T. De Witt Talmage as I Knew Him

In this candid memoir, the celebrated preacher shares the story of his own life, beginning with a modest birth in 1832 as the youngest of twelve children in rural New Jersey. He recounts a childhood marked by scarcity, a beloved cat, and a brush with scarlet fever that left doctors convinced he would die, only for him to emerge remarkably healthy. The narrative paints a vivid picture of a large, close‑knit family, their simple home, and the early lessons that shaped his faith and resilience.

From those humble roots he rose to become a dynamic pastor, first serving a small congregation in Belleville and later answering the call of war as chaplain to the Thirteenth Regiment of New York. His sermons, praised for their power and clarity, soon carried him to the bustling pulpits of Brooklyn and Washington, D.C., where he reached thousands with a message of hope. The early chapters reveal his relentless energy, his devotion to service, and the way his personal experiences informed a ministry that would echo across the nation.