Required reading
Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards in Volume I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 6.
My summary
Today Edwards begins as a minister at Northampton alongside his grandfather, Rev Stoddard.
We learn about:
(i) his delicate constitution;
(ii) his devotion to books and study;
(iii) his grandfather (including his practice regarding the Lord's Supper);
(iv) the state of the church;
(v) his duties (preaching, visitation);
(vi) his writings;
(vii) his marriage;
(viii) the death of his grandfather's;
(ix) the death of his sister;
(x) the birth of his first children.
What grabbed me
I do admire Edwards' self-control: 'In this respect, he lived by rule, and constantly practised great self-denial; as he did. also, with regard to the time passed in sleep. He accustomed himself to rise at four, or between four and five, in the morning, and, in winter, spent several of those hours in study which are commonly wasted in slumber. In the evening, he usually allowed himself a season of relaxation, in the midst of his family.'
The minister's relationship with sleep is always difficult.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 7.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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