Place of nativity. Happy effects of maternal influence. His
seriousness and subsequent conversion. Purposes to study
for the ministry. Enters College. His conduct and
scholarship while there. Studies Theology at Princeton.
Becomes tutor in Princeton College. Is licensed by New
Brunswick Presbytery. Called to Bound Brook. His
ordination and installation. His first efforts as a preacher.
A change in his style. Two errors in regard to the com-
position of sermons. Bound Brook inundated. The me-
teoric phenomenon of "the falling stars."
The stage
passenger, an interesting fact. Intoxicating liquors at
funerals. This custom among his people abolished. The
lax mode of baptism occasions some difficulty. His
marriage. Resigns his charge. Coincidence between
the resignation of Mr. Patterson and the dismission of
Mr. Jonathan Edwards, from Northampton,

CHAPTER II.

Mr. Patterson is called to Philadelphia. Character of his
new field of labour. His concern for the rising genera-
tion. The first Sunday School formed in Philadelphia.
Before his settlement in Philadelphia, few direct efforts
by laymen for the conversion of sinners. The reason of
this. Mr. Patterson introduces a new state of things.
The controversy respecting "lay preaching." Conse-
quent excitement. His agency to raise funds for the
erection of buildings for Princeton Seminary. Letters to
Mrs. Patterson. The penurious professor. Fails in the
object of his agency at Chambersburg. The reason of
this failure. The conversion of a servant girl,
44

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CHAPTER III.

Mr. Patterson commences his Journal. The revival of 1816.
Novel scenes in the Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia.
Many came to witness them. The daughter of a Unita-
rian. The death of a delaying sinner. Seventy persons
admitted to church fellowship. The manner of their ad-
mission. A covenant publicly adopted. Strictness in
their examination. The singular conversion of an aged
The persecuted daughter. Another commu-
nion season. Eighty-four admitted. The despairing
sinner. Reflection on the preceding case. Means em-
ployed during the revival. Doctrines preached. The
extensive influence of this work,

woman.

CHAPTER IV.

His feeble health. A chasm in his diary. Lectures on the
Confession of Faith. The Universalist fails in his pur-
pose to entrap him. The only man he ever feared, com-
mitted to the grave. His reflections upon John xiv. 12.
His solicitude for youth. Receives a letter from Dr. Grif-
fin respecting a young coloured man. Devotional exer-
cises preparatory to the baptism of his infant daughter,

CHAPTER V.

Visits his friends at Strasburg. His efforts to do good during
this excursion. His letter to Mrs. Patterson. Cusick, an
Indian chief, and his grandson Guy Chew. Letter from
Rev. J. C. Crane in reference to the conversion of Guy.
A terrifying death-bed scene. Forms a plan for the pub-
lication of a religious newspaper. Diversity of senti-
ment among the members of the Synod of Philadelphia.
His punctuality in attending ecclesiastical meetings. His
reflections upon the death of an infant. The suicide. Mr.
Patterson is insulted in the street by some rude young
His feelings on the occasion. Abounds in pastoral
visitation. Suggestions to ministers and churches,

men.

CHAPTER VI.

A woman who had never heard of the sufferings of Christ.
Cases of similar ignorance. Reflections on the first of
the year. Delight in preaching on the doctrine of elec-
tion and God's sovereignty. No incongruity between the
belief of these doctrines, and the zealous and successful
preaching of the gospel. A day of fasting and prayer ob-
served. Why such seasons are not more frequently
blessed. The General Assembly of 1826. Amalgamation
of the A. B. of C. for F. M., and the United Foreign Mis-
sionary Societies. Meeting of the Synod of Philadelphia

59

76

87

at Wilmington. Twelve members of the Presbytery of
Philadelphia petitioned for a new presbytery. A delight-
ful communion season,

CHAPTER VII.

-

The objections of many to the discriminating inquiries of a
pastor. Extract from Baxter's "Reformed Pastor."
A solemn warning to worldly professors. Mr. P. gives
offence by preaching on the sin of adultery. Difficulty
of treating this subject. The duty of ministers to preach
upon it. An extract from Dr. Dwight's sermon on the
Seventh Commandment. His own reflections.
pel sermon," what? A spirit of prayer at the Monthly
Concert, the precursor of a revival. Eighty-seven ad-
mitted as the fruits of this gracious work; and again
thirty-two. Visits New Jersey on a preaching tour. His
views of "field preaching,"

"A gos-

100

- 114

Mr. Patterson attends in the first "four days' meeting" held
east of the Alleghany mountains. The results of this
meeting. His letter to Rev. J. N. Danforth. Labours in
Washington. Caution to ministers against cherishing a
desire to be called Rabbi. He agitates the question whe-
ther he ought to become an evangelist. Expectations of
a revival realized. Visits the scenes of his boyhood. His
reflection in view of changes produced by time. The
death of a useful man. A word to the thoughtless child-
ren of pious parents. His feeling on parting with his son,
who had entered college. His interview with Rev. Al-
bert Judson. Enters upon an agency for the Tract So-
ciety. A communication from Rev. Geo. Duffield, giving
an account of Mr. Patterson's visit to Carlisle,

CHAPTER X.

· 133

148

Christians exhorted to the duty of mutual exhortation. Ex-
tracts from Jay's works. A meeting of the communicants
called to consult in reference to systematic and efficient
measures for doing good. Result. His habit of distribu-
ting religious books. Account of a protracted meeting, 165
CHAPTER XI.

Philadelphia visited by Asiatic Cholera. Mr. Patterson re-
mains at his post. His letter to the authorities of the city
and liberties. The new church completed. Reasons
for its erection. Mr. Patterson attends the Gen. Assoc.
of N. H. as a delegate. Interesting letter respecting the
meeting of this body,

177

X

CHAPTER XII.

His solicitude for the Germans of East Pennsylvania. Or-
ganizes a church at Womelsdorf. A description of the
moral condition of this region. Assists in a protracted
meeting in a German church. A change in the pastor
of said church. Letter on the subject. The observ-
ation of fast days for general objects a blessing to a
church. Another protracted meeting in a German church.
Religious tracts and cards circulated. Specimens of
these. His plan to enable his people to purchase a com-
mentary.

CHAPTER XIII.

The importance of an educated ministry. To provide for
the church such a ministry, a favourite object with Mr.
Patterson. His interest in behalf of candidates for the
ministry. A few facts illustrative of this. His plan for
interesting youth. The Philadelphia Institute. An effort
to establish a similar institution in the N. L. An interest-
ing fact.

-

CHAPTER XIV.

His expansive benevolence. The Monthly Concert. An
Indian youth, who becomes a missionary. The Chinese
boys. Letter from an unknown gentleman. His preach-
ing the means of inducing this stranger to support a mis-
sionary. His tour through the west. Receives intelli-
gence of the death of his son. The aurora borealis. An
encouraging fact. Is confined to his house by sickness
during an interesting revival in his church. His views
of heaven. Rejoices that God can further his cause with-
out him. The meeting of the Gen. Assembly of 1837.
His feeling in view of the acts of this body. Goes to
Baltimore to attend synod. He is denied a seat in synod.
His sickness and death. The respect shown to his me-
mory,

CHAPTER XV.

Communication from Mr. Danforth. Dr. Cox's letter,

CHAPTER XVI.

Mr. Patterson's appeal in behalf of city missions,

CONCLUSION.

His personal appearance. His intercourse among his peo-
ple. The character of his piety. His character as a stu
dent-As a preacher. His address to the President of
the U. States, during a protracted meeting in Washing-
ton. A poetic portrait. Closing remarks. Poetry,
Funeral Sermon, by Rev. Albert Barnes,
Appendix-Sketch of Rev. A. Judson's life,

199

217

225

245

263

283

295

321