Foxton, Frederick J. Popular Christianity: its Transition State, and Probable Development. London: John Chapman, 1849. [10568]
Blue publisher's cloth, old ex library matter including a paper label on the spine, several bookplates & discard stamps within, as well as a faint oval ink stamp on the tp. Binding is worn, intact, frayed at the top of the spine, 8 x 5 inches. Lacks the front free end papers (blanks). [xii], 226 clean pp. Publisher's 32 pp. catalogue dated September 20th, 1852 at end. Good. Hardcover.
Chapters: Condition of the Churches, Inspiration of the Scriptures, Miracles and Prophecy, The Divinity of Christ, Doctrines and Articles, Prospects and Conclusion.
The writer everywhere rejects traditional or creedal Christian doctrine and practice, and points to a new, enlightened, reasonable Christianity.
"I have strongly protested against the finality so generally conceded to the Reformation of the sixteenth century, and the shallow (so called) 'evangelical' Christianity that has been founded upon it. It seems to be supposed that to protest against Popery was to establish God's truth in the world...The state of religious anarchy so visible around us is acknowledged by the convulsive struggles both of Churchmen and Dissenters tor the attainment of some permanence and repose; and, after the vain experience of eighteen centuries, men still dream of establishing Christianity on the basis of a dogmatic theology...The world is yearning for a higher spiritual civilization...The English people are as little disposed now as they were a couple of hundred years since, to find their religious nutriment in a warmed-up hash of stale superstitions." - Preface.
Frederick Joseph Foxton (1807-1870), matriculated at Oxford University at the age of 19 (1826), remained to earn the B.A degree (1829). He was from 1829 to 1835 an Anglican clergyman, and became known as "the atheist of Bwlchgwyn." "He is described as having 'progressive views,' which evidently upset the church authorities and he was compelled to retire. He found sanctuary at Bwlchgywn [in Wales], became a bit of a recluse and wrote philosophical and religious essays and books...He developed a friendship with Thomas Carlyle and accompanied him on travels in Europe." - St. Harmon Community Council website.
