1

OverviewTranscribeVersionsHelp

Facsimile

Transcription

Status: Complete

Introductions to the English Edition
The Rev. David Thomas, D.D.,
On Frederick Douglass And His Work

A book not only reveals but often contains its author. It is a kind of incarnation of
himself, a body in which he lives and works, long after the brain that thought it and
the pen that wrote it have mouldered into dust. In it may be seen, not merely his
passing opinions and floating feelings. but his thinking intellect and throbbing
heart. A book may be less but never greater than its author. A small man, however
learned, can never produce a great book. A truly great book is the spontaneous
outflow of a great soul. it has not the polish of art, but the bloom of nature. A book
is not to be judged by the number of its pages, the consecutiveness of its reasoning,
or the rhythms of its periods, but by the amount of creative life that impregnates its
sentences, and breathes in its pages.

This Volume is small in bulk, but overflowing with vitality. The Author (with
whom I became acquainted soon after my advent to London, and who addressed a
crowded audience in the Church at Stockwell of which I was minister) gave me an
impression which continues fresh to this hour, not only of his unique history, but of
his extraordinary ability and genius. In memory I see him now as he appeared on the
platform some thirty-six years ago. He was then a runaway slave. In stature tall, and
somewhat attenuated? with a head indicative of large brain force, his dark counte-
nance radiating with humour and genius, his large eyes, now flashing with the fire
of indignation against tyranny, and now beaming with tender sympathy for his
oppressed race.

As an orator I have never heard his superior from that day to this. His voice was
clear and strong, capable of every modulation, and of conveying all classes of senti-
ment, from the most terrific to the most gentle. His attitudes were natural, and there-
fore electrically commanding. He dramatised those awful memories of wrong that
were at that time burning in his soul. Ten such men in our House of Commons would
make quasi-patriots and hireling statesmen quail, give the genuine lovers of right
courage and effect a moral revolution. Ten such men in our London pulpits would
send charlatanic pulpiteers to their "own place;" all the little Isms would take their
wing at the thunders of their voice, whilst candid enquirers would get firmly rooted
in sound ethical convictions.
Having read every line of this hook , and being assured that it is re-published in
this country with the Author's consent, I have heartily acceded to the request of the
enterprising Publisher to write this brief note. To me. the book itself supplies the
10-41

Notes and Questions

Please sign in to write a note for this page

diametrica

I'm not sure how or whether to indicate the italics. Also I am adding in the hyphenation as it appears in the text for line breaks, but unsure if that is correct also.