“The Shakespeare of the Christian Heart”

These words were used to describe that great man Archibald Alexander (1772-1851) of Princeton. His fellow professor Samuel Miller said, “I solemnly believe that Dr. Archibald Alexander is the greatest man who walks the earth.” And Charles Hodge added, “There was something sublime and beautiful in the humility of old Dr. Alexander, when he found himself at the feet of Jesus.” It was Theodore Woolsey who said, “Dr. Archibald Alexander was truly the Shakespeare of the Christian heart.”

 

David Calhoun, author of the recent two volume History of Princeton Semnary, said the following: “Dr. Archibald Alexander created and shaped Princeton Seminary. He impressed his viewpoint and personality upon it as few men have ever stamped an institution. He modeled both ‘piety’ and ‘solid learning’ – and he would not let the seminary lose sight of either. From him came all the motifs of the Princeton theology, but Dr. Alexander was not content to teach Bible and doctrine. He aimed to send out warriors of the cross.”

 

I had read a book by Dr. Alexander entitled “Thoughts on Religious Experience” which has been published for years by Banner of Truth. I knew from this book that Dr. Alexander was a man of God and a man of wisdom. I did not know that he was also a gifted preacher. Theodore Cuyler, in a book recently quoted, said the following about the preaching of this man: “His sermons were like the waters of Lake George, so pellucid that you could see every bright pebble far down in the depths; a child could comprehend him, yet a sage be instructed by him.”

 

I was shocked to learn that Dr. Alexander published a book of sermons for Christian families at the end of his long, productive life. For years he had been asked to produce a book of short sermons that could be used in the Christian home when a family was not able to sit under a faithful ministry. He hesitated for years but finally sent forth a volume containing 37 sermons setting forth the basics of the Christian faith and life. We have entitled the volume EVANGELICAL TRUTH: Practical Sermons for the Christian Home. It contains over 560 pages of material “a child could comprehend…yet a sage be instructed.”

 

 

Tags: Dr. Archibald Alexander, Jesus, Shakespeare