Author Description

James Shaw, a Minister from northern Ireland, traveled to the U.S. in 1854 and spent 12 years there. While there he traveled a great deal, and also stayed in Illinois for a number of years. The book was written along the lines of a series of addresses he gave in 1866 and 1867, after his return to Ireland. Chapter headings, and some of the topics listed there, are: -The Voyage Over. -Westward Travel. Chicago, Bloomington. -The Country and its Resources. Physical aspects, Climate, Minerals and Metals. -Fauna and Flora, Zoology and Ornithology. -The South and West, the Future Field of Emigration. Texas, New Mexico, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas (and other states). -Illinois, the Garden State. Development of the North-West, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Commercial Facilities. -American Life and Character. Aborigines, African, Anglo-Saxon, Marriage and Divorce, Parents and Children. -The Late War and its Lessons. Slavery, Cherokee Indians, Fugitive Slave Law and its Victims. -Old and New America. Nations Second Birth, Emigration. -The American Churches. Evangelical Churches, Temperance, Bible, Missionary Societies, Colleges, Press. -American Revivals. The Great Awakening and Revival of 1857-58. Public Prayer Meetings. -The Randolph Grove Circuit. Illinois Conference. -Bloomington West Charge. Church Courts in America, Revivals, Methodist Episcopal and Protestant Episcopal churches. -Petersburgh Station. Financial Crisis and Indian Rebellion. -Oldtown Circuit. -Decatur Circuit. -Clinton Station. Revival and Conversions, Death and Funerals of Soldiers. -Rushville Station. Travels through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio by Railroad. -Atlanta Station. -The Church of a Hundred Years. Generic and Specific Forms, Historical Development. -Methodist Centenary Celebrations. -The Canada Confederation.