{"product_id":"1816-debate-should-christians-celebrate-christmas","title":"1816 Debate, Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?","description":"\u003cp\u003e[Dana, Daniel]; [Morss, James]. \u003cstrong\u003eThe Controversy between the \"Inquirer\" and \"Philo,\" on Christmas; as published in the \u003cem\u003eNewburyport Herald\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. Newburyport: Printed by William B. Allen \u0026amp; Co., 1816. First Edition. [12114]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"A. Holmes, from Rev. Dr. D. Dana, 1816,\" in brown ink at the top of the title page. Removed, no wrapper, 8 1\/2 x 5 1\/4 inches, 43 pages. Good. Pamphlet.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe controversy is stated by \"The Inquirer\" in the first letter: 1. Is the observance of Christmas enjoined, either expressly, or by implication, in Scripture? If so, in what chapter and verse? and 2. If no such injunction is found in Scripture, is not the setting apart of Christmas, as holy time, by any portion of the Christian Church, an exercise of legislative authority - an authority generally admitted among Protestants, to Christ alone?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe questions elicit a response from \"Philo,\" who defends the practice of observing Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn exchange of six letters is printed in this pamphlet, all first published in the \u003cem\u003eNewburyport Herald\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaption title: Christmas controversy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Philo\" is identified by Sprague, \u003cem\u003eAnnals of the American Pulpit,\u003c\/em\u003e v. 5 as James Morss, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Newburyport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"Inquirer\" is identified by the Presbyterian Historical Society as Daniel Dana, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Newburyport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe former owner whose note is on the title page is the Rev. Dr. Abiel Holmes (1763-1837). He was the pastor of the First Church in Cambridge for 40 years, and the author of \u003cem\u003eAnnals of America\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRev. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJames Morss (1779-1842), an honors graduate of Harvard College (1800), rector of St. Paul's Church [Episcopal] in Newburyport, Massachusetts, for 39 years.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haaswurth Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43869818781762,"sku":"ABE12114","price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0191\/6066\/2082\/files\/DSC07319_8c72a845-44ff-4f2b-b0fb-5fc24fd92dfd.jpg?v=1781795676","url":"https:\/\/www.haaswurth.com\/products\/1816-debate-should-christians-celebrate-christmas","provider":"Haaswurth Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}