Robert Matthews, Parts 5 through 7 Summary and Analysis

Part 5: Kirk had arrived in Albany in 1828, at the invitation of Reverend James Chester of the Second Presbyterian Church. He shocked his congregation when it was revealed that he was an adherent to Finneyism. Kirk's evangelical leanings were too much for the conservative congregation (many of whom were important civic leaders), and Kirk was dismissed from his post. Undeterred, Kirk took a few followers and established the Fourth Presbyterian Church, using the North Dutch Church as a meeting place.

Kirk railed against Calvinism's notions of predestination, charging each and every man with responsibility for their own salvation. He held very long Sunday services, and his followers actively promoted his church and tried to get others to see him preach. got many new members, many of whom are women. Matthews was drawn to Kirk, but his...