This volume (about 500 pages) contains Samuel Miner Campbell's manuscript transcriptions of lectures delivered by Laurens Perseus Hickok, professor of Christian theology at Auburn Theology Seminary, in 1847 and 1848. The subjects include the nature of God, the authority of the Bible, the sacraments, and divine justice.
When he was at Auburn Theological Seminary, Reverend Samuel Miner Campbell attended Hickok’s lectures entitled "Theology Natural and Revealed." The lectures are divided into 3 sections: Natural Theology (9 lectures, pp. 1-68), Doctrinal Theology (55 lectures, pp. 70-377), and Positive Institutions (11 lectures, pp. 379-429). The "Natural Theology" lectures concern the nature of God and divine providence, while the lectures on "Doctrinal Theology" pertain to the Bible and its interpretation. Among other topics, these sections address the authority of biblical text and the role of Jesus Christ in Christian theology, as well as original sin, atonement, faith, and election. Hickok's lectures on "Positive Institutions" focus on the sacrament of baptism, the Lord’s Supper, the Sabbath, marriage, and civil government.
The last section, after page 429, contains "The two administrations of the Divine govt. over man;" the first is entitled "Administration of Justice," and the second, "Administration of Grace." These concentrate on sin, punishments, rewards, and the administration of divine justice, drawing from to the creation story, and Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Laurens Perseus Hickok was born in Bethel, Connecticut, on December 29, 1798. After teaching school, he enrolled at Union College as a junior in 1819, and graduated the following year. He then decided he wanted to enter the ministry, and studied theology informally. He was ordained in the Congregational church in 1824. After pastorates in Kent and Litchfield, Connecticut, he became a professor of theology at Western Reserve College (now Case Western University) from 1836 to 1844, at Auburn Theological Seminary (1845-1853), and at Union College (1853-1866). He served as president of Union College between 1866 and 1868, and then retired to Amherst, Massachusetts, where he edited some of his works and occasionally accepted speaking engagements. He and his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, were married in 1822; they had no children. Laurens Perseus Hickok died on May 6, 1888.
