Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) more than any other theologian, is responsible for that "New England conscience" that lingers on even today. His pastorate at The First Church of Northampton had the folks in the Connecticut Valley reeling under his stern and rigid preaching. The influence of his powerful preaching spread throughout New England.

His sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", was so intensely dogmatic against sin that his congregation became violently upset. In 1750, they voted to dismiss him. He left Northampton to become a missionary to the Indians in Stockbridge. In 1758, he became president of the college of New Jersey (Princeton) and died there of a small pox inoculation.