I’ve finally settled on a topic for my research paper; in fact, I’ve even written about six hundred words on my topic. I’m writing about historical consciousness and the changing uses of history in occasional sermons preached during the first three generations in New England. I’ll try to explain that more clearly (and at greater length) in the paper.

Along the way, I’ve come across some sermons that have cause thought or amusement. For example, I don’t know where the minister Seaborn Cotton was born, but I have a good idea. In a 1655 sermon entitled God’s mercy, shewed to his people, in giving them a faithfull ministry and schooles of learning, for the continual supplyes thereof, Charles Chauncey, the president of Harvard College, preaches truths that are just as relevant as the “Philosophy of Education” class that I was just in. Speaking of connections to BJU, in the same sermon there are four or five pages refuting the idea that ministers should “nourish their hair” (i.e., wear long hair). I printed those pages out for Philip, hoping that he would come under conviction. The title that I mentioned above is fairly short; some have two or three subtitles.