Henry James, Sr. - Early Years

Early Years

James then went to England for about a year, and returned in 1838 to New York, where he prepared an edition of Robert Sandeman's Letters on Theron and Aspasio, which has been called the principal literary document of a Scottish sect that opposed the Presbyterian Church. In his preface to Sandeman's work, he called it a far more faithful exhibition of Gospel truth than any other work. What specifically interested Henry James Sr. was its radically egalitarian message. Sandeman wrote: In fine, the whole New Testament speaks aloud, that as to the matter of acceptance with God, there is no difference betwixt one man and another; — no difference betwixt the best accomplished gentleman, and the most infamous scoundrel; — no difference betwixt the most virtuous lady and the vilest prostitute...