The following is from a fiery sermon by George Whitefield, the 18th century preacher who’s bluntness offended some but drew crowds by the tens of thousands. George Whitefield and others were used by God to bring about the movement known as the Great Awakening when many people across the emerging nation made decisions to follow Christ.
“Father Abraham, whom have you in heaven?” he shouted. “Any Episcopalians?”
“No!” the people roared.
“Any Presbyterians?” Whitefield danced around the stage as he spoke, jabbing at the air with his hands.
“No!”
“Any Independents or Seceders. New Sides or Old Sides, any Methodists?”
“No! No! No!” the crowd shouted in reply
He called out, “Whom have you there, then, Father Abraham? We don’t know those names here! All who are here are Christians– believers in Christ, men who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of his testimony . . . God help me, God help us all, to forget having names and to become Christians in deed and in truth.”
