Jonathan Edwards Collection: Edwards, Jonathan - Personal Writings: 06

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Jonathan Edwards Collection: Edwards, Jonathan - Personal Writings: 06



TOPIC: Edwards, Jonathan - Personal Writings (Other Topics in this Collection)
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CHAPTER VI.



SETTLEMENT IN THE MINISTRY AT NORTHAMPTON--SITUATION OF THINGS AT THE

TIME OF HIS SETTLEMENT--ATTENTION TO RELIGION IN THE PARISH--COURSE OF

STUDY--HABITS OF LIFE--MARRIAGE--DEATH AND CHARACTER OF MR.

STODDARD--SICKNESS OF MR. EDWARDS--DEATH AND CHARACTER OF HIS SISTER

JERUSHA--HIS FIRST PUBLICATION.



On the 15th of February, 1727, Mr. Edwards was ordained as a minister

of the gospel, and placed over the church and congregation at

Northampton, as the colleague of his grandfather, the Rev. Mr.

Stoddard. He was now entering on the business of life, in a profession

attended with many difficulties, and presenting a field sufficiently

ample for the employment of the highest faculties ever conferred on

man. It may not be improper, therefore, to stop a moment, and review

the circumstances in which he was placed.



He was twenty-three years of age. His constitution was naturally so

tender and feeble, as to be preserved, even in tolerable health, only

with unceasing care. He had passed through the successive periods of

childhood, youth, and early manhood, not only without reproach, but in

such a manner, as to secure the high esteem and approbation of all who

knew him. His filial piety, and fraternal affection, had been most

exemplary, and had rendered him a centre for strong attraction to the

united family. Originally of a grave and sober character, he had been

the subject of early, frequent, and strong religious impressions;

which, if they did not result in saving conversion in his childhood,

yet rendered him conscientious, and solemnly and habitually mindful of

eternal things. For a considerable period, he had not only felt the

life and power of religion, but had appeared imbued with an unusually

large measure of the grace of God. Few persons, of the same age,

discover a piety so pure, so practical, or so pervading.



He had been devoted to books from his infancy, and appears of his own

accord, from an early period, to have formed habits of severe and

successful application. His mind, originally possessed of uncommon

powers, and fraught with an intense desire of knowledge, was qualified

for eminence, as we have already seen, not in a single pursuit merely,

but in every walk of literature and science. Though probably the

youngest member of his class, he had been acknowledged as its first

scholar, in the distribution of its honours. He had not been

distinguished for his attainments in Latin, Greek, or Hebrew

literature only, but still more in those studies which require the

application of stronger powers--in mathematics and logic, in natural

and mental philosophy, and the higher principles of theology. In

these, he had not simply proved himself capable of comprehending the

discoveries of others, but had ventured out, where there was no path

nor guide, into new and unexplored regions of the spiritual [11]

world, with a success, which might well have prompted him to bold and

fearless enterprise. As officers of the college, the peculiar

difficulties in which they were placed, had given him, and his

associates, an opportunity to acquire uncommon reputation, not only as

instructors and governors of youths, but as men of unshaken firmness,

and unwavering integrity. His mind was now rich in its attainments;

its views were already, for the period in which he lived, singularly

expanded and comprehensive; and its powers were under thorough

discipline, and yielded an exact and persevering obedience. His habits

of study were completely formed, and were of the most severe and

unbending character.



Theology had been, for years, his favourite study. For it he had

deliberately relinquished, not only the varied pursuits of natural

science, but in a measure, also, those investigations into the nature

and operations of mind, by which, at an earlier period, his whole

attention had been engrossed. He had already discovered, that much of

what he found in systems and commentaries, was a mere mass of rubbish;

and that many of the great principles, which constitute the foundation

of the science, were yet to be established. He had studied theology,

not chiefly in systems or commentaries, but in the Bible, and in the

character and mutual relations of God and his creatures, from which

all its principles are derived; and had already entered on a series of

investigations, which, if ultimately found correct, would effectuate

most important changes in the opinions of the christian world.



The ministry had long been the profession of his choice, and was

doubtless the only profession which he had ever thought of pursuing.

Few persons, probably, enter the sacred office with more just views of

its elevation and importance. His work he appears to have regarded

simply as the work of salvation;--the same work, on which HE, whose

commission he bore, came down to this lower world;--and to the

accomplishment of it, the surrendry of himself appears to have been

deliberate and entire. His reception as a preacher had certainly been

flattering. Repeated and urgent proposals had been made to him for

settlement; and, as far as he was known, he was obviously regarded as

a young man of uncommon promise.



Northampton, the place of his settlement, is in its natural situation

uncommonly pleasant, was then the shire town of a county, embracing

nearly one half of the area of the colony, and embodied within its

limits, more than the ordinary share of refinement and polish. The

church was large, and, with the congregation, was united. Both were

united in him, and earnestly desirous that he should become their

minister. From his childhood he had familiarly known both the place

and the people. His parents were the familiar friends of many of the

inhabitants; and they, with his connexions in the place, regarded his

settlement there as a most pleasing event.



He was also the individual, whom probably, of all others, his

grandfather desired, for his colleague and successor. That venerable

man, then in his 84th year, had been the minister of Northampton 55

years; and by his piety, his great energy of character, and his

knowledge of mankind, had early acquired, and maintained through a

long life, a singular degree of weight among the ministers and

churches of New England. Though a close student, and an able and

faithful preacher, he was in character a man of business, and of

action; and, in all the important ecclesiastical bodies of

Massachusetts, he had for many years an influence, which usually was

not contested, and almost always was paramount. In Northampton he had

been a faithful and successful minister. Under his preaching, the

place had repeatedly witnessed revivals of religion; particularly in

1679, 1683, 1690, 1712, and 1718. Those in 1683, 1690, and 1712, were

distinguished for their extent, and for the accessions made to the

number of communicants. While the existing members of the church, with

scarcely an exception, regarded him as their spiritual father, all the

acting inhabitants of the town had grown up under his ministry, and

had been accustomed, from infancy, to pay a respect to his person and

character, and a deference to his opinions, such as children pay to

those of a loved and venerated parent.



One circumstance, relating to the actual condition of the church at

Northampton, deserves to be mentioned here, as it had an ultimate

bearing on some of the most important events recorded in these pages.

That church, like the other early churches of New England, according

to its original platform, admitted none to the sacrament of the Lord's

supper, except those who, after due examination, were regarded in the

judgment of christian charity as regenerate persons. Such was the

uniform practice of the church, from the time of its formation, during

the life of Mr. Mather, and for upwards of thirty years after the

settlement of Mr. Stoddard. How early Mr. Stoddard changed his own

views on this subject, cannot probably be ascertained; but he

attempted, in 1704, and, though not without opposition, yet with

ultimate success, to introduce a corresponding change in the practice

of the church. Though no vote was then taken to alter the rules of

admission, yet the point of practice was yielded. The sacrament, from

that time, was viewed as a converting ordinance, and those who were

not regarded, either by themselves or others, as possessed of piety,

were encouraged to unite themselves to the church.



The attention to religion in 1718, was neither extensive, nor of long

continuance, and appears not to have terminated happily. During the

nine years which intervened between that event and the settlement of

Mr. Edwards, Mr. Stoddard witnessed "a far more degenerate time among

his people, particularly among the young, than ever before," in which

the means of salvation were attended with little or no visible

efficacy. The young became addicted to habits of dissipation and

licentiousness; family government too generally failed; the sabbath

was extensively profaned; and the decorum of the sanctuary was not

unfrequently disturbed. There had also long prevailed in the town a

spirit of contention between two parties, into which they had for many

years been divided, which kept alive a mutual jealousy, and prepared

them to oppose one another in all public affairs.



Such were the circumstances in which Mr. Edwards entered on his

ministry at Northampton.



At this time, Mr. Stoddard, though so much advanced in years, had a

good degree of strength, both of body and mind; and, for a

considerable period after the settlement of his grandson, he was able

to officiate in the desk the half of every sabbath. Almost immediately

after that event, he was permitted to witness a work of divine grace

among some of his people; in the course of which about twenty were

believed to be savingly converted. This was to him a most pleasing

circumstance, as well as most useful to his colleague; who observes,

"I have reason to bless God for the great advantage I had by it." No

doubt it was intended to prepare him for more important and

interesting scenes. The attention to religion, though at no time very

extensive, continued for about two years, and was followed by several

years of general inattention and indifference.



Immediately after his settlement, Mr. Edwards commenced the practice

of preparing two discourses weekly; one of which was preached as a

lecture, on an evening in the week. This he continued for several

years. Though he regarded preaching the gospel as the great duty of a

minister, and would on no account offer to God, or deliver to his

people, that which was not the fruit of toil and labour; yet he

resolved, from the commencement of his ministry, not to devote the

time of each week exclusively to the preparation of his sermons, but

to spend a large portion of it in the study of the Bible, and in the

investigation of the more difficult and important subjects of

theology. His mode of study with the pen has been described, and was

now vigorously pursued, in the continuation of his "Miscellanies," and

his "Notes on the Scriptures," as well as of a work, entitled, "The

Types of the Messiah in the Old Testament, " which he appears to have

commenced while a candidate for the ministry. With an infirm

constitution, and health ordinarily feeble, it was obviously

impossible, however, to carry this resolution into practice, without

the most strict attention to diet, exercise, and method; but in all

these points, his habits had long been formed, and persevered in, with

a direct reference to the best improvement of time, and the greatest

efficiency of his intellectual powers. In eating and drinking, he was

unusually abstemious, and constantly watchful. He carefully observed

the effects of the different sorts of food, and selected those which

best suited his constitution, and rendered him most fit for mental

labour. Having also ascertained the quantity of food, which, while it

sustained his bodily strength, left his mind most sprightly and

active, he most scrupulously and exactly confined himself to the

prescribed limits; regarding it as a shame and a sin, to waste his

time, and his mental strength, by animal indulgence. In this respect,

he lived by rule, and constantly practised great self-denial; as he

did. also, with regard to the time passed in sleep. He accustomed

himself to rise at four, or between four and five, in the morning,

and, in winter, spent several of those hours in study which are

commonly wasted in slumber. In the evening, he usually allowed himself

a season of relaxation, in the midst of his family.



His most usual diversion in summer, was riding on horseback, and

walking; and in his solitary rides and walks, he appears to have

decided, before leaving home, on what subjects to meditate. He would

commonly, unless diverted by company, ride two or three miles after

dinner, to some lonely grove, where he would dismount and walk awhile.

At such times, he generally carried his pen and ink with him, to note

any thought that might be suggested, and which promised some light on

any important subject. In winter, he was accustomed, almost daily, to

take his axe, and cut wood moderately, for the space of half an hour

or more. In solitary rides of considerable length, he adopted a kind

of artificial memory. Having pursued a given subject of thought to its

proper results, he would pin a small piece of paper on a given spot in

his coat, and charge his mind to associate the subject and the piece

of paper. He would then repeat the same process with a second subject

of thought, fastening the token in a different place, and then a

third, and a fourth, as the time might permit. From a ride of several

days, he would usually bring home a considerable number of these

remembrancers; and, on going to his study, would take them off, one by

one, in regular order, and write down the train of thought of which

each was intended to remind him.



"He did not," observes Dr. Hopkins, "make it his custom to visit his

people in their own houses, unless he was sent for by the sick, or he

heard that they were under some special affliction. Instead of

visiting from house to house, he used to preach frequently at private

meetings, in particular neighbourhoods; and often call the young

people and children to his own house, when he used to pray with them,

and treat with them in a manner suited to their years and

circumstance; and he catechized the children in public, every sabbath

in the forenoon. And he used, sometimes, to propose questions to

particular young persons, in writing, for them to answer, after a

proper time given to them to prepare. In putting out these questions,

he endeavoured to suit them to the age, genius, and ability of those,

to whom they were given. His questions were generally such, as

required but a short answer; and yet, could not be answered without a

particular knowledge of some historical part of the Scriptures; and

therefore led, and even obliged, persons to study the Bible.



"He did not neglect visiting his people from house to house, because

he did not look upon it, in ordinary cases, to be one important part

of the work of a gospel minister; but, because he supposed that

ministers should, with respect to this, consult their own talents and

circumstances, and visit more or less, according to the degree in

which they could hope thereby to promote the great ends of the

ministry. He observed, that some had a talent for entertaining and

profiting by occasional visits among their people. They have words at

command, and a facility at introducing profitable religious discourse,

in a manner free, natural, and familiar, and apparently without design

or contrivance. He supposed, that such had a call to spend a great

deal of their time in visiting their people; but he looked on his own

talents to be quite otherwise. He was not able to enter into a free

conversation with every person he met, and, in an easy manner, turn it

to whatever topic he pleased, without the help of others, and it may

be, against their inclinations. He therefore found, that his visits of

this kind must be, in a great degree, unprofitable. And as he was

settled in a large parish, it would have taken up a great part of his

time to visit from house to house, which he thought he could spend, in

his study, to much more valuable purposes, and so better promote the

great ends of his ministry. For it appeared to him, that he could do

the greatest good to the souls of men, and most promote the cause of

Christ, by preaching and writing, and conversing with persons under

religious impressions, in his study; whither he encouraged all such to

repair; where they might be sure, in ordinary cases, to find him, and

to be allowed easy access to him; and where they were treated with all

desirable tenderness, kindness, and familiarity."



Owing to his constant watchfulness and self-denial in food and sleep,

and his regular attention to bodily exercise, notwithstanding the

feebleness of his constitution, few students are capable of more close

or more long-continued application than he was. He commonly spent

thirteen hours every day in his study; and these hours were passed,

not in perusing or treasuring up the thoughts of others, but in

employments far more exhausting--in the investigation of difficult

subjects, in the origination and arrangement of thoughts, in the

invention of arguments, and in the discovery of truths and principles.

Nor was his exact method, in the distribution of his time, of less

essential service. In consequence of his uniform regularity and

self-denial, and the force of habit, the powers of his mind were

always at his command, and would do their prescribed task in the time

appointed. This enabled him to assign the preparation of his sermons,

each week, to given days, and specific subjects of investigation to

other given days; and except in cases of sickness, or journeying, or

some other extraordinary interruption, it was rare, indeed, that he

failed of accomplishing every part of his weekly task, or that he was

pressed for time in the accomplishment. So exact was the distribution

of his time, and so perfect the command of his mental powers, that in

addition to his preparation of two discourses in each week, his stated

and occasional lectures, and his customary pastoral duties, he

continued regularly his "Notes on the Scriptures," his "Miscellanies,"

his "Types of the Messiah," and a work which he soon commenced,

entitled, "Prophecies of the Messiah in the Old Testament, and their

Fulfilment."



On the 28th of July, 1727, Mr. Edwards was married, at New-haven, to

Miss Sarah Pierrepont. Her paternal grandfather, John Pierrepont, Esq.

who came from England and resided in Roxbury, Massachusetts, was a

younger branch of a most distinguished family in his own country. Her

father, the Rev. James Pierrepont, was "an eminent, pious, and useful

minister, at New-Haven." He married Mary, the daughter of the Rev.

Samuel Hooker, of Farmington, who was the son of the Rev. Thomas

Hooker, of Hartford, familiarly denominated "the father of the

Connecticut churches," and "well known, in the churches of England,

for his distinguished talents and most ardent piety." Mr. Pierrepont

was one of the principal founders, and one of the trustees, of Yale

college; and, to help forward the seminary, read lectures to the

students, for some considerable time, as professor of Moral

Philosophy. The Platform of the Connecticut Churches, established at

Saybrook, in 1708, is ascribed to his pen. Miss Pierrepont was born on

the 9th of January, 1710, and at the time of her marriage was in the

18th year of her age. She was a young lady of uncommon beauty. Not

only is this the language of tradition; but Dr. Hopkins, who first saw

her when the mother of seven children, says she was more than

ordinarily beautiful; and her portrait, taken by a respectable English

painter [12] , while it presents a form and features not often

rivalled, exhibits also that peculiar loveliness of expression, which

is the combined result of intelligence, cheerfulness, and benevolence.

The native powers of her mind were of a superior order; and her

parents being in easy circumstances, and of liberal views, provided

for their children all the advantages of an enlightened and polished

education. In her manners she was gentle and courteous, amiable in her

behaviour, and the law of kindness appeared to govern all her

conversation and conduct. She was also a rare example of early piety;

having exhibited the life and power of religion, and that in a

remarkable manner, when only five years of age; [13] and having also

confirmed the hopes which her friends then cherished, by the uniform

and increasing excellence of her character, in childhood and youth. So

warm and animated were her religious feelings, in every period of

life, that they might perhaps have been regarded as enthusiastic, had

they not been under the control of true delicacy and sound discretion.

Mr. Edwards had known her several years before their marriage, and

from the following passage, written on a blank leaf, in 1723, it is

obvious, that even then her uncommon piety, at least, had arrested his

attention. "They say there is a young lady in [New-Haven] who is loved

of that Great Being, who made and rules the world, and that there are

certain seasons in which this Great Being, in some way or other

invisible, comes to her and fills her mind with exceeding sweet

delight; and that she hardly cares for any thing, except to meditate

on him--that she expects after a while to be received up where he is,

to be raised up out of the world and caught up into heaven; being

assured that he loves her too well to let her remain at a distance

from him always. There she is to dwell with him, and to be ravished

with his love and delight for ever. Therefore, if you present all the

world before her, with the richest of its treasures, she disregards it

and cares not for it, and is unmindful of any pain or affliction. She

has a strange sweetness in her mind, and singular purity in her

affections; is most just and conscientious in all her conduct; and you

could not persuade her to do any thing wrong or sinful, if you would

give her all the world, lest she should offend this Great Being. She

is of a wonderful sweetness, calmness, and universal benevolence of

mind; especially after this Great God has manifested himself to her

mind. She will sometimes go about from place to place, singing

sweetly; and seems to be always full of joy and pleasure; and no one

knows for what. She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and

groves, and seems to have some one invisible always conversing with

her." After due allowance is made for animation of feeling, the reader

will be convinced, that such a testimony, concerning a young lady of

thirteen, could not have been given, by so competent a judge, had

there not been something unusual in the purity and elevation of her

mind and the excellence of her life. Few persons, we are convinced, no

older than she was at the time of her marriage, have made equal

progress in holiness; and rare, very rare, is the instance, in which

such a connexion results in a purer or more uninterrupted happiness.

It was a union founded on high personal esteem, and on a mutual

affection, which continually grew, and ripened, and mellowed for the

time of harvest. The station, which she was called to fill at this

early age, is one of great delicacy, as well as responsibility, and is

attended with many difficulties. She entered on the performance of the

various duties to her family and the people, to which it summoned her,

with a firm reliance on the guidance and support of God; and perhaps

no stronger evidence can be given of her substantial worth, than that

from the first she discharged them in such a manner, as to secure the

high and increasing approbation of all who knew her.



The attention to religion, which has been mentioned as commencing

about the period of Mr. Edwards's ordination, though at no time

extensive, continued about two years, and was followed by several

years of inattention and indifference. His public labours were

continued with faithfulness, but with no peculiar success; and he had

reason to lament the too perceptible declension of his people, both in

religion and morals.



On the 11th of February, 1729, his venerable colleague was removed

from the scene of his earthly labours. The event was sincerely and

tenderly lamented by the people of Northampton, as well as extensively

throughout the province. His funeral sermon was preached by his

son-in-law, the Rev. William Williams, of Hatfield; and numerous

ministers, in their own pulpits, paid a similar tribute of respect to

his memory.



In the spring of the same year, the health of Mr. Edwards, in

consequence of too close application, so far failed him, that he was

obliged to be absent from his people several months. Early in May he

was at New-Haven, in company with Mrs. Edwards and their infant child,

a daughter born Aug. 25th, 1728. In September, his father, in a letter

to one of his daughters, expresses the hope that the health of his son

is so far restored, as to enable him to resume his labours, and to

preach twice on the sabbath. The summer was probably passed, partly at

Northampton, and partly in travelling.



His visit to Windsor, in September, gave him his last opportunity of

seeing his sister Jerusha, whom he tenderly loved; and who a little

while before had passed a considerable time with her friends in

Northampton. She was attacked with a malignant fever in December, and

on the 22d of that month died at her father's house. The uncommon

strength and excellence of her character, rendered her peculiarly dear

to all her relatives and friends; and from the testimonials of her

father, of four of her sisters, and of a friend of the family at a

distance, written soon after her death, [14] I have ascertained the

following particulars. She was born in June, 1710, and, on the

testimony of that friend, was a young lady of great sweetness of

temper, of a fine understanding, and of a beautiful countenance. She

was devoted to reading from childhood, and though fond of books of

taste and amusement, she customarily preferred those which require

close thought, and are fitted to strengthen and inform the mind. Like

her sisters, she had received a thorough education, both English and

classical, and by her proficiency, had justified the views of her

father, and sustained the honour and claims of her sex. In

conversation, she was solid and instructive beyond her years, yet, at

the same time, was sprightly and active, and had an uncommon share of

native wit and humour. Her wit was always delicate and kind, and used

merely for recreation. According to the rule she prescribed to

another, it constituted "the sauce, and not the food, in the

entertainment." Being fond of retirement and meditation from early

life, she passed much of her leisure time in solitary walks in the

groves behind her father's house; and the richness of her mind, in

moral reflection and philosophical remark, proved that these hours

were not wasted in reverie, but occupied by solid thought and

profitable contemplation. Habitually serene and cheerful, she was

contented and happy; not envious of others, not desirous of

admiration, not ambitious nor aspiring: and while she valued highly

the esteem of her friends and of the wise and good, she was firmly

convinced that her happiness depended, chiefly and ultimately, on the

state of her own mind. She appeared to have gained the entire

government of her temper and her passions, discovered uncommon

equanimity and firmness under trials, and while, in difficult cases,

she sought the best advice, yet ultimately acted for herself. Her

religious life began in childhood; and from that time, meditation,

prayer, and reading the sacred Scriptures, were not a prescribed task,

but a coveted enjoyment. Her sisters, who knew how much of her time

she daily passed alone, had the best reason to believe that no place

was so pleasant to her as her own retirement, and no society so

delightful as solitude with God. She read theology, as a science, with

the deepest interest, and pursued the systematic study of the

Scriptures, by the help of the best commentaries. Her observance of

the sabbath was exemplary, in solemnly preparing for it, in allotting

to it the prescribed hours, and in devoting it only to sacred

employments; and in the solemn and entire devotion of her mind to the

duties of the sanctuary, she appeared, habitually, to feel with David,

"Holiness becometh thine house for ever." Few persons attend more

closely to preaching, or judge more correctly concerning it, or have

higher pleasure in that which is solid, pungent, and practical. She

saw and conversed with God, in his works of creation and providence.

Her religious joy was, at times, intense and elevated. After telling

one of her sisters, on a particular occasion, that she could not

describe it, she observed to her, that it seemed like a streak of

light shining in a dark place; and reminded her of a line Watts's

Lyrics,



"And sudden, from the cleaving skies, a gleam of glory broke."



Her conscience was truly enlightened, and her conduct appeared to be

governed by principle. She approved of the best things; discovered

great reverence for religion, and strong attachment to the truly pious

and conscientious; was severe in her estimate of herself, and

charitable in judging of others; was not easily provoked, and usually

tried to excuse the provocation; was unapt to cherish prejudices, and

lamented, and strove to conceal, the faults of Christians.



On the testimony of those who knew her best, "She was a remarkably

loving, dutiful, obedient daughter, and a very kind and loving

sister," "very helpful and serviceable in the family, and willingly

labouring with her own hands," very "kind and friendly to her

neighbours," attentive to the sick, charitable to the poor, prone to

sympathize with the afflicted, and merciful to the brutes; and at the

same time, respectful to superiors, obliging to equals, condescending

and affable to inferiors, and manifesting sincere good will to all

mankind. Courteous and easy in her manners, she was also modest,

unostentatious, and retiring; and, while she uniformly respected

herself, she commanded the respect of all who saw her. She was fond of

all that was comely in dress, but averse to every thing gay and gaudy.

She loved peace, and strove to reconcile those who were at variance;

was delicately attentive to those of her sex, who were slighted by

others; received reproofs with meekness, and told others of their

faults with so much sweetness and faithfulness, as to increase their

esteem and affection for herself. She detested all guile, and

management, and deception, all flattery and falsehood, and wholly

refused to associate with those who exhibited this character. She was

most careful and select in her friendships, and most true and faithful

to her friends--highly valuing their affection, and discovering the

deepest interest in their welfare. Her conversation and conduct

indicated uncommon innocence and purity of mind; and she avoided many

things, which are thought correct by multitudes who are strictly

virtuous. During her sickness she was not forsaken. A day or two

before its termination, she manifested a remarkable admiration of the

grace and mercy of God, through Jesus Christ, to sinners, and

particularly to herself: saying, "It is wonderful, it surprises me." A

part of the time she was in some degree delirious; but, when her mind

wandered, it seemed to wander heavenward. Just before her death, she

attempted to sing a hymn, entitled, "The Absence of Christ," and died,

in the full possession of her rational powers, expressing her hope of

eternal salvation through his blood. This first example of the ravages

of death, in this numerous family, was a most trying event to all its

members; and the tenderness with which they cherished the memory of

her who was gone, probably terminated only with life.



The second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, was born on the 16th of

the following April, and named Jerusha, after their deceased sister.



In July, 1731, Mr. Edwards being in Boston, delivered a sermon at the

public lecture, entitled, "God glorified in Man's Dependence," from 1

Cor. i. 29, 30. "That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of

him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and

righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. That according as

it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." It was

published, at the request of several ministers, and others who heard

it, and preceded by a preface by the Rev. Messrs. Prince and Cooper,

of Boston. This was his first publication, and is scarcely known to

the American reader of his works. The subject was at that time novel,

as exhibited by the preacher, and made a deep impression on the

audience, and on the reverend gentlemen who were particularly active

in procuring its publication. "It was with no small difficulty," say

they, "that the author's youth and modesty were prevailed on, to let

him appear a preacher in our public lecture, and afterwards to give us

a copy of his discourse, at the desire of divers ministers, and others

who heard it. But, as we quickly found him to be a workman that need

not be ashamed before his brethren, our satisfaction was the greater,

to see him pitching upon so noble a subject, and treating it with so

much strength and clearness, as the judicious will perceive in the

following composure: a subject, which secures to God his great design,

in the work of fallen man's redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ, which

is evidently so laid out, as that the glory of the whole should return

to him the blessed ordainer, purchaser, and applier; a subject, which

enters deep into practical religion; without the belief of which, that

must soon die in the hearts and lives of men."



The following is the testimony, borne by these excellent men, to the

talents and piety of the author:



"We cannot, therefore, but express our joy and thankfulness, that the

great Head of the church is pleased still to raise up, from among the

children of his people, for the supply of his churches, those who

assert and maintain these evangelical principles; and that our

churches, notwithstanding all their degeneracies, have still a high

value for just principles, and for those who publicly own and teach

them. And, as we cannot but wish and pray, that the college in the

neighbouring colony, as well as our own, may be a fruitful mother of

many such sons as the author; so we heartily rejoice, in the special

favour of Providence, in bestowing such a rich gift on the happy

church of Northampton, which has, for so many lustres of years,

flourished under the influence of such pious doctrines, taught them in

the excellent ministry of their late venerable pastor, whose gift and

spirit we hope will long live and shine in his grandson, to the end

that they may abound in all the lovely fruits of evangelical humility

and thankfulness, to the glory of God."



The discourse itself deserves this high commendation. It was the

commencement of a series of efforts, on the part of the author, to

illustrate the glory of God, as appearing in the greatest of all his

works, the work of man's redemption. Rare indeed is the instance, in

which a first publication is equally rich in condensed thought, or in

new and elevated conceptions.



The third child of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, also a daughter, was born

February 13th, 1732, and received the name of Esther, after his mother

and Mrs. Stoddard.

_________________________________________________________________



[11] I use spiritual here in its original and most appropriate sense,

as opposed to material.



[12] The Rev. Dr. Erskine, the warm friend and the correspondent of

Mr. Edwards, being desirous of procuring a correct portrait , both of

him and his wife, and hearing that a respectable English painter was

in Boston , forwarded to his agent in that town, the sum requisite,

not only for the portraits, but for the expenses of the journey. They

were taken in 1740; and after the death of Dr. Erskine, were very

kindly transmitted by his executor to Dr. Edwards.



[13] Hopkin's Life of Edwards. Dr. H. resided in the family a

considerable time.



[14] This last was published.