A Scribe Well-Trained: Archibald Alexander and the Life of Piety (Profiles in Reformed Spirituality)

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.

James M. Garretson serves as ministry director for the Christian union at Harvard Law School.