CHAPTER SEVEN: Prophecy Expounded by Outstanding Leaders

In the early nineteenth century Bible prophecy was not simply the hobby of the recluse, the pet theme of the mystic, or the speculative ground of the ignorant or the erratic. Many of the finest minds of America, often leaders in religious, educational, and civic lines, were devoted students and expositors of prophecy. The accuracy and significance of this statement will grow upon us as we proceed with the examination of the evidence, calling up a surprising array of pertinent witnesses. That prophecy held a vital and honored place in the minds of thoughtful men a century and more ago is seen from the range of serious books on prophecy—American imprints, issuing from the presses of all sections of the land during the first four decades of the century. And this is all in addition to British reprints and imported volumes. We turn, first, to two outstanding leaders—Timothy Dwight, outstanding educator and clergyman, and Elias Boudinot, distinguished statesman—then to various others.PFF4 153.1