66 66 to which Franklin refused to subscribe. "I happened soon after," says he, "to attend one of Mr. Whitefield's sermons, in the course of which I perceived he intended "to finish with a collection, and I silently resolved he "should get nothing from me. I had in my pocket a "handful of copper money, three or four silver dollars, "and five pistoles in gold. As he proceeded, I began "to soften, and concluded to give the copper; another "stroke of his oratory made me ashamed of that, and "determined me to give the silver; and he finished "so admirably, that I emptied my pocket wholly into "the collection, gold and all." It appears, however, that in general his manner was theatrical and his language indiscreet. It was his custom to stretch out his arm and bid the people "look yonder," and then refer to our Lord's Passion as if actually present before them: “Hark! "hark! do you not hear!" Whenever he related how St. Peter went out and wept bitterly, he had ready a fold of his gown to hide his own face. Such little arts are seldom found with sincerity, yet no preacher was ever more zealous and fervent than Whitefield. Even the pressure of deadly illness could not check his activity. When, in 1770, having passed over to America, and suffering from asthma, he was entreated by his friends to spare himself, his answer was, "I had rather wear out "than rust out;" accordingly he persevered in his exertions, and expired in the course of the same year. I have now concluded my short sketch of this remarkable society. It is not easy to avoid offence, where offence is so hastily taken; but it has been my anxious desire to say nothing that should wound the feelings or insult the doctrines of others. I have endeavoured to advance no assertion without adding some proof or instance of it, and I have selected these proofs in the manner most favourable to the Methodists - not from the charges of their opponents-not from the publications of their unauthorised or less eminent ministers but from the writings of their own respected founder. - If next we look to the practical effect of Methodism, we shall find much to praise, but also something to condemn. We shall find a salutary impulse given to the Church a new barrier raised against unbelief at a time when unbelief was most rife a society training up thousands in the paths of religion and virtue. On the other hand, we should not deny, that a dangerous enthusiasm was reared and fostered that many innocent sources of enjoyment had been dried up that very many persons have been tormented with dreadful agonies and pangs - that the Church has been weakened by so large a separation. Yet it is cheering to reflect, that while the good seems lasting and secure, the ill effects have much diminished, and we may hope will wholly disappear. Thus, then, stands the case. A hundred years ago the churchman was slack in his duty, and slumbering at his post. It was the voice of an enthusiast that roused the sleeper. Truth must condemn alike the overstrained excitement of the one, and the untimely supineness of the other. But the progress of time, and still more, of mutual emulation, has corrected the defects of each. Sleep has never again fallen on the churchman; enthusiasm has, in a great degree, departed from the Methodist. So closely have the two persuasions drawn to each other, that they are now separated on no essential points, and by little more than the shadowy lines of prejudice and habit. It might be well for the followers of Wesley seriously to ponder whether, in still continuing apart from the Church, they do not keep up a distinction without a difference, whether, by joining the Church, they would not best serve the cause of true religion, and disappoint the machinations of their common enemies. Sure I am, at least, that if Wesley himself were now alive, he would feel and act in this manner; had the Church been in his time what it is in ours, he would never have left it; and were he to behold these times, he would acknowledge, that the establishment which once wanted efficiency, now stands in need of nothing but support. Were Wesley himself alive in these latter times, he would surely exclaim, though in words more impressive than mine- Happy they who have grown up in the creed of their fathers, and who join in communion with the great body of their countrymen! To them the church bells are music, to them the church path is a way of pleasantness and peace! Long may they look with veneration and attachment to that time-worn spire where their infancy was blessed in baptism, where their manhood has drawn in the words of consolation, and where their remains will finally repose! CHAPTER XX. THE death of Queen Caroline, like that of George the First, produced no such effect as the Opposition had expected each of those events had been hailed as the sure forerunner of disgrace to Walpole, yet each left him unshaken and secure. After the loss of his Royal patroness he continued to enjoy the same place as before in the King's confidence, while that in His Majesty's affections was speedily filled up by Sophia de Walmoden. George had known her at Hanover in his latter journeys during the Queen's life; now however she was brought to England, and created Countess of Yarmouth the last instance in our annals of a British peerage bestowed upon a Royal mistress. Her character was quiet and inoffensive; and though she did not at first possess, she gradually gained considerable political influence over the King. "The new northern actress," writes Lady Mary Wortley, "has very good sense; she hardly appears at "all, and by that conduct almost wears out the disappro"bation of the public."* At nearly the same period the gossips at Court were gratified with another topic for their comments; the marriage of Sir Robert to his mistress, Miss Skerrit, who had already borne him a daughter. This marriage appears to have taken place immediately on the death of the first Lady Walpole, but was at first kept secret†; nor *To Lady Pomfret, 1739. Letters, vol. ii. p. 213. ed. 1827. It appears, however, that the grief of the King for his consort continued a considerable time. One day, on playing at cards, some queens were dealt to him, "which," as we are told, "renewed his trouble so much, "and put him into so great a disorder, that the Princess Amelia "immediately ordered all the queens to be taken out of the pack." Opinions of the Duchess of Marlborough, p. 40. Mr. Ford to Swift, Nov. 22. 1737. Swift's Works, vol. xix. p. 192. did Miss Skerrit survive her new honours above a few months. For her daughter Walpole afterwards obtained from the Crown a patent of the same rank and precedence as though a legitimate child; a favour it is said that had never yet been granted to any person but a Prince.* It is remarkable that Mr. Coxe, while devoting three volumes to the memoirs of Walpole, refrains, in his partiality to his hero, from any allusion whatever to this second marriage. On the meeting of Parliament in January 1738, the "Patriots," bereft of their expectations from the Court, could only turn their efforts to reduce the army, or to inflame the national quarrel with Spain. Their clamours, at the same time, for a diminution of troops, and for a renewal of war, might have appeared a little inconsistent to any men less maddened by their party zeal. Nevertheless, a motion to substitute the number of 12,000 for 17,000 soldiers was made by Shippen, and seconded by another ardent Tory, Lord Noel Somerset. The reply of Walpole was amongst the ablest he ever delivered: piercing through the subterfuges of his opponents he avowed his fear of the Pretender, and expressed his regret that so many Members should affect to turn that fear into ridicule. "No man of common prudence," added he, “will now profess himself openly a Jacobite : "by so doing he not only may injure his private fortune, "but must render himself less able to do any effectual "service to the cause he has embraced; therefore there are but few such men in the kingdom. Your right "Jacobite, Sir, disguises his true sentiments, he roars "out for Revolutionary principles; he pretends to be a great friend to liberty, and a great admirer of our "ancient Constitution; and under this pretence there are numbers who every day endeavour to sow discontent among the people. These men know that dis"content and disaffection are like wit and madness, "separated by thin partitions, and therefore they hope "that if they can once render the people thoroughly discontented, it will be easy for them to render them 66 66 66 *Lady Louisa Stuart, Introductory Anecdotes to the Wortley Correspondence, p. 35. |