Whitefield's Letter to Wesley

Solo Deo Gloria ^ | Dec. 24, 1740 | Whitefield

[Gamecock]

Ping

[infidel dog]

Oh joy. More antique verbosity from antique Calvinists...

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Thanks, GC. I love this correspondence from Whitefield to Wesley.

The letter shows Whitefield's deep and honest affection for his friend, John Wesley, and also his profound objections to Wesley's darkened philosophy.

[blue-duncan]

I felt my heart strangely cooled after reading this.

[Tax-chick]

Polysyllabic!

[AlbionGirl]

I really like Whitefield a lot! He embodies a lot of what Christ sought to teach all of us. Honestly, this caliber of gentleman seems dead and vanquished. He was also a great missionary, much better actually, I understand, than Wesley. And one of the most touching things about his life is that he asked Wesley to deliver his Euolgy, that is how expansive the nature of this gentle soul and good man was.

The other day I was walking to work, and this elderly gentleman tipped his hat to me, and I involuntarily returned a slight curtsy. He put a big smile on my face. Class and dignity, he had both.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I felt my heart strangely cooled after reading this

What does that mean?

(I hate it when I miss some allusion to something a well-read FReeper should know.)

Enlighten me.

But in searching Scripture for some reference, I came upon this fascinating few passages...

"And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." -- Luke 16:20-31

We are a stubborn lot.

[AlbionGirl]

We are a stubborn lot.

Agreed!

You know what always struck me most about this passage? The assignation of the rich man that sort of implies he knows he earned hell. And also, the rich man's concern for his family. I guess when I've envisioned hell, I've always assumed we lost all ability to love.

[Richard from IL]

It a take off on Wesley's comment about his heart being strangely warmed when listening to a reading of Luther's introduction to Galations.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Thank you, Richard.

I should have known someone from Illinois would know. 8~)

[BluH2o]

Whitefield aside ... I have a porcelain bust of John Wesley that's been in our family for generations. It probably dates back to the early 1800's ... whadaya think it might be worth? ;)

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Salvation is free, ... but discipleship will cost you your life.-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Your tag is great. 8~)

[blue-duncan]

Come on, the rich man was just as arrogant/selfish in hell as he was on earth with no consideration for anyone but himself and his own. If anyone wants to see what the nature of fallen man is after death he is a good example. Nothing changes, what he was in life he is in death, selfish and arrogant. He wants poor Lazarus to serve him and orders God around. Kind of like some of my developer clients come to think of it.

[AlbionGirl]

Come on, the rich man was just as arrogant/selfish in hell as he was on earth with no consideration for anyone but himself and his own. If anyone wants to see what the nature of fallen man is after death he is a good example. Nothing changes, what he was in life he is in death, selfish and arrogant.

How did I not see that? Oh, and by the way, Uncle! :)

[Revelation 911]

felt my heart strangely cooled after reading this.

bwahahaha

[Revelation 911]

What does that mean?

not too surprised there would be no breadth of knowledge concerning things methodism

[AlbionGirl]

Dietrich und Sabine Bonhoeffer

God rest his beautiful soul. And speaking of Christians penetrating the film industry...How great would it be to have a great director and some very good, unknown actors tell the story of this man's life?

[Revelation 911]

I have a porcelain bust of John Wesley that's been in our family for generations. It probably dates back to the early 1800's ... whadaya think it might be worth? ;)

is it white or black - about 9-10 high ? - about $100

[AlbionGirl]

You know I think I might have yelled uncle a little too soon.

You don't think him wanting to warn and save his family from the fires of hell was motivated by anything other than selfish and/or arrogant?