Beschreibung:

MATHER, COTTON Manuductio ad ministerium. Directions for a candidate of the ministry. Wherein, first, a right foundation is laid for... . Boston: Printed for Thomas Hancock, and sold at his shop in Ann-Street, near the draw-bridge, 1726. The first edition, first state with catchword "His" on p. xvii and "A" on p. 147. Contemporary American blind-panelled calf. 6 3/8 x 4 inches (16 x 10 cm); [2] of 4, xviii, [2], 148 (of 149) pp., ideally [A]^(4) a-b^(4) B-T^(4) V^(4) (V4 blank), here lacking the initial half-title (A) and two leaves from the end (the last text page with blank verso, and the final blank). Front board detached, binding otherwise worn, upper edge of title with erosion into the rules with loss to rules, text barely touched, approximately one-inch tear to the fore-margin, both B and M3 with fore-margin losses affecting about seven words, a few other defects, text generally clean. With the ownership note of S. Minot dated 1753 on L4v. One of Mather's final publications, this practical guide for ministers advocates the study of mathematics and astronomy (but castigates astrology) as well as more predictable subjects. Of especial interest, Mather discusses the library that a young minister should accumulate, with a great deal of specificity, thereby providing insights into colonial reading habits (see pp. 49-70). T. J. Holmes Cotton Mather 220-A; Evans 2772. Provenance: The Dr. Frank H. Sommer III Trust C