Dana
Dana James, D.D., a Congregational minister, was born in Cambridge 1735, graduated at Harvard 1753, and in 1758 was installed pastor at Wallingford, Conn. He became pastor of the First Church, New Haven, 1789; was dismissed July 30, 1805; and died Aug. 18, 1812. He was made D.D. by the University of Edinburgh, 1768. Dr. Dana published "An Examination of Edwards on the Will" (anon. 1770); "An Examination of the Same, continued" (1773); and a number of occasional sermons. In his writings in reply to Edwards, he held "that men themselves are the only efficient causes of their own volitions; nor do they always determine according to the greatest apparent good; the affections do not follow the judgment; men sin against light, with the wiser choice, the greater good full in their view. Through the impetuosity of their passions, they determine against the greatest apparent good. This is the case with every sinner who resolves to delay repentance to a future time. Self-determination is the characteristic of every moral agent. The absence of liberty he deemed inconsistent with moral agency; and by liberty he meant, not merely liberty in regard to the external action, but liberty of volition; an exemption from all circumstances and causes having a controlling influence over the will-a self-determining power of man, as a real agent, in respect to his own volitions. On the whole, he regarded the scheme of Edwards as acquitting the creature of blame, and impeaching the truth and justice of the Creator." — Sprague, Annals, 1:565.
