DMLJ 07 Dallimore on Whitefield

George Whitefield The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth-Century Revival – Volume I by Arnold Dallimore

FOREWORD

This volume is something for which I have been waiting for over forty years. It was then that I first read Luke Tyerman's Life of George Whitefield. Ever since, I have read everything that I could discover on Whitefield, and by him, and never have I failed to be thrilled as I have done so, and stimulated to become a better Christian and a better preacher. But I waited for something more, and felt that in some respects justice had still to be done. It is, therefore, with the greatest possible pleasure that I write a Foreword to this new Life of Whitefield, appearing on the bi-centenary of his death.
Justice has at last been done to Whitefield and without a trace of special pleading or injustice to his contemporaries. Of all the men of that century Whitefield was the most lovable. He radiated warmth and joy, and wherever he went he moved others to greater zeal and activity. Above all he was the greatest preacher - indeed one can say that he was the greatest preacher that England has ever produced.
More important than these things was the certainty with which Whitefield knew his message and how it should be applied to the human mind and heart of all classes. He was as much the favourite preacher of of the aristocracy that gathered to listen to him in the home of Lady Huntingdon as of the common rabble that listened to him in Moorfields or Kennington. His converts were numbered in thousands and competent historians are agreed that both in America and in Great Britain he was, as one of his biographers has described him, 'The Awakener'. He was the pioneer in open air preaching as in other matters; and though not to be compared with his contemporary and friend John Wesley as an organiser, he easily eclipsed him as an innovator and promoter. His mind was more original and fertile adn he wa sless bound by tradition and logic.

But above all he was a great saint and Wesley and others bore noble tribute to this during his life and after his death. This was the ultimate secret of his preaching power. He was 'filled with the Spirit' and endued with exceptional unction while preaching. He could say with the Apostle Paul 'I am what I am by the grace of God'.
To read the wonderful story of his life is to be reminded again of what is possible to a truly consecrated Christian, and how even in the darkest and most sinful ages God in his sovereign power is able to revive his work and shower blessings upon his People.
God is still the same and is able to do again what He did in the eighteenth century through George Whitefield and others.
May the reading of this book produce in us the same spirit of utter submission, ready obedience, and unshakeable reliance upon the power of the Holy Spirit that characterised his life and ministry. Whitefield never drew attention to himself, but always pointed people to his God and exalted his Lord and Saviour. May he, though now dead for nearly 200 years, do the same for countless thousands through the reading of this book!
London, February 1970
D M Lloyd-Jones