Nathan Cole, a farmer and carpenter residing near Middletown, Connecticut, left the following account of George Whitefield's appearance there in 1740. Cole's narrative conveys the excitement aroused throughout the colonies by Whitefield's preaching.
…I longed to see and hear [Whitefield] and wished he would come this way… And then one morning…there came a messenger and said Mr. Whitfeld…is to preach at Middletown this morning at 10 o clock. I was in my field at work [and] I dropt my tool rotten boroughs rotten boroughs…and run home…and bade my wife to get ready quick to goo and hear Mr. Whitfeld. I brought my hors home and soon mounted and took my wife up and went forward as fast as I thought the hors could bear… We improved every moment to get along as if we was fleeing for our lives, all this while fearing we should be too late to hear the Sarmon, for we had twelve miles to ride double in littel more than an hour.
…I saw before me a Cloud or fog rising -- I first thought -- off from the great river. But as I came nearer the road I heard a noise, something like a low rumbling thunder, and I presently found it was the rumbling of horses feet coming down the road and this Cloud was a Cloud of dust made by the running of horses feet… And when I came nearer it was like a stedy streem of horses and their riders…Every hors semed to go with all his might to carry his rider to hear the news from heaven for the saving of their Souls. It made me trembel to see the Sight -- how the world was in a strugle! I herd no man speak a word all the way…but evry one presing forward in great haste. And when we gat down to the old meating house, thare was a great multitude. It was said to be 3 or 4000 people assembled together…I turned and looked toward the great river and saw the fery boats running swift… bringing over loads of people… Everything -- men, horses and boats -- all seamed to be struglin for life. The land and the banks over the river looked black with people and horse all along the 12 miles. I see no man at work in his field, but all seamed to be gone.
When I see Mr. Whitfeld…he looked almost angellical -- a young, slim, slender youth before some thousands of people, and with a bold, undaunted countenance. And my hearing how God was with him everywhere as he came along, it solomnized my mind, and put me in a trembling fear before he began to preach, for he looked as if he was Cloathed with authority from the great God…and my hearing him preach gave me a heart wound, by god's blessing. My old foundation was broken up and I saw that my righteousness would not save me. Then I was convinced of the doctrine of Election…because all that I could do would not save me, and he [God] had decreed from Eternity who should be saved and who not….
From G. L. Walker, Some Aspects of the Religious Life of New England (1897).
