PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., Vol. 3 (of 6) : Containing all his sermons and tracts, etc.
Whitefield, George, 1714-1770 · 178,550 words · 629 reading sections
LETTER MCCCCXXXVI.
_To Mr. John W――――r._ _The Downs, on board the Friendship, September 18, 1769._ _My dear Friend_, I MUST not forget you and your dear yoke-fellow, whom I cannot but number amongst my old first friends and children. I hope this will find bodily pain subsided, or grace given to make it more than tolerable. Little do w…
174 wordsSECTION 542LETTER MCCCCXXXVII.
_To Mr. G――――, and to all in conference._ _The Downs, on board the Friendship, September 19, 1769._ _Dearly beloved in the LORD_, THOUGH absent in body, I am present with you in spirit. Not want of love, but of leisure, prevented my holding a conference with you before my embarkation. My hands and heart were full. E…
424 wordsSECTION 543LETTER MCCCCXXXVIII.
_To Mr. J――――s._ _On board the Friendship, in the Downs, September 19, 1769._ _My very dear Captain_, I WRITE a few lines at a venture, uncertain whether you are in town or not. You see where they leave me; at our first baiting place. Had not our Captain loitered at _London_ last Lord’s-day, we might have been out o…
251 wordsSECTION 544LETTER MCCCCXXXIX.
_To Mr. B――――s._ _The Downs, on board the Friendship, Captain Ball. September 19, 1769._ _My dear old Friend_, THOUGH my hands and heart were too full, to come and give you personal thanks on shore, be pleased to accept my most grateful acknowledgments for your kind present, and yet kinder letter, now I am on board…
232 wordsSECTION 545_G. W._
_P. S._ I should be glad if you would be pleased to send the _Atlas_ to Mr. _K――――n_, woollen-draper, in the _Minories_. A ship goes soon to _Georgia_.…
30 wordsSECTION 546LETTER MCCCCXL.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _On board the Friendship, off New-Romney, September 26, 1769._ _My very dear Friend_, MAN appoints, but an all-wise, all-gracious GOD disappoints. Dear Mr. _H――――y_ guessed right. This day sevennight we weighed anchor, and sailed, though very slowly, as far as _Fair-Lee_. But for near five day…
395 wordsSECTION 547_G. W._
_Off New-Romney, September 28._ STILL we are prisoners. But blessed be GOD, prisoners of hope! In GOD’s due time, the word of command will be, _Go forward_. I am sadly off for want of white biscuit. But GOD will supply every want. The boat is going, that came off with some eatables. Adieu. Tender love to all. Blessed …
79 wordsSECTION 548_G. W._
¹ The very same censures are too justly applicable to the volume of sermons, now published by Mr. _Gurney_, as Mr. _Whitefield_’s.――――Relying on the accuracy of the shorthand-writer, and on the fidelity of the reverend gentleman who was to revise the sermons, and on their joint regard for the memory of Mr. _Whitefield_…
267 wordsSECTION 549LETTER MCCCCXLI.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _On board the Friendship, Captain Ball, in Five-fathom Hole, about ten miles from Charles-Town, South-Carolina. November 30, 1769._ _My dear Friend_, WE have had a long, and in several respects a trying passage. Particulars expect by the packet, which the pilot says will sail in two or three d…
255 wordsSECTION 550_G. W._
_Charles-Town, December 1._ BLESSED be GOD, a pilot-boat came yesterday along-side, and brought us hither in safety to our unspeakable comfort in the evening. Our reception as hearty or heartier than ever. Grace! grace! The ship is not yet come up. Blessed be GOD, I am brave and well, and am to preach this afternoon. …
90 wordsSECTION 551LETTER MCCCCXLII.
_To Miss H――――y._ _Charles-Town, South-Carolina, December 6, 1769._ _Dear Madam_, SHALL I promise, and not perform? GOD forbid! You have one of my first letters since our arrival. The long passage made shore more agreeable. Miss _H――――y_ knows how to apply such an account. All we meet with here, will be sweetly over…
246 wordsSECTION 552LETTER MCCCCXLIII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Charles-Town, December 9, 1769._ _My very dear Friend_, IMMEDIATELY on our arrival, I sent you a letter by way of _Liverpool_, and then promised you a particular and very explicit letter by this packet: but it must be deferred a few days. So much company crowds in, that together with my preac…
279 wordsSECTION 553LETTER MCCCCXLIV.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Savannah, December 24, 1769._ _My very dear Friend_, THE bearer _B―――― F――――_ is the steward of the ship in which I came over: a very handy useful man; to whom in a great measure I owe the chief comfort of my voyage, as to eatables. He hath had convictions at times, and longs to live ashore. …
190 wordsSECTION 554LETTER MCCCCXLV.
_To Mr. S―――― S――――._ _Bethesda, January 11, 1770._ _Dear Sir_, CAN I forget my dear, very dear old steady friend? rather let my right hand forget her cunning. How are you? Still afflicted? still in pain? still made to possess wearisome nights, and wearisome days? Well, all will be over soon; soon, yea very soon sha…
187 wordsSECTION 555_G. W._
If I thought you did not, or would not use your globes, I would beg them for our infant library. The increase of this colony is almost incredible. Real good, I trust, is doing; and a blessed door is opening for Mr. _W――――_’s usefulness. Blessed be GOD! Blessed be GOD!…
51 wordsSECTION 556LETTER MCCCCXLVI.
_To Mrs. H――――e._ _Bethesda, January 11, 1770._ _Dear Mrs. H――――e_, MY last to you left me just arrived at _Charles-Town_. This leaves me an old inhabitant of, or rather a worthless sojourner at _Bethesda_. Both, I hope, will find the worthy Mrs. _H――――e_ and her daughter enjoying thriving souls in healthy bodies. E…
262 wordsSECTION 557LETTER MCCCCXLVII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Charles-Town, February 10, 1770._ _My dear Friend_, LAST night a kind Providence brought me hither, where I received your kind letter, dated _November 2d_. Blessed be GOD, that all things go on so well at _London_! You reason well about ――――. I entirely agree with you in sentiment concerning …
376 wordsSECTION 558LETTER MCCCCXLVIII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Charles-Town, February 22, 1770._ _My very dear Friend_, NO letters by the packet, or another ship that hath brought in above five hundred from _London_! As I hear Captain _Rainier_ is bound for _Savannah_, I hope at my return to _Bethesda_ to find a letter there. Your last, dated _November 2…
336 wordsSECTION 559LETTER MCCCCXLIX.
_To Mr. B――――n._ _Charles-Town, February 27, 1770._ _My dear Mr. B――――n_, I OWE you an answer to your kind letter. Blessed be GOD, I can send you good news from a far country! All things at _Bethesda_ go on quite well. My bodily health is upon the advance, and the word, I trust, runs and is glorified. At present, my…
258 wordsSECTION 560_G. W._
_March 4._ Pray tell Mr. _K――――n_, that I hope to write to him in a few days from _Georgia_. To-morrow, GOD willing, I return thither. I trust substantial good hath been done here. Grace! grace!…
37 wordsSECTION 561LETTER MCCCCL.
_To Mrs. H――――e._ _Charles-Town, March 4, 1770._ _Dear Mrs. H――――e_, ALTHOUGH at such a distance, I cannot forget Mrs. _H――――e_ and her daughter, and all their works of faith and labours of love. I doubt not, but this will find them on the full stretch for heaven, and as usual abounding in the work of the LORD. It l…
235 wordsSECTION 562LETTER MCCCCLI.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Savannah, March 11, 1770._ _My very dear worthy Friend_, BLESSED be GOD, the good wine seemed to be kept till the last at _Charles-Town_. Last _Thursday_ I returned, and found all well at _Bethesda_. I am come to town to preach this morning, though somewhat fatigued with being on the water th…
172 wordsSECTION 563LETTER MCCCCLII.
_To the Same._ _Bethesda, April 6, 1770._ _My very dear Sir_, I AM waiting here for a brig that is to carry me northward, and for a letter and news from _England_. Your last was dated, _November 2_: several months have intervened. I now almost despair of hearing from you again, till my arrival at _Boston_. But I hop…
278 wordsSECTION 564LETTER MCCCCLIII.
_To the Same._ _Bethesda, April 16, 1770._ _My very dear worthy Friend_, _HALLELUJAH!_ Praise the LORD! The books and letters both by _Ball_ and _Sunbury_, are come safe. You have done quite right. Our LORD must choose his own means to bring about his own purpose. Mr. _Smith_ (the clerk) was much rejoiced by receivi…
266 wordsSECTION 565LETTER MCCCCLIV.
_To the Same._ _Bethesda, April 20, 1770._ _My very dear Sir_, TO my very great joy, a few days ago I received your kind letters with all the papers. Give peace in our time, O LORD! We enjoy a little heaven upon earth here. With regret I go northward, as far as _Philadelphia_ at least, next _Monday_. Though I am per…
333 wordsSECTION 566LETTER MCCCCLV.
_To Mr. and Mrs. S――――n._ _Bethesda, April 21, 1770._ _My dear Friends_, LONG before now, I hope you have found, that I have not forgotten you or your labours of love. This comes to inform you, that the Father of mercies hath not forgotten to be gracious to the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints…
175 wordsSECTION 567LETTER MCCCCLVI.
_To Mrs. H――――e._ _Bethesda, April 21, 1770._ _Dear Mrs. H――――e_, NO such good news yet. Less than the least of all, is not drowned to this very day. Perhaps he may live to see his _London_ friends in _England_, or at _Bethesda_. How would many rejoice to be in such a peaceful, commodious, and comfortable habitation…
184 wordsSECTION 568LETTER MCCCCLVII.
_To Mr. S―――― S――――._ _Bethesda, April 21, 1770._ _Dear Sir_, ALTHOUGH I have scarce time to turn round, being just setting off for _Philadelphia_, yet I must drop a few lines to my old invariable friend. As I hear nothing to the contrary, I suppose he is yet in this dying world. Well! so that we die daily to oursel…
183 wordsSECTION 569LETTER MCCCCLVIII.
_To Mr. K――――n._ _Savannah, April 24, 1770, Five in the morning._ _My very dear Mr. K――――n_, I AM just going into the boat, in order to embark for _Philadelphia_. I hope the good wine was kept to the last, on _Sunday_. Mr. _D――――n_ and his wife are to sail in about a fortnight. He is an honest creature, and an excel…
251 wordsSECTION 570LETTER MCCCCLIX.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Philadelphia, May 9, 1770._ _My very dear Friend_, THIS leaves me a two days inhabitant of _Philadelphia_. I embarked at _Savannah_, in the _Georgia_ packet, on the 24th ultima and arrived here the 6th instant. The evening following, I was enabled to preach to a large auditory, and am to repe…
256 wordsSECTION 571LETTER MCCCCLX.
_To the Same._ _Philadelphia, May 24, 1770._ _My very dear Friend_, I WROTE to you by the last _New-York_ packet, as well as by Mr. _D――――n_, who was to sail from _Savannah_ the 10th instant. I have now been here near three weeks, and in about a week more I purpose to set off for _New-York_ in my way to _Boston_. A …
231 wordsSECTION 572LETTER MCCCCLXI.
_To the Same._ _Philadelphia, June 14, 1770._ _My very dear steady Friend_, THIS leaves me just returned from a hundred and fifty miles circuit, in which, blessed be GOD! I have been enabled to preach every day. So many new as well as old doors are open, and so many invitations sent from various quarters, that I kno…
146 wordsSECTION 573LETTER MCCCCLXII.
_To the Same._ _New-York, June 30, 1770._ _My very dear Friend_, I HAVE been here just a week. Have been enabled to preach four times, and am to repeat the delightful task this evening. Congregations are rather larger than ever. You will see by the inclosed packet, what numerous invitations from every quarter I am d…
250 wordsSECTION 574LETTER MCCCCLXIII.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _New-York, July 29, 1770._ _My very dear Friend_, SINCE my last, and during this month, I have been above a five hundred miles circuit, and have been enabled to preach and travel through the heat every day. The congregations have been very large, attentive, and affected, particularly at _Alban…
338 wordsSECTION 575LETTER MCCCCLXIV.
_To Mr. W――――t._ _Boston, September 17, 1770._ _Dear Mr. W――――t_, I AM afraid, as Mr. _E――――n_ mentioned your writing, that your letter hath miscarried. But, blessed be GOD! I find all was well; only I want to know what things are wanted, that I might order them from _Philadelphia_, by Captain _Souder_. Fain would I…
318 wordsSECTION 576LETTER MCCCCLXV.
_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._ _Portsmouth, New Hampshire, September 23, 1770._ _My very dear Friend_, YOUR letters, of _May 2_ and _22_, came to hand. _New-York_ packet is always the surest and most centrical medium of conveyance. Before I left _Boston_, on _Friday_ afternoon, I left a large packet in the hands of a young …
330 wordsSECTION 577_G. W._
¹ Mr. _Whitefield_ died the 30th. END _of the_ LETTERS. * * * * * The following Letters, addressed by Mr. _Whitefield_ to the inhabitants of _Savannah_, as they display his affections to the people, among whom he went to minister, so will be no unsuitable introduction to the Account of the Or…
880 wordsSECTION 578_G. W._
_To the Inhabitants of Savannah._ _London, January 19, 1739._ _My dear Friends_, THOUGH a woman may as soon forget her sucking child, yet, I fear, you have before this time thought, that I have forgotten you. But GOD forbid! As I have told you often, so I tell you again; You are upon my heart, so that I am ready to …
210 wordsSECTION 579_G. W._
_P. S._ My business in _England_ detaining me longer than I expected, I have therefore written this to assure you, that I will return as soon as possible.¹ ¹ Mr. _Whitefield_ embarked for _America_, the ―――― of _August_ following. Illustration: (‡ floor plan of Orphan-house) AN ACCOUNT of the ORPHAN-HOUSE in GEORGIA…
52 wordsSECTION 580PREFACE.
BEING now about to embark for _Georgia_, I am willing, before I go, to give the world a short account of the Orphan-House erected there. I have, therefore, in the following sheets, reprinted a continuation of an account published when I was last at _Edinburgh_; to which I have subjoined some letters received since; and…
110 wordsSECTION 581_G. W._
_London, January 14, 1743._ _Bethesda, December 23, 1741._ THE following sheets, to the best of my knowledge, contain a faithful account of what money I have received, as also how I have disbursed it, for the use of the Orphan-House in _Georgia_. I think, with a full assurance of faith I may affirm, the LORD put it …
880 wordsSECTION 582Part 582
None but those upon the spot can tell the expence, as well as inconvenience that attends building in _Georgia_. Most of the bricks already used, cost 40s. sterling _per_ thousand, when landed at the plantation. Common labourers, besides their provisions, have 25s. sterling a month. And, after all, ♦the produce of the l…
869 wordsSECTION 583Part 583
II. Their mites, in blessings on their heads, A thousand fold restore; O feed their souls with living bread, And let their cup run o’er. III. Thy bounty, LORD, in CHRIST built up, Let them for ever prove: Stedfast in faith, joyful thro’ hope, And rooted deep in love. IV. For those, who kindly this support, A better h…
623 wordsSECTION 584A CONTINUATION OF THE ACCOUNT OF THE ORPHAN-HOUSE IN GEORGIA.
_Edinburgh, September 14, 1742._ EVER since the LORD has been pleased to put me into the ministry, it has been my constant prayer to GOD, that I might _provide things honest in the sight of all men_. Not one part of my outward conduct, as I know of, hath passed unobserved and uncensured by some wicked unreasonable men…
456 wordsSECTION 585Part 585
――――THE spirit of the LORD seems to be moving upon the faces of many souls here; most, if not all the boys, seem to be under some concern; little as well as great boys, cry mightily to JESUS the son of _David_, to have mercy upon them. About fourteen days ago, at brother _Barber_’s request, I spoke to the children at e…
602 wordsSECTION 586Part 586
――――SATAN rages furiously against our Orphan-House in this province: such lies and calumnies are raised against us, that our few dear friends think it necessary for me to represent the present state of the house. I have since been much in prayer, and believe GOD will direct me how to act. Some here, since you went away…
929 wordsSECTION 587Part 587
In a Letter, dated _September 1, 1741_, he writes thus to a Gentleman in _New-England_: of which Letter I had a copy. ――――OUR affairs, blessed be GOD, have prospered far beyond our expectation. We have seen, and do daily see, much of GOD’s fatherly care, in providing for and protecting us; and though _we have no visib…
770 wordsSECTION 588Part 588
BEING sensible of the many and false accounts industriously spread abroad concerning this house in many places, especially in _New-England_, by those who are enemies to its Founder, and the cause he is engaged in, which has certainly been a great hindrance to this worthy undertaking, as it has created even in its frien…
470 wordsSECTION 589Part 589
The care of this society at present is in the hands of a young gentleman from _London_, who manages the secular affairs thereof; and one from _New-England_, who has the care of souls as his particular charge. There are two school-masters, who instruct the boys in reading and writing: and those that appear serious, and …
855 wordsSECTION 590Part 590
The Reader may see, by this, the Doctor’s opinion of the Orphan-house, and the testimony given concerning it by persons who have visited it, and who therefore cannot be unacquainted with its situation. They profess, “The order of the house is admirable, and so the progress of the settlement, alone as it is in the world…
824 wordsSECTION 591Part 591
As for the aspersions that have been cast upon me, as though I collected money to enrich myself, it gives me little or no concern; the apostle _Paul_ was branded as one that made a gain of people; but GOD knows the heart: at the day of judgment I will prove those persons liars. Professor _Franck_ met with unspeakably m…
700 wordsSECTION 592Part 592
Since the writing of this, I have heard of the _Spaniards_ making a descent upon _Georgia_. I cannot say the news of it damped me at all; because, I humbly hope, the LORD will not give that colony over as a prey into the enemy’s hand. The place where they landed, is about one hundred miles to the southward of the Orpha…
452 wordsSECTION 593_J. H._
P. S. Absolute hurry and necessity obliges me to write thus. This letter gave me much comfort, as it brought me the welcome news that my dear family was safe. This Mr. _Bryan_ was converted at the Orphan-house, and is a wealthy planter in _South-Carolina_. I admire the providence of GOD, in raising him up to take care…
564 wordsSECTION 594Part 594
The 17th instant several boats full of people passed by our house, and informed us of the above, and that it was thought the General’s army would be entirely cut off, unless great assistance was immediately sent them, which it is likely could not be done soon enough. We all met together, and prayed to our dear Father, …
853 wordsSECTION 595Part 595
I WROTE you the 4th, 11th, and 14th instant. Doubtless the contents of my letters will give you some concern, and will be a means of hastening you over to us. I hope you will find us at our desired habitation. Hitherto the LORD seems to be on our side, and fights our battles. News is lately come from the General, that …
771 wordsSECTION 596Part 596
I HOPE ere this reaches you, you have received mine of the 4th, 11th, 14th, and 27th of _July_ last, and that you see your way clear to come to us. Blessed be GOD we have reason to conclude the _Spaniards_ have entirely left the colony, and we are now very comfortably settled again. The deliverance the LORD has wrought…
717 wordsSECTION 597Part 597
GOD has been pleased to visit me and my fellow-labourer with dangerous sickness, but has graciously restored our health for our better being prepared to the heavenly and blessed regions, and for being in some measure, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, useful to shew our hearers the way through CHRIST to the Father, a…
344 wordsSECTION 598Part 598
SOME months have I been here, and now think it high time, according to my promise, to send you as explicit an account, as I well can, of the _progress_, and _present situation_ of the Orphan-house. Some have thought, that the erecting such a building was only the produce of my own brain; but they are much mistaken. It …
2,464 wordsSECTION 599Part 599
♦ “Oglethorp” replaced with “Oglethorpe” For the satisfaction of my friends, and silencing, if possible, my enemies, I have had my accounts from the very beginning to _January_ last, publickly audited and examined, debtor and creditor, article by article; and an oath for confirmation, being an end of all strife, I hav…
93 wordsSECTION 600_G. W._
To his Excellency JAMES WRIGHT, Esq. Captain General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty’s province of _Georgia_, and to the members of his Majesty’s council in the said province. _The_ MEMORIAL _of_ George Whitefield, _Clerk_,…
36 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.