Memoirs of the Rev. Nicholas Murray, D. D. (Kirwan.)

Front matter

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Chapter I

Birth, Parentage, and Early Associations. — Hardships of his Childhood and Youth. — Comes to this Country. — Enters the Harpers' Printing Establishment. — Religious Awakening. — What he saw of Popery when a Boy. — How he was disgusted with the System Page 13

Chapter II

Hears Rev. Dr. Mason. — Conversion. — Joins the Brick Presbyterian Church. — His first Prayer in Public. — Letter from Rev. Mr. Steele. — Meets Rev. Dr. Proudfit. — Letter from him.— Encouraged to study for the Ministry. — Goes to Amherst Academy. — Writes to Rev. Dr. Griffin.— Letter from him 32

CHAPTER IIL He enters Williams College, Mass. — Letter to Rev. Dr. Proudfit. — His Answer. — Rapid mental Progress. — College Exercises. — Writing for the Newspapers. — Oration on July 4th. — Dr. Griffin predicts that he Avill be a distinguished Man. — Letter from Professor Albert Hopkins. — Letter from Chester Dewey, LL.D 55

Chapter IV

Out of College and at Work. — Becomes an Agent of the American Tract Society. — Travels in Washington County, N. Y. — The Men he met. — His Diary. — Fruits of his Labors 74:

Chapter V

Diary in Princeton Theological Seminary. — Formation of Character. — Ambition. — Goes to Philadelphia. — An Agent again. — Travels. — Self-discipline. — Labors in the City. — Called to Account by his Presbytery. — Remarkable Letter in Self-defense. — Letter from Rev. Dr. Aydelotte. — Letter from Rev. Joshua N. Danforth, D.D. — Private Letters 81

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X CONTENTS.

Chapter VI

Sketches of the Professors Archibald Alexander, D.D., and Samuel Miller, D.D. — Their Influence on Mr. Murray's future Character. — His grateful Recollections of their Instruction and Exam pie Page 110

Chapter VII

Licensed to Preach the Gospel, — Labors as a Domestic Missionary, — Conflicting Calls. — Off'ers of Secretaryships, — Passages from his Diary. — Recollections of his Youth, — His first Sermon. — Sketch of Ashbel Green, D.D. — Goes to Wilkesbarre, — His Call, — Remarkable Reply 122

Chapter VIII

Ordained, and Installed over the Churches of Wilkesbarre and Kingston,— His Description of Wyoming Valley, in which he resides. — Incidents of Pastoral Life, — The Hay-mow. — Mr, Murray's Marriage.— Sketch of Rev. Mr. Rliees, the Father of Mrs. Murray. — Too late for the Wedding 142

Chapter IX

The Valley of Wyoming.— The Freshets.— The Drift-wood.— A Type of Society, — A Classmate and two more. — Other Characters drawn 158

Chapter X

Zeal and Self-denial. — The People, — Their want of Punctuality. — Free-thinkers and Infidels. — Characteristic Letter from one of them. — A Protracted Meeting. — A Lawyer enraged, — Beasts at Ephesus. — Is invited to go West. — Declines. — Builds a new Church 1G7

CHAPTER XL

Called to Elizabethtown, N. J. — Advice of Friends. — Letter from Rev, John M'DowcU, D.D. — Letter from a venerable Elder. — He accepts the Call. — His Installation. — A new Era. — Habits of Study. — History of Elizabethtown. — Pastors of the First Church. — Reminiscences 18G

CONTENTS. XI

Chapter XII

The Field before him. — His private Devotion. — His Wit and Piety. — Systematic Study of the Bible. — Preparation for the Pulpit. — Pastoral Labors. — Knows every one. — A friend to all. — His Record.— His first Sermon as Pastor. — The Half-witted Hearer. — A Sorrowful Sermon. — The first Revival. — Incident in a Farm-house Page 226

CHAPTER XHI.

The Faithful Pastor. — Testimony by the Rev. David Magie, D.D., Pastor of the Second Church. — The Number and Nature of Dr. Murray's Labors. — Visits to the Sick and Afflicted. — Public Usefulness.— Untiring Industry and Energy 24:G

Chapter XIV

In the Presbytery. — The Synod. — The General Assembly. — Sketch of Dr. Murray in Ecclesiastical Life, by Rev. S. S. Sheddan, of Rahway, N. J., a co-Presbyter, in a Letter to the Author 255

Chapter XV

Dr. Murray as an Author. — Early Efforts. — At Wilkesbarre. — Origin of the Kirwan Letters. — Sketch of Bishop Hughes. — Systematic Preparation for the Discussion. — Effect of it. — Popularity of the Letters. — Calls for more. — Other Series. — Oral Discussion 2G3

Chapter XVI

Dr. Murray as a Preacher. — Habit of Sermonizing. — System in Study. — Style of Speaking. — Contrast between his Sermons and Published Letters. — Calls to various Fields of Usefulness Sl-t

Chapter XVII

First Visit to Europe. — In London. — Meeting of Bible Society. — Distinguished Men. — Tract Society. — Rev. Dr. Hamilton. — Dr. Cunningham. — France, Italy, and Switzerland. — Returns to Ireland and Scotland. — Visits his Birthplace. — Reflections. — Second Visit to Europe. — Letter from George H. Stuart, Esq 318

Chapter XVIII

Sorrows. — Joys. — His Family. — The Sickness and Death of six Children. — Letters from Drs. A. Alexander, IMiller, and J. AV. Alexander. — Effects of these Afflictions 342

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Chapter XIX

A new Baptism. — Words of Cheer. — Extracts from his Journal. — Exposure to Cold. — Paroxysms of Pain. — Faints and revives. — Farewell to Friends. — Dying Prayer and Benediction. — Funeral Page 3GI

Chapter XX

Outline of Character. — Usefulness. — Activity. — Lectures. — A Citizen.— A Pastor. — Social Qualities. — Anecdotes. — Liberal Feelings. —Sketch by his friend, Dr. Sprague 379

CHAPTER XXL Letter from Rev. Dr. Edgar. — Rev. Prof. Gibson. — Mrs. Duncan. — Mrs. Jones. — Rev. Mr. Reinhart. — Rev. Dr. Chickering. — Rev. Dr. Cliilds. — Rev. Dr. Janeway.— Rev. Dr. Schenck 397

MEMOIRS

OF THE

REV. DR. MURRAY.