A very rare and important early assemblage of the complete run of the beginnings of the Unitarian Controversy which began in 1819. 

As the history goes, William E. Channing [1780-1842" quite literally "sparked" the controversy while preaching the Ordination sermon of Jared Sparks, who is today best remembered as an important early American historian. Channing's sermon, more than a theological argument, was an impeachment and invective against the Calvinism of the Second Great Awakening as represented at Williams College, Andover, and Princeton. 

This led to an initial theological response to the sermon by influential Andover theologian, Moses Stuart, and another by Leonard Woods, also of Andover. 

Enter Henry Ware [1764-1845], one of the founders of the American Unitarian Association. What was then occasioned was an ever-intensifying theological and polemic discourse between Henry Ware, representing the Unitarians, and Leonard Woods, representing the Trinitarians and Calvinists.

It should be noted that their Unitarianism was in many was distinct from what we think of today. They held that God, as revealed in the Old Testament was in fact, "God." But that Jesus was a creation of the Father, a true articulation of the Father in flesh, even Savior, but not divine. And the Spirit was not personed. So we have in the Unitarians some of the theological seed of the Jehovah's Witnesses, Watchtower, the Latter Day Saints, Mormons, and even perhaps Alexander Campbell and the Christian Church's view of the Spirit. 

The present volume contains every important work published as part of the debate. Absolutely exceptional. 

Channing, William Ellery. A Sermon Delivered at the Ordination of the Rev. Jared Sparks, to the Pastoral Care of the First Independent Church of Baltimore, May 5, 1819. Second Edition. Baltimore. Printed by J. Robinson, Circulating Library. 1819. 72pp.

[bound with]

Stuart, Moses. Letters to the Rev. Wm. E. Channing, Containing His Remarks on His Sermon, Recently Preached and Published at Baltimore. Second Edition, Corrected and Enlarged. Andover. Published by Flagg and Gould. 1819. 179pp.

[bound with]

Woods, Leonard. Letters to Unitarians Occasioned by the Sermon of the Reverend William E. Channing at the Ordination of the Rev. J. Sparks. Andover. Published by Flagg and Gould. 1820. 160pp

[bound with]

Ware, Henry. Letters Addressed to Trinitarians and Calvinists, Occasioned by Dr. Woods' Letters to Unitarians. Second Edition. Cambridge. Published by Hilliard and Metcalf. 1820. 150pp.

[bound with]

Woods, Leonard. A Reply to Dr. Ware's Letters to Trinitarians and Calvinists. Andover. Published by Flagg and Gould. 1821. 228pp.

[bound with]

Ware, Henry. Answer to Dr. Woods' Reply, in a Second Series of Letters Addressed to Trinitarians and Calvinists. Cambridge. Published by Hilliard and Metcalf. 1822. 163pp. 

[bound with]

Woods, Leonard. Remarks on Dr. Ware's Answer. Andover. Published and For Sale by Mark Newman. Flagg and Gould Printers. Sept. 1822. 63pp.

[bound with]

Ware, Henry. A Postscript to the Second Series of Letters Addressed to Trinitarians and Calvinists, in Reply to the Remarks of Dr. Woods in Those Letters. Cambridge. Published by Hilliard and Metcalf. 1823. 48pp. 

The present volume appears to have been assembled by Nathanael Cogswell, Pastor of the Congregational Church at Yarmouth, Massachusetts. Early twentieth century inscription by S. B. Flagg. 

Original plain calf. Some light to moderate rubbing at extremities, but very attractive. Final two works minor stains at gutter. An exceptional volume.