Recollections of a Long Life: An Autobiography

In this intimate memoir the speaker traces his roots to the serene village of Aurora on Cayuga Lake, where his great‑grandfather helped settle the frontier and a nearby Seneca chief offered a curious welcome. He recalls a childhood framed by candle‑lit study, three‑day stagecoach rides to a New Jersey academy, and the loss of his father at four, leaving only brief memories of a gentle hand that escorted him to school. These early chapters paint a portrait of a world on the cusp of progress, where modest comforts coexist with a deep reverence for literature, faith, and the promise of a larger calling.

From those humble beginnings, the narrative follows his journey into college, friendships with future reformers, and the stirring moment when a youthful sermon earned him admiration across the village. He soon steps into the pulpit, encountering the temperance movement, revival meetings, and a host of influential preachers whose ideas shape his ministry. Listeners will feel the pulse of 19th‑century American religious life as the author reflects on duty, fellowship, and the enduring influence of family heritage.