A superbly lively autobiography and poetical miscellany of the popular Irish-born itinerant Methodist preacher, John Maffitt (1794-1850). Known as a “charismatic preacher of the first order” (ANB) and sometimes called “the Beau Brummel of preachers.” Maffitt, he preached to vast crowds at camp meetings around New York and Connecticut.
Fascinatingly, his account of his life and conversion and journey to America concludes with Maffitt heeding an inspired message from his recently-deceased brother, visiting from grave, commanding him to up and leave his chamber of mourning to preach at a camp meeting in Thompson, Connecticut.
Shortly after the issuance of the present work, Maffitt would be dogged by scandal. He lost a highly public libel suit against a Boston newspaper that implied Maffitt had “plagiarized a sermon." More damningly, they suggested that he enticed young women to his bedchamber during a ‘pretended’ sickness. Despite renewed success, he would be dogged by stories of drinking and sexual impropriety throughout his career, causing him to move ever deeper South and take ever more remote locations for preaching.
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. Printed by Samuel Green. 1821. 260pp. + 40pp.
A good + copy, bound in leather, generally solid, with signatures slightly forward in the binding, and moderate foxing.
