Philadelphia, 1776"On Sundays, the one day of respite from Congress, he [John Adams] was at church most of the day, attending services twice, even three times. With numerous denominations to choose from (everything except Congregational) he tried nearly all-- the Anglican Christ Church, the meetinghouses of the Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Quakers, the German Moravians-- and passed judgment on them all, both their music and the comparative quality of their preaching. The Reverend Thomas Coombe of Christ Church was 'sprightly' and distinct. 'But I am not charmed,' wrote Adams. 'His style was indifferent.' Indifference was a quality Adams found difficult to tolerate. The Methodist preacher was another matter 'He reaches the imagination and touches the passions very well.'"
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From David McCullough, John Adams (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001), 83-84.
1 comment:
'Tis true. We Anglicans nearly died out as a denomination in the new republic, due in part to the deadly boring ineptitude of the few clergy remaining after the war with Engliand. Thankfully, there were yet a few, iincluding William White of Philadelphia, who were prepared to lead the church to a new birth, and they did it well.
CP
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