The Life and Character of the Late Reverend, Learned, and Pious Mr. Jonathan Edwards

by Samuel Hopkins

Samuel Hopkins (1721-1803) ÒUpon the death of Mr. Edwards, Mrs. Edwards, in consequence of verbal directions given to her by Mr. Edwards in his life time, put all his manuscripts and his library into my hands, and His manuscripts to be disposed of by me, and two other ministers. And Mrs. Edwards solicited me to write the life of Mr. Edwards, to be published, with a number of sermons, to be selected from his manuscripts. I considered myself very unequal to writing his life; but as by having the possession of his manuscripts, I was under better advantage to do it, than others, I engaged to do the best I could; and if it should be approved of by a number of friendly, judicious ministers, I would consent to have it published, on condition that my name should not be put to it.Ó taken from Sketches of the Life of the Late, Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D. D.

120 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2010

About the author

Samuel Hopkins was an American Congregationalist, theologian of the late colonial era of the United States, and from whom the Hopkinsian theology takes its name.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the place to start if you’re looking for a biography of Edwards (go to Marsden or Murray for that) but there is valuable source information packaged into this neat little volume. Namely, an explanation and letter exchange regarding his ouster from Northhampton, his own attempt to scuttle his call to New Jersey College, and deeply impressive accounts of his wife as well as daughter, Esther Burr (married to Aaron Burr Sr, parents to Aaron Burr Jr—yes, that Aaron Burr).