1From Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, [before 2 September 1769] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Joseph Belcher, George Whitefield: a Biography, with Special Reference to His Labors in America (New York, [1857]), pp. 414–15. I am under continued apprehensions that we may have bad news from America. The sending soldiers to Boston always appeared to me a dangerous step; they could do no good, they might occasion mischief. When I consider the warm resentment of a people who...
2From Benjamin Franklin to [George Whitefield], 6 December 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library Judge Smith’s Recommendation of Mr. Rodgers, sent me by my dear Friend, is a high one indeed! More need not be said in a Man’s favour if he were to be set up as a Candidate for the Title of Arch-Angel. I have not yet had an Answer from Edinburgh. There is sometimes in these Affairs a Delay of two or three Months, when there happens to be no Meeting of the Professors,...
3To Benjamin Franklin from George Whitefield, 21 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library When will it suit you to have another interview? The College affair lies dormant. For above a week I have been dethroned by a violent cold and hoarsness. Who would but work and speak for God while it is day? The night of sickness and death cometh when no man can work. Through rich grace I can sing “O Death where is thy sting”-but only through Jesus of...
4From Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 19 June 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of the 21st past, and of the 3d. Instant and immediately sent the inclos’d as directed. Your frequently repeated Wishes and Prayers for my Eternal as well as temporal Happiness are very obliging. I can only thank you for them, and offer you mine in return. I have my self no Doubts that I shall enjoy as much of both as is proper for...
5From Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 28 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Morristown National Historical Park Inclos’d is a Packet I receiv’d under my Cover from Boston, which I thought to have deliver’d into your Hands, but am told you do not return hither from Princetown, as was expected, and are gone forward to N York, which mortifies me not a little, that I should so long omit waiting on you here, as to be at length finally depriv’d of the Pleasure of...
6From Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 2 July 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The John Rylands Library, Manchester I received your Favour of the 24th. of February with great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of your Welfare, and express’d your continu’d Regard for me. I thank you for the Pamphlet you enclos’d to me. As we had just observ’d a Provincial Fast on the same Occasion, I thought it very seasonable to be publish’d in Pensilvania, and accordingly reprinted it...
7To Benjamin Franklin from George Whitefield, 17 January 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from A Select Collection of Letters of the late Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (London, 1772), III , 114–15. 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 very willing to...
8To Benjamin Franklin from George Whitefield, 17 August 1752 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from A Select Collection of Letters of the late Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. … (London, 1772), II , 440. Inclosed you have a letter for Mr. R—. I hope that promotion will do him no hurt. May God help him to make a stand against vice and prophaneness, and to exert his utmost efforts in promoting true religion and virtue! This is the whole of man. I find that you grow...
9To Benjamin Franklin from George Whitefield, 26 February 1750 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from A Select Collection of Letters of the Late Reverend George Whitefield, M.A . … (London, 1772), II , 335–7. Ever since I received your last kind letter, I have been endeavouring to redeem some time to answer it, but till now have not had opportunity. Indeed even now a multiplicity of business obliges me to be much more brief than otherwise I should. However, I...
10From Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 6 July 1749 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Evangelical Magazine , XI (1803), 27–8; also AL (fragment): American Philosophical Society. Since your being in England, I have received two of your favours, and a box of books to be disposed of. It gives me great pleasure to hear of your welfare, and that you purpose soon to return to America. We have no kind of news here worth writing to you. The affair of the building...