Dana, Daniel. Letters to the Rev. Professor Stuart, comprising Remarks on his Essay on Sin, published in the American Biblical Repository for April and July, 1839. Boston: Crocker and Brewster, 1839. First Edition. [12303]
Removed, no wrapper, 8 1/2 x 5 1/4 inches, 46 pp., vertical center crease. Good. Pamphlet.
Rev. Dana objects to an Essay on Sin, by Dr. Stuart. Dana says that Stuart has abandoned the Biblical teaching of original sin - that of total depravity - and invents a new definition: that only actions may be sins. Towards the end of Dana's review and critique of Dr. Stuart's ideas, there comes in, on p. 43, an allusion to Finney and the New Measures, although Finney is not named.
"For years, there has prevailed, in various regions of our country, a species of preaching, which has dealt little with the difficulties of religion, little with the depravity of the heart, little with the sinner's absolute dependence on the sovereign mercy of God. he has been urged to repentance by arguments derived principally from the extreme facility of the work, from the competency of his own powers, and the certainty of success. Such instructions have produced marked effects on great numbers..."
He goes on to say that there are four classes of persons so affected, those who have tried to follow true religion but have sunk into despondency from their failures, and those who have found these views to be a shield against real conviction and spiritual concern. The third class he describes as self-satisfied with the success of their religious endeavors, but who remain unconverted. The fourth class are those whose interests in the Christian faith were awakened, and, in spite of the poor doctrine presented to them, followed through by searching the Scriptures, and finding and believing the truth.
Moses Stuart (1780-1852), born at Wilton, Connecticut. Stuart graduated with highest honors from Yale College in 1799, afterwards teaching at several posts, including as Tutor at Yale. He studied theology under Dr. Dwight and was ordained pastor of the Church in New Haven in 1806. From 1810 to 1848 he was Professor of Sacred Literature at Andover.
Rev. Daniel Dana, D.D. (1771-1859), born at Ipswich, Massachusetts; educated at Dartmouth College, graduating in 1798. Dana was ordained in 1794 as pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Newburyport where he ministered for twenty-six years. He was briefly President of Dartmouth College but he soon expressed his preference for pastoral ministry. He returned to Newburyport as pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, retiring in 1845 at the age of seventy-five.
“Dr. Dana was regarded as ‘one of the most able, devoted, and useful ministers of the period in which he lived.’” – Allibone.
