American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Cyrus King (1772-1817) was a member of the United States Congress. He was on the Senate and House Joint Committee. He was brother of Rufus King, a signer of the Constitution of the United States. Cyrus King served as Major-General of the 6th Division of the Massachusetts Militia, and founded Thorton Academy. In response to Thomas Jefferson announcing his plans to donate his personal library of 6,487 books to the Library of Congress, Cyrus King motioned to the committee: <To report a new section authorizing the Library Committee, as soon as said library shall be received at Washington, to select...

James Montgomery (November 4, 1771-April 30, 1854) was a well-known Scottish newspaperman and poet. He edited the Sheffield Iris, and wrote many hymns, including What Is Prayer?, in which he penned: <Prayer is the soul's sincere desire Uttered or unexpressed; The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast.> 1771JM001 -- American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement. Endnotes: 1771JM001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). James Montgomery, What is Prayer?, st. I. John Bartlett, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1855, 1980), p. 429.  

Sir Walter Scott (August 15, 1771-September 21, 1832) was a Scottish novelist and poet. His works include: The Lay of the Last Minstrel, 1805; Lady of the Lake, 1810; Ivanhoe, 1819; and The Talisman, 1825. In chapter XII of The Monastery, 1830, Sir Walter Scott wrote: <Oh, on that day, that wrathful day, When man to judgment wakes from clay, Be Thou, O Christ, the sinner's stay Though heaven and earth shall pass away. Within this awful Volume lies The mystery of mysteries. Happiest they, of human race, To whom our God has granted grace To read, to fear, to...

George Addison Baxter (July 22, 1771-Spring 1841) was a professor at Washington Academy in Virginia. He published an account of his travels throughout Kentucky the previous November, giving particular attention to the religious revivals where taking place. With academic skepticism he researched the reports of what was later to be known as "The Second Great Awakening." Dr. George Addison Baxter's report, printed in the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, March of 1802, recounted: <The power with which this revival has spread, and its influence in moralizing the people, are difficult for you to conceive, and more so for me to describe.... I...

Sydney Smith (June 3, 1771-February 22, 1845) was a English humorist, known for his wit and satirical humor. He is best known for his Peter Plymley Letters, which were highly instrumental in forwarding the cause of granting Catholics in England the right to vote. In his 1855 work, titled Lady Holland's Memoir, Sydney Smith wrote: <Take short views, hope for the best, and trust in God.> 1771SS001 Sydney Smith wrote: <Truth is Justice' handmaid, freedom is its child, peace is its companion, safety walks in its steps, victory follows in its train; it is the brightest emanation from the Gospel; it...