CARLYLE, in his Life of John Sterling, says, "I have remarked that a true delineation of the smallest man, and his scene of pilgrimage through life, is capable of interesting the greatest man; that all men are, to an unspeakable degree, brothers-cach man's life a strange semblance of every man's, and that human portraits, faithfully drawn, are of all things the welcomest on human walls."
A kindred feeling was the first impulse to these sketches. A second, more serious, was a desire to portray, through living examples, the characteristics of the American Pulpit, and some of the distinctive features of American churches. This has determined the selection. Representative men, who are mostly prominent men, have been chosen, representing not only denominations, but religious movements and practical ideas, principles and facts.
There has also been a purpose in these biographies-more than to gratify curiosity or exalt individuals-born out of a hope to promote Christian Union by grouping diverse Christian views. If we could all "see eye to eye," we should less contend "hand to hand."
Several sketches are reluctantly omitted, from the matterof-fact necessity which the limits of one volume impose.
Several eloquent preachers are not mentioned, because preaching is with them occasional and secondary.
The author must ask consideration for the peculiar delicacy of his task, as a discussion of living men and present religious movements. He has striven to be controlled by principles of good taste and of a universal Christian sentiment, without sacrificing the interest of minute personal narrative or a journalistic style.
With the resolve to avoid protruding his own denominational preferences, he has sought to identify himself, for the time being, with each movement described and each person portrayed, esteeming the expression of his private views as of no account in comparison with a fair statement of the views of others.
Effort has also been made to avoid eulogy, which lay in the path of a naturally keen enjoyment of pulpit oratory, increased by indulgence.
Those familiar with the periodical literature of the last eight years may recognize, in portions of some of the sketches, old acquaintances. As in volumes of poetry, a few of "the earlier pieces" are included.
In conclusion, the author feels that he will be warranted in uniting the thanks of his readers, with his own, to those who have kindly contributed the sketches of Dr. Storrs and of Dr. Hawks, and parts of the sketches of Dr. Cheever and of Dr. Williams.
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER, New York, April, 1856.
EDWARD NORRIS KIRK, D.D. (WITH PORTRAIT),
11-48
Early Life, 11-Conversion, 13-Becomes a Preacher, 15-First extem-
pore Sermon, 17-Life at Albany, 19-22-Farewell Sermon, 23-32-
Free Church movement, 33-39-REV. CHARLES G. FINNEY, 37-" Aunt
Dinah," 40-Revivals of 1840, 42-Residence at Boston, 44—Criticism,
45-Personal description, 47.
The True Teacher, 50-Childhood, 52-College life, 53-Stockbridge, 55
-Williams College, 56-Anecdote of "Kirwan," 58-Revivals at "Wil-
liams," 59-Pittsfield Gymnasium, 60-University of Rochester, 61—
Writings, 62—Characteristics, 64—Beauty of manhood, 65—Dr. Baird
on American Education, 67-70.
Moravian Missions, 101-Massacre of Moravian Indians, 103-Union of the
Methodists and Presbyterians, 105-The "Cumberland Revival,” 106—
The "Jerks," 107-WILLIAM BURKE, 108-Remarkable excitement, 109
—The Preacher's recompense, 111-The Preacher's life, 113-Style
of preaching, 114-BISHOP ASBURY, 115-JAMES CRAVEN, 116-FATHER
HAXLEY, 117-PETER CARTWRIGHT, 118-The Ferryman baptized, 119
-WILSON PITNER, 120-Mr. Milburn's description of the Pioneer
Preacher, 121.
REV. WILLIAM HENRY MILBURN (WITH PORTRAIT), 123-140
His blindness, 123-His memory, 125—His studies, 126-The Preacher's
discipline, 127-The Preacher's duties, 129-The Preacher's educa-
tion, 131-Senate Chaplaincy, 132-Labors at the South, 134-Lec-
tures, 135-Education in the Methodist Church, 136-Liberty of the
Pulpit, 138-140.
REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER (WITH PORTRAIT),
Plymouth Church, 141-Views of Man, 143-Views of Slavery, 145—
Views of Theology, 146-Views of the Deity, 147-Views of Christ,
149-153-Views of Church membership, 154-Views of Revelation and
Inspiration, 155-162-Views of Prayer, 163-His solution of the Prob-
lem of Evil, 164-166-His philosophy, 167-169-His pulpit humor,
171-173-Sharp's rifles, 174-Preaching to the times, 177-180-What
is truth? 181-SELECTIONS, 182–196–His mission, 197-His lectures,
199-Genealogy, 201-Biography, 203-205-Characteristics, 206-Ex-
tempore prayer, 208–212.
Bunyan, Fuller, Hall, Foster, Wayland, and Williams, 214-218-Uniform
command of his powers, 219-Characteristics as a writer, 220-Spiritu-
ality and devotion, 220-Erudition, 221-Affluence of illustration, 222
-Originality, 223–Beauties, 225–Criticisms, 226–229—“ Religious
Progress," 230-237-Biography, 238-Publications, 239-Delivery, 241
-Interest in the young, 242-Extempore, 243-Rev. John Wil-
liams, 245.
CHARLES G. SOMMERS, D.D. (WITH PORTRAIT),
Nassau-street Church, 247-Early life, 249-Bombardment of Copen-
hagen, 250-Mercantile life, 253-Comes to America, 254-Engage-
ment with John Jacob Astor, 255-Determination to be a Minister,
256-Commences preaching, 259--Various departments of labor, 261-
The American Tract Society, 262-The Slavery question, 264-Sum-
mary of his work, 265.
271-Estrangement from Friends, 272-Dr. Channing, 273-At New
Bedford, 274 "The Old World and the New," 275-A word to Wo-
men, 276-"The Church of the Messiah," 277-Lectures, 278—“Lib-
erty," 279-A charge repelled, 280-His character, 281-His style,
282-His discourses, 283-His oratory, 286.
Reformers and Preachers, 331-Characteristics of his preaching, 333-
Biography, 334-Call to "Market-street Church," 336-"Somebody's
Son," 337-" Faith and Works" Sermon, 338-A New Year Discourse,
340-Selections, 341-As a Platform speaker, 342-Church accessions,
343-Intercourse with his People, 344-Church hospitality, 344-City
Mission Sermon, 345-His "Six Thoughts on Christian Reform," 346.
His parents, 351-Religious experience, 352-Spring-street Church, New
York, 358-First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, 361-"Semi-lunar
fardels' letter, 362-His ideas of Faith and Preaching, 364—“Inter-
view" with two Mormon Apostles, 366-Trials in his life, 367-Anti-
slavery Riots of 1833-4, 368-Characteristics, 377-His public life, 379.
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