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

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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.

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

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.

In place of my Bible, no other books in my library have my heart like Dr. Dallimore's two volume biography on the Rev. George Whitefield. Dr. Dallimore spent 10 years writing the first volume. The demand from all over the world to have a second volume prompted Dr. Dallimore to resign his pastorate of over 20 years and proceed to spend the next 15 years writing the sequel. It is a masterpiece.

He travelled to England five times in his research and is known around the world as the Whitefieldian expert. Dr. Dallimore was 86 years old when he died on March 20, 1998, in Cottam, Ontario, Canada. I had the blessed opportunity of meeting Dr. Dallimore and his dear wife, May, on two occasions late in 1997. Every Christian ought to have all of Dr. Dallimore's books on their bookshelf, but especially "George Whitefield." Reading these books was like talking with a good friend.

Paul Miller 11/9/98

Few recent books have so wide and so deep an impact as Arnold Dallimore's magisterial biography of George Whitefield. The first volume, stretching from Whitefield's birth in 1714 to his section visit to American in 1740 was published in 1970 and has since been reprinted six times. The second volume, which stretches from 1740 until Whitefield's death in 1770, was published ten years later in 1980. It has been reprinted three times. Together the volumes comprise some 1200 pages of detailed biography. Rarely have I had a biography recommended to me by so many and by men of such distinction. Rarely have I benefited more from reading about another man's life.

I have noticed a strange phenomenon with this biography. Where most books of this one's scope and impact have been widely and thoroughly reviewed, this one seems to be an exception. As I attempted to write a review I may have found out why this is: it is very difficult to adequately sum up so much content in just a few words. And, as with any biography, it is difficult to measure and summarize the impact of such a book. Instead I am left doing what others have done--writing thoughts on the book that somehow seem disconnected and inadequate. Even Gary Gilley, a reviewer who is rarely lost for words, can write no more than this: "It would be difficult to lavish too much praise on Dallimore's two volume biography of the famous eighteenth century evangelist George Whitefield. This is the definitive work of Whitefield's life and ministry, dispelling many misconceptions while showing the true character and impact of this most remarkable man. Along the way the reader also receives valuable insight into the lives of the Wesleys, Jonathan Edwards and the Moravians. This is one of the greatest biographies ever written."

The Foreword to the first volume is supplied by no one less than Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. The Doctor suggests that he waited decades to find a thorough and authoritative biography of Whitefield, a man he regarded as a historical hero. This book, he felt, which appeared on the bi-centenary of Whitefield's death, achieves the excellence Lloyd-Jones knew had long been missing. Reflecting on the life of the subject he writes "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 characterized his life and ministry. Whitefield never drew attention to himself but always pointed people to his God and exalted his Lord and Savior. May he, though now dead for nearly 200 years, do the same for countless thousands through the reading of this book!" The intervening years, almost forty of them, have shown this to be the case.

This book's subtitle, The life and times of the great evangelist of the 18th century revival, is important in understanding the book. Whitefield found himself one of the sparks of the the Great Awakening and the revival of the 18th century. While other men played important roles, Whitefield was the pin at the center of the wheel. His tireless itinerancy took his preaching ministry to almost every corner of the United Kingdom and to almost the whole of the settled portion of the United States. But for illness he would also have extended his ministry to Canada. Perhaps one of this book's greatest contributions is in helping people separate the life and contributions of George Whitefield from those of John Wesley--a man who Whitefield always loved but who so often opposed him. This biographies shows conclusively that it was Whitefield's ministry that sparked the awakening.

I was grateful to see that Dallimore deals fairly with Whitefield's shortcomings in these volumes. This is no hagiography--worship of a saint that is free from difficult examinations of the subject's failings. Though Dallimore has to confess that he finds surprisingly little fault with the man, he deals frankly and forthrightly with those areas in which Whitefield showed immaturity, poor judgment or poor discernment. He questions Whitefield's decision to marry and the unusual circumstances surrounding his first rejected proposal of marriage. He does not shy from discussing Whitefield's role in justifying and even promoting slavery in the colonies. He does not allow the passing of the years or his deep respect for his subject to mislead him or to excuse sin. Experience shows that this quality is surprisingly rare in such biographies.

Eminently readable despite its length and depth, this biography only reinforces my belief that biographies can be among the greatest catalysts to spiritual growth. It is a classic and one that takes its place among my favorite biographies along with such great titles as Marsden's Jonathan Edwards and Dallimore's own Spurgeon. It will prove valuable to pastors or evangelists as they see the example of a man who labored tirelessly for the gospel; it will prove valuable to all Christians as they see the example of a man who labored tirelessly to grow even and ever closer to his Savior. Whitefield is a man who stands as an example to all of us. Dallimore has done us a great service in opening up to us the life of this great man of God.

Together these two volumes represent a financial investment that is not insignificant. Purchased together they are likely to cost at least sixty or seventy dollars. But I can testify, as can a long list of people of far greater wisdom and discernment than I, that they are well worth the investment.

"Justice has at last been done to the greatest preacher that England every produced." This was the judgment of Martyn Lloyd-Jones concerning the first volume of Arnold Dallimore's biography of George Whitefield. This is perhaps the most authoritative work to date on the life of Whitefield, surpassing the older work of Luke Tyreman in both breadth (since Dallimore had access to far more material than Tyreman) and objectivity (Tyreman was a Wesleyan who was somewhat unsympathetic with Whitefield's theology).

The two volumes together are divided into eight parts, which help give some navigation to understanding Whitefield's life. The sections are: (Volume 1): I. The Years of Preparation; II. The Youthful Ministry; III. The Period of Transition; (Volume 2): IV. The Controversy; V. The Calvinist Evangelist of Two Continents; VI. The Helper of all the Revival; VII. The Years of Failing Strength; and VIII. Death and Commemoration.

Volume 1 traces Whitefield's life from birth to conversion through the early years of the Great Awakening which came under his preaching in England, Wales, and the Colonies of North America. It is full of details about his travels, excerpts from sermons and journals, and is exceptionally well documented. Special attention is rightfully given to Whitefield's relationship with John Wesley, and several mistaken notions concerning the two men are corrected with careful research supporting the conclusions.

The second volume begins with an introduction that gives more attention to the mistaken conceptions about Whitefield's relationship with the Wesleys. Chapter one then steers the reader back into the narrative, picking up where volume 1 left off with Whitefield's return to England from America in 1739. Several chapters are then devoted to the controversy between the Whitefield and Wesley. A broad-brush coverage is given to Whitefield's work in both Great Britain and America, with occasional detours detailing events such as the Cambuslang Revival and the contributions of other prominent figures in the revival such Howell Harris and John Cennick.

Dallimore writes with an obvious admiration and appreciation for Whitefield, yet he does not whitewash his faults. Whitefield's respectable, though less than ideal marriage to the widow, Elizabeth James (who had also been courted by Howell Harris - an interesting love-triangle there!) is discussed, as well has the enormous load of debt he carried for the Orphan House founded in Georgia. While there was nothing in Whitefield's life to tarnish his integrity, his humanity is clearly evident in more than one instance.

The interest and usefulness of this excellent biography is enhanced by the thorough index (at the end of volume 2), thirteen appendices (six in volume 1, seven in volume 2), thorough documentation (with hundreds - maybe thousands - of footnotes), nine-page bibliography (volume 2) and over sixty illustrations.

But the true value of the two volumes lies in their soul-stirring account of the great work of God in and through Whitefield's life. A Christian could hardly ask for more delightful reading. To quote Lloyd-Jones again, "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."

Volume 2 is as good as Volume 1. After reading volume 1, I wondered what more could be said about George Whitefield. The author is very thorough in his coverage of the G.W. And there is so much to tell. I felt I was reading a story about 3 or 4 men, it was so much.

My favorite story in these books is an incident that shows his generosity. One day G.W. came upon a poor person in need and so he gave the person some money. It bothered his friend that was traveling with him that it was too much to give and he told G.W. about it. G.W.'s response was that the person was in obvious need, and why should he not be generous. A little later G.W. was robbed and G.W. said he was glad that the poor person got the money rather than the thief. A little later, the thief came back and demanded G.W.'s coat and left him his old ragged coat. It wasn't long and the thief came back again running wildly after them. G.W. and his friend ran, thinking the man was going to kill them. They were able to get to a house and away from the thief. When G.W. took off the thief's old ragged coat, inside he found a bag of money that was much larger than G.W. had started with. We would call this irony, but to G.W. it was like the Lord had rewarded him for his generosity to the poor person. He was able to bless the poor person and still come out ahead.

I was impressed at the ability of G.W. to preach over 18,000 sermons in his lifetime. His travels on a horse, a 2 wheel buggy, or a carriage for 1,000's of miles is incredible. His vision of all the places where he wanted to go and preach was never ending. What seemed to others as chaos was really G.W.'s well organized itinerary to reach as many as he could. He did have a plan.

I was impressed at the kindness of G.W. when dealing with other men and women, especially those who were not very nice to him. The author does a good job at showing the relationship between G.W. and the Wesleys as it started, became strained, was partially mended, strained again, and finally restored. But this mending and restoring was due in large part to G.W. His ability to keep a level head was not always easy, but he comes through so many times. People noticed the special noncritical spirit about G.W. and they noticed how helpful it was for the revival and ministry. He was able to stay above the pettiness of others and keep focused on his mission. He was not easily offended and did not seem to hold a grudge when wronged.

I was impressed at the way G.W. could write to Benjamin Franklin and share the gospel. He made it plain that he wanted B.F to experience the new birth. G.W. was constantly trying to build a bridge to B.F.'s heart to allow Jesus to walk over. Sadly B.F. never did become a Christian. But G.W. was faithful. This is a good example for us, even today. I felt like G.W. was a real person. He rejoiced with B.F. on his knowledge of electricity, but then would encouraged him to understand something even greater - the new birth. His correspondence with B.F. is inspiring.

I think that it was obvious that people really, really liked G.W. He rubbed elbows with many of the greats of his day, but was equally received and liked by children.

This is a lot to read, but I am glad that I have taken the time getting to know the life of George Whitefield. This material is straight out of the 100's of letters and correspondences that G.W. received and sent and is not just the author's biased feelings. Very historical.

This second volume continues to display the immensity of the breadth and lasting influence of Whitefield's ministry in England, Scotland, Wales and America, and the astronomical number of his crowd. Benjamin Franklin remarked on the effect of Whitefield's preaching that "it seemed as if all the world were growing religious" (p.441). In addition, there are also more exposures on Whitefield's personal side. Here we learn about his marriage, the lifestyle he and his wife adopted as a married couple, his outreach to the nobles; particularly in England, and how he handled bitter oppositions and criticism with grace, even from some of his closest fellow laborers; John and Charles Wesley. John Wesley started "the flames of controversy" by publishing his Arminian sermon "Free Grace" and continued to attack the Calvinist Methodists with harsh and uncharitable words. Howell Harris, one of Whitefield's closest associates in Wales, describes it in this way,

"John Wesley... by his rash and inconsiderate speeches he has not only grieved the hearts of God's people, but has given occasion for the enemies of the Lord to rejoice" (p.33).

Whitefield refuted Wesley's objections against Calvinism in truth and meekness, in the spirit of 1 Pet 3:15-16 without any slight hint of resentment, bitterness, anger, hatred, or retaliation (p.551-569). And the surprising fact is, despite the firmness in defending what he thought to be true, Whitefield treated the Wesleys as "These dear, dear old friends, whom I still love as my own soul," and his affection toward them was described as "remain as warm as ever" (p.44). This charitable spirit is one crucial lesson every Christian from all denominations ought to learn from. Instead of deciding to form his own Whitefieldian denomination in opposition to the Wesleyans, he decided to work together not only with the Wesleys, but also other denominations he came in contact with according to his resolution to be "the servant of all." With this attitude, Whitefield shouldn't be mistaken as a man-pleaser, however, because in calling himself the servant of all, he did not compromise his doctrinal conviction. It means Whitefield did not become an Arminian when he preached to the Wesleyans or a Baptist when he preached to Baptists, but he hanged on to the doctrines of grace resulting from the study of Scriptures, his reading of Reformed and Puritan authors, and also from the influence of the many men of Calvinistic beliefs he had met in America (p.43). His principle can be summarized as follows,

"My heart does not reproach me, for my kindness and friendship with those that differ from me. I think I have been led by the Word and Spirit of God into this part of my conduct... I cannot renounce those precious truths that I have felt the power of, and which were taught me not of man, but of God. At the same time, I would love all that love Jesus, though they differ from me in some points" (p.76).

"Let my name die everywhere, let even my friends forget me, if by that means the cause of the blessed Jesus may be promoted. I want to bring souls, not to a party... but to a sense of their undone condition by nature, and to true faith in Jesus Christ. But what is Calvin, or what is Luther? Let us look above names and parties; let Jesus be our all in all - so that He be preached... I care not who is uppermost. I know my place... even to be the servant of all. I want not to have a people called after my name" (p.258).

"I would love all that love Jesus, though they differ from me in some points" What! This is so unlike, so uncharacteristic of today's Western Reformed Culture I am familiar with. I thought I am supposed to despise, belittle, make fun of those who disagree with me and vehemently fight to prove I am right and they are wrong if they are not Calvinists, or if they are not Cessationists, or if they are not Paedobaptists? I have to say I shouldn't generalize this tendency, but I believe Whitefield is right. I am glad he wrote it. I have to agree with him. O that my attitude be rectified and be made like his. O that I may learn to be a kind Calvinist...

Whitefield's marriage with Elizabeth James shows the bitter sweet reality of marriage of a true minister of the gospel, who didn't work for money or his family or personal fame ("Let my name be forgotten, let me be trodden under the feet of all men, if Jesus may thereby be glorified, p.257), but for his Master. It was not the Cinderella happily-ever-after one that many dream of, but one filled with intense longings caused by a prolonged inter-continental separation due to ministerial work, the death of an infant child because of an inadequate fund to secure a warm travel through the winter, and other miscarriages. This is where one would hesitate if Whitefield was being irresponsible, specifically in the death of his first son, by spending too much of his time and energy on travel, preaching, charitable and ecclesiastical work while neglecting his family altogether. But on the other hand, Elizabeth James proved herself to be a woman of virtue, gladly, humbly and fully submissive to God's providence and an excellent helper to her husband till death did they part.

Another stunningly sobering yet happy account unique to this second volume is the account of his early 1742 evangelistic effort in Moorfield where he met with so intense of an abuse from the crowd that he "narrowly escaped" with his life. Here is a representative description of the kind of crowd Whitefield had to deal with as well as the breadth of his outreach that had a profound influence on children as well,

"... Several little boys and girls who were fond of sitting round me on the pulpit while I preached, and handing to me people's notes, though they were often pelted with eggs, dirt etc thrown at me, never once gave way; but on the contrary, every time I was struck, turned up their little weeping eyes, and seemed to wish they could receive the blows for me" (p.118).

The outreach to the upper-class in England is no less stunning. Here we learn about the noble character of Selina Hesting, the Countess of Huntingdon, converted under Whitefield's ministry, and who turned out to be God's instrument to connect him to the Dukes and Duchess, Lords, Earls, Sirs, and Marquis, Field Marshall and Secretary of State in England, Scotland and Wales; in short, "a glittering array of the great and rich," so that he may carry the gospel to them through the gatherings she held in her home. She has much to commend as an assistant of Whitefield's work in "laboring in prayer, exercising her personal witness and using her wealth and influence to the fullest extent possible in the furtherance of the Gospel. Whatever she had formerly admired and pursued, she now voluntarily laid at the feet of her Lord; and dedicated her time, her studies, her acquisitions and her substance to the service of God... desiring at once to present him with her whole being, a living sacrifice, expressive of her entire devotion" (p.263).

Whitefield was someone who could barely say no to the requests and popular demands to preach that kept coming to him like a flood. Only when he was ill; a condition that he struggled with more and more as he aged, he reduced his preaching activity from two or three times a day to four or five times a week. The day when he died, he preached once at noon and once in the evening. He was about ready to rest after dinner when the street in front of the house he lodged at that night was filled with people begging him to preach. Here is the account of his last moments,

"Unwilling, despite his weariness, to forego any opportunity to declare the Gospel, he responded to the request and stood on the landing, halfway up the stairs, candle in hand, preaching Christ. He was soon greatly alive to his subject and becoming heedless of time he continued to speak, till finally, the candle flickered, burned itself out and died away. That dying flame and that burned-out candle were representative that evening of the man himself and of his life" (p. 504).

I don't think it is an exaggeration to describe this two volume set of biography as the happiest biography I have ever read. It has a humbling, sobering yet joyful effect that still lingers with me and I hope to linger for a long time so I can continue to relish the reminiscence of it with the hope someday if the Lord wills it, I could be a part of such a blessed labor of an evangelist and such great of a revival.

After spending more than 1200 pages with a man, you feel like you know him quite well. Dallimore has set the standard for me as I read biographers and I would venture to guess that this book has permanently shaped my expectations as to the detail with which an author seeking to write the definitive biography, should write with. Dallimore shines in the details. I think that I read somewhere that he spent 30 years in preparation for this work and if that is true, I'd believe it. He seems to have read every imaginable primary and secondary source and brought in so much evidence for his arguments that this work will likely never be topped. I feel like I went with Whitefield on every single ministry circuit, read every one of his letters, and knew each one of his friends. Dallimore's contribution is remarkable.

The danger in reading the biographies of such extraordinary humans is discouragement. Whitefield is probably the most extraordinary man I've ever heard of. His unique ministerial gifts, his gospel energy, and the holiness of his life make him feel superhuman to me and I find it quite difficult to relate to him. I attribute most of this simply to the fact that God gifted him in extraordinary ways. Yet, I also direct a modest portion of blame towards the author. My largest disappointment with this work is that though the author acknowledged numerous faults possessed by Whitefield, it often felt as if he did it only out of obligation. On pp 519-20 of vol. II Dallimore briefly summarizes 6 of Whitefield's faults but it felt disproportional to me. After 1200 pages of admiration, I'd suggest that the credibility of this work would be bolstered if at least 5% of the space had been given to a consideration of his faults. In particular, I was troubled by Whitefield's neglect of his wife and felt that many of his life's troubles came from overextending himself in ministry. I'm really surprised that the latter concern was not addressed as the author cites countless of accounts of how his friends seemed to share my concern.

However, these criticisms should not detract much from this work. To borrow a common assessment of Whitefield, the weaknesses of Dallimore's work are like 'spots on the sun,' thus hardly noticeable. The power of this work, like any decent biography is the opportunity it provides not only for education for historical events such as the Great Awakening, or the Whitefield v. Wesley controversy, but also for personal reflection. It would be far too ambitious of a task for me to attempt to account for the numerous bits of both large and small wisdom that I gained from observing this man's life.

The bottom line is that if you are interested in Whitefield, Wesley, or the Great Awakening this book is indispensable. This is the unrivaled, definitive work on Whitefield's life and should be widely read by pastors, church historians, and aspiring leaders across many denominations. Additionally, I commend Banner of Truth for the quality of this sewn binding. These two books are the best constructed books I own.

As with the first, I have a really mixed feeling towards this book. Dallimore writes well, if only he wouldn't use direct quotes so much it'd shine through more clearly. It was sometimes tedious to read though, because he would divert from the main subject quite frequently. Dallimore & any reader of this book certainly will gain a lot of knowledge not just about Whitefield, but about many of his contemporaries. At the same time there was rather limited broad historical context. My chief complaint is still that Dallimore thrusts too much upon the reader his own very high opinion of Whitefield. I don't think Whitefield needs Dallimore to tell us that he was a great man - his life speaks well enough on its own (in many ways). At the same time, Whitefield had some major flaws - chiefly in his marital conduct it seems (not providing well) - but this gets scant notice. Even errors Dallimore admits are brushed aside largely, which is a shame, because it's far too easy to become discouraged when a biographer paints a too rosy picture of a man: how can I compare?? For a time as I read this, I questioned whether or not it was Whitefield or God that was popular - as it seemed that his works fell apart whenever he was on the other side of the Atlantic. As he settled into a ministry in England, more steadily, I felt like there was less of that perhaps "personality" draw & more work of the Spirit. Of course, this is just my sense from this one biography & it certain is no dis-credit to the instrument that it is fine or that people love to hear it; I just struggled for a while with the question of who (in the listeners' minds) was the chief delight. I haven't seen Dallimore's more recent single volume work, but if, on flipping through it, I found fewer "rabbit trails" & much less direct quotations (including an entire page of Lord's & Lady's names!!) I'm sure it would be a much finer work.