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 MLIX.
_To Mr. S――――._ _Newark, September 27, 1754._ _My very dear Sir_, THE searcher of hearts only knows what struggles and tossings your last letter, as well as that of dear Mr. _W――――_, hath occasioned in my breast. Affection, intense affection cries aloud, “Away to _New-England_, to dear _New-England_ directly.” Provi…
405 wordsSECTION 122LETTER MLX.
_To Lady H――――n._ _Elizabeth-Town (New-Jersey), September 30, 1754._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, A LITTLE before I had the favour of your Ladyship’s kind letter, I had written from _New-York_. Since which time, I trust, through the efficacy of divine grace, many new creatures have been formed for GOD. Every where a divin…
314 wordsSECTION 123LETTER MLXI.
_To Mr. Z――――._ _Elizabeth-Town (New-Jersey), September 30, 1754._ _Very dear and honoured Sir_, JUST two months ago, I arrived at _New-York_ from _South-Carolina_, and ever since have been endeavouring to labour in my poor way for the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS. Many things have concurred, to prove that my comi…
267 wordsSECTION 124LETTER MLXII.
_To Mr. H――――._ _Boston, October 13, 1754._ _My very dear Friend_, IT hath given me concern, that I have not been able to write one letter to _Georgia_, since my arrival at _New-York_. But it was impracticable. Sickness, travelling, and preaching prevented me. However, I must snatch a few minutes now. They leave me …
333 wordsSECTION 125LETTER MLXIII.
_To Mr. V――――._ _Boston, October 14, 1754._ _My very dear Friend_, SURELY my coming here was of GOD. At _Rhode-Island_ I preached five times. People convened immediately, and flocked to hear more eagerly than ever. The same scene opens at _Boston_. Thousands waited for, and thousands attended on the word preached. A…
245 wordsSECTION 126LETTER MLXIV.
_To Dr. S――――._ _Boston, October 14, 1754._ _My very dear Doctor_, SHALL I promise and not perform? GOD forbid.――Accept, therefore, a few lines of grateful love. They bring you good news. At _Rhode-Island_ and this place, souls fly to the gospel like doves to the windows. A divine power hath hitherto accompanied the…
158 wordsSECTION 127LETTER MLXV.
_To Mr. S――――._ _Portsmouth (New-Hampshire), October 24, 1754._ _My very dear Sir_, ABOUT a month ago I wrote you a few lines from the _New-Jersies_. Since that I am advanced about three hundred miles further northward. But what have I seen? _Dagon_ falling every where before the ark; enemies silenced, or made to ow…
290 wordsSECTION 128LETTER MLXVI.
_To Mr. S――――._ _Portsmouth, October 25, 1754._ _My very dear Friend_, YOUR letter, as well as another from _Rhode-Island_, helped to lay me low before him, who delights to work by the meanest instrument. Still the LORD of all lords stoops to accompany my feeble labours with his divine presence. At _Salem_ we were f…
276 wordsSECTION 129LETTER MLXVII.
_To Mr. S――――._ _Rhode-Island, November 22, 1754._ _My very dear Friend_, YESTERDAY as I was riding along, I felt a love for you, which only friends experience, and was determined to write to you immediately. In the evening my faithful _Gaius_ Mr. _S――――_ brought your kind letter, which I now take the first opportun…
336 wordsSECTION 130LETTER MLXVIII.
_To the Reverend Mr. G――――._ _Rhode-Island, November 25, 1754._ _Reverend and very dear Sir_, IS it true that your father-in-law and your dear yoke-fellow are dead? I sympathize with you from my inmost soul. At the same time as I rejoice on their account, who are happily arrived, Where pain and sin and sorrow cease…
439 wordsSECTION 131LETTER MLXIX.
_To Mrs. C――――._ _Bohemia (Maryland). December 27, 1754._ _Dear Madam_, I HAVE just now taken leave of the northern provinces, where I have been travelling and preaching for near these five months. I suppose in all, I may have rode near two thousand miles, and preached about two hundred and thirty times; but to how …
225 wordsSECTION 132LETTER MLXX.
_To Mr. O――――._ _Bohemia, December 27, 1754._ _Very dear Sir_, HOW condescending is true Friendship! And how does love, founded upon the love of GOD, like its blessed Author, delight to stoop to its beloved object! Your kind letter, which I received last week from worthy Governor _B――――_, is a proof of this. An affe…
394 wordsSECTION 133LETTER MLXXI.
_To Mr. R――――._ _Virginia, January 17, 1755._ I AM just now on the borders of _North-Carolina_, and after preaching to-morrow in a neighbouring church, I purpose to take my leave of _Virginia_. Had I not been detained so long at the northward, what a wide and effectual door might have been opened.――Here, as well as e…
321 wordsSECTION 134LETTER MLXXII.
_To Mr. P――――._ _Virginia, January 17, 1755._ _Reverend and very dear Sir_, THOUGH at this distance of time and place, yet I do not forget our solemn and mournful parting. Blessed be GOD, there is a time coming, when these cutting trials will be over. I long, I long for it, and yet when fresh doors of usefulness are…
229 wordsSECTION 135LETTER MLXXIII.
_To Mr. F――――._ _Virginia, January 17, 1755._ _My dear Mr. F――――_, I HOPE that this will find you safely arrived at _Philadelphia_, from your northward expedition, and ready to come further southwards. This leaves me in my last _Virginia_ stage, near the borders of _North-Carolina_. People as I came along have been …
218 wordsSECTION 136LETTER MLXXIV.
_To Mr. ――――._ _Virginia, in Hanover County, January 23, 1755._ _My very dear Jonathan_, THAT ever-loving and ever-lovely Redeemer that owned my feeble labours in the northward, still continues to bless and succeed me in my journey southward. I have not been here a week, and have had the comfort of seeing many impre…
261 wordsSECTION 137LETTER MLXXV.
_To Mrs. C――――._ _Charles-Town, March 3, 1755._ _Dear Mrs. C――――_, THROUGH divine goodness we arrived here last _Wednesday_ afternoon, on _Thursday_ Mr. _E――――_ was solemnly ordained, and on _Friday_ _Andrew H――――n_ and his wife, and _R――――_, came in a schooner from _Port-Royal_. I believe they will settle here.――Th…
287 wordsSECTION 138LETTER MLXXVI.
_To the Same._ _Charles-Town, March 17, 1755._ _Dear Mrs. C――――_, HAD I wings like a dove, how often would I have fled to _Bethesda_ since my departure from it. I could almost say, that the few last hours I was there, were superior in satisfaction to any hours I ever enjoyed. But I must go about my heavenly Father’s…
280 wordsSECTION 139_G. W._
_P. S._ I hope that one of the players is snatched as a brand out of the burning. Grace! grace!…
21 wordsSECTION 140LETTER MLXXVII.
_To the Reverend Mr. G――――._ _London, May 10, 1755._ _Reverend and very dear Sir_, THE love which I owe and bear to you for the LORD JESUS CHRIST’s sake, constrains me to send you a few lines immediately upon my arrival at my native country.――I arrived at _New-haven_ in _Sussex_ the 8th instant, after a six weeks pa…
261 wordsSECTION 141LETTER MLXXVIII.
_To Lady H――――n._ _London, May 13, 1755._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, SINCE I put my letter into the office on _Saturday_ night, I have heard that your Ladyship was gone to _Ashby_, and therefore make bold to trouble your Ladyship with a few more lines. They leave me safely arrived at my desired port, and endeavouring to…
247 wordsSECTION 142LETTER MLXXIX.
_To the Marquis of L――――._ _London, May 14, 1755._ BEING but lately arrived in my native country, I take the first opportunity of returning your Lordship thanks for your great zeal in promoting the welfare of _New Jersey_ college. Surely it is the purest seminary that I have known. Your Lordship’s name is precious in…
294 wordsSECTION 143LETTER MLXXX.
_To Lady H――――n._ _London, May 27, 1755._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, IT hath given me great concern, that I have not been able till now, to acknowledge your Ladyship’s most kind letter. I could almost say, excess of business at my first coming over hath prevented me; but to make the most of it, I do but little, and that…
301 wordsSECTION 144LETTER MLXXXI.
_To Governor B――――._ _London, June 6, 1755._ _Much-honoured Sir_, WHILST I remain myself where you are called to sojourn, in this dying world, I trust your Excellency will never be forgotten by unworthy me. You see, honoured Sir, where a poor but willing pilgrim is tossed now. Just this day month did I arrive in thi…
331 wordsSECTION 145LETTER MLXXXII.
_To Mr. C――――._ _London, June 7, 1755._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, JUST now I was informed that the bag is to be taken away this afternoon; hurried therefore as I am, you must have a few lines.――And why? Because I love and honour you for JESUS CHRIST’s sake. Will it not rejoice you to hear that his glorious gospel get…
477 wordsSECTION 146LETTER MLXXXIII.
_To Mr. P――――._ _London, June 12, 1755._ _Dear Nat._, I THINK every thing is now procured that was in the memorandums. I would have sent the children’s cloaths, &c. but they could not be got ready; you will therefore have them by another opportunity. I am glad to hear by your last, that the children go on well in th…
403 wordsSECTION 147LETTER MLXXXIV.
_To Mrs. C――――._ _London, June 13, 1755._ _Dear Mrs. C――――_, I WROTE to you amidst a great throng of business, a few days ago, by a _Carolina_ ship. I am now retired to Mr. _C――――_’s, in order to send you a few lines more. Matters about Mr. ―――― and his wife, have happened as might be expected; it is my lot to be a …
346 wordsSECTION 148LETTER MLXXXV.
_To Mr. G――――._ _Bristol, June 27, 1755._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, EVER since I received your last kind letter, I have been so perpetually engaged in preaching, travelling, and a multiplicity of other business, that I have not been able to answer it till now. In _London_ the word runs and is glorified, and every day…
422 wordsSECTION 149LETTER MLXXXVI.
_To the Marquis of L――――._ _Bristol, June 27, 1755._ _My Lord_, HOW shall I express my gratitude to your Lordship, for condescending to answer my poor letter, and so readily concurring with the motion made in it, for a degree being procured for my worthy friend? The great Head of the church will bless and reward you…
522 wordsSECTION 150LETTER MLXXXVII.
_To Mr. Thomas J――――._ _Bristol, June 27, 1755._ _My dear Thomas_, YOUR treatment of me at _Honslow_, put me in mind of _Joseph_’s steward, who put his brothers money, unknown to them, into their sacks mouth. Well! JESUS takes notice of all help vouchsafed his servants, and will not forget those who assist them in t…
259 wordsSECTION 151LETTER MLXXXVIII.
_To Lady H――――._ _London, July 11, 1755._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, YESTERDAY about noon, after being worn down with travelling, and preaching twice and thrice a day in _Gloucestershire_, at _Bath_ and _Bristol_, a gracious and never-failing Providence brought me to town, where I had the pleasure of receiving two kind,…
621 wordsSECTION 152LETTER MLXXXIX.
_To the Reverend Mr. H――――n._ _London, July 25, 1755._ _My dear Friend_, I RECEIVED your kind letter, and have since heard of your removal from _Indian_ land. I cannot help commending you for it, since I know various places, where you might do as much good in a week, as in those parts for years. Poor _Indian_ land! …
346 wordsSECTION 153LETTER MXC.
_To Mrs. C――――._ _London, July 25, 1755._ _Dear Mrs. C――――_, I WRITE this from Mr. _C――――_’s, whither I have retired for a little relaxation, and to get leisure to write a few letters. Your brother is just gone from me, and would send you his hearty love if he knew of my writing. _T――――_ is gone to _Plymouth_, and M…
453 wordsSECTION 154LETTER MXCI.
_To Lady ――――._ _Norwich, August 9, 1755._ _Elect Lady_, HOW glad was I some time ago to receive a letter from your Ladyship! How glad am I now to sit down to answer it, and thereby renew a correspondence, which to me was always profitable and delightful! Shall I wish your Ladyship joy? Of what? Not barely of your a…
524 wordsSECTION 155LETTER MXCII.
_To Mr. J―――― W――――._ _Norwich, August 9, 1755._ _Reverend and dear Sir_, TILL _Tuesday_ evening, I knew no more of coming to _Norwich_ than the child unborn. Had I been well enough, and my private business permitted, I should have been some miles in my way towards ♦_Donnington_ park. This I told Mr. _H――――ly_, and …
272 wordsSECTION 156_G. W._
♦ “Dunnington” replaced with “Donnington”…
4 wordsSECTION 157LETTER MXCIII.
_To Doctor R――――._ _London, August 20, 1755._ _Honoured and very dear Sir_, AS long as GOD is pleased to hold my soul in life, and I hear that you also are in the land of the living, I shall always think it my bounden duty to thank, and pray for you. Surely you have been to me, honoured Sir, a father and a friend. B…
234 wordsSECTION 158LETTER MXCIV.
_To ――――._ _London, August 26, 1755._ _My dear Friends_, I RECEIVED both your kind letters, and likewise one from Mr. _W――――_, and last night a long one from Mr. _C――――_; but alas! I have no time for controversy. To their own Master they must both either stand or fall. All I can say in your present circumstances, is…
343 wordsSECTION 159LETTER MXCV.
_To Miss P――――._ _Weston-Favell, August 30, 1755._ _Dear Miss_, A FEW days past, as I was going into the Tabernacle to read letters, yours came to hand; immediately I read it among the rest, and you and my other dear _New-England_ friends had the prayers of thousands. But how did I wish to be transported to _America…
501 wordsSECTION 160LETTER MXCVI.
_To Lady P――――._ _Weston-Favell, August 30, 1755._ _Dear Madam_, THOUGH Providence prevented my seeing you again, yet you have been much upon my heart. As a proof of it, be pleased to accept of these few hasty lines. I find you are once more called to give up your honoured husband for his country’s good. That GOD wh…
190 wordsSECTION 161LETTER MXCVII
_TO Mr. V――――._ _Weston-Favell, August 30, 1755._ _My dear Friend_, I WROTE you a letter just before I left _Charles-Town_, which I find you have not received. The things sent proved bad, but I have a GOD to go to, who can and will supply all my wants according to the riches of his grace in CHRIST JESUS. I am sorry …
567 wordsSECTION 162LETTER MXCVIII.
_To Mr. J―――― S――――._ _Northampton, September 1, 1755._ AND did my dear Mr. _S――――_ direct a letter and not send me one line at a venture? Well, I thank him even for the direction, as well as for all other unmerited favours. O that it was in my power to shew my gratitude in a substantial manner! This is my comfort, G…
282 wordsSECTION 163LETTER MXCIX.
_To Colonel P――――._ _Northampton, September 1, 1755._ _My dear Sir_, ACCORDING to my promise, before I embarked for _England_, I sent you the copy of my oath, from _Charles-Town_; which, I fear, is not come to hand, because not mentioned in either of your letters, which I had the pleasure of receiving a few days ago…
339 wordsSECTION 164LETTER MC.
_To Mrs. M――――._ _Liverpool, Sept. 12, 1755._ _Dear Madam_, ERE this can reach you, I hope the days of your mourning will be ended. By your last to Mr. _W――――_ I find your harp was hanging upon the willows, your chariot wheels taken off, and your poor soul driving heavily. Add to all this,――Satan was besetting you o…
463 wordsSECTION 165LETTER MCI.
_To Mr. S――――._ _Newcastle, September 24, 1755._ _My very dear Sir_, AT length I can sit down, and send you (what I know you dearly love) some good news concerning the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST. O infinite condescension! He hath vouchsafed to own and bless my feeble labours all the way. At _Northampton_ we had blessed…
291 wordsSECTION 166LETTER MCII.
_To Lady H――――n._ _Newcastle, September 24, 1755._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, I KNOW not how long it is since I left your Ladyship; but this I know, a sense of the satisfaction I felt when at ♦_Donnington_, still lies upon my heart. Surely, was I not called out to public work, waiting upon and administring to your Ladys…
566 wordsSECTION 167_G. W._
♦ “Donington” replaced with “Donnington”…
4 wordsSECTION 168LETTER MCIII.
_To Mr. D―――― B――――._ _Newcastle, October 4, 1755._ _My dear Friend_, WHO would but wish to be in heaven, where we shall enjoy the communion of saints without interruption? Whilst here, how long is it before we can answer each other’s letters? With difficulty I now sit down to answer your last; for these seven or ei…
239 wordsSECTION 169LETTER MCIV.
_To Mr. ――――._ _London, October 31, 1755._ _My very dear Friend_, LAST night, a never-failing GOD brought me from the north of _England_, where I have been enabled to preach twice and thrice a day, to many, many thousands for these two months last past. And yet I cannot die.――Nay they tell me, “I grow fat.” O that I…
281 wordsSECTION 170LETTER MCV.
_To Mr. B――――._ _London, November 1, 1755._ _My dear Mr. B――――_, ON _Thursday_ evening, a never-failing Providence brought me in safety from my northern circuit, and this morning I find a letter of a distant date from you, which before I look over my other letters, I sit down to answer. And what shall I say? Blessed…
356 wordsSECTION 171LETTER MCVI.
_To Lady H――――n._ _London, November 1, 1755._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, WHAT shall I say? Indeed and indeed, it hath given me great concern, that I could not perform my promise to return to _Donnington-park_ so soon as I expected.――But had I done so, I must have failed preaching at least to above fifty thousand souls, …
336 wordsSECTION 172LETTER MCVII.
_To the Honourable J―――― R――――._ _London, Numbers 7, 1755._ _Very dear Sir_, ARE you yet called out in defence of your country? The measures taken by your honourable and loyal council and assembly, I hope will be blessed to prevent a stir so near to _Boston_. I am glad to hear, that the Ladies are employed in making…
176 wordsSECTION 173LETTER MCVIII.
_To the Honourable A―――― O――――._ _London, November 8, 1755._ _Very dear Sir_, I HEAR you have been sitting night and day in council. May JESUS, the wonderful counsellor, preside in your assembly, and influence you to pursue such measures, as may be blessed to the humbling a persidious enemy, and making the dear _New…
286 wordsSECTION 174LETTER MCIX.
_To Lady H――――n._ _London, November 10, 1755._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, YOUR Ladyship’s kind and condescending letter, found me just returned from _Chatham_, and led me (as your Ladyship’s letters always do) to a throne of grace. I immediately threw myself prostrate before GOD, and earnestly prayed, in my poor feeble …
462 wordsSECTION 175LETTER MCX.
_To Mr. S――――._ _Bristol, November 30, 1755._ _My very dear Sir_, TO be three weeks without sending you a line, seems a long while to me. What if we should meet ere long in an endless and happy eternity? For near ten days past I have preached in pain, occasioned by a sore throat, which I find now is the beginning of…
319 wordsSECTION 176LETTER MCXI.
_To the Reverend Mr. H―――― D――――._ _Bristol, Dec. 6, 1755._ _My dear Friend and Brother,_ ONE would think, that Providence did in a more immediate manner interpose to prevent our meeting. I saw your last to Mr. _M――――n_, and intended to have answered it for him, but it hath pleased a gracious and sovereign GOD to si…
313 wordsSECTION 177LETTER MCXII.
_To Lady H――――n._ _London, December 31, 1755._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, YOUR Ladyship’s kind and condescending letter should not have lain so long by me, had not bodily weakness, and my _Christmas_ labours, prevented my writing. Indeed and indeed my good Lady, it hath been a joyful mournful season to my inward man. Fo…
406 wordsSECTION 178LETTER MCXIII.
_To Mr. S――――._ _London, January 1, 1756._ _My very dear Friend_, YOUR not answering my two last sooner, gave me pain; sorrows are lessened, and joys become greater by being communicated. It is so with an earthly friend, much more so with the friend of sinners. Our sorrows and our tears we pour, Into the bosom of o…
296 wordsSECTION 179LETTER MCXIV.
_To the Reverend Mr. G――――._ _London, January 22, 1756._ _Reverend and very dear Sir_, ENCLOSED you have some extracts, which perhaps may afford you comfort, and I trust will excite you to pray for one, who is indeed less than the least of all saints. Ever since I came from the North, it hath pleased a sovereign Lor…
290 wordsSECTION 180LETTER MCXV.
_To Lady H――――n._ _London, January 29, 1756._ _Ever-honoured Madam_, YOUR Ladyship will see by the inclosed, how dangerous it is to give me liberty. I would not grow upon it, and yet I cannot discharge my conscience, unless I lay particular distressing applications before your Ladyship. I know the person mentioned i…
293 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.