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Sermons on Various Subjects: Vol. II

Object Details

Description
Isaac Watts’ Sermons on Various Subjects: Divine and Moral with a Sacred Hymn Suited to each Subject was published by Emmanuel Matthews of London in 1734. The work contains sermons on gravity and decency, justice and equity, temperance, chastity, courage and honor, with hymns corresponding to each sermon’s theme. Watt’s was a prolific hymnist who helped popularize hymns as a replacement for Psalms as songs in worship.
The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible. The abundance of multiple Bibles, psalms, hymnodies, sermons, and morality tales reflects the Copp’s religious beliefs. Other highlights of the library include the works of Shakespeare, almanacs, historical and political texts, and travel narratives.
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Museum of American History
author
Watts, Isaac
date made
1734
associated date
1734
Credit Line
Gift of John Brenton Copp
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 2 in x 5 1/8 in x 7 7/8 in; 5.08 cm x 13.0175 cm x 20.0025 cm
Object Name
book
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