Henry Alline
Henry Alline was a significant figure in the religious history of Nova Scotia, born in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1743. He moved to Falmouth, Nova Scotia, at the age of twelve, where he developed a deep interest in theology and experienced a profound spiritual transformation in 1775 that led him to become an itinerant preacher. Alline traveled extensively throughout Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New England, sharing his beliefs with pioneer communities. Rejecting established Congregationalist doctrines, he emphasized personal spiritual experiences and was often viewed as a radical, leading to his exclusion from their churches. Alline's movement, known as New Light, attracted followers who were called Allinites or New Lights, and he is credited with influencing the revival of the Baptist church in the Maritime Provinces. Over his brief preaching career, which lasted only eight years, he composed over five hundred hymns and published several religious pamphlets, along with a journal detailing his travels and spiritual insights. His most notable theological work, "Two Mites on Some of the Most Important and Much-Disputed Points of Divinity," reflects his anti-Calvinist stance. Alline's life was cut short by tuberculosis, but his legacy in the realm of faith and worship continues to be recognized.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Henry Alline
Writer
- Born: January 14, 1748
- Birthplace: Newport, Rhode Island
- Died: January 28, 1784
- Place of death: North Hampton, New Hampshire
Biography
Henry Alline was born in Newport, Rhode Island, where he received his early education. In 1760, when he was twelve years old, the family moved to Falmouth, Nova Scotia. From a young age, Alline was interested in theology, and he spent much of his life engaged in soul-searching and spiritual conflict. In 1775, Alline had a spiritual transformation and felt called to the ministry. The following year, he began a new life as an itinerant preacher. He traveled across Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (and eventually back to New England) on horseback, by boat, and on foot to preach his new faith to the pioneer communities. The Congregationalist church believed Alline to be a dangerous fanatic because he did not adhere to church doctrine, and he stressed personal experience as a way to make a renewed commitment to Christ. Because of his radical ideas, the Congregationalists forbade him to preach in their churches, so he often conducted his meetings in houses or in the open air.
His inspiring speeches about the transcendence of God and the salvation of Christ often were accompanied by hymns that Alline composed. His movement was called New Light, and his followers were referred to as Allinites, or as New Lights. Alline is credited with beginning a revival movement that had a major influence on the establishment of the Baptist church across the Maritime Provinces. His preaching career was short-lived; it lasted only eight years. During his travels, Alline contracted tuberculosis and succumbed to the disease while visiting New England. In addition to writing more than five-hundred hymns, Alline kept a journal of his travels and spiritual revelations that was published after his death. He is also credited with the publication of a handful of religious pamphlets. His most important theological work, Two Mites on Some of the Most Important and Much-Disputed Points of Divinity, focuses on Alline’s anti-Calvinist views.