This biographical sketch is taken from The Living Pulpit of the Christian
Church, edited by W.T. Moore and published in 1867 by R.W. Carroll & Co.,
Publishers, Cincinnati, Ohio. The text was scanned and marked up by Jim
McMillan for inclusion in the Restoration Literature Meta-Index, March
1995. Used by permission. Mercer County. 

[Picture] THIS distinguished scholar and preacher needs no lengthy
introduction to American readers.  His Translation of the New Testament has
made his name quite familiar in this country, and he is not altogether
unknown in many portions of Europe.

HENRY T. ANDERSON was born in Caroline County, Virginia, on the 27th of
January, 1812.  His parents, who were also natives of Virginia, were
Baptists, though quite liberal in their views.  Hence, Brother ANDERSON'S
early religious training was nearly in harmony with the position he now
occupies.  The Bible was the text-book, and its teachings had a very
powerful influence upon his youthful mind.

At the age of twenty-one he made the confession, and was immersed by his
elder brother, who had left the Baptists and united with the Disciples.  By
giving diligent attention to the study of the Scriptures, he made such
rapid progress in the Divine life that he began to preach in May, 1833,
not more than ten months after his baptism.

His method of studying the Scriptures was such as left nothing unnoticed.
The Bible was read and re-read again and again.  Every sentence was
studied, both in the original and English, with the most prayerful
interest.  Scripture was used to illustrate and explain Scripture, until
every subject in the Word of God was examined in the light of Divine
Truth.  This method of investigation made his preaching didactic rather
than hortatory, practical rather than ornamental.  Hence, in the popular
style, he is not an orator.  Nevertheless, his discourses are always highly
entertaining, because they are full of instruction, and delivered in an
earnest, impressive style.

He remained in Virginia, preaching at various places in Caroline, Hanover,
and some other counties, until the year 1837, when he removed to Kentucky,
and for several years taught school and preached in the southern portion
of the State.  In November, 1847, he took charge of the Walnut-street
Church in Louisville, and continued there six years.  After this he was
engaged for about eight years in teaching classical schools, and preaching
the Gospel in various parts of the State.  In December, 1861, he began to
translate the New Testament, a work upon which his reputation chiefly
rests.  For many years he had made the New Testament original a constant
study.  He had been blessed in early life with a fine classical education;
and such was his devotion to the Greek, that, when he began to make his
translation, it was equally as familiar to him as the English.  Of the
translation itself we need not speak, except to say that it has been
pronounced by competent judges the best in the English language.  Whether
this be true or not, it certainly has superior merits, and will doubtless
take a high position among standard works of its kind.  He is now engaged
in giving an exact translation of the text of Tischendorf.  His present
home is in Harrodsburg, Ky., where he has preached for the Church for
several years.

His prominent characteristics are originality of thought, simplicity of
manner, and great faith in the providence of God.  He is emphatically a
thinker, and every thing that he says gives unmistakable evidence that he
is not satisfied to simply appropriate the labor of others.  He seeks the
foundation of things, and though his views may not always be correct, they
are always highly suggestive.

His whole nature is childlike.  The most perfect simplicity marks every
thing he does.  His purposes are as transparent as light itself. No one
could be freer from affectation.  But that which distinguishes him above
every thing else is his wonderful faith in God.  We do not think we have
ever known a man who gives himself more unreservedly into the hands of his
Heavenly Father.  In this world's goods he has been poor all his life, but
he has certainly been rich in faith.  The circumstances under which he
began his translation afford a fine illustration of this peculiarity.
Having a large family to support, with a salary not exceeding six hundred
dollars, and no other means that he could command, there was little
prospect that he could do any thing beyond supplying the necessities of
the hour.  But he had faith in God, and entered upon the work with full
confidence that the"Lord would provide."  In speaking of this subject, in
1863, he says: "The Lord raised me up friends.  Some from a distance sent
me a few dollars.  Two worthy sisters paid one hundred and twenty dollars
each last year.  Those near me have, some of them, remembered my wants, and
generously supplied me with food and clothing.  Though the war swept away
what little I had, God has never forsaken me.  I have a Father in heaven, a
Redeemer at his right hand.  My prayers have been heard.  Friends are near
me, and I live, a monument of the truth that God will not forsake those
who put their trust in him."

Anderson
=
Caroline-VA Hanover-VA Louisville-Jefferson-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/mercer/anderson.ht.txt