Note 189 — COMMENCEMENT OF OUTDOOR PREACHING.

In its number, dated April 19, 1739, Common Sense, after describing a Methodist preacher as a gentleman of "meagre countenance, lank hair, puritanical behaviour, and with a stock of pride that domineers in every look," proceeds to say, "If one man like Mr. Whitefield should have it in his power, by his preaching, to detain five or six thousand of the vulgar from their labour, what a loss in a little time may this bring to the public! For my part, I shall expect to hear of a prodigious rise in the price of coals about the city of Bristol, if this gentleman proceeds with his charitable lectures to the colliers of Kingswood."