Talmage, Thomas De Witt

tal'maj, Thomas De Witt (1832-1902), a noted American clergyman. He was born at Gateville, New Jersey, January 7, 1832. He died at Washington, D. C., April 12, 1902. He was a farmer's boy. He took a course at the University of the City of New York, after which he studied law, but relinquished the practice for the Reformed Presbyterian ministry. His first charge was at Bellville, New Jersey; his next, Syracuse, New York; then, Philadelphia; then he was called to a church of nineteen members in Brooklyn, where he became a pulpit rival of Henry Ward Beecher. His originality and eloquence filled the little church to overflowing. In 1870 his favorite project of a huge, inelegant structure of wood and corrugated iron, but capable of seating 3,000 people, was carried into effect. Two years later the building was destroyed by fire, and a large edifice, known as the Brooklyn Tabernacle, took its place. In 1890 Talmage made a trip to the Holy Land. In 1894 he accepted a call to Washington.

Talmage was a sensational preacher of wonderful originality and fervor. He possessed dramatic talent of a high order. His sermons were published widely, and were read eagerly on both sides of the Atlantic. Some scandal arose toward the end by reason of the republication of old discourses as new ones, but the demand could be satisfied in no other way. As a platform lecturer he had few rivals. Many of his sayings are often quoted. To a young minister asking how long a sermon should be, he said, "Fire away as long as you have ammunition." One or two sayings must be given:

Many men are wise for time and foolish for eternity.

Never tell a man what mean things you have heard of him.

London and Pekin are not the great cities of the world. The grave is the great city.

I have noticed that those who sow their wild oats seldom raise any other crop.

A hog can uproot a century plant.

A few trees do not satisfy me. Give me the untamed woods. Shrubs and bushes do not know much and have little to say, but old trees are good company.