PREFACE.
Every intelligent reader of that expressive line of Longfellow, "Let the dead past bury its dead," understands that if "the dead past" may be buried, as it deserves to be, the living past will be remembered, recorded, celebrated, honored in all time to come. It is well, always, that we have our eyes open to this fact.
Among the many voices heard in the discussions going on in the religious world during the last half-century, has been that of Christian Universalism. It is still speaking more emphatically and widely than ever. A brief and comprehensive notice of its manifestations is surely worthy of consideration at the present time. It is the intent of this volume to keep in sacred remembrance some of the preachers and defenders of the Gospel of God's impartial grace, who in times when it was frowned upon and misrepresented in and out of the churches, had the Christian courage and loyalty to avow and maintain it. They have made the past not "dead," but gloriously alive in their faith and works.
In addition to the biographical sketches here given, other kindred matter of interest to the general reader will be presented, such as the rise and progress of the Universalist church in America; its growth in agreement with the genius and civilization of our republic; its place in the reformatory work of the last fifty years; its present status; its educational resources and aspects; its definite organized work; its missionary spirit and intent, with an outlook into the future.
The reader will understand that the views here taken are from the standpoint of a New England minister's observation, and do not embrace particulars which a wider survey might have included.
Furthermore, the author would say, that in the account of ministers here given, nothing like a complete biographical encyclopædia is intended; hence, he does not consider himself responsible for what is not in the volume, but presents it as it is, with a thankful heart that he is able in this humble effort to vindicate the faithful dead, and to address the living in behalf of that cause which they honored and promoted.
J. G. A. Melrose Highlands, November, 1882.
CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| CHAPTER I. THE WORLD'S PROGRESS. | |
| The Century just passed.—Last Half-century and Changes in it.—Words of Rev. Dr. Macleod and Governor Long.—Moral Progress; Hopeful View.—Enlargement of Religious Thought.—Christianity a Universal Religion.—Words of Dr. Uhlhorn and Dean Milman. | [13] |
| CHAPTER II. CHRISTIAN UNIVERSALISM. | |
| The Name; what it indicates.—Ancient Universalism.—Dr. E. Beecher's Testimony.—Statements of Others.—Mr. Lecky and Dr. Shaff.— Universalism of the Present Time.—In Europe. | [19] |
| CHAPTER III. UNIVERSALISM IN AMERICA. | |
| Its Rise with the Republic.—Declaration of Independence.—Its Christian Signification.—Mr. Bancroft's Statement.—Spirit of the Constitution of the Republic.—Nature, Unity, Interest, and Destination of the one Family of Man.—Speech of Dr. T. Whittemore.— Murray in Faneuil Hall. | [23] |
| CHAPTER IV. EARLY ADVOCACY OF UNIVERSALISM IN AMERICA. | |
| Murray and De Benneville.—Universalists as a separate Sect, and Reasons for it.—Statement of Rev. Dr. J. H. Tuttle.—Murray's Associates in the Ministry.—Their Characteristics.—Statement of Rev. Dr. J. Smith Dodge.—Description by Rev. Dr. A. D. Mayo. | [30] |
| CHAPTER V. GROWTH. | |
| Ministers at the beginning of the Present Century.—Statement of Rev. Dr. Miner.—Educational Aids and Publications.—Murray Centenary Fund.—Woman's Centenary Aid Association.—Theological Changes.— Calvinism, Arminianism, Universalism.—Evidences of the Influence of the Latter in these Changes.—Orthodox Concessions. | [36] |
| CHAPTER VI. UNIVERSALISM, UNITARIANISM, RATIONALISM. | |
| Liberal Christianity.—Indecision of Unitarians respecting the Salvation of All.—Ballou on Atonement.—Bold Vindication of their Faith by Universalists.—Tribute to Unitarianism.—Its Defects.—Mr. Parker's Influence.—Difficulty in answering a Question.—Disavowal of Mr. Parker's Rationalism by Universalists.—Resolutions of Boston Association.—Mr. Parker reviewed by Rev. O. A. Skinner and Rev. Dr. Lothrop.—Discussions respecting Christian Fellowship.—Dr. Ballou's Article in Universalist Quarterly; never Answered.—Mr. R. W. Emerson and his Testimony to Universalism. | [42] |
| CHAPTER VII. REFORM MOVEMENTS AND UNIVERSALISM. | |
| Universalist Reform Association.—First Meeting, and Festival Addresses.—Continuation of Meetings, a Feature of Anniversary Week.—Anti-Slavery Resolutions.—Festivals in Faneuil Hall.— Rendition of Burns; Notes of Freedom on the Occasion. | [50] |
| CHAPTER VIII. NEW ENGLAND ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY; UNIVERSALIST PROTEST. | |
| Mr. Garrison and His Associates.—Marlboro Chapel, "Eloquence dog-cheap there."—The Debaters.—Rev. John Pierpont and his Remarkable Plea.—Wendell Phillips's Reply to it.—Mobs in Boston and at Concord, N. H.—Denunciatory Spirit.—Anti-Sabbath Convention.— N. P. Rogers and the "Herald of Freedom."—Momentum of the Anti-Slavery Reform.—Political Changes.—War of the Rebellion and Downfall of Slavery.—Universalist Churches in this Reform.—Protest of Ministers against Slavery. | [58] |
| CHAPTER IX. REFORMATORY PROGRESS. | |
| The Temperance Reform.—Its Rise and Course in the Past; Its Present Aspects.—The Peace Question.—War Spirit of the Past contrary to Christianity.—Growth of the Christian Idea.—Peace Publications.— Sumner's Oration.—National Disputes can be settled by Arbitration; Instances.—Victor Hugo's Words.—Treatment of Criminals.—Capital Punishment.—Position and Work of Woman.—Other Questions. | [66] |
| CHAPTER X. THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH AND ITS WOMEN. | |
| Some of the Gifted Authors.—Women Workers in the Churches, Pulpits, and Educational Institutions.—Organized Effort.—Woman's Centenary Aid Association.—Its Work in the Centennial Year.—Tribute from the "Christian Leader."—Work of the Association since.—Mrs. C. A. Soule and the Scotland Mission.—Church in Glasgow.—Circulation of Church Literature. | [79] |
| CHAPTER XI. SKETCHES OF MINISTERS. | |
| Hosea Ballou.—Hosea F. Ballou.—Massena Ballou.—David Ballou.— Moses Ballou.—Hosea Ballou, D. D.—Levi and W. S. Ballou.— Edward Turner.—Sebastian Streeter.—Russell Streeter.—Thomas Jones.—Paul Dean.—Walter Balfour.—John Bisbe.—Thomas Whittemore, D. D.—Benjamin Whittemore, D. D.—Dolphus Skinner, D. D.—Warren Skinner.—Otis A. Skinner, D. D.—Samuel P. Skinner.—Joseph O. Skinner.—Nathaniel Stacy.—Stephen R. Smith.—Sylvanus Cobb, D. D.—Menzies Rayner. | [84] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| Thomas F. King.—Thomas Starr King.—Abel C. Thomas.—S. W. Fuller.—William A. Drew.—I. D. Williamson, D. D.—Kittredge Haven.—John Boyden.—John Moore.—Henry Bacon.—D. K. Lee, D. D. | [129] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| George Bates.—Ezekiel Vose.—Lemuel Willis.—John H. Willis.— Theodore Clapp.—John A. Gurley.—Enoch M. Pingree.—Thomas J. Greenwood.—Elbridge Gerry Brooks, D. D.—Ebenezer Fisher, D. D.—Rev. Seth Stetson.—William Bell.—Calvin Gardner. | [152] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| Josiah Gilman.—Emmons Partridge.—William I. Reese.—Albert A. Folsom.—William C. Hanscom.—Merritt Sanford.—Alexander R. Abbott.—Henry C. Leonard.—Abraham Norwood.—Charles Spear.— James W. Putnam.—James W. Dennis.—Henry B. Soule.—Obadiah H. Tillotson. | [168] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| Elhanan W. Reynolds.—Nathaniel Gunnison.—John M. Austin.—Tobias H. Miller.—Martin J. Steere.—Franklin S. Bliss.—Russell Tomlinson.— De Witt C. Tomlinson.—Levi C. Marvin.—Giles Bailey.—John E. Palmer.—William W. Wilson.—William R. Chamberlain. | [181] |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| Samuel C. Loveland.—David Pickering.—George Rogers.—Lewis F. W. Andrews.—Charles W. Mellen.—Henry A. Eaton.—W. A. P. Dillingham.— John G. Bartholomew, D. D.—E. H. Chapin, D. D.—Joseph D. Pierce.— Thomas J. Carney.—James M. Cook. | [199] |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| A. W. Bruce.—Frederick A. Hodsdon.—Ezekiel W. Coffin.—Edward A. Drew.—Norris C. Hodgdon.—S. P. Landers.—John Nichols.—Robert Killam.—Charles H. Webster.—Asa P. Cleverly.—Thomas J. Whitcomb.— George W. Whitney.—Robinson Breare. | [221] |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | |
| Zadoc H. Howe.—Willard C. George.—Mark Powers.—L. L. Record.— H. H. Baker.—James W. Ford.—E. H. Lake.—L. B. Mason.—Lafayette Barstow.—Stillman Barden.—T. J. Tenney.—C. H. Dutton.—Robert Bartlett. | [232] |
| CHAPTER XIX. | |
| Rufus S. Pope.—W. M. De Long.—W. B. Linnell.—Joshua Britton.— George Messenger.—John T. Goodrich.—Franklin C. Flint.—Hope Bain.— Woodbury M. Fernald.—C. P. Mallory.—Elvira J. Powers.—Fanny U. Roberts.—Prudy Le Clerc Haskell.—Living Ministers: C. F. Le Fevre, D. D.—Lucius R. Paige, D. D.—A. A. Miner, D. D.—Thomas J. Sawyer, D. D.—Thomas B. Thayer, D. D.—William S. Balch, D. D.— William H. Ryder, D. D.—Birthplace of Rev. H. Ballou. | [257] |
| CHAPTER XX. EDUCATIONAL AIDS. | |
| Universalism and Education.—Tufts College.—Lombard University.—St. Lawrence University.—Buchtel College.—Clinton Liberal Institute.— Dean Academy.—Goddard Seminary.—Westbrook Seminary.—Green Mountain Perkins Institute.—Other Aids.—The Sunday School.—Church Literature.—A Sensible and Urgent Appeal. | [293] |
| CHAPTER XXI. THE LAITY. | |
| Needed Support of the Ministry; how the Laity can render it.— Instances noted. | [302] |
| CHAPTER XXII. THE PRESENT OUTLOOK. | |
| Changes.—The Episcopal and Congregational Churches.—The Beecher Family.—Congregationalists at Plymouth in 1865.—Question of the Divine Responsibility.—Dr. Patton, Rev. John Miller, Miss Elizabeth Stuart Phelps.—Orthodoxy at Andover.—Questions respecting it.— Expedients to avoid the Admission of Universalism.—Prophecy of Rev. Dr. Hosea Ballou.—A late Acknowledgment of its Truthfulness.— Spirit of Inquiry among the Sects.—Spurgeon's Words.—The World and Church moving.—Growth of our Nation during the Last Half Century.— Words of Hon. R. C. Winthrop at Yorktown.—Work of the Universalist Church Now and Henceforth.—A Positive Faith.—The Creed Question noted.—A True Christian Life.—Missionary Inspiration and Action.— Conclusion. | [307] |