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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
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1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Rare Books
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Manuscripts
In August 1791, Nicola published a pamphlet titled The Divinity of Jesus Christ Considered from Scripture Evidences (Philadelphia: Printed by Eleazer Oswald, 1791). The pamphlet summarized some five years of study of Scripture prompted by the religious doubts that Nicola prompted by a chance encounter with a copy Joseph Priestley's An appeal to the serious and candid professors of Christianity. Nicola published the pamphlet with the intent to start a public discussion. In January 1793, Samuel Wetherill, a Free Quaker and a noted chemist, published a response to Nicola's treatise, blasting him as a godless follower of Priestley's. The debate, which also involved William White, bishop of Pennsylvania and the dean of Christ Church where Nicola and his family worshipped, became even more animated after Priestly arrived to Philadelphia in June 1794. This manuscript caps the debate. Drawing on rational examination of "the sacred Records" of Scripture, Nicola rejected Trinitarian, Arian, Socinian, and Unitarian views on Christ divinity to formulate his own version of angel Christology. Manuscript is signed: "Lewis Nicolas, of Philadelphia. 1795." It contains: a Preface, Introduction, five Chapters, and Indexes.
mssHM 83176
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188953
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485231