Earl of Dartmouth

The Earl of Dartmouth (1731-1801) was a strong Christian and a friend of Evangelicalism. He knew some of the great preachers through his acquaintance with Lady Huntingdon: he met Whitefield, Romaine, and the Wesleys. His faith was well known; a letter from a Mr. Hervey to Lady Shirley in 1757 speaks to it: "I have not the honour of Lord Dartmouth's acquaintance; but I hear he is full of grace, and valiant for the truth, -- a lover of Christ, and an ornament to his gospel."

Lord Dartmouth was the butt of jokes and ridicule at the hands of the upper crust. Many of them were won over to Christ by Dartmouth's stand for the Lord. King George III knew of Dartmouth's faith; in an interview with Dr. Beattie, the king said, "They call my Lord Dartmouth an enthusiast, but surely he says nothing on the subject of religion but what any Christian may and ought to say."