Correspondence

436.  EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 1–2.

Hope End.

Saturday night. [7–8 January 1832] [1]

I was very glad to find that black swan, [2] a letter from you, ready to meet me here, tho’ I had learnt the table of contents at Ruby Cottage. I believe I did not thank you for asking me again to your house, when I said that I could not go. If I did not thank you then, I must do so now instead.

You desired me some time ago to look at Chrysostom’s commentary on the latter part of the chapter of Romans. I did not forget to look at it, but I have had no opportunity since of telling you what I saw. Chrysostom as far as I can understand him, seems to be perfectly orthodox in his exposition of the texts in question.

Papa says that Mr Irving did lately in his presence, address the whole of his congregation of four thousand, in this manner– “You are saved!– I do not say that you are in a salvable state, but that you are saved.” In a few minutes afterwards, he exclaimed with all the inconsistency which must always characterize error– “Repent, and turn unto the Lord, or you will be damned.”!– “Follow the leader” is a hard game to play at, with Mr Irving,—and I think & hope that Mr Bulteel [3] will be tired, before it is half over. Do you recollect the little Calvinistic book which Mr Curzon lent to you & me? He sent that very book to Mr Bulteel, as a book he was likely to be particularly pleased with.

I do not object to the rhyme, [4] in your epigram.

May God bless you!——

Ever yours affectionately

E B Barrett.

Address, on integral page: H S Boyd Esqr / Ruby Cottage / Malvern Wells.

Publication: Diary, p. 295.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Dated by Diary, pp. 203–204, entries for 7 and 8 January.

2. i.e., rara avis.

3. Henry Bellenden Bulteel (1800–66), theologian, converted to Irving’s ideas in 1832.

4. Underscored three times.

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