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- The Philosophy And Prudential Maxims. 9:13 11:16
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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W.J. Erdman reflects on the climax of life and thought, pondering the great question as shadows lengthen towards the 'long home.' Despite failures, he finds a permanent serenity and composure, still valuing wisdom and prudence. As he cautiously praises wisdom, he contemplates the greater conclusion of fearing God and keeping His commandments. Through proverbial philosophy, he imparts worldly-wise maxims emphasizing the importance of prudence and 'due proportion' in all aspects of life, including relationships with rulers, culminating in the wisdom that man's ignorance of God's mysterious purpose should not hinder him from fulfilling his own work.
The Philosophy and Prudential Maxims. 9:13-11:16
Another and final pause ensues, but the lover of wisdom waits in calmer mood. The climacteric of maturer life and thought has been reached. The silent query seems to be, what answer can next be given to the great question. For the last time, and as the shadows lengthen towards the "long home," this wise investigator of all things done under heaven, recovers himself, from his failure, to a permanent serenity and composure of mind. He is still wise and loves wisdom and prudence, and will not utterly forsake the law of life already found; but the height of the greater and better conclusion to fear God and keep His commandments looms in the distance. He begins, but very cautiously, to praise wisdom again, as illustrated in the case of a poor wise man who delivered a city besieged, but who also was soon forgotten. True again to nature, he cannot overlook this familiar " vanity " — to be forgotten, forgotten! This serves him as an introduction to the " proverbial philosophy " which follows. In it, in his meditative, soliloquizing way, he sets forth sundry observations and worldly-wise maxims. All of them belong to the law of life chosen, the law requiring prudence and " due proportion " at all times and places, and especially in relation to rulers. At last, how ever, as if he had gained some solid footing for himself and for his fellow men in their work and walk with each other, he finishes these wise sayings with one very wise for man under the sun, the maturest product of his experience, that man's ignorance of God's mysterious purpose and work should not keep man from doing his own work.
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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.