A Sketch of the Life and Labors of George Whitefield

by J.C. Ryle

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Biography, Christian, History, Church History, Biography Memoir, Theology

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1854

About the author

(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.

Reviews

[Josh Lange · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Sketch of the Life and Labors of George Whitefield gives you the brief introduction necessary to decide next steps. The next step is to read more about this man and his ministry.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened on audio. This is just a sketch, 1 hr 20 min on 1x speed, about the length of a John Piper biography sermon, except by Ryle, which is probably even better, though I loved Piper’s biography sermons. He did a great job at organizing and summarizing Whitefield’s life and ministry and applications from it. The only quibble I might have is that his final application (that he spends some time on) is to stay IN the Church of England/Anglican Church (is this the same thing?); and coming from a fighting fundamentalist background, I know the story of what happened in the 20th century and agree with the fundies (and Whitefield) on that point. Ryle kinda has to disagree with Whitefield while defending him.

[Anete Ābola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good short book (lecture) on Whitefield. Since he is the one that began open-air preaching, preaching to masses and held firmly to preaching the Gospel despite the age in which he lived, it is worth reading.
It only lacks Whitefield's thoughts about marriage and conduct in (neglect of) his own marriage. It is only mentioned that Whitefield was once married and that this marriage didn't add much to his happiness.

[Brian Algie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryle has an understanding of the times Whitefield preached and wonderfully speaks about this man of faith.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sketch of the Life and Labors of George Whitefield is a little gem of a biography by J.C. Ryle. The book seeks to do five things: provide readers with a 'hasty sketch' of the times in which Whitefield lived, provide readers with a 'hasty sketch' of Whitefield's life, provide readers with a 'hasty sketch' of Whitefield's theology, provide readers with a 'hasty sketch' of Whitefield's preaching, and finally to draw some conclusions for readers about his 'actual work' on earth (what good he was able to do).

I loved how focused and precise the biography was! The chapters build on one another--as you'd expect--and by the end, you may just find yourself persuaded that Whitefield was one of the greatest evangelists ever.

In forming your opinion of the comparative merits of Christian men, never forget the old rule: "Distinguish between times." Place yourself in each man's position. Do not judge what was a right course of action in other times, by what seems a right course of action in your own.

The times of the eighteenth century, at any rate, were "bad old times," unmistakably. Whitefield was born in 1714. He died in 1770. It is not saying too much to assert, that this was precisely the darkest age that England has passed through in the last three hundred years. Any thing more deplorable than the condition of the country, as to religion, morality, and high principle, from 1700 to about the era of the French Revolution, it is very difficult to conceive.

The distinguishing doctrines of Christianity—the atonement, the work and office of Christ and the Spirit—were comparatively lost sight of. The vast majority of sermons were miserable moral essays, utterly devoid of any thing calculated to awaken, convert, save, or sanctify souls.

Justice has not been done to him, because the condition of the times he lived in is not considered. The times he lived in were extraordinary times, and required extraordinary means to be used. And whatever quiet men, sitting by their fireside in our day, may say to the contrary, I am satisfied that Whitefield was just the man for his times.

In the thirty-four years of his ministry, it is reckoned that he preached publicly eighteen thousand times.

His journeyings were prodigious, when the roads and conveyances of his times are considered. Fourteen times did he visit Scotland. Seven times did he cross the Atlantic, backward and forward. Twice he went over to Ireland. As to England and Wales, he traversed every county in them, from the Isle of Wight to Berwick-on-Tweed, and from the Land's End to the North Foreland.

There were four main things that he never lost sight of in his sermons. These four were: man's complete ruin by sin, and consequent natural corruption of heart; man's complete redemption by Christ, and complete justification before God by faith in Christ; man's need of regeneration by the Spirit, and entire renewal of heart and life; and man's utter want of any title to be considered a living Christian, unless he is dead to sin and lives a holy life.

Whitefield was just as full and explicit in setting forth the way to heaven as he was in setting forth the way to hell.

The crowning excellence of Whitefield's teaching was, that he just spoke of men, things, and doctrines, in the way that the Bible speaks of them, and the place that the Bible assigns to them.

God, Christ, and the Spirit—sin, justification, conversion, and sanctification—impenitent sinners the most miserable of people—believing saints the most privileged of people—the world a vain and empty thing—heaven the only rest for an immortal soul—the Devil a tremendous and ever-watchful foe—holiness the only true happiness—hell a real and certain portion for the unconverted; these were the kind of subjects which filled Whitefield's mind, and formed the staple of his ministry.

He seemed to live for only two objects—the glory of God, and the salvation of immortal souls.

One thing is abundantly clear and beyond dispute, and that is, that his sermons were wonderfully effective. No preacher has ever succeeded in arresting the attention of such enormous crowds of people as those he addressed continually in the neighborhood of London. No preacher has ever been so universally popular in every country he visited, England, Scotland and America, as he was. No preacher has ever retained his hold on his hearers so entirely as he did for thirty-four years.

First and foremost, you must remember, Whitefield preached a singularly pure gospel. Few men ever gave their hearers so much wheat and so little chaff. He did not get into his pulpit to talk about his party, his cause, his interest, or his office. He was perpetually telling you about your sins, your heart, and Jesus Christ, in the way that the Bible speaks of them.

For another thing, Whitefield's preaching was singularly lucid and simple. You might not like his doctrine, perhaps; but at any rate you could not fail to understand what he meant. His style was easy, plain, and conversational.

For another thing, Whitefield was a singularly bold and direct preacher. He never used that indefinite expression, "we," which seems so peculiar to English pulpit oratory, and which leaves a hearer's mind in a state of misty confusion as to the preacher's meaning.

He was not content, like many, with sticking on a tailpiece of application at the end of a long discourse. A constant vein of application run through all his sermons. "This is for you: this is for you: and this is for you." His hearers were never let alone.

He drew such vivid pictures of the things he was dwelling upon, that his hearers could believe they actually saw them all with their own eyes, and heard them with their own ears.

It was no uncommon thing with him to weep profusely in the pulpit. He felt intensely for the souls before him, and his feeling found a vent in tears. Of all the ingredients of his preaching, nothing, I suspect, was so powerful as this. It awakened sympathies, and touched secret springs in men, which no amount of intellect could have moved.

He wrote no books which were to be the religious classics of the million, like John Bunyan. He was a simple, guileless man, who lived for one thing only, and that was to preach Christ. If he succeeded in doing that effectually, he cared for nothing else. He did nothing to preserve the memory of his usefulness. He left his work with the Lord.

He did not wait for souls to come to him, but he went after souls.

[Carol Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book and was very surprised by the length of the book. The printed version is only 80 pages. It really is simply a sketch as the title says. Ryle started out by giving insight on what the bleak religious life was like in the 18th century. Ryle shows how Whitefield grew up in this wicked environment and how only by the grace of God he was converted. Whitefield was like a light shining in the darkness. However, the evil deeds of darkness do not like their deeds exposed. So it was with England in the times of Whitefield. He was originally accepted by the churches but as he continued the preaching only the gospel as opposed to the politically correct version, it was not long before he was forced to open air preaching. He was not in the least discouraged by this but just kept on preaching the true gospel as always. We really need to be reading more encouraging, uplifting books about men of God like Whitefield.

[Taylor Rollo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great little book on Whitefield. It is not a biography since it is just a sketch of his life and work, but it is a great start if you are interested in the man. What I think is best about it is how compelling it is to current preachers to preach the simple gospel and stick to that. It shows how that was core to Whitefield's usefulness to the Kingdom.

[Cory Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

No complaints

This is a short biography of George Whitefield. I was about ready to assign it a mediocre status , (e.g. good but not great). What motivated me to give it 5 stars was the final point towards the end of how one man can do so much good when God is in control. Note- It is really too hasty to be a biography; a brief glimpse might be a better choice of words.

[Nderitu Pius · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is short but straight to the point. It is what we need as a flash in the life of George Whitfield. It is a good record and I specifically love it that it specifies the strength of George Whitfield is not his voice nor his eloquence but THE GOSPEL and the GOSPEL ALONE. He did not give stories, just the GOSPEL. I LOVE IT!!

[Caleb CW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ryle thought very highly of Whitefield. This was a quick little biography of Whitefield and what he did for the church. I'll probably have to listen to this one again sometime. It doesn't take long to read so it is easy to skip over crucial information. It's not a bad read, it's not entertaining but it is informative.

There it is and there you have it.

[Ayabulela · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Being for His Glory

A well written short read that shows well George Whitefield's zeal for God to be glorified in the salvation of souls. It is an inspiring read for one who has a like passion, but fails to realise the same level of commitment in application. Thank you

[Jessica Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This is a quick and informative read. It doesn't go into detail of Whitfield's life but is still relative today and is inspiring of what the present and future church needs.

[Miles Foltermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as the title states, this is a sketch rather than a far-ranging biography. In fact, I would say Ryle principally uses Whitefield’s life as a jumping-off point to issue the preaching charge to evangelical pastors. Brief, punchy, and convicting.

[Don Fast · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed

Sadly, I purchased what I thought was a biography on Whitfield. What I got was a sparse commentary of the author's ideas about him. Even though it only cost $3.00, it was money poorly spent.

[Brandi Breezee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. All I have to say about George Whitefield is 😍😍😍

[Jennifer Neuschwander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good biography of George Whitefield.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the life of George Whitefield. The writing was good, although the book was something of a hagiography. Whitefield "never" did this; he "always" did that. Not likely.

[Jerry Lansford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth

It seems these are the days we could use another Whitefield. A time much like the day unto which he came.

[Nathan Vanderburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

A book that will always be encouraging to Christians, regardless of the times they find themselves in. Read it and read it again.

[Connor Davey · Rating 4 out of 5]

JC Ryle is not related to JC Penney but that’s a common mistake.

[James Brixey]

Good stuff, nothing ground breaking but will tell you a little about a fascinating man

[Chase Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book for a quick read!

[Toby Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and encouraging read on the greatest preacher (according to Ryle) who ever lived.

[Jennifer Wadman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief introduction to the culture that Whitefield preached in/to.

[Timothy Klob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent lecture on Whitefield and the religious and cultural environment in 18th century England.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short look at the life of Whitefield. What a guy, to preach over 18,000 times in 34 years of ministry! We got this little book on Kindle after hearing of Whitefield more and more lately in our new Presbyterian circles. It was a good, concise overview of his life and ministry.

[Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though only 80 pages, A Sketch of the Life and Labors of George Whitefield, yields an easy to read yet comprehensive survey of the this George Whitefield's life, theology, study, and preaching.

"He founded no denomination among whom his name was embalmed, and his every act recorded, as did John Wesley. He headed no mighty movement against a Church which openly professed false doctrines, as Luther did against Rome. He wrote no books which were to be the religious classics of the million, like John Bunyan. He was a simple, guileless man, who lived for one thing only, and that was to preach Christ. If he succeeded in doing that effectually, he cared for nothing else. He did nothing to preserve the memory of his usefulness.He left his work to the Lord." We see in Whitefield a man that did enormous direct and indirect good to the souls of thousands, and he did so by preaching the whole gospel in plain and simple terms.

May God bless this short work to your reading and your library.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something very special about great men admiring great men. Ryle gives here a short sketch of the life and times of George Whitefield. This man's life seems in so many ways to be a miracle in itself. It is guessed that tens of thousands of people came to Christ through his work. What a gift to the church! I found especially encouraging Ryle's special focus on Whitefield's openness to work across theological and denominational boarders for the sake of the Gospel. He has even said that he would preach in the Pope's very pulpit, if he were allowed to preach the righteousness of Christ. An extraordinary life very much worth learning about. This short sketch is warmly recommended.

[Matthew Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

For what it intends to be, this book is quite powerful. If you are looking for an in depth look at Whitefield's life, this is not in. Rather, it is a very brief overview of the world he lived in and how his love of Christ made him stand out. This is a great read if you are new to Whitefield and what he did.

[Martic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, that we had such a man as George Whitefield in our time! An evangelist with the power of the Holy Spirit giving his all to the work of Jesus Christ. America needs to hear this message today. I pray God raises up a man for our nation. What I particularly liked about this little tome is that it was written in 1854, so much closer to the actual lifetime of Whitefield.