CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

  ( CHAPTER  4 )  -  { PT.  10 } - You were quickly swept off your feet by his energy before you had time to think about what you would do.We can be sure that this was one secret of his success. We must convince people that we are sincere ourselves if we want to be believed. The difference between one preacher and another is often not so much in the things said as in the way they are said. It is recored by one of Whitefield's biographers that an American gentleman once went to hear him for the first time because of the report he heard of Whitefield's preaching powers. The day was rainy, the congregation comparatively thin, and the beginning of the sermon rather heavy. Our American friend began to say to himself, This man is no great wonder after all. He looked around and saw the congregation as little interested as himself. One old man in front of the pulpit had fallen asleep. Whitefield suddenly stopped. His countenance changed. Then he suddenly broke forth in ...