George Whitefield is considered the greatest evangelist of the 18th century and was a major contributor to the 'Great Awakening' in Colonial America. Born in 1714 of humble origins, he grew up to become a very popular preacher. Churches were packed, bubbling over with eager anticipation to hear him. His preaching was described as apostolic, bold, purely gospel, with an immensity of pathos. His voice was so powerful that 30,000 people could hear him at once, and yet, so musical and well-toned that some have said, "he could raise tears by his pronunciation of the 'Mesopotamia'". In his sermon, The Method of Grace, Whitefield shows the way for a person to receive true, lasting peace in his soul.