Timothy Dwight, Father to New England
Sometimes the good man, by the uncommon powers of his mind, by peculiar incidents in his life, by having exerted a commanding influence on the interests of the public, or by having acquired an unusual share in their affections; presents the most attractive subject of biography. That good man is Timothy Dwight.The grandson of Jonathan Edwards. Although for most of his life he was without sight, unable to see well enough to read or write, he was a major force for change in American history.
Blind for most of his life, Timothy Dwight will doubtless be ranked among the first men in the history of our country.
In the acquisition of knowledge, we have seen that the earliest efforts of his mind, even in infancy, were singular and extraordinary; and that his talents were as strongly marked at this early stage of his existence, as perhaps at any subsequent period of his life. He learned the alphabet in a single lesson; and before he was four years old he was reading the Bible with ease, favoring the historical books. He was admitted as a student at Yale at 13 years of age. At 19 he was teaching at Yale.
What was most extraordinary was that when he started as president at Yale, the school was in decline and students were rebellious and embracing sin. A few short years later enrollment had more than doubled and attendance at the College Church increased from three students to over 50% of the students.
Timothy Dwight was a teacher, pastor, and father to the students, and by the time of his death was known as the father to New England.
The following description is from the memoir of Timothy Dwight:
"Timothy Dwight was truly an extraordinary man.He was, indeed, a father to New England and her moral legislator. His life is an era in her history, To the churches of his persuasion in that country, he was a guardian, a friend, a counselor. In the hour of trial, they found support in his firmness, assistance in his wisdom, and encouragement in his prayers. As a peacemaker, he was eminently blessed; for his advice was asked, and given in the spirit of Christian humility and justice."
"As a minister and preacher of the gospel, it is not easy to convey an adequate idea of his characteristic excellence. Having been compelled, from the weakness of his eyes, to adopt the plan of preaching without notes; his sermons, except those designed for extraordinary occasions, were for the first twenty years chiefly unwritten. Usually, he barely noted the general divisions, and some of the most important and leading ideas. There is no doubt, that this mode had its peculiar advantages; nor that his style and manner, as an extemporaneous preacher, were more popular and captivating, than at a later period, when his discourses were written at length."
"When unconfined by notes, the whole field of thought was before him. Into that field he entered; conscious where his subject lay, and by what metes and bounds it was limited; and enjoying also that calm self-possession and confidence of success, which trial alone can give, and which every successive effort had only served to increase."
"When we add, that these were accompanied by the utmost fluency and force of language, a piercing eye, a countenance deeply marked with intellect, a strong emphasis, a voice singular for its compass and melody, an enunciation remarkably clear and distinct, a person dignified and commanding, and gestures graceful and happy; we need not inform the reader, that his pulpit efforts, at this period, possessed every characteristic of animated and powerful eloquence."
Timothy Dwight was an extraordinary man, and this book tells his story.
