Southern Presbyterian Leaders

About this book

‘I am profoundly thankful that the Banner of Truth has republished this volume, which has become extremely rare and is now unknown to many. I cannot imagine a more accessible or useful introductory work for those wishing to become more familiar with the rich theological heritage of Southern Presbyterianism. The subject matter speaks to a much wider audience than the descendants (literal and spiritual) of the men described. Indeed the reissue of White’s work ought to be welcomed by all friends of robust, warm, evangelical, Reformed Christianity, for the stalwarts about whom he writes offer much timeless biblical wisdom to contemporary Christians ministering in the context of a crumbling western civilization.’ LIGON DUNCAN

White’s fascinating biographical sketches of leaders in the Southern Presbyterian Church, from the establishment of Presbyterianism in the American Colonies in the 1680s to the beginning of the twentieth century, has never been superseded. The better known names read like a roll-call of many of the finest representatives of evangelical piety and experimental Calvinism in America: Samuel Davies, Archibald Alexander, Daniel Baker, William S. Plumer, James Henley Thornwell, John L. Girardeau, Benjamin M. Palmer, Robert L. Dabney, Thomas J. (‘Stonewall’) Jackson and Thomas E. Peck. But many lesser-known names are also brought before the reader, from Francis Makemie in the 1680s to leaders still living when White wrote his account in 1911.

The pages of this book teem with fervent evangelists, faithful pastors, learned professors, accomplished statesmen, and soldiers likely to inspire fear in the heart of any tyrant, all owing the inspiration of their lives to the saving truths they learned from the Scriptures and the Westminster Standards.