Maffitt, John N. Tears of Contrition ; or Sketches of the Life of John N. Maffitt : with Religious and Moral Reflections. To which are appended several Poetic Effusions, written by himself. New-London, [Connecticut]: Printed by Samuel Green, 1821. First Edition. [11841]
Full brown speckled leather, red leather spine title label, some scuffing & edge-wear yet with good joints, tight, 6 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches. Lacks all free end papers (blanks). Former owner's signature in blue ink inside the front cover, small number stamp on same paste-down. [i]-vii, [viii], [9]-260; [1]-40 pp.; counted and complete. A few upper margins torn away, affecting the page numbers but no text; first leaf of text with horizontal tear, partial hand-sewn repair, and dark cello tape stain. The text in general has dark foxing. Good. Hardcover.
"Original Poetry," last section of 40 pages. Poems and hymns.
No. 3532 in Roberts, Revival Literature: An Annotated Bibliography. "For some time he was wonderfully successful in gathering large audiences, quickening the spiritual life of many and adding thousands to the churches, especially in the west and southwest...Sabin said, 'This gushing clergyman was remarkable for the exuberance of his language, the warmth of his passion, and the power of his oratory. His popularity was scarcely inferior to that of Wesley or Whitefield.' Alas, his piety fell far short of both." - note on no. 3531.
John Newland Maffitt, Sr. (1795-1850), born in Dublin, Ireland; died in Alabama. Maffitt was a Methodist itinerant preacher who was famous as a sensational orator. He was born into an Anglican family, but converted to Methodism at the age of 18. His family objected to his desire to become a Methodist minister so he emigrated to America and was accepted into the New England Conference in 1822. He was for twelve years an itinerant preacher before becoming a local preacher in New York city. In 1833, with Lewis Garrett he established the “Western Methodist” in Nashville, Tennessee. He was an agent for La Grange College in Alabama during the 1830’s, and in the 1840’s he was in Auburn, NY, editing a religious monthly, the “Calvary Token.” – Appleton.
“His dramatic preaching style…attracted large crowds in cities up and down the Eastern seaboard and as far west as New Orleans. Though Maffitt’s showmanship brought suspicion from religious leaders and others, he gained national recognition after he was reported to have converted President-elect William Henry Harrison in the winter of 1840-41. In 1841 he served as chaplain in the House of Representatives…Maffit’s son, John Newland Maffitt Jr., the ‘Prince of Privateers,’ was a famous officer in the Confederate Navy…” – Wikipedia.
