KIRK, EDWARD NORRIS, D.D.,1802-74: b. New d. Boston. He graduated at Princeton in 1820, and, after studying law for 18 months, entered the theological school at the same place, graduating in 1825. He was employed for some time as an agent of the American board of commissioners for foreign missions, and in 1828 became pastor of a newly organized Presbyterian church in Albany, N. Y. Here he remained until 1837, when ill-health compelled his resignation. He visited Europe, preaching in London and Paris. and in 1839 returned to the United States to accept the position of secretary of the American and foreign evangelical society. In 1842 he became pastor of the newly organized :fit. Vernon Congregational church in Boston, where he preached until 1871, when ill-health compelled bum to retire from active service and accept the assistance of a colleague. In 1856 he visited Paris, as. an agent of the American and foreign Christian union, to establish Protestant worship there. His style of preaching
was fervent and pungent, and he was unusually successful in developing and directing what are known as revivals. As a pastor he was eminently faithful. In the later years of his life he was almost entirely blind, but this did not hinder his attendance upon religious meetings, where he took an active part in discussing themes of popular and practical interest. He received the of D.D. from Amherst college, and at the time of his death was president of the American missionary association. He published two volumes of sermons and a volume of Lectures on time Parables, and wrote several short works issued by the American tract society in Boston. He also translated Cans sen's l'hopneustac, a treatise on the inspiration of the Bible. He was never married.