Living in the Midst of Opulence

There had been much debate as to the authenticity of the ‘unpublished journal’ of George Whitefield. Experts were called to examine the writing at one point. One of them, Mr. Morton Pennypacker, confirmed that the work was indeed Whitefield’s. He was helped to arrive at this conclusion through an incident in the journal which recorded a visit to the town of Southold in 1765. Whitefield had stayed overnight there with a very wealthy worldly family. In his journal he wrote that he used a diamond to inscribe ‘On thing is needful’ on a window pane which still survives. [1] Living in the midst of such opulence didn’t turn his head, even given the fact that he had a diamond as a writing instrument – he knew and record for posterity in both the journal and as it happened on the window that the greatest treasurers are not to be gained here but are laid up for those who are faithful, who are conformed to the likeness of Christ. [2]
[1] George Whitefield, ‘Journal of George Whitefield’, Banner of Truth Trust, 1985, p.15.
[2] 1 Peter 1:4.

Photos courtesy of stock.xchng