A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

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

SECTION 61

LETTER MX.

_To Mr. V――――._ _London, December 15, 1753._ _My very dear Mr. V――――_, JUST now I received, and have read over your kind letter, dated _August_ 22d, and in reading it, could have wished for the wings of a dove, that I might have fled and embraced you in these unworthy arms, and wished you joy of being assured of his…

788 words
SECTION 62

LETTER MXI.

_To Lady H――――n._ _London, December 15, 1753._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, THE mail not coming in regularly, your Ladyship’s letter did not reach me till _Thursday_ afternoon. Yesterday morning I obeyed your Ladyship’s commands, and carried the inclosed to Mrs. _G――――_, at St. _James_’s palace. I was much satisfied with …

460 words
SECTION 63

LETTER MXII.

_To Mrs. G――――._ _Tabernacle-House, December 17, 1753._ _Dear Madam_, I WAS so well satisfied with the frame I found you in yesterday, that I could not refrain sending you a few lines to-day. O that you may have grace given you, to stand the first attacks that you must necessarily meet with from every quarter! Bless…

505 words
SECTION 64

LETTER MXIII.

_To Mr. B――――._ _London, December 17, 1753._ _Dear Mr. B――――_, I AM sorry to find by your last, which came to hand on _Saturday_, that the tumults in your parts still continue at such an height. I heartily wish, that the kind and generous Justice who hath so laudably exerted himself, may have courage to proceed in a…

299 words
SECTION 65

LETTER MXIV.

_To Mr. E―――― P――――._ _London, December 17, 1753._ _Dear Sir_, I DOUBT not but the receipt of this will fill you with surprize; yet I hope it will be a pleasing one. Last night after preaching, your son, who hath been lately confined, came to me and gave me a particular detail of his seemingly unhappy circumstances.…

230 words
SECTION 66

LETTER MXV.

_To C―――― W――――._ _London, December 20, 1753._ _My dear Friend_, I MOST sincerely rejoice in, and have given private and public thanks for the recovery of your dear yoke-fellow. My pleasure is increased by seeing your brother so well, as I found him on _Tuesday_ at _Lewisham_.――O that you may both spring afresh, and…

205 words
SECTION 67

LETTER MXVI.

_To the Marquiss L――――._ _London, December 27, 1753._ _My Lord_, A MATTER of some importance, is the occasion of my troubling your Lordship with another letter. The reverend Mr. _G―――― T――――_ of ♦_Philadelphia_, and the reverend Mr. _D――――_ from _Virginia_ (both eminent ministers of JESUS CHRIST) are just arrived. T…

280 words
SECTION 68

_G. W._

♦ “Philadephia” replaced with “Philadelphia” ♠ “mamanifest” replaced with “manifest”…

8 words
SECTION 69

LETTER MXVII.

_To Mr. G――――._ _London, December 27, 1753._ _Reverend and very dear Sir_, I AM surprized to find by your last kind letter, that my poor journals are not come to hand. My wife informs me that they were sent to, or by one Mr. _E――――_, who was to send off goods the very next day. Perhaps it will please you to hear tha…

479 words
SECTION 70

LETTER MXVIII.

_To Lady H――――n._ _London, January 3, 1754._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, ERE now, I hope your Ladyship is delivered from suspense, and that the danger concerning little master is entirely over. The concern I was in for your Ladyship when I wrote last, made me forget to speak about Mrs. _H――――_. And indeed I cannot tell w…

198 words
SECTION 71

LETTER MXIX.

_To Mr. W.――――._ _London, January 5, 1754._ _My dear Mr. W――――_, YOUR letter much affected as well as surprized me.――I may say of it as Dr. _G――――_ says of the Apostle _Paul_’s epistle to the _Ephesians_, “It smelt of the prison.” Surely GOD’s thoughts are not as our thoughts, neither are his ways as our ways. How a…

444 words
SECTION 72

LETTER MXX.

_To Governor B――――._ _London, January 11, 1754._ _Honoured Sir_, I HAD the favour of your last kind letter by the hands of Messrs. _T――――_ and _D――――_, whose work I pray the LORD of all Lords to bless and prosper. Was Lady _H――――n_ in town, they should have been introduced before now, but at present she is at _Bath_…

337 words
SECTION 73

LETTER MXXI.

_To Mr. S――――._ _London, January 11, 1754._ _Dear Mr. S――――_, WHY did you not apprize me of your going? Why did you not let me have an opportunity of sending my packets after you to _Portsmouth_? You sailed only a day or two before I came there myself. However, I am glad to hear that you are safe arrived. May it be …

259 words
SECTION 74

LETTER MXXII.

_To Mr. B――――._ _London, January 19, 1754._ _My dear Mr. B――――_, ALL is well, and why? Because all things are of our LORD’s ordering. May he perfect his strength in your weakness, and the more the outward man decayeth, may you be strengthened so much the more by his holy spirit in the inner man!――Welcome flux, welco…

321 words
SECTION 75

LETTER MXXIII.

_To Mr. W――――._ _London, January 19, 1754._ _Dear Mr. W――――_, AS my embarking for _America_ seems to be very near at hand, your question must necessarily be answered in the negative. However, I thank you for your kind offer, and earnestly pray that wherever you are called to labour, you may find the work of the LORD…

231 words
SECTION 76

LETTER MXXIV.

_To Mr. ――――._ _London, February 2, 1754._ _Dear Sir_, BY your writing, I guess you are a brand plucked out of the fire of the polite and gay world.――Happy deliverance! I intreat you to rejoice, give thanks, and sing, Be gone, vain world, my heart resign, For I must be no longer thine; A fairer, a diviner guest, No…

322 words
SECTION 77

LETTER MXXV.

_To Lady H――――n._ _London, February 14, 1754._ _Honoured Madam_, YOUR Ladyship’s kind letter came safe to hand.――I immediately sent for Mr. _M――――_, delivered his, and saw it consumed. He hath the most grateful sense of your Ladyship’s great benevolence. It is, as your Ladyship suspects in relation to his wife; she …

392 words
SECTION 78

LETTER MXXVI.

_To Mrs. G――――._ _London, February 15, 1754._ _Dear Madam_, WITH this I send you the promised pamphlet, which was written with a single eye to prevent fraud and superstition, and to promote the Mediator’s glory. Notwithstanding, I would advise you, dear Madam, not to let other people’s foibles drive you from the cro…

331 words
SECTION 79

LETTER MXXVII.

_To Mr. S――――_ _Lisbon Harbour, March 17, 1754._ _My very dear Sir_, SURELY our GOD is a prayer-hearing, promise-keeping GOD. He delights to disappoint our fears, and even exceeds our hopes. On the seventh instant we left _Gravesend_; on the eighth we passed through the downs, and yesterday we anchored in this port.…

486 words
SECTION 80

LETTER MXXVIII.

_To Mr. B――――._ _Lisbon Harbour, March 19, 1754._ _My dear Mr. B――――_, HOW soon does the scene shift? At what a distance, in a few days, may we be removed from each other! On the sixteenth instant, that GOD whom I desire to serve in the gospel of his dear Son, brought me and my orphan charge to this harbour. As yet …

350 words
SECTION 81

LETTER MXXIX.

_To Mr. R. K――――n._ _Lisbon, March 21, 1754._ _My dear Mr. K――――n_, I DO not forget my promise, either in respect to writing or praying. ――Though at this distance, I am still present in spirit with you and yours, and with my other dear _London_ friends; and I live in the expectation of seeing them all grown in grace…

359 words
SECTION 82

LETTER MXXX.

_To Mr. C――――._ _Lisbon, March 26, 1754._ _My dear Friend_, SHALL I promise and not perform? I dare not. This therefore comes to inform you, that I am now as it were an old inhabitant of _Lisbon_, having been here above a week. In that time, what have I seen and heard? Strange and incredible things, not more strange…

351 words
SECTION 83

LETTER MXXXI.

_To Mr. A――――._ _Lisbon, March 29, 1754._ _Very dear Friend_, INDEED you have lost the seeing and hearing of many strange, but to a truly enlightened soul, instructive things. I thank GOD for sending me here; I know your heart hath been here also; but all is well.――What is, is best. I hope you go on comfortably at h…

463 words
SECTION 84

LETTER MXXXII.

_To the Rev. Mr. Z――――._ _Lisbon, March 29, 1754._ _My dear and honoured Sir_, THROUGH the goodness of a gracious and never-failing GOD, we have been at this place near a fortnight. Our voyage was but about nine days long, and the same GOD who took care of us on the great deep, hath also provided for me on shore. A …

344 words
SECTION 85

LETTER MXXXIII.

_To Mr. C――――._ _Lisbon, March 30, 1754._ _Very dear Sir_, THIS leaves me pretty well satisfied (not to say surfeited) with the ecclesiastical curiosities of _Lisbon_. This day fortnight we arrived; and the country being in want of rain, and it being _Lent_ season, we have been savoured with frequent processions, an…

287 words
SECTION 86

LETTER MXXXIV.

_To Mr. F――――._ _Lisbon, March 31, 1754._ _Dear Sir_, I OWE you much love.――I wish you and yours much ♦happiness, and earnestly pray that you may walk together many years as heirs of the grace of life. Was I to be confined long in my present situation, I should be in danger of envying my protestant friends, who brea…

258 words
SECTION 87

_G. W._

♦ “happipiness” replaced with “happiness”…

4 words
SECTION 88

LETTER MXXXV.

_To Mr. ――――._ _Lisbon, April 1, 1754._ _My dear Friend_,…

11 words
SECTION 89

Part 89

BY this time, I suppose, you have heard of my arrival at _Lisbon_, and are wondering what led me thither, especially since my last informed you of my intention to go to _Georgia_ by way of _New-York_. This was really my design at the time of my writing; but being afterward called by Providence to take with me several o…

1,647 words
SECTION 90

Part 90

Yours most respectfully in our common LORD,…

7 words
SECTION 91

LETTER MXXXVI.

_To the Same._ _Lisbon, April 3, 1754._ _My dear Friend_,…

12 words
SECTION 92

Part 92

THOUGH some other business demands my attentions yet I must not forget the promise made you of a further account of the processions I saw at _Lisbon_.――――Some of those already mentioned, were extraordinary, by reason of their great drought; but that which is to be the subject of my present letter, was an annual one: it…

1,384 words
SECTION 93

Part 93

Yours most cordially in our blessed LORD,…

7 words
SECTION 94

LETTER MXXXVII.

_To Mr. B――――._ _Lisbon, April 9, 1754._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, THE time of our departure hence is just at hand. I cannot move without sending you a few lines; I remember your unmerited love, I remember our affectionate parting, and I trust feel the benefit of your distant prayers. Though called to part with what …

334 words
SECTION 95

LETTER MXXXVIII.

_To Mrs. G――――._ _Lisbon, April 9, 1754._ _Dear Madam_, I HOPE this will find you more than happy, in the enjoyment of Him, whose death and passion many at this season are peculiarly called upon to remember, and be thankful for. Vast are the outward preparations made here. Altars upon altars are erecting. Penitents …

201 words
SECTION 96

LETTER MXXXIX.

_To Mr. H――――._ _Lisbon, April 10, 1754._ _My very dear Friend_, STILL I am here, surrounded with every thing, in an ecclesiastical way, that can offend a mind which desires to worship the LORD JESUS in outward as well as inward simplicity. To-morrow is what they call _Holy Thursday_. May I be as solicitous to have …

309 words
SECTION 97

LETTER MXL.

_Lisbon, April 12, 1754._ _My dear Friend_,…

8 words
SECTION 98

Part 98

PROVIDENCE still detains us at _Lisbon_, and therefore I know you will be enquiring what more news from thence?――Truly, as extraordinary as ever――for I have now seen the solemnities of an _Holy-Thursday_, which is a very high day in this metropolis, and particularly remarkable for the grand illuminations of the churche…

1,068 words
SECTION 99

Part 99

Your’s most assuredly in our glorious Head,…

7 words
SECTION 100

_G. W._

♦ “magnifience” replaced with “magnificence”…

4 words
SECTION 101

LETTER MXLI.

_To Mr. ――――._ _Lisbon, April 12, 1755._ _My dear Friend_,…

11 words
SECTION 102

Part 102

AFTER the news already sent you, I thought our _Lisbon_ correspondence would entirely have been put a stop to; for upon returning to my lodgings, (as weary I believe as others that had been running from church to church all day) word was sent me, that our ship would certainly sail the next morning. This news, I own, wa…

1,738 words
SECTION 103

Part 103

Yours most affectionately, in our common Redeemer,…

7 words
SECTION 104

LETTER MXLII.

_To Mrs. D――――._ _On board the Success, May 10, 1754._ _My dear sister in CHRIST_, IT really hath given me much concern since I have been on the mighty waters, that it was not in my power to write to you more frequently when on shore. I therefore send you a few lines from the great deep, which I hope will find you m…

274 words
SECTION 105

LETTER MXLIII.

_To Mrs. S――――._ _On board the Success, May 12, 1754._ _Dear Mrs. S――――_, I FULLY purposed to have written to you from _Lisbon_, but was so taken up in seeing the ecclesiastical curiosities of the place, and was so suddenly called away, that rendered it impracticable.――However, that I may not be disappointed again, …

260 words
SECTION 106

LETTER MXLIV.

_To Mr. H――――._ _On board the Success, May 25, 1754._ _My dear Mr. H――――_, JUST now, through the tender mercies of a never-failing GOD, we saw the _American_ shore, and are within a few miles of our desired port. The wind being contrary, we cannot enter it; I will therefore employ a few minutes in answering your las…

285 words
SECTION 107

LETTER MXLV.

_To Mr. S――――._ _Beaufort, Port-Royal Island, South-Carolina, May 26, 1754._ _My dear Friend_, THROUGH the divine goodness, we are just now sailing into our harbour, after having been six weeks from _Lisbon_.――Providentially a ship goes out to-morrow for _Cowes_; I cannot omit the opportunity of sending you a few fr…

219 words
SECTION 108

LETTER MXLVI.

_Charles-Town, July 10, 1754._ _Dear Mrs. C――――_, SINCE I left _Bethesda_, I have been out two nights by land, and one by water, and though wearied, am preserved in as good health as can in any wise be expected. To-morrow or _Monday_, I expect to embark again for _New-York_. The prospect of being ere long at the new …

252 words
SECTION 109

LETTER MXLVII.

_To Mr. H――――._ _Charles-Town, July 12, 1754._ _Very dear Sir_, THOUGH I hear that Captain _Thompson_ does not sail, these three weeks, yet as I am bound for the northward, I cannot help leaving a few grateful lines behind me. May they find you leaning on the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS, and determined through hi…

285 words
SECTION 110

LETTER MXLVIII.

_To Mr. C―――― W――――._ _On board the Deborah, July 20, 1754._ _My dear Friend_, I DO not forget my promise, though hurrying from place to place, and settling my orphan-charge, hath almost put it out of my power to perform it: however, I am now once more on the great deep in my way to _New-York_; accept a few lines as…

361 words
SECTION 111

LETTER MXLIX.

_To Mr. D――――._ _On board the Deborah, July 20, 1754._ _My very dear Mr. D――――_, THIS leaves me on my way towards _New-York_. Accept this as a token, that change of climate doth not cause a change of affection. No, you and my other dear _Edinburgh_ friends are still upon my heart, and I trust will remain fixed there…

323 words
SECTION 112

LETTER ML.

_To Mr. S――――._ _New-York, July 27, 1754._ _My very dear and steady Friend_, HERE will I set up my _Ebenezer_――for hitherto the LORD hath helped me. Through his divine goodness, I left _Georgia_ and _Bethesda_ in growing circumstances, and am come once more to pay a short visit to the northward. O that the Redeemer …

351 words
SECTION 113

LETTER MLI.

_To Mr. P――――._ _New-York, July 28, 1754._ _Reverend and very dear Sir_, ONCE more, the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS hath brought me hither, and last night gave me an opportunity of recommending his dying love. When I ascended the pulpit, and found your place empty, I was somewhat affected; but I have met with so …

374 words
SECTION 114

LETTER MLII.

_To Mr. S.――――._ _New-York, July 28, 1754._ _My very dear Sir_, HERE our LORD brought me two days ago, and last night I had an opportunity of preaching on his dying, living, ascending, and interceding love, to a large and attentive auditory. Next week I purpose going to _Philadelphia_, and then shall come back again…

334 words
SECTION 115

LETTER MLIII.

_To Mr. G――――._ _New-York, July 30, 1754._ _My very dear Friend_, SHALL we once more see each other in the flesh? I hope so.――To-morrow, GOD willing, I preach at _Newark_; on _Wednesday_, two in the afternoon, at _New-Brunswick_; and hope to reach _Trent-Town_ that night. Could you not meet me there quietly, that we…

183 words
SECTION 116

LETTER MLIV.

_To Mr. R――――._ _Philadelphia, August 7, 1754._ _My dear Mr. R――――_, I ONCE thought to write you a long letter, but it pleased GOD to cut off my strength in my journey. Yesterday I was taken with a violent cholera morbus, and hoped ere now to have been where the inhabitants shall no more say, “I am sick.” But I am b…

201 words
SECTION 117

LETTER MLV.

_To Mr. V――――._ _Philadelphia, August 15, 1754._ _My very dear Mr. V――――_, ONCE more, after having my cables out ready (as I thought) to cast anchor within the port, I am constrained to put out to sea again. My late sickness, though violent, hath not been unto death. O that it may be to the glory of GOD! With some d…

162 words
SECTION 118

LETTER MLVI.

_To Mr. E――――._ _Philadelphia, August 17, 1754._ _My dear Mr. E――――_, I HOPE this will find you fairly thrust out into the highways and hedges, and under a divine commission to compel many poor sinners to come in. Fear not. JESUS will take care of body and soul. Fix on his work thy stedfast eye, So shall thy work b…

149 words
SECTION 119

LETTER MLVII.

_To Mrs. S――――._ _New-York, Sept. 2, 1754._ _Dear Mrs. S――――_, I AM much, yea very much indebted to you for your works of faith, and the labours which, I believe, have proceeded from unfeigned love to the ever-loving and ever-lovely JESUS. Put all to his account. You shall be rewarded at the resurrection of the just…

176 words
SECTION 120

LETTER MLVIII.

_New-York, September 2, 1754._ _My dear Doctor_, MAY this find you rejoicing in the holy comforts of that infinitely great and gracious physician, to whose all-powerful blood and righteousness, you and I are so much beholden! Surely he hath been loving unto us. O that we may recover our first love, and return and do …

246 words
← PreviousPage 2 of 11Next →

Source & rights

Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.

Project Gutenberg source record →

Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.