In episode 85 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson delves into the lives and beliefs of Thomas Payne and George Whitfield, particularly focusing on their responses to slavery in America's colonies. He details Payne's outspoken abolitionist efforts, highlighted by his influential essays and the formation of the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage. Payne's consistent opposition to slavery is contrasted with Whitfield's evolving stance: despite initially condemning the brutality of slavery, Whitfield eventually capitulated to its economic advantages, utilizing slave labor to support his endeavors, including the Bethesda orphanage. The episode underscores the moral complexities and divergent paths of these two historical figures in their confrontation with slavery.

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (00:25) Overview of the Series (00:48) Book Purchase and Newsletter Subscription (01:14) Roger Williams and Cotton Mather (02:36) Thomas Payne and George Whitfield (04:37) Thomas Payne's Fight Against Slavery (12:36) George Whitfield's Journey and Ministry (28:40) Whitfield's Contradictions and Legacy (36:05) Conclusion: Payne and Whitfield's Stance on Slavery