1754 GEORGE WHITEFIELD. Important Autograph Letter on His Way to America to Financier of the Great Awakening!

Anyone who has been a collector of Whitefield knows his manuscripts, autographs, and letters are legendarily rare. We have handled one very small manuscript and one autograph letter in 25 years of actively buying and pursuing his material.

Now, we add a third. It is, alas, in need of conservation; nonetheless, a fine example. 

In 1754, Whitefield was on his way to the United States with a group of orphans to his Orphan Homes in Georgia. One of his primary financiers for the endeavor was a wealthy Great Awakening convert, Ebenezer Blackwell of London. Blackwell also financed much of the charitable work of John and Charles Wesley. 

A rich, devotional letter discussing his relationship to material goods, and, as usual, demonstrating his consistent relish as having his only worth and riches in Christ. 

"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 I have not been on shore, but expect to go to-morrow. At this distance, I see enough to bless the Lord of all Lords for calling me out of darkness into his marvelous light, and for redeeming me from this present evil world. O my dear friend, to an eye fixed on the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, how little, unspeakably little do all sublunary things appears appear. I hope this email will find my dear Mr. B. crying out from the bottom of his heart, "Indeed they are not worth a thought." Well said, my dear sir; let us then be laudably ambitious, and get as rich as we can toward God; such are durable riches. The Bank of Heaven is a sure bank. I have drawn thousands of bills upon it, and never had one sent back protested. God helping me, I purpose lodging my little earthly all there. I hope my present poor but valuable cargo, will make some additions to my heavenly inheritance. O free grace! That ever such an ill and hell-deserving wretch as I am, should ever be called out to leave his carnal and spiritual friends, for that friend of sinners the Lamb of God! These partings are indeed trying to nature; but Heaven, my dear sir, will make amends for all. There I hope to meet you and yours, whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ; there you shall be amply rewarded for all acts of kindness conferred either on me or mine. Increase my obligations, by continuing to pray for us, and accept this as a small tribute of thanks, and a testimony of love unfeigned, from, my dear friend, 

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,
GW"

There is also a postscript which went unpublished in the below imprint. It reads, "The little girl with her companions are all well. O that the Father of mercy may reveal His dear Son in all their hearts!" 

Published in A Select Collection of of Letters of the Late Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. Of Pembroke-College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon; Written to His most Intimate Friends, and Persons of Distinction, in England, Scotland, Ireland, and America, from the Year 1734, to 1770. Including the Whole Period of His Ministry. With an Account of Orphan-Houses in Georgia. vol. iii. pp.66, 67

Complete on a folio sheet folded half-way, with copious sellotape reinforcements an repairs. Textually complete with minor chips and small seal loss. 

The last, and only, letter we have ever offered sold at $24,500.00.