The following is the substance of an article published in the "New England Historical and Genealogical Register," for April, 1863, written by JOHN WARD DEAN, Esq., of Boston: A century ago no poetry was more popular in New England than Wigglesworth's _Day of Doom_. Francis Jenks, Esq., in an article in the _Christian Examiner_ for Nov., 1828, speaks of it as "a work which was taught our fathers with their catechisms; and which many an aged person with whom we are acquainted can still repeat, though they may not have met with a copy since they were in leading strings; a work that was hawked about the country, printed on sheets like common ballads; and, in fine, a work which fairly represents the prevailing theology of New England at the time it was written, and which Mather thought might, 'perhaps, find our children till the Day itself arrives.'" The popularity of Wigglesworth dated from the appearance of his poem, and continued for more than a century. Expressing in earnest words the theology which they believed, and picturing in lively colors the terrors of the judgment day and the awful wrath of an offended God, it commended itself to those zealous Puritans, who had little taste for lofty rhyme or literary excellence. The imaginative youth devoured its horrors with avidity, and shuddered at its fierce denunciation of sin. In the darkness of night he saw its frightful forms arise, and was thus driven to seek the "ark of safety" from the wrath of Jehovah. For the last century, however, the reputation of the _Day of Doom_ has waned, and few at the present day know it except by reputation. The author of this book, whose wand had summoned up such images of terror, was neither a cynic nor a misanthrope, though sickness, which generally brings out these dispositions where they exist, had long been his doom. His attenuated frame and feeble health were joined to genial manners; and, though subject to fits of despondency, he seems generally to have maintained a cheerful temper, so much so that some of his friends believed his ills to be imaginary.