Joel Tyler Headley (1813 - 1897) was an American clergyman, historian, author, newspaper editor and politician who served as Secretary of State of New York."The Chaplains and Clergy of the Revolution" is a book for the times, and gathers up for our study the forgotten facts in the history of those talented, self-sacrificing, brave, and devoted patriots, who were something more than Chaplains in the Revolution; who not only prayed and exhorted, but took the musket in time of need, and fought and died for country and liberty. This is also a book of historical value in connexion with the religious element in our struggle for independence. Many interesting facts, incidents and anecdotes, in the life and labors of the ministry during these trying scenes are here brought to light. Headley writes: "I feel I have done something towards giving the clergy and the pulpit the place which they ought to have in the history of the Revolution, and furnished a book which will benefit the generation now rising into manhood, by directing the mind not only to religious influences, but to the great source of all national blessings, as well as to battle fields and the strong legions."Research has here been well rewarded by bringing out many nearly or quite forgotten facts, going to show the patriotism of the clergy, and especially of the New England clergy of the days of the first Revolution. Not unlike Mr. Thornton's excellent volume, in tone of investigation, it is very different in style, manner, and scope, and is a really valuable historic memorial.Headley writes: "It is unquestionably true, that, if the clergy had from the outset taken the decided and determined stand against the cause of the colonies, that they did for it, the result would have been totally different."The clergy of New England, and of all the colonies, from Puritan times to the Revolutionary era, were men not only of eminent piety and of profound Biblical learning, but were ardent lovers of liberty and thoroughly versed in the history and science of civil government. The peculiar circumstances in which they were placed, and the great reverence in which they were held by all classes, qualified them to be leaders of liberty and government, as they were of religion. “The profound thought and unanswerable arguments,” says Headley, “found in their sermons, show that the clergy were not a whit behind the ablest statesmen of the day in their knowledge of the great science of human government. In reading them, one gets at the true pulse of the people, and can trace the progress of the public sentiment."