DISCOURSE ON THE IMMUTABLE DECREES OF GOD - AND THE FREE AGENCY OF MAN - delivered in the City Hall, Newburyport, Mass.

Sep 28, 2026

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This 1858 printed discourse presents Mrs. Cora L. Hatch of New York delivering an impromptu lecture on whether the immutable decrees of God interfere with or hinder the freedom of action in man. The preface frames the debate as a central theological question separating the finite from the infinite and assessing how far human will can act independently of divine influence. The introduction, committee selection, and ceremonial elements establish the speech context, followed by a devotional prayer invoking divine rule over time, creation, and the human soul.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Lecture

Prayer

| A
DISCO URSE
ON TIIE
IMMUTABLE DECREES 0F GOD,
AND THE
正R卫卫AGENCY OF MAN.
BY
MRS.CORA L.V.HATCH
OF NEW YORK | | | --- | --- | | | | # A DISCOU RSE ON THE # IMMUTABLE DECREES OF GOD, AND THE # FREE AGEN CY OF MAN, DELIVERED IN THE CITY HALL,NEWBU RYPORT,MASS., Sunday,November 22d,1857. BY MRS.CORAL.V.HATCH, OF NEW YORK. PHONOGRAPHICALLY EEPORTED BY JAMEB M.POMEROY. NEW YORK:PUBLISHED BY B.F.HATCH,M.D. 1858. # CORA L.V.HATCH. PREFA CE. THE immutable decrees of God and the Free Agency of Man,has ever been the mooted question of Doctors of Divinity inall ages of the world,and probably will remain open for dis-cussion forever.Until we can draw the dividing line betweenthe finite and infinite,and ascertain how far man can act entirelydisconnected from all influence of the Divine Mind,if at all,there will be a diversity of opinions upon this all-importantsubject.I say important,for it appears to me to be the key-stone of the arch which spans from man to God and on whichrests the great theological fabrics of all time.It is evidentthat if God really governs the universe,He does it mentallyand morally,as well as physically.Those whe take the sideof what is called free agency,do so from a perfect conscious-ness of a power within themselves to act as they please.Thisdoes not reach the.root of the difficulty;for the question isnot whether man is controled by physical force;but how farhe,as an individual,can separate his mind from the great bodyof mind by which he is surrounded,both visible and invisible;and then act independent of all conditions,both mental andphysical.If man would be perfectly free,and independent ofall things else,he must be in some place where God is not,andsurrounded by no circumstances or conditions.But as longas he is within God’s Universe,he is within the influence ofthe Divine Mind and all things He has made. iv. It is conceded that this is the most metaphysical subjectinyolved in theology,and one which is most inexplicable.Howwell and ably it is handled in the accompanying discourse,weleave for the candid and critical reader to decide. Mrs.HATCH,at the time of her delivery of this discourse,was seventeen years and seven months old.After she hadtaken the stand,in company with myself,I invited the audienceto select a Committee of three competent persons to designatea subject for the evening's discourse.That Committee wasduly chosen and voted in by the audience.I then stated thatthey had the privilege of presenting any question or themein Philosophy,Moral or Religious ethics for elucidation.Theybrought in the following question:—“Do the immutable decreesof God interfere with,or hinder,the freedom of action in man?’She immediately arose;and after chanting and offering upthanks to Gód,proceeded to an elucidation of her subject.Igive it to the reader without a change of a word,from theReporter's manuscript,that he may have it as it came from thethe speaker,in a Trance state. From this statement,it will be seen that the discourse isentirely impromptu,and delivered without one minute oppor-tunity for refection or arrangement of ideas.As N.P.Willissays of another discourse,delivered by Mrs.Hatch on a previousoccasion,“How to explain it,with her age,habits and educa-tion,is the true point at issue.” B.F.HATCH,M.D. LECTURE. THE services were opened by introductory remarksby Dr.HATCH,which were followed with the chantingof the Lord's Prayer,by Mrs.HATCH. The Committee was then appointed,at the requestof Dr.HATCH,by the audience,to choose a theme forthe evening's discourse,after consultation,they pre-sented the following subject:一 # “Do THE IMMUTABLE DECREES OF GoD INTERFEREWITH,OR HINDER,THE FREEDOM OF ACTION IN MAN?” PRAYER. INFINITE JEHOVAH!Thou who hast ruled,and who rulest,and who shalt rule forever;Thou who art our God,and ourFather;who hast seen the end from the beginning of alltime and eternity!we would bless and adore Th

FAQs

What is the main topic of the discourse?

The discourse focuses on whether the immutable decrees of God interfere with or hinder the freedom of action in man.

Why does the author call the subject a key theological issue?

The preface presents it as the central question for distinguishing how the finite can act in relation to the infinite and divine mind, shaping long-standing theological debate.

How was the lecture topic chosen?

The audience selected a committee of three competent persons, and that committee presented the evening’s subject on the freedom of action in man versus God’s immutable decrees.

Sep 28, 2026

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