Note 411 — SECOND VISIT TO AMERICA. (continued 4)

Immediately after Whitefield's death, in 1770, a "Short Sketch" of his character was published by an old friend, still resident in Savannah, to the following effect: "Until within a few years past, Mr. Whitefield has been constantly loaded with debt on account of his Orphan House, although he was at the same time traduced as a cheat, who, under the specious pretence of promoting a charitable institution, was amassing great wealth to himself. When he was the stated minister of this parish, the then inhabitants of Savannah, and Highgate, and Hampstead, together with the Saltzburghers of Ebenezer, and the people of Darien and Frederica, all partook of his bounty to a very large amount, while he almost denied himself the necessaries of life. He constantly performed Divine service publicly very early every morning, and at the close of the day every evening, when he always expounded part of the first or second lesson. Every Sunday, he administered the holy communion, and had public service four times during the day. His congregations were very numerous; for, though there were many Dissenters in the parish, there were few absenters. He also made it his daily practice to visit in rotation from house to house, without any regard to religious denominations or party distinctions." (Gospel Magazine, 1771, pp. 77-80.) There is nothing new in this, and yet it is valuable as the testimony of a gentleman who was one of Whitefield's parishioners at Savannah, and who says he was well acquainted with Whitefield's proceedings.