanks, un- 
 ceasing thanks to Him who hath, in his infinite goodness, 
 blessed the preaching of the word in the house which he 
 Lath enabled me to build, to record the glories of his 
 name, and the wonders of his redemption ; and attended 
 the labours of his vile and unprofitable servant with the 
 benediction of his Spirit ! Not unto me, not unto me, O 
 my God ; but unto Thee, and to thy free and sovereign 
 grace, be all the praise and glory ! " 
 
 The impressive services, which took place at Bath, 
 
S O L :; .M X SERVICES. 261 
 
 after the decease of the Earl, produced a profound sensa- 
 tion in the city. Though Lady Huntingdon was quite 
 an invalid; she honoured the remains of her departed 
 friend with a series of services, which cannot be better 
 related than in AVhitefield's own words. He says : — 
 
 " All hath been awful, and more than awful. On 
 Saturday evening, before the corpse was taken from 
 Buchan House, a word of exhortation was given, and a 
 hymn sung in the room where the corpse lay. The 
 young Earl stood with his hand on the head of the cofl&n ; 
 the Countess Dowager on his right hand, Lady Ann and 
 Lady Isabella on his left, and their brother Thomas next 
 to their mother, with Miss Orton, Miss Wheeler, and 
 Miss Goddle on one side ; all the domestics, with a few 
 friends, on the other. The word of exhortation was re- 
 ceived with great solemnity, and most wept under the 
 parting prayer. At ten the corpse was removed to good 
 Lady Huntingdon's chapel, where it was deposited within 
 a place railed in for that purpose, covered with black 
 baize, and the usual funeral concomitants, except escut- 
 cheons. On Sunday morning, all attended in mourning 
 at early sacrament. They were seated by themselves at 
 the foot of the corpse, and, with their head servants, re- 
 ceived first, and a particular address was made to them. 
 Immediately after receiving, the verses were sung for 
 them ; 
 
 *' Our lives, our blood, we liere present," &c. 
 
 "Then they received the blessing, and so returned to 
 their places. Sacrament ended, and a blessed sacrament 
 it was, the noble mourners returned to good Lady Hun- 
 tingdon's house, which was lent them for the day. At 
 eleven, public service began. The bereaved relations sat 
 m order within, and the domestics around the outside of 
 the rail. The chapel was more than crowded ; near three 
 hundred tickets, signed by the present Earl, were given 
 
262 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 out to the nobility and gentry to be admitted. All was 
 hushed and solemn. Proper hymns were sung ; and I 
 preached on these words, ' I heard a voice from heaven, 
 saying unto me, Write, blessed are the dead that die in 
 the Lord.' Attention sat on every face, and deep and 
 almost universal impressions were made. The like scene, 
 and if possible more solemn, was exhibited in the eve- 
 ning ; and I was enabled to preach a second time, and a 
 like power attended the word as in the morning. Ever 
 since there hath been public service, and preaching twice 
 a day. This is to be continued till Friday morning; 
 then all is to be removed to Bristol, in order to be ship- 
 ped for Scotland. For five days together we have been 
 attending the house of mourning. Many, I trust, are 
 obliged to say, ' How dreadful is this place ! ' Such a 
 scene I never expect to see opened again on this side 
 eternity. Congregations were very large, attentive, and 
 deeply impressed. Surely the death of this noble Earl, 
 thus improved, will prove the life of many. He had 
 great foretastes of heaven ; he cried ' Come Holy Ghost ! ' 
 He came, and filled him with joy unspeakable. ' Happy, 
 happy ' were his last dying words. All surviving rela- 
 tions still feel the influence ; they sit round the corpse, 
 attended by their domestics and supporters, twice a day. 
 Two sermons every day ; life and power attend the word ; 
 and I veril}^ believe many dead souls have been made to 
 hear the voice of the Son of God." 
 
TREVECCA COLLEGE. 2G3 
 
 CHAPTER XV. A.D. 1767—1768. 
 
 LADY HUKTINGDON's COLLEGE AT TREVECCA. — PLAN" OF 
 ADMISSIOISr. — LETTERS OF FLETCHER RESPECTING IT. — 
 THE COUKTESS AT BATH. — HER TRIALS. — JOHN BER- 
 RIDGE. — DISPUTES RESPECTING THE LIVING OF ALDWIN- 
 CLE. — MR. KIMPTON. — MR. MADAN. — DR. HAWEIS. — LADY 
 HUNTINGDON PURCHASES THE ADVOWSON. — HER COR- 
 RESPONDENCE. — PIETY AT OXFORD. — EXPULSION OF SIX 
 STUDENTS OF ST. EDMUND's HALL. — PAMPHLETS, " PIE- 
 TAS OXONIENSIS." — THE COUNTESS PREPARES HER 
 COLLEGE. - 
 
 Every year Lady Huntingdon was enlarging the 
 sphere of her usefulness, and multiplying her laborious 
 efforts. Her enterprising mind was constantly devising 
 new plans to secure the glory of God, and benefit her 
 fellow creatures. Her desires for the spiritual welfare of 
 the nation were insatiable; the gaol she had reached 
 formed but the starting point for a fresh prize ; and the 
 blessings which fell copiously around her only stimulated 
 her ardent soul to crave after a still larger supply. She 
 cast her eyes around, and saw the fields ready for the 
 harvest; she daily received invitations from large and 
 populous cities to bring the gospel into spots where 
 Satan reigned; but, alas! her faithful labourers were 
 few, and their pressing engagements scarcely permitted 
 them to supply the chapels she had already erected. She 
 could not, however, settle down satisfied with what she 
 had already achieved; her peculiar situation stimulated 
 the mighty powers of her mind and heart; and she de- 
 
264 MEMOIR OF LADY H U X TIN GD O IS^ . 
 
 term i lied to strike out in a "bold and untrodden path, and 
 rear an institution Avbich should train young men for 
 the ministry, and enable her not only to respond to the 
 many calls for assistance, bu.t to send preachers into all 
 parts of England — to convey the gospel to the deluded 
 Irish — to strengthen the hands of Occum in his labours 
 among the Indians — and to proclaim the message of 
 mercy to many savage tribes of the earth. 
 
 The grand thought took a deep hold upon her affec- 
 tions ; she pondered it with great seriousness of mind; 
 and anxiously looked out for a locality wliicb would be 
 adapted to the purpose. During the year 1767 the plan 
 was gradually ripening in her mind, and assuming a 
 tangible form. The Countess remembered the lovely 
 spot in Wales, where she had spent many delightful days, 
 in the midst of a warm and affectionate people. Trevecca 
 House, in the parish of Talgarth, South Wales, was a 
 fine old mansion, supposed to be part of an ancient castle, 
 built in the reign of Henry II ; and could easily be con- 
 verted into a commodious college, where, under the 
 fostering influence of devoted tutors, many young men 
 might be fitted for the work of the ministry. She, 
 therefore, visited Trevecca, for the purpose of ascertain- 
 ing the eligibility of the premises, and made arrange- 
 ments with Howell Harris for the purchase of the 
 House. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon deeply felt the importance of the 
 step she was taking, and resolved to do nothing rashly. 
 She entertained just and liberal views of the qualifications, 
 which candidates for the sacred office should possess. 
 Fervent and genuine piety was first and indispensable. 
 There could be no fitness for tbe ministry where that 
 was wanting. Splendid talents, fine genius, commanding 
 oratory, and wonderful energy could never compensate 
 for the absence of sympathy with the doctrines taught, 
 love of the virtues inculcated, and holy compassion for 
 
PLAN OF ADMISSION. 265 
 
 the souls to be saved. She would, therefore, admit into 
 her College none but those whose piety and consistent 
 conduct had been prominently displayed. She, however, 
 knew too well the arduous duties of the ministry, to sup- 
 pose that real piety could supply all its demands. There 
 must be an adaptation to the work ; a power of mind to 
 grapple with difficulties — a patient perseverance to inves- 
 tio-ate truth — a wise discretion to regulate all efforts — an 
 indomitable zeal and untiring energy — and a peculiar 
 talent of imparting instruction to others. The education 
 she wished to give to her students was intended to draw 
 out the powers of their mind, to strengthen their habits 
 of thought, to direct them how to employ their gifts to 
 the greatest advantage, to lead them into the temple of 
 learning, and incite their curiosity to investigate its re- 
 cesses; and at the same time to foster their piety and 
 zeal by employing them in their Master's service. 
 
 During her residence at Bath, the thoughts of the 
 Countess were constantly directed to the establishment of 
 the College at Trevecca ; and she frequently wrote to Mr. 
 Fletcher, and others respecting it, and submitted to them 
 the plan which she had drawn up when at Kippax in 
 Yorkshire. She proposed to admit only such as were 
 truly converted to God, and wished to dedicate themselves 
 to his service ; that the term of residence should extend 
 over three years ; during which time, the students were 
 to be educated, and to have all the necessaries of life, 
 and a suit of clothes once a year, free of expense ; and 
 at the expiration of their course, they were exjpected to 
 labour in those localities where the Countess desired 
 their services; though, if they requested it, they were 
 to be permitted to enter the Established Church. Lady 
 Huntingdon had a high opinion of the piety, learning, 
 and ability of Mr. Fletcher, and she invited him to be- 
 come the President of her College. She did not expect 
 him to reside there, as his duties at Madeley would not have 
 
 23 
 
266 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 permitted it ; but lie was to attend as regularly as tie could ; 
 to give advice respecting the appointment of tutors, 
 and admission of students ; to overlook their studies and 
 conduct, assist their piety, and judge of their qualifica- 
 tions for the work of the ministry. Mr. Fletcher most 
 cordially approved the plan, and felt sure that the Insti- 
 tution would prove a great blessing to the Church of 
 Christ; he, therefore, readily complied with her Lady- 
 ship's invitation, and accepted the ofi6.ce she had proposed 
 to confer upon him. He received no salary, or reward ; 
 but entered on his labours from the sole motive of being 
 useful in the important work of training young men for 
 the glorious work of preaching the gospel. 
 
 When the plan, for the examination of the young men, 
 who might be deemed proper candidates for admission 
 into the College, was drawn up, and approved by White- 
 field, Eomaine, Yenn, and Wesley ; it was forwarded by 
 Lady Huntingdon to all the ministers, with whom she 
 had any acquaintance or connection; with the request 
 that they would assist her in the choice of suitable per- 
 sons for the work of the ministry. In reply, Mr. 
 Fletcher sent a letter to her Ladyship, dated Madeley, 
 November 24th, 1767, in which he says : — 
 
 '' I have received the proposals which your Ladyship 
 has drawn up for the examination of the young men, 
 who may appear proper candidates for the Trevecca 
 academy, and gratefully acknowledge your kindness in 
 allowing me to propose suitable subjects out of my 
 parish. Our Israel is small, my Lady, and if among six 
 hundred thousand, only two faithful men were found of 
 old, the Joshuas and Calebs cannot be numerous among 
 us. After having perused the articles, and looked round 
 about me, I designed to answer your Ladyship, that out 
 of this Galilee ariseth no prophet. With this resolution I 
 went to bed, but in my sleep was much taken up with 
 the thought and remembrance of one of my young col- 
 
PLAN OF ADMISSION. 267 
 
 liers, "vvlio told me some months ago, that for four years 
 he had been inwardly persuaded he should be called to 
 speak for God. I looked upon the unusual impression 
 of my dream as a call to speak to the young man, and at 
 waking designed to do so at the first opportunity. To 
 my great surprise he came to Madeley that very morn- 
 ing, and I found upon inquiry he had been as much 
 drawn to come, as I to speak to him. This encouraged me 
 to speak to him of your Ladyship's design ; and I was 
 satisfied, by his conversation, that I might venture to 
 propose him to your Ladyship for further examination. 
 His name is James Glazehrook, collier and getter of iron- 
 stone in Madeley Wood. He is now twenty -three, by 
 look nineteen ; he has been awakened seven years ; he 
 has been steady from the beginning of his profession, at 
 least so far as to be kept outwardly unblamable, but 
 seemed to me to walk mostly in heaviness. What I told 
 him was as oil put into a glimmering lamp, and he seems 
 to revive upon heariog of the little outward call. Not- 
 withstanding his strong desire to exhort, he never at- 
 tempted it yet ; and his not being forw^ard to run of him- 
 self, makes me have the better hope his call is from Grod. 
 He hath no mean gift in singing and prayer ; his judg- 
 ment and sense are superior to his station ; and he does 
 not seem, at least in the prospect, to be discouraged by 
 the severest part of your Ladyship's proposals. One dif- 
 ficulty stood in the way ; he maintains by his labour his 
 aged mother ; but this is made easy by his mother's 
 leave and the promise of an elder son to maintain her, if 
 he can but have his brother's place in the pit. 
 
 With regard to the superintendency of the College, or 
 the examination of the candidates, I know myself too well 
 to dream about it ; nevertheless, so far as my present call- 
 ing and poor abilities will allow, I am ready to throw 
 my mite into the treasury that your Ladyship may find 
 in other persons." 
 
268 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Early in January 1768, Mr. Fletcher was appointed 
 President, and tlie Rev. Joseph Easterbrook, afterwards 
 vicar of the parish of Temple in the city of Bristol, head 
 master of the College. Mr. Fletcher wrote to Lady 
 Huntingdon on the course of training to be adopted ; and 
 though the curriculum presents a very imperfect aspect, 
 when compared with the present range of studies, it w^as 
 far superior, for the grand eyid in vieiv, to what could then 
 be obtained in the national universities to prepare for 
 ministerial labours. He sayvS : — 
 
 "I thank your Ladyship for having recommended to 
 me Easterbrook ; I hope he will be the captain of the 
 school, and a great help to the master, as well as a spur 
 to the students. He hath good parts, a most happy 
 memory, and a zeal that would gladden your Ladyship's 
 heart. He has preached no less than four times to-day ; 
 and seems, indeed, in his own element when he is seeking 
 after the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He is employed 
 every evening in the work of the Lord ; and I give him 
 the more opportunity to exercise his talent, as it appears 
 he does it far better than I. I beg two things for him ; 
 first, that it may hold ; secondly, that he may be kept 
 humble. He would at first live upon potatoes and water ; 
 but finding it may impair his health, I have got him tu 
 table with me, and shall gladly pay his board ; he works 
 for me, and the workman is worthy of his hire. 
 
 Our young collier seems a little discouraged with re- 
 gard to the hopes of his being admitted one of your 
 students ; he thinks he stands no chance, if all must be 
 qualified as he- is. With regard to books, I am in doubt 
 what to write to your Ladyship. Having studied abroad 
 (Geneva,) and used rather foreign than English books 
 with my pupils, I am not acquainted with the books 
 Great Britain affords, well enough to select the lest and 
 
 * Easterbrook. 
 
COUliSE OF STUDIES. 269 
 
 most concise. Besides, a plan of studies must be fixed 
 upon first, before proper books can be chosen. Grammar, 
 Logic, Rhetoric, with Ecclesiastical History, and a little 
 Natural Philosophy, and Geography, with a great deal 
 of practical Divinity, will be sufiicient for those who do 
 not care to dive into languages. Mr. Town send and 
 Charles Wesley might, by spending an hour together, 
 make a proper choice ; and I would recommend them 
 not to forget Watts' Logic, and his History of the Bible 
 by questions and answers, which seem to me excellent 
 books of the kind for clearness and order. Mr. Wesley's 
 Natural Philosophy contains as much as is wanted, or 
 more. Mason's Essay on Pronunciation will be worth 
 their attention. Henry and Gill on the Bible, with the 
 four volumes of Baxter's practical works, Keach's Meta- 
 phors, Taylor on the Types (printed at Trevecca,) Gur- 
 naFs Christian Armour, Edwards on Preaching, Johnson's 
 English Dictionary, and Mr. Wesley's Christian Library, 
 may make part of the little library. The book of Baxter, 
 I mention, I shall take care to send to Trevecca, as a 
 mite towards the collection, together with Usher's Body 
 of Divinity, Scapula's Greek Lexicon, and Lyttleton's 
 Latin Dictionary. 
 
 With regard to those who propose to learn Latin and 
 Greek, the master, your Ladyship will appoint, may 
 choose to follow his particular method. Mr. Wesley's 
 books, printed for the use of Christian youths, seem to 
 me short and proper ; and their expense less, which I 
 suppose should be consulted. Two or three dictionaries 
 of Bailey or Dyke, for those who learn English, with two 
 or three Cole's Dictionaries, Schrevelius's and Pasor's, 
 for those who will learn Latin and Greek, may be a 
 sufiicient stock at first." 
 
 While Lady Huntingdon w^as making these prepara- 
 tions for establishing her College in Wales, she was 
 busily engaged in the midst of a large and fashionable 
 
270 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 circle at Bath. The services connected with the funeral 
 of the Earl of Buchan had impressed many with the con- 
 viction of their mortality ; and her Ladyship was anxious 
 to prevent these impressions passing away like the early 
 dev/. The young Earl came forward and boldly declared 
 his faith in tlie Lord Jesus, and by the advice of Lady 
 Huntingdon appointed Messrs. Venn, Berridge, and 
 Fletcher his chaplains. His open avowal of religion 
 drew upon him the sneers and reproaches of his former 
 companions ; but he stood as firm as a rock against the 
 torrents of sarcasm which dashed against him, and man- 
 fully fought the good fight of faith. The health of Lady 
 Huntingdon was far from established, and her constitu- 
 tion frequently indicated increasing frailty, and decay. 
 At the commencement of the year 1768, she experienced 
 an almost total loss of appetite. Every remedy was tried 
 to recruit her strength ; the ablest physicians were con- 
 stant in their attendance upon her; yet she lingered in 
 great prostration of body. The ardent workings of her 
 soul, and her deep anxiety to do good, were too powerful 
 for her weak frame to endure ; and yet it was impossible 
 for her to give up her efforts, or relinquish her plans. 
 A life of ease or inactivity was incompatible with her 
 nature; her soul was touched with pity towards a be- 
 nighted world, and glowed with divine enthusiasm ; and 
 she felt that as long as one spark of life remained in her 
 body, it should be employed to animate the servants of 
 Christ, and, like the star of Bethlehem, to direct the 
 world to the Saviour. Her Ladyship had also many 
 outward trials to depress her spirit ; and though she was 
 still spared, she saw many of her beloved friends re- 
 moved from her. At the commencement of this year, 
 she was called to part with two near and dear relatives, 
 the Hon. John Shirley, brother to Washington, Earl 
 Ferrars, and her aunt Lady Stewarta Shirley, sister to 
 Lady Fanny. The sorrow of the Countess was mitigated 
 
TRIALS OF THE COUNTESS. 271 
 
 by the consolations of divine grace. She could commit 
 the pious dead to the custody of the grave in sure and 
 certain hope; and though natural affection caused the 
 tear to fall, and the sigh to heave the bosom, faith pointed 
 to Him who regulates all affairs, and whispered to her 
 heart, " Be still, and know that I am God." In all her 
 trials, Lady Huntingdon recognised the tender hand of 
 her heavenly Father. She Avas conscious that the chas- 
 tisement was needed, and that it was sent to her for wise 
 and benevolent purposes. The clouds gathered too 
 thickly around her for her now to discern the end ; but 
 she felt assured that, when she had passed the night of her 
 existence, and reached the eternal day, she would be able 
 to ascertain how much love and mercy even the blackest 
 cloud had conveyed to her. She enjoyed the presence 
 of Christ in her afflictions ; his voice thrilled her heart, 
 like the sweet tones of music ; his hand wiped the tears 
 from her cheeks; his smiles restored tranquility, and, 
 like sunbeams, beautified the heart ; and when she ex- 
 perienced the boundless blessings he had scattered upon 
 her soul, she could lift up her eyes to heaven, and 
 exclaim, 
 
 ''My God, the spring of all my joys, 
 
 The life of my delights ; 
 The glory of my brightest days, 
 
 And comfort of my nights." 
 
 The illness and bereavements of Lady Huntingdon did 
 not divert her from the great business of her life. The 
 affairs of her chapels demanded her constant attention, and 
 the extensive itinerancy she maintained in various parts 
 of the country involved a voluminous correspondence. 
 AYhen prostrated by sickness, she felt the value of her 
 companion. Lady Ann Erskine; whose kindness and 
 assistance proved a great comfort to the Countess. 
 Through her, she corresponded with various ministers to 
 supply°her chapels, and managed the affairs of her enter- 
 
272 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 prise. She ^yrote to Mr. Berridge and invited him to 
 supply the pulpit at Bath ; and in a curious letter to her 
 Ladj^ship, this eccentric preacher declines the honour, 
 because, he says, he has been whipped pretty severely for 
 fighting out of his proper regiment and for rambling out 
 of his bounds, and that while the smart of the rod remains 
 on his back, it will weigh more with him than a thousand 
 arguments. He gives a striking picture of what his 
 assistant would have to endure, if he left his own work. 
 He says : — 
 
 " I fear my weekly circuits would not suit a London or 
 a Bath divine, nor any tender Evangelist that is environed 
 with prunello. Long rides and miry roads in sharp 
 weather ! Cold houses to sit in with very moderate fuel, 
 and three or four children roaring or rocking about you ! 
 Coarse food, lumpy beds to lie on, and too short for the 
 feet ; stiff blankets, like boards, for a covering ; and live 
 cattle in plenty to feed upon you ! Else at five in the 
 morning to preach ; at seven, breakfast on tea that smells 
 very sickly ; at eight, mount a horse, with boots never 
 cleaned, and then ride home, praising God for all mercies. 
 Sure I must stay till your academy is completed, before I 
 can have an assistant." 
 
 Mr. Berridge, however, recommended to Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon the Kev. Matthew Powley, vicar of Dewsbury, 
 Yorkshire, a man of superior talents and distinguished 
 piety, who preached to large audiences at Bath, and was 
 made the means of impressing many with the necessity of 
 a change of heart. Her Ladyship was highly delighted 
 with his ministry, and followed his energetic appeals to 
 the conscience, with prayer for the divine blessing. 
 
 In the beginning of March, important business required 
 the presence of the Countess in London. Mr. Kimpton, 
 who had held the living of Aldwincle in Korthampton- 
 shirc for many years, became involved in difficulties by 
 
ME. KIMPTON. 273 
 
 Ms imprudent conduct, and was imprisoned in the King's 
 Bench. As the Bishop would not permit him to transfer 
 his living to some clergyman for a limited time, and he 
 was unable immediately to meet with a purchaser, to pre- 
 vent it falling into the Bishop's hands, he presented it, 
 through Mr. Madan, to Dr. Ilaweis, whom he had never 
 previously seen. Some months after, a gentleman offered 
 Mr. Kimpton one thousand guineas for the advowson ; 
 he therefore immediately applied to Dr. Haweis either to 
 resign the living, or to give him some compensation for 
 it. As no such stipulations had been made to Messrs. 
 Madan and Haweis, when the presentation was drawn up, 
 they refused to yield. This caused the greatest distress 
 to Mr. Kimpton, who was still a prisoner, and whose 
 family was nearly starving. The affair soon became pub- 
 lic, and the bitterest aspersions were cast upon the 
 characters of Dr. Haweis and Mr. Madan. Mr. Kimpton 
 admitted that no previous stipulations had been entered 
 into, but urged that his circumstances were Avell known 
 to them ; thot when he presented the living to Dr. Haweis, 
 he relied solely on his honour ; and that it could never 
 have been expected that he Avas willing to relinquish ab- 
 solutely his living to an entire stranger, who was likely 
 to enjoy it for a number of years, when he could have 
 found many at an advanced age to whom it might have 
 been presented. Mr. Madan considered that he had acted 
 in an honourable manner towards Mr. Kimpton, and 
 sought the highest legal advice upon the matter. The 
 Lord Chancellor, Lord Apsley, to whom he was chaplain, 
 decided in his favour; still his name was publicly black- 
 ened, and his character maligned. by the statements which 
 were published. Much recrimination and bitterness was 
 manifested on both sides; and the pamphlets which ap- 
 peared only increased the public ferment. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was deeply grieved at witnessing 
 the scandal which this affair had brought upon religion, 
 
274 MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTINGDON. 
 
 and she hastened to London to see what measures could 
 be devised to hush the strife. After a long consultation 
 with Whitefield, Thornton, and others, her purchase of 
 the advowson was considered the best means of removing 
 the obloquy, from the Christian church ; and at the same 
 time of assisting the poor sufferers, and of relieving Dr. 
 Haweis and Mr. Madan from their unfortunate position. 
 On the 1st of March, 1768, Lady Huntingdon accordingly 
 sent to Mr. Thornton, by Whitefield, a draft for one thou- 
 sand pounds, and commissioned them, with the Rev. S. 
 Brewer, to purchase the perpetual advowson, of Aldwin- 
 cle, and deliver Mr. Kimpton and his family out of their 
 difficulties and distress. In her letter to Mr. Thornton 
 she requests that it may be stated that the step is taken 
 without any understanding with Mr. Madan, that no 
 public notice of her deed should be made, and that even 
 Mr. Kimpton should not know the source whence the 
 money came. '' Gratitude to me would exceedingly hurt 
 me under any form whatever. My heart feels too much 
 ashamed before Him who sees it, to receive any approba- 
 tion from man." Lord Dartmouth had taken an active 
 part in this controversy ; and when aware of the gene- 
 rous intention of Lady Huntingdon, he expressed his 
 anxiety lest the characters of Dr. Haweis and Mr. Madan 
 should suffer by it. Her Ladyship, therefore, wrote a 
 letter to him informing him of what she had done, and 
 stating that, though he had looked at the affair in a ten- 
 der and charitable light, the world had seen it through a 
 different medium ; and that, therefore, it was necessary 
 to remove the cause of the offence, that the characters of 
 his friends might be completely vindicated. She also 
 wrote that same day to Mr. Madan, for whom she had a 
 high regard, and candidly explained her sentiments, and 
 her reasons for the part she had taken in the transaction. 
 She stated that she had, from the first, held the opinion 
 that she could not see how Dr. HaAveis could, as a honest 
 
HER CORRESPONDENCE. 275 
 
 man, keep tlie living ; and that tlie suspicion of simony 
 in giving it up might easily be avoided by proving, be- 
 fore the Bishop, in the presence of Mr. Kimpton, them- 
 selves free from any such thing. She reminded Mr. 
 Madan that nearly a year before, she had stated her dis- 
 approbation of their proceedings, but had maintained a 
 strict silence on the question ; when, however, matters 
 had reached their climax, and religion was openly ma- 
 ligned, she determined to step in, and remove the evil by 
 purchasing the living. She recommended him with Dr. 
 Haweis to make a public apology for any weakness or 
 wrong impressions manifested, and thus to restore peace 
 and happiness to all concerned. 
 
 Throughout this unfortunate affair, the part which 
 Lady Huntingdon had acted, redounds much to her hon- 
 our ; and displays her keen jealousy for the unsullied 
 glory of Christ, her generosity towards the sufferers, aad 
 her strength of mind and determination of purpose. 
 Though sincerely attached to Dr. Haweis and Mr. Madan, 
 and with everything to bias her judgment in their favour, 
 she formed her own opinion of the transaction, and acted 
 as she deemed right. Her conduct on this occasion did 
 not prevent the co-operation of these zealous ministers 
 in her Ladyship's service. Their piety was undoubted ; 
 God crowned their labours with great success ; and Dr. 
 Haweis became one of her devisees, and the chief mana- 
 ger of her chapels after the decease of Lady Erskine. 
 
 While Lady Huntingdon was at Bath, her attention 
 was drawn to the evidences of piety which were mani- 
 fested by many of the students at the universities. The 
 Cambridge band was headed by Eowland Hill, whose 
 whole soul was engaged in promoting the growth of reli- 
 gion among his friends. At the head of the Oxford band 
 was Mr. Halward, a constant correspondent of Mr. Hill, 
 who assembled his little company at the house of White- 
 field's friend, Mrs. Durbridge, for prayer and religious 
 
276 MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTIXGDON. 
 
 conversation. Among them were the six students of St. 
 Edmund's Hall, who were expelled from the university ; 
 Benjamin Kay, Thomas Jones, Thomas Grove, Erasmus 
 Middleton, Joseph Shipman, and Matthews. This meeting 
 created a great excitement in the city. Dr. Stillingfleet, 
 then fellow of Merton College, and a cherished friend of 
 Lady Huntingdon, had been accustomed to meet them at 
 Mrs. Durbridge's house, where he read and prayed with 
 them, and invited them to do likewise. Their unusual 
 piety, and their zealous efforts at expounding in private 
 houses, and preaching in the neighbourhood, excited the 
 jealousy of the clergy, and provoked the ridicule of the 
 gay gownsmen. An ofiicious tutor of St. Edmund's Hall, 
 Mr. Higson, complained of these students to the Principal, 
 Dr. Dixon, and spoke of them as '' Enthusiasts, who 
 talked of inspiration, regeneration, and drawing nigh to 
 Grod." The worthy Doctor was thoroughly acquainted 
 with the views and pure lives of the accused students, and 
 refused to entertain the charge made against them. Hig- 
 son, therefore, appealed to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. 
 Durrell, who summonded a special conclave, appointed 
 assessors, and cited the offending students before him on 
 Friday, March 11th, 1768. Several heads of houses 
 warmly espoused the cause of the students, especially 
 Dr. Dixon, who, as Principal of the Hall, bore direct tes- 
 timony to their exemplary conduct and piety, and de- 
 fended their doctrines by appealing to the Thirty-nine 
 Articles. His efforts, however, were unavailing ; the 
 sentence of expulsion was passed ; and the Vice- Chancel- 
 lor, in summing up, exclaimed, "I, therefore, by my 
 visitorial power do hereby pronounce them expelled ! " 
 The event speedily created a great stir abroad, which the 
 daily papers increased by the prominence they gave to 
 the circumstances of the case. Whitefield immediately 
 addressed a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, written in his 
 most forcible style ; Sir Eichard Hill wrote his famous 
 
EXPULSION OF SIX STUDENTS. 277 
 
 pamphlet called " Pietas Oxoniensis^^ and dedicated it to 
 the Chancellor of the university, the Earl of Lichfield ; 
 Dr. Home, afterwards Bishop of Norwich, ably defended 
 the students ; and others severely lashed the members of 
 the conclave for their unjust sentence. Lady Huntingdon 
 watched the progress of these events with considerable 
 anxiety. She had been for some time acquainted with 
 some of the students, and had received from Whitefield 
 the account of their proceedings. Her name was associ- 
 ated with them in a very curious manner. In the public 
 journals she was accused of seducing young men from 
 their trade or avocation, sending them to the university, 
 maintaining them there at her expense, and at length 
 smuggling them into holy orders. Lady Hunting^don 
 cared little for the ridicule of the world, but was justly 
 indignant at the conduct of the university authorities, for 
 expelling these young men because their piety shone 
 conspicuously in a dark age of the Church. In the fol- 
 lowing letter, her Ladyship gives free expression to her 
 sentiments on the whole affair : 
 
 ''It is a grevious thing to find men, who have so- 
 lemnly subscribed to the doctrines of the Keformation, 
 acting with such inconsistent cruelty, tyranny, falsehood, 
 and scurrility towards those who conscientiously adhere 
 to the tenets of our excellent Church, and endeavour to 
 propagate her principles. Such conduct on the part of 
 our Church-rulers and the heads of the universities, is a 
 sad blow to the Church to which they profess to belong, 
 and strengthens the hands of our Popish adversaries. 
 Of what solemn perjury are those men guilty, who for 
 the sake of filthy lucre and creeping into high places, 
 swear to the belief of doctrines and principles, which, in 
 their hearts, they disbelieve and detest ? How the Great 
 Head of the Church will be avenged on such people as 
 these, and how he will reward their fidelity, a future day 
 will disclose to the view of an assembled world ! O, my 
 
 24 
 
278 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 soul, come not thou into tlie secrets of sucli men "With, 
 the foul invectives of common newspapers I have no- 
 thing to do ; neither am I accountable for the impudent 
 falsehood of those who have maliciously asserted that I 
 have inveigled six ignorant young men from their trades 
 in the country, and maintained them at the University. 
 All these, and many other absurd ridiculous accusations, 
 insinuation, and statements, are utterly false, and without 
 any, the least, foundation of truth to support them ; but 
 the Lord Grod is witness between me and my accusers in 
 this matter ; and woe unto them that call good evil, and 
 evil good ; that put darkness for light, and light for 
 darkness. Dr. Kowell seems to be of opinion, that the 
 expulsion of the students 'is a seasonable interposition, 
 and has disappointed the hojDCS of those who were desi- 
 rous of filling the church with their votaries.' Bold 
 assertion often supplies the place of truth with some 
 men. May the Lord pardon him for the unjust part he 
 has acted in this affair, and convince him that his con- 
 duct, and that of the other members of the University, 
 has been utterly inconsistent with every sentiment of 
 truth, justice, conscience, religion, humanity, and can- 
 dour. " * 
 
 This tyrannical oppression only stimulated the zeal of 
 the Countess, and determined her speedily to open her 
 own College, as an asylum for some of these persecuted 
 students, and a nursery for the Church. In the begin- 
 ning of May, she repaired to Tunbridge Wells, where 
 she made the necessary arrangements for opening that 
 Institution in the following August. She saw that the 
 persecuting spirit of the age was forcing her to depend 
 more upon her own efforts: and she probably discerned 
 that the time would not be far distant when she would 
 have to look to her own College for a supply of faithful 
 labourers, whom she wished to employ in all parts of the 
 
 country. 
 
 * Life and Times, &c., Vol. L, p. 426. 
 
DEATH OF LADY MARGARET INGHAM. 279 
 
 CHAPTER XYI. A.D. 1768—176 9. 
 
 TUNBRIDGE WELLS. — DEATH OF LADY MARGARET INGHAM. 
 WHITE FIELD.^TWO EXPELLED STUDENTS AND LORD 
 HUNTINGDON. — ANECDOTES. — THE COLLEGE AT TRE- 
 VECCA OPENED. — THE STUDENTS ; THEIR STUDIES, ZEAL, 
 AND LABOURS. — LETTER OF JOHN BERRIDGE. — LADY 
 HUNTINGDON IN LONDON. — PAINFUL REMINISCENCES. — ' 
 booth's " REIGN OF GRACE." — THE COUNTESS AT BATH. 
 ' A REMEDY FOR SICK MINISTERS. — REV. DR. DE COURCY. 
 —OPENING OF LADY HUNTINGDON'S CHAPEL AT TUN- 
 BRIDGE WELLS. 
 
 In tlie month of May 1768, Lady Hilntiugdon pro- 
 cured a permanent residence in that part of Tunbridgo 
 Wells- called Mount Ephraim. She had scarcely entered 
 her new abode, before she received the intelligence of the 
 death of Lady Margaret Ingham. Her Ladyship was in 
 her sixty-eighth year, and had been gradually declining, 
 though not so as to arouse the fears of her friends. She 
 had spent a life of great activity and usefulness, and had 
 energetically aided the efforts of her devoted husband. 
 Her character was adorned with the loveliest Christian 
 graces, and her influence was felt and acknowledged by 
 a large circle of friends. When she was evidently sink- 
 ing, Mrs. Medhurst and Miss Wheeler repaired to Aber- 
 ford, and remained there till her decease. H,er closing 
 days were peaceful and happy. She suffered but little, 
 and gently declined till she was called away. It was a 
 pleasure to attend her, and witness her decay. Her 
 cheeks were flushed, her eyes retained their peculiar 
 
280 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 lustre, her voice, thougli weak, was melodious, and her 
 smiles threw a charm around her features which enrap- 
 tured the beholders. Like an aged leaf on which au- 
 tumn has pencilled his glorious tints, she was fading into 
 beauty, and waiting for the heavenly breath to waft her 
 to the skies. At length the hour arrived ; and with ex- 
 piring energy she exclaimed, "Thanks be to God! the 
 moment's come, the day is dawning;" and her joyful spirit 
 fled from its earthly abode, April 30th, 1768. Mr. Ing- 
 ham survived her only four years. His constitution was 
 completely shattered by his active labours, and the trou- 
 bles which had befallen his societies. A deep melan- 
 choly settled upon his mind ; his spirits were either 
 very highly excited or unduly depressed ; and he often 
 indulged the fear that he should be eternally lost. Lady 
 Huntingdon and his friends made every attempt to rally 
 and cheer him, and their letters were of great benefit to 
 him ; but, at length he sank under the weight of his 
 troubles, and entered into his rest. He was a remarka- 
 ble person, and the means of doing great good. He was 
 handsome in his appearance, gentlemanly in his deport- 
 ment, animated in his address, and a model of Christian 
 character. He was exceedingly generous in his liberality, 
 and defrayed the expenses of most of his preachers, from 
 his private resources. Yorkshire is indebted to Mr. Ing- 
 ham for the revival of real religion throughout the 
 county. 
 
 Towards the end of May, Lady Huntingdon received 
 at Tunbridge Wells a visit from Whitefield, on his way 
 to Lewes and Brighton. The arrangements were then 
 drawn up respecting the opening of the College in Wales ; 
 and Whitefield, during his stay, preached twice in the 
 open air. The congregations were very large, and many 
 were deeply impressed with the truth. The Countess 
 was watching the movements of Providence, and was 
 greatly encouraged by the disposition of the people to 
 
* LORD HUNTINGDON. 281 
 
 hear tlie Gospel. She sajs, ''Such happy indications of 
 the approbation of God induce me to hope that He will 
 deign to smile on my humble efforts for the glory of His 
 great name, and the good of the people of this place, and 
 ultimately crown them with distinguished success." 
 Shortly after Whitefield left, Mr. Shipman and Mr. 
 Matthews, two of the students expelled from Oxford, 
 paid Lady Huntingdon a visit at Tunbridge Wells, with 
 the view of obtaining admission into her College. They 
 were most cordially received by her Ladyship, and re- 
 mained for some time under her hospitable roof. 
 
 One evening, Lord Huntingdon, who was then staying 
 with the Countess, wished to have some conversation 
 with these students ; and said to his mother, " I should 
 like to know the motives of these young men, why they 
 expose themselves to censure, and the loss of preferment." 
 The Countess replied, "This evening, after supper, I will 
 leave the room, and you shall have an opportunity of 
 discoursing with them separately." She contrived that 
 Mr. Shipman, who was most ready in conversation, 
 should be first alone with his Lordship. Lord Hunting- 
 don, among other questions relative to his sentiments, 
 particularly asked him his views respecting the authen- 
 ticity of the Holy Scriptures, as his Lordship was well 
 versed in deistical objections to Christianity. The young 
 man was considerably confused, and felt very incompe- 
 tent to give satisfactory replies. Thus this interview 
 closed; and shortly after, an opportunity was given for 
 conversation with the other student. Mr. Matthews was 
 remarkably diffident, and so wanting in the gift of utter- 
 ance, that after a short trial of his ministerial abilities, he 
 entered upon secular pursuits. Lord Huntingdon inter- 
 rogated him respecting his principles, and the cause of 
 his late conduct at Oxford. He replied by very simply 
 and fully relating the whole of God's dealings with his 
 soul. His Lordship's attention was riveted, and his mind 
 
 24* 
 
282 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 SO astonislied witli the simple narrative that he urged no 
 objections, but when the young man had finished, he 
 thanked him for his information, and observed that he 
 had no doubt he was a very good man. Lady Hunting- 
 don shortly after inquired of her son what opinions he 
 had formed of the young men. He said, " I like the last 
 best. Taking the first upon my own ground, I could 
 combat him tolerably well ; but the latter has been in 
 paths to which I am a stranger. I have no doubt he is 
 an honest and good man." When his Lordship was on 
 his dying-bed, he inquired after Mr. Matthews; which 
 showed the impression made on his heart by the narra- 
 tion of what the religion of Jesus Christ had effected. 
 
 Having candidates for the Christian ministry in her 
 house, the Countess thought it proper to arrange some 
 preaching engagements. She publicly announced that on 
 a certain evening there would be preaching in front of 
 her house; though she did not make known her in- 
 tentions to her Oxford guests. The time arrived ; and a 
 goodly company assembled around her door. One of the 
 students then asked her Ladyship what these things 
 meant. She replied, ''I have two preachers in my house, 
 and these people have come to hear a sermon ; it is ex- 
 pected that one of you will preach." They both expressed 
 their surprise, and informed her that they had never 
 preached, but merely expounded the word of God, and 
 that they were too timid to attempt it now. Lady Hun- 
 tingdon addressed Mr. Shipman, and said she must then 
 insist on his informing the people that he was afraid to 
 trust God to assist him in addressing them. At this time 
 he was in the hall, and the servant ready to open the 
 front door; and her Ladyship placed a Bible in his 
 hands, ordered the servant to throw the door open, and 
 gently pushed him forward, and said, " The Lord be with 
 you." Standing on the top of the flight of steps, he 
 opened the book, and selected his text. " My spirit shall 
 
TEEVECCA COLLEGE OPENED. 283 
 
 not always strive witli man." Gen. vi, 3. He spoke of 
 the wickedness of man, the patience and forbearance of 
 God, and the danger of abusing it ; and closed with pre- 
 senting Jesus Christ as the only refuge from the deluge 
 of the coming wrath. This discourse was blessed to the 
 conversion of a man whose name was Crandal, Avho be- 
 came the oldest disciple in the society at Tunb ridge 
 Wells, and a most honourable member till his death. 
 Finding that her young guest could preach so well, the 
 Countess arranged another service, when Mr. Shipman 
 again preached ; and on this occasion, the Lord was 
 pleased to call the wife of Crandal out of darkness into 
 his marvellous light. Mr. Shipman afterwards entered 
 the College at Trevecca, and became a bold preacher of 
 the gospel, in the most public parts of England, both in 
 churches and in the open-air. 
 
 In the summer of 1768, Lady Huntingdon took a 
 journey into Sussex, where, says Komaine, ''her only 
 view is to carry glad tidings to a wretchedly ignorant 
 people. The Lord has hitherto prospered her design, 
 and while he smiles upon it, I believe she will never give 
 it up." She was accompanied by the Eev. W. Talbot, of 
 Eeading, who preached wherever he had an opportunity ; 
 and after a short stay at Brighton, she set out for Wales 
 to realize her long-cherished hope of preparing an Evan- 
 gelical ministry. 
 
 At length the auspicious day arrived, when the College 
 was to be opened for the reception of the students, and 
 the adjoining chapel for the preaching of the gospel. It 
 was most appropriately chosen ; for on that day, Wednes- 
 day, August 24th, 1768, Lady Huntingdon entered on 
 her sixty-second year, in the possession of vigorous 
 powers of mind, and recruited bodily strength. It had 
 been anticipated for some weeks, and on the previous day 
 and during the night numbers poured into Trevecca from 
 all parts. A vast company assembled in the moraing to 
 
284 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDOX. 
 
 witness tlie proceedings, to wliom Whitefield preaclicd 
 with great power from tlie passage, " In all places where 
 I record my name, I will come unto thee, and bless thee." 
 The next day he addressed the students in the College 
 chapel ; and on the following Sunday preached in the 
 court-yard before the College to many thousand persons, 
 from the text, ''Other foundation can no man lay than 
 that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." He says, " "What we 
 have seen and felt at the College is unspeakable ; we were 
 favoured with gospel gales for several days." 
 
 The important business of the College was immediately 
 commenced. Mr. Fletcher was the President, Mr. Easter- 
 brook the Head Master, and Mr. Glazebrook the first 
 Student proposed, and probably the first that entered. 
 His career was singularly instructive, and indicates how 
 a steady perseverance and upright conduct will lead to 
 noble and beneficial ends. During his stay at the College, 
 he studied very diligently, and was occasionally sent out 
 to preach in different localities, where he became very 
 popular. After itinerating for a short time, he applied to 
 his noble patroness to procure him ordination in the 
 Established Church. Mr. Fletcher gave him a title ; and 
 after three years' residence at the College, he was ordained 
 by Dr. North in the diocese of Litchfield and Coventry, 
 and laboured for many years with great success at War- 
 rino-ton. Lady Huntingdon manifested the greatest in- 
 terest in his welfare till her death, and often corresjDonded 
 with him. 
 
 The College was quickly filled with students, who 
 formed a holy brotherhood, and fostered each other's 
 piety, and stimulated each other's activity. They studied 
 with unwearied diligence, and made considerable progress 
 in literary attainments ; though the frequent and urgent 
 calls, which the Countess had for their labours, and the 
 necessities of her own chapels, compelled her to send 
 them forth to preach, before they had made much profi- 
 
THE STUDENTS. 285 
 
 cienej in language and sacred literature. The students 
 were all young men of fervent piety, strong sense, and 
 devoted to the service of Christ ; and they received the 
 approbation of their Master, when he made their first 
 efforts at preaching successful in winning souls. They 
 regularly rendered to the Countess an account of their 
 labours ; and their success awakened joy and gratitude in 
 her breast, and stimulated her to persevere in .her work. 
 Her Ladyship frequently resided at the College, and ex- 
 erted a mighty influence on its inmates. The house was 
 the abode of peace and love ; the spirit of devotion 
 glowed in every heart ; the studies were associated with 
 prayer, and made subservient to the end contemplated ; 
 contentment and order pervaded all ; and the rules of the 
 Institution were cheerfully and rigidly adhered to. The 
 example of the Countess was perhaps the most powerful 
 instructor ; and each soul panted after her spirit and 
 piety. Like her, the students were mighty in prayer ; 
 and often a stranger could have heard in the lovely vale, 
 the voice of supplication and praise proceeding from a 
 little band of students, who were pouring out the desires 
 of their hearts to God, in the surrounding woodlands. 
 
 The benefits of the College were first experienced in 
 the immediate locality. The students were speedily sent 
 out to scatter the seed of divine truth, while they were 
 acquiring knowledge. The near villages were visited on 
 foot ; several horses were kept for the purpose of convey- 
 iug preachers to distant places on Saturday afternoon; 
 and gradually the whole country, within a circle of 
 thirty miles, enjoyed every week the sound of the gospel. 
 Their ministry was very acceptable to the people ; there 
 was a fire and freshness in their preaching which told 
 powerfully on their hearers ; their hearts were in sympa- 
 thy with their work, and with the condition of the peo- 
 ple; and their style was adapted to arouse the careless, 
 and impress the sinner with his guilt. The sphere of 
 
286 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 their efforts gradually increased ; from all parts of the 
 country the cry was heard^ " Come over and help us ; " 
 and the Countess was unwillingly obliged to reject many 
 invitations. She was soon induced, by the urgent ne- 
 cessity of the case, to draw out plans for an extensive 
 itineranc}^, and to keep up a regular correspondence with 
 her preachers ; which involved a labour that, at her 
 period of life, was truly astonishing, and to which her 
 active sjDirit only was equal. Frequently a student was 
 sent out to a great distance to preach in certain districts, 
 or rounds as they were termed. On these occasions, 
 chapels, private houses, market-places, and fields, as the 
 circumstances required, became the scene of their labour ; 
 and by these means, the gospel was introduced, or re- 
 ligion revived, in many places where now there ar§ 
 flourishing churches and numerous hearers. A loud cry 
 of irregularity was raised against their efforts, and many 
 attempts were made to intimidate them ; but they perse- 
 vered in their work, and received the approbation of their 
 divine Master. The times demanded just the agency 
 which Lady Huntingdon brought into existence ; the 
 people were perishing for lack of knowledge ; the organi- 
 zation of the Establishment failed to touch the mass of 
 the people, because the clergy generally were negligent 
 of their duties, and cared little for the salvation of souls ; 
 and the impartial verdict of history will honour the zeal 
 and courage of the Countess in raising an Institution, 
 which sent forth missionaries to all parts of the kingdom, 
 and contributed, in no slight degree, to produce that 
 state of efficiency and prosperity which now happily 
 characterises the various sections of the Christian Church. 
 From its commencement to the present time, the College 
 of Lady Huntingdon has furnished some of the most de- 
 voted and useful ministers the Church of Christ can 
 enumerate. 
 
 The Countess spent the winter of 1768 in London, and 
 
IN LONDON. 287 
 
 found ample opportunities for employing her talents in 
 the metropolis, besides her usual correspondence with 
 her ministers and students to regulate the supplies at her 
 chapels. John Berridge at first disapproved of the estab- 
 lishment of the College, and before it was opened, said, 
 '' The soil you have chosen is proper ; "Welsh mountains 
 afford a brisk air for a student ; and the rules are ex- 
 cellent; — but I doubt the success of the project, and fear 
 it will occasion you more trouble than all your other 
 undertakings besides." After its successful trial, he 
 changed his opinion, and in a letter, dated December 
 80 th, says, 
 
 " I am glad to hear of the plentiful effusion from above 
 on Talgarth. Jesus has now baptized your College, and 
 thereby shown his approbation of the work. You may 
 therefore rejoice, but rejoice with trembling. Faithful 
 labourers may be expected from thence ; but if it is 
 Christ's College, a Judas will certainly be found amongst 
 them. I believe the baptism will prove a lasting one, 
 but I believe the sensible comfort will not last always, 
 nor long. Neither is it convenient, in the present state 
 of things ; a winter is as much wanted, to continue the 
 earth fruitful, as a summer. If the grass was always 
 growing, it would soon grow to nothing; just as flowers, 
 that blow much and long, generally blow themselves to 
 death. And as it is thus with the ground, so is it with 
 the labourers too. AfiQictions, desertions, and tempta- 
 tions are as needful as consolations. * ^^ * Jesus has 
 given you a hand and a heart to execute great things for 
 his glory, and, therefore, he will deal you out a suitable 
 measure of afflictions, to keep your balance steady. Did 
 Paul labour more abundantly than all his brethren ? He 
 had more abundant stripes than them all. The Master 
 will always newshave your crown, before he puts a fresh 
 coronet upon your head ; and I expect to hear of a six 
 months' illness, when I hear of the building of a new 
 
288 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 chapel. I cannot comfort you with saying, that I think 
 your day is almost spent ; but it is some encouragement 
 to know that your noon is past, and that your afternoon 
 shadows lengthen. Go on, my dear Lady ; build and 
 Cght manfully, and believe lustily. Look upwards, 
 and press forwards. Heaven's eternal hills are before 
 you, and Jesus stands with arms wide open to receive 
 you. One hour's sight and enjoyment of the Bridegroom 
 in his place above will make you forget all your troubles 
 on the way." 
 
 It is curious to notice that the Lord saw fit to send 
 Lady Huntingdon affliction w^ith almost every remarka- 
 ble success. Shortly after her return to London, she 
 caught a severe cold, which prostrated her strength, and 
 confined her to her bed for a short time. Her affliction 
 was aggravated by the pressure of business, and the 
 severe anxiety she felt for the welfare of her congrega- 
 tion. Her town residence was at this time in Portland 
 Eow, Cavendish Square ; a noble mansion, which was 
 thrown open for the preaching of the gospel. The 
 scenes of her early efforts were revived ; and the nobility 
 came in crowds to hear Whitefield, Wesley, and Eomainc; 
 who now cordially united to officiate at her Ladyship's 
 and administer the sacrament. She could not help think- 
 ing of by -gone days ; and as she surveyed the circle of 
 her friends, and contrasted its present aspect with its 
 former appearance, she was painfully reminded of many 
 who had been cut off, and whose places were occupied by 
 fresh hearers. The grace of God had spared her; the 
 storms of trouble had raged fiercely around her, the 
 lightning's flash hath scathed many a younger brow, and 
 the rough waves of care and anxiety had overwhelmed 
 some of the mighty ; but she still stood stedfast, vigorous 
 in the midst of decay, and active even while prostrated 
 by weakness. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was ever devising some new way in 
 
IN" LONDON. 289 
 
 whicli slie could glorify God, and serve her friends. If 
 anj of her ministers were ill, she wrote consoling letters, 
 and invited them to Bath or Brighton to recruit their 
 health. She thus wrote to Mr. Yenn, and offered him 
 her house at Bath, that the change of air, rest, and the 
 waters might renew his strength; and she made great 
 efforts to obtain the living of Ashby-de-la-Zouch for his 
 curate, Mr. Eyland. Nor did she confine her benevolent 
 exertions to her ministers. Mr. Yenn introduced to her 
 notice the Kev. Abraham Booth,, pastor of a small Bap- 
 tist Chapel in Nottinghamshire. He had composed a 
 book entitled " The Reign of Grace, " which Mr. Yenn 
 perused in manuscript, and was so pleased with it that^ 
 by his recommendation, it was published and obtained a 
 wide circulation. He wrote a letter to her Ladyship upon 
 the subject, and stated that the author was very poor, had 
 seven children, and had never been educated but by his 
 own exertions. This was a proper object to call forth 
 the sympathy of the Countess. As soon as the work 
 was published, she procured a number of copies, which 
 she distributed in every direction ; and she also recom- 
 mended the author to several of her Baptist friends in 
 London. She wrote to Dr. Gifford, and sent him several 
 copies, with the request that he would use his influence 
 to promote the welfare of the writer. By this work, Mr. 
 Booth was introduced to the congregation in Prescot 
 street, Good-man's-fields, which was then destitute of a 
 miuister; whence he afterwards received a unanimous 
 call, and was ordained pastor of the church, February 
 16th, 1769. Lady Huntingdon attended the service, and 
 ever after maintained a friendly interourse with Mr. 
 Brook. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon continued in London till the end of 
 March, 1769. Whitefield was almost laid aside from his 
 duties. He managed to come down to her house ; but he 
 was unable to take any active part in the usual services 
 
 25 
 
290 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 there. Wesley perceived a great change creeping over 
 him. "His soul appears to be vigorous still, but his 
 body is sinking apace." He, however, rallied ; and was 
 soon able again to preach to the noble circle around the 
 Countess. Mr. Yenn came to London in March, and 
 spent most of his time at her residence, where he fre- 
 quently ofiSciated. He greatly enjoyed the society of her 
 Ladyship and Whitefield ; and before he left the metro- 
 polis, a special service was held in the drawing-room, 
 which was attended by a brilliant circle of the nobility. 
 The Countess prevailed upon him to visit a condemned 
 criminal, the son of godly parents, in Ireland, with whom 
 Mr. Shirley was well acquainted. In one of bis letters, 
 Mr. Yenn says, "I am so much engaged in visiting a 
 condemned man, twelve miles from town, that I fear I 
 shall not be able to leave London before the end of three 
 weeks. I think it long: but my friends are so kind, and 
 make so much of my company, that I cannot refuse them. 
 The man is chained to the floor whilst I am preaching to 
 him." He continued his labours with the wretched man, 
 and preached in the goal to a small company. 
 
 Towards the end of March, the Countess journeyed to 
 Bath, with her family circle. A short time before her de- 
 parture, she requested the "Wesley s, as they were on their 
 way to Bristol, to preach at her chapel. John Wesley 
 then departed for Ireland; but his brother remained at 
 Bath, and ofiiciated in her Ladyship's chapel, and some 
 of the houses of the nobility. Soon after her arrival, 
 she was joined by Mr. Shrubsole, a well-known assistant 
 of Whitefield, who resided with her, and zealously la- 
 boured to save souls. Whitefield had recovered from his 
 recent illness, and resorted to his usual remedy for sick- 
 ness — itinerancy. Before he set out, he wrote to the Eev. 
 Walter Shirley, who had offered his services at the Ta- 
 bernacle ; and in his letter, dated April 1st, 1769, says, 
 ''Our Almighty Jesus knows how to build his temple in 
 
THE COUNTESS AT BATH. 291 
 
 troublous times. His work prospers in the bands of tlie 
 elect Countess, who is gone to Bath, much recovered from 
 her late indisposition. Worthy Lady Fanny Shirley pro- 
 poses soon to follow, in order to reside there. Some 
 more Coronets, I hear, are likely to be laid at the Ee- 
 deemer's feet. They glitter gloriously when set in and 
 surrounded by a crown of thorns^ He paid a short visit 
 to Bath — and it was the last he was permitted to make — 
 and then set off on an excursion to Bristol, Frome, Chip- 
 penham, Dursley, Eodboroiigh, Gloucester and Chelten- 
 ham, where his spirit was revived with the glorious 
 scenes he witnessed. To most of these places he was 
 accompanied by the Countess and Lady Ann Erskine. 
 His noble patroness then little thought that this was the 
 last visit she was to pay to these spots in the company of 
 her chaplain. He was fast ripening for glory ; his sphere 
 of activity would speedily be changed from earth to hea- 
 ven ; and soon the joyful welcome from his Master would 
 greet him, and be re-echoed by the crowds of happy 
 spirits, Avhom he had brought into the waj^s of eternal 
 life. 
 
 At the end of May, Lady Huntingdon proceeded to 
 Tunbridge Wells with Lady Ann, Lady Buchan, and 
 Miss Orton, to arrange the opening of the chapel she had 
 erected in that place. As her efforts had been greatly 
 blessed, and the people were anxious toenjoy the preach- 
 ing of her ministers, she procured a favourable spot of 
 ground near her house, and erected a neat and commodi- 
 ous place of worship. She secured the services of her 
 veteran chaplain, George Whitefield, and of a young 
 Irish clergyman, who about this period was added to the 
 roll of her honoured ministers. The Eev. Eichard De 
 Courcy was descended from an ancient and respectable 
 family in L'eland, and had been educated at Trinity Col- 
 lege, Dublin. At the age of twenty-three, he took his 
 deacon's orders as curate to Mr. Shirley, and rapidly 
 
292 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 gained great popularity by his lively address, and com- 
 manding talents. On one occasion he was invited to 
 preach in St. Andrew's Church, Dublin, where the fame 
 of his oratory gathered a crowded congregation. While 
 the prayers Avere being read, the pulpit was seized by 
 order of the metropolitan, to prevent De Courcy preach- 
 ing to the people. His ardent spirit could not thus 
 tamely submit to be crushed by the order of one who 
 cared nothing for the people; he, therefore, intimated 
 his intention of preaching in the open-air, and immedi- 
 ately withdrew into the church -yard. He was followed 
 by the congregation ; and mounting a tombstone, the in- 
 trepid man boldly proclaimed the glad tidings of salva- 
 tion to the excited audience. His zeal and spirit formed 
 a strange contrast to what was manifested around him, 
 and stirred up a host of malignant enemies. He had 
 committed the unpardonable sin of daring to preach the 
 gospel, and, therefore, experienced the heavy hand of 
 episcopal rule. The Bishop was offended with him, and 
 refused him a license and priest's orders. His courage, 
 howevei;, never for one moment forsook him ; and though 
 he was publicly insulted, and shut out from every hope 
 of preferment, there were a few friends who admired his 
 character, and rallied around him. When Mr. Shirley 
 represented his case to Lady Huntingdon, she immedi- 
 ately applied to the Bishop of Lichfield to ordain him, 
 and sent him an urgent invitation to come to England, 
 and aid her in the great work in which she was engaged. 
 He accordingly came to London, waited on Whitefield at 
 the Tabernacle, and became a useful and laborious minis- 
 ter in her Ladyship's Connexion. When he was intro- 
 duced to Whitefield, the latter took off his cap, and 
 placed his hand on a deep scar on his head, and said, 
 "Sir, this wound I got in your country for jDreaching 
 Christ." These were the two celebrated preachers who 
 came to Tunbridge Wells to open her Ladyship's chapeL 
 
REV. RICHAKD DE CO U ROY. 293 
 
 The one had grown old in the service of his Master, and 
 was soon to lay aside the weapons of his warfare; the 
 other had just entered the ranks, full of fire and energy, 
 and was prepared to leap, sword in hand, into the midst 
 of the enemy, and gain a glorious victory. 
 
 For some time before the opening of the chapel, the 
 Countess was diligently occupied in sending invitations 
 to persons in the neighbourhood, and also in more dis- 
 tant places, requesting their attendance on the joyful 
 occasion. Many responded to her call; and a large 
 number of persons flocked into Tunbridge Wells. At 
 an early hour in the morning, they assembled in front of 
 her Ladyship's residence, and sang their morning praises, 
 and offered their morning petitions. The Countess was 
 awakened by their singing, and experienced great plea- 
 sure in seeing the people around her house, where they 
 remained till the commencement of the public services. 
 These services were held on Sunday, July 23rd, 1769. 
 As soon as the doors of the chapel were opened, every 
 part of the place was thronged, and numbers crowded 
 around the doors and the building. De Courcy read the 
 Liturgy, and Whitefield preached from Gen. xxviii., 17. 
 ''How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the 
 house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. " The con- 
 gregation was far too large to be accommodated in the 
 building; and Whitefield, like his great Master, preached 
 in the open-air, from a mound in the court before the 
 chapel. This remarkable spot, around which cluster many 
 hallowed associations, in still preserved: and when stand- 
 ing where Whitefield stood, imagination pictures to the 
 mind the form of this gifted preacher, stretching out his 
 hands, and uttering some of those impassioned bursts of 
 oratory by which he moved the masses to tears, or thril- 
 led them with ecstatic joy. His sermon on this occasion 
 is said to have been a perfect display of oratory. His 
 words flowed like a graceful stream, and rushed like a 
 
 25* 
 
294 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 foaming torrent; Lis face, lit np witli heavenly fervour, 
 was even more expressive that liis language ; his voice 
 sounded like the varied tones of music ; and his action 
 formed the index of the passions which were playing upon 
 his mind and heart. His prayer was most touching and 
 overpowering; and fervently did he supplicate that many 
 sinners might acknowledge that chapel as the place of 
 their spiritual nativity. His petition was not in vain ; 
 numbers have been born there ; and at the last great day 
 it will be seen how many will acknowledge the debt of 
 obligation they owe to the noble Countess for erecting a 
 place of worship at Tunbridge Wells. In the evening, 
 De Courcy preached from Rev. i., 18, '^I am he that liv- 
 eth, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore. 
 Amen ; and have the keys of hell and of death ;" and 
 Whitefield gave a general exhortation. The next day 
 the Sacrament was administered by De Courcy, and 
 Whitefield gave a solemn and impressive charge to the 
 communicants from 1 Thes. ii., 11, 12. " Such a sacra- 
 ment," says a lady who was then on a visit to the Wells, 
 " as I never was present at before ; I had such a view of 
 Jesus Christ crucified, that I seemed as if caught up into 
 the third heaven to hear things unutterable." 
 
TUNBKIDGE WELLS CHAPEL. 295 
 
 CHAPTER XYII. A.D. 1769—1770. 
 
 THE EEV. K. DE COURCY. — HIS LABOUES IN" SUSSEX. — TRE- 
 VECCA COLLEGE. — THE CLASSICAL TUTOR. — THE ANNI- 
 VERSARY SERVICES. — JOHN BERRIDGE. — LIBERALITY OF 
 LADY HUNTINGDON. — MR. VENN AT BATH. — THE STAR 
 OF THE FIRST MAGNITUDE.--ITINERANT LABOURS. — 
 LADY HUNTINGDON IN LONDON. — HER TRIALS. — STATE 
 OF HER CONGREGATIONS. — REV. VINCENT PERRONET. — 
 THE JOURNEYINGS OF THE COUNTESS. 
 
 After the dedication of the chapel at Tunbridge Wells, 
 Lady Huntingdon proceeded to Lewes, accompanied by 
 Mr. De Courcy, who preached twice to very large con- 
 gregations in the open air. Her Ladyship then went to 
 Brighton, where she made but a short stay ; and leaving- 
 De Courcy to supply the chapel there and at Oathall, she 
 returned to Tunbridge Wells. This devoted minister 
 laboured with great zeal and success. He did not con- 
 fine himself to the usual Sabbath duties, and week-day 
 services; but occasionally went from house to house, 
 teaching the people. He also held many society-meet- 
 i ngs for prayer, and for encouraging the members to per- 
 severe in the divine life. The county of Sussex received 
 great attention, and was traversed by Mr. De Courcy on 
 his errand of mercy. His soul was in his work; and in 
 a long letter to the Countess, he narrates the trials and 
 encouragements he met with in his travels. Accompa- 
 nied by many of his friends, he went to Hurst, a town 
 five miles from Dichling, where he anticipated very se- 
 vere persecution. As soon as he entered the streets, the 
 
296 ME MO IK OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 whole town was in commotion^ as if invaded by some 
 foreign foe; and it was with much difficult j he could pro- 
 cure a chair to stand on. He had not proceeded far with 
 the service, before some laughed, some shouted, some 
 brought out a table and liquor, and began to sing around 
 it, and others blew a horn ; and while be was inviting 
 the people to come and partake of the water of life free- 
 ly, a poor man advanced towards him with, a mug of ale, 
 and begged he would drink heartily of that. He perse- 
 vered in his discourse, and by his firmness silenced many ; 
 but at length, the uproar was so great, that he was 
 obliged to desist, and conclude with a hymn. Still good 
 was done there ; many were deeply impressed ; and one 
 person in the town offered a part of his house for De 
 Courcy to preacli in. 
 
 While at Brighton, he received a letter from a person 
 living in a place called Hellingby, twenty miles distant, 
 representing the parish as a very dark and heathenish 
 spot, without a minister. De Courcy thought this was a 
 fine opportunity to introduce the gospel into the place ; 
 be, therefore, waited on the person, intending to preach 
 the following Sabbath. The man, however, had totally 
 misrepresented the state of things, and refused to have 
 anything to do with a service in the parish ; and as the 
 rector was at home, De Courcy called upon him, with the 
 hope of being able to secure the church ; but when he 
 heard that he was connected with Lady Huntingdon, he 
 declined to allow him the use of his pulpit. The mis- 
 sionary departed with saddened feelings ; and accompanied 
 by a few friends, went to Laughton, where he stood up 
 under a branching venerable tree, and preached to a 
 small but very attentive congregation. The people le- 
 joiced to hear the word of life, and begged that he would 
 come again. 
 
 '' The word in Sussex," says De Courcy, '' calls aloud 
 for more labourers. It is impossible for me to give your 
 
SUSSEX. 297 
 
 Ladyship any idea of the universal thirst there is for the 
 gospel, on every side of us, in the country parts. Every 
 time I preach at Oathall, people come to me and cry out, 
 like persons famishing with hunger, and begging a morsel 
 of bread, ' Oh, Sir, ivont you come to such a place ? ' Indeed 
 1 wish it were in my power to supply every place ; but 
 my calls are so various that it is quite impracticable. I 
 think Mr. Harman computed ten or twelve different parts 
 to which we have been invited. I pray that the Lord 
 may send us some help. I think Sussex seems to be on 
 fire ; and though the devil tries to extinguish the sacred 
 flame, yet, glory be to God, it receives additional strength 
 from every fresh flood poured on it, and burns the brighter. 
 The Lord is reviving his work in the hearts of some here 
 who have lost ground ; he blesses us in every meeting. 
 Yesterday was one of the days of the Son of Man. 
 Oathall church was as full as it could hold, and the Lord 
 was in the midst of us. The word was as a fire. I 
 preached at eight in the morning, five miles from Oathall 
 — at eleven, at Oathall — at six, at Brighthelmstone ; and 
 the Lord gave me such strength of body and spirit, that 
 he enabled me to go through the whole, like a giant re- 
 freshed with new wine. I really felt no more lassitude of 
 spirit or fatigue of body than if I had not spoken a word 
 the whole day. That promise, ' As thy day is, so shall 
 thy strength be ' was my support, and was literally ful- 
 filled to me. my Lady, what a Master do we serve ! 
 What an ample reward does he give us even here ! How 
 sweet is his service I " 
 
 While Lady Huntingdon was rejoicing at the success 
 which was attending her efforts in Sussex, she was antici- 
 pating with great pleasure the first anniversary services 
 of her college in AYalcs. Mr. Easterbrook does not ap- 
 pear to have remained head-master of the Institution for 
 any lengthened time ; for before the anniversary, theEev. 
 John Jones, who had been one of the masters of Kings- 
 
298 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 wood school, and had withdrawn from Wesley's Connex- 
 ion, made application for the appointment to Mr. Fletcher. 
 In the correspondence which ensued, Mr. Fletcher pre- 
 sents to Mr. Jones an account of the duties and qualifi- 
 cations of the head tutor. He says : — 
 
 " The first and grand point to be kept in view at Lady 
 Huntingdon's College is to maintain, and grow in, the 
 spirit of faith and power that breathes through the Acts 
 of the Apostles, and was exemplified in the lives of the 
 primitive Christians. The first aad grand qualification 
 required in a person called to be at the head of such a 
 College is, then, a degree of faith and power from above, 
 with an entire devotedness to God and his cause. The 
 master who is there at present seems, on account of his 
 youth, to be deficient in point of Christian experience. 
 Nor is he a proper master of the Greek, nor even the 
 harder classics, so that he can hardly maintain his superi- 
 ority over those who read Cicero and Horace. Whetlier 
 this inconveniency, sir, would be avoided, suppose you. 
 were to succeed him, I cannot judge by your letter. He 
 is also unacquainted with Divinity and the Sciences, of 
 which it is proper he should give the students some idea ; 
 and how far you may excel him in these points, sir, is 
 not in %iy power to determine. He hath twenty-five 
 guineas a year, with his board, room, and washing. I 
 dare say the generous foundress would not hesitate to 
 raise the salary of a master of superior merit, though she 
 hopes none would undertake that province for the sake 
 of money. "^ ^ * 
 
 " The variety of classes in the College demands great 
 assiduity and diligence in the master. I would not, 
 therefore, advise any one to engage without a proper 
 trial. I have begged of Lady Huntingdon not to fix 
 upon a master, till she had allowed him to look about 
 him, and see how he liked the place, people, and business; 
 and as you properly observe, sir, it would be improper 
 
THE CLASSICAL TUTOR. 299 
 
 to engage, to repent of the undertaking, I think that, if 
 upon consulting with the Lord in prayer, and with Mr. 
 Maxfiekl in conversation, you find your heart free to em- 
 brace so peculiar an opportunity of being useful to your 
 generation, it might be best to come and see how you 
 like the business, and how it agrees with you; and 
 should not matters prove agreeable on either side, I dare 
 say Lady Huntingdon will pay your travelling expenses 
 to Talgarth and back again." 
 
 The Countess left Tunbridge Wells in August, for the 
 purpose of attending the first anniversary of the opening 
 of her College at Trevecca. For several weeks previous 
 to that event, she was busily engaged in making prepara- 
 tions for the approaching services, and inviting many 
 ministers to be present and take part in 'the proceedings. 
 The solemn services extended over several days ; and it 
 may be interesting to many to know the character of the 
 engagements. ]\'[essrs. Fletcher, Daniel Eowlands, and 
 W. Williams arrived at the College on the 18th; and on 
 the following morning, a sermon was preached by Mr. 
 Eowlands to a large congregation from the words ''Are 
 there few that be saved ?" In the afternoon, Mr. Fletcher 
 addressed the communicants at the Lord's Supper and 
 the spectators, and produced a deep impression upon 
 them by the warmth and power of his appeals. This 
 was on Saturday, when the people were crowding in from 
 the distant parts of tlie country to attend the services on 
 the Sabbath. Howell Harris perceived them congregating 
 in the open court; and while those within the chapel 
 were communing with their Lord, he stood up among 
 the crowd, and addressed them from the words, "The 
 time is come that judgment must begin at the house of 
 God." 
 
 Early on the Sabbath day, the roads and by-ways to 
 Trevecca presented a very animated and picturesque ap- 
 pearance. Little groups of Welsh people were hurrying 
 
SOO MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 to the house of God, full of expectation and joy, and 
 talking of the wonderful Lady and her zealous ministers. 
 The chapel was incapable of containing one-half of the 
 people ; they, therefore, assembled in the court ; and with 
 the rich blue curtain of heaven for their canopy, they 
 worshiped the Lord of heaven and earth. At ten, Mr. 
 Fletcher read the Liturgy ; after which, Mr. Shirley 
 preached a glowing sermon on the text, " Acquaint thy- 
 self now with him and be at peace." At one, the sacra- 
 ment was administered in the chapel, when the commu- 
 nicants were addressed by two ministers, Eowlands and 
 Fletcher, and the spectators exhorted to decide at once 
 for Christ by Mr. Williams. In the afternoon, the 
 people again congregated in the court ; and Mr. Fletcher 
 addressed them from the words of the Apostle, ^'I am 
 not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." There is nothing 
 the Welsh people love more than to hear the gospel in 
 their own native tongue ; when, therefore, Mr. Eowlands 
 rose to speak to them in the Welsh language, their eyes 
 glistened with delight, and their hearts were filled with 
 joy and gratitude. From this time to the anniversary 
 day, the people continued to arrive at Trevecca from the 
 surrounding country ; and each day there was preaching 
 twice by the clergymen, and lively addresses by Howell 
 Harris and some of the Welsh exhorters. On Wednesday 
 John Wesley arrived at the College, accompanied by Mr 
 Howell Davis and Mr. Peter Williams, of Caermarthen. 
 He says, " I preached in the morning to as many as her 
 Ladyship's chapel could well contain, which is extremely 
 neat, or rather elegant, as is the dining-room, the College, 
 and all the house. About nine, Howell Harris desired 
 me to give a short exhortation to his family. I did so, 
 and then went back to my Lady's, and laid me down in 
 peace." 
 
 At length the long expected anniversary day daAvned 
 August 24th, 1769. The people were soon stirring, and 
 
THE ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. 801 
 
 flocked towards tlie spot where so many distinguished 
 ministers of Christ were congregated together. At an 
 early hour in the morning, the Lord's Supper was ad- 
 ministered by Messrs. Wesley and Shirley, first to the 
 clergymen ; then to the students ; and afterwards to the 
 Countess of Huntingdon, the Countess of Buchan, Lady 
 Ann Erskiue, Miss Orton, and the other members of the 
 family. The large concourse of people filled the chapel 
 and the court : and at ten the solemn services commenced. 
 Messrs. Davies and Eowlands read prayers, and appro- 
 priate lessons selected for the occasion ; after which Mr. 
 Fletcher preached one of his earnest spiritual discourses ; 
 and when he had finished, Mr. W. Williams addressed 
 tlie people in Welsh, with that peculiar fire and energy 
 which they greatly admire. This service lasted till nearly 
 two o'clock, when the clergymen dined with Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon and her friends, and the people were supplied 
 with bread and meat in the grounds of the mansion at her 
 Ladyship's expense. At three, the services were re- 
 sumed; when John Wesley preached to the people in the 
 open-air, and was followed by Mr. Fletcher. The con- 
 gregation was then dismissed, as manj^ of the homes were 
 at a great distance ; and the interesting proceedings of 
 the day closed with a devotional meeting — a love feast — 
 where several ministers gave short and appropriate ex- 
 hortations, and supplicated the divine blessing. There 
 were eight clergymen present on this occasion. 
 
 Thus terminated the first anniversary of the useful 
 college which Lady Huntingdon had founded. It was a 
 time long remembered by the people, and is still spoken 
 of with rapture by those who have had narrated to them 
 by their forefathers the exciting scenes of these days. 
 It was a time too when Christ manifested his presence, and 
 sent down his blessing in an especial manner. The 
 power was mighty which attracted, and held together for 
 several days, the large numbers to hear the glad tidings 
 
 26 
 
802 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 of salvation ; and the grace of God was conspicuous in 
 calling many out of darkness into light, and making 
 them the children of God. Kone retired from the ser- 
 vices without receiving a spiritual blessing. Love was 
 breathed into each heart, zeal was enkindled in each 
 breast; devotion was inflamed on each tongue, and hea- 
 venly-mindedness impressed upon all. Every soul was 
 contented and happy, and joined in the songs of Zion 
 with voice and heart. Lady Huntingdon says, '' Though 
 necessarily much hurried with outward things, my mind 
 was preserved in peace ; I enjoj'-ed a divine composure, a 
 heavenly serenity of soul, while my communion was 
 with the Father and the Son. Words fail to describe the 
 holy triumph with which the great congregation sung, 
 
 'Captain of tliine enlisted host, &c.' " 
 
 For several days after, there was public preaching 
 every daj^, until Messrs. Shirley and Fletcher left, and 
 Lady Huntingdon removed to Bath. She looked back 
 upon the first year of the existence of the College with 
 great delight and gratitude. She had been enabled to 
 realize her cherished plan, and had witnessed the benefi- 
 cial effects of her labours. The students had been har- 
 moniously studying and preaching; and God had hon- 
 oured their efforts. Their piety grew with their know- 
 ledge ; their zeal increased with their opportunities ; and 
 the example of Lady Huntingdon banished from their 
 minds every selfish and intolerant suggestion. Their 
 services were appreciated and sought after ; and she re- 
 joiced to know they were made useful in Christ's service. 
 This was the noble purpose of her life. She says, " 
 that I may be more and more useful to the souls of my 
 fellow-creatures. I want to be every moment all life^ all 
 zeal, all activity for God, and ever on the stretch for 
 closer communion with him. Isij soul pants to live more 
 to Him,^and to be more holy in heart and life, that all 
 
JOHN BERRIDGE. 303 
 
 my nature may show forth the glories of the Lamb." 
 What finer specimen of lofty, spiritual heroism is there, 
 than in this glowing self- con seer at ion, and panting after 
 holiness, which Lady Huntingdon manifested ! 
 
 Previous to the anniversary, she wrote to John Ber- 
 ridge and invited him to Trevecca. As his health was 
 at this time very delicate, and prevented him attending 
 to the duties of his parish, she thought that a change of 
 air would be beneficial to him. He was, however, obli- 
 ged to decline the invitation from his inability to bear 
 the fatigue of so long a journey ; but he requested her 
 to assist him with the services of one of her students. 
 His friend, Mr. Hicks, had occasionally helped him ; but 
 his parishioners were dissatisfied with his preaching. 
 Mr. Glascott was accordingly sent to Everton to render 
 what assistance he could to John Berridge. His services 
 were very acceptable to the people, and gratifying to Mr. 
 Berridge, who wrote to her Ladyship, and stated how 
 much pleased he was with him, and that if she would 
 spare him for six weeks, Mr. Glascott would be able in 
 that time to visit all his churches. In his own peculiar 
 style, he says, Mr. Glascott has "not a dozing face, with 
 a hoarse doctrinal throat ; but a right sharp countenance, 
 with a clear gospel pipe." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was sincerely attached to this devo- 
 ted clergyman, notwithstanding his eccentricities. His 
 letters to her are frequently couched in the most sin- 
 gular and extraordinary language. They sparkle with 
 original figures, and witty sayings, and convey many 
 powerful thoughts and practical suggestions, which ren- 
 der them peculiarly valuable. On one occasion, when 
 he excused his declining her invitation to preach in one 
 of her chapels, he pleaded that he had no coat fit to ap- 
 pear in out of his own parish, and requested her ''to 
 patch his coat with a small bank bill." The Countess, 
 with that noble generosity which characterized her heart, 
 
30-i MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTJNGDOX. 
 
 wrote to him by return of post, and inclosed a bank post 
 bill. The greatest difficulty connected with her liberality 
 was to know how to refuse. Captain Scott said that she 
 was so generous and bountiful that she actually gave to 
 every one who asked her, until she was destitute. At 
 length it became necessary to conceal cases from her. On 
 one occasion, the Captain with a few ministers, having a 
 case presented to them, and believing that the good 
 Countess would give though she could ill afford it, resol- 
 ved not to acquaint her with it. By some means how- 
 ever, she became acquainted with it, and with the combi- 
 nation of her ministers to conceal it ; and she was so 
 excessively grieved, that, the moment she saw Captain 
 Scott, she burst into tears, and exclaimed, '^I should 
 never have thought you would have acted thus. I have 
 never taken anything ill at your hands before ; but this, 
 I think, is very unkind ! " She then gave one hundred 
 pounds to the case. 
 
 The active spirit of Lady Huntingdon could not per- 
 mit her to remain long in one place. Every locality, 
 where she had introduced the gospel, was engraven on 
 her heart, and present to her mental eye ; and her anxi- 
 ety for the welfare of her Societies led her to visit them, 
 and ascertain their condition. Early in September, the 
 Countess left Trevecca, and made a wide circuit on her 
 way to Bath. She spent a few days at Berwick that she 
 might encourage her friends there to be earnest in the 
 service of Christ; and passed through Kidderminster, 
 Worcester, and Gloucester to ascertain the state of these 
 localities. At Bristol she was met by John Wesley, and 
 visited the Kingwood School, and the Society in con- 
 nexion with Whitefield. On the 13th, she summoned a 
 large gathering of evangelical clergymen to breakfast at 
 her house, and to converse on the best means of increas- 
 ing the revival of true religion. It was a sweet and hal- 
 lowed season ; and after their deliberations, the Eev. Mr 
 
MR. VENN AT BATH. oOo 
 
 Hart administered the sacrament, and John AYesley 
 preached on the words, " I am not ashamed of the gospel 
 of Christ." Leaving Wesley at Bristol, Lady Hunting- 
 don, with Lady Buchan, Lady Ann Erskine, and Miss 
 Orton, proceeded to Bath. The Countess was grateful to 
 God for the health she now enjoyed, and for his pre- 
 serving care over her amid the dangers she was exposed 
 to ; and though there were still many things to annoy 
 her, and to retard her work, she felt greatly encouraged 
 to persevere, by the success which had already crowned 
 her efforts. She says, " The work is the Lord's ; He is 
 with me ; He upholds my feeble hands, and condescends 
 to help my humble plans for the promotion of his glory, 
 and the eternal good of my fellow immortals." 
 
 Bath was the most important sphere of Lady Hunting- 
 don's operations ; and during this season was unusually 
 crowded. Lady Fanny Shirley, Lady Gertrude Hotham, 
 the Countess of Buchan, the Marchioness of Lothian 
 and several other pious persons among the nobility now 
 resided in the city, and attracted a large circle of friends 
 around them. Great numbers of the illustrious visitors 
 attended her chapel (where Mr. Venn preached) and not 
 a few of them were induced to pay attention to their 
 spiritual concerns. Lady Huntingdon engaged Mr. Yenn 
 to preach there. Early in October, he left Hudders- 
 field for that purpose; and, like his divine Master, 
 preached wherever he could obtain a pulpit on his way. 
 Among other places, he visited ^Northampton to console 
 Mr. Madan, who was sorrowing over the loss of his son ; 
 Eeading, where his friend Dr. Talbot was labouring with 
 great success; and Pewsey, to visit his zealous coadjutor 
 in the work of the Lord, Mr. Townsend. He arrived 
 safely in Bath, and found his ''dear son in the gospel," 
 Mr. Shirley, who was to share with him the work of the 
 sanctuar3\ His labours were very acceptable to the peo- 
 ple; and ill his letters to his friends, he narrates the 
 
 2C* 
 
806 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 success lie met with in preaching to the rich and mighty. 
 In one letter, dated Bath, November 4th, he says : — 
 
 '' On Sunday evening last there was such a crowded 
 audience, Mr. Shirley told me, as there never was before. 
 The chapel doors were set open, and people stood in the 
 court as far as the houses. That full description of the 
 way of salvation, and the object of the believer's hope ; 
 the condition of his enemies, and the glory of his people, 
 in the concluding verses of Isaiah xlv. was my subject. 
 Happily I am much alone ! though solicited to spend ray 
 time with one family after another all the day. You 
 may judge of this, when I tell you I have read two 
 quarto volumes, with other books, and written nearly 
 twenty letters, without intermitting my study of the 
 ever-blessed Book." 
 
 In another letter, written the day after, he says : — ■ 
 
 " I am favoured with the pleasing sight, and with the 
 animating example, of a soul inflamed with love to a cru- 
 cified God — that stumbling-block to them that perish. 
 In Lady Huntingdon I see a star of the first magnitude 
 in the firmament of the Church. Blessed be God for 
 free grace, that salvation is to every one that cometh to 
 Christ! otherwise, when I compare my life and my spirit 
 with hers, I could not believe the same heaven was to 
 contain us. How do works, the works of faith and love, 
 speak and preach Jesus Christ, in that devoted servant 
 of Ilis ! no equipage — no livery servants — no house ; — 
 all these given up, that perishing sinners may hear the 
 life-giving sound, and be enriched with all spiritual bless- 
 ings. Her prayers are heard ; her chapel is crowded ; 
 and many sinners among the poor are brought into the 
 City of Kefuge. Happy is it for us, my friend, that we 
 have been brought into that city — that we know in 
 whom we we have believed — that we can say, ' Surely in 
 the Lord have I righteousness and strength I that we 
 
ITINERANT LABOURS. 307 
 
 have been happily reduced to the necessity of confessing 
 we have nothing to pay, nothing to plead, but ' Worthy 
 is the lamb.' This is all our relief, consolation, and 
 triumph ; and will be through all ages. I feel, from Lady 
 Huntingdon's example, an increasing desire, both for 
 myself, and you, and all our friends, that we may be 
 active and eminent in the life of grace." 
 
 When Mr. Yenn left Bath, he undertook for Lady 
 Huntingdon a preaching tour, on his way towards York- 
 shire. He first stopped at Worcester, where a considera- 
 ble awakening had taken place through the preaching of 
 the gospel by her ministers and students. As the churches 
 were frequently denied him, he preached wherever he 
 could gather a congregation ; in large rooms — crowded 
 streets — and the open fields. He paid a visit to Lord 
 Dartmouth, at Sandwell, near West Bromwich ; where he 
 remained some time, and preached in the neighbouring 
 towns and villages. He also itinerated in Cheshire, and 
 proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation in many be- 
 nighted districts. Though these journeys were undertaken 
 at the request of Lady Huntingdon, it is but justice to 
 the character of Mr. Yenn to mention, that there was no 
 foundation for the reports which were circulated, that he 
 Avas induced to preach for her by pecuniary considerations. 
 He never expected the least remuneration ; and all he 
 would receive barely paid his travelling and necessary 
 expenses. His heart sympathized with the plans of the 
 Countess, and would never have sanctioned the bestowal 
 of her liberality upon himself. Her generosity was 
 unbounded ; her wealth was consecrated to the service of 
 her Saviour ; she severely denied herself that she might 
 extend the kingdom of Christ ; and carefully saw that the 
 distribution of her wealth was applied to promote the 
 glory of God; — yet, with all her fortune and self-denial, 
 her finances were inadequate to carry out her plans, and 
 she could never have done the noble acts which mark 
 
308 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 her character had she not found such men as Mr. Yeun 
 and her chaplains, willing to accomplish her desires with 
 the same distinguished zeal, and to spend their substance, 
 as well as themselves, in the same glorious cause. 
 
 Towards the end of the year 1769, Ladj Huntingdon 
 left her chapel at Bath in the hands of the Kev. Messrs. 
 Townsend and Jesse, and visited the metropolis. The 
 first day of the new year was set apart by her for fasting, 
 close examination, deep humiliation of spirit, and renewed 
 dedication of herself to God. In the morning she was 
 greatly stimulated by a sermon from the Eev. A. Kinsman, 
 of Plymouth, who was then supplying Whitefield's 
 chapels in London, on the words, ''Strengthen ye the 
 weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees." In the eve- 
 ning she heard a most thrilling discourse from Komaine 
 at the Lock chapel, on the striking words of Jeremiah, 
 ^' This year thou shalt die." It was the means of arousing 
 her attention to the end which awaits all mortal creatures. 
 God had spared her amid disease, and dangers : but her 
 night would come at last, though the evening might con- 
 tinue long ; and therefore she resolved to labour more 
 earnestly, and extensively for the glory of God, while it 
 was day. She enjoyed the sweet sense of God's smile 
 and blessing ; and delighted to commune with him, that 
 she might be prepared for the trials which she saw 
 gathering around her, and to do his will, whether its per- 
 formance aroused the hostility of the world, or called 
 forth its gratitude and approbation. The more she en- 
 joyed the light of heaven, the more clearly she discerned 
 the depravity of her heart, the crafty nature of evil, and 
 the unspeakable preciousness of Jesus Christ. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon had her outward trials as well as 
 her inward experiences. Ilcr divine Father chastened 
 her, as she was able to bear it ; and often reminded her 
 that she was but a feeble instrument in his hands, and 
 that the success of her labours was derived from him 
 
HER TRIALS. 309 
 
 alone. In many places where slie had succeeded in 
 planting the gospel standard, great success at first at- 
 tended the efforts of her ministers, and much spirituality 
 and zeal glowed in the hearts of the converts to Christ. 
 After a time, however, in some places the scene changed, 
 and a deadly apathy crept over the congregation. This 
 greatly discouraged her heart : she wrestled more earn- 
 estly in prayer to God for them ; poured out her com- 
 plaints to her chief advisers; and moved among the 
 different stations with greater frequency. This trial, 
 however, was not of long continuance. The clouds 
 which had darkened her prospect separated, and allowed 
 a few beams of sunshine to cheer her, before another 
 storm passsed over her head, and desolated the religious 
 community. 
 
 It was during the month of January, 1770, the Count- 
 ess paid a visit to the venerable Vincent Perronet, vicar 
 of Shoreham, Sussex. His name had long attracted con- 
 siderable notice in the religious world ; his talents and 
 accomplishments would have qualified him to occupy 
 with dignity any station; and his family connections 
 opened to him the prospect of considerable preferment in 
 the church ; yet, when the clear light of the gospel shone 
 into his heart, he instantly renounced his ecclesiastical 
 prospects, and devoted himself to promote the revival of 
 religion in England. He had occasionally corresponded 
 wath Lady Huntingdon, but had never had a personal 
 interview with her, till she visited him at his residence. 
 She w^as greatly pleased with his manly and exalted 
 piety, his gentle and engaging manners, and the simpli- 
 city and sweetness of his disposition. She says, " He is 
 a most heavenly man, with the most lively piety, joined 
 with the profoundest humility, and ardent concern for 
 the salvation of the people committed to his charge." 
 She was accompanied to Shoreham by Mr. Wesley, w^ho 
 remained there a few days, while she proceeded to Tun- 
 
810 MEM OIK OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 bridge "Wells^ to regulate some affairs connected with lier 
 chapel in that town. She journeyed thence to Brighton 
 and Oathall to meet KomainC; who had arrived there a 
 few days before. 
 
 The Countess returned to her residence in Portland 
 Eow, London, in the month of February. On the 6th, 
 Wesley administered the sacrament at her house for tlie 
 last time. A coolness had existed between them for some 
 time, which was rapidly increasing, and finally termi- 
 nated in a total separation. He was, however, at her 
 house the following week; when Dr. Talbot administered 
 the ordinance, and the Kev. Moses Browne of Olney 
 preached, and he concluded with prayer. For a few 
 weeks, these services were continued at her house by 
 several clergymen, and were made very useful to the 
 higher circles. Komaine returned from Brighton early 
 in March, and on the 5th accompanied the Countess to 
 Eeading, where she remained a few days with her excel- 
 lent friends. On the 9th, she journeyed to Bristol, where 
 Komaine preached twice in the churches, and the day 
 after went to Bath, and heard her chaplain preach to a 
 very large and attentive audience. On the 14th, Eo- 
 maine accompanied her to Cheltenham ; and being 
 refused the use of the parish church, he addressed a large 
 congregation in a sjDacious school-room, where her 
 ministers had often preached. On the 16th, she left 
 Cheltenham for Oxford ; and on the following day arrived 
 at Eeading, where Eomaine was to preach on the Sab- 
 bath. The Countess spent two days in London, and set 
 off for Brighton on the 22nd, accompanied by Lady Ann 
 Erskine, Miss Orton, and Mr. Maxlield. Such is a spe- 
 cimen of the journeys of Lady Huntingdon ; and when 
 the mode of travelling, the dangerous state of the roads 
 in these times, and the age of the Countess, are considered, 
 it must excite surprise that her feeble health was able to 
 endure the fatigue of these energetic labours. 
 
THE PERIOD OF CONTROVERSY. 311 
 
 CHAPTER XYIIL A.D. 1770—1771. 
 
 THE PERIOD OF CONTROVERSY. — THE CALVINISTIC AND 
 ARMINIAN METHODISTS. — THE MINUTES OF CONFER- 
 ENCE. — REV. J. BENSON. — MR. FLETCHER AT THE COL- 
 LEGE. — THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. — THE 
 PROSPERITY OF THE COLLEGE.— DEATH OF WHITE- 
 FIELD. — THE NOBILITY AT BATH. — ROWLAND HILL. 
 THE PROGRESS OF STRIFE. — BENSON DISMISSED FROM 
 THE COLLEGE. — FLETCHER RESIGNS THE PRESIDENCY. 
 THE RISING STORM. — THE CONFERENCE. — THE PAPER 
 WAR. — REFLECTIONS ON THE CONTROVERSY. 
 
 The period of controversy sliould be approached with 
 great caution by every historian. The arena on which 
 the battle is fought is necessarily circumscribed; the 
 weapons employed are generally sharpened by much that 
 is personal and offensive ; the tide of victory apparently 
 changes as each combatant brings up his forces; and so 
 much must, from the nature of the conflict, be inevitably 
 concealed, and what is evident must touch some bias of 
 the mind or heart, — that even the desire to be impartial 
 does not always secure that happy result. It is notorious 
 that no controversy is so powerful, and painful in its 
 consequences, as one which partakes of a theological 
 character. The subject is associated with the deepest 
 feelings of man's nature ; to touch a religious conviction 
 is to touch the apple of the eye; and the call to surrender 
 a dogma which, perhaps, has been cherished from the 
 earliest days of manhood, is treated more harshly than 
 even a call to surrender some temporal possession. It is 
 
312 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 well that it is so ; for thougli it renders the process of 
 destroying error painful and difficult, it forms a great 
 barrier around the truth, and prevents its being carried 
 away in the fierce struggles of theological controversy. 
 It must ever be deplored that the contest for truth is not 
 usually carried on without awakening bitter feelings, 
 jealousies, reproaches, and personalities, among the com- 
 batants. In the heat of strife, party-spirit often prevails 
 over the love of truth ; and the contest merges into a 
 trial of strength between two religious persons or com- 
 munities. Especially if the subject be one of deep and 
 mysterious profundity, there is a great temptation to 
 indulge in subtile speculations, and to dogmatize where 
 it is more becoming to be careful and reserved. 
 
 It was during this year that the memorable controversy 
 arose between the Arminian and Calvinistic Methodists, 
 which raged with great fury for nearly six years, and 
 ended in a total separation of these two bodies of Chris- 
 tians. The mighty champions, "Whitefield and Wesley, 
 had often come into collision on their respective dis- 
 tinguishing tenets ; though, by mutual forbearance, they 
 had hushed the angry growl which occasionally arose, 
 and united with each other in promoting the spread of 
 the gospel. Lady Huntingdon was very anxious to pre- 
 serve the harmonious co-operation of the leaders; and 
 though firmly attached to the opinions she held, she knew 
 that there was common ground on which both could 
 stand, and maintain a fraternal association. Her efforts to 
 secure such a happy state of things have been narrated; 
 and to a certain extent, she succeeded in establishing an 
 outward union. Her discerning eye, however, could de- 
 tect in Wesley a want of cordiality and sympathy towards 
 the Calvinists ; and the prominence which he gave to the 
 doctrine of Ohristian Perfection awakened her suspicions. 
 He soon began to decline in her estimation ; and it was 
 not long before she discovered in his proceedings a fresh 
 
THE PERIOD OF CONTROVERSY. 813 
 
 cause for alarm. Two years before this period, he wrote 
 a letter to Mr. Fletcher, warning him against very friendly 
 intercourse with the Calvinists, whom he speaks of in a 
 sneering manner, and alluding covertly to his connection 
 ■with Lady Huntingdon. The Countess was soon aware 
 of this; and though assured that the attempt to prejudice 
 Mr. Fletcher had failed, she could not forget, even if she 
 could forgive, the ungenerous conduct of John Wesley. 
 The breach every month became wider ; the flame of con- 
 tention was enkindled, and, though repressed, was gain- 
 ing power ; the significant lull was passing into a rising 
 storm ; and signs of the approach of a season of remarka- 
 ble strife were noAv and then appearing. The views of 
 each were rapidly changing towards each other ; Wesley 
 regarded the Countess in a new aspect, and her Lady- 
 ship cherished towards Wesley very different feelings 
 from what she had hitherto manifested. At length the 
 crisis came ; the war-note was sounded ; the battle com- 
 menced. 
 
 Wesley convened in London the twenty-seventh an- 
 nual Conference of preachers, August 7th, 1770 ; and to 
 raise a bulwark against Antinomianism, or the abuse of 
 the doctrine of free grace, he drew up certain proposi- 
 tions, condemning the Calvinistic sentiments, which were 
 argeed to by the Conference. These propositions natu- 
 rally gave great offence to the whole body of the Calvin- 
 istic Methodists, and created considerable alarm among 
 them. Lady Huntingdon, and several other persons, 
 protested against the Minutes of Conference, as striking 
 at the fundamental doctrines of the gospel ; and Mr. 
 Shirley said publicly, ''that he deemed peace in such a 
 case a shameful indolence, and silence no less than 
 treachery ! " The consideration of the points at issue 
 took a deep hold on the public mind ; and after silently 
 slumbering for a short time, the controversy at length 
 drew into the field several champions on both sides. One 
 
314 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 of these was tlie head-master of her Ladyship's college 
 in "Wales. 
 
 In the beginning of this year, the Eev. Joseph Benson 
 was, through the influence of Mr. Fletcher, appointed to 
 the situation which had been vacated by Mr. Easter- 
 brook. He had for some years filled the office of classi- 
 cal tutor in Kingswood school, and was, at the time of 
 his appointment, studying at St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford 
 His duties there did not permit him to reside at the col- 
 lege till the spring ; when, being dismissed from Oxford 
 because of his connexion with Lady Huntingdon, he 
 commenced his labours among the students with the 
 promise of much success, and was satisfied with the pro- 
 gress they made in learning and piety. He found a 
 warm coadjutor in Mr. Fletcher, who frequently visited 
 the college, and was hailed with great delight by the stu- 
 dents. The holy and devout conversation of this man of 
 God endeared him to them, and awakened in their hearts 
 such love and veneration towards him, that they were 
 almost ready to adore him. His appearance among them 
 was the signal to leave off their usual studies, and to sit 
 at his feet and receive spiritual instruction. Languages, 
 the arts and sciences, and even theology itself, were laid 
 aside when he entered the hall. His heart was overflow- 
 ing with the love of Christ, and the students were more 
 ready to hearken to the outpouring of his soul, than to 
 attend to their classical studies, or literary pursuits ; and 
 seldom hearkened long, before their eyes were filled with 
 tears, and their hearts glowed with the fire which burned 
 in his soul. He kept steadily in view the object these 
 young men had before them — to win souls to Christ — ; 
 and was well aware that classical learning and literature, 
 though very important and useful, would never fit them 
 for their work without deep and fervent piety, and the 
 indwelling of the Spirit. After speaking to them for 
 some time, he often said '^As many of you as are athirst 
 
ANNIVERSARY SERVICE. 315 
 
 for this fulness of tlie Spirit, follow me into my room." 
 Many instantly rose and followed liim, and continued 
 there for two or three hours, praying one after another 
 with great earnestness and power. This was the ordi- 
 nary employment of this eminent minister while he re- 
 mained at Trevecca. lie frequently preached to the 
 students and the family, and to as many of the neigh- 
 bours as wished to be present ; when he illustrated some 
 important truth, reminded them of some neglected duty, 
 administered some needful consolation, and enlivened 
 the whole by relating some useful anecdote. His heart 
 glowed with love, his mind sparkled with intelligence, 
 his soul breathed affection. His manner varied with his 
 subject. Sometimes it was grand and solemn, sometimes 
 sweet and placid ; and often his soul lit up his counte- 
 nance with such rapturous delight, that his very face 
 seemed almost angelic, and charmed his hearers. His 
 heart was in his work; and when circumstances pre- 
 vented him visiting the college, he affectionately remem- 
 bered his charge, and wrote them many addresses, full 
 of scriptural instruction and fervent piety. 
 
 The controversy had scarcely made any stir when 
 Lady Huntingdon was preparing to celebrate the second 
 anniversary of her college. On the 18th of August, her 
 Ladyship, with Mr. Shirley and Mr. Venn, arrived at 
 Brislington near Bristol, the residence of James Ireland, 
 Esq., a man well known in the religious world, and a 
 friend to all parties. Wesley was then staying at Bristol 
 with the expectation of accompanying her into Wales to 
 attend the approaching anniversary of her college, as he 
 had been invited thither the preceding year. The Coun- 
 tess, however, had come to the determination of exclud- 
 ing him from lier pulpits as long as he adhered to the 
 resolutions passed at the late conference ; and accordingly 
 wrote to him to that effect. Wesley returned no answer 
 to the communication, but the next day left Bristol for 
 
316 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Cornwall, and never again preached in the chapels of 
 Lady Huntingdon. 
 
 On the 21st, the whole party, consisting of the Coun- 
 tess, Lady Ann, Miss Orton, Mr. Ireland, Mr. Llodd, and 
 her Ladyship's ministers, set out for Trevecca, where a 
 large company of ministers and lay -preachers, among 
 whom were Messrs. Fletcher, W. Williams, Eowlands, 
 Peter Williams, and Howell Harris, awaited their arrival. 
 The next morning the series of services commenced, and 
 were continued till after the anniversary day ; when the 
 sacrament was administered, the students addressed, and 
 the gospel preached to the people in the chapel, and in 
 the open court. The attendance on these occasions was 
 large ; but on the anniversary day the number of people _ 
 collected from all parts of the country even exceeded 
 that of last year. At six o'clock in the morning of that 
 day, August 24:th, a public prayer-meeting was held in 
 the chapel to implore the divine blessing to rest on the 
 solemn services before them ; after which the sacrament 
 was administered by the President of the College, first 
 to the ten clergymen present, then to the students, the 
 Countess and her friends, and afterwards to many of the 
 congregation. The public service commenced at ten 
 o'clock in the morning. A platform had been erected in 
 the court for the ministers and students, which was sur- 
 rounded by a vast concourse of people. Mr. Fletcher 
 read prayers and appropriate lessons ; Mr. Peter Williams 
 offered up a fervent extempore prayer for the preacher 
 and the hearers ; the congregation sung with spirit and 
 joy that well-known hymn, '' Arm of the Lord, aicalce, 
 aivaJce ! " and Mr. Shirley stood in front of the platform 
 to preach to the people. After he had concluded, Mr. W. 
 Williams preached to them in Welsh, and stirred up the 
 Welsh fire in the breasts of his hearers. At two they all 
 dined, as on the former occasion ; and the sight of the 
 people, clustering in little bands, and singing amid the 
 
PROSPERITY OF THE COLLEGE. 317 
 
 shady retreats of the grounds and neighbourhood, formed 
 a most beautiful spectacle. At three, the services were 
 recommenced ; when John Berridge preached one of his 
 powerful discourses, and riveted the attention of his 
 hearers by his flashing strokes of wit and satire. Mr. 
 Eowlands also preached to the people in Welsh, and sent 
 them to their homes with gladdened hearts, and holy 
 thoughts. While the people were hastening homewards, 
 and talking of the exciting scenes they had witnessed, the 
 students were being addressed by Mr. Yenn, who urged 
 them to persevere in their work, to preach Christ, and to 
 depend on the promised aid of the Spirit to cheer, support 
 and bless them. Mr Fletcher closed the proceedings of 
 the day with earnest prayer for the divine blessing to 
 rest on the congregation, the college, the students, the 
 Countess, the world ; that peace and prosperity might 
 continue ; and that all might be more active in diffusing 
 the truth, and in attempting to save a guilty race. 
 
 Thus terminated the second anniversary of her college. 
 The most delightful spirit of piety and brotherly affec- 
 tion pervaded the whole of the proceedings ; and the 
 presence of Christ was manifested in an especial manner. 
 The congregations were unusually numerous, and atten- 
 tive ; and felt deeply the stirring appeals that were made 
 to their hearts. The next day, after a devotional meet- 
 ing, Lady Huntingdon and her suite left Trevecca, and 
 paid a visit to Mr. Powys at his mansion in Shropshire ; 
 where, on the Sabbath, Mr. Berridge and Mr. Yenn 
 preached to the people. She then proceeded to Worces- 
 ter, where she staid a few days to encourage the people 
 who had been aroused by the preaching of her students in 
 that city ; and then went forward to Bristol, where she 
 met with Charles Wesley, who accompanied her to Bath, 
 and preached several times in her chapel. 
 
 As Lady Huntingdon's sphere of usefulness every 
 year was becoming more extensive, her expenses were 
 
318 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 consequently greatly augmented. Her income was inade- 
 quate to meet the demands made upon her liberality ; 
 and but for the occasional assistance of some kind and 
 wealthy friends^ she would sometimes have been involved 
 in difficulties. It was about this time, she received a second 
 gift of Five Hundred Pounds from Mr. Thornton towards 
 defraying the expense of the College. From Lady Glen- 
 orchy, Lady Chesterfield, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Ireland, and 
 Miss Orton, she likewise received considerable sums, 
 amounting to nearly One Thousand Pounds, which enabled 
 her to pursue her plans for promoting the spiritual hap- 
 piness of her fellow creatures. In the letter which 
 accompanied her donation, Lady Glenorchy says : — 
 
 '' I am rejoiced at the success which has attended the 
 college, and of your very extensive field of labour. ^ ^•' * 
 Knowing the many demands on your generosity, I beg 
 your acceptance of the enclosed for four hundred pounds, 
 which you will oblige me by expending in advancing 
 that glorious cause which my heart longs to serve ; and 
 at the same time allow me to repeat what I have already 
 assured your Ladyship, that my purse is always at your 
 command, as I feel persuaded that the Lord smiles upon 
 your plans of usefulness, and will crown them with his 
 blessing. Your Ladyship's account of what occurred at 
 Mr. Wesley's last conference does not surprise me. I 
 have since seen the minutes, and must bear my feeble 
 testimony against the sentiments contained in them. 
 May the Lord God of Israel be with you, and enable you 
 to make a firm stand in defence of a free-grace gospel." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon thanked her for her generous gift to 
 the college, which, she says, " has been the offspring of 
 many tears, and strong crying to the great and glorious 
 Head of the Church," and adds ;— 
 
 '' The College is in a most glorious state. The unction 
 of the Holy One is continually descending on all its be- 
 
DEATH OF WHITE FIELD. 819 
 
 loved inmates, and the love and harmony that reigns 
 amongst them all, it is most delightful to witness. Fired 
 with a zeal for God and perishing souls, all seemed deter- 
 mined, in their strength, to spend and be spent in this 
 divine employ. The College, as dear Berridge says, has 
 been baptized with the baptism of the Holy Ghost ; 
 great grace rests upon all within its walls, and eminent 
 success crowns their labours in the towns and villages 
 around. To God alone be all the glory — the work is his, 
 and he will carry it on in his own Avay. His smiles of 
 approbation have cheered my heart amidst the many la- 
 bours, cares and sorrows, I have to contend with. I 
 thirst for an entire devotedness to him, and his cause and 
 interest in the world. O that I had a thousand hands, a 
 thousand hearts ; all should be employed for him—for He 
 is icortliy ! " ^ 
 
 While Lady Huntingdon was at Bath, the melancholy 
 intelligence reached London that her oldest chaplain 
 George Whitefield was now no more ! He had spent his 
 last year in America, where he preached almost daily to 
 large audiences. His strength often failed him ; and he 
 frequently remarked that he now grew weary in the work, 
 but not of it. He had preached at Exeter on the 29th 
 of September 1770, and after dinner rode over to New- 
 berry Port, near Boston. He retired to rest early ; but 
 in the night felt a suffocation creeping over him. He 
 got out of bed, and sat near the open window ; but 
 gradually grew worse ; and at six o'clock in the morning, 
 his spirit gently left the body, and took its joyful fliglit. 
 For some time. Lady Huntingdon was nearly over- 
 whelmed with her unspeakable loss. He had been her 
 associate during many years ; to him she had been ac- 
 customed to look for aid and counsel ; and by his talents, 
 God had been pleased to awaken many of her noble 
 friends to see the importance of religion. She showed 
 
 * Life and Times, vol. ii, p. ] 10-112. 
 
320 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 every mark of respect to the memory of her departed 
 chaplain ; she hung the pulpit; reading-desks, and galle- 
 ries, with black; and summoned Mr. Venn to preach his 
 funeral sermon at her chapel on the 18th of November, 
 the day on which John Wesley discharged a similar 
 duty in London. An immense crowd thronged every 
 part of the chapel, and all appeared deeply affected. 
 
 A just and graceful eulogy was paid to his character. 
 He was an extraordinary man, and accomplished a most 
 marvellous work. His figure was commanding ; his 
 features, good and pleasing ; his voice, strong and clear ; 
 his action, graceful and winning. He possessed remarka- 
 ble activity of body and mind, and swayed his vast 
 audiences by his matchless oratory ; he commanded the 
 attention of all classes of hearers, and preserved his popu- 
 larity to the very last. He gave prominence to the great 
 doctrines of the cross ; and illustrated and enforced them 
 with all the resources of his versatile mind. He followed 
 up his preaching with private exhortation ; and often, for 
 hours after his sermons, attended to the anxious and 
 despairing sinners who flocked to him for his advice. 
 He won the confidence and affection of all. The most 
 timid forgot their fears, and the weeping their sorrows, 
 when charmed by the music of his voice. England still 
 owes a debt of obligation to the memory of this dis- 
 tinguished preacher ; and well would it be for her present 
 religious condition, if the spirit, which prompted the 
 energetic labours of Whitefield, were again to glow in 
 her sons ! 
 
 "■ In him there dwelt a spirit generous, hold, 
 Unawed hy threatenings, unallured hj gold ; 
 Preferments, honours, ease, he deemed but loss, 
 Vile and contemptible for Jesu's cross ; 
 Inured to scandal, injuries, and pain, 
 For him to live was Christ, to die was gain." 
 
 In the year 1771, the eccentric Lady Betty Germaine 
 
ROWLAND HILL. 321 
 
 arrived in Bath, and paid her respects to Lady Hunting- 
 don. She had often heard Whitefield at her Ladyship's 
 residence, and had invited the Countess to some of her 
 parties which were atteoded by the principal literary 
 characters of the day. It was at her house Lady Llun- 
 tingdon met with Horace Walpole, Dr. Johnson, Garrick, 
 Sir Joshua Eeynolds, and other celebrated persons. The 
 niece of Lady Betty, the witty and eccentric Lady Craven, 
 better known as the Margravine of Anspach, expressed 
 great regard for the Countess ; and the well-known Mrs. 
 Montague, who had long been acquainted with Lady 
 Huntingdon, was extremely partial to her society. Lord 
 Chancellor Thurlow was at this time in Bath, and was 
 introduced to the Countess by Lady Betty. He endeav- 
 oured to dazzle Lady Huntingdon with the variety and 
 splendour of his talents ; but she turned the tide in her 
 favour, and greatly surprised him by the simplicity of 
 her conversation, and the depth of her theological know- 
 ledge. His Lordship had formed the habit, then fearfully 
 characteristic of the nobility, of intermingling oaths with 
 his conversation ; and it is said that the reproofs of Lady 
 Huntingdon were of such service to him, that his friends 
 asserted he would soon become a convert to all her Lady- 
 ship's opinions. He was a man of very superior mind, 
 and filled his high station with deserved reputation. 
 
 In the spring of this year, Eowland Hill commenced 
 preaching at the Tabernacle, Bristol, and in the neigh- 
 bourhood; and visited many parts of Gloucestershire, 
 Somersetshire, and Wiltshire. His head-quarters were 
 at Lady Huntingdon's house at Bath, where he was wel- 
 comed with great cordiality. He preached for the Count- 
 ess with much success. On one of his preaching excur- 
 sions, he visited Wotton-under-Edge, to which he became 
 so partial as to make it his favourite summer-residence in 
 after life. An old lady, connected with one of the most 
 respectable families in the place, who was awakened to 
 
322 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 seek after salvation under his ministry, often described 
 his first visit to Wotton. She was sitting at the tea- 
 table, when a relative bnrst into the room, and said, 
 ''Ann, the baronet's son, who goes about preaching, is 
 now under the market-house." "Are you sure it is the 
 baronet's son himself? " she inquired. "Yes, that I am ; 
 for I saw his brother, Mr. Kichard Hill, not long ago, 
 and he is so like him, I am sure he is of the same family." 
 She rose up : and impelled by curiosity to see and hear 
 the stranger, she accompanied her relative, little thinking 
 of the important consequences his preaching would bring 
 to her. While she was standing listening, a man by her 
 side seized a stone to hurl at Mr. Hill; but another 
 caught his arm, and exclaimed in the broad dialect of the 
 country, "If thee doost touch him, I'll knock thee head 
 off" The man dropped his stone ; and a solemn silence 
 reigned a minute after. 
 
 About the middle of June, Mr. Komaine arrived in 
 Bath, and was shortly after followed by Mr. Townsend, 
 who had left Edinburgh in March to supply the chapel at 
 Bretby ; where he remained some weeks previous to his 
 return to PcAVsey. Towards the end of the month. Lady 
 Huntingdon accompanied these two zealous ministers on 
 a tour into Wiltshire and Somersetshire ; and visited, 
 besides many other places, Frome, Pensford, Shepton- 
 Mallet, Warminster, and Bradford, where much good 
 was effected by the preaching of the gospel. After 
 remaining a few days at Bath, she accepted the invitation 
 of Mr. Ireland to spend a short time at Brislington ; and 
 staid there with Mr. Eomaine till the beginning of 
 August, when she left for Trevecca. As Charles Wesley 
 was then at Bristol, her Ladyship had many opportuni- 
 ties of conversing with him on the impending contro- 
 versy, which was daily becoming more serious and 
 alarming. 
 
 The head-master of her Ladyship's college was early 
 
BENSON DISMISSED. 323 
 
 involved in tlie struggle. His long connexion with Wes- 
 ley had predisposed him to assent to the doctrines which 
 the conference had declared ; and he accordingly corres- 
 ponded with Wesley, and defended him against the 
 attacks of his opposers. Lady Huntingdon had stated 
 her determination that whoever embraced these doctrines 
 should quit her College ; and an animated correspondence 
 ensued between Wesley, Benson, and the Countess, in 
 which the mildest terms were not selected to convey 
 their respective sentiments. Mr. Benson, besides defend- 
 ing Wesley, wrote on the baptism of the Holy Ghost, 
 and avowed sentiments which her Ladyship and Mr. 
 Shirley considered unscriptural. Lady Huntingdon then 
 repeated her expressed determination that every Armin- 
 ian should quit her College ; AVesley stimulated Benson 
 to adhere to the Minutes of Conference ; and the head- 
 master was consequently dismissed from his office. The 
 Countess had no fault to find with his talents, conduct, 
 or piety ; but she thought it would be inflicting a severe 
 blow upon what she considered the purity of the faith, 
 to continue him in a position, where his influence would 
 certainly indoctrinate the students with his opinions. 
 She dismissed him with a testimonial, in which she 
 speaks very highly of his talents and diligence, and 
 which reflects equal credit on the parties concerned. 
 
 As Mr. Benson had been recommended by Mr. Fletch- 
 er, and had been intimately associated with him at the 
 college, it was perfectly natural he should write to him, 
 and explain the cause of his dismissal. The vicar of 
 Madeley was much grieved at the step which Lady 
 Huntingdon had taken, and at her imperious tone ; he, 
 therefore, wrote to her Ladyship a letter, dated January 
 1st, 1771, which stated that Mr. Benson made a just 
 defence, when he said that he did hold with him the 
 possibility of salvation to all men ; that mercy is offered 
 to all, and yet may be received or rejected ; that such 
 
824 MEMOIR OF LADY H U N T I N G D N. 
 
 were his own sentiments : and that if tliose who held 
 them must quit th.e College then he was actually dismiss- 
 ed too. 
 
 ''For my part/' he says with warmth, "I am no party- 
 man. In the Lord, I am your servant, and that of your 
 every student ; but T cannot give up the honor of being 
 connected with my old friends, who, notwithstanding 
 their failings, are entitled to my respect, gratitude, and 
 assistance, could I occasionally give them any. Mr. 
 Wesley shall always be welcome to my pulpit, and I 
 shall gladly bear my testimony in his, as well as Mr. 
 "Whitefield's. But if your Ladyship forbid your students 
 to preach, for the one, and offer them to preach for the 
 other at every turn ; and if a master is discarded for 
 believing that Christ died for all — then prejudice reigns ; 
 charity is cruelly wounded ; and party spirit shouts, pre- 
 vails, and triumphs." 
 
 He shortly afterwards visited Trevecca, and in a letter 
 to Mr. Benson, dated March 22nd, 1771, says: — 
 
 ''On my arrival at the College I found all very quiet, 
 I fear through the enemy keeping his goods in peace. 
 While I preached, I found myself as much shackled as 
 ever I was in my life, and, after private prayer, I con- 
 cluded I was not in my place. The same day I resigned 
 my office to my Lady, and on Wednesday to the stu- 
 dents and the Lord. -^ * * Last Friday, I left them all 
 in peace, the servant, but no longer the president, of the 
 College. My Lady behaved witb great candour and 
 condescension towards me ; but as for you, you are still 
 out of her books, and are likely so to continue." 
 
 The controversy now began to assume a threatening 
 aspect. Lady Huntingdon widley circulated a printed 
 letter, and invited the Calvinistic clergy to assemble at 
 Bristol, and to meet the Wesleyan Conference ; and 
 either compel them to revoke their last Minutes, or sign 
 
THE RISING STORM. 825 
 
 a formal protest against them. The circular enclosed 
 copies of the Minutes of Conference^ and of the proposed 
 protest, and was signed by Walter Shirley. The Coun- 
 tess again wrote to Wesley ; who vindicated his conduct 
 with great clearness, and showed that in his sermons he 
 had for forty years maintained one uniform doctrine, and 
 that the Minutes should be construed in harmony with 
 liis well-known views, and not forced into a contradic- 
 tion of his previous doctrines. Mr. Fletcher was much 
 incensed when he read the circular; he bitterly com- 
 plained of the injustice done to Wesley, and threatened 
 to take the field in his defence, if the meditated attack 
 was not immediately abandoned. Lady Huntingdon 
 manifested perhaps more zeal than prudence on this oc- 
 casion ; but deeming it a vital matter, she was prepared 
 to sacrifice friendship, yea even herself, in the cause of 
 truth! She replied to Fletcher's letter; and though 
 deprecating the course he was taking, she stated her 
 determination to fight to the very last for the honor of 
 Jesus, though all should forsake her, and leave her alone 
 in the field ! The circular letter, and the copy of the 
 protest, evidently stimulated opposition, and called forth 
 from many, a remonstrance against their intention to 
 come in a body, and extort a recantation. Her Lady- 
 ship endeavoured to soften, or remove, their objection to 
 the mode she was adopting ; and Mr. Shirley wrote to 
 Wesley, regretting the offence which the circular had 
 given, and requesting to know by what other way, more 
 agreeable to the Conference, the protesting party could 
 be admitted to state their objections to the Minutes of 
 last Conference. 
 
 At length the eventful day arrived. The Conference 
 was held at Bristol, August 6th, 1771 ; and the assembly 
 was crowded, as most of Wesley's friends rallied around 
 him. On the 8th, at ten in the morning, Mr. Shirley, 
 and about ten of his friends, were admitted; when a con- 
 
 28 
 
826 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 versation ensued for nearly two hours. The result was 
 such as might have been expected, when Christian men 
 meet together, and explain their respective views with 
 calmness and candour. Mr. Fletcher says, "All were 
 pleased with Mr. Shirley's conduct ; so much like a min- 
 ister of the Prince of Peace, and a meek, humble, loving, 
 brother in the gospel of Christ." "Wesley drew up a de- 
 claration ; which stated that, as the Minutes were under- 
 stood to favour justification by works, such a doctrine 
 was abhorred by them ; and that, as the Minutes were 
 not sufficiently guarded, they declared that they have no 
 trust or confidence but in the sole merits of Christ for 
 justification or salvation. This declaration was agreed 
 to by Mr. Shirley and his friends, who candidly admitted 
 that they had been too hasty in condemning the senti- 
 ments of Wesley. 
 
 The storm had thus apparently blown over, and the 
 serene sunshine was confidently anticipated ; but, unfor- 
 tunately, a circumstance arose which brought back the 
 electric flash, and whirled the elements into a perfect tem- 
 pest. At the request of Wesley, Mr. Fletcher had pre- 
 pared a vindication of the doctrines contained in the 
 Minutes, in the shape of five letters addressed to Mr. 
 Shirley. The manuscript was finished a week before the 
 opening of Conference, and presented to Wesley to pub- 
 lish or suppress as he deemed fit. It remained in 
 Wesley's hands till after he had signed the declaration; 
 but, strange as it may appear, on his leaving Bristol for 
 Wales on Monday, August 12th, he committed Fletcher's 
 vindication to the press, and left directions that it should 
 be published with all speed! Mr. Fletcher no sooner 
 heard of the declaration, and of Shirley's noble conduct, 
 than he felt the greatest anxiety to suppress the publica- 
 tion of his " Letters y He wrote to Mr. Ireland, and 
 earnestly intreated him to take immediate steps to pre- 
 vent their appearance. The printer was seen; the 
 
THE CONTROVERSY. o27 
 
 stewards of the Bristol Methodist Society commanicated 
 with; and every endeavour made to prevent the pam23hlct 
 seeing the light of day. All efforts, however, were un- 
 availing ; and nothing could now prevent the outbreak 
 of the war of controversy. Mr. Olivers, one of Wesley's 
 preachers, a fiery zealous man, was intrusted with the 
 publication ; and as he had opposed the declaration, he 
 was only too glad to give to the world the opinions of 
 Mr. Fletcher on a subject in which he was specially 
 interested. 
 
 Mr. Shirley hastened to Trevecca to consult her Lady- 
 ship ; and as Fletcher's vindication was published 
 against his wish, through the strange inconsistency of 
 Wesley, and the fiery zeal of his preacher, it became 
 necessary for Shirley to publish a narrative of the facts 
 and letters connected with the whole affair. He wrote, 
 and announced his intention, to Mr. Fletcher; who re- 
 plied that he had no objection to his letters being made 
 public, and that if the pamphlet were friendly, and the 
 same size as his vindication, he would take ten pounds' 
 worth to circulate with his vindication. The narrative 
 appeared ; and Wesley's friends were shocked to find his 
 Minutes described as ''an attack upon the foundation of 
 our hope." Fletcher was again summoned to the rescue, 
 and published " A Second Check to Antinomianism,'''' in 
 three letters to Mr. Shirley ; but he did not succeed in 
 disproving that Wesley's declaration was a recantation 
 of the Minutes of Conference. The controversy soon 
 became sharper and more extended, until at last it ended 
 in a total separation of the Wesleyans and the Calvinis- 
 tic Methodists. To close this unpleasant affair we must 
 anticipate a little the chronological order of events. 
 
 In 1772 and 1773, Sir Eichard Hill and his brother 
 Kowland entered the lists; and were replied to with 
 great earnestness by Mr. Fletcher in several pamphlets. 
 Other combatants now appeared in the field, and arranged 
 
328 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 themselves on their respective sides. Augustus Toplady 
 hurled his ''More work for John Wesley:''^ Sir K. Hill his 
 '' Finishing Stroke]'''' Berridge his ''Christian World un- 
 masked: " but the indefatigable pen of Fletcher met his 
 opponents, and returned the assaults. Many opprobrious 
 epithets were employed ; scurrility, abuse, and personali- 
 ties abounded ; and feelings, which were anj^thing but 
 Christian, were manifested towards each other. Many 
 good and holy men attempted to sweeten the bitter ani- 
 mosity which existed ; and during the year 1774, national 
 calamities suspended the controversy ; but in the following 
 year, the campaign was opened by Toplady, and the 
 great struggle was renewed. We need not, however, 
 further pursue the narration of this conflict, as it belongs 
 more to the province of eclesiastical history than to our 
 present purpose. 
 
 A review of the whole controversy brings with it many 
 painful reflections. It is sad to see the Church of Christ 
 held up to the scorn and ridicule of the world by its most 
 zealous friends; and to witness one portion arrayed 
 against another in deadly strife. The strife first arose in 
 misrepresentation, was continued in party spirit and fierce 
 anger, and ended in separation and jealousy. Both 
 parties are equally to be blamed ; both selected weapons, 
 and appealed to passions, unworthy of the cause of reli- 
 gion ; and both failed to detect the strength and harmony 
 of their respective views, and plunged into an abyss of 
 metaphysical abstractions. There can be no doubt of the 
 sincerity and zeal of the Countess in the decided step she 
 took at first ; but it must also be admitted that her love 
 of truth carried her away, in the warmth of her feelings, 
 to do, and to say things, which, on calmer reflection, per- 
 haps, she wished had never occurred. Wesley was guilty 
 of stirring up the strife by unjustifiably publishing 
 Fletcher's vindication, after he had signed the declaration 
 which refuted the obnoxious clauses ; and to him and 
 
REFLECTIONS ON THE CONTROVERST. 829 
 
 Toplady must be awarded tlie palm for garnisliing their 
 papers with scurrility and unchristian appeals. Fletcher 
 was decidedly an able disputant, though many of his 
 remarks were most biting and severe ; and sometimes his 
 fervid eloquence enticed him from the investigation of 
 abstruse points, and led him to expend his strength in 
 loose declamation. All parties, on calm reflection, de- 
 plored the manner in which they had contended. Fletcher 
 deeply regretted that he had ever taken up his pen on 
 behalf of Wesley; Toplady wished he had seen his 
 opponents, instead of only reading their productions ; 
 and Eowland Hill admitted that a softer style and spirit 
 would better have become him. Had a meeting been 
 convened, where each could have explained his peculiar 
 views, and kept his investigation within reasonable 
 bounds, the enmity v/hich existed between the two great 
 sections of Methodism would never have appeared, and 
 Calvinists and Arminians would not have rushed to the 
 opposite poles of Christian truth, whither so many have 
 been driven by speculation, and the pride of reason. 
 
 28* 
 
380 • MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. A.D. 1771—1772. 
 
 RESPONSIBLE POSITION OF THE COUNTESS — TOUR IN 
 WALES. — CHAPEL AT SWANSEA. — LABOURS OF THE STU- 
 DENTS. — MARGATE. — DOVER. — FOLKSTONE. — DEAL. 
 
 CANTERBURY. — ASHFORD. — MAIDSTONE. — THE MIDLAND 
 COUNTIES. — DORSETSHIRE. — DEVONSHIRE. — LADY HUNT- 
 INGDON'S AFFECTION FOR HER STUDENTS. — ARCHBISHOP 
 OF CANTERBURY. — INTERVIEW OF THE COUNTESS WITH 
 THE KING AND QUEEN. — PETITION AGAINST SUBSCRIP- 
 TION TO THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES. — THE DISSENTERS. 
 — LORD CHATHAM. 
 
 Lady HuntingdoD now occupied a high and responsi- 
 ble position in the religions world. Her efforts had been 
 steadily increasing, and were producing permanent re- 
 sults in all parts of the country. Numerous chapels had 
 sprung up under her fostering care and liberality ; and 
 many students were itinerating throughout England and 
 Wales to preach the gospel. Life and prosperity had re- 
 appeared among drooping congregations ; and a mighty 
 stimulus was given to the activity of the Christian 
 church. The storms of controversy did not retard her 
 efforts, but only led her to pray more fervently, and to 
 labour more devotedly, for the wide diffusion of truth. 
 Her college was a most valuable auxiliary to her, and 
 enabled her to enter upon the fresh fields which were 
 yearly opening, without subjecting herself to the control 
 of episcopal authority. The Countess spent a considera- 
 ble portion of every year at the College, that she might 
 
BENJAMIN TUCKER. 331 
 
 encourage the students with her presence, regulate the 
 order of their itinerant journeys, and accompany them 
 into the neighbouring districts, Avhen any circumstance 
 specially called for her assistance. The third anniversary 
 of this valuable institution was attended by even greater 
 crowds than on the preceding year. The usual services 
 were held both previous to and after the 24th of August, 
 and were very animated and encouraging ; and the min- 
 isters returned to their spheres with gladdened hearts, 
 and with renewed consecration of themselves to the ser- 
 vice of the Lord. Soon after the anniversary, Lady 
 Huntingdon made a tour in Wales with Mr. Eowlands 
 and Mr. Williams. She spent two days at Brecknock, 
 and then proceeded to Csermarthen, at each of which 
 places her ministers preached to large congregations in 
 the churches and in the open air; then passed on to 
 Haverford-West, and visited the town of Swansea. 
 
 This rising toAvn had been for some time in a most 
 benighted condition. A few Welsh and English people 
 had been accustomed to assemble in a room in Castle 
 Street for prayer; but their difference in language and 
 sentiment destroyed their harmony, and eventually led 
 to a separation. The remaining people were too poor to 
 pay the small sum of three pounds a-year for the rent of 
 the room ; and the landlady threatened to eject them. 
 Among them was a man of singular piety, named Benja- 
 min T acker, who was sincerely attached to the little 
 meeting. He became the leading person there, and was 
 informed that he must either defray the expenses of the 
 room, or relinquish it next week. His poverty forbade 
 him taking the responsibility upon himself, and the 
 thought of abandoning the place distressed his mind. 
 One day he strolled towards the bay; and falling on his 
 knees prayed that God would help them in their difficulty. 
 While thus engaged the name of the Countess occurred 
 to him, as the most likely person to aid them in their 
 
832 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 distress. He prevailed upon a neighbouring farmer to 
 write to the Countess, who was then staying at Britton 
 Ferry, a few miles from Swansea ; and as no reply was 
 returned, he waited upon her Ladyship, who, after hear- 
 ing his statement, kindly consented to send a student 
 from Trevecca every Sabbath. After they had preaclied 
 here for twelve months, it was thought that if a chapel 
 were erected, a large congregation might soon be collec- 
 ted. Lady Huntingdon inquired of Tucker how many 
 members could be obtained to form a society ; and when 
 informed there were only five, she expressed her surprise 
 that such a small number should desire the erection of 
 a chapel. Tucker promptly replied ''There were but 
 few in Cornelius' house, but at his invitation more came ; 
 and while Peter preached, the Holy Ghost fell upon all 
 them that heard the word." The Countess was pleased 
 with his remark, and promised her assistance in building 
 a chapel. 
 
 Shortly after. Lady Huntingdon visited Swansea, and 
 requested one of her students to preach under an elm 
 tree which faced her lodgings in Chapel Street, while she 
 sat at the open window, and listened to the sermon. 
 Many interviews took place respecting the intended 
 chapel; and when, on one occasion, her Ladyship 
 remarked, that a room would be quite sufficient. Tucker 
 declared, with his enthusiastic energy, that he would beg 
 throughout the Principality, if she would not comply 
 with their request. She yielded to his importunity ; and 
 through the kindness of Sir Herbert Mack worth, obtained 
 the lease of one of the sand-banks on the Burrows for 
 forty years, at a ground rent of £3. 14s. Od. per annum, 
 upon which she erected a neat and commodious chapel 
 in the Gothic style. It was opened for public worship 
 April 5th, 1789, by Mr. Kowlands, and the Eev. "\V. 
 Taylor, one of her Ladyship's chaplains; and was for a 
 time supplied by some of her best preachers. It proved 
 
CHAPEL AT SWANSEA. 333 
 
 a great blessing to tlie neighbourhood ; frequently it was 
 crowded to excess ; and many there were deeply im- 
 pressed with the truths and decided for Christ. In 1796 
 the Eev. W. Kemp became the pastor of the people, and 
 laboured there for twenty-five years with considerable 
 success, till his removal to Cheshunt College, to fill the 
 important office of theological tutor in that institution. 
 He was succeeded by his intimate friend, the Eev. David 
 Jones, who, about five years before the lease would have 
 expired, having ascertained that the corporation were 
 desirous of making a road by the side of the chapel, pro- 
 posed to exchange a piece of land on the south side for 
 that purpose for a small piece at the back of the chapel, 
 and by great exertions secured to the trustees a new 
 lease for ninety- nine years. Mr. Jones was soon laid 
 aside by ill-health, which was but slightly improved by 
 his travels in France, and in 1825 he resigned his charge 
 at Swansea, and became the classical tutor at Cheshunt, 
 but died a few weeks after he had entered upon his office. 
 The chapel was then supplied by various ministers in the 
 Connexion, till the year 1838, when the Eev. Thomas 
 Dodd became the pastor of the church, under whose 
 ministry the chapel was greatly enlarged, and school- 
 rooms built. He removed to Worcester in 1852 ; and 
 the Eev. J. Whitby is now the stated minister of her 
 Ladyship's chapel at Swansea. 
 
 The labours of the students from Trevecca obtained 
 the sanction of the Great Head of the Church. In Sep- 
 tember 1771, Lady Huntingdon received an anonymous 
 letter, which described the town of Margate as a very 
 licentious place, particularly in the summer, and requested 
 her to send some of her ministers to preach the gospel to 
 the benighted people. One of her senior students, Mr. 
 William Aldridge, undertook the duty, and chose as his 
 fellow-worker, Mr. Joseph Cook, an eminently zealous 
 preacher, who ultimately died in the missionary field in 
 
334 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 America. They arrived safely in the Isle of Tbanet ; 
 and being unknown to any person in Margate, they stood 
 in the open street, and proclaimed Jesus Christ as the 
 Saviour of the world. Curiosity soon attracted a large 
 congregation ; and while some scoffed at them, and de- 
 parted, many were deeply convinced of their sins, and 
 led to the feet of Jesus. The success they met with in- 
 duced these servants of God to extend the sphere of their 
 labours ; and before long, the whole island resounded 
 with the preacliing of the gospel. 
 
 The report of their usefulness reached the town of 
 Dover, whither these two faithful ministers were invited 
 by a few persons, who were concerned for the revival of 
 religion. Mr. Aldridge began the public ministry of her 
 Ladyship's Connexion in Dover. He was a man of fear- 
 less character; and to create greater excitement in the 
 place, he delivered his first address in the market-place, 
 from a chair borrowed at a neighbouring barber's shop. 
 The congregation at the parish church was just returning 
 from the afternoon service, and speedily collected around 
 him, and formed a large audience. The preacher was 
 soon attacked by a mob, and assailed by missiles ; and 
 as he had succeeded in creating an excitement, he ab- 
 ruptly terminated his address, and begged the attendance 
 of his audience in the evening at the old meeting-house. 
 That chapel had long been deserted by a congregation, 
 and shut up ; and had been procured by the persons who 
 invited her Ladyship's ministers to Dover. Aldridge was 
 there free from interruption ; and he preached to the 
 people with such power that many groaned under the 
 conviction of sin, and cried out to God for salvation. As 
 the prospect of success was encouraging, it was agreed 
 that Aldridge and Cook should supply Margate and 
 Dover constantly, and change every week. The appear- 
 ance of Cook attracted considerable attention ; his youth, 
 his energy, and address caused numbers to flock to hear 
 
DOVER, FOLKSTONE, DEAL. 335 
 
 him, and his first sermon was made useful to many souls, 
 especially to Mr. W. Atwood, who became an active 
 village preacher, and eventually the pastor of a Baptist 
 Church in the adjacent town of Folkstone. Such was the 
 origin of Lady Huntingdon's Connexion at Dover and 
 Margate, where spacious chapels have since been erected. 
 The labours of Aldridge and Cook were not confined 
 to these two spots. At Folkstone they met with much 
 encouragement, and formed the nucleus of a church and 
 congregation in that town. At Deal they encountered 
 great opposition, particularly from Dr. Carter, perpetual 
 curate of St. George's Church, who made many attempts 
 to create a disturbance, and at length addressed a sharp 
 remonstrance to the Countess for daring to intrude on 
 his parish ! They also visited Canterbury, preached in 
 the streets, and collected many of the fruits of the 
 labours of Whitefield and Wesley. They were greatly 
 assisted by Charles and Edward Perronet, sons of the 
 venerable vicar of Shoreham, who were at this time resi- 
 dents at Canterbury. Edward Perronet was afterwards 
 employed by her Ladyship in the work of the ministry, 
 and preached with considerable success in many of her 
 chapels ; but when she remonstrated with him on his open- 
 ly-avowed hostility to the Established Church, he quitted 
 her service, and preached in a dissenting chapel. The 
 congregation at Canterbury steadily increased ; and a 
 beau.tiful chapel was erected under the auspices of Lady 
 Ann Erskine, and opened November 26th, 1797, by the 
 Hev. Dr. Haweis. The services were well attended ; and 
 many of the people came from a great distance to hear 
 the gospel. Some of the members of the Canterbury 
 society afterwards procured a chapel at Ashford, about 
 twelve miles from the city, which was opened October 
 10th, 1823, by the Kev. J. Bloomfield. Several other 
 places in Kent were visited by Aldridge and her Lady- 
 ship's ministers, particularly Maidstone, Greenhithe, 
 
336 MEMOIK OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Dartford, and Lewisham^ wliere congregations were 
 gathered, and cliapels erected. 
 
 The students from Trevecca wove also -asefuUj engaged 
 in the Midland Counties of England. In 1771, they first 
 visited Staffordshire and Warwickshire ; and as there 
 were few pious and faithfal ministers of Christ in those 
 parts, their sphere was extensive, and their labours 
 heavy. At Birmingham, Wednesburj^, "Walsall, Bilston, 
 Wolverhampton, and many other places, they preached 
 in the open air ; and though they often met with rough 
 usage, they never sustained any serious injury. Their 
 way had been somewhat prepared by the former visits 
 of the Countess and her ministers to these places; and 
 God smiled upon their labours, and made them success- 
 ful. The influence of Lord Dartmouth was also of 
 essential service to them on many occasions. Derbyshire 
 had long been the scene of her Ladyship's efforts ; and 
 her students diligently cultivated that field of usefulaess. 
 Mr. Thomas Jones preached at Alvaston and Melbourn, 
 stood up several times in the market-place at Derby, and 
 hired a large school-room at the back of the Town Hall. 
 The Countess shortly after sent Mr. Griffiths to his assis- 
 tance ; and they went out together to scatter the seed of 
 divine truth. Whenever they came to Derby, they em- 
 ployed the public crier to annouDce their intention of 
 preaching ; and in this way they succeeded in raising a 
 large congregation in this important town. Mr. Middle- 
 ton from the College supplied there for a short time, and 
 was succeeded by his fellow-student, Mr. Bryson, a pop- 
 ular preacher, but too impetuous and rash long to main- 
 tain peace. A separation ensued ; and Thomas Wilson, 
 Esq.; of Islington, purchased premises in the Brookside 
 to enable the seceders to erect a spacious meeting-house. 
 The students also frequently preached in an old Presby- 
 terian chapel at Ashbourn, and gathered a congregation. 
 A neat and commodious chapel was afterwards erected 
 
DORSETSHIRE AND DEVONSHIRE. 337 
 
 here at the sole expense of Mr. John Cooper, of London, 
 a native of Ashbourn, which was opened, May 20th, 
 1801. He afterwards erected a minister's house, and 
 seven almshouses for poor aged women; liberally en- 
 dowed them ; and invested the property in the hands of 
 the trustees of Lady Huntingdon's College. 
 
 Several parts of Dorsetshire, and Devonshire were also 
 visited by the students, where they preached the simple 
 gospel of Christ, wherever they could obtain a congre- 
 gation. They met with much opposition from the 
 worldly-minded clergy, and some of the dissenting min- 
 isters, who were unwilling to be aroused from their 
 lethargy, and to see their people attending another 
 preacher. The blessing of the Lord attended the labours 
 of these students wherever they itinerated ; sinners were 
 convinced of their evil ways, and directed to the Lamb 
 of God; and the faith and love of God's people were 
 stimulated. They were the pioneers of many laborious 
 and useful ministers of Christ ; and the revival of religion 
 in many parishes, and the formation of several Inde- 
 pendent Churches can be traced to their exertions. It 
 could easily be shown, that the students itinerated in. 
 every county in England ; but the foregoing details are 
 sufficient to indicate the importance of the work which 
 Lady Huntingdon was accomplishing, the demands which 
 must have been made on her time and attention to regu- 
 late the itinerancy, and the value of her College in fur- 
 nishing able and devoted missionaries to traverse England 
 and Wales, and evangelize the country. No wonder that 
 his Majesty, George Til, exclaimed, " I wish there was a 
 Lady Huntingdon in every diocese in the kingdom." 
 
 The Countess manifested the most sincere affection 
 for her faithful students. She fostered their piety, stimu- 
 lated their zeal, provided for their wants, cheered them 
 with frequent letters, and Avatched over them with mater- 
 nal tenderness whenever they were sick. The Tabernacle 
 
 2U 
 
838 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 at Bristol had been left destitute of regular supplies, since 
 the death, of Whitefield; and the managers applied to 
 Lady Huntingdon for the services of her ministers. She 
 repaired to Clifton, accompanied by Mr. Shipman, who 
 preached at the Tabernacle with great zeal and success. 
 From Bristol, he was sent to Haverford-West, where he 
 broke a blood-vessel, and was thrown upon a bed of sick- 
 ness. Many kind friends rallied around him, and 
 attempted to improve his health by change of scene and 
 air ; but to little purpose ; and he felt that his days here 
 were numbered, and his ]abours ended. Lady Hunting- 
 don took the deepest interest in him during his trying 
 illness, and wrote to him an affectionate letter to cheer 
 him in his affliction with the consolations of the gospel. 
 Three months after her letter was sent, the heart it was 
 designed to cheer, ceased to beat. He broke another 
 blood-vessel ; a violent cough caused him to expectorate 
 blood ; and after a few days, his joyful spirit departed for 
 the celestial regions to enjoy the presence of his Saviour, 
 October 31st, 1771. 
 
 It was about this period Lady Huntingdon became 
 prominent in an affair which attracted considerable atten. 
 tion. Dr. Cornwallis, Archbishop of Canterbury, had 
 eclipsed all his predecessors in the sacred office by the 
 magnificent style in which he lived. During the winter, 
 his palace was crowded by gay and fashionable society . 
 balls and routs were frequently held there ; and his wife 
 took the lead in the world of fashion by the splendor of 
 her equipages and entertainments. These proceedings 
 called forth the indignation of those in whom there still 
 remained a sense of propriety; and even the gay visitors 
 at the palace could not restrain their wit and satire at the 
 inconsistency of such scenes in an archiepiscopal resi- 
 dence. When the affair was every day becoming more 
 serious. Lady Huntingdon felt that the interests of reli- 
 gion, and the honour of the Church, demanded that 
 
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. 339 
 
 some attempt sTiould be made to wipe away such a scan- 
 dal from tlie nation. She resolved to visit the Arch- 
 bishop in a most private manner, and remonstrate with 
 him on the impropriety of such proceedings. Accompa- 
 nied by the Marquis of Townshend, a distant relative of 
 the Archbishop, she waited on his Grace and represented 
 to him the injury he was inflicting on the religious feel- 
 ing of the country. His Grace listened with patience, 
 and kept back his ire ; but Mrs. Cornwallis burst into a 
 passion, and ridiculed and denounced Lady Huntingdon 
 in all her fashionable circles. The Countess made 
 another attempt privately, through Mr. Madan's brother, 
 who had married his Grace's niece ; but the Archbishop 
 refused to listen to the warning, and most fiercely de- 
 nounced her and all who sympathized with her, as 
 hypocrites or fanatics. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon felt too deeply concerned for the 
 honour of religion to allow the affair to drop ; she, there- 
 fore, applied for a private audience with the King, which 
 was most graciously granted. Accompanied by Lord 
 Dartmouth and the Duchess of Ancaster, she repaired to 
 the Palace at Kew, at the hour appointed, where their 
 Majesties received her with a cordial welcome. She nar- 
 rated the motives which urged her to take the course she 
 had adopted, and how she had been treated by his Grace. 
 The King replied with great earnestness, ''Madam, the 
 feelings you have discovered, and the conduct you have 
 adopted on this occasion, are highly creditable to you. 
 The Archbishop's behaviour has been slightly hinted 
 to me already ; but now that I have a certainty of his 
 proceedings, and most ungracious conduct towards your 
 Ladyship, after your trouble in remonstrating with him, 
 I shall interpose my authority, and see what that will do 
 towards reforming such indecent practices." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon remained with their Majesties for 
 more than an hour, and conversed with them on many 
 
340 MEMOIR OF LADY IIUXTIXGDON. 
 
 topics. The King told her that he was acquainted with 
 her proceedings, and complimented her on her many be- 
 nevolent actions, and on her zeal for the revival of true 
 religion. He said, " I have been told so many odd sto- 
 ries of your Ladyship, that I am free to confess that I 
 felt a great degree of curiosity to see if you were at all 
 like other women ; and I am happy in having an oppor- 
 tunity of assuring your Ladyship of the very good 
 opinion I have of you, and how very highly I estimate 
 your character, your zeal, and abilities, which cannot be 
 consecrated to a more noble purpose." He then referred 
 to her ministers, who, he understood, were eloquent 
 preachers. The Bishops were jealous of them ; and the 
 King related a conversation he had lately had with a 
 learned prelate. He had complained of the conduct of 
 some of her Ladyship's students and ministers, who had 
 created a sensation in his diocese; and his Majesty 
 replied, '^ Make bishops of them — make bishops of them." 
 ''That might be done," replied the prelate, ''but, please 
 your Majesty, we cannot make a bishop of Ladj^ Hunt- 
 ingdon." The Queen rejoined, "It would be a lucky 
 circumstance if you could, for she puts you all to shame." 
 "Well," said the King, "see if you cannot imitate the 
 zeal of these men.'' His Lordship made some reply 
 which displeased the King, who exclaimed with great 
 animation, *^ I wish there was a Lady Huntingdon in every 
 diocese in the kingdom!^'' That Bishop never afterwards 
 made his appearance at court. 
 
 Before Lady Huntingdon departed, the Qaeen insisted 
 on her taking some refreshment, and affectionately in- 
 quired after Lady Chesterfield, who was a great favourite 
 with her Majesty. The King touchingly referred to his 
 father, and said, "I remember seeing your Ladyship 
 when I was young. You then frequented the court 
 circle ; and I cannot forget that you were a favourite with 
 my revered father, the Prince of Wales." A few days 
 
THE KING AND QUEEN. 341 
 
 after the interview, the King addressed a letter to the 
 Archbishop, expressing his regret that such scenes should 
 have taken place in his palace, and the hope that he will 
 immediately suppress them, under pain of incurring his 
 displeasure. 
 
 The King thenceforth entertained a high opinion of 
 Lady Huntingdon. A short time after the interview, he 
 said to Lord Dartmouth, " I was much taken with her 
 appearance and manner ; there is something so noble, so 
 commanding, and withal so engaging about her, that I 
 am quite captivated with her Ladyship. She appears to 
 possess talents of a superior order, is clever, well-informed, 
 and has all the ease and politeness belonging to a woman 
 of rank. AVith all the enthusiasm ascribed to her, she is 
 an honour to her sex, and the nation." On one occasion. 
 Lady Huntingdon became the subject of an animated 
 conversation at court ; when a lady of high rank ob- 
 served that the most charitable construction she could 
 put upon the actions of the Countess was by affirming 
 she musfbe deranged. The King, who had been eagerly 
 listening, replied with great earnestness — "Deranged, 
 Madam, did jom say?" ''Yes, please your Majesty," 
 said her Ladyship, "for no one could act as she does who 
 was not insane." She then related the particulars of the 
 remonstrance of the Countess with the Archbishop, 
 The Duchess of Ancaster gave a significant look at the 
 King ; and his Majesty, with the Queen, laughed heartily. 
 The Duchess of Hamilton, who was present, feared that 
 the Lady would plunge deeper into the difficulty, and 
 motioned her to be silent; but the King, perceiving it, 
 demanded of her Ladyship what Mrs. Cornwallis had 
 said of Lady Huntingdon, and if his Grace had given 
 her his blessing. ''His blessing! " exclaimed the aston- 
 ished Lad}^, "no, indeed, please your Majesty; she 
 had no right to accept any such favour. I don't know 
 what / might not have said had she intruded herself 
 
 29* 
 
842 MEMOIK OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 •upon me in a similar manner." Slie then turned to the 
 Duchess of Ancaster, who was smiling, and said, '^ if jomv 
 Majesty wishes further information of Lad}?- Huntingdon's 
 practices, I dare say the Duchess of Ancaster can give 
 you every information, as she is a great friend of her 
 Ladyship." " I am proud of the friendship of such a 
 woman," replied the Duchess, '' and know of nothing to 
 condemn, but much to commend, in the Countess of 
 Huntingdon." The Queen, perceiving that the Lady was 
 growing angry, observed that she had lately derived 
 much pleasure from the society of Lady Huntingdon, 
 whom she considered a very sensible, clever, and good 
 woman. The Lady was astonished ; and was about to 
 withdraw with vexation and shame, Avhen the King 
 came to her, and kindly assured her that she had been 
 greatly deceived as to the character of Lady Huntingdon. 
 He asked her if she had ever seen her, or ever been in 
 her company; and when she replied in the negative, he 
 gave her this sensible advice, '^ Never form your opinion 
 of any one from the ill-natured remarks and censures of 
 others. Judge for yourself; and you have my leave to 
 tell everybody how highly I think of Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon."* 
 
 The Countess was always actuated by a religious-patri- 
 otic spirit. While she was doing her utmost to spread 
 evangelical truth throughout the country, she kept hor 
 eye on the movements of the senate, lest any enactment 
 injurious to religion should be adopted. About this 
 period an event occurred which called forth her most ac- 
 tive exertions. An association was formed among some 
 of the clergy and laity of the Established Church, for the 
 purpose of making application to Parliament, praying 
 that a declaration of assent to the sufficienc}^ of the Holy 
 Scriptures might be substituted for subscription to the 
 
 * Life and Times, vol. ii., p. 280 et seq. 
 
THE THIRTY -NINE ARTICLES. 343 
 
 Thirty-nine Articles. Lady Huntingdon was decidedly 
 attached to the Established Churchy and viewed this as 
 an attempt to subvert her fundamental doctrines, and the 
 great principles of the Reformation. She, therefore, ex- 
 erted herself with great ardour to prevent the success of 
 the measure. Petitions poured in from all parts against 
 it ; and great opposition was anticipated from the U ni- 
 versity of Oxford, Lord North, the First Lord of the 
 Treasury, and the whole body of Methodists and evan- 
 gelical clergy. The association saw the rising storm, and 
 determined to present their petition at once. There was 
 no time, therefore, to be lost; and Lady Huntingdon 
 pressed all her friends into her service to oppose the 
 measure. She personally waited on several members of 
 the House to secure their support, and met with a most 
 flattering reception. Lord N'orth assured her he would 
 oppose the petition, and Edmund Burke, the most distin- 
 guished ornament of the English senate, sent her Lady- 
 ship a letter, promising his aid. The petition was pre- 
 sented in the House of Commons, February 6th, 1772. 
 The Association found some difficulty in obtaining a 
 suitable person to introduce it, but at length prevailed 
 upon Sir William Meredith to present it, and speak on 
 its behalf The debate upon it was a very animated one ; 
 but ultimately the House rejected it by a large majority, 
 the numbers being two hundred and seventeen against, 
 and only seventy-one /b?* receiving it. 
 
 The result was very gratifying to the Countess. 
 Though she was the staunch advocate of toleration and 
 religious freedom, and manifested in her example a 
 noble catholicity of spirit, she strongly objected to the 
 principles of the petition. She was aware that Parlia- 
 ment could not grant relief to those who had already 
 subscribed, as it had no power to nullify oaths which 
 had been sworn; and urged that reason and justice 
 would be violated, if those who were not beneficed were 
 
344 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 permitted to seize the emoluments of the cliurch, witli- 
 out believing her tenets, or complying with her laws. 
 She perfectly agreed with Burke that^ while the Associa- 
 tion professed to belong to the Establishment, and en- 
 joyed its revenues, no hardship was inflicted upon 
 them, in requiring some bond of agreement among its 
 members, such as the subscription to the Thirty-nine 
 Articles. The intelligent observer will not fail to detect 
 the existence of the feeling, which prompted this peti- 
 tion, among several of the high-church clergy of the 
 present day. 
 
 In the course of the debate on this petition, several 
 favourable sentiments were expressed respecting the 
 hardship which Dissenting ministers then had to endure, 
 in being obliged, under heavy penalties, to subscribe to 
 the Articles of the Establishment ; and several members 
 declared their readiness to support a bill for their relief. 
 This favourable disposition occasioned a meeting of min- 
 isters in London to consider the propriety of petitioning 
 Parliament to release them from their burdens. Lady 
 Huntingdon had for more than thirty years cultivated a 
 close intimacy with some of the leading orthodox dissen- 
 ters ; many of whom were as strongly attached to the 
 doctrinal Articles of the Church, as its strictest mem- 
 bers. Her Ladyship's well-known principles, her catho- 
 licity, and her intimate friendship with many of these min- 
 isters, secured her cordial approbation of the measure, 
 though she deeply regretted that those most active in it 
 professed theological and political opinions, with which 
 she had little sympathy. The introduction of the mea- 
 sure gave great alarm to the sti'ict Church-party, who 
 began to imagine that there was some deep design to 
 overthrow the Established Eeligion. They accordingly 
 opposed it warmly, but found the house decidedly in 
 favour of the bill. It passed through the Commons by 
 a large majoi'ity, but was lost in the Lords on its second 
 
LORD CHATHAM. 845 
 
 reading; and thus justice towards the Dissenters was for 
 a time delayed. 
 
 It was during this debate that Dr. Drummond, Arch- 
 bishop of York, attacked the Dissenting Ministers as 
 men of ambition, which called forth the memorable re- 
 ply from the celebrated Lord Chatham. He said, ''The 
 Dissenting Ministers are represented as men of close 
 ambition ; they are so, my Lords ; and their ambition is 
 to keep close to the college of fishermen, not of cardinals • 
 and to the doctrine of inspired apostles, not to decrees 
 of interested and aspiring bishops. They contend for a 
 scriptural creed, and spiritual worship ; we have a Cal- 
 vinistic creed, a Popish liturgy, and an Arminian clergy. 
 The Keformation has laid open the Scriptures to all; let 
 not the bishops shut them again. Laws in support of 
 ecclesiastical power are pleaded, which it would shock 
 humanity to execute. It is said that religious sects 
 have done great mischief when they were not kept 
 under restraint ; but history affords no proof that sects 
 have been mischievous, when they were not oppressed 
 and persecuted by the ruling church." 
 
346 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON 
 
 CHAPTER XX. A.D. 1772—1773. 
 
 WHITEFIELD's will. — CORNELIUS WINTER. — AMERICAN 
 MISSIONS. — SELECTION OF MISSIONARIES. — EMBARKA- 
 TION. — SUCCESS IN AMERICA. — DESTRUCTION OF THE 
 ORPHAN HOUSE BY FIRE. — AMERICAN WAR. — SIERRA 
 LEONE MISSIONS. — LADY HUNTINGDON AT BATH. — REV. 
 THOMAS WILLS. — CHAPELS AT YORK AND HULL. — REV. 
 JOSEPH MILNER — DEATH OF LORD AND LADY CHES- 
 TERFIELD. — THE COUNTESS DELITZ. — HOWELL HARRIS. 
 — OPENING OF WORCESTER CHAPEL. 
 
 The death of George Whitefield was an important 
 event in the career of Lady Huntingdon. Though it 
 deprived her of his valuable services, and for some time 
 cast a gloom over her circle, it opened up to her a large 
 field of usefulness which she was determined to cultivate 
 with the greatest assiduity. Her mind had long been 
 deeply interested in the spiritual welfare of America ; she 
 had waited for an opportunity of sending forth mission- 
 aries to the Indians, and had some years before expressed 
 the hope '' to have it in my power to extend some aid to 
 this interesting people." Early in 1771, Mr. Cornelius 
 Winter, who had accompanied Whitefield to America, 
 arrived in England with her chaplain's will, which be- 
 queathed to Lady Huntingdon the landed estates and 
 buildings connected with the Orphan House in Georgia, 
 that she might carry on and extend his benevolent inten- 
 tions towards the African negroes. 
 
 Mr. Winter also brousrht letters from the Governor of 
 
whitefield's will. 347 
 
 the province, and tlie rector of Savannah, recommending 
 him to the Bishop of London for ordination, that he 
 might return to the colony, and labour as an episcopal 
 clergyman. He obtained an interview with the Bishop, 
 who interrogated him as to his proceedings in America, 
 and his connection with Whitefield. The prelate pro- 
 nounced a very harsh sentence upon him, denounced his 
 labours as illegal, refused to listen to the petition of his 
 friends in Georgia, and denied him episcopal ordination. 
 Mr. Winter used every exertion among the friends of the 
 Bishop to induce him to entertain his application ; he 
 again waited upon him, stated his peculiar situation, and 
 said, ''I cannot think of returning to America in my 
 present condition." His Lordship, however, was inexo- 
 rable ; and Winter was obliged to write to his friends in 
 America, and communicate to them the failure of his 
 mission. Their disappointment was very great; they 
 had indulged the hope of having pious ministers *of the 
 Church of England labouring among them ; and they 
 condemned strongly the impolicy and bigotry of the 
 prelate, who forced them to accept the services of dis- 
 senting ministers, by refusing to ordain a man Avho was 
 eminently qualified for the work, and was acquainted 
 Avith the peculiarities of the colony. 
 
 James Habersham, Esq., the President of the Council, 
 and an early and intimate friend of Whitefield, was ap- 
 pointed the executor of his affairs in Georgia, and in 
 case he survived her Ladyship, was to receive the estate 
 of the Orphan House. The Governor and the Council 
 of Georgia had been led to expect that, on the death of 
 Whitefield, the Institution would be placed under their 
 control, and were rather surprised when they learnt the 
 tenor of his will ; but the name of Lady Huntingdon 
 was quite sufficient to secure their confidence, and sym- 
 pathy. 
 
 The refusal of the Bishop to ordain Mr. Winter caused 
 
848 M E ]\r I R OF LADY IT U X T I X G D N . 
 
 Ladj Huntingdon great uneasiness. The Orphan House 
 was by no means in a flourishing condition ; the number 
 of inmates was small ; and there was very little indica- 
 tion of religion among them. The venerable Countess^ 
 therefore, directed her chief efforts towards this spot; 
 and with all the ardour and activity of youth, commen- 
 ced her labours among the sable sons of Africa, thousands 
 of whom at the present time pronounce her name with 
 affection and gratitude. She secured the assistance of 
 Governor Wright aud President Habersham, and pur- 
 chased additional estates in the colony ; and after settling 
 satisfactorily all the legal affairs of the Institution, made 
 vigorous preparations to send over a President and 
 Teacher for the Orphan House, and such students as 
 were willing to devote themselves as missionaries to the 
 heathen., She wrote to all her students and ministers 
 labouring in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, and 
 inclosed a printed circular, stating that, her affairs in 
 America being fully settled, she intends to provide for the 
 wants of the Orphan House, and to furnish missionaries 
 to carry the gospel, not only into the provinces, but also 
 into the back settlements, and among the heathen tribes. 
 She requests all her friends to meet her at the College 
 early in October to arrange this matter, and the plan of 
 home efforts. The circular concludes, ''As Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon supposes this the most important event of her 
 whole life, so all that bear her any regard, in connexion 
 with her, she must intreat to be present; and is bound 
 to believe great blessings from the Lord Jesus Christ 
 will descend upon all who are made willing to help her 
 with their presence and prayers." 
 
 The students accordingly hastened to Trevecca, where 
 a series of solemn services were held to commemorate 
 the joyful event of sending forth missionaries to the 
 heathen, many years before the first missionary society 
 was organized in England. Lady Huntingdon had been 
 
THE EMBAEKATIOI^J'. 849 
 
 staying for a short time at Oathall ; and on her way to 
 Wales, she visited Bath and Bristol. On the 2nd of 
 October, she left for Trevecca in the company of Messrs. 
 Shirley, Piercy the intended President, Lloyd, Wilson, 
 and others ; and was met by some of her students at 
 Abergavenny, where she passed the night. In the morn- 
 ing the whole party set off to the College. Several of 
 her students started to meet their noble patroness on the 
 road ; and when the entire company approached the Col- 
 lege, the inmates welcomed them with the stirring hymn, 
 " Welcome, welcome, blessed servants.'''' At length the day 
 for the selection of the students arrived ; and many wil- 
 lingly offered themselves for the service of the Lord in 
 America. They were solemnly dedicated to the mission- 
 ary work, October 9th, 1772, a day which was set apart 
 at all her Ladyship's chapels for earnest prayer to God 
 that his blessing might rest on her enterprise. She im- 
 mediately wrote to her friends in America, and requested 
 them to have everything prepared for receiving the Pre- 
 sident, the Master, and the Students. 
 
 The missionaries embarked on the vessel which was to 
 convey them to their destination, on the 27th of October, 
 and sailed down the river to Gravesend. A vast company 
 had assembled to witness their departure, and to bid them 
 an affectionate farewell. The sides of the river were 
 crowded with eager spectators ; and many were the 
 silent prayers breathed to heaven for the success of the 
 mission. At length, the moment of separation came ; 
 the last adieu was u.ttered ; the m^ariners steadily plied 
 their oars ; and the boats swiftly glided towards the 
 vessel. The multitudes watched them for some time ; 
 waved their hats and handkerchiefs as a final recognition ; 
 and turned from the scene with mingled joy and sadness. 
 The missionaries were deeply affected with their last 
 interview ; they felt the pang which most feel in bidding 
 farewell to their native land, perhaps for ever ; but they 
 
 30 
 
350 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. I 
 
 also felt the inspiring influence of the noble object before j 
 them, and were prepared to count all things but loss for I 
 Christ. They had consecrated themselves to him; and - 
 thej now braved the dangers of the deep, and the perils i 
 of a foreign clime, that they might become the heralds 
 of his salvation, and the promoters of the happiness of 
 man. 
 
 The vessel remained at Gravesend for some days; and j 
 Mr. Piercy embraced the opportunity of once more \ 
 preaching the glad tidings of salvation to his countrymen. 
 He returned to London; and on the ensuing Sabbath i 
 preached to very crowded congregations at the Totten- ^ 
 ham-court chapel, and the Tabernacle. During the week, ] 
 he preached a farewell sermon at Woolwich, and to an ! 
 immense multitude on Tower Hill. At length the anchor | 
 was weighed; a gentle breeze sprang up, and carried ! 
 til em into the channel. It soon veered into a contrary j 
 direction, and detained the vessel in the Downs off Dover. \ 
 Mr. Cook, one of the missionaries, wished to bid farewell i 
 to his friends in that town, and obtained permission from 
 the captain to land. He surprised the congregation by 
 his unexpected arrival, and preached a glowing sermon 
 to them ; and on the following Sunday several of the I 
 students resolved to land and preach in Dover. It was 
 unfortunate for them that they did so ; for in the night a i 
 brisk gale sprang tip, the anchor was weighed, and the i 
 ship sailed without them. With the exception of two j 
 Avho remained in England, they, however, proceeded to 1 
 their destination by the next vessel ; and after a pros- 1 
 perous voyage, they all safely arrived in America, thank- ; 
 ful to God for his merciful kindness, and eager to com- i 
 mence the work of the Lord.* Lady Huntingdon had taken 
 
 * Their names were Piercy, the President, and Crosse, Master of the i 
 
 Oiphan House; and Messrs. John Cosson, William White, Joseph 1 
 
 Cook, Daniel Roberts, Thomas Jones, Thomas Hill, and Lewis Richards, j 
 
 Missionaries. 1 
 
SUCCESS IN AMERICA. 351 
 
 great pains to secure the comfort and happiness of her 
 labourers ; she furnished them with everything necessary • 
 and drew up certain regulations for them to observe on 
 their voyage, that they might foster each other's piety 
 and zeal. She recommended them to hold daily public 
 service, and to set apart certain portions of the day for 
 prayer, conversation, and reading, that they might be 
 better prepared to commence their work on their arrival 
 at Georgia. 
 
 They were received with the greatest cordiality by the 
 friends of Whitefield ; and immediately proceeded to the 
 Orphan House, which had been fitted up for their recep- 
 tion. They could not, however, long remain inactive, or 
 silent. Their warm hearts glowed with the love of 
 Christ ; their tongues had often proclaimed the Saviour 
 in the towns and villages of England ; and they, there- 
 fore, at once commenced their efibrts in their new sphere. 
 They drew up a comprehensive plan for their guidance, 
 travelled to all parts of the country, preached to many 
 congregations in the provinces, appeared among the set- 
 tlers in remote districts, visited the wandering Indian 
 tribes, and preached the gospel to the negroes. Their 
 labours were eminently successful ; and many from each 
 district were converted to Christ, and rejoiced in his sal- 
 vation. The tidings of their zeal and success soon spread 
 far and wide ; and invitations to visit dark places became 
 more numerous than they could meet. Lady Hunting- 
 don says : — 
 
 ' America is honoured by the mission sent over. The 
 province of Georgia have made proposals to build a church 
 at their own expense, and present me with it, that the 
 College of Georgia may have their ministry in that part 
 honoured. The invitations I have for our ministry in 
 various parts of America are so kind and affectionate, 
 that it looks as if we were to have our way free through 
 the whole continent. * ^^ ^ My last letters from America 
 
852 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 inform me our way appears to be made to the Cherokee 
 Indians ; and in all the back settlements we are assured 
 the people will jo3^fully build us churches at their own 
 expense, and present them to us, to settle perpetually for 
 our use. Some great, very great work is intended by the 
 Lord among the heathen. Should this appear I should 
 rejoice to go myself to establish a College for the Indian 
 nations. I canH help thinking hut before I die the Lord luill 
 have me there, if only to make coats and garments for the 
 looor Indians. I am looking when some from among us shall 
 he called to the Jews ; but the Gentiles by us will surely 
 hear the voice of the Lord." 
 
 What significant language is this, from the lips of the 
 venerable Countess ! She was now in her sixty- seventh 
 year, yet her zeal and energy were apparently increasing 
 with her years ! Her present labours were quite suffi- 
 cient to occupy several persons of average ability ; but 
 they did not satisfy her longing heart. Her mind was 
 ever devising some fresh scheme by which she could 
 glorify God, and successively contemplated the accom- 
 plishment of those mighty designs which are now being 
 realized by established Societies. She was far in advance 
 of her times, and represented in her own person the home 
 missionary, the foreign missionary, and the missionary to 
 the Jews ! The Christian Church now feels that it is her 
 solemn duty to support those societies which are formed 
 to carry out these objects. 
 
 The fair prospect in America was soon blighted, and 
 covered with desolation. Her Ladyship's hope was fixed 
 on the Orphan House, as the centre, whence the influence 
 of civilization and religion should stream into the be- 
 nighted districts. It had been established by Whitefield 
 for the protection of poor orphans, the education of ne- 
 groes, and the preparation of some of the young men as 
 instructors and preachers. During his lifetime, he had 
 manifested the greatest interest for the African race; and 
 
DESTRUCTION OF THE ORPHAN HOUSE. 353 
 
 though he had purchased a number of slaves for his 
 estates, he had treated them with the greatest kindness, 
 and was the friend of the negro throughout the colony. 
 After his death, the managers expended considerable 
 sums of money in purchasing fresh slaves to work the 
 rice and indigo plantations connected with the College ; 
 and when Lady Huntingdon came into possession of the 
 property, there were no less than fifty negroes on the 
 estate ; and her Ladyship directed the first remittance of 
 money to be expended in the purchase of a female slave 
 to be named after her Selina ! The claims of the poor 
 slaves, and the horrid brutality to which they were sub- 
 jected had not yet been brought before the people of 
 England by their great champions, Clarkson and Wilber- 
 force; and the Countess was unwittingl}^ encouraging 
 the trade by her example. It must, however, in justice be 
 recorded that, when the venerable Anthony Beuezet, the 
 friend of the negro, wrote to her Ladyship, representing 
 the horrors of the slave traf&c, which her managers were 
 encouraging, she expressed her determination no longer 
 to countenance it, but to use every means to prevent it. 
 
 The affairs at Savannah appear to have been wretch- 
 edly managed; and during her Ladyship's lifetime, her 
 American business occasioned her great anxiety, ex- 
 pense, and disappointment. Kot many months after the 
 arrival of the missionaries, the Orphan House was acci- 
 dentally destroyed by fire ; and though no lives were 
 lost, it caused the destruction of many thousand pounds' 
 worth of property. This, however, was but the com- 
 mencement of her troubles. The deadly war between 
 England and America soon put an end to the efforts of 
 her missionaries, and obliged them to leave the country; 
 though Mr. Piercy could not leave till the reduction of 
 Charleston by the English in 1780, when he found an 
 opportunity of returning to Europe. During the time 
 he had been in Georgia, he had not forwarded to her 
 
 30* 
 
85tt MEMOIK OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Ladyship any account of her affairs; and she accord- 
 ingly wrote to him soon after his arrival at Cork, and 
 requested him to furnish her with an abstract of his 
 accounts, that she might refute some insinuations which 
 had been made against his character. After many 
 delays, he repaired to Bath in 1781, and presented to 
 her such an explanation of her affairs in Georgia as 
 satisfied her mind. Shortly after, however, several 
 things occurred which led her to suspect that all was not 
 right in his accounts ; and in a long letter to her niece 
 Mrs. Mills, she enters into the various transactions, and 
 shows how he had appropriated all the revenues of the 
 estates during the six years he was there. She says 
 "My poor heart is sadly perplexed in this affair." 
 
 The treaty of peace in 1783 enabled the Countess to 
 send over another person to manage the affairs of the 
 Orphan House, plantations, and her own property. She 
 now resolved to convert the revenues of all the Ameri- 
 can estates into a fund for the establishment of a mis- 
 sion to the Indians on a large scale. A plan was drawn 
 out, and students w^ere to have been sent from Trevecca 
 to carry it into effect; but the Americans had taken pos- 
 session of the property during the war ; and though her 
 manager remained there till her death, and she vested 
 the property in trust by her will, the General Assembly 
 appointed their own trustees, and finally retained posses- 
 sion of the whole. 
 
 The efforts of Lady Huntingdon in America, however, 
 were productive of the happiest results. Several of the 
 negroes were converted to the Lord, and were the means 
 of introducing the gospel into their own country. In 
 the dreadful conflict between England and the colonies 
 many of the blacks had taken part with the British 
 troops ; and soon after the termination of the war, the 
 government sent them to ISTova Scotia, where they were 
 instructed by the Eev. Messrs. Fomage, John Marrant, 
 
REV. THOMAS WILLS. 355 
 
 and otlier of her Ladyship's ministers. In 1792 a large 
 number of these negroes gladly embraced the ojDportu- 
 nity, offered them by the government, of settling at 
 Sierra Leone in Africa, where a colony of liberated 
 slaves had been founded. They quickly raised chapels, 
 and appointed preachers ; and have continued to worship 
 the Lord in the mode taught them by her ministers. 
 They have extended their labours in all directions; 
 erected spacious chapels, opened schools, and established 
 an organized band of native preachers. It is to this 
 interesting people the attention of her Missionary Society 
 is directed, that by aiding this devoted band of negroes, 
 from Sierra Leone the gospel may spread into the inte- 
 rior of Africa, and subjugate the tribes to Jesus. 
 
 While Lady Huntingdon was thus promoting the 
 spread of the gospel in America, she was by no means 
 unmindful of the claims of home. Her College was fall 
 of earnest students, who were engaged every Sabbath in 
 preaching the glad tidings of salvation ; and her labori- 
 ous ministers were zealously proclaiming the gospel at 
 her most important chapels. She never remained long in 
 one place ; but visited the localities where she had erec- 
 ted places of worship, that she might witness the success 
 of her plans, and cheer the people with her presence. In 
 the month of September 1772, she went to Bath with 
 Mr. Shirley, where she was introduced to the Kev. 
 Thomas Wills, curate of St. Agnes, Cornwall, who be- 
 came a celebrated preacher in her Connexion. He was a 
 man of great power in the pulpit, and was indefatigable 
 in his parochial exertions. His church was crowded with 
 eager listeners, who were noted for their early attendance ; 
 and he frequently preached to thousands of hearers in 
 the open air. His continued labours so impaired his 
 health, that he was recommended to Bath for the benefit 
 of the waters ; where he often preached at her Ladyship's 
 chapel, and soon became extremely popular in the city. 
 
856 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Two years after lie renewed his visit, and preached with 
 great success at the chapeL It was then he became con- 
 nected with Lady Huntingdon, by his marriage with her 
 niece, Miss Selina Wheeler, a pious and devoted young 
 lady, who had for some years resided with her, and with 
 whom she was a great favourite. 
 
 The number of Lady Huntingdon's chapels was rapidly 
 increasing in all parts of the country ; and numerous ap- 
 plications were made for her to erect new places of 
 worship in dark and populous localities. Shortly after 
 the establishment of her College in Wales, she erected a 
 chapel in College Street, York ; which was regularly 
 supplied by students from Trevecca till after her death, 
 when a new chapel was erected, and the people formed 
 into an independent church, with Mr. Wydown as their 
 pastor. Her students were also invited to Hull by Mr. 
 Edward Riddell, who had separated from the church, and 
 represented to Lady Huntingdon that a new place of 
 worship was much needed in that locality. She sent stu- 
 dents to preach to the people, and erected a neat chapel 
 which was speedily filled with hearers. Among the con- 
 verts was a person who held a high position in Hull, and 
 was connected with a learned dignitary of the church. 
 
 The Rev. Joseph Milner was a native of Leeds, and 
 had been elected the head-master of the grammar school, 
 and afternoon lecturer of the principal church at Hull. 
 His school rapidly increased ; and he won, by his integ- 
 rity and zeal, the esteem of the chief inhabitants, and 
 the favour of the corporation of the town. He was, 
 however, spiritually dark, and had confused notions of 
 the plan of salvation. One day, he was led to hear one 
 of her Ladyship's students, whose discourse so impressed 
 his heart that he often attended their ministry at the 
 chapel. The truth enlightened his soul ; he saw his be- 
 nighted condition ; the doctrines of the gospel rose 
 clearly before his mind ; and the love of Christ warmed 
 
REV. JOSEPH MILNER. 857 
 
 liis heart. He made many inquiries respecting Lady 
 Huntingdon; her College^ doctrines, chapels, &c. ; and in- 
 timated a desire to correspond with her. She accordingly 
 wrote to him ; and afterwards maintained a spirited cor- 
 respondence with this eminent minister. 
 
 The light which had shone upon his mind was speedily 
 reflected in his pulpit ministrations. His hearers soon 
 discovered the change which had passed over him ; and 
 though convinced of his earnestness and piety, they 
 quickly manifested their hostility. The higher classes 
 deserted his ministry, except when once a year^ he 
 preached officially as chaplain to the Mayor; but the 
 people heard him gladly, and crowded to his church. 
 He speedily became the object of sarcasm and reproach ; 
 he was banished from the circles where formerly he had 
 been welcomed ; and was called a Methodist, an enthu- 
 siast, a madman ! He, however, persevered in his course ; 
 he laboured more diligently in his school and church, 
 and had the happiness of seeing that, after many years 
 of storm, the prosperous gale had set in, and that he had 
 regained the affection of his former friends. A few 
 years after his conversion, one of the students, William 
 Tyler, came to reside at Hull for a short time to preach 
 at the Independent chapel. Mr. Milner became intimate 
 with this young man, and in the course of their friend- 
 ship he found that his mind was inclined towards the 
 Establishment, and proposed that he should go to Cam- 
 bridge, and obtain episcopal ordination. Mr. Tyler 
 consented to do so with the approbation of his patroness ; 
 and Milner wrote to Lady Huntingdon, and stated his 
 reasons for urging this upon his attention. She returned 
 a long letter encouraging him to go on in the work of 
 the Lord, relinquishing her claims on Mr. Tyler, and 
 testifying to his zeal and abilities ; and presented an ac- 
 count of the pleasing state of her affairs. " I have much 
 pleasure," she says, '^ to tell you that the work amongst 
 
358 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 US is very generally on the increase ; and very many in 
 the large towns where I have chapels have felt the saving 
 efficacy of redeeming love, and the quickening grace of 
 the Holy Ghost. ^ ^ ^ It affords me the most cordial 
 satisfaction to see a goodly number of godly young men 
 offering themselves to the service of our adorable 
 Saviour, of whose talents and piety I judge most favour- 
 ably. The school of the prophets at my beloved Tre- 
 vecca affords great advantages to young men, as prepa- 
 ratory to the work, and so easy of access ; but the 
 labourers are still few, and the harvest plenteous." 
 
 During the year 1773, Lady Huntingdon lost several 
 of her valuable friends by death. Lord Chesterfield had 
 been for a long time in a state of great feebleness and 
 despondency. His intimate friendship with the Earl of 
 Huntingdon often brought him into the company of her 
 Ladyship, who used every opportunity of reminding him 
 of the value of religion. He had manifested great kind- 
 ness to her and her children, and had sp often attended 
 the preaching of her ministers that she indulged the hope 
 that his heart had been impressed with the truth. His 
 last moments dissipated her cherished desires. He re- 
 fused to see Kowland Hill, afterwards chaplain to his 
 widow ; triflingly called death but a leap in the dark ; 
 and closed his earthly career, March 24:th, 1773. Lady 
 Huntingdon was with him a short time before he died, 
 and says, "the blackness of darkness, accompanied by 
 every gloomy horror, thickened most awfully around his 
 dying moments." 
 
 Lady Chesterfield suffered great anguish of mind, and 
 survived her lord but a few years. She had been dis- 
 tinguished among the noble circle of friends which sur- 
 rounded Lady Huntingdon, by her devout piety, and her 
 activity in the service of Christ. She had borne with 
 meekness the reproaches of the fashionable and the gay, 
 when she accompanied his Lordship to the court. The 
 
DEATH OF HOWELL HARRIS. 359 
 
 last time sTie visited the royal circle, she wore an elegant 
 brown silk dress covered with silver flowers, which Lord 
 Chesterfield had procured from the continent at great 
 expense. His Majesty, George II, was well aware that 
 her Ladyship was in the habit of attending the drawing- 
 room services of Lady Huntingdon ; and coming up to 
 her, he said, smiling, '' I know who chose that gown for 
 you, — Mr. Whitefield ; and I hear you have attended on 
 him this year and a half." Lady Chesterfield replied, 
 "Yes, I have, and like him much," though she afterwards 
 regretted that she did not say more on the subject. She 
 died September 16th, 1778. Lady Huntingdon was with 
 her to the last, and witnessed her triumjDhant departure. 
 The last words she uttered were the words of the publi- 
 can ; for taking the Countess' hand, she eagerly clasped 
 it and exclaimed, " God be merciful to me a sinner." 
 
 The Countess Delitz, the sister of Lady Chesterfield, 
 was another trophy of the grace of God, which had been 
 secured at her Ladyship's residence. She had, with Lady 
 Chesterfield, for many years been accustomed to throw 
 open her mansion for the preaching of the gospel, where 
 many distinguished ministers laboured with great success 
 among the nobility. She died November 2nd, 1773. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was at her beloved College during 
 the summer, where she was called to part with her old 
 friend and fellow-labourer, Howell Harris. In a letter to 
 Eomaine, dated July 29th, 1773, after recording the 
 dying sayings of the saint, she says : — 
 
 " And thus this good man went home to rest. It is 
 impossible to describe the grief that is manifested every 
 where, on account of the death of Mr. Harris; he was so 
 beloved, and so esteemed as the spiritual father of multi- 
 tudes who were converted under his powerful preaching, 
 and enabled to venture their souls upon an infinite 
 Saviour, entirely depending on his righteousness for the 
 acceptance of their persons and services. Truly his loss 
 
060 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 is felt at tlie College, where many were awakened by his 
 lively ministry. The last time he preached at the Col- 
 lege, there was as great a crowd as usual; and his 
 preaching was as searching and as ronsing as ever. * ^ * 
 He spake as became the oracles of God in demonstration 
 of the Spirit and of power ; and especially when he came 
 to his application, he addressed himself to the audience 
 in such a tender, earnest, and moving manner, inciting 
 us to come and be acquainted with the dear Kede-emer, 
 as melted the assembly into tears. 
 
 ''On the day he was interred, we had some special 
 seasons of Divine influence, both upon converted and 
 unconverted. It was a day never to be forgotten ; but, 
 I think, ought to be remembered with holy wonder and 
 holy gratitude by all who were present. Not fewer than 
 twenty thousand people were assembled on the solemn occa- 
 sion ; and we had abundance of students in the College, and 
 all the ministers and exhorters who collected from vari- 
 ous parts to pay their last tribute to the remains of a 
 great man. A¥e had three stages erected, and nine ser- 
 mons addressed to the vast multitudes, hundreds of whom 
 were dissolved in tears. Fifteen clergymen were present, 
 six of whom blew the gospel trumpet with great power 
 and freedom. Though we had enjoyed much of the gra- 
 cious presence of God in our assemblies before, yet, I 
 think I never saw so much at any time as on that day; 
 especially when the Lord's Supper was administered, 
 God poured out his Spirit in a wonderful manner. 
 Many old Christians told me they had never seen so 
 much of the glory of the Lord, and the riches of his 
 grace, nor felt so much of the power of the gospel 
 before. 
 
 "I hope soon to open a chapel in Worcester^ Lin« 
 colnshire and Kent promise great things. Mr. Townsend 
 and Mr. Spencer are supplying at Bath, where the Spirit 
 is most evidently with the word, and the work of the 
 
WORCESTERSHIRE. 861 
 
 Lord, throngli infinitely wonderful grace, is prospering 
 in their hands. Lady Fanny Shirley has freqnent meet- 
 ings at her residence, and many of the nobility attend, 
 some of whom have been led to cry, ' What must we do 
 to be saved ? ' Mr. Shirley is labouring at Brighton, and 
 his family are now with Lady Fanny at Bath. The work 
 spreads amazingly in Gloucestershire. Mr. Milner is 
 labouring with great zeal and boldness in Hull; there 
 he meets with much obloquy and abuse. I have some 
 students there supplying my chapel, whose ministry has 
 been remarkably owned. * ^ -^ When you have a little 
 leisure, Mr. Shirley will be glad of jouv assistance at 
 Brighton. Mr. Madan and Mr. Yenu are at Oathall ; the 
 latter I expect here this month, — also Mr. Toplady and 
 Mr. Berridge." 
 
 Worcestershire had often enjoyed the benefit of the 
 labours of her Ladyship's ministers, and the presence of 
 Lady Huntingdon. In the city of Worcester, the people 
 were vxry anxious to hear the gospel ; and by the 
 labours of Messrs Yenn, Glascott, and others, nearly two 
 hundred persons were impressed with the truth, and 
 united in religious society. As the number increased 
 with every fresh visit of her ministers, the people earn- 
 estly requested her to erect a chapel where they might 
 regularly hear the glad tidings of salvation, which they 
 could not then obtain in the established churches. She 
 readily yielded to the request of the people ; and about 
 the year 1771, secured a spot of ground in Birdport- 
 Street, a densely populated locality, where a suitable 
 place of worship was erected by subscription and by 
 a loan, the interest of which was paid by the Countess 
 till the congregation could liquidate the whole. This 
 chapel was opened by Mr. Shirley, October 31st, 1773. 
 Tlic place was crowded ; multitudes went away, unable 
 to gain admittance ; and the services were remarkably 
 blessed by the Lord. 
 
 31 
 
862 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 • 
 
 For several years tbe chapel was supplied by students 
 from Trevecca; and as the congregation steadily in- 
 creased, it was determined to pull down the original 
 chapel, and erect a more spacious edifice, which was 
 opened in 180i. This new building was still further 
 enlarged under the ministry of the Rev. E. Lake in 1815, 
 when it was re-opened by the Rev. Rowland Hill, who 
 preached to overflowing congregations. After a remark- 
 ably useful career of nearly thirty years, an unpleasant- 
 ness arose between Mr. Lake and some of his congrega- 
 tion, which terminated in his leaving the chapel. It was 
 then supplied by ministers of the Connexion till 1858, 
 when the Rev. Thomas Dodd removed from Swansea to 
 Worcester, through whose exertions the heavy debt, 
 which for years had encumbered the place, has been 
 removed, and the chapel repaired and beautified. There 
 are several village stations connected with this place of 
 worship, and the Sunday Schools are large and flourish- 
 
CONDITION OF IRELAND. 363 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. A.D. 1773—1774. 
 
 THE CONDITION OF IRELAND. — DUBLIN. — PLUNKET-STREET 
 CHAPEL. — PERSECUTION. — ITINERANCY IN IRELAND. — 
 LETTER OF THE COUNTESS. — ILLNESS OF LADY FANNY 
 SHIRLEY. — LADY HUNTINGDON'S CHAPELS IN LONDON ; 
 EWER-STREET, PRINCESS-STREET, MULBERRY GARDENS. 
 — TREVECCA COLLEGE. — ORDINATION OF MR. HAWKES- 
 WORTH. — HISTORY OF BRIGHTON CHAPEL. — THE CHAP- 
 EL AT CHICHESTER. — MR. * PENTYCROSS. — CHAPEL AT 
 WALLINGFORD. 
 
 The spiritual condition of Ireland had early attracted 
 the attention of Lady Huntingdon. She had listened 
 with great satisfaction to the accounts which Whiteiield 
 and Wesley had given her of their labours in that be- 
 nighted land, and had extended to many ministers there 
 her protection and support. Messrs. Shirley and Town- 
 send had preached the gospel in that country with great 
 success, and had represented to her Ladyship the neces- 
 s.ity of diligently cultivating that important field of 
 Christian usefulness. The city of Dublin was the first 
 spot she selected as the scene of her labours. It was in 
 a most deplorable condition ; Popery was openly vaunt- 
 ing itself, and oppressing the people ; and the sound of 
 the gospel was rarely heard in the Protestant churches. 
 AVhen her ministers, Shirley and Townsend, presented 
 to her a statement of the condition of the city, she com- 
 missioned them to procure some commodious building, 
 in which divine service might be conducted according to 
 
36-i MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 the forms of the Established Church. At the suggestion 
 of Mrs. Paul, the wife of the Dean of Cashel, and an in- 
 timate friend and correspondent of the Countess, the Mer- 
 chant Tailors' Hall was obtained, and opened for the wor- 
 ship of God. Several students, among whom was Messrs. 
 Mead and Hawkesworth, were sent over at the sole ex- 
 pense of her Ladyship, and preached to the people with 
 much success. They were, however, recalled in 1772 to 
 attend the meeting convened at Trevecca to select mis- 
 sionaries for America ; after which Mr. Hawkesworth was 
 appointed to Dublin. Several of the members of the con- 
 gregation had intimated a desire to be organized as an In- 
 dependent Church ; and meetings were held, and resolu- 
 tions, expressing their desires, passed, which were forward- 
 ed to Lady Huntingdon. She shortly after returned an 
 answer, which while it disjolays her catholicity, shows 
 her steady determination 'to break the narrow bound- 
 aries of sect, and her attachment to her own liberal mode 
 of worship. She wrote to Mr. Hawkesworth ; — 
 
 ''You know so well my sentiments of Independent 
 congregations, that I need not enlarge ; but I have heard 
 it is determined by the people that they mean to collect 
 themselves into a body for this purpose, and support a 
 minister by subscription. You know my liberal way of 
 thinking, by having all follow the light the Lord vouch- 
 safes them; and, therefore, I must leave it under this 
 situation. I can be no longer able to serve them, as 
 according to what I do know, or have known, my call is 
 a general and universal one; and I believe this to he that 
 of the College ; and my protection, as a Dissenting Church, 
 is quite out of the order of all my work ; and, if this be- 
 come their settled choice, I think you will like to come 
 to England — the sooner the better, after you see they 
 have made their appointment of a minister. As I am 
 satisfied you will not sacrifice the whole of your ministry 
 to a handful of people, while the calls for you here are 
 
SUCCESS IN IRELAND. 365 
 
 SO many and so great; and nothing could distress me 
 more than for you to sink into the formality of a single 
 congregation, while your ministry is so generally owned 
 of the Lord ; therefore, dear Hawkesworth, hasten to us 
 and help us. Eight drawn to America makes us much 
 distressed for help. Be so good as to order the fur nit are, 
 which Mead brought, to be sold, and the lodging given 
 up, as soon as possible ; as, under these circumstances, I 
 consider myself wholly at liberty to withdraw." 
 
 The plan of erecting a new chapel in Dublin was aban- 
 doned, on account of the exorbitant price of land ; and, 
 by the advice of Mr. Shirley, the old Presbyterian meet- 
 ing house in Plunket-Street was procured for the preach- 
 ing of the gospel. For many years the congregation had 
 been dwindling away under a cold and lifeless ministry, 
 and but few cared to visit the gloomy and almost deserted 
 building. Some unsuccessful attempts had been made to 
 revive the expiring interest ; and at length, the members 
 separated and the chapel was rented by Lady Hunting- 
 don. After being closed, for a short time, for alterations 
 and repairs, it was re-opened early in 1773, under the 
 auspices of the Countess, when public worship was cele- 
 brated on her Ladyship's usual plan. Her ministeffs 
 speedily succeeded in gathering a large congregation to 
 hear the glad tidings of salvation. She selected the most 
 popular preachers for the new sphere ; Messrs. Shirley, 
 Eccles, Dr. Peckwell, and many other clergymen and 
 students from Trevecca acquired much popularity in the 
 city, and, by their zealous efforts, raised a large and 
 flourishing interest in the capital of Ireland. The storm 
 of opposition, however, soon raged violently around them. 
 The cry of '^ Methodism " was raised by their enemies ; 
 the clergy appealed to their dignitaries to interpose their 
 authority ; and Mr. Shirley was marked out as the object 
 of episcopal vengeance. The opposition, however, only 
 stimulated their efforts, and increased their success ; and 
 
366 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 manj of tlie high and noble were induced to attend the 
 chapel. 
 
 The sharp controversy between the Calvinists and Ar- 
 minians had produced disastrous results among Wesley's 
 societies in Ireland. The circuits became disorganized ; 
 the pulpits were irregularly supplied ; discipline was 
 very lax ; and the people were dissatisfied with the con- 
 troversial preaching of the ministers^ and with the doc- 
 trines which were prominently exhibited in their dis- 
 courses. Many applications were made to Mr. Shirley to 
 urge Lady Huntingdon to send over some of her min- 
 isters to preach the gospel in other parts of Ireland, as 
 well as in Dublin. Her Ladyship rejoiced that the peo- 
 ple were willing to hear the glad tidings of salvation ; but 
 was sadly perplexed to know how to spare any of her 
 labourers. Her sphere had grown so extensive; and 
 applications for preachers so numerous, that every min- 
 ister and student was at present engaged in the service 
 of Christ in England and Wales. She wrote to Messrs. 
 Yenn, Madan, and Talbot, and solicited them to supply 
 her chapel at Dublio, while Ilawkesworth itinerated in 
 the country ; but various causes prevented them com- 
 plying with her request. She at length prevailed on the 
 Rev. Thomas Jones, who had often preached for her 
 Ladyship, to undertake the work in Ireland. Soon 
 after his arrival, Mr. Ilawkesworth commenced his itin- 
 erancy, and visited, among other places, Limerick and 
 Waterford. At the latter place he met with much suc- 
 cess, and hired a large room which was regularly crowded 
 with attentive hearers. He continued here for some time, 
 and was succeeded by Mr. Jones, and other ministers in 
 her Ladyship's Connexion. These faithful labourers 
 carried the gospel into many towns and villages, experi- 
 enced the hostility of the Popish priests, and frequently 
 met with singular adventures. They were very success- 
 ful i)i their work, and were the means of gathering con- 
 
SUCCESS IN IRELAND. 367 
 
 gregations at Cork and SligO; which were for some time 
 connected with Lady Huntingdon. 
 
 Meanwhile the congregation in Dublin steadily in- 
 creased ; and the people were anxious to enjoy the regu- 
 lar ordinances of religion. Mr. Hawkesworth remained 
 in Ireland during the winter of 1773, and was assisted 
 by Mr. Jones, who, her Ladyship says, " begs much not 
 to be confined to one congregation. AVhile, therefore, he 
 spreads the gospel elsewhere, let the people unite in 
 prayer-meeting. Preaching they may hear long, and yet 
 be miserably ignorant; whereas prayer-meetings must 
 bring them on in the examination of the heart." 
 Hawkesworth wrote to the Countess, and requested that 
 he might be ordained; and she sent him a long letter 
 dated October 13th, 1773, which presents some interest- 
 ing details of her efforts in the cause of Christ. 
 
 ''My dear Hawkesworth, — Last night, and not before, 
 I received your letter, dated October 2nd, which was ex- 
 ceedingly sweet to me. Such a spirit of simplicity and 
 godly sincerity breathed through the whole, that revived 
 my heart abundantly, and caused me to bless our adora- 
 ble Immanuel, that he had given me such a companion 
 in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus, 
 to labour with us in the mighty work appointed for us 
 upon earth by him. ! it is great indeed, and is extend- 
 ing far and wide ; and from the number of young men 
 I have received into the College, devoted souls ! it looks 
 as if the Lord seemed resolved to cover the earth with 
 the knowledge of his truth by their means. I shall write 
 to-night to the College, and lay before them the call for 
 Ireland, and your removal from thence; and I hope for 
 two, and also for Mr, Peck well, to be with that work this 
 winter. This last I am not sure of; but two students 
 will certainly be sent to change in the country, and one 
 of them to be residing in Dublin, that the work there 
 may be well carried on. Indeed, dear Hawkesworth, my 
 
368 MEMOIK OF LADY HUNTI^^GDON. 
 
 heart is much with you, and ever since I have known 
 you, you have been as a dearly beloved son to me ia the 
 Gospel. Your faithfulness, and great disinterestedness 
 in the Lord's laboui\s have so much united my heart to 
 you, that it has been matter of self-denial I have so long 
 parted from you. But till I found your heart first free 
 to remove, I feared I might call you before the Lord's 
 time from a people you were so owned of God and 
 blessed to. I have often wanted you for plans where the 
 greatest trust must be reposed ; and, therefore, I am most 
 abundantly thankful the Lord has given you the liberty 
 I have been waiting for. 
 
 ''As to your ordination, it shall be just as you find 
 your own heart disposed. '^ * '^ 
 
 " The present state of work is as follows : — Two new 
 students are in the west; Mr. Glascott occasionally there. 
 Nuben and Aldridge in the Wiltshire work, the latter 
 just removed to Dover. White is in London serving a 
 very large congregation I have been called to supply 
 with the College services. Smith I have taken into con- 
 nexion, and who is much alive ; he and another student 
 supply Woolwich, Dartford, and another place we are 
 called to serve. Kent promises great things. Sussex is 
 supplied by Mr. Peckwell, and two students you don't 
 know, with other local helps. Ellis, Harris, and Crole, 
 a new student, are serving a new work which promises 
 to spread in the city of Lincoln and other parts of Lin- 
 colnshire. Poor, dear, and precious souls are walking miles 
 to London, hearing I am there, to heg our help in different 
 parts luhere the Gospel has never yet been preached. Wales 
 is blossoming, like a rose, in all the English parts, as 
 well as great blessings on our Welsh labours. The 
 chapel at Worcester, which is an exceedingly handsome 
 one, is to be opened by Mr. Shirley, the 31st of this 
 month. The long round in the various counties spreads 
 in a most amazing manner. I keep to my old rule of 
 
LETTER TO U A W K E S W R T H . 869 
 
 going nowliere but from the call of the people first. 
 The Lord knows only well how to employ ns. 
 
 " I have as cl-early and exactly informed you of the 
 state of the work as possible ; the College has much of 
 the power of God, and overflows at present with numbers. 
 Ticmty-four are there at present, and lively honest souls, 
 with the greatest harmony and love that ever subsisted 
 in such a place ; and this, I trust, owing to their all hav- 
 ing but one thing in view. * * * * 
 
 " I am treating about ground to build a very large 
 chapel at Wapping, in London. Mr. Peck well was in 
 Sussex when the account came of my great temporal loss 
 in America ; and out of great love, came to speak a word 
 of comfort, but that was not the Lord's meaning, thouo-h 
 it was his ; and instead of three or four days for this pur- 
 pose, he has been here nine Aveeks ; and I suppose by 
 the multitudes he preached to in the fields, Tower Hill, 
 the churches, &c., that a hundred thousand people at least 
 have heard the gospel that never heard a tvord before. He is 
 amazingly popular, and much owned in the conversion 
 and comforting of the people. I was rejoiced that the 
 house had been burnt down, as this was the cause, the 
 sole cause, of bringing him or me to London, where the 
 fields are now every where white to the harvest. 
 
 " Poor wicked Ireland, I trust, shall yet have a Gospel 
 day. I canH yet see how or when, hut it must he ; and till I 
 find that opportunity, my eye is only ivaiting darkly for its 
 acco mp lish ment. 
 
 '' Could I have thought my letters would have been of 
 any comfort, I should have written ; though, having the 
 whole transaction of this work on my oiun hands, I am 
 prevented from following my heart in many things ; and 
 I think my poor self such a hewer of wood and drawer 
 of water, that I despair of being the least use or comfort 
 to any. But my soul is in the dust, prostrate at the 
 cross, hoping for all there ; and after my poor little vile 
 
370 MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTINGDOX. 
 
 labours of the day, I go to rest, having fioislied the day's 
 work as well as I can, and waiting for that voice each 
 night that shall say — 'Come up higher! ' Thus I feel as 
 void of care as a little child, knowing my dear Master 
 cannot want me, and that his eye will be for a better, a 
 more faithful and living servant in my place, when my 
 work is done." 
 
 Towards the close of 1773, Lady Huntingdon was 
 called to Bath by the serious illness of Lady Fanny Shir- 
 ley, who was suffering the most excruciating pain through 
 the ravages of disease. Mr. Shirley was then at Bath ; 
 and though severely tried by the loss of one of his chil- 
 dren, he preached at the chapel, and consoled his relative. 
 Early in the next year he was assisted in his labours by 
 Mr. Yenn. Lady Fanny enjoyed the visits of these 
 excellent clergymen, and was enabled to bear her suffer- 
 ings with patience and resignation. She felt that Christ 
 was present with her, to sustain her faith, and cheer her 
 heart. On one occasion, the physician who attended her 
 observed to Mr. Yenn, that he was quite at a loss to 
 explain how she could bear her severe sufferings with so 
 much tranquility. ''Sir," he replied, "that lady possesses 
 what you and I ought daily to pray for, — the grace of 
 the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship 
 of the Holy Ghost." The Countess was usefully and 
 actively engaged at Bath till March, 1774, Avhen she re- 
 paired to London to be present at the opening of a large 
 chapel, which she had taken under her patronage. 
 
 The metropolis had early witnessed the zeal and devo- 
 tedness of Lady Huntingdon. Her residence in Park 
 Street, and at Chelsea, had been thronged with the no- 
 bility in her drawing-rooms, and the poor in her kitchens ; 
 and she had persuaded Lady G. Gotham, Lady Fanny 
 Shirley, and others to throw open their spacious man- 
 sions for the preaching of the gospel. In the beginning 
 of 1770, her Ladyship took the lease of a chapel in 
 
CHAPEL AT WAPPING. 371 
 
 Ewart-Street, whicli had for many years belonged to the 
 Society of Friends ; and supplied it for some time with 
 students from Trevecca. In a few years^ however, the 
 Eev. William Crawford was invited to the pastorage ; the 
 congregation professed Baptist sentiments; and Lady 
 Huntingdon, acting on her plan of unsectarian usefulness, 
 relinquished the chapel, and directed her labours else- 
 where. 
 
 In the year 1773, the large and commodious chapel in 
 Princess-Street, Westminster, became vacant by the re. 
 moval of the congregation under Dr. Kippis to a smaller 
 building. It was rented, repaired, and beautified by the 
 munificence of Lady Huntingdon and a few friends, who 
 were anxious for the extension of the Eedeemer's king- 
 dom in the neighbourhood. In a letter written to Mr. 
 Hawkesworth, replying to his urgent request for help, 
 and to be ordained the resident minister of the church in 
 Dublin, dated April 2nd, 1774, her Ladyship says : — 
 
 " Nothing can express the difficulty I feel for helpers, 
 from the amazing increase of the work everywhere. 
 Ireland must feel this with me, as well as England, 
 Wales, and America. I am going to the College, with 
 the Lord's leave, and from thence shall send you the best 
 help I can. Dear Mr. Peck well is ready in heart, but a 
 large chapel of mine, holding more than three thousand, 
 is to be opened this next week ; and this being in the 
 heart of Westminster, requires our most eminent minis- 
 ters to follow up that preparation of heart the Lord has 
 wrought ; — and another I am going to erect at Wapping. 
 The Lord has sent us Mr. Haweis to join our Connexion ; 
 and indeed he is a most blessed, and extraordinary 
 minister." 
 
 This chapel was opened by Dr. Peckwell in April 
 1774, and was for several years supplied by ministers of 
 the Established Church; among whom were Toplady, 
 Shirley, Glascott, Pentycross, Jesse, and Dr. Haweis. 
 
872 mp:moir of lady Huntingdon. 
 
 At length Dr. Peck^Yell became the stated miniritor, aucl 
 changed the name of the building to that of ''Westmin- 
 ster chapel." 
 
 The Countess was at this time treating for ground 
 upon which to build a very large chapel at Wapping, 
 whither her attention had been directed by the Eev. L. 
 Coughlan, a clergyman who had lately returned from 
 Kewfoundland, and was then labouring in her Connexion. 
 She could obtain the lease only for twenty-one years; 
 and during the erection of the building, Dr. Peck well, 
 the Kev. C. S. Eccles, an Irish clergyman from Georgia, 
 Mr. Coughlan, John Clayton, and several of her students, 
 preached with great success under the Mulberry Trees, 
 in the immediate neighbourhood. The chapel, however, 
 was not opened till the close of the year 17/6, in conse- 
 quence of some unpleasant differences which arose 
 respecting the choice of a minister. Mr. Toplady was 
 consulted by her Ladyship as to the best mode of termi- 
 nating the unpleasant affair ; and several letters passed 
 between him, Lady Huntingdon, and the managers, rela- 
 tive to the chapel. At length the affairs were amicably 
 arranged ; and the building rapidly progressed. The 
 chapel was fitted up in an elegant manner, and was 
 opened with every prospect of success. The order of 
 service was according to the forms of the Church of 
 England, and the pulpit was supplied by a periodical 
 change of ministers. When, however, the lease expired 
 in 1798, the building passed into the hands of the Inde- 
 pendents belonging to Nightingale-Lane chapel. The 
 freeehold of that chapel, as well as the freehold of Mul- 
 berry Garden, belonged to Messrs. Allen, the extensive 
 brewers ; and as they required the ground on which the 
 Independent chapel stood, to enlarge their brewery, they 
 proposed to the congregation an exchange of buildings, 
 and offered to fit up, at their own expense, the Mulberry 
 Garden chapel for their accommodation. The proposal 
 
THE COUNTESS AT TREVECCA. 373 
 
 was accepted ; the renewal of the lease of her Ladyship's 
 chapel was refused ; and the congregation was, therefore, 
 scattered. Part united with her Ladyship's connexion at 
 Spafields and Sion chapels ; and the remaining portion 
 removed to Charlotte-Street, until it was taken down for 
 the erection of the Docks ; when they erected a place of 
 worship in Pell-Street, Wellclose Square, which was 
 called the New Mulberry Garden Chapel. It was opened 
 September 29th, 1802, on the plan of the Connexion, 
 with the Liturgy of the Church of England ; and for 
 two years was supplied by a rotation of ministers ; after 
 which the Eev. Isaac Nicholson, President of her Lady- 
 ship's College, was chosen the pastor, and preached there 
 with much success till his death. 
 
 After staying a short time in London, Lady Hunting- 
 don journeyed to Trevecca, and regulated the preaching 
 plans of the students. She sent two over to Ireland to 
 relieve Mr. Hawkesworth, who returned to England to 
 be ordained. He remained a little time at Plymouth to 
 aid those students who were supplying the Tabernacles 
 of Plymouth and Dock ; and, while here, received a let- 
 ter from the Countess informing him that she was fully 
 satisfied that it was right for him to be ordained, and re- 
 questing him to be present at the anniversary of the Col- 
 lege. The services this year were rendered very inter- 
 esting by the number of the ministers present, and the 
 great interest which was excited among the people. As 
 usual, for some days previous to the anniversary there 
 was preaching in the chapel ; and on the 24:th of August, 
 the crowd of persons in the grounds of the College was 
 very great. There was preaching early in the morning ; 
 after which three hundred breakfasted together ; then 
 Welsh addresses were given to the people, who heartily 
 responded to the fervid eloquence of Messrs, Williams 
 and Kolands. Dr. Peckwell preached a powerful dis- 
 
 32 
 
374 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 course from Eev. v. 9 ; tlie people publicly dined at her 
 Ladyship's expense ; and, after a short respite, Mr. Cope- 
 land and Mr. Williams preached. The evening was spent 
 by the ministers and leading friends with her Ladyship, 
 in solemn prayer and praise ; and on the next day, the 
 sacrament was administered, first to Lady Huntingdon 
 and her ministers, and then to thirty of her students. A 
 charge was given to the collegians by Dr. Peckwell ; and 
 to the end of the week, some of the ministers or students 
 preached twice daily. The greatest joy pervaded all 
 parties ; the ministers and students were led to conse- 
 crate themselves more unreservedly to the service of their 
 Saviour ; and the people departed with the glad tidings 
 of salvation, and with the grace of God in their 
 hearts. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon left Trevecca for Bath, and was 
 busily engaged in making arrangements for the ordina- 
 tion of Mr. Hawkesworth, which she wished to take 
 place at Plymouth, and to be performed by Mr. Kins- 
 man. From the accounts she had received from Mrs. 
 Paul, she was gratified to learn that her work in Ireland 
 was progressing very favourably ; she, therefore, wrote 
 to Mr. Kinsman, and requested his assistance to set apart 
 her student to the work of the Lord in Dublin. He re- 
 turned a favourable answer ; and towards the end of Sep- 
 tember 1774, Mr. Hawkesworth was ordained in the same 
 manner as the Independent ministers usually are, at the 
 Tabsrnacle in Plymouth, as the officiating minister of 
 Lady Huntingdon's chapel in Dublin. His call from the 
 people and his credentials were examined ; and his state- 
 ment of doctrine being deemed satisfactory, he was 
 solemnly set apart to the pastoral office by prayer, and 
 the laying on of hands. The Countess was not able to 
 be present, owing to the great amount of business that 
 was pressing upon her. Her congregations, generally, 
 were in a flourishing state ; and the calls from various 
 
BRIGHTON CHAPEL. 375 
 
 localities for tlie preaching of the gospel, were far more 
 numerous than she could atteacl to. 
 
 Her chapel at Brighton had this year been taken down 
 and rebuilt; chiefly at the expense of Miss Orton ; and to 
 expedite the erection, many pious mechanics connected 
 with the congregation gratuitously gave their services at 
 overtime. It was re-opened on the 24th of July by the 
 veteran preacher, Mr. Eomaine, who was now her Lady- 
 ship's oldest chaplain, and her most confidential adviser. 
 She continued to visit this rising fashionable town till 
 her death ; and beheld with much satisfaction the results 
 of her efforts. The congregation greatly increased under 
 the ministry of such men as Toplady, Bliss, Dr. Haweis, 
 Glascott, and Taylor ; and the chapel was several times 
 enlarged. In 1788 a front gallery was erected by the 
 voluntary subscriptions of the friends ; and in the year 
 1810, a further alteration was effected by opening into 
 the chapel a large parlour for the accommodation of 
 visitors, by building a fourth gallery for the poor, and 
 school children, and by erecting a minister's vestry be- 
 hind the pulpit. In 1822, the chapel was again enlarged 
 by inclosing a piece of ground at the south end ; and, 
 was re-opened by Eoland Hill, April 19th, 1822. The 
 chapel now will contain about fifteen hundred persons, 
 is exceedingly neat and elegant, and is crowded with at- 
 tentive congregations to hear the Eev. J. Sortain, who 
 for many years has maintained his great popularity in 
 Brighton. 
 
 The attention of the Countess had been drawn to the 
 spiritual destitution of Chichester in Sussex. A pious 
 individual, hearing of the zeal, and successful efforts of 
 her Ladyship, had written to her, and offered the use of 
 his house for the preaching of the gospel, that she might 
 be instrumental in dispersing the spiritual darkness 
 which hung over the city and the neighbourhood. Lady 
 Huntingdon never turned a deaf ear to any call, when 
 
876 MEMOIR OF LADY 11 U X T I N G D O N . 
 
 she could assist; she accordingly repaired thitlier, accom 
 panied by some of her devoted ministers ; and meetin;^ 
 with much encouragement, she sent her students regu- 
 larly to labour in this place. It was deemed desirable 
 to possess a chapel in the city; and after a short time, a 
 neat and comfortable building was erected. Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon was now accompanied by the Eev. T. Pentycross, 
 who opened this chapel October 22nd, 1774. The services 
 were well attended ; and the preaching of Mr. English, 
 who had been removed from Worcester to Chichester 
 attracted many to the chapel, and was made useful in 
 the conversion of sinners. He afterwards left to take 
 charge of a congregation at Gosport ; and Chichester was 
 supplied by a rotation of students from Trevecca. The 
 influence of the Countess was not confined to the city, 
 but was widely felt in the surrounding districts ; and 
 shortly after, chapels were erected at Emsworth, Pet- 
 worth, Guildford, and Basingstoke in Hants. 
 
 Mr. Pentycross had been noticed by the Countess from 
 the commencement of his career. Throuo-h the interest 
 of Eomaine, for whom he occasionally officiated, he was 
 presented to the living of St. Mary, Wallingford. Its 
 value was exceedingly small, not much more than twelve 
 pounds per annum ; yet her Lad^^ship urged him to ac- 
 cept it, and generously sent him twenty -five pounds to 
 commence a subscription to increase his remuneration, 
 and promised her confinued support, and prayers for the 
 success of his ministry. His fame as a preacher speedily 
 filled his church with attentive hearers; numbers came a 
 considerable distance from the surrounding villages ; and 
 the word of truth entered the hearts of the people, and 
 brought many to Jesus Christ. He officiated at her 
 Ladyship's chapels, whenever she requested his services • 
 at Bath lie was very popular and successful; and at other 
 places his appearance in tlie pu][)it was always welcomed 
 by the congregation. At a later period of his ministry 
 
MR. P E N T Y C R O S S . 377 
 
 in Wallingford, lie becamed embroiled in doctrinal dis- 
 putes with his parishioners, by his frequent speculations, 
 which led to a separation from his church. Her Lady- 
 ship became greatly interested in the affair ; and perceiv- 
 ing that additional accommodation for public worship 
 was needed, she encouraged the separatists, and supplied 
 them with preachers from College. During the first 
 twelve months they assembled at a private house ; after 
 which they purchased another private house, and con- 
 verted it into a chapel, which was opened for public 
 worship by her Ladyship's chaplain, the Eev. Thomas 
 "Wills. This chapel, with the freehold estate on which 
 it stood, was purchased by the society, and vested in 
 nine trustees, and was for some time supplied by her 
 Ladyship's ministers. Mr Pentycross gradually became 
 reconciled to the separation ; he considered it a wise pro- 
 vision in case the light of the gospel should be extin- 
 guished in the church, preached the truth with more 
 earnestness and simplicity, and continued to enjoy the 
 friendship and support of Lady Huntingdon. 
 
 32* 
 
878 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 CHAPTEE XXII. A.D. 1774—1776. 
 
 INCREASE OF THE COUNTESS' LABOURS. — HER CHAPEL 
 AT KIDDERMINSTER. — STATE OF RELIGION AT READ- 
 ING. — DR. TALBOT. — PERSECUTION. — HER CHAPELS AT 
 READING AND BRISTOL. — LADY HUNTINGDON VISITS 
 CORNWALL. — ST. IVES. — MEVAGISSEY. — ST. COLUMB. — 
 WEST LOOE. — TRURO. — LADY HUNTINGDON AT NOR- 
 WICH. — PURCHASES THE TABERNACLE. — HER GREAT 
 SUCCESS THERE. — ANNIVERSARY OF HER COLLEGE. — 
 REMARKABLE SCENES. 
 
 Shortly after the opening of the chapel at Chichester, 
 Lady Huntingdon was called to London on important 
 business connected with the chapels, especially the Mul- 
 berry Garden. She wrote to Mr. Hawkesworth, " The 
 hurry I have been in since I came from Sussex must ex- 
 cuse me to you. Opening a chapel at Chichester for the 
 Lord, with the business that arises from the amazing 
 increase of our work, allows little time to indulge myself, 
 even in that of the more constant intercourse with my 
 friends." Her Ladyship congratulated him on his ordi- 
 nation, urged him to pray for her in the midst of many 
 difficulties, and requested him to make his first journey 
 to London, ''as business must protract my stay, and 
 much must be settled for Ireland." Mr. Ilawkesworth 
 shortly came to the metropolis : preached at Mr. Piercy's 
 chapel at Woolwich, which was under her Ladyship's 
 patronage while he was in America ; arranged his plans 
 with the Countess for Ireland ; and departed to Dublin to 
 
CHAPEL AT KIDDEK MINSTER. 879 
 
 take the sole cliarge of tlie work in that country. This 
 was the busiest period of her Ladyship's life. The entire 
 machinery of her efforts was under her sole superinten- 
 dence ; the voluminous correspondence passed through 
 her own hands, and was answered by herself; and the calls 
 from dark localities were investigated by her, sometimes 
 even by a personal inspection of the place. Every year 
 her chajDels were becoming more numerous, and her 
 exertions more extended ; and though she was often per- 
 plexed by the smallness of her income, her faith carried 
 her triumphantly through her difficulties. 
 
 Towards the end of 1774:, the Rev. B. Fawcett, and 
 other pious persons invited Lady Huntingdon to send 
 some of her students to Kidderminster, a town which 
 was honoured with the residence and ministry of the 
 celebrated Richard Baxter. Their ministry was attended 
 with considerable success ; the town was once or twice 
 visited by the Countess, and her most popular ministers ; 
 and many years after, a chapel was erected here, which 
 still continues in her Ladyship's Connexion. Worcester- 
 shire enjoyed much of the services of her ministers; 
 many dark places were enlightened by their labours; 
 little chapels and preaching stations were erected in those 
 parts where the people were impressed with the truth ; 
 and many large and flourishing congregations owe their 
 origin to the zeal and piety of the students. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon spent the early part of 1775 at Bath, 
 where she appears to have been greatly afflicted with 
 sickness, which prevented her doing as much in the ser- 
 vice of her Master as she desired. She was at this time 
 deeply interested in the welfare of the people at Reading. 
 The Rev. Dr. Talbot, vicar of St.. Giles, had been for many 
 years her intimate friend and coadjutor. When vicar 
 of Kineton, Warwickshire, he had frequently itinerated 
 for her Ladyship, in company with Mr. Madan, and 
 preached the gospel in her chapels at Bath, Brighton, 
 
880 MEMOIK OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 and other places. On liis removal to Eeading, his evan- 
 gelical doctrines and amiable character secured him the 
 respect and love of his parishioners ; and his labours, 
 together with those of his excellent curate, Mr. Hallward, 
 a man possessing similar spirit and views to his own, 
 were very beneficial to his hearers. When, however, he 
 was on a visit to his intimate friend, Lord Dartmouth, he 
 was seized with a fever, which he had contracted in the 
 discharge of his duties. His congregation was about to 
 assemble on a certain day to implore the divine blessing 
 to rest upon him, when the news reached his sorrowing 
 wife that he had departed this world, March 2nd, 1774. 
 The intelligence threw his congregation into the greatest 
 consternation. They were deeply attached to him, but 
 more so to the doctrines of the gospel ; and they feared 
 that his successor would be a man of very different sen- 
 timents. The living was unexpectedly conferred on the 
 Rev. William B. Cadogan, a young gentleman of noble 
 family, who was not yet ordained, and who was incapable 
 of officiating for nearly twelve months. The church- 
 wardens, therefore, retained Mr. Hallward till the vicar 
 arrived ; and as that time approached, the congregation 
 drew up a petition, and presented it to the new vicar, 
 praying that Mr. Hallward might be retained in his 
 curacy. They expected that Mr. Cadogan, succeeding 
 such a man as Dr. Talbot, would be only too glad to 
 secure the services of a respected and useful curate ; but 
 he threw the petition into the fire, and imperatively de- 
 clared that Mr. Hallward should never again preach in 
 his pulpit. 
 
 During the interval between the death of Dr. Talbot 
 and the induction of Mr. Cadogan, Lady Huntingdon 
 paid Reading a visit to console her afilicted friend, Mrs. 
 Talbot. The greatest concern was manifested for the 
 interests of evangelical religion in the town ; and much 
 conversation ensued between the two excellent ladies and 
 
LETTER TO MR. TTALLWARD. 381 
 
 Mr. Hallward; as to tlie best means of providing for tlie 
 spiritual wants of the congregation, should he be dismiss- 
 ed from the curacy. When the petition was rejected, Mr. 
 Hallward immediately applied to her Ladyship for assist- 
 ance ; and the venerable Countess wrote to him a long 
 letter, dated Bath, April 27th, 1775, in which she says : — 
 "I was much, obliged by your kind letter, and you may 
 depend on my yielding every service in my power to the 
 Lord's people at Beading, who are so near your heart. 
 Our conversation, you may remember, led, without 
 design, to those means that did appear immediately cal- 
 culated for the most extensive usefulness in the various 
 services of tbe gospel ; and, in consequence, brought out 
 verhally what my practice for so many years had proved 
 so positively. I am persuaded that the wisdom from 
 above is as free from partiality as it is from hypocrisy ; 
 and for this reason, our fears relative to either ought to 
 be as such indulged as in any other apparent contradiction 
 to the word of God, in the most solid experiences of an 
 humble mind. The present Eeformation has been owned 
 by the Lord under the general idea of irregularity ; but 
 1 humbly think his orders are more regularly observed 
 by this conduct than by any other means. You must 
 allow me, dear Sir, the freedom this great subject obliges 
 me to. The express word of God orders and directs his 
 servants, as messengers of peace to the whole world ; and 
 they are either under the necessity of obeying, or they 
 are not. If he has not the authority of even an earthly 
 master to engage the obedience, place, and time of his 
 servants, his precepts must be vain, and, of course, every 
 degree of their obedience vain also ; but we, as wretched 
 bond-slaves, redeemed by a love stronger than death to 
 liberty and life, seem to have no conditions to make in 
 the ser\'ice of such a friend ; and any composition for 
 body, soul, or spirit, must imply an insensibility of the 
 purchased blessing, or the debt from us ever due to such 
 
882 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 a heaveoly purcliaser. This^ to each individual^ seems 
 the state of our case. What shall we say, then, when 
 still further favoured; as ministers, not only to know this 
 for their own everlasting comfort, but are also honoured 
 by a commission to declare such glad tidings of rich, free, 
 covenanted mercy to every creature ? Should thousands 
 attempt to restrain such, by any supposed power found 
 inferior to that which they have received, in order to 
 make them hold their peace, we venture to circumscribe 
 their commission." 
 
 As soon as Mr. Cadogan began to preach, the people 
 naturally were very curious to hear what doctrines he 
 intended to promulgate to the congregation. They 
 patiently heard him a few times, and became fully assured 
 of the character of his views. It was impossible for 
 them, accustomed as they had been to the simple preach- 
 ing of the gospel, to be satisfied with the moral essays 
 and pharisaic sentiments which now were delivered from 
 the pulpit. The congregation, therefore, left and became 
 scattered. Some flocked to the dissenting chapel, where 
 they could hear evangelical preaching ; but others, not 
 satisfied with their mode of worship, a|)plied to the 
 Countess of Huntingdon for her assistance, and took a 
 large place, capable of containing several hundred per- 
 sons, which was fitted up as a place of worship, and 
 opened on the plan of her Ladyship's chapels, with the 
 Liturgical service. 
 
 Mr. Cadogan was indignant at the course adopted by 
 his congregation, and openly manifested his great dis- 
 pleasure at their proceedings. His bitterest feelings 
 were directed to Mrs. Talbot ; who remained in the tow^n, 
 and by her counsel and aid, greatly promoted the inter- 
 ests of true religion. Her house was the resort of all 
 who were impressed with the truth ; her rooms were 
 thrown open for religious services, where her Ladyship's 
 chaplains, and other ministers expounded the scriptures, 
 
BRISTOL CHAPEL. 383 
 
 and prayed ; and lier time was daily occupied in instruct- 
 ing and encouraging young converts to Christ. The 
 vicar remonstrated with her in several letters; but her 
 answers were so full of the meekness and sweetness of 
 religion, that, at length, the persecuting spirit of the 
 clergyman retired and his heart yielded to the general 
 influence of real Christian character. The chapel was 
 supplied by some of the most popular ministers in her 
 Ladyship's Connexion; Dr. Peckwell, Dr. Haweis, 
 Messrs. Wills, Taylor, Glascott, and other clergymen 
 preached there with much success ; and several of the 
 students were made exceedingly useful in the conversion 
 of sinners. 
 
 While these affairs were transpiring at Heading, Lady 
 Huntingdon was actively engaged in establishing a chapel 
 at Bristol. The success which had attended the erection 
 of the Tabernacle in this large and populous city, in- 
 duced her Ladyship to consider the propriety of procu- 
 ring a place of worship at the other end of the city. 
 After carefully considering the matter, her attention was 
 directed to a large building which had been used as an 
 assembly room, and occasionally as a theatre. The pro- 
 prietor agreed to let it on a lease, for £40 per annum ; 
 and she immediately signed the agreement, and expended 
 nearly £800 in rendering it suitable for divine worship. 
 It was opened in the month of August 1775, by Dr. 
 Peckwell and Mr. Glascott, and was well attended by 
 ministers and people. The Countess had been for some 
 time in a precarious state of health ; and though she an- 
 ticipated with pleasure her departure for the better land, 
 her ministers and congregations looked with great alarm 
 at the probability of such an event at present. Her 
 mind, however, was active and enterprising ; her soul 
 was burning with love ; and her entire energy was con- 
 centrated on the accomplishment of her great designs, 
 while her life was still spared. Her chapel in Bristol 
 
384 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 proved a great blessing to the city ; for ten years the 
 pulpit was supplied by clergymen of the Church of Eng- 
 land ; it became the resort of the fashionable circles, visit- 
 ing Clifton and the neighbourhood ; and its large prayer- 
 meetings were attended by pious persons from all parts 
 of the city. 
 
 Several attempts were made, during the life of the 
 Countess, to obtain a new chapel ; but they were frus- 
 trated by unforeseen circumstances. In one instance, a 
 large sum of money was contributed ; but it was either 
 returned to the subscribers, or applied to some other 
 purpose with their consent. The congregation very much 
 declined, after her Ladyship's death ; but the visits of the 
 Eev. William Cooper, from Dublin, revived the drooping 
 cause, imparted fresh vigour to the people, and filled the 
 chapel with awakened hearers. The place became far 
 too small to accommodate the applicants; and he fre- 
 quently preached from a window to a much larger crowd 
 outside, than that within the building. In 1820 a fresh 
 attempt was made to erect a chapel, and about £800 was 
 expended on a site ; which, being afterwards deemed 
 ineligible, was sold, and the money invested in the hands 
 of the trustees of the Connexion. The Eev. W. Lucy 
 became the resident minister in 1823, and commenced an 
 effort to procure a new building. The present site in 
 Lodge-Street was purchased ; a fine gothic stone edifice 
 was erected, with a handsome recess for the pulpit and 
 reading desks, and with capacious galleries around three 
 sides of the chapel. The school-rooms occupy one half 
 of the other space under the chapel ; and the entire cost 
 of erection was upwards of £4,500, towards which the 
 Connexion Trustees gave a considerable sum, on condition 
 of the whole building being vested in their trust. The 
 chapel will accommodate about twelve hundred persons, 
 and was opened in August, 1831, by the Eev. John 
 Brown, and the Eev. James Sherman. The Eev. J. 
 
ST. IVES AND MEVAGISSEY. 385 
 
 Eastmead has lately been appointed to this important 
 sphere. 
 
 A few weeks after the opening of the chapel at Bristol, 
 Lady Huntingdon accepted the invitation of her niece, 
 Mrs. Wills, to visit Cornwall. Mr. Wills still held his 
 curacy of St. Agnes, near Truro, and had greatly inter- 
 ested her Ladyship by his accounts of the poor miners. 
 Cornwall was almost a barbarous land; the light of 
 divine truth was confined to a few spots, where the cele- 
 brated Samuel Walker had laboured; and the miners 
 lived in a state of the deepest ignorance and vice. Soon 
 after her arrival, she wrote to Mr. Ha wkes worth, at 
 Dublin, and invited him to join her in her efforts ; and 
 says, " My call here is to the tinners, and thousands and 
 tens of thousands of poor perishing creatures, whom all 
 seem to neglect ; their souls are the objects of my loving- 
 care ; and if the Lord permit, I wish to make three or 
 four establishments in the heart of the tin mines, for their 
 instruction and salvation." During her stay in Cornwall, 
 Lady Huntingdon visited several places in the county 
 with Mr. Wills, and other ministers ; and was so delighted 
 with the attention of the people to the preaching of the 
 gospel, that she directed several of her ministers and 
 students to cultivate this portion of England. Her efforts 
 were successful ; and in a few years there were no less 
 than twenty congregations in her Connexion, which had 
 their origin in the labours of her students, and were 
 regularly supplied from Trevecca. 
 
 The Countess paid a visit to St. Ives ; and deeming it 
 a proper sphere of usefulness, requested some of her 
 students to preach in the town. A large room was pro- 
 cured, but the people were not much disposed to enter 
 it ; and for some years, little good was effected. At 
 length one of the students, Eobert M'All, was induced to 
 settle in the town, and in 180-1 opened the present neat 
 and commodious chapel. He laboured here till 1813, 
 
 33 
 
386 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 when he removed to London ; and the congregation da- 
 ciined. The trustees of the Connexion came to their 
 help, discharged their debt, and appointed a fresh min- 
 ister. The chapel will seat about five hundred persons, 
 and is now ably supplied by the respected minister, the 
 Eev. E. S. Hart. 
 
 The chapel at Mevagissey owes its origin to this visit 
 of her Ladyship to Cornwall. Her ministers preached 
 here several times, and in 1777, a neat chapel was erected, 
 towards which the Countess gave one hundred pounds. 
 The people were desirous of placing it entirely under her 
 control ; but she requested them to appoint trustees, that 
 her ministers might labour there whenever they had an 
 opportunity. At St. Columb, a chapel was erected, and 
 supplied by her Ladyship's students, 'whose preaching 
 proved beneficial to many. When Mr. Wills resigned 
 his curacy at St. Agnes, and was appointed Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon's chaplain, in 1779, he sold part of his plate, and 
 built a small chapel in the village, which was also sup- 
 plied by the students. They preached also at West Looe, 
 where Sir Harry Trelawney had strangely acted as a 
 preacher ; and by their zeal raised a small place of wor- 
 ship, and gathered an attentive congregation. 
 
 Truro had long been highly favoured with the ministry 
 of the renowned Samuel Walker, a man who was exceed- 
 ingly useful in his county, and was the means of bring- 
 ing out several devoted ministers. He had formed the 
 serious portion of his congregation into two classes; 
 which met once a week alternately for reading a sermon 
 and prayer, and for religious conversation and prayer. 
 After his death, the people kept up the practice: and 
 thus supplied, in some measure, what was wanting in 
 the ministrations of his successor. Some of them, how- 
 ever, erected a place of worship, and enrolled themselves 
 as protestant dissenters ; but the others, though unable 
 to obtain spiritual instruction in the church, could not be 
 
LADY HUNTINGDON AT NORWICH. 387 
 
 prevailed upon to join them. They held their meetings 
 in their room on the Lord's day, as well as on the week- 
 day, when their dissenting brethren met with them ; and 
 obtained the occasional services of Dr. Haweis and Mr. 
 Wills, who were well known in Truro. Soon after his 
 ordination, Mr. Wills preached in the market-place of 
 Truro. It happened on that day, that a play was to be 
 performed at the theatre, for the benefit of one of the 
 actors. Curiosity led many persons to hear their towns- 
 man, Mr. Wills; the theatre was nearly deserted; and 
 many among the crowd were savingly impressed with 
 the truth. Some years after, this theatre was shut up; 
 and Mr. Wills went to examine its eligibility as a chapel 
 for Lady Huntingdon. On entering, he passed two per- 
 sons, one of whom paid his respects to him in a very 
 marked manner, which Mr. Wills returned. After the 
 clergyman had passed, the companion of this person said 
 to him, " Pray, do you know that gentleman ? " He re- 
 plied, ''Know him ! yes, I have reason to know him, he 
 preached a sermon in the market-place, some time back, 
 on my benefit night ; the house was nearly empty, and 
 the people flocked to him ! " This theatre was eventually 
 purchased by the Countess, and fitted up as a chapel, 
 whither the remains of Walker's congregation removed. 
 It was for many years supplied by the students, like the 
 other chapels in the Connexion. 
 
 In the spring of 1776, Lady Huntingdon visited Nor- 
 wich, in company with Lady Anne Erskine, and Mr. 
 Toplady. The congregation of the Tabernacle in this 
 city had been gradually dwindling away, during the 
 time John Wesley held possession of the place. At the 
 expiration of his lease, Mr. Wheatley let it to the Eev* 
 John Hook, who held it till February 1775, when the 
 Countess agreed to take it on a lease at £4:0 per annum. 
 She immediately sent down her most popular clergymen • 
 among whom were Messrs. Shirley, Glascott, and Bow- 
 
388 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 man, whose preaching was attractive, and revived the 
 congregation. Her stay now was not of long duration ; 
 but the results of her visit were very satisfactory. Mr. 
 Toplady, who had officiated at her chapels in Bath and 
 Brighton, produced a deep impression upon the people at 
 Korwich. He was a man of considerable talents and 
 attainments ; though his frame was slender and delicate, 
 his mind was clear and powerful, and his voice melodious 
 and distinct ; and his extemporaneous discourses were 
 full of lively sentiments and pathos, and rendered pecu- 
 liarly impressive by his action and appeals. His health 
 obliged him to give up his residence in Devon ; he, there- 
 fore, preached at most of her Ladyship's chapels, and to 
 a stated congregation in Orange-Street, London. During 
 his visit to Norwich, the congregation was regularly 
 organized and the affairs of the society arranged. In a 
 letter to Mr. Hawkesworth, Lady Huntingdon says : — ''I 
 have one congregation at Norwich, four thousand hearers, 
 six limidred communicants ; and this under two students^ 
 who write me word that about thirty were added to that 
 society in three weeks." 
 
 In the following August, the Countess purchased Mr. 
 Wheatley's share in the Tabernacle for £900, and vested 
 the chapel in seven trustees, four clerical and three lay ; 
 who were empowered to fill up any vacancy in the trust, 
 to form a committee for the management of the secular 
 affairs of the chapel, and to regulate the appointment of 
 a minister. Her Ladyship first appointed the Eev. Mark 
 Wilks, who had been educated at her College, and had 
 iH Derated chiefly in Wales and Warwickshire. He was 
 an eccentric man, and when he made his appearance in 
 Norwich, he attracted considerable attention. He was 
 slender and ruddy, with long hair flowing over his 
 shoulders; and took, for his first text, the striking pas- 
 sage, '' There is a lad here which hath five barley loaves 
 and two small fishes." His forcible and quaint expres- 
 
REMARKABLE SCENES. 389 
 
 sions riveted Lis audience; tlie congregation rapidly- 
 increased ; the truth impressed many hearts ; and peace 
 and prosperity reigned. In the course of a few years, 
 Mr. Wilks left, and, to the deep regret of her Ladyship, 
 withdrew from her Connexion ; which caused several to 
 leave the Tabernacle, and purchase a chapel which Mr. 
 Bowman, who had been requested to withdraw, had 
 built. They invited Mr. Wilks to settle among them ; 
 and he accepted the invitation, and shortly after formed 
 the society into a Baptist church, which occasioned many 
 of his warmest admirers to forsake him. A few years 
 before his death, there was a second separation from the 
 Tabernacle, when a new place of worship was erected in 
 a different part of the city. The Tabernacle was sup- 
 plied by a succession of clergymen and ministers, till 
 the death of the Countess, when Mr. Philips, in 1792 
 was appointed the resident minister. He continued 
 there till 1816, when a third separation took place, in 
 consequence of the renewal of his appointment. The 
 seceders erected a large chapel in Princess- Street, in 
 March 1819, and chose the Eev. J. Alexander as their 
 pastor. The Eev. John Owen was for some years the 
 pastor of the Tabernacle, and on his removal to Bath 
 was succeeded by the Rev. J. Dryden, during whose 
 ministry there arose a very unpleasant struggle between 
 the trustees, committee, and minister. For two years, 
 the disputes ran high and vehement ; and on May 8th, 
 1836, the fourth separation took place by the minister, 
 and a large body of the congregation removing to the 
 New Tabernacle. The orignal Tabernacle has, however, 
 revived under the able ministry of the present pastor, 
 the Rev. J. Kempster. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon spent a considerable portion of 1776 
 in AVales. Her College was essential to the accomplish- 
 ment of her plans ; and she breathed into her students 
 the zealous spirit which glowed within her. She treated 
 
 33* 
 
390 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 them with maternal kindness ; and so tliorougLlj won 
 their gratitude, that they were ready to do anything to 
 please their noble patroness, and to promote her great 
 designs. The anniversary of the College this year was 
 attended by a larger number of ministers and people 
 than on any former occasion ; a convincing proof how 
 highly the Institution was valued. Mr. Toplady was one 
 of the preachers on the occasion ; and in a letter to his 
 friend; Mr. Hussey, he gives an account of a singular 
 incident that occurred. 
 
 '* The night I left town, the Worcester coach, in which 
 I went, broke down ; but not one of us received the 
 least injury. I have a still greater deliverance to ac- 
 quaint you with ; even such as, I trust, will never be 
 blotted from my thankful remembrance. On the anni- 
 versary day in Wales, the congregation was so large, 
 that the chapel would not have contained a fourth part 
 of the people, who were supposed to amount to three thou- 
 sand. No fewer than one thousand three hundred horses 
 were turned into one large field adjoining the College, 
 besides what were stationed in the neighbouring villages. 
 The carriages also were unusually numerous. A scafibld 
 was erected at one end of the College-Court, on which a 
 book-stand was placed, by way of pulpit, and thence six 
 or seven of us preached, successively, to one of the most 
 attentive and lively congregations I ever beheld. When 
 it came to my turn to preach, I advanced to the front, 
 and had not gone more than half way through my 
 prayer before sermon, when the scaffold suddenly fell in. 
 As I stood very near the higher-most step, and the steps 
 did not fall with the rest. Providence enabled me to keep 
 on my feet, through the assistance of Mr. Winkworth, 
 who laid fast hold of my arm. About forty ministers 
 were on the scaffold and steps when the former broke 
 down. Dear Mr. Shirley fell undermost of all, but re- 
 ceived no other hurt than a very slight bruise on one of 
 
ANNIVERSARY DAY IN WALES. 891 
 
 his Ibiglis. A good woman, who, for tlie conveniency 
 of hearing, had placed herself under the scaffold, received 
 a trifling contusion on her face. N"© other mischief was 
 done. The congregation, though greatly alarmed, had 
 the prudence not to throw themselves into outward disor- 
 der ; which, I believe, was chiefly owing to the powerful 
 sense of God's presence, which was eminently felt by 
 most of the assembly. 
 
 ''Such was the wonderful goodness of the Lord to me, 
 that I was not in the least disconcerted on this dangerous 
 occasion; which T meotion to the praise of that grace 
 and providence ; without which, a much smaller incident 
 would inevitably have shocked every nerve I have. 
 About half a minute after the interruption had com- 
 menced, I had the satisfaction to inform the people that 
 no damage had ensued ; and removing for security to a 
 lower step, I thanked the Lord, with the rejoicing multi- 
 tude, for having so undeniably given his angels charge 
 concerning us. Prayer ended, I was enabled to preach, 
 and great grace seemed to be upon us all." 
 
892 MEMOIR OP LADY HUXTINGDON. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. A.D. 1776—1781. 
 
 THE POWER OF EXAMPLE. — CONDITION OF SPAFIELDS, 
 — THE PANTHEON. — NORTHAMPTON CHAPEL. — RICH- 
 MOND. — OPENING OF SPAFIELDS CHAPEL. — PERSECU- 
 TION. — ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS. — RELIGIOUS POSITION 
 OF LADY HUNTINGDON IN ENGLAND. — HER CHAPEL AT 
 BATH. — DISPUTES WITH WHITEFIELD'S TRUSTEES. — 
 CHELTENHAM. — HER CHAPEL THERE. — WELSH CONGRE- 
 GATIONS. — ROWLAND HILL. 
 
 The example of a godly life exerts a powerful influ- 
 ence, and secures the happiest results. The virtues which 
 shine brightly amid the circumstances of life, encourage 
 many to strive after what has been already attained ; and 
 the longer the life is protracted, the more powerful does 
 the example become. The age of the venerable Coun- 
 tess did not retard her efforts to spread abroad the know- 
 ledge of Christ. The conviction that she could not 
 spend many more years upon earth, stimulated her zeal ; 
 the thought of that eternity into which she must ere long 
 enter, awakened in her susceptible heart a compassionate 
 yearning for the salvation of souls; and the success 
 which God had been pleased to grant to her past efforts, 
 convinced her that, though her labours had been con- 
 demned by man, they had received the sanction of the 
 Lord, and had been crowned with his blessing. She, 
 therefore, was prepared to go forward in her illustrious 
 career, to add to the arduous duties which already 
 pressed heavily upon her, to listen to the appeals which 
 
THE PANTHEON. 893 
 
 were made for her assistance, and to open fresh places of 
 worship in destitute places. Her means were so limited, 
 that most persons would have trembled at the designs 
 she contemplated ; but her faith was so simple and 
 strong, that, whenever she was convinced it was her duty 
 to act, she boldly accomplished the deed, and left the 
 results with God. 
 
 Towards the close of 1776, the attention of Lady 
 Huntingdon was directed to the spiritual destitution of 
 Clerkenwell. The present crowded neighbourhood of 
 Spafields was at this period quite rural, and formed a 
 dangerous locality for travellers to pass through after 
 dark. The paths were very bad, especially in winter^ 
 and were infested with thieves ; the haunts of vice, and 
 the abodes of robbers were close by ; and many a dark 
 and deadly deed was perpetrated in the silence of night. 
 Those who walked in the evening, from the city to the 
 hamlet of Islins^ton, were accustomed to wait at the end 
 of Percival- Street, until a considerable party had collec- 
 ted, when they were escorted through Spafields by an 
 armed patrole, appointed for the purpose ; and it was 
 customary for travellers approaching London, to remain 
 all night at the Angel Inn, near Islington, rather than 
 ventuie across this dangerous spot after dark. This lo- 
 cality was noted for the fashionable sport of duck-hunt- 
 ing, and contained a solitary tavern, called the Dog and 
 Duck, which passed into the hands of Mr. Eosomond, 
 who converted the grounds into extensive pleasure gar- 
 dens. The whole of the property came into the posses- 
 sion of the Marquis of Northampton, who let a portion 
 of these gardens to Mr. Craven, for the purpose of erect- 
 ing a large circular building, in imitation of the celebra- 
 ted Pantheon at Eome. This spacious edifice was opened 
 in May, 1770, as a place of amusement, and speedily ac- 
 quired notoriety as a public resort for all ranks and both 
 sexes on the Lord's day. Though patronized by the 
 
394 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Prince of AYales, and many of the nobility, after the 
 first year it was unsuccessful as a place of amusement ; 
 and, in three years, Mr. Craven became a bankrupt. 
 The lease was then disposed of to the proprietor of 
 Sadlers- Wells' Theatre, who dreaded a rival establish- 
 ment ; and after being used for a short time as a mart for 
 the sale of carriages, the building became vacant. A 
 curious incident connected with its erection deserves 
 notice. Mrs. Craven coulcT not be induced to visit the 
 building until near its completion. She then inspected 
 it with a friend, who asked her what she thought of it ; 
 when, full of apprehension for her husband and her 
 family, she burst into tears, and exclaimed, ''It is very 
 pretty ; but I forsee it will be the ruin of us, and, one 
 day or other, will be turned into a Methodist meeting- 
 house." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon greatly desired to obtain possession 
 of this noble edifice, which had two tiers of galleries sur- 
 rounding it, supported by numerous elegant columns, 
 that she might convert it into a chapel, and bring the 
 gospel into the benighted neighbourhood. She instructed 
 Messrs. Shirley, Parker, and Crole to consult each other 
 on the project, and to ascertain the terms on which the 
 proprietor would be willing to dispose of the building. 
 It appears that there were two parties already treating 
 for it ; and her friends so discouraged her by their advice, 
 that she reluctantly declined to purchase the Pantheon. 
 She says: — 
 
 ''My heart seems strongly set upon having this temple 
 of folly 'dedicated to Jehovah Jesus, the great head of his 
 church and people. Dear Mr. Berridge does not dis- 
 courage the undertaking, but says I may count upon a 
 fit of sickness, if I engage in this afilxir. I feel so deeply 
 for the perishing thousands in tl^at part of London, that 
 I am almost tempted to run every risk ; and though, at 
 this moment, I have not a peony to command, yet I am 
 
THE PANTHEON. 895 
 
 SO firmly persuaded of the goodness of the Master, whose 
 I am, and whom I desire to serve, that I shall not want 
 gold or silver for the work. It is his cause ; he has the 
 hearts of all at his disposal ; and I shall have help, when 
 he sees fit to employ me in his service. Nevertheless, 
 with some regret, I give up the matter at this time. You 
 are on the spot, and your opinion, in circumstances of 
 this nature, may be better than mine ; but faith tells me 
 to go forward, nothing fearing, nothing doubting T 
 
 As soon as the determination of Lady Huntingdon was 
 made known to the proprietors, the Pantheon was let to 
 a committee of gentlemen, who converted it into a place 
 of worship. A considerable expense was incurred in 
 fitting it up ; the figure of Fame, which surmounted the 
 dome, was exchanged for a lantern cupola ; and a pulpit 
 and reading desks were erected. It was opened on Sat- 
 urday, July 5th, 1777, by the Eev. John Eyland, and was 
 called Northampton chapel, in honour of the nobleman 
 on whose ground it stands. The Eevs. Hubert Jones, 
 and William Taylor, two episcopal clergymen, were en- 
 gaged as preachers, whose ministrations speedily attracted 
 a large congregation. They stood alone in the church, 
 in this part of London, for proclaiming the evangelical 
 doctrines of religion. Their preaching gave great offence 
 to the Rev. W. Sellon, Incumbent of Clerkenwell, who 
 was annoyed and jealous at their success, and resolved to 
 remove them from their sphere of usefulness. He claimed 
 the right of preaching in the chapel whenever he pleased, 
 and of nominating the ministers who should ofl&ciate ; 
 and made other demands, which the ministers and com- 
 mittee resisted. An ecclesiastical law-suit was instituted ; 
 the Incumbent triumphed ; the two clergymen were for- 
 bidden to preach there ; the chapel was closed, and the 
 large congregation scattered. 
 
 While these events were transpiring, Mr. Toplady 
 drew the attention of the Countess to Richmond, then a 
 
896 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 place of fashionable resort, and of great gaiety. The 
 theatre had been hired by Eowland Hill, Mr. Joss, and 
 Mr. West, a popular clergyman, who frequently made 
 excursions to Eichmond, and preached there amid much 
 opposition. The proprietor was anxious to dispose of the 
 theatre to her Ladyship, and commissioned Mr. Hough 
 to wait on Mr. Toplady with a view of negotiating the 
 matter. The Countess, however, did not approve of the 
 step ; for, in a letter to Mr. Shirley, she says, " I have 
 prayed for light, but the cloud does not move towards 
 Eichmond. The opposition which Mr. Hill and others 
 have experienced, is very discouraging. Consult with 
 dear Mr. Toplady, and look earnestly for directions from 
 above. May your great Master guide you in this matter! 
 My mind is against it, but I am content to submit to 
 your better judgment ; persuaded that, if it is his will 
 who governs all things, we shall be sent to Eichmond, 
 with full authority to proclaim his grace, and make his 
 name more known amongst that people. 
 
 When Lady Huntingdon heard of the result of the 
 ecclesiastical proceedings instituted by Mr. Sellon, she 
 immediatel}^ repaired to London, to obtain possession of 
 the chapel, if possible. Mr. Toplady had finished his 
 career on earth ; she, therefore, consulted with Lord 
 Dartmouth, Mr. Thornton, and others ; concluded an 
 agreement with the proprietors ; and took the spacious 
 chapel under her patronage. A few alterations and 
 improvements were effected ; the name of it was changed 
 to Spafields chapel ; and it was re-opened March 28th, 
 1779, by the Eev. Dr. Haweis, who preached a powerful 
 and impressive sermon on that occasion. The Countess 
 then supposed she had a right, as a peeress of the realm, 
 to employ her own chaplains any time and place in the 
 most public manner, without being exposed to the ter- 
 rors of the ecclesiastical courts. She was, however, soon 
 undeceived; for Mr. Sellon attacked every clergyman 
 
OPENING OF SPAFIELDS CHAPEL. 897 
 
 wlio preached in tlie place. The question of her right 
 was mooted in the ecclesiastical court; where it was 
 decided against her ; and Dr. Haweis and Mr. Glascott, 
 as ministers of the Establishment, were obliged to dis- 
 continue their services at Spafields. Lady Huntingdon 
 was greatly harassed by the opposition she experienced, 
 and sought the highest legal advice on the matter. She 
 forwarded to Sergeant Glynn a list of queries as to what 
 constitutes a peer's domestic chapel — whether it is ex- 
 empt from ecclesiastical jurisdiction — whether a peer 
 could admit whom he pleased to it — and whether he could 
 shield his chaplains from the citations of courts. He 
 returned answers to these queries ; and, in his letter to her 
 Ladyship, says: — 
 
 '^ Ecclesiastical law, such as it now stands, is against 
 you in some points, which would not be insurmountable 
 were our Bishops differently minded. * ^ * I anxiously 
 look for reformation in some matters connected with 
 the Established Church, to which I am conscientiously 
 attached; and though I may not live to see any great 
 change, yet, I am pursuaded, the time is not far distant, 
 when Bishojys luill deeply lament the obstinate, headstrong 
 tyranny which has driven so many from the church, and 
 that persecuting spirit, so prominent in their character ; 
 in too many instances, more in accordance with the dark, 
 intolerant spirit of the Romish church, than with the 
 enlightened principles of the Protestant faith. 
 
 " Your Ladyship's benevolent conduct must command 
 the respect and veneration of every liberal-minded man. 
 I shall be most happy at all times in giving my humble 
 aid to the furtherance of your most excellent designs for 
 the good of mankind, and the improvement of the igno- 
 rant multitude. My professional services are ever at 
 your Ladyship's command." 
 
 After Dr. Haweis and Mr. Glascott had been silenced, 
 Mr. Wills supplied the pulpit for some time, when he 
 
 34 
 
598 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 suddenly left London, to avoid a citation before the 
 court. The Rev. W. Taylor again came forward to ofiSci- 
 ate in Spafields, and was speedily put down by the intol- 
 erance of Mr, Sellon. These repeated persecutions in- 
 daced Lady Huntingdon to devise a plan by which she 
 might baffle her cruel and bitter enemy. She could not 
 dispute the decisions of the court, and, while might con- 
 quers right, she says, "I am reduced to turn the finest 
 congregation, not only in England, hit in any jpart of the 
 world, into a dissenting meeting, unless hy the medium of 
 secession. This is a subject, in consideriDg which, nothing 
 but the very clearest convictions of conscience, impressed 
 by the Holy Ghost for the continued protection of the 
 truth, and faithfulness to God's people, ought to make it 
 a point worth any minister's attending to." 
 
 At length, to avoid further molestation, it became ne- 
 cessary to take shelter under the Toleration Act, and for 
 the clergymen, who wished to officiate in her chapels, to 
 take the oaths of allegiance as Dissenters. Mr. Wills 
 and Mr. Taylor publicly seceded from the Church ; and 
 the former was appointed the resident minister of the 
 chapel. Their secession from the Establishment occa- 
 sioned a great stir among the religious community ; 
 many unjust reflections were cast upon her Ladyship 
 and her ministers ; and her efforts were stigmatised as 
 introducing a new schism in the Church of Christ. This 
 step, however, was forced upon her, by the tyranny of 
 ecclesiastical rule ; and was the only course open to her, 
 unless she would abandon her work. The decision of 
 the courts placed her in a different position from what 
 she had hitherto occupied. She had, up to this time, ob- 
 tained the services of clergymen of the Church of 
 England for her chapels ; but now they were placed in a 
 most painful situation. As they could not legally preach 
 beyond the boundaries of their parish, they must with- 
 draw their services from the congregations, where they 
 
SPAFIELDS CHAPEL. 399 
 
 had often and successfully laboured, and be content to see 
 the people perishing in dark localities, without attempt- 
 ing to save them ; or, they must expose themselves to 
 the penalties of the ecclesiastical courts. Lady Hunting- 
 don was warmly attached to the Church of England, and 
 loved its doctrines and admirable liturgy ; but she could 
 not relinquish her important labours, nor quench her 
 love for perishing souls, for the purpose of preserving a 
 certain ecclesiastical status. She accomplished a mighty 
 work ; she fostered religion in the Establishment, and 
 gave an impetus to Christian activity and zeal ; and the 
 impartial historian will own the value of her efforts, and 
 pronounce her a great, if not the greatest, character in 
 the religious history of the eighteenth century. Several 
 of the clergymen associated with her were induced, by 
 the terrors of the courts, to relinquish preaching in her 
 chapels ; among whom were Romaine, Venn, Townsend, 
 and Jesse, though they continued to be her friends, and 
 those of her coadjutors. Other clergymen, such as Dr. 
 Haweis, Wills, Taylor, Glascott, Bradford, Jones, Piercy, 
 Penty cross, and Charles, continued their services ; and 
 were greatly blessed in saving souls. The Countess was 
 thankful that, though man frowned upon her, the Lord 
 still blessed her labours ; and in one of her letters, she 
 says : — 
 
 "I am to be cast out of the Church now only for what 
 T have been doing these forty jeavs — s2-)eahing and living 
 for Jesus Christ ! and if the days of my captivity are 
 now to be accomplished, those that turn me out and so 
 set me at liberty, may soon feel what it is, by sore dis- 
 tress themselves, for those hard services they have caused 
 me. Blessed be the Lord, I have not one care relative to 
 this event, but to be found exactly faithful to God and 
 man through all. You will smile and rejoice with me in 
 all I may suffer for our dear Immanuel's sake. I have 
 asked none to go with me ; and none, that do not come 
 
400 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 willinglj to the help of the Lord, and by faith, in the 
 Son of God, lay all at his feet, would do me any good; 
 and He only knows these. -^ '^ * 
 
 " Dear Mr. Haweis, Wills, &c., are mightily owned and 
 blessed of God in the conversion of sinners. The chapel 
 is crowded from door to door, and multitudes go away 
 disappointed at not being able to get in. Mr. Sellon is 
 in a mighty rage with Mr. Sergeant Glynn for what he 
 terras ' his vile abuse of him.' I am greatly indebted to 
 him, and other law officers of the Crown, for their able 
 advice and assistance in this afiair. I have been severely 
 handled and vilified ; but none of these things move me, 
 determined the short remnant of my declining age shall 
 be employed in setting up the standard, and enlarging 
 the circle of evangelical light and truth. With the 
 Lord's help, I shall go on in devotedness to his work, 
 and wait contentedly for his approbation when called 
 to give up my accounts." 
 
 Success crowned her efforts at Spafields; the place 
 was thronged ; and many were converted under the pow- 
 erful preaching of Mr. Wills. He once took for his text, 
 '' The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised ;" 
 and while he was depicting the solemnities of the last 
 judgment, the heavens suddenly grew black, and a terri- 
 ble storm arose. The successive flashes of lightening 
 darted upon the congregation through the cupola ; the 
 heavy bursts of thunder rolled around the chapel; the 
 rain dashed in torrents against the windows; and the 
 whole fearfully illustrated and impressed the discourse 
 upon the audience. In 1780, the chapel narrowly 
 escaped being pulled down by the rioters, who had 
 escaped from Clerkenwell prison, as the former proprie- 
 tor had incurred their displeasure ; but it was saved from 
 destruction by one of the mob, who informed the rest 
 that it now belonged to the Countess of Huntingdon, and 
 that his mother went there. The liturgical form of ser- 
 
TRIALS OF THE COUNTESS. 401 
 
 vice was regularly used ; and much attention was 
 paid to tlie " psalmody of the Lord's house." Immedi- 
 ately after the opening of the chapel, the Countess 
 established a choir, and requested her talented organist 
 at Bath, to assist Charles Wesley's son, of whom she 
 remarks, "the King says he is equal to Handel," in 
 forming a powerful band of singers. Shrubsole, a noted 
 composer, was the organist of the chapel. 
 
 During the lifetime of the Countess, Spafields became 
 the centre of her sphere of usefulness, and her town re- 
 sidence. She lived in the house adjoining the chapel, 
 which was then so openly situated that, from her draw- 
 ing-room window, she could see the distant hamlets of 
 High gate and Hampstead ; there she transacted the prin- 
 cipal business of her Connexion ; there she died ; and 
 thence she was buried. For nearly half a century, the 
 pulpit was supplied by a succession of ministers, according 
 to the original plan of the Connexion ; but at length 
 local changes, and other circumstances, induced the desire 
 for a settled pastor. In the year 184(3, the Rev. T. E. 
 Thoresby, the present minister, was unanimously invited 
 by the people ; by whose faithful ministry, the congrega- 
 tion — which for many years was perhaps the largest and 
 wealthiest in the metropolis, but had become reduced by 
 local influences — has revived, and now occupies a com- 
 manding position. The lease of the chapel expired in 
 1842, and great anxiety was felt by the congregation as 
 to the probability of renewing it. The Trustees of the 
 Connexion not only refused to assist, but even decided 
 to relinquish this, the finest chapel in the Connexion ; 
 the Executive Committee of the Conference, therefore, 
 took the matter up, and, through the kindness of Alder- 
 man Challis, secured a temporary lease. At length, 
 after many disappointments, a new lease for thirty-one 
 years from Midsummer, 1855, was kindly granted by the 
 Marquis of Northampton, on exceedingly favourable 
 
402 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 terms ; the chapel was thoroughly repaired and beautified ; 
 and large school-rooms were erected. The various 
 institutions connected with the chapel are now in a most 
 flourishing condition. 
 
 During the time Lady Huntingdon was engaged in 
 these transactions respecting Spafields chapel, she was 
 regulating the affairs of her Connexion. She moved 
 among her Societies with great activity, visited her prin- 
 cipal chapels, journeyed into fresh districts with her 
 ministers, and appointed the circuits of her students. At 
 Bath she greatly enjoyed the society of Lady Glenorchy, 
 who had now left Scotland, and was establishing, with 
 Lady Hope, chapels in Devonshire and Somersetshire. 
 Before the decision of the ecclesiastical court frightened 
 clergymen from her chapels, Bath was supplied by Yenn, 
 Toplady, and other popular preachers, whose ministra- 
 tions were very acceptable to the people. In the year 
 1780, a few persons in the congregation, disapproving of 
 the liturgical service, separated, and formed themselves 
 into an Independent church. They maintained them- 
 selves with great difficulty till 1785 ; when the Eev. T. 
 Tuppen became their pastor ; whose ministry was so suc- 
 cessful, that his congregation of twenty-five persons^ who 
 first heard him, increased to nearly eight hundred in a 
 few years. Argyle chapel was erected for him, and 
 opened October 4th, 1790 ; and when the health of Mr. 
 Tuppen declined, the Eev. William Jay became his suc- 
 cessor, and laboured at Bath for more than fifty years. 
 The chapel continued to be supplied by able and devoted 
 ministers, especially by Dr. Haweis ; it was for a long 
 period the resort of the nobility, when visiting the fash- 
 ionable city; and for many years has been favoured with 
 the labours of the Eev. John Owen, who still attracts a 
 large and wealthy audience to listen to the glad tidings 
 of salvation. 
 
 For some time past there had existed a misunderstand- 
 
DI.^.'-CIES WITH TRUSTEES. 403 
 
 ing between Ladj Huntingdon and the trustees of 
 Whitefield's chapels ; which arose from the conduct of 
 certain individuals connected with the Gloustershire 
 Association. Gloucester and Cheltenham had for many 
 years enjoyed the labours of her chaplain and ministers. 
 Messrs. Venn, Madan, Talbot, and others had preached 
 in the churches ; and Lord Dartmouth had thrown open 
 his house at Cheltenham for divine service. The Coun- 
 tess had been there several times, and expressed the 
 hope ''to be enabled to pay attention to this interesting 
 field of labour." Soon after the establishment of her 
 College, the Gloucester Association requested the aid of 
 her students ; and she sent some of them to preach at 
 Cheltenham, and other parts of Gloucestershire. From 
 several incidents which transpired, she suspected a de- 
 sign to seduce her students, and get possession of her 
 chapels. The possibility of such an event filled her 
 with the greatest alarm : and she commissioned Mr. Ber- 
 ridge to wait on the trustees in London, and privately 
 ascertain their intentions. He assured her that her 
 suspicions were groundless, for " the trustees have been 
 your hearty friends and faithful servants." She, how- 
 ever, could not dismiss the impression she had received ; 
 and the unfriendly feeling they manifested towards Spa- 
 field's chapel, and the conduct of the Gloucester Associa- 
 tion, confirmed her suspicions. She had been requested 
 to supply a chapel in Cheltenham with her students ; and, 
 among others, sent Mr. Shenstone, whom, after a short 
 stay, she ordered to France, and sent another student to 
 supply his place. Shenstone, however, refused to re- 
 move ; and the Countess entered into a correspondence 
 with the managers, and at length withdrew her sevices 
 from Cheltenham. 
 
 Mr. Shenstone remained in the town, and established 
 a small Baptist congregation, which with a little Wes- 
 leyan chapel, and the parish church, constituted for some 
 
404 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDOX. 
 
 time the odIj accommodation for public worship in 
 Cheltenham. In the year 1808 the foundation of a 
 chapel was laid by Kowland Hill, on the plan of her 
 Ladyship's Connexion ; which was opened in the fo^V v- 
 ing year, and was supplied by various minister^^, nil 
 the Eev. John Brown was appointed tlie resident paste 
 In 1816, Kobert Capper, Esq., came to reside at Chelten- 
 ham, and built, at his own expense, a handsome and 
 commodious place of worship, called Portland chapel, 
 which after a short time, was vested in the hands of the 
 Connexion trustees. The chapel was supplied by a rota- 
 tion of ministers till the Eev. E. Parry became the 
 pastor ; and after his removal to London, the Rev. L. J. 
 Wake was appointed, and still continues to discharge 
 his ministrations in Cheltenham. 
 
 Unpleasant differences also arose respecting the Welsh 
 Association, in which Rowland Hill was involved. Lady 
 Huntingdon had taken the deepest interest in the career 
 of this celebrated minister, and had befriended him, when 
 exposed to the opposition of his family. He invariably 
 treated her with great respect; but his exuberant wit 
 sometimes led him to say things in preaching, which, on 
 reflection, he wished he had not uttered. He appears to 
 have given her great offence, as she says, ^' by taking 
 possession of two congregations the College had laboured 
 in, and raised to me at my great expense ; and trying 
 every means to reflect and bring disgrace upon us all, by 
 trying to divide my friends from me, and so taking us 
 all up, at times, as his merry-andrews into the pulpit, 
 and leaving a bitter sting, as far as he could, through his 
 evil jokes. All this," she adds, '^ though not fair nor 
 upright, I should have so far despised as, for peace' sake, 
 to have passed over ; but it is the worm that lies at the 
 bottom of the gourd in Wales." Mr. Hill expressed his 
 sorrow at having offended her, and afterwards proposed 
 to atone for his faults by preaching at her chapels in 
 
BOWLAND niLL. 405 
 
 London ; but she could not forget how he had treated 
 her^ and deemed it necessary to forbid him preaching in 
 her pulpits, lest he should cause the same unhappy dis- 
 sensions as had taken place in AVales. She, however, 
 entertained a high opinion of his talents ; and when he 
 erected Surrey chapel, in 1782, she sent him a liberal do- 
 nation, as a mark of her approbation of his earnest zeal 
 and piety. She says, "Though I have seen sufficient cause 
 to exclude him from serving in my chapels, for the present, 
 yet I cordially rejoice in the success that has attended 
 his faithful labours. My heart's desire and prayer to 
 God is, that this undertaking may prosper most abund- 
 antly, and that very many souls may there be gathered 
 to the true Shiloh, such as will be his joy and crown in 
 the day of the Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
406 MEMOIK OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. A.D. 1781—1783. 
 
 EXTRAORDINARY TIMES AND MEASURES. — VAST INCREASE 
 OF LABOUR. — TRIALS OF THE COUNTESS. — READING. — 
 ITINERANT PREACHING OF FOUR CLERGYMEN THROUGH- 
 OUT ENGLAND. — MR. GLASCOTT. — TUNBRIDGE WELLS. — 
 CHARITABLE ABUSES AT ETWALL AND REFTON — VALUE 
 
 OF LADY Huntingdon's college. — prayers for her 
 
 STUDENTS. — DEMAND FOR ORDAINED MINISTERS. — FIRST 
 ORDINATION AT SPAFIELDS. 
 
 When an urgent and important work has to be imme- 
 diately accomplished; the earnest mind will not be very 
 fastidious in selecting the means to accomplish it. The 
 manner in which it is effected will be forgotten in the 
 great end that is realized. The rules of art may be vio- 
 lated, the accustomed routine departed from, and the 
 work roughly accomplished ; yet far more good may 
 have resulted than could have been secured by a strict 
 adherence to an established order. Circumstances often 
 justify the use of extraordinary measures; and honour, 
 instead of censure, is usually given to those fearless and 
 heroic minds, who use singular efforts to rescue men 
 from impending dangers. Lady Huntingdon felt that 
 the sad condition of England justified her in the means 
 she employed to accomplish her blessed work. She saw 
 the spiritual darkness which Avas overclouding the peo- 
 ple ; she was thoroughly acquainted with the character 
 of the agency already in existence, and had witnessed 
 how insufficient it was to reach the masses of the people; 
 
TRIALS OF THE COUNTESS. 407 
 
 and she directed the energies of her powerful mind, and 
 enlisted her ardent feelings, to bring the sound of the 
 gospel within the hearing of the people, and to warn, 
 instruct and allure them by its peaceful strains. Instead 
 of being honoured for her work, her labours were de- 
 nounced as irregular, and her name was blackened with 
 reproach. She, however, could not give up her endeav- 
 our to save souls ; and every year her sphere expanded, 
 and her labours increased. Her name was known 
 throughout the British Isles; her students visited the 
 towns and villages of the country ; thousands looked up 
 to her for guidance and support ; and every day fresh 
 calls came to her Ladyship for her assistance. She says, 
 "I have known this work forty years, and never have I 
 known such various prosperity attending it." 
 
 It would be almost impossible to convey any accurate 
 idea of the vast amount of labour which she had at this 
 time upon her hands, and the care and anxiety which 
 she experienced on behalf of her chapels. The College 
 was full of devoted students, in whom the spirit of Christ 
 glowed with great power ; the congregations in England 
 and Ireland were flourishing in numbers and spirituality ; 
 and the benighted districts were struggling with the 
 light she had brought into them. Lady Huntingdon, 
 however, had to pass through many trials, and experienced 
 much sorrow, as well as great joy. Her health was 
 failing her, that she was seldom free from indisposition ; 
 her mind was almost weighed down by the increasing 
 business of her work ; and her heart was kept in a con- 
 stant state of alarm by the opposition she met with from 
 wicked men. She says, "I am a poor worm, ready to be 
 crushed every moment, yet reviving afresh to fight the 
 Lord's battles." The persecution of the ecclesiastical 
 courts drove some of her finest preachers from her chap- 
 els ; the differences with Whitefield's trustees caused her 
 great uneasiness ; the attempts which were made to se- 
 
40S MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 duce her studentS; and rob her of her chapels, excited her 
 indignation ; and the fickleness of some of her congrega- 
 tions cast a shade over her prospects. 
 
 At Beading, her heart had been greatly cheered by the 
 evangelical conduct of Mr. Cadogan, who had become 
 truly converted to Christ, and was now more zealous 
 for, than he had been against, the truth. The Countess 
 wrote him a long letter, in answer to his request for her 
 advice ; in which she exhorts him to be bold in his Mast- 
 er's service — to keep the cross ever before the minds of 
 his hearers-^to warm his soul by the recollection that 
 there are millions perishing in sin — and to make the 
 Saviour the sum and substance of his preaching. To- 
 wards the close of 1781, her mind was greatly distressed 
 by unpleasant differences which sprang up in her con- 
 gregation at Eeading, when some of the people wished to 
 have a settled minister, and to be organized as a dissent- 
 ing church. Lady Huntingdon had always acted on the 
 plan of supplying her chapels with a rotation of ministers, 
 as best calculated to keep alive the interest of the con- 
 gregation ; and she refused to be fettered in her opera- 
 tions. She, therefore, communicated to her friends at 
 Eeading, that it would be impossible for her to counten- 
 ance them as "■ a dry formal body," and that, if such was 
 their determination, her services would be withdrawn. 
 
 Notwithstanding these discouragements, she had the 
 happiness of seeing that God was blessing her labours, 
 and that the fields were covered with a golden harvest, 
 and awaiting the services of her labourers. She determined 
 to send her most distinguished ministers throughout the 
 country, and gather the fruits into the garner of her 
 Master. She appointed four clergymen to the work, and 
 divided England into four districts, throughout which 
 they were to itinerate, and blow the gospel trumpet. She 
 printed a circular-letter, and addressed it to her various 
 Societies, in which she says : — 
 
ITINEKANT PREACHIN-G. 409 
 
 "From the various calls of many of the counties in 
 England, it appears an important consideration to us, 
 and alike to all, that every means in our power should 
 be engaged for those many thousands lying in darkness 
 and in the shadow of death, that the voice of the gospel, 
 by our faithful ministers, should reach them also. For 
 this best end, it was concluded, at a late meeting, that the 
 only means effectually to reach the multitudes was, that 
 the four principal ministers, Mr. Glascott, Mr. AVills, Mr. 
 Taylor, and Mr. Piercy, should for three months visit 
 universally, in four different departments, and, thus 
 severally taken, preach through the counties, towns, and 
 villages of the kingdom, by a general voice or procla- 
 mation of the glorious gospel of peace to lost sinners." 
 
 The Countess requested contributions from her friends 
 towards the expense, and set a noble example by giving 
 fifty pounds towards it ; and urged them in their various 
 localities to aid these ministers in their work of faith. 
 The churches caught the spirit of their leader, and for- 
 warded to the London Committee at Spafields a large sum 
 of money. The four clergymen set out on their respec- 
 tive journeys, and everywhere met with great kindness 
 and success. They sent her regular reports, which were 
 afterwards published, with an interesting account of the 
 work by the Eev. T. Pentycross. They often encoun- 
 tered the most marvellous incidents. They preached in 
 chapels and halls, in streets and lanes, in open-fields and 
 commons, wherever and whenever the people would hear 
 them. At Darlaston, fifteen hundred colliers and nailers 
 turned out to welcome Mr. Glascott, who took the mid- 
 land circuit. At Dudley, two thousand persons crowded 
 the streets; at Nottingham, raore than five thousand 
 flocked to the market-cross. Mr. Wills took the western 
 circuit, aud preached with great success among the tin- 
 miners, and the agriculturalists. The northern circuit 
 formed a fine sphere of labour ; and at one place, twelve 
 
 35 
 
410 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 thousand persons assembled in a hollow ground, where 
 thej were arranged in the form of an amphitheatre, and 
 presented a deeply impressive spectacle. No one 
 can peruse the public documents without acknow- 
 ledging the great good that was affected. Many were 
 converted to the Lord ; the gospel standard was erected 
 in many towns and villages ; and small congregations 
 were gathered, whicb under the fostering care of the stu- 
 dents grew into important churches. England requires 
 now just such an extensive itinerancy by able and devo- 
 ted ministers. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon met with many difficulties from the 
 want of pious clergymen to assist her in her efforts. 
 The unpleasant affairs connected with her estates in 
 Georgia, caused Mr. Piercy to withdraw his services. Mr. 
 Glascott was presented by Mr. Ireland with the living at 
 Hatherleigh, in Devonsliire ; and a long and interesting 
 correspondence ensued between him and the Countess re- 
 specting his future position, and his ability to serve her. 
 She had cherished the hope that he would have remained 
 with her; she told him that she would continue his 
 salary for his life, and assured him of her undiminished 
 affection. He replied to her letters, and stated his deter- 
 mination not to accept the living, if the Bishop insisted 
 on his constant residence; and the Countess graphically 
 pictured her desolate condition, and her great grief, if his 
 name was to be added to the list of those who had left 
 her. She was, therefore, greatly surprised when the 
 tidings reached her, that Mr. Glascott had not carried out 
 the intentions he had proposed to her; and when the 
 Bishop required him on his oath to reside in his parish, 
 and to give up all other efforts, instead of resigning, he 
 had signed the deed, and quietly settled down in a coun- 
 try parish. She wrote him a long letter^ in which she 
 justly reprimands him for his hesitancy, for deserting her 
 and the Lord's work when she was in difficulties, for 
 
TUNBRIDGE WELLS. 411 
 
 contradicting his assertions, that nothing should prevent 
 his services among her societies, and for treating her 
 friendship and kindness to him in such an uncourteous 
 manner. She, however, expressed her firm conviction 
 that God would raise up many faithful labourers, and 
 would take care that his glory should not be tarnished. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon had, for some years past, been very 
 anxious to have a resident minister at Tunbridge Wells, 
 to superintend the work in the southern district. She, 
 however, experienced many disappointments, which then 
 led her to dismiss the subject from her mind. The great 
 difficulty in obtaining the assistance of evangelical clergy- 
 men, and the bitter efforts of her persecutors, induced 
 her to offer to place the chapel in the hands of the Eev. 
 W. Taylor, and to give him the entire control of the 
 work in Kent. He was still to co-operate with Mr. 
 Wills, in London, to preach at Bath in the winter, and to 
 have the services of her students, or of a seceding or- 
 dained minister. She says, " Should you approve it, the 
 sooner it is done, the better, as an ordination must be 
 soon, or the dissenters will have all our congregations, 
 and our students also." Mr. Taylor accepted the offer ; 
 and this chapel was supplied by various ministers till the 
 year 1809, when the Eev. John Finley was unanimously 
 requested to become the pastor, under whose zealous and 
 devoted labours for forty-one years, the congregation 
 steadily increased, and many illustrious hearers were 
 brought to the Saviour. His successor, the Eev. George 
 Jones, is the present minister of her Ladyship's chapel. 
 
 The Countess, in addition to the enormous labours she 
 was regulating in all parts of England and Wales, was 
 ever on the alert to enter upon fresh fields of usefulness, 
 where she saw a prospect of success. The limits of this 
 volume prevent us following her on her usual journeys 
 to the chapels she had erected; and her letters alone 
 would form a larsre and interesting volume. Nor did she 
 
412 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 confine her efforts to the religious condition of the people. 
 She watched the movements of all parties v/ith -un- 
 wearied attention ; exposed, and attempted to remedy, 
 every thing prejudicial to morality ; and investigated 
 abuses, as far as her influence and opportunity extended. 
 In the year 1782, her attention was directed to the state 
 of the Hospital of Etwall, and the Free School of Kepton, 
 in the county of Derby. These charities had been foun- 
 ded and endowed by Sir John Port for the reception of 
 poor, disabled day-labourers in the Hospital, and the free 
 education of poor boys in the School. In the course of 
 time, the property had very much increased in value ; 
 but the number of the poor, and the allowance they re- 
 ceived, remained the same. Three trustees. Lord Hunt- 
 ingdon, Lord Chesterfield, and the Eev. W Cotton, held 
 the property in trust, and appointed governors to manage 
 the affairs of the Institution. Lady Huntingdon instantly 
 made searching inquiries into the real state of these 
 charities ; and when aware of the existence of gross mis- 
 appropriation of funds, she addressed letters to each of 
 the trustees informing them of the abuses, and recom- 
 mending them to appoint a suitable person thoroughly to 
 investigate the charities. Her letters on this subject 
 evince extraordinary talents; and show most distinctly, 
 that her powers of mind, in her seventy -fourth year, were 
 by no means impaired. The list of queries, which she 
 proposed should be considered, manifests much legal 
 knowledge, a great discrimination, and humanity, and, at 
 the same time, a resolute determination to detect and 
 remedy existing abuses. She proposed that the will of 
 the benefactor should be examined, the condition of the 
 estate thoroughly gone into, and the various items of re- 
 ceipts and expenditure scrutinized. She modestly hinted 
 at the best means of increasing the revenues of the 
 charity, and of placing the establishment in conformity 
 with the will of the benevolent founder. Her son and 
 
ORDINATION AT SI'A FIELDS. 41:] 
 
 Lord Chesterfield warmly applauded her zeal, and ap- 
 proved her suggestions; and though the other trustee did 
 not answer her communications^ she had the satisfaction 
 of seeing the charity renovated and flourishing. 
 
 The position in which the ecclesiastical law-suits had 
 placed Lady Huntingdon, enabled her to appreciate the 
 value of her College, She could not sufficiently bless 
 God, for permitting her to establish that valuable insti- 
 tution, and for shielding her from persecution till it had 
 trained up a band of holy ministers. She watched over 
 her students with maternal care, and maintained a corres- 
 pondence with them, when they were labouring in distant 
 places. She cheered the desponding, encouraged the 
 timid, fired the zeal of the fainting, and moderated the 
 impetuosity of the ardent. She was the centre of all their 
 movements, the spring of all their activities, the source 
 of the mighty influences which streamed in all directions ; 
 yet she was profoundly humble, and looked up to Hea- 
 ven alone for strength and success. She says, " I have 
 never sent a student forth to preach the unsearchable 
 riches of Christ, without special prayer and supplication 
 to God, that he would be graciously pleased to bless the 
 feeble instruments, and enable them to deliver, with 
 fidelity and zeal, his proclamation of mercy to the guilty 
 and rebellious children of men — to enrich their under- 
 standings — to cultivate their talents — to endue them with 
 hearts of deeper sensibility for the ignorance and misery 
 of their fellow men — and crown their labours with a 
 harvest of immortal souls, redeemed by the blood of the 
 Lamb." 
 
 It cannot be wondered at, that, animated with the ex- 
 ample of their noble patroness, and blessed with the 
 heavenly influences which her fervent prayers drew upon 
 them, the students were very successful in their labours. 
 The little preaching-stations expanded into flourishing 
 congregations ; the " two or three" formed the nucleus of 
 
 35* 
 
414 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 importaDt societies ; and the regular administration of 
 the ordinances, as well as the preaching of the gospel, was 
 demanded. The Lord's Supper and Baptism had hither- 
 to been administered by episcopalty-ordained clergymen, 
 as frequently as they could visit the different localities ; 
 but now the demand for their services was so great, and 
 their number so small, that many places were threatened 
 with the loss of their spiritual ordinances. The attention 
 of the Countess was, therefore, directed towards supply- 
 ing this want. Before the persecution arose, she had 
 been enabled to secure episcopal ordination for some of 
 her students ; but now it could not be procured, or if so, 
 they were not permitted to labour in her Connexion. 
 After much consultation with Messrs. Taylor and Wills, 
 and prayer, she resolved to have six of her students 
 ordained on the plan which was deemed most appropri- 
 ate, and which has been continued in her Connexion. 
 
 On Sunday, March 9th, 1783, a large congregation 
 was assembled at Spafields chapel to witness the first 
 ordination. At nine o'clock in the morning, the Eevs. 
 "W. Taylor and T. Wills entered the chapel with six 
 young men from the College. The clergymen took their 
 seats at each end of the communion-table, the candidates 
 sat in front, and the committee of the chapel at each side. 
 After singing a hymn, Mr. Taylor fervently prayed for 
 the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on their solemn en- 
 gagement, and affectionately commended the candidates 
 and all Christian ministers to the protection of Heaven 
 He then addressed the congregation, and narrated to 
 them the peculiar difficulty in which her Ladyship's 
 ministers were placed. The ecclesiastical laws prevented 
 them, as ministers of the Establishment, preaching the 
 gospel, except under such restraints as would necessitate 
 their relinquishing the great work in which they were 
 engaged. As honest men they could not violate estab- 
 lished laws, nor give up the work to which God had 
 
OEDINATION SEKVICE. 415 
 
 evidently called them. They were, therefore, necessi- 
 tated to shelter themselves under the Toleration Act ; 
 and thus preach the gospel, and expound the doctrines 
 of that church, whose discipline prevented them, while 
 within its pale, carrying on their labours. They felt 
 that Christ had given them a commission to preach the 
 gospel to every creature; and thej^ separated from the 
 Establishment, solely that they might conscientiously 
 carry out their mission, and promote the spread of the 
 gospel in benighted England, and the welfare of immor- 
 tal souls. Mr. Taylor then addressed the candidates on 
 the difficulties and responsibilities of the ministerial 
 office; prayed for them; and read the scriptures in 
 Ezek. xxxiii. 1 — 16. 
 
 After singing the hymn, "Captain of thine enlisted 
 host," Mr. Wills rose, and informed the congregation 
 that one of the candidates would read the Articles of 
 Faith, which had been signed by himself, Mr. Taylor, 
 and the candidates, and was to be signed by all the min- 
 isters of Lady Huntingdon's Connexion. This Confes- 
 sion of Faith consists of fifteen articles, which embody 
 the evangelical doctrines contained in the Thirty-nine 
 Articles of the Church of England. After this, each rose 
 in succession, and narrated the circumstances which led 
 to his conversion, and his call to the ministry. Mr. 
 Wills then gave a clear and forcible address ; in which 
 he pointed out to the people that the Scriptures gave 
 them the right of ordaining to the work of the ministry, 
 and showed, by entering fully into the circumstances of 
 their past history and present position, the necessity of 
 now exercising that right. He then offered the ordina- 
 tion prayer ; after which, the two clergymen laid their 
 hands on the heads of two of the candidates^ who ad- 
 vanced to the rails, and putting the Bible into their 
 hands, repeated the words, ''Take thou authority to 
 preach the word of God, and to administer the appointed 
 
416 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 ordinances, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
 and of the Holy Ghost." Two others then advanced 
 when the same ceremony was repeated till all were de- 
 signated to their office. After singing, Mr. Wills, from 
 the pulpit, gave a solemn charge to the ministers, and 
 then administered the sacrament. Though the whole 
 service lasted more than five hours, it was witnessed by 
 the congregation with the greatest attention and solem- 
 nity. The event was important in the career of Lady 
 Huntingdon; it gave solidity to her separation, and 
 compactness to her movements ; and enabled her to sup- 
 ply the wants of her congregations, and to raise up a 
 band of ordained ministers to feed the flock of Christ, 
 and to administer the ordinances of religion, and to 
 consolidate the extensive revival of religion, which had 
 been effected by the zealous efforts of herself and her 
 coadjutors. 
 
EXERTIONS IN CUMBERLAND. 417 
 
 CHAPTER XXY. A.D. 1783—1790. 
 
 EXERTIONS OF LADY HUNTINGDON IN CUMBERLAND. 
 
 CHAPELS AT BOOTLE^ WHITEHAVEN, AND KENDAL. — 
 ANXIETY OF THE COUNTESS. — CHAPELS AT WEYMOUTH, 
 HEREFORD, AND BIRMINGHAM. — ANECDOTE. — LORD 
 DOUGLAS. — INTENDED VISIT OF THE COUNTESS TO 
 GERMANY. — LETTER TO HER NORWICH FRIENDS. — 
 POPISH PLOTS. — ANECDOTE. — SEPARATION OF MR. WILLS 
 FROM THE CONNEXION. — SION CHAPEL. — ANECDOTE. 
 
 The revival of religion had now spread over nearly the 
 whole of England. Every county had been traversed by 
 her preachers, and had resounded with the glad tidings 
 of salvation ; and in most, congregations had been gather- 
 ed, chapels erected, and societies formed. The principal 
 towns formed the centres of large districts, where the 
 gospel was preached, and the people gathered together 
 From the lakes of Cumberland to the tin-mines of Corn 
 wall ; from the mountains of Wales to the fens of Lin 
 colnshire, or the wilds of Sussex, the name of Lady Hun 
 tingdon was known and honoured. The county of Cum^ 
 bcrland had received considerable attention, Messrs, 
 Komaine and De Courcy had preached in several of the 
 parish churches — especially in that of Bootle — and were 
 the means of reviving the cause of religion in those parts. 
 On one occasion, Romaine was invited to preach at 
 Bootle ; and on ascending the pulpit stairs, he found that 
 the door had been fastened, he suspected, by a black- 
 smith who was a noted enemy to evangelical religion. 
 
418 MEMOIR OP LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 He desired the clerk to sing a long psalm while he 
 obtained a hammer, with which he speedily opened the 
 pulpit door, and preached to the people the word of life. 
 i When the gospel was expelled from the church, a barn 
 
 ^ was obtained, and licensed for public worship, in which 
 
 one of the students officiated. The place soon became 
 too small, and a commodious chapel was erected by the 
 munificence of J. Whitridge, Esq., which was opened 
 July 30th, 1780. The students undertook the charge of 
 this congregation, and of one which had been gathered 
 in the sea-port town of AVhitehaven. At Kendal, a town 
 delightfully situated in Westmoreland-, Lady Huntingdon 
 erected a chapel, which was included in the Cumberland 
 district. 
 
 She had man}^ things to distress her in the course of 
 her labours, sometimes from the conduct of her students 
 and congregations. Mr. Derbyshire, a student, who had 
 been supplying large congregations in Staffordshire, 
 removed from his appointed station without consulting 
 her, and repaired to Whitehaven where Mr. Jones was 
 labouring. She could not permit her plans to be dis- 
 arranged ; she severely reprimanded him for his conduct, 
 and wrote to Mr. Jones, stating that she had requested 
 Mr. Gray from Kendal, and Williams from Bootle, "to 
 go over and assure the people of my resolution, that he, 
 Derbyshire, must leave the Connexion, if he does not 
 leave Whitehaven directly." Her Ladyship was also 
 much distressed at the attempts which were still being 
 made to induce her students to desert her. She often 
 expressed her abhorrence at such meanness ; and in a 
 letter to one of Wesley's preachers, who wished to join 
 her Connexion, she says, " I am exceedingly cautious 
 who I receive out of other Connexions, thinking it by 
 no means honourable to engage another's friend from his 
 help; and though this is shamefully practised in other 
 bodies of people, yet I look upon it as base, and in every 
 
WHITEHAVEN AND KENDAL CHAPELS. 419 
 
 sense unwarrantable, and as wanting common moral 
 honesty in any who so practise it." In another letter, 
 she calls it ''a practice I must despise from its meanness 
 and baseness." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon had erected a chapel at Weymouth, 
 a town in Dorsetshire which had been brought into repute 
 as a fashionable watering-place by her intimate friend, 
 Ealph Allen, Esq., of Prior Park, Batb, and was now 
 much resorted to by the nobility. After a season of 
 great prosperity, there arose an unpleasant division among 
 the people, which occasioned the resignation of some of 
 the managers. Two of the students also were charged 
 with serious offences by Mr. "Wickers ; and the Countess 
 requested her attorney to institute the strictest investiga- 
 tion into the whole affair. There arose also at this 
 period some difficulties connected with the chapel she 
 was erecting at Hereford, which occasioned her consider- 
 able embarrassment and anxiety. Mrs. Paul, who had 
 been her correspondent in Dublin, removed to Hereford, 
 and drew her attention to the spiritual destitution of the 
 locality. Lady Huntingdon resolved to erect a place of 
 worship in this city, and treated with Mr. Stone for a 
 building to be converted into a chapel, towards which a 
 hidy contributed a handsome sum. Disputes, however, 
 soon arose respecting the control of the property, while 
 the whole responsibility rested upon her ; and a volum- 
 inous correspondence ensued, which the curious can con- 
 sult elsewhere. Thus the path she was treading was full 
 of difficulties, yet her faith enabled her to conquer them, 
 and to advance in her career. 
 
 Birmingham, and the surrounding neighbourhood, had 
 frequently been favoured with the services of her min- 
 isters. Shortly after the Eev. J. Eyland, curate to Mr. 
 Yenn, had been appointed to St. Mary's chapel, in 1774, 
 the Countess sent some of her students into the district, 
 who preached in the streets of Birmingham, and particu- 
 
420 MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTINGDON. 
 
 larly on a vacant spot of ground in Steelhouse Lane, 
 where Whitefield had often preached. A few years 
 after, Lady Huntingdon was offered, at a trifling ground- 
 rent, the lease of the large theatre in King-Street ; and in 
 a letter, dated College, June 5th, 1785, she says, ''Bir- 
 mingham's great play-house is now mine, and will hold 
 five thousand people! Hereford chapel is ready for 
 roofing. Glory ! Glory be to Our God, who only could 
 do these wondrous things. I can add no more, being so 
 weak." The Countess must, however, have been misin- 
 formed as to the capacity of the building, for it contained 
 but one gallery, and could not have held more than one 
 thousand people. It was a noble sight to witness the 
 place densely packed with persons eager to hear the 
 gospel. The first minister was the Eev. John Bradford, 
 of Wadham College, Oxford, who was very popular with 
 the people. A pulpit was erected on the front of the 
 stage ; and the people crowded into the boxes, pit, and 
 gallery, and even around the preacher on the stage. 
 They listened with great attention ; but whenever Mr. 
 Bradford said anything striking, they immediately clap- 
 ped their hands, as if applauding some dramatic scene. 
 The preacher was obliged to stop till the bursts of ap- 
 plause had subsided ; and this was continued for some 
 weeks, till, at length, the audience became more solemn, 
 and ceased to manifest their approbation in this rousing 
 manner. 
 
 This theatre was afterwards converted into a chapel ; 
 and when Mr. Bradford, a few years after, maintained 
 erroneous doctrines, he was expelled from this place of 
 worship ; the congregation was scattered, and rent into 
 factions ; and when the Kev. T. Bennett was appointed, 
 in 1805, his first audience consisted of only three or four 
 persons. His labours, however, were so successful, that 
 the place was enlarged, and three additional galleries 
 built ; and after thirteen years' ministry, the Eev. John 
 
CURIOUS ANECDOTE. 421 
 
 •Tones became his assistant, and, six weeks after, the sole 
 minister, bj the death of the venerable pastor. At the 
 expiration of the lease, the property relapsed to the gov- 
 ernors of the Free Grammar School, who demanded a 
 rental of £120 per annum. The congregation deemed 
 this sum exorbitant for an old unsightly building; and 
 commenced a new gothic chapel, which was opened by 
 Dr. Harris, and the Rev. J. Sherman, May 16th, 1841. 
 When, however, the London and North -Western railway 
 passed through Birmingham, this edifice was pulled down 
 for the line ; the amount of compensation was decided 
 b}^ a jury ; and as the chapel was not vested in trust, the 
 Directors paid the money into the Court of Chancery ; at 
 the close of the investigation of accounts, the remaining 
 money was invested in trust, in conformity with the Con- 
 ference deed ; and a chapel has been purchased in Gooch 
 Street for the use of the congregation. 
 
 The following curious anecdote was related by Lady 
 Ann Erskine to one of the ministers in the Connexion : 
 —Lady Huntingdon had been accustomed to keep in her 
 house the sum of three hundred pounds, in order to de- 
 fray the expenses of her funeral; and at this time it was 
 her wish to be buried in white satin. This money was 
 considered so sacred, that upon no account was it to be 
 touched. It happened that she was much pressed for 
 want of money to advance on behalf of the chapel at 
 Birmingham. She said to Lady Ann, " I want three 
 hundred pounds ! I have no money in the house but that 
 put by for my funeral. For the first time in my life, I 
 feel inclined to let that go." Lady Ann replied, ''I shall 
 be glad when that money is out of the house. You can 
 trust God with your soul; why not with your fimeral? " 
 The Countess took the money ; and the very day she did 
 so, a gentleman, who could not have known anything of 
 these circumstances, sent her a cheque for three hundred 
 pounds, to aid her in her benevolent labours. Tlius God 
 
 36 
 
422 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 encouraged her to depend upon him, and honoured her 
 faith and liberality. 
 
 A circumstance occurred to Lady Huntingdon, about 
 this time, which wonderfully displayed the malice of her 
 enemies, and the kind interposition of Providence. Lord 
 Douglas, a descendant from an ancient Scottish family, 
 had resided some years at Brussels, where he lived as a 
 professed Papist. This nobleman was inflamed with 
 great zeal for the prosperity of his church ; and planned 
 a most diabolical scheme to inflict a severe blow on evan- 
 gelical religion in England. He was well aware of the 
 influence and exertions of Lady Huntingdon ; and he 
 thought that if he could but get her into his power, and 
 destroy her life, her plans would become disorganized, 
 and the Papal church would be able to carry out its de- 
 signs on the people of England, without incurring the 
 opposition of the acknowledged leader of all zealous Pro- 
 testants. In order to mask his intention, he came over 
 to England, and pretended that his mind had been en- 
 lightened to see the errors of his church, and made a re- 
 cantation of the Eomish faith. He regularly attended 
 the Lock chapel, and other places where the gospel was 
 preached ; obtained an interview with the Countess, and 
 ingratiated himself into her favour ; and departed for 
 Brussels with the reputation of being a firm Protestant, 
 and an ardent promoter of evangelical religion. 
 
 In the year 1785, Lord Douglas sent a letter to Lady 
 Huntingdon, informing her that an opportunity then 
 offered of introducing the gospel in that superstitious 
 country, that he had a cave which should be at her ser- 
 vice, that whoever was sent over should be under his 
 patronage and protection, and that he should be happy 
 to receive a visit from her Ladyship and Mr. Wills, as 
 he had much at heart the introduction of Protestantism 
 and of gospel truth into these regions of Popish dark- 
 ness. She looked carefully at the whole affair; and 
 
LORD DOUGLAS. 4'i:> 
 
 regarding it as a favourable opening in a foreign land, 
 slie thanked him for his invitation, and assured him that 
 she with Mr. Wills, would pay him a visit in the sum- 
 mer. Her Ladyship was at this time at her College in 
 Wales, and busily prepared for her visit to Germany. 
 She fixed the day on which she would meet Mr. Wills 
 at Spafields, and embark for the Continent, and had a 
 new carriage prepared expressly for the expedition. Her 
 soul was filled with the most joyful anticipation ; and she 
 wrote to her ministers and managers, to aid her in her 
 fresh enterprise by their prayers and contributions. The 
 following letter to her friends at Norwich, dated College, 
 April 10th, 1787, refers to this contemplated visit to the 
 Continent. 
 
 " My very worthy and beloved Friends, — Sickness and 
 business daily almost overpower my old age ; this will 
 account for any neglect of mine, as my heart ever re- 
 mains the same to you. I am most truly obliged by 
 your kind letter just received; and though setting out 
 on my journey to Germany, I could not let your kind, 
 warm-hearted and most Christian letter be unanswered. 
 I have a large chapel taken for me at Brussels ; and this 
 for the occasional use of all the ministers in my Con- 
 nexion in England. Time must shew the wise and 
 gracious dispensations of my few evil days yet remain- 
 ing. As for the envy, malice, and jealousy of other 
 parties, I beg the Lord to pity them ; but blessed be his 
 name, to the most unworthy he yet shows his loving 
 kindness and tender mercies. Above six hundred Pro- 
 testant families are now in Brussels, and much expecta- 
 tion is raised for my establishment there. Give me your 
 prayers for faith, patience, and humility, that neither men 
 nor devils may move me from the hope of the gospel, 
 which I have been called to glor}^ in, as my only earthly 
 honour. My heart, prayers, cries, and tears will be with 
 you and for you, that the Lord may make and keep all 
 
424 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 to the end. It would fail me to tell you the abundaQt 
 and overflowing: instances of his love, which he is daily 
 affording, by the spread of the blessed gospel of peace 
 far and wide. Fourteen 3^oung ministers ordained at the 
 College promise well, and many great and bitter trials 
 the Lord is bringing me through, to praise him. Five 
 chapels, new and large, and very great congregations now 
 just establishing. This, with calls from all quarters 
 oblio-es us to be dilis-cnt in business, as well as fervent 
 in spirit. And now, my worthy, old, and kind friends, 
 try to raise up some simple-hearted young men that know 
 something of the Lord, for the very poor in the villages, 
 that by reading and prayer they may help them. I leave 
 the half I have for the support of the College and other 
 things, as my heart is with you all. And as for a season, 
 the withdrawing my maintenance abroad must be a great 
 loss, so I do earnestly beg and entreat that the travelling- 
 fund, by either subscription or collection, be all the com- 
 mittee's care, everywhere ; and if I drop, all from me 
 must cease ; so this collection, once or twice a year, is all 
 I ask, as this is the only means of carrying the gospel to 
 the poor and ignorant in dark places, where their poverty 
 cannot call for it. You may have a direction to me from 
 Spafields to Germany. Should I arrive there alive, it is 
 but three days longer than your letter to College, and 
 now farewell ! farewell, my dear old faithful friends : and 
 if we never more meet to see each other below, we shall 
 sing ' Worthy the Lamb,' with heart and voice, to all 
 eternity. O blessed exchange from sin, sorrow, and 
 misery, to glorify Jesus to eternity, in the smiles of his 
 countenance ! May this be our blessed lot I and, as ever, 
 so remains your faithful friend, 
 
 On her way to London, the Countess stopped at the 
 different towns where she had procured chapels, in order 
 to regulate their affairs ; and was thus unavoidably de 
 
POPISH PLOTS. 425 
 
 tained in the country beyond the day appointed for her 
 embarkation. The hand of God was remarkably mani- 
 fested in this ; for, a few days after her arrival in London, 
 letters were received from the Continent, informing her 
 and Mr. Wills that there was a concerted plot to get 
 them over, seize them as heretics, and put an end to their 
 lives ! Had they sailed for Brussels before the arrival of 
 these letters, they would have inevitably fallen into the 
 hands of their persecutors, and become the victims of 
 Satan's rage. The justice of God was also conspicuously 
 displayed ; for, on the very day that Lady Huntingdon 
 loft Wales for London, Lord Douglas suddenly dropped 
 down, and expired! Thus Christ's people were shielded 
 from danger, while the wickedness of the wicked fell 
 upon his own head. The Countess was rescued from the 
 evil machinations of her foes; and she lifted up her 
 heart to God in gratitude for his preserving kindness. 
 She did not, however, lose sight of the good she might 
 have been able to effect among the German States; and 
 obtained accurate and extensive information respecting 
 their condition. Dr. E. Johnstone, of Birmingham, once 
 visited her, after this event, at her house in Spafields, 
 when she consulted him respecting the state of religion 
 in Germany. She astonished him by her intimate know- 
 ledge of the princes of that land, and informed him how 
 much she wished to send missionaries into the benis^hted 
 districts of Germany. 
 
 Although the Popish plots of Lady Huntingdon's ene- 
 mies were defeated, the seeds of discord were sown 
 between her Ladyship and Mr. Wills, which led to the 
 separation of her chaplain, and some of her ministers, 
 from the Connexion, in the year 1788. Party -feeling 
 and jealousy had been fostered by some of the Spafi eld's 
 friends ; and the Countess, being rather of a hasty and 
 imperious disposition, was swayed by the misrepresenta- 
 tions of the foes of Mr. Wills, and was so much incensed 
 
 36* 
 
426 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 at some indiscrete reflections upon her, contained in let- 
 ters whicli he never intended to reach her eyes, that she 
 allowed her feelings to triumph over her judgment, and 
 dismissed him from the honorable and useful position he 
 had so ably occupied. These blots on her Christian 
 character are deeply to be deplored, though they are to 
 be found in the best and greatest of earth's inhabitants^ 
 and remind us that it is vain to expect here the perfec- 
 tion of that world, where every stain will be removed. 
 
 Towards the close of 1789, the attention of Lady 
 Iluntinc^don was directed to a lar^e circular buildino- in 
 the east of London, near to \Yhitechapel church. It had 
 been erected about four years before, by the proprietor, 
 Mr. Jones, for the purpose of public amusements, and 
 especially for the feats of horsemanship. Mr. Jones, how- 
 ever, found it did not answer his expectations ; and, in 
 1790, he offered to let the building to her Ladyship for 
 78 years, the remainder of his lease, at a rental of £130 
 per annum. The Countess signed the agreement, and 
 made the necessary alterations to adapt it for the celebra- 
 tion of divine worship. The dressing-rooms for the 
 actors were converted into a vestry ; the stage was fitted 
 up with pews, lined with scarlet, and was called the 
 ''throne," in the front of which were the desks and 
 pulpit. The pit, or circle, where horsemanship had been 
 exhibited, contained six hundred free sittings, and the 
 spacious galleries were prepared with pews. This chapel 
 was dedicated to the service of God, November 28th, 
 1790, by the Eev. Dr. Ford in the morning, and the Eev. 
 David Jones, rector of Llangan, in the afternoon and 
 evening. A committee of managers was appointed, and 
 a rotation of ministers supplied the pulpit until recently, 
 with the exception of short intervals when settled pastors 
 were stationed there. The congregation is now reviving 
 under the energetic ministry of the Eev. J. Thomas. 
 
 AVhile the Countess was thus adding to lier responsi- 
 
ANECDOTE. 427 
 
 bilities, and relying on the goodness of God to carry her 
 through her labours, some timid people became alarmed 
 at her increasing liabilities. A gentleman, James Oldham 
 Esq., who assisted her in the management of Spalields 
 chapel, called one day at her house to remonstrate with 
 her, on the impropriety of entering into engagements for 
 another chapel in the metropolis, without having the 
 means of honourably fulfilling them. Before he left the 
 house, her letters arrived; and as she opened one of 
 them, her countenance suddenly brightened, and her 
 tears began to flow. It was to the following effect : — 
 "An individual, who has heard of Lady Huntingdon's 
 exertion to spread the gospel, requests her acceptance of 
 the inclosed draft to assist her in the laudable under- 
 taking." The draft was for five hundred pounds ; the 
 exact sum for which she stood engaged. ''Here," she 
 said, ''take this, and pay for the chapel, and be no 
 longer faithless but believing." Thus was the Countess 
 encouraged to go forward in her work, nothing doubt- 
 ing ; and although she was sometimes anxious about 
 fulfilling her engagements, she was fully assured that 
 the Lord would provide for all her wants while she was 
 faithfully engaged in his service. 
 
4:28 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON 
 
 CHAPTER XXYI. A.D. 1790—1791. 
 
 THE LAST OF THE KEVIVALISTS. — INCREASING WEAKNESS 
 OF THE COUNTESS. — DEATH OF LORD HUNTINGDON. — 
 PREPARATIONS FOR DEATH. — REMOVAL OF THE COL- 
 LEGE TO CHESHUNT. — STATE OF THE CONNEXION. — - 
 THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION. — HER LADYSHIP'S WILL. 
 — MISSIONARIES TO OTAHEITE. — HER LAST ILLNESS. — 
 HAPPY STATE. — DE ATH. — CHARACTER. — INFLUENCE. — 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 There is sometliing inexpressibly delightful in con- 
 templating the close of the Christian's career, especially 
 when it has been extended beyond the period usually 
 allotted to mortal life. What finer spectacle can there 
 be than that of the aged Christian, whose hairs have 
 whitened, and whose frame has withered in active ser- 
 vice, calml}^ waiting for the voice to summon him home, 
 and yet zealously working in the vineyard, when most 
 of the early labourers have been removed ! Such was 
 the position of Lady Huntingdon ; and as her days de- 
 clined, how frequently did she turn her eyes to that 
 better-land, where so many of her loved ones were 
 awaiting her! The dear children, whom God had 
 snatched away from her, that she might live and labour 
 for him alone, were there ; those honoured women — her 
 sisters in the flesh and in the gospel — who had assisted 
 her early faith and labours, were there ; and the noble 
 circle, that once crowded to her drawing-rooms, and had 
 received through her the blessings of salvation, awnite i 
 
DEATH OF LORD HUNTINGDON. 429 
 
 her arrival to complete it. There were the celebrated 
 ministers — Whitefield, Ingham, Hervey, Shirley, Fletch- 
 er, and many others, — who had laboured with her ; and 
 the crowds of ransomed sinners who had been brought 
 to the knowledge of Christ through her efforts. Her 
 time, however, had not yet arrived. She was to be the 
 last of the revivalists in the eighteenth century, and was 
 to witness the departure of John Wesley, who died in 
 London, after a short illness, March 2nd, 1791 ; and of 
 his brother Charles, Avho expired in the metropolis, only 
 twenty-seven days after him, before she was called to her 
 eternal rest in the following June. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon stood alone, like an aged tree around 
 which storms had played and devastated. Throughout 
 her long career, she had often been brought to the verge 
 of the grave, and her life had been despaired of by her 
 friends. Her vigorous constitution sustained her ; and 
 enabled her to prosecute her immense labours, notwith- 
 standing her weakness, with unwearied diligence and 
 success. For the last few years, however, it became 
 evident to her friends, that her infirmities were rapidly 
 increasing. Frequently she was so weak as to be scarcely 
 able to Avrite ; a painful inflammation in her eyes almost 
 deprived her of sight; and much bodily pain mingled 
 with her daily life. Her sensitive spirit was keenly 
 affected by the sorrows of others ; and when the tidings 
 of the decease of any of her valued friends reached her, 
 she gave free expression to her grief- and sadness. Her 
 son, the tenth Earl, died October 2nd, 1789 ; and though 
 a deserved eulogy was paid to his memory for his talents, 
 amiability and erudition, his venerable mother mourned 
 over his infidelity, and felt a severe pang at his death, 
 which was but slightly mitigated by the fact, that on 
 his dying bed, he had requested to see the expelled Ox- 
 ford student, Mr Matthews, who had impressed him with 
 his conversation at Tunbridge Wells. Her friends were 
 
430 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTIXGDOX. 
 
 anxiously concerned for the prosperity of the work in 
 which she had been so long engaged. As her increasing 
 frailties indicated that her stay here could not be long 
 protracted, several attempts were made to place the whole 
 in a satisfactory condition before her departure. The 
 College at Trevecca first received their serious attention. 
 The Institution had been solely supported by Lady 
 Huntingdon, with the aid of a few benefactions from her 
 friends. Her income, however, ceased at her death; and 
 as it only amounted to twelve hundred a year, which, 
 after her son's death, was increased to two thousand two 
 hundred pounds, it prevented her making any permanent 
 provision for the support of the College. About four 
 years before her death, a few friends formed the design 
 of continuing it by voluntary subscriptions, after she was 
 removed. She warmly approved of the plan ; the rules 
 were drawn up, and signed by her ; and seven trustees 
 were appointed to manage its affairs, with power to fill 
 up vacancies in the trust. The rapid spread of the Con- 
 nexion rendered it advisable to remove the College to a 
 more central situation, when the lease at Trevecca ex- 
 pired ; and before her death, the trustees collected several 
 hundred pounds for the purpose. Shortly after her de- 
 cease, the lovely spot at Cheshunt, about fourteen miles 
 from London was purchased ; whither the library and 
 furniture were removed in the spring of 1792 ; and on 
 the following anniversary, August 24th, the new College 
 was opened with a series of religious services. It has 
 received the patronage and support of liberal evangelical 
 Christians of various denominations ; several munificent 
 legacies have been bequeathed to it ; and large subscrip- 
 tions are yearly contributed to maintain and extend its 
 operations. A neat chapel has been erected on the 
 premises, where the president and senior students preach ; 
 and a spacious hall, lecture-rooms, and studies have been 
 built. The College is affiliated with the London Uni- 
 
THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION. 431 
 
 versity; and the curriculum embraces the subjects which 
 are required by the senate to qualify for degrees, and an. 
 extended and elaborate course of divinity. The students 
 sign the Articles of her Ladyship's Connexion on their 
 entrance, read the Liturgical service in the chapel, and 
 remain in the College four years. At first, as at Trevecca, 
 they were employed as evangelists in preaching the gos- 
 pel, before they were ordained ; but latterly, owing to 
 the changes which have occurred in the Connexion, the 
 students are free to select their sphere of labour, either 
 in the Connexion which has the first moral claim on 
 their services, or among other Christian churches. This 
 College embodies the catholic spirit of Lady Huntingdon, 
 has furnished some of the most laborious and useful mini- 
 sters and missionaries of the Church of Christ, and 
 deserves the increased support of all evangelical Chris- 
 tians. The Eev. Dr. AUiott is now the President, and 
 W. B. Todhunter, Esq., M. A., the Classical Tutor. 
 
 Having settled the affairs of the College, her attention 
 was drawn to the state of her Connexion. The labours 
 of her ministers had gathered flourishing congregations 
 to her chapels in different parts of the country. These 
 formed her Ladyship's ^' Connexion ;^'' though the term 
 might more strictly be applied to the members of the 
 "Society,''^ which was formed under her auspices. It was 
 the practice among all the Methodists to form their con- 
 verts into societies for mutual edification, which were 
 regulated by elders, under the supervision of the min- 
 isters. Lady Huntingdon, during her lifetime, retained 
 in her own hands the power of appointing and removing 
 ministers, and of establishing, managers to superintend 
 the secular affairs of her chapels. As her end drew near, 
 the pressure of business, arising from the vast work 
 already in operation, and from the urgent calls daily sent 
 to her, and the conviction that soon her labours here 
 must cease, induced her to invite several ministers and 
 
432 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTIKGDON. 
 
 laymen to form themselves into an " Association," for 
 the purpose of aiding her during her lifetime, and per- 
 petuating the Connexion after her death. A plan was 
 drawn out, and sent to every congregation, accompanied 
 by a letter from the Countess. It advocated the formation 
 of a General Association — the division of the Connexion 
 into twenty-three districts — the appointment of a com- 
 mittee, composed of the ministers and two laymen, in 
 each district, which was to meet once a quarter, and 
 transmit a report of its proceedings to the London Acting 
 Association — the assembling of the General Association 
 once a year, at which a minister and two laymen were to 
 be deputed to attend from each district, when all the 
 affairs of the Connexion were to be regulated^— and the 
 formation of funds necessary to carry on the itinerant 
 labours, &c. This plan was not carried out by the 
 Countess. Several of her friends and congregations op- 
 posed it on various grounds ; Lady Ann Erskine tried 
 every means to induce her to relinquish it; the Associa- 
 tion in London became divided and turbulent ; and she 
 at length abandoned the scheme. Her convictions of its 
 importance, however, remained unchanged ; and had her 
 health and years permitted, she doubtless would have 
 persevered in it with her accustomed resolution. She 
 saw the great advantage resulting from the Welsh Asso- 
 ciation ; and, by her experience of the difficnlties she had 
 encountered, she knew that, unless some such plan were 
 adopted, the Connexion would become the prey of de- 
 signing men, or, like some stately vessel, be wrecked by 
 unskilful hands. It is much, to be regretted that her wise 
 and noble spirit passed away, without placing the whole 
 on a firm basis. Had the Connexion been regularly 
 organized and legally established during her lifetime, and 
 had the trustees and ministers been compelbd to adhere 
 to a constituted order, the Countess of Huntingdon's 
 Connexi n would at this time have occupied one of the 
 
HER WILL. 433 
 
 most conspicuous positions among fhe religious denomi- 
 nations in England. The auspicious movement, however, 
 passed ; and the golden opportunity has never yet re- 
 turned. 
 
 While the London Association was preparing this plan, 
 she was anxiously considering the best mode of disposing 
 of her chapels and residences. The English law renders 
 all bequests of buildings or land for religious or charita- 
 ble purposes null and void ; and all settlements of such 
 property by trust, for these purposes, invalid, unless the 
 doner shall survive the disposal twelve months. Her 
 Ladyship was aware of the legal impediments, and her 
 state of health rendered it improbable that she would 
 survive the year, if trust-deeds were executed ; she, 
 therefore, bequeathed the chapels and houses to certain 
 persons with unrestricted power over them, trusting that 
 the grace of God would dispose their hearts to employ 
 them in the same spiritual purpose which had engaged 
 her life. Her will, dated January 11th, 1790, gave all 
 her chapels, houses, and furniture therein, and all the 
 residue of her estates and effects to Thomas Haweis and 
 Janetta Payne his wife, Lady Ann Erskine, and John 
 Lloyd ; and directed that, as one of these devisees died, a 
 successor should be appointed, until all the property was 
 disposed of, providing that always one of the trustees 
 shall be a minister of her Connexion. By a codicil, she 
 requested her family to confirm this disposition of her 
 property ; and as no objection was made to it, at her 
 death the four trustees took possession of her chapels, 
 and strictly carried out the intentions of Lady Hunting- 
 don. Lady A. Erskine was appointed to superintend the 
 whole, as she had been the constant associate and coad- 
 jutor of the Countess, and was better acquainted with 
 her mode of procedure than any other person ; and till 
 her death in 1804, she regulated the Connexion with 
 
 37 
 
434 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 great wisdom and success, and by her kind and obliging 
 disposition secured the good esteem and co-operation of 
 all. Lady Ann was a remarkable character. She pos- 
 sessed the talents of the Erskine family, and the catho- 
 licity of Lady Huntingdon ; and, in the course of her 
 administration, displayed such energy and prudence, 
 tenderness of spirit and firmness of purpose, as com- 
 manded the admiration and esteem of her associates in 
 the work. 
 
 The venerable Countess was now approaching the 
 close of her long and useful career. Her frailties were 
 becoming more conspicuous, and indicated that her stay 
 on earth would be short. Her mind seemed to increase 
 in strength and activity, as her frame grew weaker ; and 
 her heart glowed with heavenly love and peace. She 
 was fast ripening for an inheritance among the saints in 
 light. Sometimes she appeared to catch a glimpse of the 
 celestial mansion ; and then her weather-beaten features 
 were lit up with a heavenly glory. The more she rose 
 to heaven, and enjoyed the presence of her Saviour, the 
 more humbly she prostrated herself in the dust, and cast 
 herself on the mercy of the Lord. The great work she 
 had been enabled to effect, and the gratitude which Avas 
 poured into her ears from thousands of lips, never fos- 
 tered self-esteem ; but only impelled her heart to Him, 
 who had supported and blessed her in her labours. She 
 sought not her satisfaction in her life, but in the con- 
 scious enjoyment of Christ. ''How little," she says, 
 "can anything of mine give a moment's rest to a depart- 
 ing soul ; so much sin and self mixing with the best, 
 and always so short of what we owe !" She was thus 
 gliding down the stream of time, with a firm reliance on 
 Christ, and with a bright and beautiful hope, which gave 
 a heavenly fervour to her soul, and wings to her renew- 
 ed spirit. The glorious change had almost commenced 
 here; for while her frame was fading, it was tinged with 
 
LAST ILLNESS. 435 
 
 tliG beauty of her immortal life, and glowed with the 
 expression of her gladdened soul. 
 
 About this time she received the intelligence of the 
 death of the Eev. D. Rowlands, her Welsh coadjutor; 
 and in a letter to his son dated Spafields, October 24th, 
 1790, she says, ''How bitterly my tears have mixed with 
 yours for your dear father ! I never knew I loved and 
 honoured him, as my grief for him makes me now feel 
 and surely know how great and faithful a servant of 
 God he was. Let me know all particulars of his sick- 
 ness and death, and when, from this event, you may be 
 at liberty for London. I cannot think you can hope to 
 see me alive. I suffer night and day inexpressibly. All 
 goes well here ; and the great chapel (Sion) only waits 
 opening for the various ministers' arrival by the third 
 Sunday in N'ovember, or any other. All that is kind to 
 dear Mrs. Rowlands. I am so low, about your father, 
 united with my other misery, that you must take this as 
 the best testimony I can give to a friend I so faithfully 
 and affectionately love and honour." 
 
 Towards the close of November, 1790, the Countess 
 broke a blood vessel, which was the commencement of 
 her last illness. She, however, still managed her affairs, 
 with the assistance of Lady Erskine, and her secretary, 
 Mr. Best ; and until her debility became too great, she 
 wrote to her friends, and carried on her accustomed cor- 
 respondence. Her congregations were uppermost in her 
 thoughts ; she called the members of her societies her 
 dear children, and often expressed how much she cared 
 for their souls. Her strength, however, every week be- 
 came more feeble ; and a complication of disorders, and 
 much suffering, almost crushed her frame. She manifes- 
 ted the greatest patience and resignation, and said to 
 Lady Ann, " All the little ruffles and difficulties which 
 surrounded me, and all the pains I am exercised with in 
 this poor body, through mercy affect not the settled peace 
 
436 MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 and joy of my soul." Deatli had no repulsive aspect in 
 her eyes, for she regarded it but " as the putting off of 
 her cloak ; " and when Lady Ann once asked her how 
 she waS; she exclaimed, " I am well. All is well — well 
 for ever. I see, wherever I turn my eyes, whether I live 
 or die, nothing but victory." She looked forward to her 
 end with joyful anticipation, and said, '' I know that then 
 my capacity will be enlarged ; but I am noiv as sensible 
 of the presence of God, as I am of the presence of those 
 I have with me." This hallowed feeling she had long 
 enjoyed ; and a few days before she took to her bed, she 
 remarked, '' The Lord hath been present with my spirit 
 this morning in a remarkable manner ; what he means to 
 convey to my mind, I know not; it may be my ap- 
 proaching departure ; my soul is filled with glory ; I am 
 as if in the element of heaven itself." 
 
 On the 12th day of June, 1791, a change passed over 
 the Countess, which indicated to her physician the 
 symptoms of approaching death. Her friends watched 
 over her with unceasing solicitude, and lingered in her 
 chamber, as if unwilling to lose one moment of her 
 society. She said to Lady Ann, and Miss Scutt, who had 
 been long and sincerely attached to her, ''I fear I shall 
 be the death of you both ; it will be but a few days more." 
 Her Ladyship was exceedingly cheerful and animated, 
 and conversed with her friends with great energy till she 
 was obliged to cease from exhaustion. She desired to be 
 informed how the work of the Lord was prospering, and 
 what new fields were opening. For some time she had 
 contemplated a mission to Otaheite, in the South Seas, 
 and had instructed Dr. Haweis to arrange that two mis- 
 sionaries should be sent out. This formed the subject of 
 conversation when he visited her in her illness ; but he 
 prevailed upon her not to talk about it then, as she was 
 exhausted, and said, '' To-morrow your Ladyship shall 
 hear what can be done." The next day she was in- 
 
II K R D E A T 11 . 437 
 
 formed of the difliciilties wliicli were raised, and that the 
 two missionaries would not depart without episcopal 
 ordination, which w^as denied them. She exclaimed, 
 '^ We shall find others, I doubt not ; and ordered her 
 secretary to write, and request two students, who had 
 expressed their willingness to undertake the work, to 
 come to town immediately.'^ 
 
 AYhile the days and nights of pain rolled round. Lady 
 Huntingdon enjoyed a season of meditation, prayer, and 
 lioly joy. Her hope shone, like the evening star, and 
 cast its radiancy far into the darkness of the grave. It 
 was fixed on the cross ; and she often said, " I have no 
 hope but that which inspired the dying malefactor at the 
 side of my Lord ; and I must be saved in the same way, 
 as freely, as fully, or not at all." As her life gently 
 waned, she said with great emphasis, '' The coming of 
 the Lord draweth nigh ! 0, Lady Ann, the coming of 
 the Lord draweth nigh ! The thought fills my soul with 
 joy unspeakable; whether I shall see his glory more 
 abundantly appear, or whether it be an intimation of my 
 own departure to him." She often repeated, " I long to 
 be at home ! My work is done ! 1 have nothing to do 
 but to go to my heavenly Father." Yet w^hile she re- 
 mained here, her heart was deeply interested in her 
 work ; and only an hour before she died, having written 
 to the Eev. T. Charles, of Bala, to supply Spafields 
 chapel, she asked Lady Ann, "Is Charles' letter come?" 
 On being informed that it was, she requested that it 
 might be opened immediately ; and when Lady Ann said 
 she would go and open it, the Countess replied, ''To 
 know if he comes, that's the point." So anxiously was 
 
 * When the (irrit missionaries, sent out by tlie London Society to 
 Otaheite in 1798, were about to embark, a hackney coach was called 
 to convey them to the vessel, whicii was in\niediately discovered to be 
 Lady Huntingdon's old carriage. 
 
438 MEMOIR OF LADY HUXTINGDON. 
 
 slie still concerned for ttie prosperity of the work of the 
 Lord. 
 
 A little before she died, she frequently said, '' I shall 
 go to my Father to-night ; " and musingly repeated, " Can 
 he forget to be gracious ? Is there any end of his lov- 
 ing-kindness ? " Her physician visited her between four 
 and five ; and shortly after, her strength suddenly failed, 
 and she appeared to sink into a sleep. A friend, who 
 was waiting below, was summoned to her chamber. He 
 took her hand — it was cold and clammy; he felt her 
 pulse — it was ceasing to beat ; and as he leaned over her 
 she breathed her last breath, and fell asleep in Jesus 
 She died at her house in Spafields, adjoining her chapel 
 June 17th, 1791, in the eighty-fourth year of her age 
 and was interred in the family-vault, at Ashby-deda 
 Zouch. 
 
 The tidings of her decease instantly cast a gloom over 
 the metropolis ; and as they rolled, like dark clouds 
 throughout Great Britain, plunged thousands into grief 
 and sadness. Her congregations, amounting to more 
 than one hundred thousand persons, mourned over the 
 loss they had sustained ; her principal chapels were hung 
 with black ; and not only her own ministers, but many 
 in the Establishment, and among the Nonconformists^ 
 preached a funeral sermon in honour of her character, 
 and to testify to her worth. Tears fell like copious 
 showers, at the mention of her name ; a medal was 
 struck off as a memento of her death ; "^ her well-known 
 features were embalmed in the memory of her people j 
 and her deeds were gratefully spoken of by those who 
 had been blessed by her exertions. She lived to serve 
 
 * One of these medals was found in a field near Bodmin. On one 
 side is a lik-eness of her Ladysliip, inscrihel '* Selina, Countess Dowa- 
 ger of Huntingdon;" aiwl on the reverse side. "I know that my 
 Redeemer livetl;," a;id at the foot, "Died 17 June, 1791," with her 
 
HER CHARACTER. 439 
 
 her Master, and evangelize tlie world ; she girded on the 
 gospel-armour, and went forth to battle with ignorance, 
 error, and vice ; she trampled under her feet the charms 
 of wealth and noble birth, and bore with meekness the 
 scorn and opposition of the world ; she grasped the 
 standard of the cross with a mighty hand, rallied her fol- 
 lowers, and uttered her cry, '' Excelsior ; " she beheld 
 mighty champions cut down at her side, and many de- 
 serting the battle-field ; — but she remained, '^ strong in 
 the Lord, and in the power of his might ; " died nobly in 
 the midst of her efforts, worn out with care and ceaseless 
 watching over the spiritual condition of others ; and 
 entered into the land " where the weary are at rest." 
 
 Lady Huntingdon was a wonderful woman in an age 
 fertile with illustrious characters. Many displayed more 
 sparkling genius, wit and talents than she did; many 
 exhibited feats of heroism which will encircle their 
 names with unrivalled glory ; but none mingled so many 
 excellent features in their characters as did the Countess 
 of Huntingdon. Descended from an ancient and honour- 
 able house ; endowed with talents and accomplishments, 
 which added lustre to an illustrious court ; allied to a 
 nobleman of- great personal merit, and of renowned an- 
 cestry ; and possessed of everything esteemed in the 
 present life ;— Lady Huntingdon might have shone in the 
 gay and fashionable society of her times, and have 
 secured for herself a niche in the great temple of litera- 
 ture, or of fashion. But what things were gain to her 
 she counted loss for Christ. She valued all her exterior 
 advantages, only for the influence they enabled her to 
 exert ; she gave up the blaze of rank, for the attractions 
 of poverty and woe ; she forsook the splendid court, to 
 teach in the wretched hovel; and deemed it a greater 
 honour to be permitted to induce thesinner to bow before 
 Jesus, than to attract a crowd of noble flatterers, and 
 rule them by her charms. She sacrificed all for Christ ; 
 
440 M E ^I O I R OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 devoted herself, her time, property, influence, and talents 
 to the cause of religion ; and presented to the world an 
 example of what one pious w^oman can do to benefit 
 man, and glorify God. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon possessed great natural talents. 
 Her intimate associates were persons of ability, and dis- 
 tinguished reputation. Lord Chesterfield was the model 
 of an accomplished man ; yet her Ladj^ship's society was 
 much courted by him. Lord Bolingbroke was deeply 
 read in polite literature, and in scientific and theological 
 works ; yet he listened with enthusiasm to the conversa- 
 tion of the Countess. The celebrated ladies, who ruled 
 the court, and drew the flower of the nobility to their 
 feet, condescended to notice only persons of superior 
 talents ; yet even on these her Ladyship exerted a power- 
 ful influence. Throughout life, she commanded, by her 
 abilities, the respect and confidence of acknowledged 
 great men, who often solicited her advice, and submitted 
 to her guidance. Her mind was quick, comprehensive, 
 and firm ; her will resolute and determined ; her faith 
 simple and enduring ; and her energy vast and untiring. 
 She possessed much natural sweetness and amiability of 
 character, which the gospel ripened into a holy and 
 heavenly spirit ; and her manners were exceedingly ele- 
 gant, and engaging. As a wife, she was an example to a 
 corrupt and licentious age ; as a mother, she was devoted 
 to her children, and ruled them in the fear of the Lord ; 
 as a friend, she Avas sincere and attached, generous and 
 obliging. Her conversational powers were remarkable. 
 There was scarcely a topic on which she could not con- 
 verse with freedom and accuracy ; and on all theological 
 subjects, she discoursed like an able divine. She argued 
 with the sceptic, expostulated with the sinner, and 
 enlightened the believer. Fletcher calls her "a prodi- 
 gy ;" and many instances are recorded of the usefulness 
 of her talk. On one occasion, Whitefield's brother called 
 
HEK CHARACTER. 44"! 
 
 on Her. He was then sinking into the grave, and almost 
 despairing of mercy. ^'I am a lost man," lie cried, 
 '' there is no hope for me." She replied in a firm tone, " I 
 am glad you feel you are lost, for Jesus Christ seeks and 
 saves the lost. What makes you despair should, there- 
 fore, inspire you with confidence ; go to him as a lost 
 sinner, and he will save you." This short conversation 
 was blessed to him ; and he died in the hope of a joyful 
 immortality. 
 
 Lady Huntingdon possessed an exceedingly generous 
 disposition. She sympathised with human misery in all 
 its varied forms, and, to the utmost of her ability, re- 
 lieved it. Her liberality, however, was chiefly devoted 
 to the cause of religion ; and in the course of her long 
 life, she expended about one Jiundred thousand pounds for 
 religious purposes. She lived in a homely manner, and 
 reduced her personal expenses to the lowest sum that she 
 might be able to devote more to the service of Christ. 
 One of her ministers once called on her Ladyship with a 
 wealthy person from the country. When they came out 
 of her house, he exclaimed, ^'- What a lesson ! Can a 
 person of her noble birth, nursed in the lap of grandeur, 
 live in such a house, so meanly furnished ; and shall I, a 
 tradesman, be surrounded with luxury and elegance? 
 From this moment, I shall hate my house, my furniture, 
 and myself, for spending so little for God, and so much 
 in folly." 
 
 The Countess exhibited the simplicity and grandeur 
 of Christian character. Religion, with her, was not a 
 creed, nor an ecclesiastical position ; but a living power. 
 It had its seat in her heart ; and gave warmth to her 
 feelings, clearness to her views of truth, and strength to 
 her faith. She was clothed with humility ; and always 
 spoke of herself as a worm in the sight of God. She 
 admired consistency, and beautifully exemplified it in 
 her life. Her sympathies were most tender and power- 
 
442 3IEM0IR OF LADY IIUXTlNGDOX. 
 
 fal ; and her catTiolicity of spirit won tlie admiration of 
 the good and great among all classes of Christians. She 
 loved the whole world, and desired to send the gospel to 
 every part of it. Her faith was as simple and confiding 
 as a child's, and sustained her throughout her arduous 
 career; and her early conflicts gave such solidity and 
 strength to it, that, when once she was persuaded she 
 was walking in the right path, no opposition, nor dan- 
 gers could turn her aside, or disturb the serenity of her 
 soul. She lived in heaven, while she laboured on earth. 
 Her life was one constant communion with God ; prayer 
 was the language of her soul ; her heart was ever breath- 
 ing out petitions; and she never undertook any thing 
 without specially beseeching the blessing of heaven. 
 
 It must not, however, be supposed that Lady Hunting- 
 don was perfect. She had her frailties, as well as her 
 virtues ; which are sufficient to remind us that she was 
 mortal. She appears to have been sometimes irritable, 
 and imperious, and to have manifested an unforgiving- 
 spirit toward those who had offended her. There can 
 be no doubt she met with much to harass and distress 
 her, arising from her own indispositions, and the malice 
 of her foes. She was herself exceedingly earnest and 
 zealous ; and, in the warmth of her ardour, was led to 
 regard some persons in an unfavourable light, and to 
 listen too eagerly to the insinuations of crafty persons. 
 She, however, was aware of her failings, and often bitterly 
 deplored them. In the course of her extended career, 
 she had seen such hypocrisy and baseness, and had been 
 sometimes so imposed upon, that it naturally made her 
 vigilant, and, perhaps, suspicious. 
 
 No one can consider the activity and perseverance of 
 the Countess, without a feeling of wonder and admira- 
 tion. She was always working; far more laboriously 
 than if her daily bread depended on her exertions. Her 
 journeys, in that age of travelling, alone would have 
 
CONCLUSION. 443 
 
 worn out many a stronger frame ; her correspondence; if 
 it could be collected, would outrival Whitefield's, or 
 Horace Walpole's ; and her constant planning and solici- 
 tude would have crushed a feebler spirit. She was never 
 satisfied with what she was, or what she had done ; she 
 studied, prayed, and conversed that she might obtain 
 clearer apprehensions of divine truth ; she pressed forward 
 in her work in spite of sickness, opposition, and diffi- 
 culties ; and she staid not her chariot- wheels, till her 
 Master whispered to her from above, and called her to 
 another and a better sphere. 
 
 Yes! Lady Huntingdon was a noble character, and 
 will ever be numbered among the chief actors in the 
 reformation of the eighteenth century. 
 
 She found England sunk to a large extent, in ignorance 
 and depravity, which among the lower orders might be 
 called brutality. Spiritual slumber, worldliness, and 
 error had fearfully invaded the Church, both ministers 
 and people. But what could a woman, though in her 
 commanding position, effect? In addition to her per- 
 sonal exhortations and prayers, which knew no remission, 
 she gathered around her a band of devoted and eloquent 
 men, who, under her patronage and counsels, traversed 
 the three Kingdoms, lighting everywhere the torch of 
 evangelical religion, and rousing the careless by the 
 gospel call ; which sounded to their unaccustomed ears 
 as if it had come from Heaven. 
 
 "Irregular," as towards the national Church, she 
 doubtless was upon compulsion of its oppressive rulers, 
 but it was no less the church of her judgment, and of her 
 affections, and let those answer for it who laid such ne- 
 cessity upon her to be " irregular " toward the church 
 which she loved, at the bidding of those who loved it not. 
 And let not the theorists of a later day, pronounce lightly 
 upon her conduct in doing as she did, rather than disre- 
 gard what seemed to her a wide and effectual door, opened 
 
4:4:4: MEMOIR OF LADY HUNTINGDON. 
 
 bj Providence before her, and tbe call to lead tbrougb it 
 a multitude of souls into the kingdom of heaven. 
 
 Before she left the world, she had the satisfaction of 
 seeing a blessed revival of religion in the established and 
 non-conforming churches. Her College was supplying a 
 race of evangelical ministers, and one hundred thousand 
 persons were statedly hearing the gospel in her own 
 chapels. She ceased from her labours, but her work 
 still lives and honours her ; and when, in future years, 
 the impartial historian narrates the glorious reformations 
 which have revived the Christian Church, he will asso- 
 ciate with the honoured names of the mighty Eeformers, 
 the name of this illustrious Lady ; and displaying her 
 private virtues, and her public acts, bid the world admire 
 the character, and follow the example of Selina, Count- 
 ess OP Huntingdon. 
 
 "IN VERITATE VICTORIA." 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 The following letters were received too late for inser- 
 tion in tlieir proper place. They are addressed to Miss 
 Mary Bateman, who was for some years a companion of 
 Lady Huntingdon. Her father was very much opposed 
 to the Methodists ; and finding that his daughter was in 
 the habit of hearing Whitefield, he sternly threatened to 
 disinherit her if she continued to do so. She could not 
 give up her privileges ; her father, therefore, opened the 
 door, gave her a shilling, and drove her from his house. 
 The Countess heard of his unfeeling conduct, and offered 
 the young lady an asylum in her mansion ; and she re- 
 mained with her ladyship, till her father's death, when 
 -she again resided with her mother. In the spring of 
 1762, Lady Huntingdon lived in New Norfolk-Street, 
 Grosvenor Square, where her daughter, Lady Selina, was 
 seized with a fever. Miss Bateman was also attacked 
 with it ; and her ladyship then wrote the following letter 
 to her. 
 
 "Friday Afternoon, April 30th, 1762. 
 
 My Dear Bateman, — I long to come and see you, but 
 the doctor thinks there may be danger of bringing addi- 
 tional infection to Lady Selina ; and should she have a 
 relapse of the fever, with eruption, in her weak state, it 
 might be of bad consequence. In this situation of mine, 
 I am sure you would not wish to see me ; but if you at 
 any time should, 1 will come the last thing at night, and 
 
 38 
 
446 APPENDIX. 
 
 tlien I think no danger can arise from it. You must know 
 that you command from my heart all that can be done ; 
 and the doctor assures me you have not one symptom 
 that is in the least to be feared. May our dear Lord bless 
 your heart with such a measure of joy, peace, quiet, and 
 assurance, as may cause you to repose in confidence all 
 your cares upon his tender bosom. I am truly anxious 
 for your real peace and health ; but for all, and in alt, I 
 I commend you to him who is the friend that fails not, 
 and who will be found yours and mine eternally. Ever, 
 ever, your affectionate and faithful friend, 
 
 S. HUNTINGDON. 
 
 p. S. Let me know if you want anything, and if you 
 would have me send to let your mother know." 
 
 The second letter refers to the erection of her chapel 
 at Bath, (see p. 227,) and to the disposal of her jewels, 
 (see p. 190.) 
 
 " My Dear Bateman, — I have taken the resolution to 
 stay this summer in this part of the world, and hope you 
 will come and see me while I am at Bath. Mrs. Davies' 
 house I am in full possession of on Monday next, and 
 shall have a room for you ; I hope your mother will be 
 so kind as not to be against your coming. Before you 
 come down, I shall be glad to know what Mr. Eomaine 
 will do about Brighton, and if he intends being there. I 
 have written to Mrs. Madan, but have had no answer. I 
 purpose to write this post, and also to Mr. Berridge, that 
 I may be sure they are well supplied. I find such a 
 backwardness in all our fine clergy in preaching the gos- 
 pel, that I really know not what to make of it ; but I 
 believe it has a great lesson which I am to attend to — 
 that the Lord himself will be my Shepherd, that I may 
 lack nothing. I believe this Avhole afiair of the chapel 
 here has the marks of his hand, as evidently as it is pos- 
 sible for them to appear in any human Avork. I have 
 not had one line from any quarter to approve or rejoice 
 
CD 
 
 APPENDIX. 447 
 
 ill the matter, the whole lies between my heart and him- 
 self; and in blessino- he will bless it, and in multii^lving- 
 he will multiply ; and this is my joy. An uncommon 
 blessing attended the laying the first stone ; and Mora- 
 vians, and others, were all peculiarly sensible of it. 
 That all throughout the whole of this business, the Lord 
 has been" his own witness, bows my heart before him to 
 ive him all the praise, and all the glory ; that no man's 
 hand is in it, is no small matter of thanks to me. My 
 soul designs to trust him alone, for and in all things. 
 He is full and sufficient for all purposes, both in heaven 
 and earth. I find it a hard lesson; but I am sure it is 
 the best lesson he means to make his creature perfect and 
 clear in. 
 
 I have ordered a stone with ' M. B.' upon it, which 
 you are to pay for. I have ordered it to be placed at the 
 other corner of the foundation, and to be the principal 
 stone on the left hand of the building, as mine is on the 
 right. This, your dear heart seemed to wish, so that a 
 share in the blessing^ that followed the undertaking' 
 
 o o 
 
 might be your portion ; and this my heart as much de- 
 sires for you as your own can do. 
 
 My love to your mother, and Mrs. Jones. When you 
 see poor Kitty," tell her I remember her in love. I hope 
 you will see dear Mrs. Carteret, and Mrs. Cavendish be- 
 fore you come aAvay ; and do ask Briscoe if he will take 
 the jewels at the price. Tell him, as I have not been in 
 town since, that they are sealed up, and as he left them, 
 and that I am willing to part with them. Mrs. Carteret 
 has the key, and Mr. Hastings, of Queen Ann's Street, 
 i\rill go for them. Ever affectionately yours. 
 
 * Formerly Miss Bateman's servant. Miss Batemau married, in 
 1765, Mr. Adams, of Asliby, an intimate friend of Lady Huntingdon ; 
 and her daughter, Jane, married the Rev. R. Housman, " tlie Evan- 
 gelist of Lancaster." 
 
INDEX 
 
 Aberford, 151, 153, 18 i, 2^9, 279. 
 
 Abraham, Old, 198. 
 
 Aldridge, Rev. W., 333. 
 
 Aldwiucle, 272. 
 
 Alexander, Rev. J., 389. 
 
 Allen, Ralph, 55, 419. 
 
 AUiott, Rev. Dr., 431. 
 
 Alva, Lady, 232. 
 
 America, Missions to, 349 352; War 
 with, 353 ; Wesley in, 37 ; White- 
 field in, 39, 90, 319. 
 
 Ancaster, Duchess of, 44, 96, 339, 342. 
 
 Andrews, Dr., 244. 
 
 Anecdotes of, Berridge, 192, 202; 
 Burnet, 58; Conyers, 199; Fletch- 
 er, 187; George III., 339, 359; 
 Lord Huntingdon and Two Students, 
 2S1 ; Lady Huntingdon and her 
 Beggars, 44, Servants, 57, the Poor, 
 192 : Mr. Shipman, 282; Cap. Scott, 
 304 ; her Funeral, 421, cheque, 427, 
 coach. 437, house, 441; Dr. Oliver, 
 139: Rowland Hill, 321 : Romaine, 
 417: Thompson, 115 ; Whiteficld, 
 98 ; Wills, 387, 389. 
 
 Apsley, Lord, 273. 
 
 Ashl.y-de-la-Zouch, 58, 79, 106, 109, 
 IIS, 125, 151. 
 
 Association, General, 431. 
 
 Baddellev, Rev. G., 79, 109, 120. 
 
 Batcman, Rev., 93, 95. 
 " Miss, 445. 
 
 Bath, Lord, 92, 94, 106. 
 
 Bath, Lady Huntingdon at, 55, 67, 
 77, 86, 136, 142, 158, 176, 225, 228, 
 253, 305, 319, 349, 365, 379. 
 
 Baity, Mr., 69, 72, 185. 
 
 Bennett, Rev. T., 420. 
 
 Benson, Dr., 37, 42, 46, 47. 
 Rev. J., 214, 323. 
 
 Berridge, Rev. J., 179, 192, 255, 272, 
 2S7, 303, 228, 361. 
 
 Birmingham, 336, 420. 
 
 Bolingbroke, Lord, 43 ; Epitaph by. 
 80; hears Whitefield, 92, 94, 10.3: 
 liberality, 106; at court, 134; death, 
 
 I3y. 
 
 Booth, Rev. A., 289. 
 
 Bowman, Rev., 387, 388. 
 
 Breakfasts, Ministerial, 125, 206. 
 
 Bretby Hall, 226, 248. 
 
 Brighton, Lady Huntingdon at, 164, 
 
 1S9, 201, 205, 214, 228, 232, 239, 
 
 375. 
 Bristol, 106, 133, 147, 304, 315, 325, 
 
 383. 
 Brown, Rev., of Kingston, 256. 
 
 " Rev. John, 384, 404. 
 Browne, Rev. M., 128. 
 Bradford, Rev. J., 420. 
 Brussels, 422, 424. 
 Buchan, Lord, 245, 259. 
 Lady, 301, 305. 
 Buckingham, Duchess of, 49, 50, 66. 
 Burke, Edmund, 343. 
 Burnet, Bishop, 58. 
 
 Cadogan, Rev. W., 380. 
 
 Cartei'et, Lord, 76. 
 
 Mrs. 217, 447. 
 
 Cavendish, Mrs., 217, 447. 
 
 Cennick, Mr., 53. 
 
 Chapels, Bristol Tabernacle, 106, L33, 
 147 : Foundry, 176; Long Acre, 159; 
 Moorfield's Tabernacle, 112, 146, 
 190, 350; Neville's Court, 45; 
 Portsmouth, 105; Tottenham Court, 
 161, 190, 350; Chapels of Lady 
 Huntingdon at Ashbourn, 337; Ba- 
 singstoke, 376; Bath, 226, 235, 238, 
 305, 319. 402; Birmingham, 419; 
 Bootle, 417: Bretby, 226, 249: 
 Brighton, 189, 239, 375: Bristol, 
 384 : Canterbury, 335 : Cheltenham, 
 403: Chichester, 375: Dover, 334, 
 350, Dublin, 363, Emsworth, 376, 
 Ewart-Street, London, 371, Guild- 
 ford, 376, Hereford, 419, Hull, 356, 
 Kendal, 418, Kidderminster, 379, 
 Lewisham, 336, Maidstone, 335, 
 Margate, 333, Mevagissey, 3S6, 
 Mulberry Gardens, 368, 372, Nor- 
 wich, 155, 387, Oathall 194, 297, 
 Petworth, 376, Reading, 3S2, 408, 
 Sion, 426, 43.5, Spafields, 394, 396, 
 449 
 
•ioO 
 
 INDEX, 
 
 St. Agnes, 385, St. Columb, 386, 
 St. Ives, 385, Swansea, 331, Truro, 
 386, Tuubridge Wells, 215, 279, 291, 
 411, Wallingford, 377, Westminster, 
 371, Weymouth, 419, Whitehaven, 
 418, Worcester, 361, York, 356. 
 
 Charles, Rev. T., 399. 
 
 Chesterfield, Lord, 91, 106, 107, 358, 
 440. 
 
 Lady, 109, 110, 125, 178, 
 182, 318, 340, 358. 
 
 Clifton, 67, 77, 106, 145, 167. 
 
 Cobbe, Lady Betty, 238. 
 
 College, at Trevecca, 264, opened, 
 283, studies, 269, 298, 314, value 
 of, 285, 337, 413, prosperity, 318, 
 358, 367, anniversaries, 299, 316, 
 331, 390, at Cheshunt, 430. 
 
 Controversy, Religious, 311, 323, 328, 
 366. 
 
 Conyers, Dr., 199, 207, 250. 
 
 Cook, Rev. J., 334, 350. 
 
 Cooper, Rev. W., 384. 
 '' Miss, 59. 
 
 Cork, 367. 
 
 Cornwall, 114, 385. 
 
 Cornwallis, Dr., 338, 341. 
 
 Cotton, Dr., 125. 
 
 Coughlan, Rev. L., 372. 
 
 Courcy, De, Rev. R., 291, 295, 417. 
 
 Court, Royal, 25. 29, 43, 94, 135, 329. 
 
 Cumberland, 417. 
 
 Darracott, Rev. R., 106. 
 
 Dartmouth, Lord, 212, 252, 257, 274, 
 339, 380, 396, 403. 
 
 Davies, Rev. H., 88, 203, 224, 300, 301. 
 
 Deane, Mrs., 252. 
 
 Delitz, Countess, 111, 125, 126, 359. 
 
 Derbyshire, Revival of Religion in, 
 336. 
 
 Dorry, Bishop of, 239. 
 
 Devil's Castaways, 98, 99. 
 
 Dissent, State of, 34, Lady Hunting- 
 don and, 361, Relief bill, 408. 
 
 Dodd, Dr., 182. 
 
 " Rev. T., 333, 362. 
 
 Doddridge, Dr., friendship with Lady 
 Huntingdon, 74, his opinion of her, 
 78, letters respecting her, 89, his 
 Academy, 84, friendship with 
 Whitefield, 103, 119, his influence 
 on the Prince of Wales and George 
 HI. 134, illness and death, 135, 
 138. 
 
 Donnington Park, 27, Lady Hunting- 
 don at, 28, 32, 40, 58, 83, 154. 
 
 Douglas, Lord. 422, 425. 
 
 Downing. Rev. 258. 
 
 Dryden, Rev. J. 389. 
 
 Dublin, 3G;3. 
 
 Earthquake in London, 115. 
 
 Easterbrook, Rev. J. 268, 297. 
 
 Eastmead, Rev. J. 385. 
 
 Eccles, Rev. 365, 372. 
 
 Edward, Prince, 182. 
 
 Edwards, Rev. 225. 
 
 Edwin, Lady C. 44. 
 
 England, condition of, 33, 75. 
 
 Erasmus, Greek Bishop, 207. 
 
 Erskine, Lady Ann, her youth, 245, 
 father's death, 259, correspondence, 
 271, at Tunbridge Wells, 291, the 
 college, 301, Norwich, 387, Anec- 
 dote, 421, manages the Connexion, 
 433. 
 
 Established Church, state of, 34, 170, 
 clergy of, 89, 127, 190, 201, Peti- 
 tion against Articles of, 342. 
 
 Etwall Hospital, 412. 
 
 Everton, 180. 
 
 FiNLEY, Rev. J. 411. 
 
 Fletcher, Rev. J. early life, 173, at 
 Everton, 181, Madeley, 187, Brigh- 
 ton, 202, his preaching, 228, Presi- 
 dent of the College, 265, et seq. 
 Influence, 314, resigns bis office, 
 324, pamphlets of, 326. 
 
 Foote, 183. 
 
 Ford, Rev. Dr. 426. 
 
 Foundling Hospital, 160. 
 
 Fox. Charles, 191. 
 
 Frankland, Lady Ann, 49. 
 
 Furley, Rev. S. 244, 256. 
 
 Garrtck, 184, 238, 321. 
 
 George IL 76, 109, 134, 160. 
 
 George IIL 134, 337, 339, 359. 
 
 George IV. 43. 
 
 Georgia, Province of, 37, 346. 
 
 Germaine, Lady Betty, 320, 321. 
 
 Giardini, 178. 
 
 Gibbon, Mrs. H. 122. 
 
 Gideon, Miss, 245. 
 
 Gifford, Dr. 104, 109, 125, 161, 289. 
 
 Giordini, 179. 
 
 Glascott, Rev. 303, 368, 38,3, 3S7, 
 397, 409. 
 
 Glazebrookc, 267, 284. 
 
 Glenorchy, Lady, 228, 318, 402. 
 
 Gloucester, 304. 403. 
 
 Glynn, Sergeant, 397, 400. 
 
 Graves, Rev. C. 70, 121. 
 
 Grimshaw, Rev. W. at Haworth, 69, 
 persecuted, 72, bis preaching, 111, 
 itinerates with Whitefield, 124, his 
 energy, 152, opinion of the Coun- 
 tess, 193, death, 208. 
 
 Hallward, Rev. 380. 
 Hamilton, Lady M. 130. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 451 
 
 Handel, 177, 401. 
 
 Harleian Library, 50. 
 
 Harrington, Lord, 109 
 
 Hart, Rev. E. S. 386. 
 
 Hartley, Dr. 137. 
 
 Rev. J. 119, 122, 133. 
 
 Hastings, House of, 25, 26, Lady Mar- 
 garet, 39, Lady Betty, 56, Lady 
 Anne, 67, 87, 113, 154, Lady Fran- 
 ces, 67, 87, 130, Lady Elizabeth, 
 104, 141, LadySelina, 130, 182, 209, 
 445, George and Eerdinando, 72, 
 Henry, 163, 106. 
 
 Hawei?, Dr., his influence on Mr. 
 Venn, 171, preaches at the Lock 
 Hospital, 202, 206, obtains the liv- 
 ing of Aldvvincle, 273, joins the 
 Connexion, 371, at Spafields, 396, 
 at Bath, 402, appointed a devisee 
 of the Countess, 433, urges a mis- 
 sion to Otaheite, 436. 
 
 Hawkestone, 255. 
 
 Hawkesworth, Rev., at Dublin, 364, 
 letter to, 367, ordination of, 376, 
 preaches in London, 378. 
 
 Haworth, 69, 208, 249. 
 
 Henley, Lord Chancellor^ 193. 2! 9, 
 220. 
 
 Hertford, Countess of, 114. 
 
 Hervey, Rev. J. at Oxford, 35, 
 Whitefield to, 103, 105, 119, visits 
 Lady Huntingdon, 121, 125, letter 
 to her, 144, at Lady Fanny Shir- 
 ley's 141, 145. 
 
 Hicks, Rev. ISO, 303. 
 
 Hill, Sir Richard, 276, 277, 328. 
 " Rev. Rowland, family, 229, 247, 
 at Cambridge, 255, 275, visits the 
 Countess, 255, at Wotton, 321, en- 
 gages in the Calvinistic controversy, 
 327, chaplain to Lady Chesterfield, 
 358, offends the Countess, 404. 
 
 Hotham, Lady G. 110, 125, 178, 305. 
 
 Howell, Harris, at Fetter-Lane, 46, 
 itinerates in Wales, 48, 88, 102, 
 brings Whitefield to Lady Hunting- 
 don's mansion, 90, 91, letter of, 
 102, at Trevecca, 242, 264, 299, 
 death, 359. 
 
 Huddersfield, 186, 249. 
 
 Hull, 356, 361. 
 
 Huntingdon, Ninth Earl of, 25, 26, 42, 
 55, 64, 65, 69, 79 ; Tenth Earl, 107, 
 141, 182, 281, 429. 
 
 Huntingdon, Countess of, ancestry, 
 22, 109, early life, 23, endowments, 
 24, at court, 25, 28, 134, 339, mar- 
 riage 25, Donnington Park, 28, 32, 
 40, 58, 83, 154, early conflict, 29, 
 illness, 31, 78, 105, 11.3, 129, 217, 
 249, 257, 271, conversion, 39, at 
 
 House of Lords, 44, correspondence 
 with Wesley, 40, 53, 59, 73, 112, 
 236, 316, hears Whitefield preach, 
 
 48, 66, her influence, 51, 96, 125, 
 170, 205, 222, 306, 392, 443, induces 
 the nobility to hear Whitefield, 48, 
 
 49, 94, introduces lay-preachers, 53, 
 letters, (see letters), visits Bath, (see 
 Bath), concern for her servants, 57, 
 care for the poor, 62,63, 90, 97, 109, 
 Visits Yorkshire, 69, 151, 184, 199, 
 248, death of her children, 72, 166, 
 210, 429, of Lord Huntingdon, 79, 
 friendship with Doddridge, 74, 84, 
 89, 132, 136, 137, in London, (see 
 London ;) itinerates in Wales, 87, 
 331, appoints as her chaplains, 
 Whitefield, 93, Romaine, 157, Shir- 
 ley, 218, Taylor, 332, Wills, 377, 
 her drawing-room services, 73, 91, 
 98. 173, 217, 288, her catholicity, 
 74, 107, 225, 344, 441, her liberality, 
 83, 137, 146, 192, 304, becomes the 
 patroness of the clergy, 89, 101, 127, 
 129, 159, 194, 304, the protector of 
 the persecuted, 76, 102, 108, 27S, 
 at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, 106, 109, 118, 
 125, 438, procures ordination for 
 Mr. Madan and Mr. Browne, 127, 
 friendship with Hervey, 121, 125, 
 143, visits Brighton, (see Brighton), 
 friendship with Mr. Venn, 171, 197, 
 et passim; visits Berridge at Ever- 
 ton, 181, sells her jewels, 190, 447, 
 her extraordinary journeys, 310, 
 322, 331, 335, her delight in prayer 
 24, 176, 239, 308, her missionary 
 zeal, 252, 351, 436, concern for her 
 chapels after her death, 257, 432, 
 establishes her college, 264, 283, 
 purchases the advowson of Aldwin- 
 cle, 274, engages in the Wesleyan 
 controversy, 313, interview with the 
 King and Queen, 339, attachment 
 to the Established Church, 170, 343, 
 prosperity of her work, 358, 368, 
 379, 385, 407, 423, 443, her position 
 in England, 364, 397, 406, separa- 
 tes from the Establishment, 398, 
 loses some of her preachers, 399, 
 410, 425, exposes charitable abuses, 
 412, intended visit to Germany, 
 423, her Will, 433, last illness, 435, 
 death, 438, character, 439. et seq. 
 
 Indians, American, 252, 351, 354. 
 
 Ingham, Rev. at Oxford, 35, Georgin, 
 37, preaches in Yorkshire, 39, 66, 
 69, 124, 184, at (Jrimshaw's death, 
 209, his Societies scattered, 185, 
 death, 280. 
 
452 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Ingham, Lady Margaret, 39, 151, 181, 
 
 279. 
 Ireland, James, 315, 318, 322, 326, 
 
 410. 
 Ireland, condition of, 108, 363, 369, 
 
 persecution in, 108, preaching in, 
 
 303, 3(56. 
 Irvine, Lady, 252. 
 Itinerancy, 114, 172 246, 247, 249, 
 
 307, 335, 366, 408. 
 
 Jay, Rev. W. 402. 
 Jersey College, America, 120. 
 Jesse, Rev. 220, 226, 371, 399. 
 Johnson, Dr. 141, 321. 
 Jones, Rev. David, 333. 
 
 " George, 411. 
 
 " Griffi'th, 88, 203. 
 
 " John, 297. 
 
 " Thomas, of Southwark, 
 
 203. 
 
 Thomas, 387. 
 
 Kemp, Rev, W. 333. 
 Kempster, Rev. .J. 389. 
 Kent's Anthems, 179. 
 Kidderminster. 304, 379, 
 Kilraorey, Lady, 23, 85, 86. 
 Kimpton, Rev. 272. 
 Kings wood, 47, 53, 297. 
 Kinsman, Rev. A. 308, 374. 
 
 Lake, Rev. E. 362. 
 
 Lavington. Bishop of Exeter, 101, 114. 
 
 Lay-preachers introduced, 53. 
 
 Layton, Mrs, 256, 
 
 Ledstone Hall, 56, 69, 72. 
 
 Letters of Lady Huntiniidon, to Miss 
 Bateman, 44i, to Doddridge, 74, 
 84, to Lady Glcnorchy, 318, to 
 Hallward, 381, to Hawkesworth, 
 364, 367, 371, to Rev. J. Milner, 
 357, to Norwich friends, 423, to 
 Mrs. Powys, 233, to Roinaine, 359, 
 to Rowlands, 435, to Shirley, 396, 
 to John Wesley, 79, 236, to White- 
 field, 95, respecting the death of 
 Lady Sclina, 209, 210, Rowland 
 Hill, 256, her American missions, 
 351, her secession, 399, character 
 of her letters, 59, 118,44.3. 
 
 Letters of Dr. Benson, 46, Rerridge 
 to Lady Huntingdon, 202. 213, 272, 
 287, De Courcy, 296, Doddridge, 
 89, Fletcher to Lady Huntingdon, 
 251, 266, 324, to Charles Weslev, 
 174, to Whitefield, 247, to Jone"^s, 
 298, to Benson, 32 J, Lady (Glcnor- 
 chy, 230, 318, .Sergeant Glvnn, 
 
 397, Ilervej-, 143, Howell Harris 
 102, Romaine, 207, Talbot, 258 
 Toplady, 390, Venn to Lady Hunt 
 ingdon, 248, 254, 257, respecting 
 Laih, 306, J. Wesley, 180, White- 
 field to Lady Huntingdon, 91, 92, 
 111, 166, to Shirley, 259, 290, to J. 
 Wesley, 156, respecting the nobility 
 94, 103, itinerancy, 105, Ashby, 
 126,130, Bath, 227, death of Earl 
 Buchan, 261. 
 
 Lewes, 223. 
 
 Limerick, 108, 366. 
 
 Lloyd, Mr. 316, 318, 349. 
 
 Lock Hospital, 128, 206, 223. 
 
 Loudon, state of, 116, Lady Hunting- 
 don in. 85, 89, 105, 141, 152, 173, 
 1S2, 272, 288, 308, 370. 
 
 Lords, House of, 34, 44, 345, 346. 
 
 Lucy, Rev. W. 384. 
 
 Luther, 22, 134. 
 
 Luxborough, Lady, 140. 
 
 Lyttleton, Lord, 134. 
 
 Madan, Rev. M. ordained, 127, 
 preaches for Lady Huntingdon, 173, 
 180, 202, 214, ^3l, visits Handel, 
 178, engages in the dispute about 
 Aldwincle, 273. 
 
 Magdalen Hospital, 182. 
 
 Mallet. David, 141. 
 
 xMansfield, Lord, 218. 
 
 Margate, students preach at, 333. 
 
 Marlborough, Duchess of, 49, 66. 
 
 Matthews, \Mr. 281, 430. 
 
 Maxfield, Rev. 53, 54, 239, 299. 
 
 Medal struck at Lady Huntingdon's 
 death, 438. 
 
 Medhurst, Mrs. 245, 253, 257, 279 
 
 Methodism, rise of, 35, first Society, 
 46, character of, 52, 77, progress, 
 73, Conferences, 73, 77, 201, 313, 
 325, controversy, 323, 366. 
 
 Milner, Rev. J. 356. 
 
 Ministers, qualifications of, 264, 345. 
 
 Missions to America, 348, to Sierra 
 Leone. 355, to Otaheite,436. 
 
 Moira, Lord, 141. 
 
 Montague, Lady M. AV. 43, 49. 
 
 Moorfields, 48, 65, 112, 146. 
 
 Moravians, 46. 
 
 Music, Sacred, 90, 177, 223, 237. 
 
 Nash. Beau. 142. 
 Nelson, John, 70, 71. 
 Nicholson, Rev. J. 373. 
 North, Lord, 343. 
 Northington, Lord, 238. 
 Norwich, 155, 387. 
 
INDEX, 
 
 453 
 
 Oathall, 194, 297, 349, 361. 
 
 Oecum, Rev. S. 252, 264. 
 
 Oliver, Dr. 137, 138. 
 
 Open-air preaching, 47, 295, 409. 
 
 Ordination, of Wliitefiold, 38, Madun 
 and Browne, 127, 128, Hawkes- 
 worth, 374, Students at Spafields, 
 414. 
 
 Orphan House, 346. 352. 
 
 Orton, Miss, 246, 261, 301, 318, 375. 
 
 Owen, Rev. John, 389, 402. 
 
 Oxford, Earl of, 50. 
 
 Oxford Students, expelled, 276, 281. 
 
 Paul, Mrs. 364, 374, 419. 
 
 Peckwell, Dr. at Lewes, 224, Dublin, 
 365, Sussex, 368, Westminster, 371, 
 Trevecca, 374, Bristol, 383. 
 
 Penty cross. Rev. T. 224, 371, 376, 
 409. 
 
 Perronet, Rev. V. 73, 309. 
 
 " Charles and Edward, 335. 
 
 Persecution in Yorkshire, 71, Eng- 
 land, 76, Wales, 102, Ireland, 109, 
 atAshby, 121. Long Acre, 159, of 
 Shirley, 218, at Dublin, 365, Read- 
 ing, 382, Spafields, 395, et passim. 
 
 Piercj, Rev. appointed President of 
 the Orphan House, 349, leaves 
 America, 354, itinerates for Lady 
 Huntingdon, 409. 
 
 Pitt, W. (Lord Chatham) supports the 
 Prince of Wales, 134, hears White- 
 field, 191, favours Berridge, 193, 
 defends dissenting ministers, 345. 
 
 Poor, Lady Huntingdon and the, 61. 
 
 Potter, Dr. Archbishop of Canterbury, 
 85. 
 
 Powley, Rev. M. 272. 
 
 Powys, Mr. and Mrs. visits Lady 
 Huntingdon, 233, Mr. Venn visits 
 242, the Countess visits, 304, 305, 
 317. 
 
 Praver-meetings among noble ladies, 
 97, 176, 384. 
 
 Pretender, the, 75, 78. 
 
 Prior Park, 55, 137, 419. 
 
 Queen, Charlotte, interview of Lady 
 
 Huntingdon with, 340. 
 Queeusbury, Duchess of, 44, 49, 50. 
 
 Reading, 380, 408. 
 
 Reformations of the Church, 21, 169, 
 
 381, 443. 
 Repton School, 412. 
 Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 321. 
 Richmond, 395. 
 Righteousness, self, 29. 
 Rockingham, Lady, 94, 96. 
 Rodborough, 246. 
 
 I Romaine, Rev. W. breakfasts with 
 I Whitefield, 125, appointed chaplain 
 to Lady Huntingdon, 158, preaches 
 for her in her drawing-rooms, 173, 
 191, at Everton, 180, in Yorkshire, 
 184, at Oathall, 194, Brighton, 202, 
 375, Bretby Hall, 226, Btiotle, 417, 
 his ministerial breakfasts, 206, per- 
 secution at St. Dunston's, 218, ob- 
 tains Blackfriar's Church, 220, ad- 
 vises Lady Huntingdon about her 
 chapels, 258, and her college, 266, 
 gives up preaching for, 399, his let- 
 ters, (see letters). 
 Rotherham, Whitefield at, 122. 
 Rowlands, Rev. Daniel, itinerates 
 with Lady Huntingdon in Wales, 
 88, preaches at Bristol, 133, Tre- 
 vecca, 299, 316, 373, Swansea, 332, 
 death, 435. 
 Ryland, Rev. J. 289, 419. 
 
 Sandemanian theories, 185. 
 
 Savage, the poet, 67, 114, his mother 
 68. 
 
 Schools at Ashbj^ 58, 59. 
 
 Scott, Captain, conversion of, lv»6, 
 visits Mr. Powy;;, 24H, preaches at 
 the Tabernacle, London, 196, Mad- 
 eley, 247, Leeds, 251. 
 
 Scutt, Miss, 436. 
 
 Sellon, Rev. W. 395, et seq. 
 
 Sherman, Rev. J. 384, 421. 
 
 Shipman, Rev. 281, 283, 338. 
 
 Shirley House of, 22, Hon. John, 270, 
 Lady Stewarta, 270. 
 
 Shirley, Lady Fanny, her literary so- 
 ciety, 43, Poet Savage and, 67, 
 Whitefield preaches at her town 
 mansion. 111, 125, 146, resides at 
 Bath, 305, opens her residence 
 there to the nobility, 361, her ill- 
 ness, 370. 
 
 Shirley, Rev. Walter, appointed chap- 
 lain to Lady Huntingdon, 218, cor- 
 responds with Whitefield, 259, 290, 
 engages in the Methodist contro- 
 versy, 313,323, et seq; sets apart 
 the American missionaries, 349, 
 preaches at Bath, 306, 355, Wor- 
 cester, 361, Ireland, 363, Norwich, 
 387, Trevecca, 390, letter of Uio 
 Countess to, 396. 
 
 Shuter, the comedian, 162. 
 
 Sierra Leone missions, 355. 
 
 Sligo, preaching at, 367. 
 
 Somerset, Duchess of, 114, 136, 152. 
 
 Sortain, Rev. J. 375. 
 
 Southey's "Life of Wesley," 42. 
 
 Spafields. 393, 409, 414, et seq. 
 
 Stanton Harold, description of, 23. 
 
4:5-i 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Stillingfleet, Rev. E, 258, 276. 
 
 Stonhouse, Dr. 85, 11.3, 119, 124, 132. 
 
 Students, Lady Huntingdon's, their 
 character, 284, 302, preaching, 333, 
 337, 348, attempts to seduce them, 
 403, 418, her prayers for them, 413, 
 (see college). 
 
 Suffolk, Lady, 96. 
 
 Sunderland, Countess of, 71. 
 
 Sussex, state of religion in, 195, 296. 
 
 Sutherland, Earl and Countess of, 
 231. 
 
 Swansea, 332. 
 
 Talbot, Rev. Dr. 258, 28.3, 379. 
 
 Tatler, quoted, 28. 
 
 Taylor, Rev. W. preaches at Swan- 
 sea, 332, at Spafields, 395, 397, 
 itinerates, 409, appointed to 1 un- 
 bridge Wells, 411, ordains Students 
 at Spafields, 415. 
 
 Thanet, Lady, 94. 
 
 "Theron and Aspasio," 143. 
 
 Thomas, Rev. John, 426. 
 
 Thompson, Rev. 114. 
 
 Thoresby, Rev. T. E. 401. 
 
 Thornton, John, opens his house for 
 preaching, 171, Dr. Conyers and, 
 199, 207, friendship with Romaine, 
 219, generosity to Mr. Eurley, 244, 
 to the college, 318, purchaces Ald- 
 wincle for Lady Huntingdon, 274, 
 consults about the Pantheon, 396. 
 
 Thorpe, Mr. conversion of, 123. 
 
 Thurlow, Lord Chancellor, 321. 
 
 Toleration Act, 77, 398, 415. 
 
 Toplady, Rev. A. engages in the con- 
 troversy, 328, preaches at Trevec- 
 ca, 361, 390, Lady Huntindon con- 
 sults about Richmond, 396, Mul- 
 berry Gardens, 372, Spafields, 393, 
 his character, 388. 
 
 Townsend, Rev. preaches for Lady 
 Huntingdon at Bretby, 227, Bath, 
 322, 360, in Yorkshire, 249, Edin- 
 burgh, 249, Ireland, 363, gives up 
 preaching for her, 399. 
 
 Townshend, Lady, 43, 49, 94. 
 *• Marquis of, 339. 
 
 Trevecca, Lady Huntingdon at, 88, 
 299, 349, 359, 373, et passim; How- 
 ell Harris at, 242, House, 264. 
 Tunbridge Wells, Lady Huntingdon 
 at, 214, 215, 279, et seq. ; chapel at 
 opened, 291, its history, 411. 
 
 Un-ion, Christian, 112, 235. 
 Universities, state of the, 275. 
 
 Vknv, Rev. Henry, his early minis- 
 try, 170, preaches at Lady Hunt- 
 
 ingdon's mansion, 173, 290, at Ever- 
 tou, 181, HuddersSeld, 186, Cathail, 
 197, 361, Tunbridge Vfells, 214, 
 Trevecca, 242, Bath, 254, 305, 370, 
 itinerates, 172, 307, preaches AVhite- 
 field's funeral sermon at Bath, 320, 
 friendship with Booth, 2S9, gives 
 up preaching for Lady Huntingdon, 
 399, letters, 248, 254, 257, 305, 
 306. 
 Venn, Mrs. death of, 253. 
 
 Wake, Rev. L. J. 404. 
 
 Wales, Prince of, 43, 44, 66, 134,340. 
 
 Wales, spread of religion in, 66, 87, 
 102, 1G5, 368. 
 
 Walker, Rev. Samuel, 171, 386. 
 
 Wallingford, 376. 
 
 Walpole, Horace, quoted, 104, 179, 
 237, at Magdalen Hospital, 182, at 
 Bath, 237, Lady Huntingdon and, 
 321. 
 
 Warburton, Dr. ridicules Lady Hunt- 
 ingdon, 55, his opinion of White- 
 field, 137, refutes Bolingbroke's 
 writings, 141, Dr. Andrews and, 
 244. 
 
 Waterford, preaching at, 366. 
 
 Watts, Dr. 74. 
 
 Wesley, John, at Oxford, 35, 46, 
 visits America, 37, returns to Eng- 
 land, 39, at Fetter-Lane, 46, 53, 
 appoints lay-preachers, 65, at the 
 Foundry, 176, at Donnington Park, 
 64, preaches at Lady Huntingdon's 
 house, 73, 104, 176, 288, 305, 310, 
 at Epworth, 64, holds Conferences 
 in Loudon, 73, 313, in Bristol, 77, 
 325, in Leeds, 201, accused of 
 favouring the Pretender, 75, sepa- 
 ration of Whitefield from, 112, their 
 re-union, 112, breakfasts at Taber- 
 nacle house, 125, preaches in Ire- 
 land, 108, at Everton, 180, Nor- 
 wich, 156, Bath, 235, 290, Trevec- 
 ca, 266, 301, serious illness, 149, 
 friendship with Fletcher, 174, 324, 
 advocates the doctrine of Perfec- 
 tion, 312, disturbances among his 
 societies, 366, consults the Greek 
 Bishop, 208, Horace Walpole's opi- 
 nion of his preaching, 237, 238, the 
 Arminian controversy, 313, separa- 
 ration from Lady Huntingdon, 315, 
 316, death, 429, letters, see letters. 
 
 Wesley, Charles, at Oxford, 35, Geor- 
 gia, 37, preaches at Bath, 55, Clif- 
 ton, 145, 199, 322, Cork, 108, Nor- 
 wich, 156, Yorkshire, 70, accused of 
 disloyalty 75, death of his child, 
 150, his death, 429. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 455 
 
 Wesley, Mrs. C. 145, 149, 150. 
 
 " mother of, 54. 
 Wheatley, Rev. J. 155, 387, 388 
 Wheeler, Miss, 130, 253, 261, 279, 
 
 354, 35(5, 385, 
 Whitby, Rev. J. 333. 
 Whitetield, George, early days, 35, 36, 
 at Oxford, 36, ordained, 38*^ 46, mar- 
 vellous effects of his preaching, 38, 
 39, 65, 98, 117, 123, 151, 152, 162, 
 visits America, 38, 39, 52, 142, 151, 
 206, 319, at Fetter-Lane, 45, Bishop 
 Benson's opinion of, 42, 46, preaches 
 at Ashby, 119, 126, Bath, 142, 227, 
 231, 261, 291, Bretby, 226. Brigh- 
 ton, 183, 239, Bristol, 38, 106, 133, 
 173, Donnington, 154, Gloucester, 
 37, 133, 246, Ireland, 108, 292, 
 Long Acre, 159, Moorfields, 48, 65, 
 75, 146, Norwich, 155, Tottenham 
 Court, 161, 190, Tunbridge AVells, 
 280, 293, preaches in Hyde Park at 
 night, 116, 117, appointed chaplain 
 to the Countess, 92, preaches in her 
 drawing-rooms, 91, 103, 288, itine- 
 rates in Wales, 65, 105, 143, in Scot- 
 land, 65, 124, in England, 103, 121, 
 147, 236, 290, in Yorkshire, 124, 
 151, 250, Bishop of Exeter perse- 
 cutes, 101, 114, union with Wesley, 
 
 112, 236, friendship with Ilervey, 
 103, 105, 143, Venn, 172, 320, Ro- 
 maine, 191, 227, Captain Scott, 197, 
 Fletcher, 247, ridiculed by Foote, 
 183, opens the College at Trevecoa, 
 284, death, 319, Will, 346, charac- 
 ter, 91, 177, 320, his letters, (see 
 letters). 
 Whitetield, Mrs. 65, 136. 
 
 " brother of George, 105. 
 
 133, 147, 440, 441. 
 Wilks, Rev. Mark, 388. 
 Williams, Rev. W. 299, 316. 
 " Rev. P. 300, 316. 
 Wills, Rev. T. at Bath, 355, Walling- 
 ford, 377, in Cornwall, 385, at Spa- 
 fields, 397, itinerates for the Coun- 
 tess, 409, ordains Students, 415, in- 
 vited to Germany, 422, separates 
 from Lady Huntingdon, 425. 
 Winter, Cornelius, 346. 
 Woolwich, preaching at, 350, 378. 
 AVorcester, 304, 307, 317, 36J, 368. 
 Worthing, 224. 
 Wyun, Sir W. W. 102. 
 
 Yorkshire, revival of religion m, 69, 
 
 124, 151, 152, 184, et passim. 
 Young, Dr. 43. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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