Sprague, William Buell (1795-1876)

Annals of the American Pulpit: Lutheran. Reformed Dutch. Associate. Associate Reformed. Reformed Presbyterian.

New York

Published by R. Carter and brothers

1869

"His mind resembled chiefly the rugged and outstanding mountain, and yet it had characteristics which reminded you likewise of the gentle stream, flowing sweetly through the valley below."

I think I may safely claim for my father a much more than ordinary degree of strength of character. His mind resembled chiefly the rugged and outstanding mountain, and yet it had characteristics which reminded you likewise of the gentle stream, flowing sweetly through the valley below. There were great natural forces in his intellect. He investigated those subjects which lay within the sphere of his work. On them he concentrated his power, caring little for such as lay beyond. He was a vigorous, able thinker. He thought out his conclusions in straight lines of his own, knowing nothing of circuitous approaches. Minor positions he left for others, himself content to seize upon each important citadel until he found himself master of the country. Whenever he took part in a discussion or treated a subject, all—no matter who might be present—were constrained to feel the native strength, and acknowledge the majestic stride, of his mind. Many excelled him in length and breadth of information, and in acquaintance with the writings of others, but few would gainsay or withstand his plain straightforward logic. If he moved in a narrower circle than some others, it was like the tread of a giant athlete in his own chosen arena, compared with the gazing children who had come from their sports over a wide plain.
(p. 201)

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Sprague, William Buell. Annals of the American Pulpit: Lutheran. Reformed Dutch. Associate. Associate Reformed. Reformed Presbyterian. Vol IX. New York: Published by R. Carter and brothers, 1869.

03/16/2009