The Prince of Preachers

N. B. Hardeman

Nicholas Brodie Hardeman 1874-1965

"Anyone who heard him speak remembered well the time and place."
Once, when William Jennings Bryan was asked by a reporter how it felt to be the greatest speaker in America, he replied that the interviewer needed to go and find N. B. Hardeman and ask him the question.
It was not just the delivery, but the timeless message of salvation presented in a structured way that appealed to the educated and uneducated. Reason, logic and simplicity of thought delivered with elements that appealed to the human senses and the spiritual nature.

Major Areas of Work

Tabernacle Sermons
In the years 1922, 1923, 1928, 1938 and 1942, in the famous old Ryman Auditorium located in Nashville Tennessee, a series of sermons was delivered to overflowing crowds. These sermons may be found in the five volume set of Tabernacle Sermons. All of the sermons are printed on this web site for the reader's convience, with the consent of the N. B. Hardeman family.
Freed-Hardeman College
In 1908, Brother Freed and Brother Hardeman started what was to become Freed-Hardeman University. With the exception of two years, (1923, 1924), N. B. Haredman would remain there until 1950. He passionately instructed many young preachers for approximately forty years.
Civil Rights Champion
During one of N. B. Hardeman's famous 1920's Tabernacle sermons held with capacity crowds at the old Ryman Auditorium, Brother Hardeman called to the lecturn the beloved Black preacher, Marshall Keeble, to lead a prayer. As the Nashville papers reported, this offended some of the citizens of Nashville. It was a different era and a different time, but Brother Hardeman was a man ahead of his time.
N. B. Hardeman Library & Debates
The N. B. Hardeman Library is located in Memphis Tennessee, at the Memphis School of Preaching. Among many of his accomplishments were a number of debates in which he participated. To packed houses, noted men such as Ira M. Boswell took opposing positions in venues like the Ryman Auditorium. Many of these debates are still referenced in defense or in opposition of religous opinions.

The Life of N. B. Hardeman

Peabody Hotel Memphis Tennessee 1959
TESTIMONIALS
B. C. Goodpasture
  • "The influence of N. B. Hardeman for good is unexcelled in churches of Christ through the English-speaking world. Through his teaching, his preaching, and his books he wields a tremendous power for truth and right."
Marshall Keeble
  • "At Henderson, Tennessee, six years ago there was no colored church of Christ, but now they have a large church house and over two hundred members. Brother N. B. Hardeman is largely responsible for this work, because he would come to our services and make talks indorsing what I had tried to do; and the colored people knew Brother Hardeman and seemed to love him, and when he indorsed a thing they believed it was all right. I was at Henderson a few months ago, and Brother Hardeman came to the services and brought all of the young men that are being trained under him to hear me preach, and it seems that they have the same spirit he has..." May 4, 1923
Lyndon B. Johnson
  • "Here tonight we honor the example of the life of one man whose works have touched the lives of multitudes -- and will live on through the years. He is an extraordinary man. We, too, in our obligations as Americans must prove ourselves to be extraordinary men and women. It is my hope and prayer that in its purposes now our own government may be guided by the same purposes which guided this man in the course he has pursued in his life." Peabody Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee May 18, 1959