A Scribe Well-Trained

A Scribe Well-Trained acquaints us with the life and writings of Princeton Theological Seminary’s founding professor, Archibald Alexander (1772–1851). In the opening biographical sketch, James M. Garretson introduces us to the things that influenced Alexander and how he sought to cultivate godliness in himself, the men he trained, and people to whom he ministered. Garretson reinforces this through fifty-six short excerpts from across the published writings of Alexander, allowing us to experience firsthand the richness of “Old Princeton” spirituality.

Table of Contents: Religious Experience

True Conversion: Characteristics and Fruits

Life Lived in the Presence of God

Coming to Christ

Looking unto Jesus

A Disciple

A Good Tree

The Providence of God

Regeneration

The Gospel No Failure

Love of the Truth

The Relationship between Truth and Piety

How Scripture Is to be Received by the Child of God

The Peace of God

Spiritual Worship

The Mystery and Majesty of God’s Being

The First and Greatest Commandment

The Blessedness of Trusting in God

Genuine Faith Evidenced in Love

Aspects of Christian Love: Complacency and Benevolence

God to be Glorified by Those Bought with a Price

The Privilege of Serving the Lord

The Minister’s Love for Christ

Effective Preaching Is Discriminating and Applicatory

Growth in Grace: Sanctification

Growth in Grace: The Means of Sanctification

Growth in Grace: The Progress of Sanctification

Growth in Grace: Love for God’s Word and Gratitude for His Mercy

Prayer

Prayer a Privilege

Seeking Divine Direction through Incessant Prayer

Directions for Observance of the Sabbath Day

Preparation for Death

Heaven

Our Heavenly State of Glorification

The Dangers of Theorizing about Religious Experience

Piety in Children

Souls are Awakened in Different Ways

Dangers of Religious Testimony

The Benefits of Religious Conversation

The Log College

What the Church Looks Like in the Absence of Piety

How May the Aged Be Assured of Their Salvation?

Growth in Grace: Hindrances

The Various Trials of Believers

Dangers of Worldly Prosperity

Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Dangers of Lawful Pursuits

Counsels of the Aged to the Young

A Word to the Young

The Necessity of Cultivating Genuine Piety in One’s Youth

A Letter Regarding the Loss of a Child

A Son’s Letter to His Aging Mother

Letter to a Missionary

Letters to a Relative Struggling with Despondency

What I Desire

Appendix: Impressions of Dr. Archibald Alexander

Reading Archibald Alexander

Series Description

Seeking, then, both to honor the past and yet not idolize it, we are issuing these books in the series Profiles in Reformed Spirituality . The design is to introduce the spirituality and piety of the Reformed Profiles in Reformed Spirituality tradition by presenting descriptions of the lives of notable Christians with select passages from their works. This combination of biographical sketches and collected portions from primary sources gives a taste of the subjects’ contributions to our spiritual heritage and some direction as to how the reader can find further edification through their works. It is the hope of the publishers that this series will provide riches for those areas where we are poor and light of day where we are stumbling in the deepening twilight.