reach in the fields, when all my life I had believed in everything
being done properly and according to the rules of the Church. Indeed, I
should have thought it almost a sin to preach anywhere else."

However, because of the lots, he felt it was all right; and he was still
more sure of this when he saw the crowds, who would never have gone into
a church, listening so intently to God's Word. He very soon got used to
open-air preaching, and by and by Mr. Whitefield left the work at
Kingswood to him.

When the people heard that Mr. Whitefield was going to leave them, they
were very, very sorry; and the day he rode out of Bristol, a number of
them, about twenty, rode on horseback with him, they could not bear to
say "good-bye."

As he passed through Kingswood, the poor colliers, who were so grateful
for all he had done for them, came out to meet him, and told him they
had a great surprise for him. They had been very busy collecting money
for a school for poor children, and now they wanted their dear friend,
Mr. Whitefield, to lay the corner-stone of their new building.

He was surprised and delighted; and when the ceremony was over, he knelt
down and prayed that the school might soon be completed, and that God's
blessing might ever rest upon it; and all those rough colliers bowed
their heads, and uttered a fervent "Amen."

At last "good-bye" was said to the dear minister who had brought them
the glad tidings of salvation, and leaving them in charge of Mr. Wesley,
George Whitefield rode away.

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CHAPTER XVII.

John Wesley's moral courage.--What some carriage
people thought of him.--And why.--The fashionable
Beau in the big, white hat.--Interrupts Mr.
Wesley.--Gets as good as he gives.--And
better.--The King of Bath slinks away.

DO you know what "moral courage" is, young readers? How shall I explain
it? I think you will understand it best if I say it is "courage to do
what is right." A boy may have courage to fight a bigger boy than
himself, but he may not have the moral courage to own to a fault before
his school-fellows, or to side with the right when that side is
unpopular.

Now, I think John Wesley showed a great deal of moral courage when he
started to preach in the open air. Remember, he was born a gentleman, he
was educated as a gentleman, and as Fellow of an Oxford College had
always mixed with distinguished