The Life and Letters of James Henley Thornwell
Overview
James Henley Thornwell led a fascinating life during a time of great national upheaval in the United States of America. This resource outlines his life, beginning from birth and early childhood and continuing on to his experiences as a minister and professor up until the time of the Civil War. His work assisting with the beginnings of the Southern Presbyterian Church is an important part of both his life and the history of the Church in the 1800s, and is documented in this biographical work. Also included are letters he wrote during his time spent abroad in Europe as well as some general correspondences.
Professor Eugene Genovese describes Thornwell as wanting “to envision a Christian society that could reconcile, so far as possible in a world haunted by evil, the conflicting claims of a social order with social justice and both with the freedom and dignity of the individual.” These ideas shine through in Thornwell’s writings, which are now more accessible than ever through Logos Bible Software. In electronic format, his writings are easily searchable and easily referenced—his works in Logos make the ideal companion to theological studies.
- Explores the life and works of James Henley Thornwell
- Features letters and correspondences from his time in Europe
- Includes Our Danger and Our Duty
- Parentage and Birth
- Early Boyhood
- His Patrons
- Preparation for College
- College Life
- College Life Continued
- His Conversion
- His Teaching at Cheraw
- Residence at Cambridge
- First Pastorate
- First Professorship
- Voyage to Europe
- Letters Form Europe
- Old and New School Controversy
- Polemic Career Begun
- The Board Question
- General Correspondence
- The Elder Question
- Call to Baltimore
- Question of Romish Baptism
- Assemblies of 1847 and 1848
- Personal Friendships
- State Education
- Call to Charleston
- Presidency of the College
- Presidency Continued
- Close of His Presidency
- Editorship of Southern Quarterly Review
- Seminary Life
- Seminary Life Continued
- Second Trip to Europe
- The Late War
- His Course in the War
- Organization of the Southern Assembly
- His Death
- General Review
- Title: The Life and Letters of James Henley Thornwell
- Authors: Benjamin Morgan Palmer and James Henley Thornwell
- Publisher: Whittet & Shepperson
- Publication Date: 1975
- Pages: 652
Benjamin Morgan Palmer (1818–1902) was a Southern Presbyterian theologian, orator, writer, and minister.
James Henley Thornwell, born in 1812, was a Southern Presbyterian minister from South Carolina. He was a professor both at South Carolina College and Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Columbia, and penned many theological essays throughout his life. A contemporary of Robert Lewis Dabney and Charles Hodge, he founded the Southern Presbyterian Review and was one of the leading figures in the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of America. Thornwell was highly involved with the current day’s political situation—a vocal proponent of slavery and supporter of the South during the Civil War. He died in 1862 after a long battle with tuberculosis.