1839 CHARLES HODGE. H. A. Boardman & Charles Hodge Discuss New School Revivalist Controversy, &c,

A significant Presbyterian letter in which H. A. Boardman requests that Hodge publish is in-process history of Presbyterianism through the official Presbyterian Board of Publication. According to Boardman, it was a win-win; larger distribution and a good effect on Presbyterianism in general. 

The second portion of the letter refers to the testimony given by New School Presbyterian revivalist pastor, and friend of Charles Grandison Finney, Nathan S. S. Beman. Beman's church had been experiencing an extended series of protracted meetings under Finney. Some of the folk weren't happy and filed formal charges with teh Presbytery, etc., Because Beman was a prominent Pastor, thought this disagreement was happening in many churches, Beman's was used as a sort of test case between New and Old School power bases within Presbyterianism.

The two, Hodge's publication and Beman's testimony, are not disconnected. Boardman hopes Hodge's book can be printed before the annual meeting specifically to bolster the Old School claims of being true and historic Presbyterianism, over and against the "innovations" of the New School. 

Philad. Jan. 28th 1839

My Dear Sir - 

At the last meeting of the Ex. Comm of our Tract Board, a very strong desire was expressed by all the members to obtain from you (with the concurrence of the Com. who corresponded with you on the subject in the first place) the M. S. of the work you are preparing on the early history of our church. We think it is precisely such a book, or such a sort of book, if you will, as ought to go out under the official sanction of the Assembly Board - a Board having it in  charge as one of its main objects to show the world what Presbyterianism is & to uphold Presbn institutions & usages. It wd probably have a great circulation thro this channel than any other & I think wd do more good - while it wd also help our Board. If you will let us have it we will publish it in good style. 

Shd this proposal meet yr views, cd you not send us down a portion of the work at once, in order that the printer might take it in hand? We feel anxious to expedite matters as much as posisble; & it i svery import that yr book shd be out as early as may be - certy before the Assembly. - Drop me a line on the subject. - I have seen most of the Comm who wrote you & they approve the plan. 

Dr. Beman has been here & given his testimony, as he is to be absent in Europe this Spring. His testy amounts to very little, & is confined to the organization. No one wd know from reading it that there was another body of men present claiming to belong to the Assembly, who took no part in his organization. This is telling the "whole truth"!

Mr. Cleveland is to be examd by a commission. their counsel have sent him but five questions, all relating to the organization. To these our counsel have added a dozen or two cross questions.

Our Lawyers think it very import to have an imposing assemblage of venerable men present - for obvious reasons. You must by all means get both Dr. Alexander & Dr. Miller to attend.

My family write with me in afft remembs to Mrs. H & yrself - The Young Professor grows finely. 

Our Board of Education is doing well. Mr. Mcfarland has two boys & Peabody one. 

In haste,
Very truly Yours
H. A. Boardman. 

Some tears as shown, lower quarter panel removed on last sheet, not impacting any text.