Sermons in Early American Literature

1. Sermons in Early American Literature

2. There are four main types of literature generally associated with colonial writing: • Diaries – kept for practical purposes as a record of events • Histories and biographies – Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation; intended to serve as a written historical record • Poetry – Bradstreet; to dignify or embellish important events/occasions • Sermons – Winthrop’s A Model of Christian Charity; most highly developed; to serve as inspiration/call to action

3. Early sermons (for example, A Model of Christian Charity), were not meant to be inspirational/emotional. • Focus was to be on the words (“divinely inspired” and powerful), and the message they contained • These sermons were structured as theological arguments advancing an interpretation of Biblical passages

4. Early sermon structure: • Epigraph/laying open of the text – introductory quote or statement; lays forth topic to be discussed • Doctrine – lays foundation for topic in relevant scriptures • Reasons – demonstrates truth of doctrine; “real-world” examples • Application – what this should mean to the listener; what this means for his/her thoughts and actions • Epilogue – “magnifies argument”; leaves listener feeling “refreshed and stimulated to further action”

5. Later sermons (such as Jonathan Edwards and other Great Awakening preachers) • Less emphasis on logical reasoning • Stronger emphasis on “emotional response” that might lead to changes in behavior • “We must do more than comprehend religious ideas; we must be moved by them” • The difference “between reading the word fire and actually being burned” • Tried to “describe a religious feeling that approximates a physical sensation”