Tori Samar’s Reviews > A Memoir of the Rev. Edward Payson, D. D.: Late Pastor of the Second Church in Portland > Status Update

“I have preached more respecting Christ of late than ever; and am more and more convinced, that the knowledge of Christ crucified is the one thing needful, the grand source of peace, and joy, and growth in grace. Count all things loss for the excellency of this knowledge; and pray for it more than for any thing else, and you will find it to be so."

“Friends are nothing, fame is nothing, health is nothing, life is nothing; Jesus, Jesus is All! O what will it be to spend an eternity in seeing and praising Jesus! to see him as he is, to be satisfied with his likeness! O, I long, I pant, I faint with desire to be singing, Worthy is the Lamb—to be extolling the riches of sovereign grace—to be casting the crown at the feet of Christ!”

“Enough has been developed to show the secret of Dr. Payson's greatness, and of his success. He laid hold on the divine strength. Prayer, by which the creature communes with God, and obtains grace to help in every time of need, was eminently the business of his life, and the medium through which he derived inexhaustible supplies.”

The covenant with God he makes entering the ministry is just wow. Would’ve highlighted the whole thing for Readwise if I could.

“O, how refreshing, strengthening, and animating are [God’s] smiles! How ravishing the contemplation of his holiness, love, wisdom, power and goodness! He seemed to be a boundless ocean of love; and the sight caused my heart to expand with love to him and all his creatures. O, how trifling do earthly beauties appear, when he is pleased to unveil his face, and give a glimpse of heaven!”

Predicting the state of things in 2020 much? (see quote in comments)