A System of Theology. Composed, while a member of the Theological Seminary, Andover, Mass. under the instruction of Professor Woods. 1817-1820

8vo.  200 x 180 mm., [8 x 6 ¾ inches].  302 pp.  Manuscript text in neat hand.  Bound in half-leather and marbled boards, gilt rules on spine. Some rubbing to spine ends, a later ownership name stamp on front pastedown.

Manuscript lecture notes from Prof. Leonard Woods' class in theology, taught at the Seminary in Andover.  The student introduces the lectures in the first two pages: "West Chester Society Colchester Conn. -- In view of an examination preparatory to my ordination I presented to the Council the following confession of faith...." He follows this information with a nine page table of contents for the lectures, which begins with "On the inspiration of the Scriptures." In clear prose, he recounts what he was taught by Prof. Woods while he was a student at Andover for those several years.

Although unsigned, these lecture notes most likely belong to Jacob Scales (1788-1873). Scales was born in Freeport, Maine, graduated from Dartmouth in 1817, and went on to Andover Theological Seminary, finishing his degree there in 1820. In December of that year, he was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church at Colchester, Connecticut. In 1827, Scales became a pastor in Henniker [NH]; then Cornwall, Vermont in 1839. Here he ran afoul of the local anti-slavery society, according to Lyman Matthews' "History of the Town of Cornwall, Vermont," [Cornwall, VT: 1862], pp. 182-6. A remonstrance by ten members of the church felt strongly he should not be installed. An ecclesiastical council was convened: "The remonstrants acknowledge that upon the subject of slavery, Mr. Scales, in sentiment, is correct; but they allege, that, as a practical abolitionist, he does not come up to the standard of the American Anti-Slavery Society. (Of this, however, no proof was adduced.) This Council can recognize no other standard than the Word of God..." and therefore the church proceeded to install him. His tenure was not always smooth and he was dismissed in 1842. He became an acting pastor at Plainfield from 1842-1861. [see his brief biography in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, v. 66, p. 50] Scales published several sermons and other works in his lifetime and Dartmouth College has a collection of his papers.

Leonard Woods (1774-1854) was a professor of theology at Andover from 1808 until his retirement in 1846. He was a member of the Congregational Church, and an orthodox Calvinist. He continued to write and prepare his works for publication. A five volume set of his lectures, sermons, letters and essays was published in Andover between 1849-1851. [see: McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia (Harper & Bros.: 1880) for more information on Woods].  . Item #67599 JT/DSC (1087)