The life of Thomas Jefferson Fisher, the celebrated pulpit orator and evangelist; with a masonic address and a fragment of a sermon

Front matter

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\ LIBRAR^OF CONGRESS, j

Preface

After a period of ten years, during which I have devoted my time exclusively to preaching the Gospel, I have paused to give less than one month's time to the writing of a brief memoir of a fallen fellowlaborer.

Without attempting any style, I have aimed simply to give as correct a portraiture of the celebrated pulpit orator, Thomas Jefferson Fisher, as the limited space I have allowed myself would admit of.

The best apology I can offer the reader for the many imperfections in the composition of this little volume is, that my life thus far has been too actively devoted to what I have regarded the much more important work of preaching ^' Jesus and the Resurrection," to allow me time for the study of grammatical technicalities. I have attempted to write so as to be understood, and especially to avoid wearying the reader with an affected dignity of style.

I knew little of Mr. Fisher in the private walks of life, and hence have written principally of his public career as a popular and successful preacher,

4 PREFACE.

an earnest, active laborer, and a strangely gifted orator. To write the truth, though it should expose the errors as well as present the virtues of a departed brother, has been my constant aim. Hoping that his virtues may be imitated and his errors avoided, I present the result of my effort to the public, with a sincere desire that it may give pleasure and be of some profit to the reader.

The Author.

Lacona, Ey., April, 1866.

Chapter I

Great men come up from poverty — Mr. Fisher's birth — Ancestry — Pennsylvania Dutch — John Boleyn Fisher — Old pioneer — Advantages of poverty — Aspiration for learning — At school under difficulties — Learns a trade — Professes religion — Joins the Presbyterians — Studies the Scriptures — Familiarity with the Scriptures — Self-reliance — Thinks for himself — Trouble about baptism 9-20

Chapter II

Trouble about baptism — Carson, Judson, and others — Mr. Fisher joins the Baptists — Three bank-bills — Wm. B. Smith 21-24

Chapter III

A happy young man — A new difficulty — Impressions to preach — Difficulties in the way — Reflections on a call to the ministry — Arguments in favor of a special call to the ministry — Testimony of experience — A boy called — Trials of the ministry — Advantages they enjoy 25-32

Chapter IV

Going in search of an education — Leaving home — Reflections on childhood home — In school at Middletown — Goes to Pittsburg — Cheap living — Licensed to preach — Takes small-pox — Returns

home — Is ordained to preach 33-37

God provides — Antagonistic factions — Hyper-Calvinists — Fullerites — The reformation — Separation — Advancement of Pedoism — Men for the times 65-69

Chapter IX

The Avorld's geniuses — Genius of Mr. Fisher — Description of his person — Physical strength — Power of endurance — His immense labor — Colloquial powers — Use of social powers — Great industry — Early poverty — Secular employment — His passions — Fearlessness — Attacked by an infidel club — A pistol pointed at him — Reflection on moral courage 70-79

Chapter X

Nothing new — Mr. Fisher's imagination — Extract from a sermon — Reflections on imagination — Dream of heaven — Mr. Fisher's language — Extravagant expressions — Rapid development — Danger of genius — Religion a safeguard 80-88

Chapter XI

Not good to be alone — Need of a wife's influence — Man was made to love — Mr, Fisher's marriage 89-93

INDEX. 7

Chapter XII

Mr. Fisher a revivalist — In a protracted meeting — A man of much prayer — Prays for an Irishman — Eloquence in prayer — Faith in prayer — Ben Hodges — Making the congregation work — Our strange brother — Tact in meeting difficulties — Rolling out a whisky-barrel — Stops a fishing party — A keen retort — Contest with the devil — A meeting at Burksville — Deacon Jones — An infidel's dream — Alford King — An earnest laborer 94-115

Chapter XIII

Mr. Fisher's natural gift — Education — Repugnance to writing — Number of his sermons — Preparation for the pulpit — Preparation of his sermons — Of himself — Of his congregation. 116-121

Chapter XIV

Music — Poetry — Painting — Song — Oratory — Mr. Fisher's oratory — Appearance in the pulpit — Gestures — Two revolvers — His voice — Enunciation — Not an ornamental speaker — Illustrations — Manner of delivery — Control of his audience — Life pictures — Death-bed — Lost soul — Pictures of heaven... 122-139

Mr. Fisher's private life — Testimony of Mr. Thurman — Of Mr. Miller — Mr. Fisher at home — Letter to his baby — To his little dauffhter — To his wife — His last labors 159-167

O INDEX.