Reminiscences of the Late Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D. of Newport, R.I.: Illustrative of His Character and Doctrines with Incidental Subjects

Providence RI: Isaac H. Cady, 1843. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Very light wear to tips, corners, and edges of the book. "Full title: "Reminiscences of the late Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D., of Newport, R.I. : illustrative of his character and doctrines, with incidental subjects: From an intimacy with him of twenty-one years, while pastor of a sister church in said town." From Wikipedia: "He, Jonathan Edwards and Joseph Bellamy together created, perhaps unintentionally, the theological scheme that sometimes bears Hopkins name, i.e. Hopkinsianism, but is also known as the New Divinity, New School Theology, New England Theology or Edwardseanism. This religious system is a form of Calvinism which later adherents called "consistent Calvinism." The view evolved into a distinct theology which dominated theological thinking in New England, which was predominately Calvinist. The whole theological movement was important in the Second Great Awakening. It was opposed generally by the theologians of Princeton, including Charles Hodge. Hopkins is credited with originating the phrase "disinterested benevolence", though the concept is much older and can, for example, be seen in Jonathan Edwards ethical writings as well. Originally a slaveholder, Hopkins was one of the first of the Congregationalist ministers to denounce slavery. The Congregationalist Church became the first religious group in America to abandon the slave trade. The Quakers of America were the first to condemn the idea of active church members owning slaves, but Hopkins' Church was the first to openly preach against the imprisonment of African Americans. His efforts coincided with the 1774 law that forbade the importation of slaves into Rhode Island, and the 1784 law that granted freedom to all slaves born in Rhode Island after March 1785. Following this, Hopkins preached the ideas of sending a small colony to Africa for the purpose of evangelisation. During the American Revolutionary War, Hopkins' school for negro missionaries to Africa was broken up due to the confusion. Hopkinsianism later contributed to the colonisation of Sherbro Island, near the coast of Sierra Leone, by Paul Cuffee." Every effort is made to ship all books and other items within 24 hours. Clean recycled packing material will be used when possible. The Book Shed has a been a member of the Vermont Antiquarian Bookseller's Association since 1997. An online bookseller with a bookshop sensibility!