Famous American Statesmen & Orators, Past and Present (Volume 4); With Biographical Sketches and Their Famous Orations (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902. Excerpt: ... Nott, Eliphalet, a noted American clergyman and pulpit orator, born at Ashford, Conn., June 25,1773; died at Schenectady, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1866. He was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry in 1795 and after holding two brief pastorates became president of Union College at Schenectady in 1804, and continued in that position until his death, a period of sixty-two years. He was an able and ready public speaker, and on great occasions rose to heights of real eloquence. His funeral sermon upon the death of Hamilton, "How are the Mighty Fallen," is his most celebrated eflort. "HOW ARE THE MIGHTY FALLEN." DELIVERED AT ALBANY, JULY 9, 1804. The occasion explains the choice of my subject--a subject on which I enter in obedience to your request. You have assembled to express your elegiac sorrows, and sad and solemn weeds cover you. Before such an audience and on such an occasion I enter on the duty assigned me with trembling. Do not mistake my meaning. I tremble indeed--not, however, through fear of failing to merit your applause; for what have I to do with that when addressing the dying and treading on the ashes of the dead; not through fear of failing justly to portray the character of that great man who is at once the theme of my encomium and regret. He needs not eulogy. His work is finished, and death has removed him beyond my censure, and I would fondly hope, through grace, above my praise. You will ask then why I tremble? I tremble to think that I am called to attack, from this place, a crime the very idea of which almost freezes one with horror--a crime, too, which exists among the polite and polished orders of society, and which is accompanied with every aggravation; committed with cool deliberation, and openly in the face of day But I have a duty to perf...