The Life and Letters Of Benjamin Morgan Palmer (Johnson)

Benjamin Morgan Palmer (1818-1902) ‘one of the few greatest preachers of the first nineteen centuries of the Christian era’, was just 25 when he became the successor of J. H. Thornwell in Columbia, South Carolina, and 38 at the commencement of his 46-year pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church in the great business centre of New Orleans.

This biography takes us behind the public figure to the humble, prayerful Christian whose life was marked by affliction. His only son was lost in childhood and four daughters were to die, one after another, followed by his wife. As Palmer saw it, ‘The earthly lights are put out that no earthly love may come in between Him and us.’

This is not only a great biography; it is an outstandingly relevant record in an age when the church needs a recovery of spiritual strength and vision. It would be hard to read it sympathetically without being led to pray.

Table of Contents:  

1. THE ANCESTORS

2. FEATURES OF THE CIVILIZATION AMIDST WHICH HE DEVELOPED

3. BOYHOOD AND EARLY YOUTH

4. DAYS OF HIS COLLEGE TRAINING

5. STUDENT FOR THE MINISTRY IN COLUMBIA SEMINARY

6. PASTOR OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT SAVANNAH

7. THE PASTOR AT COLUMBIA, S.C.

8. THE PASTOR AT COLUMBIA, S.C. – Continued

9. PROFESSOR IN COLUMBIA SEMINARY

10. THE ANTE-BELLUM PERIOD IN NEW ORLEANS 

11. THE ANTE-BELLUM PERIOD IN NEW ORLEANS – Continued

12. HIS COURSE DURING THE WAR

13. REBUILDING THE BROKEN WALLS

14. REBUILDING THE BROKEN WALLS – Continued

15. AT THE SUMMIT OF HIS POWERS, AND PRODUCTIVITY

16. AT THE SUMMIT OF HIS POWERS, AND PRODUCTIVITY – Continued 

17. THE FINAL STADIUM OF SERVICE; NOBLE BUT BROKEN

18. THE FINAL STADIUM OF SERVICE; NOBLE BUT BROKEN – Continued

19. THE FINAL STADIUM OF SERVICE; NOBLE BUT BROKEN – Continued

20. THE STREET CAR ACCIDENT, DEATH, BURIAL AND EULOGIES

21. SUMMARY VIEW OF THE MAN AND HIS SERVICES