T. Dewitt
Talmage
Contributor
Thomas DeWitt Talmage, clergyman and lecturer, was born near Boundbrook, New Jersey, January 7, 1832, the son of David Talmage, a farmer, and his wife Catharine Van Nest. He was educated at the University of the City of New York where he studied law, but changed to theology and was graduated from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1856. He preached in the Dutch Reformed Church in Belleville, New Jersey, in Syracuse, and in Philadelphia. In 1869 he went to the Central Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, where he drew immense crowds because of his eloquence and his showmanship. His sermons were published weekly by a syndicate in over 3,000 newspapers. He became editor of the Christian Herald in 1890, and after 1899 devoted all of his time to it. Known as the American Spurgeon, Talmage was an emotional and passionate preacher. When warned that his gospel message might deny him the best pulpits, he said, "If I cannot preach in America, I will go to the heathen lands and preach." He was aggressive, not concerned with the feelings of his hearers. His central message was the Christ, His love and sacrifice. He once said, "I shall take all of the Bible, or none." Many criticized his theatrical pulpit style, but not his results. He was not a true expositor, as many on this page, but he was full of zeal and passion, and thousands responded. He was orthodox in his doctrine, never wavering from historic Christianity, and his sermons still touch people today.
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