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W.J. Erdman
William Jacob Erdman (February 21, 1834 – January 27, 1923) was an American preacher, Presbyterian minister, and author whose leadership in the premillennialist and holiness movements of the late 19th century bridged evangelical fervor with scholarly exposition. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to John Erdman and Sarah Wunderly, he grew up in a German Reformed family before moving with his parents to western New York at age 11. Converted at 16 during an 1850 revival meeting in Rochester, New York, he graduated from Hamilton College in 1856 with a B.A., then studied at Union Theological Seminary in New York City (1856–1858), where he was ordained in 1860 by the Presbytery of Buffalo. Marrying Henrietta Rosenbury in 1860, he had six children, including Charles Rosenbury Erdman, a future Princeton theologian. Erdman’s preaching career began at Jefferson Presbyterian Church in Jefferson, New York (1860–1864), followed by pastorates in Jamestown, New York (1864–1870), and Dwight L. Moody’s Chicago Avenue Church in Chicago (1870–1874). Known for his clear, earnest sermons, he became a key figure in the Niagara Bible Conference (1876–1897), advocating premillennialism—the belief in Christ’s imminent return before a literal thousand-year reign. From 1875 to 1880, he served as superintendent of the New York Presbytery’s Home Mission, planting churches across the state, then pastored Second Presbyterian Church in Germantown, Pennsylvania (1880–1890), growing its congregation significantly. After retiring from regular ministry in 1890, he devoted himself to writing and itinerant preaching, speaking at holiness conventions like Keswick until 1900.
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In this sermon by W.J. Erdman, the focus is on the book of Ecclesiastes, emphasizing the ultimate duty of man to fear God and keep His commandments. The term 'the Adam' is used to represent the entire human race, highlighting the imperfection and failure of humanity in fulfilling this duty. Despite the ideal of man being to fear God and obey His commands, the reality of judgment for both good and evil deeds reveals the inadequacy of man's efforts to earn acceptance before God. The book of Ecclesiastes is portrayed as a reflection on the struggles and uncertainties faced by humanity, rather than the experiences of a wise and unfallen Adam.
The Adam
Proof is found in the more literal reading of the Conclusion; "The end of the matter, the whole, let ns hear; fear God, and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man," or "this is the whole man." The word for man is "the Adam," the generic name of the race. This "whole duty" is truly the ideal man, but the expectation of judgment of things evil as well as of good implies the failure and imperfection of this very Adam; and so for him law and duty can be no ground of acceptance before God. It is, then, the book of man. The word Adam is found more than two score times, while the name of man as an individual but six times, and, as of a mortal, twice. Already midway in the book we are told plainly it is all about man, Adam, the race: "Whatsoever hath been the name thereof was given long ago, and it is known that it is Adam." But the experiences are not those of Adam, wise and unfallen and at home with God, but of one who knows not " what is good for man in' his life all the days of his vain life, which he spendeth as a shadow."
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William Jacob Erdman (February 21, 1834 – January 27, 1923) was an American preacher, Presbyterian minister, and author whose leadership in the premillennialist and holiness movements of the late 19th century bridged evangelical fervor with scholarly exposition. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to John Erdman and Sarah Wunderly, he grew up in a German Reformed family before moving with his parents to western New York at age 11. Converted at 16 during an 1850 revival meeting in Rochester, New York, he graduated from Hamilton College in 1856 with a B.A., then studied at Union Theological Seminary in New York City (1856–1858), where he was ordained in 1860 by the Presbytery of Buffalo. Marrying Henrietta Rosenbury in 1860, he had six children, including Charles Rosenbury Erdman, a future Princeton theologian. Erdman’s preaching career began at Jefferson Presbyterian Church in Jefferson, New York (1860–1864), followed by pastorates in Jamestown, New York (1864–1870), and Dwight L. Moody’s Chicago Avenue Church in Chicago (1870–1874). Known for his clear, earnest sermons, he became a key figure in the Niagara Bible Conference (1876–1897), advocating premillennialism—the belief in Christ’s imminent return before a literal thousand-year reign. From 1875 to 1880, he served as superintendent of the New York Presbytery’s Home Mission, planting churches across the state, then pastored Second Presbyterian Church in Germantown, Pennsylvania (1880–1890), growing its congregation significantly. After retiring from regular ministry in 1890, he devoted himself to writing and itinerant preaching, speaking at holiness conventions like Keswick until 1900.