“Feed My Lambs”: the Spiritual Direction Ministry of Calvinistic British Baptist Anne Dutton During the Early Years of the Evangelical Revival
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ABSTRACT “Feed My Lambs”: The Spiritual Direction Ministry of Calvinistic British Baptist Anne Dutton During the Early Years of the Evangelical Revival Michael D. Sciretti, Jr., Ph.D. Mentor: William L. Pitts, Jr., Ph.D. This dissertation contends that Anne Dutton (1692-1765) contributed a transatlantic ministry of spiritual direction to the Evangelical Revival in the early 1740s. The first chapter provides a historiographical review of Dutton’s reception in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and the state of contemporary scholarship of Dutton. The chapter concludes with a historical reflection on spiritual direction, situating Dutton in the tradition of Protestant epistolary spiritual counseling and the long history of women spiritual directors. Chapter two provides an analysis of Dutton’s early life in light of the autobiographies of Anne and her husband, Benjamin Dutton. The third chapter demonstrates that Anne Dutton’s early literary productions were grounded in the spiritual formation she received in High Calvinistic congregations that encouraged experiential biblicism and Puritan spirituality. Of particular influence upon Dutton was the Puritan Thomas Goodwin with his interpretations of the “ages of Christianity” and the “sealing of the Spirit.” Chapter four reconstructs Dutton’s early correspondence with Howell Harris, John Wesley, and George Whitefield. The chapter demonstrates that Dutton’s Calvinistic spiritual writings were attractive to Harris and Whitefield (who in turn expanded her social-spiritual direction network) and suggests Dutton’s direction to these men is best defined as spiritual confirmation. The fifth chapter examines Dutton’s presence in the first evangelical magazine, the London Weekly Papers, as the anonymous “Friend in the Country.” Published by Dutton’s correspondent John Lewis, the magazine included several of Dutton’s spiritual pieces and advertised a number of her published works. Dutton’s contributions to this publication demonstrate her usefulness to Calvinistic Methodism and the extensiveness of her influence, albeit anonymous, on readers in England, Scotland, and America. Chapter six analyzes Dutton’s Letter-Books published in the 1740s. These volumes exhibit her transatlantic influence and the defining elements of her personal spiritual direction. The Letter-Books reveal Dutton’s correspondents relating to her as a spiritual director: one who was holy, knowledgeable, compassionate, wise, and discerning. The chapter concludes suggesting Dutton’s Letter- Books reflect the expansion and contraction of Dutton’s influence in the Evangelical Revival. A final chapter summarizes the contributions of this project to the study of Anne Dutton’s life, spirituality, and ministry. Copyright © 2009 by Michael D. Sciretti, Jr. All rights reserved CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS DEDICATION Chapter ONE Introduction 1 Dissertation Structure Historiography Spirituality Spiritual Direction Conclusions TWO “From Fears to Faith”: Anne Dutton’s Early Life and Spirituality 48 Conversion and Assurance Becoming Baptist London and the “School” of Skepp Anne’s Beloved Husbands Winter-Seasons of the Soul Call to Ministry The Fruitful ‘A.D.’ THREE “The Mystery of Walking with God”: Foundational Aspects of Anne Dutton’s Spirituality 116 Dutton’s Developmental Spirituality The Mystery and Internal Excellency of the Word “Fellowship with Gospel-mysteries” Conclusion FOUR “The Master’s Work”: Anne Dutton’s Early Correspondence and Introduction to the Evangelical Revival 198 Howell Harris and Dutton’s Welsh Connection John Wesley and Dutton’s Early Theological Controversies George Whitefield and Dutton’s Epistolary Enlargement Characteristics of Dutton’s Spiritual Direction as Found in the Letters to Evangelical Leaders FIVE “From a Friend in the Country”: Anne Dutton’s Early Contributions to the Calvinist Wing of the Evangelical Revival 281 iv John Lewis and Dutton’s Presence in the London Weekly Papers The Weekly History, 1741-42 An Account of the Gospel, 1742-43 Characteristics of Dutton’s Spiritual Direction as Found in the London Weekly Papers, 1741-43 SIX “A Part of the Communion of Saints”: Anne Dutton’s Epistolary Ministry of Spiritual Direction 342 “Gather up the Fragments”: Dutton’s Letter-Books “Letters on Spiritual Subjects … Sent to Relations and Friends”: Dutton’s Correspondents and Directees Characteristics of Dutton’s Spiritual Direction as Found in the Letter-Books SEVEN Conclusion 420 BIBLIOGRAPHY 432 v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This dissertation began with a book review. In a seminar in Baptist History during my first semester at Baylor University, Dr. William Brackney invited his students to select one book, from the plethora of volumes various publishers had sent to him, on which to write a book review for the American Baptist Quarterly. Because of my interest in spirituality, a new volume published by Mercer University Press caught my attention – Selected Spiritual Writings of Anne Dutton, Volume 1: Letters edited by JoAnn Ford Watson. Now, six years later, I can look back with great appreciation for Dr. Brackney and his confirmation of my gifts, talents, and interests. He both encouraged me to pursue doctoral studies at Baylor and guided my first forays into the life and spirituality of Anne Dutton. I am especially grateful to my primary mentor throughout my doctoral candidacy, Dr. Bill Pitts. Throughout the highs and lows of rigorous academic life, he has been a gentle and prodding presence. When I was unsure what the topic of my dissertation should be, he helped me realize Anne Dutton was the wisest choice. His careful eye for detail greatly enhanced my thinking and writing in a myriad of ways, and his constant encouragement helped me persevere to reach my goals. Many other individuals and institutions assisted my research and writing. Dr. Michael Haykin graciously sent to me copies of Dutton’s works he had procured over many years. From these sources I began to see the larger importance of Dutton’s spirituality and ministry. Along with those from Dr. Haykin, JoAnn Ford Watson’s steady stream of republications of Dutton’s writings aided my research. I am grateful to vi both of them for sharing their information about Dutton and their encouragement to pursue further study of her significance. Even with the vast amount of material from these two sources, my examination of Dutton and her writings would have been incomplete without my trip to England and New England in the spring of 2008, funded by the Glenn O. and Martell B. Hilburn Endowed Graduate Research Scholarship and given through the Department of Religion. The Baylor University Graduate School also provided additional financial aid for travel and research. While in England I did research in London, Great Gransden, Northampton, Huntingdon, Bristol, and Oxford. In London I spent time in the British Library and Dr. Williams’s Library, where Jonathan Morgan was tremendously helpful in illuminating the wider context of Dutton’s time and connecting me to the church historian of Great Gransden Baptist Church, Richard Sewell. I am particularly grateful for the generosity and hospitality of Richard and Betty Sewell. They shared priceless historical information concerning Anne Dutton and rare access to the Great Gransden Chapel. The helpful archivists and librarians at the Northampton County Record Office and Regent’s Park College, Oxford, helped me access valuable information concerning Anne Dutton’s early life. The Angus Library of Regent’s Park and the Bristol Baptist College Library held many of Dutton’s rare publications. Roger Hayden of Bristol Baptist College was a gracious host, eagerly assisting my understanding of Dutton’s context and encouraging my research. Mrs. Lesley Akeroyd, senior archivist of the Huntingdon County Record Office, allowed access to the Great Gransden Baptist Church Record Book and Benjamin Dutton’s will. The archivists at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, provided timely assistance in the procuring of Dutton’s letters to and from Howell Harris and the vii London Weekly Papers. The following libraries in New Haven and Boston were also generous with their time and access to various works of Dutton’s: the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University, Yale University Divinity School Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, and the Boston Athenaeum. Throughout the process of research and writing I received the support of a multitude of friends, colleagues, and professors; for their timely encouragement I am grateful. When I contemplated leaving the doctoral program, my soul friends Burt and Sam prayed for me, discerned with me, and finally told me to persevere! My spiritual mentor Lynn helped me through writer’s block, encouraged me to write what I most needed to say, and to be faithful to the voice of Anne Dutton. In addition to my dissertation mentor Dr. Pitts, I am grateful for the questions and suggestions of the rest of my dissertation committee: Dr. Doug Weaver, Dr. Thomas Kidd, Dr. Kim Kellison, and Dr. James Nogalski. Ultimately, the love and encouragement of my family allowed me to complete the project. My parents provided an overwhelming support in a variety of ways and constantly encouraged me; my children shared me with Starbucks and Barnes & Noble while inspiring me to work for their future; and my wife attentively listened to my frustrations and breakthroughs, lovingly confirmed my abilities and gifts, and patiently strengthened me throughout the entire process of research and writing. viii