Whitfield's Preaching

from the Family Sabbath-Day Miscellany by Charles Goodrich, 1847.

There was nothing in the appearance of this extraordinary man which would lead you to suppose that a Felix would tremble before him. "He was something about the middle stature, well-proportioned, and remarkable for a native gracefulness of manner. His complexion was very fair, his features regular, and his dark blue eyes small and lively. In recovering from the measles, he had contracted a squint with one of them, but this peculiarity rather rendered the expression of his countenance more remarkable than in any degree lessened the effects of its common sweetness. His voice excelled both in melody and compass, and in its fine modulations was happily accompanied by that grace and action which he possessed in an eminent degree, and which has been said to be the chief requisite in an orator." To have seen him when he first commenced, one would have thought him anything but enthusiastic and glowing, but as he proceeded, his heart warmed with his subject, and his manner became impetuous and animated, till, forgetful of every thing around him, he seemed to kneel at the throne of Jehovah, and beseech in agony for his fellow beings.
After he had finished his prayer, he knelt a long time in profound silence, and so powerfully had it affected the most heartless of his audience, that a stillness like that of the tomb pervaded the whole house.
Before he commenced his sermon, long, darkening clouds crowded the bright sunny sky of the morning, and swept their dull shadows over the building, in fearful augury of the storm.
His text was, "Strive to enter in at the straight gate, for many I say unto you shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able."
"See that emblem of human life," said he, as he pointed to a shadow that was flitting across the floor. "It passed for a moment, and concealed the brightness of heaven from our view---but it is gone.  And where will ye be, my hearers, when your lives have passed away like that dark cloud? Oh, my dear friends, I see thousands sitting attentive, with theirs eyes fixed on the poor unworthy preacher. In a few days we shall all meet at the judgement seat of Christ. We shall form a part of the vast assembly which will gather before his throne, and every eye behold the judge. With a voice, whose call you must obey and answer, he will inquire whether on earth you strove to enter in at the straight gate---whether you were supremely devoted to God---whether your hearts were absorbed in him.  My blood runs cold when I think how many of you shall then seek to enter in and shall not be able. Oh, what plea can you make before the Judge of the whole earth? Can you say it has been your whole endeavor to mortify the flesh with its affections and lusts; that your life has been one long effort to do the will of God? No! you must answer, I made myself easy in the world by flattering myself that all would end well, but I have deceived my own soul and am lost.
"You, O false and hollow Christians, of what avail will it be that you have done many things---that you have read much in the sacred word---that you have made long prayers---that you have attended religious duties, and appeared holy in the eyes of men?  What will all this be, if, instead of loving him supremely, you have been supposing you should exalt yourself to heaven by acts really polluted and unholy?
"And you, rich man, wherefore do you hoard your silver? Wherefore count the price you have received for him whom you every day crucify in your love of gain? Why, that when you are too poor to buy a drop of cold water, your beloved son may be rolled in hell in his chariot, pillowed and cushioned about him."His eye gradually lighted up as he proceeded, till, towards the close, it seemed to sparkle with celestial fire.
"Oh sinner!" he exclaimed, "by all your hopes of happiness, I beseech you to repent. Let not the wrath of God be awakened. Let not the fires of eternity be kindled against you. See there!" said he, pointing to the lighting which played on the corner of the pulpit, "tis a glance from the angry eye of Jehovah! Hark!" continued he, raising his finger in a listening attitude, as the distant thunder grew louder and louder, and broke in a tremendous crash over the building, "it was the voice of the Almighty, as he passed in his anger."
As the sound died away, he covered his face with his hands, and knelt beside his pulpit, apparently lost in inward and intense prayer. The storm passed rapidly by, and the sun bursting forth in his might, threw across the heavens a magnificent arch of peace. Rising, and pointing to the beautiful object, he exclaimed, "Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made it, very  beautiful it is in the brightness thereof. It compasseth  the heavens about with glory, and the hands of the Most High have bended it."