George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth Century - Volume II [Hardcover]

Arnold A. Dallimore- volume 2 (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1980

The period 1741-1770, covered by this second and concluding volume, was not one of cloudless sunshine. It opened with the doctrinal conflict with the two Wesleys and with a serious division in Methodist ranks. But this was quickly followed by a visit to Scotland in which revival reached its high watermark. Then came years of unwavering effort to evangelize the people of the English-speaking world and to consolidate the gains. Multitudes of 'the humble poor' believed, and members of the aristocracy heard the message of grace. An outstanding biography, popularly written, and with an urgent message for the present day.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 620 pages
• Publisher: Banner of Truth (February 1, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 085151300X
• ISBN-13: 978-0851513003
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arnold A. Dallimore was a Baptist pastor for thirty-eight years and a successful biographer of Christian leaders. His books include A Heart Set Free: The Life of Charles Wesley and Spurgeon: A New Biography.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why this is my favorite biography, March 8, 2002

By 

puritanfan (Princeton, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth Century - Volume II (Hardcover)

Few believers have inspired me as much as George Whitefield. This is not surprising in light of C.H. Spurgeon's description of the man who led the Great Awakening in the 18th century:

"There is no end to the interest which attaches to such a man as George Whitefield. Often as I have read his life, I am conscious of distinct quickening whenever I turn to it. He lived. Other men seem to be only half alive; but Whitefield was all life, fire, wing, force. My own model, if I may have such a thing in due subordination to my Lord, is George Whitefield; but with unequal footsteps must I follow in his glorious track."

What follows are some reasons why I have been so encouraged by, in the words of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the greatest preacher that England has ever produced, or as David Hume stated, "the most ingenious preacher I ever heard; it is worth going twenty miles to hear him."

Upon conversion in college, George Whitefield daily visited and ministered to convicts in prison where it was reported the guard dogs feared to enter into because of the fierce rats that infested the place. At age 24, he was preaching to crowds twenty to thirty thousand in attendance often in open fields without the aid of amplifying devices. On average he was preaching forty to sixty hours a week and at the end of thirty years he had preached nearly forty thousand sermons. This schedule took its toll on his health, and after sermons he often had to spit out great amounts of blood due to the blood vessels that had burst in his vocal chords from the strain of having to speak to so large an audience for so long a period.

Though by far the most famous man of his age, speaking regularly to the nobility of England as well as to commoners, slaves in America, and children, Whitefield enjoyed as his favorite meal a cow's heel in keeping with his personal motto, "Poor, yet making others rich." An associate mentioned that during the year that he was with him Whitefield slept three or four hours a day and in lieu of sleep was counseling, writing encouraging letters, and on his knees while praying and studying the Bible. Whitefield himself recorded in his diary that one night the Lord's glory had shown upon him to such a degree and for such a length that he had asked God to shield him from His glory so that he could get some rest.

Though slandered by John Wesley for upholding Calvinist doctrines and by many clergy of the established church for his zeal and popularity, Whitefield did not respond in kind but gave up to him and others his various societies and buildings and even the denomination known as Methodism - all of which he had founded - in order to avoid hindering the movement of God that had taken England and the Colonies by storm of which he was principally credited. The fact that 99% of believers today in America have no knowledge of George Whitefield is a testimony to the man's uncommon humility and desire that the name of Whitefield perish so long as Christ's name was lifted high.

During his evangelistic outreaches, mobs would sometimes disrupt the sermon by beating the crowd and throwing eggs and dirt at Whitefield. Children with tears in their eyes would often try to shield him from the thrown objects, wishing they could receive the blows for him. One coal-mining town whose inhabitants often raided neighboring places greeted Whitefield with equal animosity. But they were soon drawn to his preaching, and it was reported that a mass of coal-stained faces had streams of water flowing from their eyes. It was observed that Whitefield rarely preached a sermon in which he himself had not wept. What came to be known as the Great Awakening was in large part stirred by the compassionate preaching of George Whitefield. When the flame was dying down in Jonathan Edwards' own church, Whitefield preached there and Edwards himself was moved to tears.

The Great Evangelist made six Atlantic voyages to America which were often treacherous. During one of his trips, Whitefield ministered to the crew and passengers amidst a particularly terrible voyage such that by the end of the trip, most of the heathen crew had been converted and regular services on deck were conducted. Ministry for Whitefield was his life, not an occupation with a set time and place to "do mission work."

Whitefield's integrity, though often maligned by jealous clergy and opponents to his religious fervor, was attested to by none other than Benjamin Franklin, who published Whitefield's journals and financially supported his work for the establishment of the first house of charity in America where orphans could be raised and educated.

To read the biography of George Whitefield is to read the life of a saint, a man who loved God with all his heart, soul and mind. May God inspire more Whitefields in our generation.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars George Whitefield: An Anointed Ministry, An Impassioned Heart, January 27, 2006

By 

Jonathan A Blevins (Duluth, MN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth Century - Volume II (Hardcover)

Well, I finally saved up the money and sprung for this two-volume full-length account of the life of George Whitefield. I had whetted my appetite on the abbreviated volume "George Whitefield: God's Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century" by the same author. I can honestly say this is one of the best investments I've ever made. Reading the life of such a great saint--this Christ-loving, gospel-centered minister--has served to rekindle my passion for the gospel and rejuvenate the love of God in my soul more than once. I most highly recommend it.

This Volume: This is the SECOND volume of Dallimore's two-volume biography of George Whitefield. This is very important if you intend on buying one volume now and purchasing the other later. The information on the Banner of Truth (the publisher's) website is incorrect--the green volume is volume #1 (picture of Whitefield in a field surrounded by a crowd) and the red volume is #2 (picture of an older Whitefield in a church pulpit). I had to wait an extra few months to recieve the first volume before I could begin reading either. Each volume is about 600 pages in length and is chock full of stories, information and insightful commentary. Dallimore does not spare the details of the lives of those closest to Whitfield--including John Cennick, Howell Harris, Jonathan Edwards, and of course John and Charles Wesley. This second volume deals with the period of time from Whitefield's return to England in the wake of Wesley's controversial ministry, his reconciliation with the Wesleys and continued work in both England and America, and finally his death.

The Subject Matter: Wow. Simply wow. I mean--who knew? I'd always heard that John Wesley was the sole founder of Methodism. In fact, the only thing I knew about George Whitefield was that he was attributed with a few neat quotes (ie. "Let the name of Whitefield perish, but Christ be glorified!", "I am weary in Thy work, but not weary of it", etc.) and that he once spoke at Jonathan Edwards' Northhampton church (at which time he left Edwards in tears). I fully expect that if it were not for this work of Dallimore, the name of Whitefield truly would be lost to persons such as myself. What I expected was another (Calvinistic) Wesley. What I found was a man whose zeal, love, holiness of life and passion for Christ seemed to equal even those I hold in highest regard (among whom are Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon). Whitefield was a tireless worker for God and his zeal for the gospel was only matched by his selfless compassion for his fellow man. He was the first of the great open-air preachers and nudged both John and Charles Wesley into evangelistic ministry. Whitefield's life is a beautiful illustration of Christian ministry and evangelistic zeal. I cannot recommend this man highly enough.

The Author: Dallimore was a Baptist pastor and semi-prolific biographer. This two-volume biography of George Whitefield is truly Dallimore's magnum opus. He has delved deeper into the mind and heart of this great evangelist than any of his previous biographers. It is both informative and inspirational. No space feels wasted despite the length of the account and the multitudinous strands of the storyline are brought together in a masterful way.

The Reader: Who should read this book? I would recommend it most highly to pastors and other evangelical Christians whose zeal for God and spiritual wells have begun to run dry. Evangelical Calvinistic Christians will get the greatest benefit from this read. But it may also prove of great interest to those of the Methodist heritage. Also, all who are called to the ministry of evangelism (teaching and preaching) could not but benefit from this work. Whitefield's zeal is contagious and his meekness humbling. The mere historian might enjoy the factual aspects of the book, but it was written from a distinctively evangelical Christian perspective.

"Weary in Thy work, but not weary of it." -G. Whitefield

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These volumes are life changing, January 19, 2000

By 

Phillip Cavin (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth Century - Volume II (Hardcover)

I was very fortunate to spend a great deal of time with Dr. Dallimore when he was in the process of writing vol. II of this extraordinary work. He was pastoring Immanuel Baptist Church, Windsor, Ontario, and I had the good privelige of assisting him in that work for several years. My wife Marsha helped by typing the manuscripts as he finished them long hand. I was fortunate to get a sneak preview and discuss with Dr. Dallimore the writing. These two volumes and my time spent with the author changed my views of ministry and the work of God considerably. You cannot read this work without developing a deeper sense of the wonder and majesty of God as displayed during extraordinary times of refreshing in the church. The main character of course is Whitfield, the subject is the revivals of his times but the lessons learned go far beyond mere historical studies. Great lessons of spiritual discipline are conveyed through the eyes of wise Dr. Dallimore. If you are a Pastor or aspire to be one and haven't read this you must! It will change your ministry. Dr. Dallimore, was not only an author but a sincere Minister of the Word, and his works deserve to be read by the Church for ages to come.