was not merely abstract or ethereal. Rather, Edwards was profoundly interested in missions to Native Americans, and the opportunity to go to Stockbridge was the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition. Offering a revisionist reading of those seven “missing” Stockbridge years, Nichols believes that Edwards’ preaching of redemption to the Native Americans was central to Edwards’ life narrative. Richard Bailey also offers a revisionist understanding of Edwards’ vision for preaching. Bailey holds that Edwards’