Page:The life of Rev. Thomas M. Eddy.djvu/16

 PREFACE.

LIFE-LONG acquaintance with Dr. Eddy, a familiarity with the localities amid which he spent the years of his early ministry, a residence near him during the period of his editorial life, a pastorate in the same city most of the time he was in Baltimore, a home in a neighboring city while he was engaged in the missionary secretaryship, and an intimate personal friendship with him for more than twenty years, are the reasons why the writer, when asked to undertake it, ventured upon the task of preparing this volume.

He has not consciously exaggerated a virtue or talent in presenting the character of his subject. He knew of no faults which could throw a shadow over that bright name, whose luster ever increased until he who bore it went up to put on the crown and the white robe of the redeemed in heaven.

Great care has been taken to verify, as far as possible, every statement, date, and incident, and we hope that few mistakes have crept in.