Notes and Queries, Number 234, April 22, 1854

George Whitefield proclaimed in an earnest voice, and with an earnest look, the gospel of Jesus Christ to multitudes of his fellow-creatures. He was wonderfully endowed by God for his great work, and the evidence of his vast success is to be found in the fact that immense numbers flocked from all parts to listen to the tidings which he had to deliver. He had audiences on Kennington Common amounting to ten, twenty and thirty thousand people, great numbers of whom were savingly impressed by his message. He melted their hearts, and sent them away, reflecting on the great problems of man's history, and on the dignity and destiny of the human mind. Take the following from his published diary, which is now scarce, and not much known:

"Sunday, April 29, 1731. At five in the evening went and preached at Kennington Common, about two miles from London, where upwards of 20,000 people were supposed to be present. The wind being for me, it carried the voice to the extremest part of the audience. All stood attentiv