"An interesting incident, illustrative of this amiable trait of character, once occurred in a brief exchange of words between him and Abner Kneeland. Mr. Kneeland had become an atheist, and one day came into an apartment where there was a little company of our ministering brethren, among whom was Mr. Ballou. Mr. Kneeland was forward to communicate this supposed new light to those with whom he was formerly associated in the ministry of Christ. He could dispense with the use of a creator of the world and of man, regarding the physical universe and the human species as eternal in their being without beginning. Yet he got in the idea, in the course of the conversation, that man is composed of the elements of nature.
"Mr. Ballou had been sitting in silence, with his elbows resting upon his knees (an attitude he often assumed when listening attentively to an argument). At this point he raised his head, and assumed an erect position of body, and said:—
"'Bro. Kneeland, you seem to have thought a great deal on these subjects, and perhaps you can give me some useful information. Now we see around us, in the city and country, a great many wooden houses. Of what are these houses made?'
"'They are made of timbers, boards, shingles, and the like,' answered Mr. Kneeland.
"'And out of what,' said Mr. Ballou, 'are these boards and shingles made?'
"'Out of trees,' replied Mr. K.
"'Then,' said Mr. Ballou, 'all wooden houses were made out of trees. If so, must there not have been trees before there was a wooden house?'
"'Yes,' said the other, 'of course.'
"'Well, I thought so,' said Mr. Ballou; 'and now,' continued he, 'here are many brick houses,—of what are they made?'
"'They are made,' answered Mr. Kneeland, 'out of bricks, which are composed of clay and sand.'